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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x	Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

or

 

¨	Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from _________ to ___________

Commission File Number 000-19289

STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ohio		31-1324304
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
518 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio		43215-3976
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (614) 464-5000

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨                                     Accelerated filer  x                                     Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No   x

On October 26, 2012, the Registrant had 40,449,045 Common Shares outstanding.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Index to Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012

 

		Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.		Financial Statements (Unaudited)
		Condensed consolidated balance sheets – September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011			1
		Condensed consolidated statements of income – Three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011			2
		Condensed consolidated statements of income – Nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011			3
		Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income – Three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011			4
		Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income – Nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011			5
		Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows – Nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011			6
		Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements – September 30, 2012			7
Item 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			25
Item 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			66
Item 4.		Controls and Procedures			67
		Part II. Other Information
Item 1.		Legal Proceedings			68
Item 1A.		Risk Factors			69
Item 2.		Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			69
Item 3.		Defaults upon Senior Securities			69
Item 4.		Reserved			69
Item 5.		Other Information			69
Item 6.		Exhibits			69
		Signatures			70

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

($ millions, except per share amount)		September  30 2012 (unaudited)				December 31 2011 As adjusted
						(see note 1)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,745.6 and $1,817.3, respectively)		$	1,883.9				1,934.9
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $196.1 and $141.7, respectively)			235.1				167.3
Other invested assets, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $48.9 and $48.6, respectively)			61.9				57.2
Other invested assets			0.5				0.5
Notes receivable from affiliate			70.0				70.0
Total investments			2,251.4				2,229.9
Cash and cash equivalents			64.2				356.0
Accrued investment income and other assets			30.4				30.2
Deferred policy acquisition costs			94.0				91.7
Reinsurance recoverable on losses and loss expenses payable			18.7				25.5
Prepaid reinsurance premiums			4.1				7.9
Current federal income taxes			5.9				12.3
Net deferred federal income taxes			0.4				0.5
Property and equipment, at cost			10.4				10.4
Total assets		$	2,479.5				2,764.4
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Losses and loss expenses payable (affiliates $414.7 and $376.8, respectively)		$	945.9				907.1
Unearned premiums (affiliates $86.7 and $98.4, respectively)			491.5				470.2
Notes payable (affiliates $15.5 and $15.5, respectively)			116.0				116.4
Postretirement and pension benefits			104.0				112.8
Due to affiliate			3.5				349.4
Other liabilities			79.5				84.7
Total liabilities			1,740.4				2,040.6
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A Preferred stock (nonvoting), without par value. Authorized 2.5 shares; none issued			—				—
Class B Preferred stock, without par value. Authorized 2.5 shares; none issued			—				—
Common stock, without par value. Authorized 100.0 shares; 47.2 and 47.1 shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $2.50 per share			118.0				117.8
Treasury stock, 6.8 and 6.8 shares, respectively, at cost			(115.8	)			(115.8	)
Additional paid-in capital			130.2				127.3
Accumulated other comprehensive income			104.3				63.8
Retained earnings			502.4				530.7
Total stockholders’ equity			739.1				723.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,479.5				2,764.4

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)		Three months ended September 30
(unaudited)		2012				2011 As adjusted
						(see note 1)
Earned premiums (ceded to affiliates $203.9 and $198.7, respectively)		$	261.4				356.8
Net investment income (affiliate $1.3 and $1.3, respectively)			17.2				20.3
Net realized gain on investments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses			(0.7	)			(4.4	)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income			—				—
Other net realized investment gains			7.7				14.6
Total net realized gain on investments			7.0				10.2
Other income from affiliates			0.8				0.7
Total revenues			286.4				388.0
Losses and loss expenses (ceded to affiliates $133.8 and $182.0, respectively)			201.4				315.3
Acquisition and operating expenses			86.4				121.4
Interest expense (affiliates $0.2 and $0.1, respectively)			1.8				1.9
Other expenses			2.4				1.4
Total expenses			292.0				440.0
Loss before federal income taxes			(5.6	)			(52.0	)
Federal income tax (benefit) expense			(0.1	)			6.7
Net loss		$	(5.5	)			(58.7	)
Loss per common share:
Basic		$	(0.14	)			(1.46	)
Diluted		$	(0.14	)			(1.46	)
Dividends paid per common share		$	0.15				0.15

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)		Nine months ended September 30
(unaudited)		2012				2011 As adjusted
						(see note 1)
Earned premiums (ceded to affiliates $600.6 and $606.6, respectively)		$	774.7				1,059.4
Net investment income (affiliate $3.7 and $3.7, respectively)			55.2				66.5
Net realized gain on investments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses			(2.4	)			(5.3	)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income			—				—
Other net realized investment gains			23.2				30.2
Total net realized gain on investments			20.8				24.9
Other income from affiliates			2.7				1.8
Total revenues			853.4				1,152.6
Losses and loss expenses (ceded to affiliates $457.6 and $590.9, respectively)			594.4				959.5
Acquisition and operating expenses			257.6				357.1
Interest expense (affiliates $0.6 and $0.5, respectively)			5.3				5.4
Other expenses			6.4				6.3
Total expenses			863.7				1,328.3
Loss before federal income taxes			(10.3	)			(175.7	)
Federal income tax (benefit) expense			(0.1	)			84.3
Net loss		$	(10.2	)			(260.0	)
Loss per common share:
Basic		$	(0.25	)			(6.47	)
Diluted		$	(0.25	)			(6.47	)
Dividends paid per common share		$	0.45				0.45

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)		Three months ended September 30
(unaudited)		2012				2011 As adjusted
						(see note 1)
Net loss		$	(5.5	)			(58.7	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized holding gains (loss) on investments:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during year			36.7				(5.8	)
Reclassification adjustments for gains realized in net loss			(7.0	)			(10.2	)
Income tax (expense) benefit			(0.3	)			5.6
Total net unrealized holding gains (loss) on investments			29.4				(10.4	)
Amortization of gain on derivative used in cash flow hedge			—				—
Net unrecognized benefit plan obligations:
Reclassification adjustments for amortization to statements of income:
Transition asset			0.1				(0.1	)
Negative prior service cost			(1.3	)			(0.3	)
Net actuarial loss			2.0				1.8
Income tax expense			—				(0.6	)
Total net unrecognized benefit plan obligations			0.8				0.8
Other comprehensive income (loss)			30.2				(9.6	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	24.7				(68.3	)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)		Nine months ended September 30
(unaudited)		2012				2011 As adjusted
						(see note 1)
Net loss		$	(10.2	)			(260.0	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized holding gains on investments:
Unrealized holding gain arising during year			59.3				37.7
Reclassification adjustments for gains realized in net loss			(20.8	)			(24.9	)
Income tax expense			—				(4.5	)
Total net unrealized holding gains on investments			38.5				8.3
Amortization of gain on derivative used in cash flow hedge			(0.1	)			(0.1	)
Net unrecognized benefit plan obligations:
Reclassification adjustments for amortization to statements of income:
Transition asset			0.2				(0.3	)
Negative prior service cost			(3.9	)			(0.9	)
Net actuarial loss			5.8				5.2
Income tax expense			—				(1.3	)
Total net unrecognized benefit plan obligations			2.1				2.7
Other comprehensive income			40.5				10.9
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	30.3				(249.1	)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

($ millions)		Nine months ended September 30
(unaudited)		2012				2011 As adjusted
						(see Note 1)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(10.2	)			(260.0	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, net			6.0				2.9
Share-based compensation			2.7				2.2
Net realized gain on investments			(20.8	)			(24.9	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs			(2.2	)			(12.3	)
Accrued investment income and other assets			—				(1.8	)
Postretirement and pension benefits			(6.8	)			2.8
Other liabilities and due to/from affiliates, net			(17.5	)			13.0
Reinsurance recoverable on losses and loss expenses payable and prepaid reinsurance premiums			10.7				(12.0	)
Losses and loss expenses payable			38.8				123.2
Unearned premiums			21.3				46.4
Federal income taxes			6.4				85.8
Cash used in December 31, 2011 unearned premium transfer related to the homeowners’ quota-share reinsurance agreement			(75.5	)			—
Cash (used in) provided from pooling changes, December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2011 (see Note 4)			(261.4	)			69.1
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(308.5	)			34.4
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturities – available-for-sale			(429.3	)			(338.5	)
Purchases of equity securities – available-for-sale			(112.1	)			(88.1	)
Purchases of other invested assets			(0.7	)			(0.8	)
Maturities, calls and pay downs of fixed maturities – available-for-sale			217.5				246.2
Sales of fixed maturities – available-for-sale			293.9				101.7
Sales of equity securities – available-for-sale			64.4				136.0
Sales of other invested assets			0.5				10.7
Sale of subsidiary, net of expenses			—				13.2
Net additions of property and equipment			(0.2	)			—
Net cash provided by investing activities			34.0				80.4
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			0.8				1.6
Payment of dividends			(18.1	)			(18.0	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(17.3	)			(16.4	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			(291.8	)			98.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			356.0				88.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	64.2				186.7
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid (affiliates $0.6 and $0.5, respectively)		$	3.7				3.7
Federal income taxes received		$	(6.5	)			(1.5	)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of State Auto Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries (“State Auto Financial” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012. The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “2011 Form 10-K”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2011 Form 10-K.

Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts

In October 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance to address diversity in practice for the accounting of costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. This guidance modifies the definition of acquisition costs to specify that a cost be directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance, with retrospective application, at January 1, 2012. The cumulative effect of this retrospective adoption of this guidance reduced stockholders’ equity by $20.5 million, after-tax, at January 1, 2010. Previously reported financial information has been revised to reflect the effect of the Company’s adoption of this accounting standard.

The effect of adoption of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and on stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2009 was as follows:

 

($ in millions)		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change				As Adjusted
December 31, 2011:
Deferred policy acquisition costs		$	118.1			$	(26.4	)		$	91.7
Other liabilities			76.6				8.1				84.7
Deferred federal income taxes			0.5				—				0.5
Retained earnings			565.2				(34.5	)			530.7
Stockholders’ equity			758.3				(34.5	)			723.8
December 31, 2010:
Deferred policy acquisition costs		$	150.2			$	(31.7	)		$	118.5
Deferred income tax liability			(86.3	)			(11.1	)			(97.4	)
Retained earnings			736.1				(20.6	)			715.5
Stockholders’ equity			851.8				(20.6	)			831.2
December 31, 2009:
Retained earnings		$	735.6			$	(20.5	)		$	715.1
Stockholders’ equity			849.4				(20.5	)			828.9

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The effect of adoption of this new guidance on the consolidated income statement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:

 

($ in millions, except per share amounts)		Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change				As Adjusted
Acquisition and operating expenses		$	121.4			$	—			$	121.4
Income tax expense			6.7				—				6.7
Net loss			(58.7	)			—				(58.7	)
Loss per share:
Basic		$	(1.46	)		$	—			$	(1.46	)
Diluted		$	(1.46	)		$	—			$	(1.46	)
($ in millions, except per share amounts)		Nine months Ended September 30, 2011
		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change				As Adjusted
Acquisition and operating expenses		$	355.6			$	1.5			$	357.1
Income tax expense			73.2				11.1				84.3
Net loss			(247.4	)			(12.6	)			(260.0	)
Loss per share:
Basic		$	(6.15	)		$	(0.32	)		$	(6.47	)
Diluted		$	(6.15	)		$	(0.32	)		$	(6.47	)

Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS

The amendments in this guidance result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Consequently, the amendments in the guidance change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in the guidance to result in a change in the application of the requirements in the Fair Value Measurements Topic. The guidance also clarifies the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements as well as changes to a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at January 1, 2012 and it did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Testing Goodwill for Impairment

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance in relation to testing goodwill for impairment. The amendments in the update permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of a more than 50 percent. Previous guidance under Topic 350 (Intangibles, Goodwill and Other), required an entity to test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. Under this updated guidance, the test for impairment should be performed on an annual basis unless an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

below its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. However, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance at January 1, 2012 and it did not have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

2. Investments

The following tables set forth the cost or amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities by lot at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

($ millions)		Cost or amortized cost				Gross unrealized holding gains				Gross unrealized holding losses				Fair value
At September 30, 2012:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies		$	334.1				40.0				—				374.1
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			745.2				53.1				—				798.3
Corporate securities			259.2				20.0				(0.2	)			279.0
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			407.1				26.4				(1.0	)			432.5
Total fixed maturities			1,745.6				139.5				(1.2	)			1,883.9
Equity securities:
Large-cap securities			154.5				28.8				(1.2	)			182.1
Small-cap securities			41.6				11.4				—				53.0
Total equity securities			196.1				40.2				(1.2	)			235.1
Other invested assets			48.9				13.0				—				61.9
Total available-for-sale securities		$	1,990.6				192.7				(2.4	)			2,180.9

 

($ millions)		Cost or amortized cost				Gross unrealized holding gains				Gross unrealized holding losses				Fair value
At December 31, 2011:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies		$	433.8				35.0				(0.1	)			468.7
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			761.3				50.0				(0.1	)			811.2
Corporate securities			231.4				13.7				(0.3	)			244.8
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			390.8				20.3				(0.9	)			410.2
Total fixed maturities			1,817.3				119.0				(1.4	)			1,934.9
Equity securities:
Large-cap securities			106.4				18.9				(3.2	)			122.1
Small-cap securities			35.3				9.9				—				45.2
Total equity securities			141.7				28.8				(3.2	)			167.3
Other invested assets			48.6				8.6				—				57.2
Total available-for-sale securities		$	2,007.6				156.4				(4.6	)			2,159.4

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value on its investments by lot, aggregated by investment category and length of time for individual securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

		Less than 12 months												12 months or more												Total
($ millions, except # of positions)		Fair value				Unrealized losses				Number of positions				Fair value				Unrealized losses				Number of positions				Fair value				Unrealized losses				Number of positions
At September 30, 2012:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies		$	9.3			$	—				3			$	—			$	—				—			$	9.3			$	—				3
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			8.2				—				3				—				—				—				8.2				—				3
Corporate securities			22.9				(0.2	)			5				—				—				—				22.9				(0.2	)			5
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			4.5				—				2				35.0				(1.0	)			13				39.5				(1.0	)			15
Total fixed maturities			44.9				(0.2	)			13				35.0				(1.0	)			13				79.9				(1.2	)			26
Large-cap equity securities			24.0				(0.7	)			6				5.0				(0.5	)			2				29.0				(1.2	)			8
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	68.9			$	(0.9	)			19			$	40.0			$	(1.5	)			15			$	108.9			$	(2.4	)			34

 

		Less than 12 months												12 months or more												Total
($ millions, except # of positions)		Fair value				Unrealized losses				Number of positions				Fair value				Unrealized losses				Number of positions				Fair value				Unrealized losses				Number of positions
At December 31, 2011:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies		$	5.0			$	—				1			$	9.0			$	(0.1	)			3			$	14.0			$	(0.1	)			4
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			8.9				(0.1	)			4				2.1				—				1				11.0				(0.1	)			5
Corporate securities			23.0				(0.3	)			9				—				—				—				23.0				(0.3	)			9
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			18.3				(0.1	)			4				35.3				(0.8	)			13				53.6				(0.9	)			17
Total fixed maturities			55.2				(0.5	)			18				46.4				(0.9	)			17				101.6				(1.4	)			35
Large-cap equity securities			19.3				(3.0	)			9				2.7				(0.2	)			1				22.0				(3.2	)			10
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	74.5			$	(3.5	)			27			$	49.1			$	(1.1	)			18			$	123.6			$	(4.6	)			45

