10-Q 1 sigi-9302014x10q.htm 10-Q
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2014
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: 001-33067
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

New Jersey |  | 22-2168890
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
40 Wantage Avenue |  |
Branchville, New Jersey |  | 07890
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |  | (Zip Code)

(973) 948-3000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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 o
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x |  | Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o |  | Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
As of September 30, 2014, there were 56,424,220 shares of common stock, par value $2.00 per share, outstanding.

Table of Contents

| SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. |
| Table of Contents |
|  | Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Item 1. | Financial Statements |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013 | 1
| Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 | 2
| Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 | 3
| Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 | 4
| Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 | 5
| Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements | 6
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
| Forward-Looking Statements | 27
| Introduction | 27
| Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates | 28
| Financial Highlights of Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014 and Third Quarter and Nine Months 2013 | 28
| Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment | 32
| Federal Income Taxes | 49
| Financial Condition, Liquidity, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Resources | 50
| Ratings | 52
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 52
| Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities, and Commitments | 53
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 53
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 53
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 54
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 54
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 55
Item 6. | Exhibits | 56
Signatures | 57

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. |

SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |  | Unaudited |  |
($ in thousands, except share amounts) |  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013
ASSETS |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed income securities, held-to-maturity – at carrying value (fair value: $354,190 – 2014; $416,981 – 2013) |  | $ | 336,082 |  |  | 392,879 |
Fixed income securities, available-for-sale – at fair value (amortized cost: $3,884,252 – 2014; $3,675,977 – 2013) |  | 3,967,638 |  |  | 3,715,536 |
Equity securities, available-for-sale – at fair value (cost: $180,419 – 2014; $155,350 – 2013) |  | 211,266 |  |  | 192,771 |
Short-term investments (at cost which approximates fair value) |  | 181,593 |  |  | 174,251 |
Other investments |  | 106,548 |  |  | 107,875 |
Total investments (Note 5) |  | 4,803,127 |  |  | 4,583,312 |
Cash |  | 2,501 |  |  | 193 |
Interest and dividends due or accrued |  | 37,563 |  |  | 37,382 |
Premiums receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of: $3,860 – 2014; $4,442 – 2013 |  | 591,686 |  |  | 524,870 |
Reinsurance recoverables, net |  | 559,946 |  |  | 550,897 |
Prepaid reinsurance premiums |  | 158,889 |  |  | 143,000 |
Current federal income tax |  | — |  |  | 512 |
Deferred federal income tax |  | 92,780 |  |  | 122,613 |
Property and equipment – at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of: $188,175 – 2014; $179,192 – 2013 |  | 55,532 |  |  | 50,834 |
Deferred policy acquisition costs |  | 189,681 |  |  | 172,981 |
Goodwill |  | 7,849 |  |  | 7,849 |
Other assets |  | 77,865 |  |  | 75,727 |
Total assets |  | $ | 6,577,419 |  |  | 6,270,170 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |  |  |  |  |  |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Reserve for loss and loss expenses |  | $ | 3,445,706 |  |  | 3,349,770 |
Unearned premiums |  | 1,143,979 |  |  | 1,059,155 |
Notes payable |  | 392,294 |  |  | 392,414 |
Current federal income tax |  | 16,322 |  |  | — |
Accrued salaries and benefits |  | 97,469 |  |  | 111,427 |
Other liabilities |  | 214,724 |  |  | 203,476 |
Total liabilities |  | $ | 5,310,494 |  |  | 5,116,242 |
Stockholders’ Equity: |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock of $0 par value per share: |  | $ | — |  |  | — |
Authorized shares 5,000,000; no shares issued or outstanding |  |  |  |
Common stock of $2 par value per share: |  |  |  |
Authorized shares 360,000,000 |  |  |  |
Issued: 99,753,415 – 2014; 99,120,235 – 2013 |  | 199,507 |  |  | 198,240 |
Additional paid-in capital |  | 300,425 |  |  | 288,182 |
Retained earnings |  | 1,280,148 |  |  | 1,202,015 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 10) |  | 49,125 |  |  | 24,851 |
Treasury stock – at cost (shares: 43,329,195 – 2014; 43,198,622 – 2013) |  | (562,280 | ) |  | (559,360 | )
Total stockholders’ equity |  | 1,266,925 |  |  | 1,153,928 |
Commitments and contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |  | $ | 6,577,419 |  |  | 6,270,170 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net premiums earned |  | $ | 462,639 |  |  | 437,568 |  |  | 1,382,759 |  |  | 1,284,760 |
Net investment income earned |  | 34,292 |  |  | 32,457 |  |  | 106,600 |  |  | 99,330 |
Net realized gains: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net realized investment gains |  | 15,231 |  |  | 14,111 |  |  | 28,370 |  |  | 25,124 |
Other-than-temporary impairments |  | — |  |  | (680 | ) |  | (1,382 | ) |  | (3,107 | )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed income securities recognized in other comprehensive income |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (77 | )
