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Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from these statements. Certain comparative information has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. USE OF ESTIMATES IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported and disclosed amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The major estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the reserve for claims and claim expenses; reinsurance recoverable and premiums receivable, including provisions for reinsurance recoverable and premiums receivable to reflect expected credit losses; estimates of written and earned premiums; fair value, including the fair value of investments, financial instruments, and derivatives; impairment charges; deferred acquisition costs, the value of business acquired (“VOBA”) and the fair value of other assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions; and the Company’s deferred tax valuation allowance. PREMIUMS AND RELATED EXPENSES Premiums are recognized as income, net of any applicable reinsurance or retrocessional coverage purchased, over the terms of the related contracts and policies. Premiums written are based on contract and policy terms and include estimates based on information received from both insureds and ceding companies. Subsequent revisions to premium estimates are recorded in the period in which they are determined. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written that relate to the unexpired terms of contracts and policies in force. Amounts are computed by pro rata methods based on statistical data or reports received from ceding companies. Reinstatement premiums are estimated after the occurrence of a significant loss and are recorded in accordance with the contract terms based upon paid losses and case reserves. Reinstatement premiums are earned when written. Acquisition costs are incurred when a contract or policy is issued and only the costs directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal contract or policies are deferred and amortized over the same period in which the related premiums are earned. Acquisition costs consist principally of commissions, brokerage and premium tax expenses and are shown net of commissions earned on ceded reinsurance. Certain of our assumed contracts contain profit sharing provisions or adjustable commissions that are estimated based on the expected loss and loss adjustment expense on those contracts. Acquisition costs include accruals for such estimates of commissions. Certain of our ceded contracts contain profit sharing provisions which accrue to the benefit of the company. Acquisition costs are shown net of such commissions and profit commissions earned on ceded reinsurance. In addition, certain of our ceded contracts contain override and management fees which are recorded as an offset against operating expenses. Deferred policy acquisition costs are limited to their estimated realizable value based on the related unearned premiums. Anticipated claims and claim expenses, based on historical and current experience, and anticipated investment income related to those premiums are considered in determining the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs. CLAIMS AND CLAIM EXPENSES The reserve for claims and claim expenses includes estimates for unpaid claims and claim expenses on reported losses as well as an estimate of losses incurred but not reported. The reserve is based on individual claims, case reserves and other reserve estimates reported by insureds and ceding companies as well as management estimates of ultimate losses. Inherent in the estimates of ultimate losses are expected trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors which could vary significantly as claims are settled. In addition, the Company does not have the benefit of a significant amount of its own historical experience in certain casualty and specialty and insurance lines of business. Accordingly, the reserving for incurred losses in these lines of business could be subject to greater variability. Ultimate losses may vary materially from the amounts provided in the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they become known and are accounted for as changes in estimates. REINSURANCE Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. For multi-year retrospectively rated contracts, the Company accrues amounts (either assets or liabilities) that are due to or from assuming companies based on estimated contract experience. If the Company determines that adjustments to earlier estimates are appropriate, such adjustments are recorded in the period in which they are determined. Reinsurance recoverable on dual trigger reinsurance contracts require the Company to estimate its ultimate losses applicable to these contracts as well as estimate the ultimate amount of insured industry losses that will be reported by the applicable statistical reporting agency, as per the contract terms. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are recorded net of a provision for current expected credit losses to reflect expected credit losses. Assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts that lack significant transfer of risk are treated as deposits. Certain assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts that do not meet all of the criteria to be accounted for as reinsurance in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic Financial Services - Insurance have been accounted for at fair value under the fair value option in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Financial Instruments. INVESTMENTS Fixed Maturity Investments Investments in fixed maturities are classified as trading and are reported at fair value. Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date with balances pending settlement reflected in the balance sheet as a receivable for investments sold or a payable for investments purchased. Net investment income includes interest and dividend income together with amortization of market premiums and discounts and is net of investment management and custody fees. The amortization of premium and accretion of discount for fixed maturity securities is computed using the effective yield method. For mortgage-backed securities and other holdings for which there is prepayment risk, prepayment assumptions are evaluated quarterly and revised as necessary. Any adjustments required due to the change in effective yields and maturities are recognized on a prospective basis through yield adjustments. Fair values of investments are based on quoted market prices, or when such prices are not available, by reference to broker or underwriter bid indications and/or internal pricing valuation techniques. The net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on fixed maturity investments trading is included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of the first in first out cost method. Short Term Investments Short term investments, which are managed as part of the Company’s investment portfolio and have a maturity of one year or less when purchased, are carried at fair value. The net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on short term investments is included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Equity Investments Equity investments are accounted for at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Financial Instruments. Fair values are primarily priced by pricing services, reflecting the closing price quoted for the final trading day of the period. Dividend income is included in net investment income and net realized and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on equity investments is included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Other Investments The Company accounts for its other investments at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Financial Instruments with interest and dividend income included in net investment income. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on other investments are included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. The fair value of the Company’s fund investments, which include private equity funds, private credit funds and hedge funds, is generally established on the basis of the net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) established by each respective fund investments manager, if applicable. The net asset value established by the respective fund investments manager is determined in accordance with the governing documents of such fund investments. The Company applies the practical expedient provided by the FASB ASC Topic Financial Instruments relating to investments in certain entities that calculate NAV per share (or its equivalent) and therefore measure the fair value of the fund investments based on that NAV per share, or its equivalent. Fund investments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in other investments. Fund investments which are valued using NAV per share as a practical expedient are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy. Certain of the Company’s fund investments managers, or their fund administrators, are unable to provide final fund valuations as of the Company’s current reporting date. The Company typically experiences a reporting lag to receive a final net asset value report of one month for hedge funds and three months for both private equity funds and private credit funds, although the Company has occasionally experienced delays of up to six months, particularly at year end. In circumstances where there is a reporting lag between the current period end reporting date and the reporting date of the latest fund valuation, the Company estimates the fair value of these funds by starting with the prior month or quarter-end fund valuations, adjusting these valuations for actual capital calls, redemptions or distributions, as well as the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and then estimating the return for the current period. In circumstances in which the Company estimates the return for the current period, all information available to the Company is utilized. This principally includes using preliminary estimates reported to the Company by its fund managers, where available, and estimating returns based on the performance of broad market indices or other valuation methods. Actual final fund valuations may differ, perhaps materially so, from the Company’s estimates and these differences are recorded in the Company’s statement of operations in the period in which they are reported to the Company as a change in estimate. The Company’s other investments also include investments in catastrophe bonds, direct private equity investments and term loans which are recorded at fair value. The fair value of catastrophe bonds is based on broker or underwriter bid indications. The fair value of direct private equity investments is based on the use of internal valuation models and the fair value of term loans are based on discounted cash flow valuation models. Investments in Other Ventures, Under Equity Method Investments in which the Company has significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are classified as investments in other ventures, under equity method, and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company records its proportionate share of income or loss from such investments in its results for the period. Additionally, the Company records its portion of any changes to the accumulated other comprehensive income of the investee in the Company’s comprehensive income. If the Company’s proportionate share of loss from such investment is in excess of the carrying value of such investment, the company suspends the application of the equity method when the carrying value of the investment is reduced to zero, unless the Company has committed to provide further financial support to the investee. If the investee subsequently reports net income, the Company resumes applying the equity method only after its proportionate share of net income equals the proportionate share of net losses not recognized during the period the equity method was suspended. Any decline in value of investments in other ventures, under equity method considered by management to be other-than-temporary is charged to income in the period in which it is determined. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash equivalents include money market instruments with a maturity of ninety days or less when purchased. STOCK INCENTIVE COMPENSATION The Company is authorized to issue restricted stock awards and units, performance shares, stock options and other equity-based awards to its employees and directors. The fair value of the compensation cost is measured at the grant date and expensed over the period for which the employee or director is required to provide services in exchange for the award. In addition, the Company is authorized to issue cash settled restricted stock units (“CSRSU”) to its employees. The fair value of CSRSUs is determined using the fair market value of RenaissanceRe common shares at the end of each reporting period and is expensed over the period for which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The fair value of these awards is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as a liability as it is expensed until the point payment is made to the employee. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating service-based forfeitures over the requisite service period. DERIVATIVES From time to time, the Company enters into derivative instruments such as futures, options, swaps, forward contracts and other derivative contracts primarily to manage its foreign currency exposure, obtain exposure to a particular financial market, for trading and to assume risk. The Company accounts for its derivatives in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Derivatives and Hedging, which requires all derivatives to be recorded at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet as either assets or liabilities, depending on their rights or obligations, with changes in fair value reflected in current earnings. The Company has adopted hedge accounting for certain of its derivative instruments used as hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation, as discussed below. The fair value of the Company’s derivatives is estimated by reference to quoted prices or broker quotes, where available, or in the absence of quoted prices or broker quotes, the use of industry or internal valuation models. Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used to hedge the net investment in a foreign operation, to the extent effective as a hedge, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax. Cumulative changes in fair value recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified into earnings upon the sale, or complete or substantially complete liquidation, of the foreign operation. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded immediately in current period earnings as net foreign exchange gains (losses). Hedge Documentation and Effectiveness Testing To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be highly effective in mitigating the designated changes in value or cash flow of the hedged item. At the inception of a hedge, the Company formally documents relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction. The documentation process includes linking derivatives that are designated as net investment hedges to specific assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the net investment in a foreign operation. The Company will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively if it determines that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the net investment in a foreign operation, the derivative is no longer designated as a hedging instrument, or the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised. If hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative continues to be carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with changes in its fair value recognized in current period earnings through net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. FAIR VALUE OPTION The Company has elected to account for certain of its assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Fair Value Measurement s and Disclosures. The Company recognizes the change in unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value in its statements of operations. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Business Combinations, and goodwill and other intangible assets that arise from business combinations in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. A purchase price that is in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired arising from a business combination is recorded as goodwill, and is not amortized. Other intangible assets with a finite life are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. Other intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortized. Significant judgments, assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subjective, are required in determining the fair value of net assets acquired. The significant assumptions included the estimated cost of capital, investment yield, loss ratio, related expenses, effective tax rates and capital charges. Goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Finite life intangible assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable, and tested for impairment if appropriate. For purposes of the annual impairment evaluation, goodwill is assigned to the applicable reporting unit of the acquired entities giving rise to the goodwill. Goodwill and other intangible assets recorded in connection with investments accounted for under the equity method, are recorded as “Investments in other ventures, under equity method” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company has established the third and fourth quarters of the year as the period for performing its annual impairment tests. The Company may determine to perform additional impairment testing at other times in the year if it is deemed necessary. The Company has elected to use the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this option, the Company is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the Company determines, based on its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. If goodwill or other intangible assets are impaired, they are written down to their estimated fair value with a corresponding expense reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS The Company accounts for redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidance which is applicable to SEC registrants. The share classes related to the redeemable noncontrolling interest portion of the issuer are accounted for in accordance with SEC guidance, which requires that shares not required to be accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and having redemption features that are not solely within the control of the issuer, to be classified outside of permanent equity in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. The SEC guidance does not impact the accounting for redeemable noncontrolling interest on the consolidated statements of operations; therefore, the provisions of FASB ASC Topic Consolidation with respect to the consolidated statements of operations still apply, and net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests is presented separately in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES The Company accounts for variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Consolidation, which requires the consolidation of all VIEs by the primary beneficiary, that being the investor that has the power to direct the activities of the VIE and that will absorb a portion of the VIE’s expected losses or residual returns that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When the Company determines it has a variable interest in a VIE, it determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE by performing an analysis that principally considers: (i) the VIE’s purpose and design, including the risks the VIE was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders; (ii) the VIE’s capital structure; (iii) the terms between the VIE and its variable interest holders and other parties involved with the VIE; (iv) which variable interest holders have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; (v) which variable interest holders have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE; and (vi) related party relationships. The Company reassesses its determination of whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE upon changes in facts and circumstances that could potentially alter the Company’s assessment. EARNINGS PER SHARE The Company calculates earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share are based on weighted average common shares and exclude any dilutive effects of options and restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share assumes the exercise of all dilutive stock options and restricted stock grants. The two-class method is used to determine earnings per share based on dividends declared on common shares and participating securities (i.e., distributed earnings) and participation rights of participating securities in any undistributed earnings. Each unvested restricted share granted by the Company is considered a participating security and the Company uses the two-class method to calculate its net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share – basic and diluted. FOREIGN EXCHANGE Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in which those monetary assets and liabilities reside are revalued into such subsidiary’s functional currency at the prevailing exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries, are valued at the exchange rate on the date on which the underlying revenue or expense transaction occurred. The net effect of these revaluation adjustments are recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as part of net foreign exchange gains (losses). The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. One of the Company’s subsidiaries has a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities of the foreign operation whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated into the Company’s U.S. dollar reporting currency at prevailing balance sheet-date exchange rates, while revenue and expenses of such foreign operation are translated into the Company’s U.S. dollar functional currency at monthly average exchange rates during the year. The net effect of these translation adjustments, as well as any gains or losses on intercompany balances for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future, net of applicable deferred income taxes, is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as currency translation adjustments and reflected within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). TAXATION Income taxes have been provided for in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences between the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Such temporary differences are primarily due to net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards and GAAP versus tax basis accounting differences relating to unearned premiums, reserves for claims and claim expenses, deferred finance charges, deferred underwriting results, accrued expenses, investments, deferred acquisition expenses, VOBA, intangible assets, value of in-force business, amortization and depreciation. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax law or tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which the change is enacted. A valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets is recorded if it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the benefits related to net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Significant judgments, assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subjective, are required in determining income tax expense, temporary differences, the deferred tax impact of a change in law, and valuation allowances. Uncertain tax positions are also accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic Income Taxes. Uncertain tax positions must meet a more likely than not recognition threshold to be recognized. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). Among other things, ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. ASU 2019-12 also clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Accordingly, the Company adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and financial position. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). Among other things, ASU 2023-07 improves the disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and addresses investor requests for additional, more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance. Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). Among other things, ASU 2023-09 address investor requests for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. ASU 2023-09 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

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