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The Company reviewed its investments at September 30, 2012, and determined no additional other-than-temporary impairment existed in the gross unrealized holding losses other than those listed in the table below. The following table sets forth the realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments on the Company’s investment portfolio recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September  30								Nine months ended September  30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Equity securities:
Small-cap securities		$	(0.7	)			(0.2	)		$	(2.2	)			(0.2	)
Fixed maturities:			—				(4.2	)			(0.2	)			(5.1	)
Total other-than-temporary impairments		$	(0.7	)			(4.4	)		$	(2.4	)			(5.3	)

The Company regularly monitors its investments that have fair values less than cost or amortized cost for signs of other-than-temporary impairment, an assessment that requires significant management judgment regarding the evidence known. Such judgments could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could negatively impact the amounts reported. Among the factors that management considers for fixed maturity securities are the financial condition of the issuer including receipt of scheduled principal and interest cash flows, and intent to sell including if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery. When a fixed maturity has been determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment, the impairment charge is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings as a realized loss, and the amount related to non-credit factors, which is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. Future increases or decreases in fair value, if not other-than-temporary, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Among the factors that management considers for equity securities and other invested assets are the length of time and/or the significance of decline below cost, the Company’s ability and intent to hold these securities through their recovery periods, the current financial condition of the issuer and its future business prospects, and the ability of the market value to recover to cost in the near term. When an equity security or other invested asset has been determined to have a decline in fair value that is other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted to fair value. This results in a charge to earnings as a realized loss, which is not reversed for subsequent recoveries in fair value. Future increases or decreases in fair value, if not other-than-temporary, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2012:

 

($ millions)		Amortized cost				Fair value
Due in 1 year or less		$	40.1				40.8
Due after 1 year through 5 years			298.3				319.4
Due after 5 years through 10 years			428.5				470.2
Due after 10 years			571.6				621.0
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			407.1				432.5
Total		$	1,745.6				1,883.9

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay the obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Fixed maturities with fair values of $9.7 million and $9.9 million were on deposit with insurance regulators as required by law at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the components of net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September  30								Nine months ended September  30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Fixed maturities		$	14.7				18.4			$	49.1				60.2
Equity securities			1.5				1.1				3.5				3.8
Cash and cash equivalents, and other			1.4				1.4				4.1				4.2
Investment income			17.6				20.9				56.7				68.2
Investment expenses			0.4				0.6				1.5				1.7
Net investment income		$	17.2				20.3			$	55.2				66.5

The Company’s current investment strategy does not rely on the use of derivative financial instruments.

The following table sets forth the realized and unrealized holding gains (losses) on the Company’s investment portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September  30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Realized gains:
Fixed maturities		$	3.3				1.1			$	14.0				2.9
Equity securities			4.8				13.7				11.5				31.4
Other invested assets			—				2.1				—				2.1
Total realized gains			8.1				16.9				25.5				36.4
Realized losses:
Equity securities:
Sales			(0.4	)			(2.3	)			(2.3	)			(5.3	)
OTTI			(0.7	)			(4.4	)			(2.2	)			(5.3	)
Fixed maturities:
OTTI			—				—				(0.2	)			—
Total realized losses			(1.1	)			(6.7	)			(4.7	)			(10.6	)
Net realized gain on investments		$	7.0				10.2			$	20.8				25.8
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax:
Fixed maturities		$	17.2			$	42.6			$	20.7				66.6
Equity securities			8.5				(46.3	)			13.4				(47.1	)
Other invested assets			4.0				(12.3	)			4.4				(6.7	)
Deferred federal income tax (liability) asset			(10.4	)			5.6				(13.5	)			(4.5	)
Valuation allowance			10.1				—				13.5				—
Change in net unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax		$	29.4				(10.4	)		$	38.5				8.3

There was a deferred federal income tax liability on the net unrealized holding gains at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, of $53.1 million, net of a valuation allowance of $13.5 million, and $53.1 million, respectively.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Below is the fair value hierarchy that categorizes into three levels the inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value:

 

•

Level 1 includes observable inputs which reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.

•

Level 2 includes observable inputs for assets or liabilities other than quoted prices included in Level 1, and it includes valuation techniques which use prices for similar assets and liabilities.

•

Level 3 includes unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

The Company utilizes one nationally recognized pricing service to estimate the majority of its available-for-sale investment portfolio’s fair value. The Company obtains one price per security and the processes and control procedures employed by the Company are designed to ensure the value is accurately recorded on an unadjusted basis. Through discussions with the pricing service, the Company gains an understanding of the methodologies used to price the different types of securities, that the data and the valuation methods utilized are appropriate and consistently applied, and that the assumptions are reasonable and representative of fair value. To validate the reasonableness of the valuations obtained from the pricing service, the Company compares to other fair value pricing information gathered from other independent pricing sources. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company did not adjust any of the prices received from the pricing service.

Transfers between level categorizations may occur due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs. Transfers in and out of level categorizations are reported as having occurred at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurred. There were no transfers between level categorizations during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

The following sections describe the valuation methods used by the Company for each type of financial instrument it holds that are carried at fair value:

Fixed Maturities

The Company utilizes a third party pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for the majority of its fixed maturities. The fair value estimate of the Company’s fixed maturity investments are determined by evaluations that are based on observable market information rather than market quotes. Inputs to the evaluations include, but are not limited to, market prices from recently completed transactions and transactions of comparable securities, interest rate yield curves, credit spreads, and other market-observable information. The fixed maturity portfolio pricing obtained from the pricing service is reviewed for reasonableness. Regularly, a sample of security prices is referred back to the pricing service for more detailed explanation as to how the pricing service arrived at that particular price. The explanations are reviewed for reasonableness by the portfolio manager and investment officer. Additionally, the prices and assumptions are verified against an alternative pricing source for reasonableness and accuracy. Any discrepancies with the pricing are returned to the pricing service for further explanation and if necessary, adjustments are made. To date, the Company has not identified any significant discrepancies in the pricing provided by its third party pricing service. Investments valued using these inputs include U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate securities (except for one security discussed below), and U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities. All unadjusted estimates of fair value for fixed maturities priced by the pricing service are included in the amounts disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy. If market inputs are unavailable, then no fair value is provided by the pricing service. For these securities, fair value is determined either by requesting brokers who are knowledgeable about these securities to provide a quote; or the Company internally determines the fair values by employing widely accepted pricing valuation models, and depending on the level of observable market inputs, renders the fair value estimate as Level 2 or Level 3. The Company holds two fixed maturity corporate securities included in Level 3. The Company estimates the fair value of one security using the present value of the future cash flows and the Company obtains a broker quote of the other security’s fair value. Due to the limited amount of observable market information for both of these securities, the Company includes the fair value estimates in Level 3.

Equities

The fair value of each equity security is based on an observable market price for an identical asset in an active market and is priced by the same pricing service discussed above. All equity securities are recorded using unadjusted market prices and have been disclosed in Level 1.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Other Invested Assets

Included in other invested assets are two international private equity funds (“the funds”) that invest in equity securities of foreign issuers and are managed by third party investment managers. The funds had a fair value at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, of $56.4 million and 52.6 million, respectively, which was determined using each fund’s net asset value. The Company employs procedures to assess the reasonableness of the fair value of the funds including obtaining and reviewing each fund's audited financial statements. There are no unfunded commitments related to the funds. The Company may not sell its investment in the funds; however, the Company may redeem all or a portion of its investment in the funds at net asset value per share with the appropriate prior written notice. Due to the Company’s ability to redeem its investment in the funds at net asset value per share at the measurement date, the funds have been disclosed in Level 2.

The remainder of the Company’s other invested assets consist primarily of holdings in publicly-traded mutual funds. The Company believes that its prices for these publicly-traded mutual funds based on an observable market price for an identical asset in an active market reflect their fair values and consequently these securities have been disclosed in Level 1.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth the Company’s available-for-sale investments within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

($ millions)		Total				Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)				Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)				Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
At September 30, 2012:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies		$	374.1				—				374.1				—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			798.3				—				798.3				—
Corporate securities			279.0				—				270.7				8.3
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			432.5				—				432.5				—
Total fixed maturities			1,883.9				—				1,875.6				8.3
Equity securities:
Large-cap securities			182.1				182.1				—				—
Small-cap securities			53.0				53.0				—				—
Total equity securities			235.1				235.1				—				—
Other invested assets			61.9				5.5				56.4				—
Total available-for-sale investments		$	2,180.9				240.6				1,932.0				8.3
($ millions)		Total				Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)				Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)				Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
At December 31, 2011:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies		$	468.7				—				468.7				—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			811.2				—				811.2				—
Corporate securities			244.8				—				241.9				2.9
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			410.2				—				410.2				—
Total fixed maturities			1,934.9				—				1,932.0				2.9
Equity securities:
Large-cap securities			122.1				122.1				—				—
Small-cap securities			45.2				45.2				—				—
Total equity securities			167.3				167.3				—				—
Other invested assets			57.2				4.6				52.6				—
Total available-for-sale investments		$	2,159.4				171.9				1,984.6				2.9

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

For assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), the following tables set forth a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, separately for each major category of assets:

 

($ millions)		Fixed maturities
Balance at January 1, 2012		$	2.9
Total realized gains (losses) – included in earnings			—
Total unrealized gains (losses) – included in other comprehensive income			—
Purchases			—
Sales			—
Transfers into Level 3			—
Transfers out of Level 3			—
Balance at March 31, 2012		$	2.9
Total realized gains (losses) – included in earnings			(0.2	)
Total unrealized gains (losses) – included in other comprehensive income			—
Purchases			0.1
Sales			—
Transfers into Level 3			—
Transfers out of Level 3			—
Balance at June 30, 2012		$	2.8
Total realized gains (losses) – included in earnings			—
Total unrealized gains (losses) – included in other comprehensive income			—
Purchases			5.5
Sales			—
Transfers into Level 3			—
Transfers out of Level 3			—
Balance at September 30, 2012		$	8.3
($ millions)		Fixed maturities
Balance at January 1, 2011		$	2.7
Total realized gains (losses) – included in earnings			—
Total unrealized gains (losses) – included in other comprehensive income			—
Purchases			0.6
Sales			(0.4	)
Transfers into Level 3			—
Transfers out of Level 3			—
Balance at December 31, 2011		$	2.9

The following sections describe the valuation methods used by the Company for each type of financial instrument it holds that is not measured at fair value but for which fair value is disclosed:

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value

Notes Receivable from Affiliates

In May 2009, the Company entered into two separate credit agreements with State Auto Mutual pursuant to which it loaned State Auto Mutual a total of $70.0 million. Under these agreements, State Auto Financial earned interest of $1.3 million and $3.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. Interest income is included in net investment income on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The Company estimates the fair value of the notes receivable from affiliate using market quotations for U.S. treasury securities with similar maturity dates and applies an appropriate credit spread. Consequently this has been placed in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

($ millions, except interest rates)		September 30, 2012												December 31, 2011
		Carrying value				Fair value				Interest rate				Carrying value				Fair value				Interest rate
Notes receivable from affiliate		$	70.0			$	80.0				7.00	%		$	70.0			$	77.5				7.00	%

Notes Payable

Included in notes payable are Senior Notes and Subordinated Debentures. The fair value of the Senior Notes is based on the observable market price and has been disclosed in Level 2. The carrying amount of the Subordinated Debentures approximates its fair value as the interest rate adjusts quarterly and has been disclosed in Level 3.

 

($ millions, except interest rates)		September 30, 2012												December 31, 2011
		Carrying value				Fair value				Interest rate				Carrying value				Fair value				Interest rate
Senior Notes due 2013: issued $100.0, November 2003 with fixed interest		$	100.5			$	102.6				6.25	%		$	100.9			$	100.3				6.25	%
Affiliate Subordinated Debentures due 2033: issued $15.5, May 2003 with variable interest			15.5				15.5				4.62				15.5				15.5				4.73
Total notes payable		$	116.0			$	118.1							$	116.4			$	115.8

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2012:

 

($ millions)		Total				Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)				Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)				Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
At September 30, 2012:
Assets:
Notes receivable from affiliate		$	80.0				—				80.0				—
Liabilities:
Senior Notes			102.6				—				102.6				—
Affiliate Subordinated Debentures			15.5				—				—				15.5
Total liabilities		$	118.1				—				102.6				15.5

4. Reinsurance

The insurance subsidiaries of State Auto Financial, including State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“State Auto P&C”), Milbank Insurance Company, Farmers Casualty Insurance Company and State Auto Insurance Company of Ohio (collectively referred to as the “STFC Pooled Companies”) participate in a quota share reinsurance pooling arrangement (“the Pooling Arrangement”) with State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company (“State Auto Mutual”) and its subsidiaries and affiliates, State Auto Insurance Company of Wisconsin, State Auto Florida Insurance Company, Meridian Citizens Mutual Insurance Company, Meridian Security Insurance Company, Beacon National Insurance Company, Patrons Mutual Insurance Company of Connecticut, Litchfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Rockhill Insurance Company (“RIC”), Plaza Insurance Company (“Plaza”), American Compensation Insurance Company (“American Compensation”) and Bloomington Compensation Insurance Company (“Bloomington Compensation”), (collectively referred to as the “Mutual Pooled Companies”). RIC, Plaza, American Compensation and Bloomington Compensation are referred to as the “Rockhill Insurers.”

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

In conjunction with the January 1, 2011 Pooling Arrangement amendment, which added the Rockhill Insurers to the pool, the STFC Pooled Companies received $149.8 million ($69.1 million in cash and $80.7 million in investment securities) from the Rockhill Insurers for net insurance liabilities transferred on January 1, 2011. The following table sets forth the impact on the Company’s balance sheet at January 1, 2011, relating to this Pooling Arrangement amendment:

 

($ millions)
Losses and loss expenses payable		$	124.1
Unearned premiums			34.1
Other liabilities			(0.1	)
Less:
Deferred acquisition costs			8.3
Net cash and investment securities received		$	149.8

On December 31, 2011, the Pooling Arrangement was amended to reduce the overall participation percentage of the STFC Pooled Companies from 80% to 65% and to include the pooling of applicable balance sheet accounts such as applicable accumulated other comprehensive income related to employee benefit plans. In conjunction with this amendment, the STFC Pooled Companies paid $261.4 million in cash to the Mutual Pooled Companies in the first quarter 2012 for the net liabilities transferred on December 31, 2011. The following table sets forth the impact on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2011, relating to this amendment:

 

($ millions)		(Decrease)/Increase
Losses and loss expenses payable		$	(203.4	)
Unearned premiums			(106.8	)
Pension and postretirement liabilities			(52.3	)
Other liabilities			27.6
Accumulated other comprehensive income			59.1
Less:
Deferred acquisition costs			(21.8	)
Other assets			7.4
Net cash paid		$	(261.4	)

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s external reinsurance transactions, as well as reinsurance transactions with State Auto Mutual under the Pooling Arrangement, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Premiums earned:
Assumed from external insurers and reinsurers		$	1.1				2.6			$	3.1				16.7
Assumed under Pooling Arrangement			261.4				356.8				774.7				1,059.4
Ceded to external insurers and reinsurers			(6.6	)			(7.0	)			(22.1	)			(19.3	)
Ceded under Pooling Arrangement			(203.9	)			(198.7	)			(600.6	)			(606.6	)
Net assumed premiums earned		$	52.0				153.7			$	155.1				450.2
Losses and loss expenses incurred:
Assumed from external insurers and reinsurers		$	1.2				2.3			$	3.1				11.5
Assumed under Pooling Arrangement			201.7				314.4				595.3				956.8
Ceded to external insurers and reinsurers			(4.5	)			(10.4	)			(9.1	)			(23.4	)
Ceded under Pooling Arrangement			(133.8	)			(182.0	)			(457.6	)			(590.9	)
Net assumed losses and loss expenses incurred		$	64.6				124.3			$	131.7				354.0

5. Income Taxes

The following table sets forth the reconciliation between actual federal income tax benefit and the amount computed at the indicated statutory rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September 30																Nine months ended September 30
		2012								2011								2012								2011
						%								%								%								%
Amount at statutory rate		$	(1.9	)			35			$	(18.3	)			35			$	(3.6	)			35			$	(61.5	)			35
Tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction			(2.3	)			41				(2.7	)			5				(6.7	)			65				(8.4	)			5
Other, net			(0.1	)			2				(1.2	)			3				0.3				(3	)			(1.3	)			1
Valuation allowance			4.2				(75	)			28.9				(55	)			9.9				(96	)			155.5				(83	)
Federal income tax (benefit) expense and effective rate		$	(0.1	)			3			$	6.7				(12	)		$	(0.1	)			1			$	84.3				(42	)

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

($ millions)		September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Unearned premiums not currently deductible		$	34.2				32.4
Losses and loss expenses payable discounting			26.2				25.0
Postretirement and pension benefits			36.3				39.4
Realized loss on other-than-temporary impairment			7.7				11.4
Other liabilities			14.4				14.9
Net operating loss carryforward			71.1				56.0
Tax credit carryforward			0.8				0.7
Other			8.2				9.2
Total deferred tax assets			198.9				189.0
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferral of policy acquisition costs			33.0				32.1
Net unrealized holding gains on investments			66.6				53.1
Total deferred tax liabilities			99.6				85.2
Total net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance			99.3				103.8
Less valuation allowance			98.9				103.3
Net deferred federal income taxes		$	0.4				0.5

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effect of the differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company periodically evaluates its deferred tax assets, which requires significant judgment, to determine if they are realizable based upon weighing all available evidence, both positive and negative, including loss carryback potential, past operating results, existence of cumulative losses in the most recent years, projected performance of the business, future taxable income, including the ability to generate capital gains, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $98.9 million and $103.3 million, respectively. The $0.4 million and $0.5 million of deferred income tax asset remaining after recognition of the valuation allowance represents a deferred tax asset on the gross unrealized fixed maturity losses where management determined this portion of the asset to be realizable due to management’s assertion that it has both the ability and intent to hold these securities through recovery or maturity. Based on FASB ASC 740 Intraperiod tax allocation, the change in the valuation allowance attributable to continuing operations and other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September  30 2012				Nine months ended September  30 2012
Continuing operations		$	4.2			$	9.9
Other comprehensive income			(10.3	)			(14.3	)
Change in valuation allowance		$	(6.1	)		$	(4.4	)

In future periods the Company will re-assess its judgments and assumptions regarding the realization of its net deferred tax assets, but until such time the positive evidence exceeds the negative evidence the Company will maintain a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

6. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

		Pension								Postretirement								Pension								Postretirement
($ millions)		Three months ended September 30																Nine months ended September 30
		2012				2011				2012				2011				2012				2011				2012				2011
Service cost		$	2.0				2.6			$	—				1.6			$	5.8				7.9			$	—				4.7
Interest cost			2.5				3.8				0.3				1.6				7.5				11.4				0.9				4.8
Expected return on plan assets			(3.0	)			(4.6	)			—				(0.1	)			(8.8	)			(13.7	)			(0.2	)			(0.2	)
Amortization of:
Prior service costs (benefits)			0.1				0.1				(1.4	)			(0.4	)			0.2				0.3				(4.1	)			(1.2	)
Transition assets			0.1				(0.1	)			—				—				—				(0.3	)			0.2				—
Net loss			1.8				1.8				0.2				—				5.2				5.2				0.6				—
Net periodic cost (benefit)		$	3.5				3.6			$	(0.9	)			2.7			$	9.9				10.8			$	(2.6	)			8.1

The Company contributed $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

7. Loss per Common Share

The following table sets forth the compilation of basic and diluted net loss per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Numerator:
Net loss for basic loss per common share		$	(5.5	)			(58.7	)		$	(10.2	)			(260.0	)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares for basic net loss per common share			40.3				40.3				40.3				40.2
Effect of dilutive share-based awards			0.1				—				0.1				—
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted net loss per common share			40.4				40.3				40.4				40.2
Basic net loss per common share		$	(0.14	)			(1.46	)		$	(0.25	)			(6.47	)
Diluted net loss per common share		$	(0.14	)			(1.46	)		$	(0.25	)			(6.47	)

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the options to purchase shares of common stock that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price or their inclusion would have been antidilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

(number of options in millions)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Number of options			3.7				3.3				3.7				3.3

8. Segment Information

The Company has four reportable segments: personal insurance, business insurance, specialty insurance and investment operations. The reportable insurance segments are business units managed separately because of the differences in the type of customers they serve or products they provide or services they offer. The insurance segments market a broad line of property and casualty insurance products throughout the United States through independent insurance agencies, which include retail agents and wholesale brokers. The personal insurance segment provides primarily personal automobile and homeowners to the personal insurance market. The business insurance segment provides primarily commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril, fire & allied and general liability insurance covering small-to-medium sized commercial exposures in the business insurance market. The specialty insurance segment provides commercial coverages, including workers’ compensation for both legacy State Auto Group and RTW, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries, that require specialized product underwriting, claims handling or risk management services through a distribution channel of retail agents and wholesale brokers, which may include program administrators and other specialty sources. The investment operations segment, managed by Stateco, provides investment services.

The Company evaluates the performance of its insurance segments using industry financial measurements based on Statutory Accounting Practices (“SAP”), which include loss and loss adjustment expense ratios, underwriting expense ratios, combined ratios, statutory underwriting gain (loss), net premiums earned and net written premiums. One of the most significant differences between SAP and GAAP is that SAP requires all underwriting expenses to be expensed immediately and not deferred and amortized over the same period the premium is earned. The investment operations segment is evaluated based on investment returns of assets managed by Stateco.

Asset information by segment is not reported for the insurance segments because the Company does not produce such information internally.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Revenues from external sources:
Insurance segments
Personal insurance		$	117.4				198.5			$	352.1				604.0
Business insurance			83.4				94.3				240.1				283.8
Specialty insurance			60.6				64.0				182.5				171.6
Total insurance segments			261.4				356.8				774.7				1,059.4
Investment operations segment
Net investment income			17.2				20.3				55.2				66.5
Net realized capital gains			7.0				10.2				20.8				25.8
Total investment operations segment			24.2				30.5				76.0				92.3
All other			0.8				0.7				2.7				0.9
Total revenues from external sources			286.4				388.0				853.4				1,152.6
Intersegment revenues:			5.6				2.6				10.3				7.8
Total revenues			292.0				390.6				863.7				1,160.4
Reconciling items:
Eliminate intersegment revenues			(5.6	)			(2.6	)			(10.3	)			(7.8	)
Total consolidated revenues		$	286.4				388.0			$	853.4				1,152.6
Segment gain (loss) before federal income tax:
Insurance segments
Personal insurance SAP underwriting gain (loss)		$	2.9				(33.7	)		$	(8.8	)			(133.0	)
Business insurance SAP underwriting loss			(7.4	)			(30.7	)			(40.8	)			(87.7	)
Specialty insurance SAP underwriting loss			(25.1	)			(17.1	)			(37.4	)			(49.3	)
Total insurance segments			(29.6	)			(81.5	)			(87.0	)			(270.0	)
Investment operations segment
Net investment income			17.2				20.3				55.2				66.5
Net realized capital gains			7.0				10.2				20.8				25.8
Total investment operations segment			24.2				30.5				76.0				92.3
All other			0.3				0.3				1.4				(0.3	)
Total segment loss before tax expense (benefit)			(5.1	)			(50.7	)			(9.6	)			(178.0	)
Reconciling items:
GAAP expense adjustments			2.4				0.5				7.7				9.4
Interest expense on corporate debt			(1.8	)			(1.9	)			(5.3	)			(5.4	)
Corporate expenses			(1.1	)			0.1				(3.1	)			(1.7	)
Total reconciling items			(0.5	)			(1.3	)			(0.7	)			2.3
Total consolidated loss before federal income tax (benefit) expense		$	(5.6	)			(52.0	)		$	(10.3	)			(175.7	)

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Investable assets attributable to the Company’s investment operations segment totaled $2,315.6 million and $2,585.9 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

9. Contingencies and Litigation

The Company is involved in numerous lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business operations arising out of or otherwise related to its insurance policies. Certain of these lawsuits allege extra-contractual damages. These lawsuits are in various stages of development. The Company will generally contest these matters vigorously but may pursue settlement if appropriate. The Company considers all such litigation in establishing its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that any such lawsuit or related lawsuits will be material to its results of operations or have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial or cash flow position.

Additionally, from time to time the Company may be involved in lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business but not arising out of or otherwise related to its insurance policies. Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that any such lawsuit or related lawsuits will be material to its results of operations or have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial or cash flow position.

In accordance with the Contingencies Topic of the FASB ASC, the Company accrues for a litigation-related liability when it is probable that such a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Based on currently available information known to the Company, the Company believes that its reserves for litigation-related liabilities are reasonable. Given the inherent uncertainty surrounding the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings, an adverse outcome could have a material impact to the Company’s results of operations in a future period, though in the opinion of the Company’s management, none would likely have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial or cash flow position.

Additionally, the Company may be impacted by adverse regulatory actions and adverse court decisions where insurance coverages are expanded beyond the scope originally contemplated in its insurance policies. The Company believes that the effects, if any, of such regulatory actions and published court decisions are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial or its cash flow position.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

The term “State Auto Financial” as used below refers only to State Auto Financial Corporation and the terms “our Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” as used below refer to State Auto Financial Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The term “third quarter” as used below refers to the three months ended September 30 for the time period then ended. For a glossary of terms for State Auto Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates and a glossary of selected insurance and accounting terms, see the section entitled “Important Defined Terms Used in this Form 10-K” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “2011 Form 10-K”).

The discussion and analysis presented below relates to the material changes in financial condition and results of operations for our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and for the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. This discussion and analysis should be read together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the 2011 Form 10-K, and in particular the discussions in those sections thereof entitled “Overview,” “Executive Summary” and “Critical Accounting Policies.” Readers are encouraged to review the entire 2011 Form 10-K, as it includes information regarding our Company not discussed in this Form 10-Q. This information will assist in your understanding of the discussion of our current period financial results.

The discussion and analysis presented below includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “believe” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements have a reasonable basis, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. For a discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the 2011 Form 10-K, updated by Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q. Except to the limited extent required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Company has four reportable segments: personal insurance, business insurance, specialty insurance and investment operations. The reportable insurance segments are business units managed separately because of the differences in the type of customers they serve or products they provide or services they offer. The insurance segments market a broad line of property and casualty insurance products throughout the United States through independent insurance agencies, which include retail agents and wholesale brokers. The personal insurance segment provides primarily personal automobile and homeowners to the personal insurance market. The business insurance segment provides primarily commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril, fire & allied and general liability insurance covering small-to-medium sized commercial exposures in the business insurance market. The specialty insurance segment provides commercial coverages, including workers’ compensation for both the legacy State Auto Group and the RTW, Inc. insurance subsidiaries that require specialized product underwriting, claims handling or risk management services through a distribution channel of retail agents and wholesale brokers, which may include program administrators and other specialty sources. The investment operations segment, managed by Stateco, provides investment services. See “Personal and Business Insurance” and “Specialty Insurance” in Item 1 of the 2011 Form 10-K for more information about our insurance segments. Financial information about our reportable segments for 2012 is set forth in Note 8 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Deferred Acquisition Costs

As of January 1, 2012, we adopted retrospectively the FASB guidance Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts. See “New Accounting Standards –Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements-Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts” included in this Item 2 and Note 1 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for the impact of this adoption at January 1, 2010. Acquisition costs, consisting of commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting expenses related to the successful acquisition of acquiring or renewing the production of property and casualty business, are deferred and amortized over the same period in which the related premiums are earned. The method followed for computing the acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. In determining estimated realizable value, the computation gives effect to the premiums to be earned, losses and loss expenses expected to be incurred, and certain other costs expected to be incurred as premium is earned. Future changes in estimates, the most significant of which is expected losses and loss adjustment expenses, that indicate a reduction in expected future profitability may result in unrecoverable deferred acquisition costs. The impact of the adoption at December 31, 2011, was a reduction to shareholders’ equity of $34.5 million, or $0.86 book value per share, resulting in an adjusted book value per share of $17.95. The previously reported book value per share as of December 31, 2011 was $18.81 per share. All applicable prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to current period presentation.

POOLING ARRANGEMENT

The STFC Pooled Companies and the Mutual Pooled Companies participate in a quota share reinsurance pooling arrangement referred to as the “Pooling Arrangement.” Under the Pooling Arrangement, State Auto Mutual assumes premiums, losses and expenses from each of the Pooled Companies and in turn cedes to each of the Pooled Companies a specified portion of premiums, losses and expenses based on each of the Pooled Companies’ respective pooling percentages. State Auto Mutual then retains the balance of the pooled business.

In 2011, we made two changes to the Pooling Arrangement. First, as of January 1, 2011, we added the Rockhill Insurers to the pool each with a participation percentage of 0.0% (the “1.1.11 pool change”). In conjunction with the 1.1.11 pool change, the STFC Pooled Companies received $149.8 million ($69.1 million in cash and $80.7 million in investment securities) from the Rockhill Insurers for net insurance liabilities transferred on January 1, 2011. The following table sets forth the impact on our balance sheet at January 1, 2011:

 

($ millions)		(Decrease)/Increase
Losses and loss expenses payable		$	124.5
Unearned premiums			34.1
Other liabilities			(0.5	)
Less:
Deferred policy acquisition costs			8.3
Net cash and investment securities received		$	149.8

Second, at the close of business on December 31, 2011, the Pooling Arrangement was amended to reduce the overall participation percentage of the STFC Pooled Companies from 80% to 65% and to include the pooling of applicable balance sheet accounts such as accumulated other comprehensive income related to employee benefit plans (the “12.31.11 pool change”). In conjunction with the 12.31.11 pool change, the STFC Pooled Companies paid $261.4 million in cash to the Mutual Pooled Companies subsequent to year end for net liabilities transferred on December 31, 2011. The following table sets forth the impact on our balance sheet at December 31, 2011:

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

($ millions)		(Decrease)/Increase
Losses and loss expenses payable		$	(203.4	)
Unearned premiums			(106.8	)
Pension and postretirement liabilities			(52.3	)
Other liabilities			27.6
Accumulated other comprehensive income			59.1
Less:
Deferred policy acquisition costs			(21.8	)
Other assets			7.4
Net cash paid		$	(261.4	)

The following table sets forth the participants and their participation percentages in the Pooling Arrangement for the period indicated:

 

		Close of business December 31, 2011 – September 30, 2012				January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011
STFC Pooled Companies:
State Auto P&C			51.0	%			59.0	%
Milbank			14.0				17.0
Farmers			0.0				3.0
SA Ohio			0.0				1.0
Total STFC Pooled Companies			65.0				80.0
State Auto Mutual Pooled Companies:
State Auto Mutual			34.0				19.0
SA Wisconsin			0.0				0.0
SA Florida			0.0				0.0
Meridian Security			0.0				0.0
Meridian Citizens Mutual			0.5				0.5
Beacon National			0.0				0.0
Patrons Mutual			0.4				0.4
Litchfield			0.1				0.1
RIC			0.0				0.0
Plaza			0.0				0.0
American Compensation			0.0				0.0
Bloomington Compensation			0.0				0.0
Total State Auto Mutual Pooled Companies			35.0				20.0

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $5.5 million and $10.2 million, respectively, compared to net losses of $58.7 million and $260.0 million, respectively, for the same 2011 periods. Our pretax loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $5.6 million and $10.3 million, respectively, compared to pretax losses of $52.0 million and $175.7 million, respectively, for the same 2011 periods. During the third quarter of 2012, our insurance segment results were negatively impacted by the strengthening of loss reserves in our RED unit within our specialty insurance segment. Our 2012 results to date, when compared to our 2011 results, for the same period, have reflected a significant decrease in weather-related catastrophe losses. Our 2012 results have also been impacted by the reduction in our participation in the Pooling Arrangement to 65% from 80% in 2011, as well as the quota share reinsurance arrangement covering our homeowners book of business, discussed below.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth certain key performance indicators we use to monitor our operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
GAAP Basis:		2012				2011				2012				2011
Total revenues		$	286.4				388.0			$	853.4				1,152.6
Net loss		$	(5.5	)			(58.7	)		$	(10.2	)			(260.0	)
Basic (loss) earnings per share		$	(0.14	)			(1.46	)		$	(0.25	)			(6.47	)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share		$	(0.14	)			(1.46	)		$	(0.25	)			(6.47	)
Stockholders’ equity		$	739.1				568.0
Return on average equity (LTM)			13.6	%			(31.8	)%
Book value per share		$	18.30				14.12
Debt to capital ratio			13.6				17.0
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			2.8				17.0				7.9				22.0
Non-cat loss and LAE ratio			74.3				71.4				68.8				68.6
Loss and LAE ratio			77.1				88.4				76.7				90.6
Expense ratio			33.1				34.0				33.3				33.7
Combined ratio			110.2				122.4				110.0				124.3
Premium written growth			(29.1	)%			6.8				(29.9	)%			13.3	(1)
Investment yield			3.2	%			3.3				3.4	%			3.7
		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
SAP Basis :		2012				2011				2012				2011
Cat loss and ALAE points			2.8				17.0				7.9				22.0
Non-cat loss and ALAE			68.9				65.7				62.2				62.3
ULAE			5.4				5.4				6.7				6.1
Loss and LAE ratio			77.1				88.1				76.8				90.4
Expense ratio			33.7				33.0				33.4				32.6
Combined ratio			110.8				121.1				110.2				123.0

 

		Twelve months ended September 30
		2012				2011
Net premiums written to surplus			1.7				3.0

 

(1)

Includes an increase of 3.5 points for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 related to the one-time $34.1 million transfer of unearned premium by the Rockhill Insurers on January 1, 2011, in conjunction with the 1.1.11 pool change.

________

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Homeowners Quota Share Arrangement

To reduce risk and volatility, while providing us with additional catastrophe reinsurance protection, the State Auto Group entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement on December 31, 2011 with a syndicate of unaffiliated reinsurers covering its homeowners book of business (the “HO QS Arrangement”). Under the HO QS Arrangement, the State Auto Group ceded to the reinsurers 75% of its homeowners business under policies in force at December 31, 2011 and new and renewal policies thereafter issued during the term of the agreement. The HO QS Arrangement is in effect until December 31, 2014. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Reinsurance Arrangements” for a discussion of the HO QS Arrangement. We believe the long term benefits of our homeowner actions will be a more predictable and profitable book of homeowners business and reduced risk to our capital base.

Our homeowners business was profitable for the three months ended September 30, 2012, and we ceded an underwriting gain to our reinsurers under the HO QS Arrangement, which increased our GAAP net underwriting loss by $13.1 million and our GAAP combined ratio by 5.8 points. However, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our homeowners business produced an underwriting loss, and the HO QS Arrangement improved our GAAP net underwriting loss by $18.5 million and our GAAP combined ratio by 0.7 points.

The following tables set forth, on a pro forma GAAP basis, certain of our key performance indicators excluding the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Reconciliation Table 1

        Three months ended September 30, 2012

 

($ millions)		GAAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Overall Results
		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO  QS Cession
Earned premiums		$	261.4			$	42.4			$	303.8
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			7.2				0.1				7.3
Non-cat loss and LAE			194.2				17.0				211.2
Total Loss and LAE incurred			201.4				17.1				218.5
Acquisition and operating expenses			86.4				12.2				98.6
Net underwriting (loss) gain		$	(26.4	)		$	13.1			$	(13.3	)
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			2.8	%			0.2	%			2.4	%
Non-cat loss and LAE ratio			74.3	%			40.1	%			69.5	%
Total Loss and LAE ratio			77.1	%			40.3	%			71.9	%
Expense ratio			33.1	%			29.0	%			32.5	%
Combined ratio			110.2	%			69.3	%			104.4	%

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Reconciliation Table 2

         Nine months ended September 30, 2012

 

($ millions)		GAAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Overall Results
		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO  QS Cession
Earned premiums		$	774.7			$	125.9			$	900.6
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			61.2				47.5				108.7
Non-cat loss and LAE			533.2				60.4				593.6
Total Loss and LAE incurred			594.4				107.9				702.3
Acquisition and operating expenses			257.6				36.5				294.1
Net underwriting loss		$	(77.3	)		$	(18.5	)		$	(95.8	)
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			7.9	%			37.7	%			12.1	%
Non-cat loss and LAE ratio			68.8	%			48.0	%			65.9	%
Total Loss and LAE ratio			76.7	%			85.7	%			78.0	%
Expense ratio			33.3	%			29.0	%			32.7	%
Combined ratio			110.0	%			114.7	%			110.7	%

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The HO QS Arrangement increased our SAP net underwriting loss by $11.6 million and our SAP combined ratio by 6.0 points for the third quarter 2012 and decreased our underwriting loss by $20.1 million and our SAP combined ratio by 0.7 points for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

The following tables set forth, on a pro forma SAP basis, certain of our key performance indicators excluding the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Reconciliation Table 3

        Three months ended September 30, 2012

 

($ millions)		SAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Overall Results
		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO QS Cession
Net written premiums		$	266.0			$	47.5			$	313.5
Earned premiums			261.4				42.4				303.8
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			7.2				0.1				7.3
Non-cat loss and ALAE			180.3				17.0				197.3
Total Loss and ALAE			187.5				17.1				204.6
ULAE			14.0				—				14.0
Total Loss and LAE incurred			201.5				17.1				218.6
Underwriting expenses			89.5				13.7				103.2
Net underwriting (loss) gain		$	(29.6	)		$	11.6			$	(18.0	)
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			2.8	%			0.2	%			2.4	%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			68.9	%			40.1	%			64.9	%
Total loss and ALAE ratio			71.7	%			40.3	%			67.3	%
ULAE ratio			5.4	%			0.0	%			4.6	%
Total loss and LAE ratio			77.1	%			40.3	%			71.9	%
Expense ratio			33.7	%			29.0	%			32.9	%
Combined ratio			110.8	%			69.3	%			104.8	%

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Reconciliation Table 4

        Nine months ended September 30, 2012

 

($ millions)		SAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Overall Results
		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO QS Cession
Net written premiums		$	798.6			$	131.4			$	930.0
Earned premiums			774.7				125.9				900.6
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			61.2				47.5				108.7
Non-cat loss and ALAE			481.6				60.4				542.0
Total Loss and ALAE			542.8				107.9				650.7
ULAE			52.2				—				52.2
Total Loss and LAE incurred			595.0				107.9				702.9
Underwriting expenses			266.7				38.1				304.8
Net underwriting loss		$	(87.0	)		$	(20.1	)		$	(107.1	)
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			7.9	%			37.7	%			12.1	%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			62.2	%			48.0	%			60.2	%
Total loss and ALAE ratio			70.1	%			85.7	%			72.3	%
ULAE ratio			6.7	%			0.0	%			5.8	%
Total loss and LAE ratio			76.8	%			85.7	%			78.1	%
Expense ratio			33.4	%			29.0	%			32.8	%
Combined ratio			110.2	%			114.7	%			110.9	%

See additional pro forma reconciliation tables for the HO QS Arrangement cession on our personal insurance segment’s SAP underwriting results at Reconciliation Tables 7 and 8 and our homeowners’ line of business at Reconciliation Tables 9 and 10.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain information and results in our personal, business and specialty insurance segments are presented in a manner which, on a pro forma basis, (i) excludes the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, (ii) excludes the one-time impact of the 1.1.11 pool change for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and (iii) assumes the 12.31.11 pool change from an 80% to 65% participation percentage had been in effect as of January 1, 2011. These presentations are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures will enable investors to (a) better understand the significance the reinsurance arrangement cession is contributing to our reported results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, and (b) perform a meaningful comparison of our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. See Reconciliation Tables 1- 4 above and Reconciliation Tables 5-12 below.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Insurance Segments

The insurance segments market a broad line of property and casualty insurance products throughout the United States through independent insurance agencies, which include retail agents and wholesale brokers. The personal insurance segment provides primarily personal automobile and homeowners to the personal insurance market. The business insurance segment provides primarily commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril, fire & allied and general liability insurance covering small-to-medium sized commercial exposures in the business insurance market. The specialty insurance segment provides commercial coverages requiring specialized product underwriting, claims handling or risk management services through a distribution channel of retail agents and wholesale brokers, which may include program administrators and other specialty sources.

Insurance industry regulators require our insurance subsidiaries to report their financial condition and results of operations using SAP. We use SAP financial results, along with industry standard financial measures determined on a SAP basis and certain measures determined on a GAAP basis, to internally monitor the performance of our insurance segments and reward our employees.

One of the more significant differences between GAAP and SAP is that SAP requires all underwriting expenses to be expensed immediately and not deferred over the same period that the premium is earned. In converting SAP underwriting results to GAAP underwriting results, acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over the periods the related written premiums are earned. For a discussion of deferred acquisition costs, see “Critical Accounting Policies – Deferred Acquisition Costs” section included in Item 7 of our 2011 Form 10-K.

The accounting for retroactive reinsurance contributes to the difference between our GAAP loss and expense ratios and our SAP loss and expense ratios. Retroactive reinsurance balances result from reinsurance placed to cover losses on insured events occurring prior to the inception of a reinsurance contract. For GAAP reporting, retroactive reinsurance balances are included in losses and loss expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income and the GAAP loss ratio. Statutory accounting practices require retroactive reinsurance balances to be recorded in other expenses rather than in losses and loss expenses, and included in the SAP expense ratio.

All references to financial measures or components thereof in this discussion are calculated on a GAAP basis, unless otherwise noted.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth a summary of our insurance segments’ SAP underwriting gain (loss) and SAP combined ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September 30, 2012
		Personal(1)				% Ratio				Business				% Ratio				Specialty				% Ratio				Total(2)				% Ratio
Written premiums		$	120.8								92.6								52.6								266.0
Earned premiums			117.4								83.4								60.6								261.4
Cat loss and ALAE			2.4				2.0				4.2				5.2				0.6				0.9				7.2				2.8
Non-cat loss and ALAE			71.3				60.8				43.7				52.2				65.3				107.8				180.3				68.9
ULAE			7.8				6.7				3.9				4.6				2.3				3.8				14.0				5.4
Underwriting expenses			33.0				27.3				39.0				42.1				17.5				33.3				89.5				33.7
SAP underwriting gain (loss) and SAP combined ratio		$	2.9				96.8				(7.4	)			104.1				(25.1	)			145.8				(29.6	)			110.8
($ millions)		Three months ended September 30, 2011
		Personal				% Ratio				Business				% Ratio				Specialty				% Ratio				Total				% Ratio
Written premiums		$	208.9								92.1								74.1								375.1
Earned premiums			198.5								94.3								64.0								356.8
Cat loss and ALAE			45.5				22.9				14.4				15.1				0.9				1.5				60.8				17.0
Non-cat loss and ALAE			121.9				61.4				64.3				68.2				48.1				75.2				234.3				65.7
ULAE			10.4				5.2				5.8				6.2				3.2				5.0				19.4				5.4
Underwriting expenses			54.4				26.1				40.5				43.9				28.9				39.0				123.8				33.0
SAP underwriting loss and SAP combined ratio		$	(33.7	)			115.6				(30.7	)			133.5				(17.1	)			120.7				(81.5	)			121.1

 

(1)

See Reconciliation Table 7 below for the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession on the SAP personal insurance segment’s SAP underwriting results.

(2)

See Reconciliation Table 3 above for the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession on our SAP underwriting results.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

($ millions)		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Personal(1)				% Ratio				Business				% Ratio				Specialty				% Ratio				Total(2)				% Ratio
Written premiums		$	355.0								263.2								180.5								798.7
Earned premiums			352.1								240.1								182.5								774.7
Cat loss and ALAE			25.3				7.2				35.0				14.6				0.9				0.5				61.2				7.9
Non-cat loss and ALAE			208.9				59.3				120.9				50.3				151.8				83.2				481.6				62.2
ULAE			31.2				8.9				14.8				6.2				6.2				3.4				52.2				6.7
Underwriting expenses			95.5				26.9				110.2				41.9				61.0				33.8				266.7				33.4
SAP underwriting loss and SAP combined ratio		$	(8.8	)			102.3				(40.8	)			113.0				(37.4	)			120.9				(87.0	)			110.2
($ millions)		Nine months ended September 30, 2011
		Personal				% Ratio				Business				% Ratio				Specialty				%(3) Ratio				Total				%(3) Ratio
Written premiums (3)		$	610.1								289.3								239.9								1,139.3
Earned premiums			604.0								283.8								171.6								1,059.4
Cat loss and ALAE			177.8				29.4				54.1				19.0				1.0				0.6				232.9				22.0
Non-cat loss and ALAE			362.5				60.0				176.7				62.3				120.9				70.5				660.0				62.3
ULAE			39.1				6.5				18.8				6.7				6.9				4.0				64.9				6.1
Underwriting expenses			157.6				25.8				121.9				42.1				92.1				38.4				371.6				32.6
SAP underwriting loss and SAP combined ratio		$	(133.0	)			121.7				(87.7	)			130.1				(49.3	)			113.5				(270.0	)			123.0

 

(1)

See Reconciliation Table 8 below for the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession on the SAP personal insurance segment’s SAP underwriting results.

(2)

See Reconciliation Table 4 above for the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession on our SAP underwriting results.

(3)

Written premium includes a one-time transfer of $34.1 million of unearned premiums by the Rockhill Insurers to our specialty insurance segment in conjunction with the 1.1.11 pool change. In connection with this unearned premium transfer, we paid a one-time ceding commission of $8.3 million to the Rockhill Insurers. Combined, these one-time transactions benefitted our specialty insurance segment’s statutory expense ratio by 2.3 points and our overall expense ratio by 0.3 points.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Revenue

We measure top-line growth for our insurance segments based on net written premiums, which represent the premiums on the policies we have issued for a period, net of reinsurance. Net written premiums provide us with an indication of how well we are doing in terms of revenue growth before it is actually earned. Our policies provide a fixed amount of coverage for a stated period of time, often referred to as “the policy term.” As such, our written premiums are recognized as earned ratably over the policy term. The unearned portion of written premiums, called unearned premiums, is reflected on our balance sheet as a liability and represents our obligation to provide coverage for the unexpired term of the policies.

The following tables set forth the reconciliation of the one-time impact on net written premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, of the unearned premiums transferred by the Rockhill Insurers to us on January 1, 2011, in conjunction with the 1.1.11 pool change and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis which assumes that the 12.31.11 pool change from an 80% to 65% participation percentage had been in effect as of January 1, 2011:

Reconciliation Table 5

        Three months ended September 30, 2012

 

		Net Written Premiums Reconciliation Table From 80% to Pro Forma 65%
										Pro-Forma
($ millions)		As Reported 2012  Net Written Premiums				As Reported 2011 Net Written Premiums				12.31.11 Pool Change Impact				Pro Forma 9/30/11				% Change(1)				% Pro Forma Change(2)
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	98.4			$	123.5			$	23.1			$	100.4				(20.3	)			(2.0	)
Homeowners			15.4				76.3				14.3				62.0				(79.8	)			(75.2	)
Other personal			7.0				9.1				1.8				7.3				(23.1	)			(4.1	)
Total personal			120.8				208.9				39.2				169.7				(42.2	)			(28.8	)
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto			20.6				21.6				4.0				17.6				(4.6	)			17.0
Commercial multi-peril			25.5				27.5				5.1				22.4				(7.3	)			13.9
Fire & allied lines			19.5				22.9				4.3				18.6				(14.8	)			4.7
Other & product liability			22.5				14.8				2.8				12.0				52.0				87.7
Other commercial			4.5				5.3				1.0				4.3				(15.1	)			4.5
Total business			92.6				92.1				17.2				74.9				0.5				23.7
Specialty insurance segment:
RED			14.0				38.0				7.1				30.9				(63.2	)			(54.6	)
Rockhill			21.9				17.2				3.2				14.0				27.3				56.4
Workers’ compensation			16.7				18.9				3.5				15.4				(11.6	)			8.5
Total specialty			52.6				74.1				13.8				60.3				(29.0	)			(12.8	)
Total net written premiums		$	266.0			$	375.1			$	70.2			$	304.9				(29.1	)			(12.7	)

 

(1)

Calculated based on as reported September 30, 2012 net written premiums change from as reported September 30, 2011 net written premiums.

(2)

Calculated based on as reported September 30, 2012 net written premiums change from pro forma September 30, 2011 net written premiums.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Reconciliation Table 6

        Nine months ended September 30, 2012

 

		Net Written Premiums Reconciliation Table From 80% to Pro Forma 65%
										Pro-Forma
($ millions)		As Reported 2012  Net Written Premiums				As Reported 2011  Net Written Premiums				01.01.11 Pool Change Impact				2011 Net  Written Premiums Excluding 01.01.11 Pool Change				12.31.11 Pool Change Impact				Pro Forma 9/30/11				% Change(1)				% Pro Forma Change(2)
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	289.9			$	370.3			$	—			$	370.3			$	69.4			$	300.9				(21.7	)			(3.6	)
Homeowners			43.0				212.2				—				212.2				39.8				172.4				(79.7	)			(75.1	)
Other personal			22.1				27.6				—				27.6				5.2				22.4				(19.9	)			(1.4	)
Total personal			355.0				610.1				—				610.1				114.4				495.7				(41.8	)			(28.4	)
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto			66.8				71.7				—				71.7				13.4				58.3				(6.8	)			14.7
Commercial multi-peril			75.4				82.2				—				82.2				15.4				66.8				(8.3	)			12.9
Fire & allied lines			56.2				70.3				—				70.3				13.2				57.1				(20.1	)			(1.6	)
Other & product liability			51.3				48.6				—				48.6				9.1				39.5				5.6				29.9
Other commercial			13.5				16.5				—				16.5				3.1				13.4				(18.2	)			0.7
Total business			263.2				289.3				—				289.3				54.2				235.1				(9.0	)			12.0
Specialty insurance segment:
RED			56.9				97.3				—				97.3				18.2				79.1				(41.5	)			(28.0	)
Rockhill			70.0				77.3				24.3				53.0				9.9				43.1				(9.4	)			62.6
Workers’ compensation			53.6				65.3				9.8				55.5				10.4				45.1				(17.9	)			18.9
Total specialty			180.5				239.9				34.1				205.8				38.5				167.3				(24.8	)			7.9
Total net written premiums		$	798.7			$	1,139.3			$	34.1			$	1,105.2			$	207.1			$	898.1				(29.9	)			(11.1	)

 

(1)

Calculated based on as reported September 30, 2012 net written premiums change from as reported September 30, 2011 net written premiums.

(2)

Calculated based on as reported September 30, 2012 net written premiums change from pro forma September 30, 2011 net written premiums.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Personal Insurance Segment

The following table sets forth a summary of net written premiums by major product line of business for our personal insurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, on a pro forma basis which assumes that the 12.31.11 pool change from an 80% to 65% participation percentage was in effect as of January 1, 2011 (See Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6 above).

Table 1

 

		Three months ended September 30												Nine months ended September 30
		Net Written Premiums
($ millions)		2012				Pro- forma 2011				% Change				2012				Pro- forma 2011				% Change
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	98.4				100.4				(2.0	)		$	289.9				300.9				(3.6	)
Homeowners			15.4				62.0				(75.2	)			43.0				172.4				(75.1	)
Other personal			7.0				7.3				(4.1	)			22.1				22.4				(1.4	)
Total personal		$	120.8				169.7				(28.8	)		$	355.0				495.7				(28.4	)

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth a summary of SAP loss and ALAE ratios by major product line of business for our personal insurance segment with the catastrophe and non-catastrophe impact shown separately for the three and nine months ended September 30:

Table 2

 

		($ millions)																%
Three months ended September 30 Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat loss Ratio				Non-Cat loss Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
2012
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	95.1			$	0.3			$	62.0			$	62.3				0.3				65.2				65.5
Homeowners			15.3				(0.8	)			5.3				4.5				(5.1	)			34.6				29.5
Other personal			7.0				2.9				4.0				6.9				41.2				57.4				98.6
Total personal			117.4				2.4				71.3				73.7				2.0				60.8				62.8
ULAE			—				—				—				7.8				—				—				6.7
Total		$	117.4			$	2.4			$	71.3			$	81.5				2.0				60.8				69.5
2011
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	121.4			$	3.8			$	80.1			$	83.9				3.1				65.9				69.0
Homeowners			68.3				39.4				37.2				76.6				57.9				54.4				112.3
Other personal			8.8				2.3				4.6				6.9				25.6				52.5				78.1
Total personal			198.5				45.5				121.9				167.4				22.9				61.4				84.3
ULAE			—				—				—				10.4				—				—				5.2
Total		$	198.5			$	45.5			$	121.9			$	177.8				22.9				61.4				89.5

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Table 3

 

		($ millions)																%
Nine months ended September 30 Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat loss Ratio				Non-Cat loss Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
2012
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	286.9			$	10.5			$	179.3			$	189.8				3.6				62.5				66.1
Homeowners			44.4				6.9				20.2				27.1				15.6				45.6				61.2
Other personal			20.8				7.9				9.4				17.3				37.7				45.2				82.9
Total personal			352.1				25.3				208.9				234.2				7.2				59.3				66.5
ULAE			—				—				—				31.2				—				—				8.9
Total		$	352.1			$	25.3			$	208.9			$	265.4				7.2				59.3				75.4
2011
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	373.0			$	16.7			$	233.5			$	250.2				4.5				62.6				67.1
Homeowners			204.7				153.0				115.1				268.1				74.8				56.2				131.0
Other personal			26.3				8.1				13.9				22.0				30.7				52.7				83.4
Total personal			604.0				177.8				362.5				540.3				29.4				60.0				89.4
ULAE			—				—				—				39.1				—				—				6.5
Total		$	604.0			$	177.8			$	362.5			$	579.4				29.4				60.0				95.9

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

In our personal insurance segment, the HO QS Arrangement increased our SAP net underwriting loss by $11.6 million and our SAP combined ratio by 7.3 points for the third quarter 2012 and decreased our SAP underwriting loss by $20.1 million and our SAP combined ratio by 3.2 points for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

The following tables set forth certain key performance indicators concerning our personal insurance segment which excludes, on a pro forma SAP basis, the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Reconciliation Table 7

        Three months ended September 30, 2012

 

		SAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Personal Insurance
($ millions)		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO QS Cession
Net written premiums		$	120.8			$	47.5			$	168.3
Earned premiums			117.4				42.4				159.8
Losses and LAE Incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			2.4				0.1				2.5
Non-cat loss and ALAE			71.3				17.0				88.3
Total Loss and ALAE			73.7				17.1				90.8
ULAE			7.8				—				7.8
Total Loss and LAE incurred			81.5				17.1				98.6
Underwriting expenses			33.0				13.7				46.7
Net underwriting gain		$	2.9			$	11.6			$	14.5
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			2.0	%			0.2	%			1.6	%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			60.8	%			40.1	%			55.3	%
Total Loss and ALAE ratio			62.8	%			40.3	%			56.9	%
ULAE ratio			6.7	%			0.0	%			4.9	%
Total Loss and LAE ratio			69.5	%			40.3	%			61.8	%
Expense ratio			27.3	%			29.0	%			27.7	%
Combined ratio			96.8	%			69.3	%			89.5	%

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Reconciliation Table 8

        Nine months ended September 30, 2012

 

		SAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Personal Insurance
($ millions)		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO QS Cession
Net written premiums		$	355.0			$	131.4			$	486.4
Earned premiums			352.1				125.9				478.0
Losses and LAE Incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			25.3				47.5				72.8
Non-cat loss and ALAE			208.9				60.4				269.3
Total Loss and ALAE			234.2				107.9				342.1
ULAE			31.2				—				31.2
Total Loss and LAE incurred			265.4				107.9				373.3
Underwriting expenses			95.5				38.1				133.6
Net underwriting loss		$	(8.8	)		$	(20.1	)		$	(28.9	)
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			7.2	%			37.7	%			15.2	%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			59.3	%			48.0	%			56.3	%
Total Loss and ALAE ratio			66.5	%			85.7	%			71.5	%
ULAE ratio			8.9	%			0.0	%			6.5	%
Total Loss and LAE ratio			75.4	%			85.7	%			78.0	%
Expense ratio			26.9	%			29.0	%			27.5	%
Combined ratio			102.3	%			114.7	%			105.5	%

Catastrophe losses on our personal insurance segment were $2.4 million and $25.3 million, or 2.0 points and 7.2 points, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively (Tables 2 and 3). In the third quarter 2012, we reported homeowners catastrophe losses of negative $0.8 million (Table 2) due to a positive reserve development regarding events prior to the inception of the HO QS Arrangement, which are excluded from the HO QS Arrangement. In addition, we revised our estimates downward relating to catastrophes occurring in the first six months of 2012. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, cessions under the HO QS Arrangement reduced our personal insurance segment catastrophe losses by $0.1 million and $47.5 million, respectively (Reconciliation Tables 7 and 8). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the catastrophe loss ratio increased 0.4 points and decreased 8.0 points, respectively due to the HO QS Arrangement (Reconciliation Tables 7 and 8). Catastrophe losses on our personal insurance segment were $45.5 million and $177.8 million, or 22.9 points and 29.4 points, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively (Tables 2 and 3).

Personal auto net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased 20.3% and 21.7%, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6). Personal auto net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased 2.0% and 3.6%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums (Table 1). While we have experienced a decline in premiums in our personal auto business, we have continued to achieve premium growth in several states consistent with our strategy to expand our geographic footprint beyond our core Midwest states. Much of this premium growth has been from the states of Texas, Colorado, Connecticut and

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Georgia. In addition, we have produced personal auto premium growth in underpenetrated states, such as Illinois and Michigan. While premiums have declined, we have experienced a slight increase in personal auto new business submissions and improved issue to quote ratios. We believe our aggressive actions in addressing profit levels in our homeowners book of business have also impacted our personal auto accounts and contributed to the loss of auto policies and the overall premium decline.

Homeowners net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, decreased $60.9 million and $169.2 million, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6). Homeowners net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, decreased $46.6 million and $129.4 million, respectively, compared to three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums (Table 1). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, net written premiums ceded under the HO QS Arrangement were $47.5 million and $131.4 million, respectively, which accounted for the decline when compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 7 and 8).

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, homeowners net written premiums, excluding the impact of the HO QS Arrangement, were $62.9 million (Reconciliation Table 9) and $174.4 million (Reconciliation Table 10), respectively, compared to $62.0 million (Table 1) pro forma and $172.4 million (Table 1) pro forma, respectively, for the same 2011 periods. While we continue to implement rate increases, we have seen a decline in our policy counts from our core states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. However, we have seen policy count growth in states that we have either expanded into or identified as profitable growth opportunities.

The following tables set forth, on a pro forma SAP basis, certain key performance indicators concerning the homeowners’ line of business excluding the impact of the HO QS Arrangement cession for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Reconciliation Table 9

        Three months ended September 30, 2012

 

		SAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Homeowners
($ millions)		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO QS Cession
Net written premiums		$	15.4			$	47.5			$	62.9
Earned premiums			15.3				42.4				57.7
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			(0.8	)			0.1				(0.7	)
Non-cat loss and ALAE			5.3				17.0				22.3
Total Loss and ALAE incurred		$	4.5			$	17.1			$	21.6
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			(5.1	)%			0.2	%			(1.2	)%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			34.6	%			40.1	%			38.6	%
Total Loss and ALAE ratio			29.5	%			40.3	%			37.4	%

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Reconciliation Table 10

        Nine months ended September 30, 2012

 

		SAP HO QS Arrangement Cession - Homeowners
($ millions)		As Reported				HO QS Cession				Pro-Forma without HO QS Cession
Net written premiums		$	43.0			$	131.4			$	174.4
Earned premiums			44.4				125.9				170.3
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			6.9				47.5				54.4
Non-cat loss and ALAE			20.2				60.4				80.6
Total Loss and ALAE incurred		$	27.1			$	107.9			$	135.0
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			15.6	%			37.7	%			31.9	%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			45.6	%			48.0	%			47.3	%
Total Loss and ALAE ratio			61.2	%			85.7	%			79.2	%

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the HO QS Arrangement improved our homeowners SAP loss and ALAE ratio by 7.9 points and 18.0 points, respectively, with catastrophe losses accounting for 3.9 points and 16.3 points, respectively, of this improvement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the HO QS Arrangement improved our homeowners SAP non-catastrophe loss ratio by 4.0 points and 1.7 points, respectively.

The homeowners SAP non-catastrophe loss ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, decreased 19.8 points and 10.6 points, respectively, when compared to the same 2011 periods (Tables 2 and 3). As we recognize our recent significant rate increases as earned premium, we are experiencing an improvement in our non-catastrophe loss ratio. We will continue to aggressively address our rate needs in the homeowners’ book of business and have received regulatory approval to implement rate increases averaging approximately 15% in 26 of 28 of our active states in 2012. The most wind and adverse weather prone states are, in general, receiving higher rate increases.

We continue to implement additional strategies to improve our homeowners results. By year end 2012, our CustomFit^SM homeowners product will be deployed in 20 of our 28 active states. We have placed a priority on introducing this product in states which have historically experienced significant catastrophe losses. States with the CustomFit homeowners product represent approximately 80% of our homeowners’ premium and 86% of our five year wind/hail losses. We are in the process of developing our second generation of our CustomFit homeowners product, which enhances our ability to predict non-weather related losses, and are on target to deploy this product in two states by the end of 2012.

In addition to rate increases and the continued deployment of our CustomFit homeowners product, we are aggressively evaluating and monitoring unprofitable agencies. This review includes evaluation of an agency’s existing policies, implementation of tighter new business and renewal guidelines for that agency, and the application of other loss mitigation tools for use by that agency. These efforts are directed at improving the operating results at the agency level. We are continuing with a proactive insurance to value program, which is designed to have our insureds maintain an amount of coverage sufficient to replace their home and contents in the case of a total loss. Proper insurance to value ensures that our premiums are commensurate with our loss exposure. In addition, we have implemented mandatory wind and hail deductibles in targeted catastrophe prone states. We continue to evaluate if this loss mitigation tool is necessary in any additional states with annual rate reviews.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

We continue to execute various initiatives implemented in prior periods within our property claims operations, which we believe will improve our loss ratio results. For example, our dependence on outside appraisers has declined by deploying in-house property adjusters working from their homes. In addition, all but a few large property claims and a significant percentage of catastrophe claims are now being handled in-house by State Auto adjusters. These changes are intended to improve service and reduce expenses, which we believe will improve loss ratio results.

Business Insurance Segment

The following table sets forth a summary of net written premiums by major product line of business for our business insurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, on a pro forma basis which assumes that the 12.31.11 pool change from an 80% to 65% participation percentage was in effect as of January 1, 2011 (See Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6 above).

Table 4

 

		Three months ended September 30												Nine months ended September 30
		Net Written Premiums
($ millions)		2012				Pro- forma 2011				% Change				2012				Pro- forma 2011				% Change
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto		$	20.6				17.6				17.0			$	66.8				58.3				14.7
Commercial multi-peril			25.5				22.4				13.9				75.4				66.8				12.9
Fire & allied lines			19.5				18.6				4.7				56.2				57.1				(1.6	)
Other & product liability			22.5				12.0				87.7				51.3				39.5				29.9
Other commercial			4.5				4.3				4.5				13.5				13.4				0.7
Total business		$	92.6				74.9				23.7			$	263.2				235.1				12.0

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth a summary of SAP loss and ALAE ratios by major product line of business for our business insurance segment with the catastrophe and non-catastrophe impact shown separately for the three and nine months ended September 30:

Table 5

 

		($ millions)																%
Three months ended September 30 Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat Ratio				Non-Cat Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
2012
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto		$	20.7			$	0.1			$	13.8			$	13.9				0.7				66.5				67.2
Commercial multi-peril			23.9				0.7				12.1				12.8				3.0				50.6				53.6
Fire & allied lines			18.6				3.3				4.7				8.0				18.0				25.0				43.0
Other & product liability			15.6				—				12.0				12.0				—				77.2				77.2
Other commercial			4.6				0.1				1.1				1.2				2.0				21.7				23.7
Total business			83.4				4.2				43.7				47.9				5.2				52.2				57.4
ULAE			—				—				—				3.9				—				—				4.6
Total		$	83.4			$	4.2			$	43.7			$	51.8				5.2				52.2				62.0
		($ millions)																%
Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat Ratio				Non-Cat Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
2011
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto		$	23.5			$	0.7			$	15.7			$	16.4				2.8				66.8				69.6
Commercial multi-peril			26.0				5.7				15.6				21.3				21.8				60.0				81.8
Fire & allied lines			23.3				8.0				15.1				23.1				34.3				64.9				99.2
Other & product liability			16.2				—				16.3				16.3				—				101.7				101.7
Other commercial			5.3				—				1.6				1.6				(0.6	)			28.8				28.2
Total business			94.3				14.4				64.3				78.7				15.1				68.2				83.3
ULAE			—				—				—				5.8				—				—				6.2
Total		$	94.3			$	14.4			$	64.3			$	84.5				15.1				68.2				89.6

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Table 6

 

		($ millions)																%
Nine months ended September 30 Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat Ratio				Non-Cat Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
2012
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto		$	59.7			$	0.7			$	36.7			$	37.4				1.2				61.4				62.6
Commercial multi-peril			69.2				12.2				37.9				50.1				17.7				54.8				72.5
Fire & allied lines			55.6				21.9				16.6				38.5				39.4				29.8				69.2
Other & product liability			42.4				—				26.1				26.1				—				61.5				61.5
Other commercial			13.2				0.2				3.6				3.8				1.1				27.4				28.5
Total business			240.1				35.0				120.9				155.9				14.6				50.3				64.9
ULAE			—				—				—				14.8				—				—				6.2
Total		$	240.1			$	35.0			$	120.9			$	170.7				14.6				50.3				71.1
		($ millions)																%
Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat Ratio				Non-Cat Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
2011
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto		$	70.4			$	3.1			$	43.1			$	46.2				4.4				61.2				65.6
Commercial multi-peril			76.8				22.8				41.1				63.9				29.7				53.5				83.2
Fire & allied lines			71.1				27.4				43.9				71.3				38.6				61.7				100.3
Other & product liability			49.1				—				43.3				43.3				—				88.3				88.3
Other commercial			16.4				0.8				5.3				6.1				4.4				32.3				36.7
Total business			283.8				54.1				176.7				230.8				19.0				62.3				81.3
ULAE			—				—				—				18.8				—				—				6.7
Total		$	283.8			$	54.1			$	176.7			$	249.6				19.0				62.3				88.0

Net written premiums for the business insurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 0.5% and decreased 9.0%, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6). The business insurance segment net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 23.7% and 12.0%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums (Table 4). Our premium growth is being driven primarily by three factors: (i) we are writing larger average premium new business accounts, (ii) we are receiving modest pricing increases on renewal business, and (iii) we are experiencing more growth on existing polices due to improved economic conditions. Additionally, business insurance segment net written premiums included $7.2 million of unearned premiums transferred as the result of terminating an umbrella quota share reinsurance arrangement effective July 1, 2012. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, $3.4 million and $10.4 million of written premiums, respectively, were ceded under the umbrella treaty. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the termination of this umbrella treaty accounted for 14.6 points and 4.7 points, respectively, of the net written premium growth compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

In late 2011, we began introducing policy download capabilities for most business insurance lines. Download capabilities allow agents to import policy information directly into their agency management systems to better serve their customers. Commercial auto and business owners products can now be downloaded to our agents, and we expect commercial package policy download capabilities will be available to our agents later this year.

We have expanded the eligibility of our business owners products to facilitate businesses with greater liability exposures, such as artisan contractors, auto service garages, manufacturers and restaurants. While we regularly insure these types of businesses through other insurance products, offering these products in our business owners program leverages our bizXpress^SM technology, and simplifies the agent rating and submission processes. Our enhanced business owners product, BOP Choice, has been introduced in all of our active states. The majority of our new business premium has been generated from this new product. Currently BOP Choice accounts for over 70% of our new business package submissions. Another advantage of BOP Choice is a shift towards a higher percentage of casualty business which we believe is desirable given our Midwest property concentrations.

While intense competition in the business insurance segment continues, we have been able to implement modest price increases for both new and renewal business. We continue to use modeled pricing in all standard lines of business to more accurately price individual accounts. In addition, new deductible guidelines have been introduced to require higher wind/hail only deductibles on risks that have multiple buildings at a single location susceptible to identified wind zones.

In 2013, we anticipate seeing the benefits from our new commercial lines project, “Business Insurance Evolution.” This project is designed to enhance our pricing models, introduce business rules and improve work processes. Updated models will be in place to provide more granular rating and risk identification. We believe that our business processes will promote greater efficiency and quicker quoting for our agents. Business rules will be implemented to improve workflow and underwriting decision making. Ultimately, we expect this will help us achieve more profitable and consistent underwriting results coupled with lower expenses.

Our SAP non-catastrophe loss ratio in our business insurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, decreased 16.0 points and 12.0 points, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Tables 5 and 6). This decrease was primarily due to fewer large losses in our fire and allied and other & product liability lines. Similar to the personal insurance segment, we believe that the continued implementation of our claim initiatives will improve our business insurance loss ratio.

Specialty Insurance Segment

The following table sets forth a summary of net written premiums by major product line of business for our specialty insurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, on a pro forma basis which assumes that the 12.31.11 pool change from an 80% to 65% participation percentage was in effect as of January 1, 2011 (See Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6 above).

Table 7

 

		Three months ended September 30												Nine months ended September 30
		Net Written Premiums
($ millions)		2012				Pro- forma 2011				% Change				2012				Pro- forma 2011				% Change
Specialty insurance segment:
RED		$	14.0				30.9				(54.6	)		$	56.9				79.1				(28.0	)
Rockhill			21.9				14.0				56.4				70.0				43.1				62.6
Workers’ compensation			16.7				15.4				8.5				53.6				45.1				18.9
Total specialty		$	52.6				60.3				(12.8	)		$	180.5				167.3				7.9

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth a summary of SAP loss and LAE ratios for our specialty insurance segment with the catastrophe and non-catastrophe impact shown separately for the three and nine months ended September 30:

Table 8

 

($ millions)   Three months ended September 30 Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat  loss Ratio				Non-Cat loss Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
Specialty insurance segment:
2012		$	60.6			$	0.6			$	65.3			$	65.9				0.9				107.8				108.7
ULAE			—				—				—				2.3				—				—				3.8
Total		$	60.6			$	0.6			$	65.3			$	68.2				0.9				107.8				112.5
2011		$	64.0			$	0.9			$	48.1			$	49.0				1.5				75.2				76.7
ULAE			—				—				—				3.2				—				—				5.0
Total		$	64.0			$	0.9			$	48.1			$	52.2				1.5				75.2				81.7
Table 9
($ millions)   Nine months ended September 30 Statutory Loss and LAE Ratios		Earned Premium				Cat Loss & ALAE				Non-Cat Loss & ALAE				Statutory Loss & LAE				Cat  loss Ratio				Non-Cat loss Ratio				Total Loss and LAE Ratio
Specialty insurance segment:
2012		$	182.5			$	0.9			$	151.8			$	152.7				0.5				83.2				83.7
ULAE			—				—				—				6.2				—				—				3.4
Total		$	182.5			$	0.9			$	151.8			$	158.9				0.5				83.2				87.1
2011		$	171.6			$	1.0			$	120.9			$	121.9				0.6				70.5				71.1
ULAE			—				—				—				6.9				—				—				4.0
Total		$	171.6			$	1.0			$	120.9			$	128.8				0.6				70.5				75.1

Net written premiums for the specialty insurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased 29.0% and 24.8%, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6). The specialty insurance segment net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased 12.6% and increased 7.9%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums (Table 7).

Net written premiums for our RED unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased 63.2% and 41.5%, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6). The RED unit net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased 54.6% and 28.0%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums (Table 7). The decrease in net written premiums was primarily due to the cancellation of a large commercial auto program as of April 1, 2012.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Net written premiums for our Rockhill unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 27.3% and decreased 9.4%, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6). The Rockhill unit net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 56.4% and 62.6%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums (Table 7). The increase was impacted by the following:

 

•

Growth driven by the addition of five new specialty programs, including a new general binding authority unit which focuses on small account excess and surplus lines business generated through managing general underwriters. These new programs accounted for $4.7 million and $11.2 million of the premium growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively;

•

Changes in the structure of two liability lines and all other perils reinsurance programs made in 2011, which resulted in our retaining additional written premium of $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012;

•

Significant rate increases in our property business and increased business opportunities through our excess and surplus channel for catastrophe exposed businesses due to recent global catastrophe events and recent industry catastrophe model changes; and

•

Volume growth in our excess and surplus casualty lines, which we believe was attributable to early signs of stabilization in pricing in the commercial lines market and the strengthening of broker relationships and marketing initiatives.

Net written premiums for our workers’ compensation unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased 11.6% and 17.9%, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods (Reconciliation Tables 5 and 6). The workers’ compensation unit net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 8.5% and 18.9%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 pro forma net written premiums (Table 7). The premium growth in our workers’ compensation unit was driven by increases in our mono-line product due primarily to state expansion and a firming market place along with growth in our small account workers’ compensation product written in conjunction with our standard business products.

The SAP non-catastrophe loss ratio for the specialty lines insurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 32.6 points (Table 8) and 12.7 points (Table 9), respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods due primarily to $19.5 million of loss and loss expense reserve strengthening within our RED unit principally related to a large commercial auto trucking program. As previously discussed, this program was cancelled as of April 1, 2012.

The specialty insurance segment produced net underwriting losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, of $25.1 million and $37.4 million, respectively, primarily due to the unprofitable performance of the RED unit as well as unfavorable development on prior accident years in our workers’ compensation middle market accounts. In our specialty insurance segment, RED underwriting results increased our SAP net underwriting loss by $22.6 million and $35.7 million, respectively, and increased our SAP combined ratio by 39.7 and 25.0 points, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. As previously disclosed, we have reorganized and merged the operations of RED into the Rockhill unit’s program division and have terminated or sent notice of termination representing substantially all of the business written by the former management team of RED. We will continue writing program business through Rockhill unit.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth, on a pro forma SAP basis, certain of our key performance indicators of our specialty insurance segment excluding the impact of the RED underwriting results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Reconciliation Table 11

        Three months ended September 30, 2012

 

($ millions)		SAP RED Underwriting Results – Specialty Insurance
		As Reported				RED				Pro-Forma without RED
Net written premiums		$	52.6			$	14.0			$	38.6
Earned premiums			60.6				22.5				38.1
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			0.6				0.5				0.1
Non-cat loss and ALAE			65.3				38.7				26.6
Total Loss and ALAE			65.9				39.2				26.7
ULAE			2.3				1.0				1.3
Total Loss and LAE incurred			68.2				40.2				28.0
Acquisition and operating expenses			17.5				4.9				12.6
Net underwriting loss		$	(25.1	)		$	(22.6	)		$	(2.5	)
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			0.9	%			2.2	%			0.3	%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			107.8	%			172.0	%			69.8	%
Total Loss and ALAE ratio			108.7	%			174.2	%			70.1	%
ULAE ratio			3.8	%			4.4	%			3.4	%
Total Loss and LAE ratio			112.5	%			178.6	%			73.5	%
Expense ratio			33.3	%			35.1	%			32.6	%
Combined ratio			145.8	%			213.7	%			106.1	%

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Reconciliation Table 12

        Nine months ended September 30, 2012

 

($ millions)		SAP RED Underwriting Results – Specialty Insurance
		As Reported				RED				Pro-Forma without RED
Net written premiums		$	180.5			$	56.9			$	123.6
Earned premiums			182.5				77.6				104.9
Losses and LAE incurred:
Cat loss and ALAE			0.9				0.5				0.4
Non-cat loss and ALAE			151.8				88.0				63.8
Total Loss and ALAE			152.7				88.5				64.2
ULAE			6.2				3.4				2.8
Total Loss and LAE incurred			158.9				91.9				67.0
Acquisition and operating expenses			61.0				21.4				39.6
Net underwriting loss		$	(37.4	)		$	(35.7	)		$	(1.7	)
Cat loss and ALAE ratio			0.5	%			0.6	%			0.4	%
Non-cat loss and ALAE ratio			83.2	%			113.4	%			60.8	%
Total Loss and ALAE ratio			83.7	%			114.0	%			61.2	%
ULAE ratio			3.4	%			4.4	%			2.7	%
Total Loss and LAE ratio			87.1	%			118.4	%			63.9	%
Expense ratio			33.8	%			37.6	%			32.0	%
Combined ratio			120.9	%			156.0	%			95.9	%

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Losses and loss expenses payable

The following table sets forth losses and loss expenses payable by major line of business at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

($ millions)		September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011				$ Change
Personal insurance segment:
Personal auto		$	188.3				195.9				(7.6	)
Homeowners			42.3				71.9				(29.6	)
Other personal			13.2				11.2				2.0
Total personal			243.8				279.0				(35.2	)
Business insurance segment:
Commercial auto			80.7				76.9				3.8
Commercial multi-peril			79.4				73.5				5.9
Fire & allied lines			22.9				24.3				(1.4	)
Other & product liability			160.0				158.6				1.4
Other business			2.9				3.6				(0.7	)
Total business			345.9				336.9				9.0
Specialty insurance segment			337.5				265.7				71.8
Total losses and loss expenses payable net of reinsurance recoverable on losses and loss expenses payable		$	927.2				881.6				45.6

Losses and loss expenses payable increased $45.6 million since December 31, 2011. The increase of $71.8 million in our specialty insurance segment was primarily due to earned premium growth across the segment, and the corresponding increase in claims activity, as well as the previously mentioned loss and loss expense reserve strengthening with our RED unit. Our homeowners line of business declined $29.6 million primarily due to the ceding of reserves to unaffiliated reinsurers in connection with the HO QS Arrangement. We conduct quarterly reviews of loss development reports and make judgments in determining the reserves for ultimate losses and loss expenses payable. Several factors are considered by us when estimating ultimate liabilities including consistency in relative case reserve adequacy, consistency in claims settlement practices, recent legal developments, historical data, actuarial projections, accounting projections, exposure changes, anticipated inflation, current business conditions, catastrophe developments, late reported claims, and other reasonableness tests.

The risks and uncertainties inherent in our estimates include, but are not limited to, actual settlement experience different from historical data, trends, changes in business and economic conditions, court decisions creating unanticipated liabilities, ongoing interpretation of policy provisions by the courts, inconsistent decisions in lawsuits regarding coverage and additional information discovered before settlement of claims. Our results of operations and financial condition could be impacted, perhaps significantly, in the future if the ultimate payments required to settle claims vary from the liability currently recorded. For a discussion of our reserving methodologies as well as a measure of sensitivity discussion see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Loss and Loss Expenses Payable” in Item 7 of the 2011 Form 10-K.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Acquisition and Operating Expenses

Our GAAP expense ratios were 33.1 and 34.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and 33.3 and 33.7 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Investment Operations Segment

Our investments in fixed maturities, equity securities and certain other invested assets are held as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. The unrealized holding gains or losses, net of applicable deferred taxes, are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income and as such are not included in the determination of net income.

For further discussion regarding the management of our investment portfolio, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations – Investment Operations Segment” in Item 7 of the 2011 Form 10-K.

Composition of Investment Portfolio

The following table sets forth the composition of our investment portfolio at carrying value at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

($ millions)		September 30, 2012				% of Total				December 31, 2011				% of Total
Cash and cash equivalents		$	64.2				2.8			$	356.0				13.8
Fixed maturities, at fair value:
Fixed maturities			1,653.7				71.4				1,674.5				64.8
Treasury inflation-protected securities			230.2				10.0				260.4				10.1
Total fixed maturities			1,883.9				81.4				1,934.9				74.9
Notes receivable from affiliate (1)			70.0				3.0				70.0				2.7
Equity securities, at fair value:
Large-cap securities			182.1				7.9				122.1				4.7
Small-cap securities			53.0				2.3				45.2				1.7
Total equity securities			235.1				10.2				167.3				6.4
Other invested assets, at fair value:
International instruments			56.4				2.4				52.6				2.0
Other invested assets			5.5				0.2				4.6				0.2
Total other invested assets, at fair value			61.9				2.6				57.2				2.2
Other invested assets, at cost			0.5				0.0				0.5				0.0
Total portfolio		$	2,315.6				100.0			$	2,585.9				100.0

 

(1)

In May 2009, we entered into two separate Credit Agreements with State Auto Mutual. Under these Credit Agreements, State Auto Mutual borrowed a total of $70.0 million from us on an unsecured basis. Interest is payable semi-annually at a fixed annual interest rate of 7.00%. Principal is payable May 2019.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2012:

 

($ millions)		Amortized cost				Fair value
Due in 1 year or less		$	40.1				40.8
Due after 1 year through 5 years			298.3				319.4
Due after 5 years through 10 years			428.5				470.2
Due after 10 years			571.6				621.0
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			407.1				432.5
Total		$	1,745.6				1,883.9

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities as the issuers may have the right to call or prepay the obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The duration of the fixed maturity portfolio was approximately 3.80 and 3.71 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Investment Operations Revenue

The following table sets forth the components of net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2012				2011				2012				2011
Gross investment income:
Fixed maturities		$	14.7				18.4			$	49.1				60.2
Equity securities			1.5				1.1				3.5				3.8
Other			1.4				1.4				4.1				4.2
Total gross investment income			17.6				20.9				56.7				68.2
Less: Investment expenses			0.4				0.6				1.5				1.7
Net investment income		$	17.2				20.3			$	55.2				66.5
Average invested assets (at cost)		$	2,131.4				2,425.4			$	2,180.6				2,403.4
Annualized investment yield			3.2	%			3.3				3.4	%			3.7
Annualized investment yield, after tax			2.5	%			2.7				2.6	%			2.9
Net investment income, after tax		$	13.4				16.4			$	42.5				52.1
Effective tax rate			21.8	%			19.0				22.9	%			21.6

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Our investment operations revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily impacted by the following factors:

 

•

A cash outflow of $336.9 million related to the settlement of the 12.31.11 pool change and the HO QS Arrangement.

•

Interest earned on our fixed maturity securities declined primarily due to lower yields. As our higher yielding bonds mature or are called by the issuers, the proceeds are being reinvested at a lower interest rate.

•

Income earned on our Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, which is dependent on changes in the CPI Index, decreased by $2.0 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 when compared to the same 2011 periods.

The following table sets forth realized gains (losses) and the proceeds received on sale for our investment portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

		Three months ended September 30, 2012								Nine months ended September 30, 2012
($ millions)		Realized gains (losses)				Proceeds received on sale				Realized gains (losses)				Proceeds received on sale
Realized gains:
Fixed maturities		$	3.3				109.9			$	14.0				293.9
Equity securities			4.8				22.3				11.5				60.2
Total realized gains			8.1				132.2				25.5				354.1
Realized losses:
Equity securities:
Sales			(0.4	)			1.5				(2.3	)			4.8
OTTI			(0.7	)			—				(2.2	)			—
Fixed maturities:
OTTI			—				—				(0.2	)			—
Total realized losses			(1.1	)			1.5				(4.7	)			4.8
Net realized gains on investments		$	7.0				133.7			$	20.8				358.9

During the first nine months of 2012, equity sales were executed for various reasons, including: (i) to accumulate cash for settlement of the transfers related to the 12.31.11 pool change (ii) the achievement of our price target, (iii) in response to negative outlook announcements or changes in business conditions, which in our opinion diminished the future business prospects on these securities, and (iv) in order to manage our equity holdings consistent with our investment policy.

When a fixed maturity security has been determined to have an other-than-temporary decline in fair value, the impairment charge is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and the amount related to non-credit factors, which is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Investments” included in Item 7 of the 2011 Form 10-K for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) indicators. Future increases or decreases in fair value, if not other-than-temporary, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

When an equity security or other invested asset has been determined to have a decline in fair value that is other-than-temporary, we adjust the cost basis of the security to fair value. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Investments” included in Item 7 of the 2011 Form 10-K for OTTI impairment indicators. This results in a charge to earnings as a realized loss, which is not reversed for subsequent recoveries in fair value. Future increases or decreases in fair value, if not other-than-temporary, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the realized losses related to OTTI on our investment portfolio recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:

 

		Three months ended September 30, 2012								Nine months ended September 30, 2012
($ millions, except # of positions)		Number of positions				Total impairment				Number of positions				Total impairment
Equity securities:
Small-cap securities			8			$	(0.7	)			27			$	(2.2	)
Fixed maturities:			—				—				1				(0.2	)
Total other-than-temporary impairments			8			$	(0.7	)			28			$	(2.4	)

Gross Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses

Based upon our review of our investment portfolio at September 30, 2012, we determined that there were no individual investments with an unrealized holding loss that had a fair value significantly below cost continually for more than one year. The following table sets forth detailed information on our available-for-sale investment portfolio by lot at fair value for our gross unrealized holding gains (losses) at September 30, 2012:

 

($ millions, except # of positions)		Cost or amortized cost				Gross unrealized holding gains				Number of gain positions				Gross unrealized holding losses				Number of loss positions				Fair value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies		$	334.1			$	40.0				61			$	—				3			$	374.1
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			745.2				53.1				306				—				3				798.3
Corporate securities			259.2				20.0				82				(0.2	)			5				279.0
U.S. government agencies residential mortgage-backed securities			407.1				26.4				130				(1.0	)			15				432.5
Total fixed maturities			1,745.6				139.5				579				(1.2	)			26				1,883.9
Equity securities:
Large-cap securities			154.5				28.8				45				(1.2	)			8				182.1
Small-cap securities			41.6				11.4				79				—				—				53.0
Total equity securities			196.1				40.2				124				(1.2	)			8				235.1
Other invested assets			48.9				13.0				3				—				—				61.9
Total available-for-sale investments		$	1,990.6			$	192.7				706			$	(2.4	)			34			$	2,180.9

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth our unrealized holding gains by investment type, net of deferred tax that was included as a component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the change in unrealized holding gains, net of deferred tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

 

($ millions)		September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011				$ Change
Available-for-sale investments:
Unrealized holding gains:
Fixed maturities		$	138.3				117.6				20.7
Equity securities			39.0				25.6				13.4
Other invested assets			13.0				8.6				4.4
Unrealized gains			190.3				151.8				38.5
Deferred federal income tax liability, net			(53.1	)			(53.1	)			—
Unrealized gains, net of tax		$	137.2				98.7				38.5

Fair Value Measurements

We primarily use one independent nationally recognized pricing service in developing fair value estimates. We obtain one price per security, and our processes and control procedures are designed to ensure the value is accurately recorded on an unadjusted basis. Through discussions with the pricing service, we gain an understanding of the methodologies used to price the different types of securities, that the data and the valuation methods utilized are appropriate and consistently applied, and that the assumptions are reasonable and representative of fair value. To validate the reasonableness of the valuations obtained from the pricing service, we compare to other fair value pricing information gathered from other independent pricing sources. See Note 3, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a presentation of our available-for-sale investments within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

As of September 30, 2012, Level 3 assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.3% which we have determined to be insignificant.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Other Items

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effect of the differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), we periodically evaluate our deferred tax assets, which requires significant judgment, to determine if they are realizable based upon weighing all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our historical and anticipated future taxable income. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we recorded a valuation of $98.9 million and $103.3 million, respectively. The following table sets forth the components of our federal income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

		Three Months Ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
($ millions)		2012				2011				2012				2011
Loss before federal income taxes		$	(5.6	)		$	(52.0	)		$	(10.3	)		$	(175.7	)
Current tax benefit			(0.1	)			0.3				(0.1	)			(6.4	)
Deferred tax benefit			(4.2	)			(22.5	)			(9.9	)			(64.8	)
			(4.3	)			(22.2	)			(10.0	)			(71.2	)
Valuation allowance			4.2				28.9				9.9				155.5
Total Federal income tax (benefit) expense			(0.1	)			6.7				(0.1	)			84.3
Net loss		$	(5.5	)		$	(58.7	)		$	(10.2	)		$	(260.0	)

In future periods we will re-assess our judgments and assumptions regarding the realization of our net deferred tax assets, but until such time as the positive evidence exceeds the negative evidence we will maintain a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. Until that time, as we report net earnings and generate taxable income, we do not expect our consolidated statements of income to reflect any federal income tax expense as we utilize our net operating loss carryforward and release a corresponding amount of the net deferred tax asset valuation allowance, unless we are in an “exception” position as described by the intraperiod allocation guidance included in ASC 740.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Based on ASC 740 intraperiod tax allocation guidelines, the following sets forth the change in valuation allowance attributable to continuing operations and other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:

 

($ millions)		Three months ended September  30				Nine months ended September  30
		2012				2012
Continuing operations		$	4.2			$	9.9
Other comprehensive income			(10.3	)			(14.3	)
Change in valuation allowance		$	(6.1	)		$	(4.4	)

See Note 5 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General

Liquidity refers to our ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet our short- and long-term needs. Our primary sources of cash are premiums, investment income, investment sales and the maturity of fixed income security investments. The significant outflows of cash are payments of claims, commissions, premium taxes, operating expenses, income taxes, dividends, interest and principal payments on debt and investment purchases. The cash outflows may vary due to uncertainties regarding settlement of large losses or catastrophe events. As a result, we continually monitor our investment and reinsurance programs to ensure they are appropriately structured to enable the insurance subsidiaries to meet anticipated short- and long-term cash requirements without the need to sell investments to meet fluctuations in claim payments.

Liquidity

Our insurance subsidiaries must have adequate liquidity to ensure that their cash obligations are met. However, the STFC Pooled Companies do not have the daily liquidity concerns normally associated with an insurance company due to their participation in, and the terms of, the Pooling Arrangement. Under the terms of the Pooling Arrangement, State Auto Mutual receives all premiums and pays all losses and expenses associated with the insurance business produced by the STFC Pooled Companies and the other pool participants, and then it settles the intercompany balances generated by these transactions with the pool participants within 45 days following each quarter end. We believe this provides State Auto Mutual with sufficient liquidity to pay losses and expenses of our insurance operations on a timely basis. When settling the intercompany balances, State Auto Mutual provides the pool participants with full credit for the premiums written net of losses paid during the quarter, retaining all receivable amounts from insureds and agents and reinsurance recoverable on paid losses from unaffiliated reinsurers. Any receivable amounts that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible are charged-off by State Auto Mutual and allocated to the pool participant on the basis of its pooling percentage. As a result, we have an off-balance sheet credit risk related to the balances due to State Auto Mutual from insureds, agents and reinsurers, which are offset by the unearned premiums from the respective policies. While the total amount due to State Auto Mutual from policyholders and agents is significant, the individual amounts due are relatively small at the policyholder and agency level. Based on historical data, this credit risk exposure is not considered to be material to our financial position, though the impact to income on a quarterly basis may be material. The State Auto Group mitigates its exposure to this credit risk through its in-house collections unit for both personal and commercial accounts which is supplemented by third party collection service providers. The amounts deemed uncollectible by State Auto Mutual and allocated to the STFC Pooled Companies are included in the other expenses line item in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

We generally manage our cash flows through current operational activity and maturing investments, without a need to liquidate any of our other investments. However, should our written premiums decline or paid losses increase significantly, or a combination thereof, our cash flows from operations could be impacted requiring us to liquidate investments at losses. This action was not necessary for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

We maintain a portion of our investment portfolio in relatively short-term and highly liquid investments to ensure the immediate availability of funds to pay claims and expenses. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had $64.2 million and $356.0 million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents, and $2,180.9 million and $2,159.4 million, respectively, of total available-for-sale investments. Included in our fixed maturities available-for-sale were $9.7 million and $9.9 million of securities on deposit with insurance regulators as required by law at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. In addition, substantially all of our fixed maturity and equity securities are traded on public markets. For a further discussion regarding investments, see “Investments Operations Segment” included in this Item 2.

Net cash used in operating activities was $308.5 for the first nine months of 2012 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $34.4 million for the first nine months of 2011. Net cash from operations will vary from period to period if there are significant changes in underwriting results, primarily a combination of the level of premiums written and loss and loss expenses paid, changes in cash flows from investment income or federal income tax activity. The majority of the change between periods was due to our settlement payment of $261.4 million related to the 12.31.11 pool change and our payment of $75.5 million related to our share of the State Auto Group’s initial net unearned premium transfer under the HO QS Arrangement.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $34.0 million and $80.4 million for the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. In the first quarter of 2012, we continued to raise funds to complete the settlement of amounts owned related to the 12.31.11 pool change and the HO QS Arrangement.

Net cash used in financing activities was $17.3 million and $16.4 million for the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Borrowing Arrangements

Credit Agreement

State Auto Financial has a $100.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders which matures in September 2016 (the “Credit Facility”). During the term of the Credit Facility, we have the right to increase the total facility to a maximum amount of $150.0 million, provided that no event of default has occurred and is continuing to occur. The Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes and provides for interest-only payments during its term, with principal and interest due in full at maturity. Interest is based on LIBOR or a base rate plus a calculated margin amount. The Credit Facility includes certain covenants, including financial covenants that require us to maintain a minimum net worth and not exceed a certain debt to capitalization ratio. As of September 30, 2012, State Auto Financial had not made any borrowings and was in compliance with all of its covenants.

Senior Notes

State Auto Financial has outstanding $100.0 million of unsecured Senior Notes due November 2013. The Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.25% per annum, which is payable each May 15 and November 15. The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness and equal with all existing and future senior indebtedness. The Senior Notes are not guaranteed by any of State Auto Financial’s subsidiaries and thereby are effectively subordinated to all State Auto Financial’s subsidiaries’ existing and future indebtedness.

 

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(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Subordinated Debentures

State Auto Financial’s Delaware business trust subsidiary (the “Capital Trust”) has outstanding $15.0 million liquidation amount of capital securities, due 2033. In connection with the Capital Trust’s issuance of the capital securities and the related purchase by State Auto Financial of all of the Capital Trust’s common securities (liquidation amount of $0.5 million), State Auto Financial has issued to the Capital Trust $15.5 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due 2033 (the “Subordinated Debentures”). The sole assets of the Capital Trust are the Subordinated Debentures and any interest accrued thereon. Interest on the Capital Trust’s capital and common securities is payable quarterly at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 4.20%, adjusted quarterly. The applicable interest rates for September 30, 2012 and 2011 were 4.62% and 4.50%, respectively.

Reinsurance Arrangements

Members of the State Auto Group follow the customary industry practice of reinsuring a portion of their exposures and paying to the reinsurers a portion of the premiums received. Insurance is ceded principally to reduce net liability on individual risks or for individual loss occurrences, including catastrophic losses. Although reinsurance does not legally discharge the individual members of the State Auto Group from primary liability for the full amount of limits applicable under their policies, it does make the assuming reinsurer liable to the extent of the reinsurance ceded.

To minimize the risk of reinsurer default, the State Auto Group cedes only to third-party reinsurers who are rated A- or better by A.M. Best and also utilizes both domestic and international markets to diversify its credit risk. We utilize reinsurance to limit our loss exposure and contribute to our liquidity and capital resources.

Homeowners Quota Share Reinsurance Arrangement

The State Auto Group entered into the HO QS Arrangement on December 31, 2011, with a syndicate of unaffiliated reinsurers covering its homeowners book of business. The HO QS Arrangement is in effect until December 31, 2014. Under the HO QS Arrangement, the State Auto Group ceded to the reinsurers 75% of its homeowners business under policies in force at December 31, 2011 and new and renewal policies thereafter issued during the term of the agreement. A reinsurer may terminate its participation in the HO QS Arrangement upon the occurrence of certain events, including, without limitation, if the policyholders’ surplus of the State Auto Group is reduced by more than 25% from the amount of its surplus as of September 30, 2011 or the State Auto Group is assigned an A.M. Best rating below A-.

Under the HO QS Arrangement, the State Auto Group receives a 29.0% commission on all premiums ceded to the reinsurers, and also may receive a profit commission.

The HO QS Arrangement provides the reinsurers with certain contractual rights in the event that a “material adverse change,” as defined in the agreement (the “MAC clause”), occurs to the State Auto Group. For example, the reinsurers may request the revision or renegotiation of certain terms of the agreement if the State Auto Group’s homeowners exposure growth exceeds specified levels or if the State Auto Group makes significant underwriting, claim handling or business mix changes that adversely impact the business reinsured under the agreement. In the event the parties do not agree on revised terms, the reinsurers may cancel the HO QS Arrangement. Under the MAC clause, the reinsurers may reduce the ceding commission proportionally in the event the homeowners rate changes implemented fall short of our pricing plan by more than certain stipulated contractual amounts. As of September 30, 2012, none of the reinsurers rights under the MAC clause had been triggered.

 

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Under the HO QS Arrangement, the reinsurers have agreed to accept 75% of the State Auto Group’s subject homeowners net liability, except for ULAE expenses which are not subject to recovery. The liability of the reinsurers will not exceed any of the following: $3.0 million as to any one risk with respect to property losses; $2.0 million as to any one insured with respect to liability losses; $55.0 million as to all losses arising from any one loss occurrence; 50% of the ceded net earned premium for the first contract year with respect to all losses arising from all catastrophe loss occurrences commencing during the first contact year, subject to an amount not to exceed $181.0 million for the first contract year; 40% of the ceded net earned premium for the second contract year with respect to all losses arising from all catastrophe loss occurrences commencing during the second contact year, subject to an amount not to exceed $150.0 million for the second contract year; 30% of the ceded net earned premium for the third contract year with respect to all losses arising from all catastrophe loss occurrences commencing during the third contract year, subject to an amount not to exceed $117.0 million for the third contract year; or 34% of the ceded net earned premium for the term of the agreement with respect to all losses arising from all catastrophe loss occurrences commencing during the term of the agreement, subject to an amount not to exceed $380.0 million for the term of the contract. A “catastrophe loss occurrence” is defined as any one loss occurrence which has been assigned a catastrophe number by the ISO PCS. We believe this reinsurance arrangement reduces risk and volatility to our overall book of business while providing us with additional catastrophe protection.

Other Reinsurance Arrangements

Each member of the State Auto Group is party to working reinsurance treaties for casualty, workers’ compensation and property lines with several reinsurers arranged through reinsurance intermediaries. These agreements are described in more detail below. We have also secured other reinsurance to limit the net cost of large loss events for certain types of coverage. The State Auto Group also makes use of facultative reinsurance for unique risk situations. The State Auto Group also participates in state insurance pools and associations. In general, these pools and associations are state sponsored and/or operated, impose mandatory participation by insurers doing business in that state, and offer coverage for hard-to-place risks at premium rates established by the state sponsor or operator, thereby transferring risk of loss to the participating insurers in exchange for premiums which may not be commensurate with the risk assumed.

Property Catastrophe

Members of the State Auto Group maintain a property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance agreement, covering catastrophe related events affecting at least two risks. As of June 1, 2012, this property catastrophe reinsurance agreement was revised to include property business written through our specialty insurance segment. Under this agreement, we retain the first $55.0 million of catastrophe loss, each occurrence, with a 5% co-participation on the next $245.0 million (previously $160.0 million) of covered loss, each occurrence. The reinsurers are responsible for 95% of the excess over $55.0 million up to $300.0 million (previously $215.0 million) of covered losses, each occurrence. Under this agreement, our companies are responsible for losses above $300.0 million (previously $215.0 million).

For property policies underwritten by our Rockhill unit, we also maintain a separate property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance agreement covering catastrophe related events affecting at least two risks. Under this agreement, we retain the first $15.0 million (previously $7.5 million) of catastrophe loss, each occurrence, and the reinsurers are responsible for 100% of the excess over $15.0 million up to $55.0 million (previously $85.0 million) of covered loss, each occurrence. The rates for this reinsurance are negotiated annually.

Property Per Risk

As of July 1, 2012, the property per risk excess of loss reinsurance agreement was revised to include the Rockhill unit’s property business. This reinsurance agreement provides that the State Auto Group is responsible for the first $1.0 million of each covered loss for business written as Rockhill unit’s property business, and first $3.0 million of each covered loss for other property business. The State Auto Group also is responsible for an additional $2.0 million in aggregate retention per treaty year for losses exceeding $3.0 million. The reinsurers are responsible for 100% of the excess over $3.0 million up to $20.0 million (previously $15.0 million for the Rockhill unit) of covered loss. The rates for this reinsurance are negotiated annually.

 

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For property policies underwritten by our Rockhill unit, we also maintain a property surplus share agreement for wind-only insurance products. This agreement provides for a proportional share of losses on all coastal wind policies written with limits greater than $5.0 million and up to $10.0 million of covered loss and all non coastal wind policies written with limits greater than $10.0 million and up to $16.0 million of covered loss. The reinsurers’ limit cannot exceed more than $5.0 million on any one risk.

Casualty and Workers Compensation

As of July 1, 2012, we revised our casualty excess of loss reinsurance agreement to include coverage for umbrella liability and workers compensation losses. Under this agreement, each company in the State Auto Group is responsible for the first $2.0 million of workers compensation, umbrella (previously a maximum of $0.6 million), auto and other liability losses. The reinsurance agreement provides coverage up to $10.0 million (previously $5.0 million for auto and other liability). Policies underwritten by the Rockhill unit are not subject to this casualty excess of loss reinsurance agreement. For workers compensation risks, we also renewed a treaty that provides $1.0 million of coverage in excess of a $1.0 million retention, subject to an additional $1.0 million in annual aggregate retention.

Also, certain unusual claim situations involving bodily injury liability, property damage, uninsured motorist and personal injury protection are covered by an arrangement that provides for $30.0 million (previously $10.0 million) of coverage in excess of $10.0 million (previously $5.0 million) retention for each loss occurrence. This reinsurance sits above the $8.0 million excess of $2.0 million arrangement. The rates for this reinsurance are negotiated annually. Policies underwritten by the Rockhill unit are not subject to this casualty excess of loss reinsurance agreement.

In addition to the workers’ compensation reinsurance described above, each company in the State Auto Group is party to an agreement which provides an additional layer of reinsurance for workers’ compensation losses involving multiple workers. Subject to $10.0 million of retention, reinsurers are responsible for 100% of the excess over $10.0 million up to $30.0 million (previously $20.0 million) of covered loss. This coverage is subject to a “Maximum Any One Life” limitation of $20.0 million. This limitation means that losses associated with each worker may contribute no more than $20.0 million (previously $10.0 million) to covered loss under this agreement. The rates for this reinsurance are negotiated annually.

For liability policies written through our Rockhill unit, we have a consolidated casualty treaty whereby we retain the first $1.0 million of covered loss and the reinsurers are responsible for 87% (previously 75%) of loss in excess of $1.0 million up to $11.0 million (previously $6.0 million). The rates for this reinsurance are negotiated annually.

Effective October 1, 2011, we entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement for Management & Professional Liability arising out of certain classes of business underwritten in our Rockhill unit. For any subject losses, the treaty pays 40% of 100%, up to 40% of $10.0 million, or $4.0 million. The remaining loss amount was covered by the consolidated casualty reinsurance agreement. As of July 1, 2012, this reinsurance agreement was terminated.

Credit and Financial Strength Ratings

In May 2012, A.M. Best affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and downgraded the issuer credit rating to “a” from “a+” of the State Auto Group. A.M. Best also downgraded the debt rating to “bbb” from “bbb+” of State Auto Financial Corporation.

In June 2012, Standard & Poor’s affirmed the financial strength and issuer credit ratings of State Auto Group at BBB+ and the issuer credit rating of State Auto Financial Corporation at BB+.

Regulatory Considerations

At September 30, 2012, all of our insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with statutory requirements relating to capital adequacy.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

ADOPTION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts

In October 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance to address diversity in practice for the accounting of costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. This guidance modifies the definition of acquisition costs to specify that a cost be directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance, with retrospective application, at January 1, 2012. The cumulative effect of the retrospective adoption of this guidance reduced stockholders’ equity by $20.5 million, after-tax, at January 1, 2010. See Note 1 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS

The amendments in this guidance result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Consequently, the amendments in the guidance change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in the guidance to result in a change in the application of the requirements in the Fair Value Measurements Topic. The guidance also clarifies the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements as well as changes to a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This guidance was effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company’s adoption of this guidance at January 1, 2012 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Testing Goodwill for Impairment

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance in relation to testing goodwill for impairment. The amendments in the update permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of a more than 50 percent. Previous guidance under Topic 350 (Intangibles, Goodwill and Other), required an entity to test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. Under this updated guidance, the test for impairment should be performed on an annual basis unless an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. However, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company’s adoption of this guidance at January 1, 2012 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

MARKET RISK

With respect to Market Risk, see the discussion regarding this subject at “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Investment Operations Segment – Market Risk” in Item 7 of the 2011 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes from the information reported regarding Market Risk in the 2011 Form 10-K.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk

The information called for by this item is provided in this Form 10-Q under the caption “Market Risk” under Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

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(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

With the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, our management has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report:

 

1.

Information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

2.

Information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and

 

3.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely making known to them material information required to be included in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in numerous lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of our business operations arising out of or otherwise related to our insurance policies. Certain of these lawsuits allege extra-contractual damages. These lawsuits are in various stages of development. We generally contest these matters vigorously but may pursue settlement if appropriate. We consider all such litigation in establishing our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. Based on currently available information, we do not believe it is reasonably possible that any such lawsuit or related lawsuits will be material to our results of operations or have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial or cash flow position.

Additionally, from time to time we may be involved in lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business but not arising out of or otherwise related to our insurance policies. Based on currently available information, we do not believe it is reasonably possible that any such lawsuit or related lawsuits will be material to our results of operations or have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial or cash flow position.

We accrue for a litigation-related liability when it is probable that such a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Based on currently available information known to us, we believe that our reserves for litigation-related liabilities are reasonable. Given the inherent uncertainty surrounding the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings, an adverse outcome could have a material impact to our results of operations in a future period, though in the opinion of management, none would likely have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial or cash flow position.

Additionally, we may be impacted by adverse regulatory actions and adverse court decisions where insurance coverages are expanded beyond the scope originally contemplated in our insurance policies. We believe that the effects, if any, of such regulatory actions and published court decisions are not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial or cash flow position.

 

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(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in the 2011 Form 10-K under Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.						Description of Exhibits
	10.1			Fifth Amendment to the State Auto Insurance Companies Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan effective January 1, 2012
	31.01			CEO certification required by Section 302 of Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
	31.02			CFO certification required by Section 302 of Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
	32.01			CEO certification required by Section 906 of Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
	32.02			CFO certification required by Section 906 of Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
	101.INS			XBRL Instance Document
	101.SCH			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
	101.CAL			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
	101.DEF			XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
	101.LAB			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
	101.PRE			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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(a majority-owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company)

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

		State Auto Financial Corporation
Date: November 7, 2012		/s/ Steven E. English
		Steven E. English
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Duly Authorized Officer and
		Principal Financial Officer)

 

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