Total net realized gains |  | 15,231 |  |  | 13,431 |  |  | 26,988 |  |  | 21,940 |
Other income |  | 3,196 |  |  | 3,357 |  |  | 14,931 |  |  | 9,677 |
Total revenues |  | 515,358 |  |  | 486,813 |  |  | 1,531,278 |  |  | 1,415,707 |
Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense incurred |  | 270,932 |  |  | 283,317 |  |  | 889,273 |  |  | 832,760 |
Policy acquisition costs |  | 158,101 |  |  | 145,314 |  |  | 462,540 |  |  | 428,570 |
Interest expense |  | 5,558 |  |  | 5,570 |  |  | 16,544 |  |  | 16,971 |
Other expenses |  | 5,441 |  |  | 8,127 |  |  | 22,990 |  |  | 27,852 |
Total expenses |  | 440,032 |  |  | 442,328 |  |  | 1,391,347 |  |  | 1,306,153 |
Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax |  | 75,326 |  |  | 44,485 |  |  | 139,931 |  |  | 109,554 |
Federal income tax expense: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  | 7,373 |  |  | 6,367 |  |  | 22,692 |  |  | 20,041 |
Deferred |  | 14,791 |  |  | 5,465 |  |  | 16,762 |  |  | 7,433 |
Total federal income tax expense |  | 22,164 |  |  | 11,832 |  |  | 39,454 |  |  | 27,474 |
Net income from continuing operations |  | 53,162 |  |  | 32,653 |  |  | 100,477 |  |  | 82,080 |
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax of $(538) – 2013 |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (997 | )
Net income |  | $ | 53,162 |  |  | 32,653 |  |  | 100,477 |  |  | 81,083 |
Earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic net income from continuing operations |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | 0.59 |  |  | 1.79 |  |  | 1.48 |
Basic net loss from discontinued operations |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (0.02 | )
Basic net income |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | 0.59 |  |  | 1.79 |  |  | 1.46 |
Diluted net income from continuing operations |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | 0.57 |  |  | 1.75 |  |  | 1.45 |
Diluted net loss from discontinued operations |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (0.02 | )
Diluted net income |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | 0.57 |  |  | 1.75 |  |  | 1.43 |
Dividends to stockholders |  | $ | 0.13 |  |  | 0.13 |  |  | 0.39 |  |  | 0.39 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Net income |  | $ | 53,162 |  |  | 32,653 |  |  | 100,477 |  |  | 81,083 |
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period |  | (8,988 | ) |  | 6,383 |  |  | 41,767 |  |  | (50,576 | )
Non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in other comprehensive income |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 50 |
Amount reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Held-to-maturity securities |  | (243 | ) |  | (307 | ) |  | (683 | ) |  | (1,172 | )
Non-credit other-than-temporary impairments |  | 780 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1,085 |  |  | 9 |
Realized gains on available for sale securities |  | (10,683 | ) |  | (8,785 | ) |  | (18,637 | ) |  | (16,107 | )
Total unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities |  | (19,134 | ) |  | (2,708 | ) |  | 23,532 |  |  | (67,796 | )
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial gain |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 28,600 |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | 247 |  |  | 513 |  |  | 742 |  |  | 2,222 |
Prior service cost |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |
Curtailment expense |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 11 |
Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans |  | 247 |  |  | 513 |  |  | 742 |  |  | 30,839 |
Other comprehensive (loss) income |  | (18,887 | ) |  | (2,195 | ) |  | 24,274 |  |  | (36,957 | )
Comprehensive income |  | $ | 34,275 |  |  | 30,458 |  |  | 124,751 |  |  | 44,126 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Common stock: |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning of year |  | $ | 198,240 |  |  | 196,388 |
Dividend reinvestment plan (shares: 44,322 – 2014; 49,964 – 2013) |  | 89 |  |  | 100 |
Stock purchase and compensation plans (shares: 588,858 – 2014; 712,994 – 2013) |  | 1,178 |  |  | 1,426 |
End of period |  | 199,507 |  |  | 197,914 |
Additional paid-in capital: |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning of year |  | 288,182 |  |  | 270,654 |
Dividend reinvestment plan |  | 957 |  |  | 1,052 |
Stock purchase and compensation plans |  | 11,286 |  |  | 12,361 |
End of period |  | 300,425 |  |  | 284,067 |
Retained earnings: |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning of year |  | 1,202,015 |  |  | 1,125,154 |
Net income |  | 100,477 |  |  | 81,083 |
Dividends to stockholders ($0.39 per share – 2014 and 2013) |  | (22,344 | ) |  | (22,153 | )
End of period |  | 1,280,148 |  |  | 1,184,084 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income: |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning of year |  | 24,851 |  |  | 54,040 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | 24,274 |  |  | (36,957 | )
End of period |  | 49,125 |  |  | 17,083 |
Treasury stock: |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning of year |  | (559,360 | ) |  | (555,644 | )
Acquisition of treasury stock (shares: 130,573 – 2014; 151,555 – 2013) |  | (2,920 | ) |  | (3,295 | )
End of period |  | (562,280 | ) |  | (558,939 | )
Total stockholders’ equity |  | $ | 1,266,925 |  |  | 1,124,209 |

Selective Insurance Group, Inc. also has authorized, but not issued, 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, of which 300,000 shares have been
designated Series A junior preferred stock, without par value.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Operating Activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income |  | $ | 100,477 |  |  | 81,083 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 31,059 |  |  | 32,861 |
Sale of renewal rights |  | (8,000 | ) |  | — |
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations |  | — |  |  | 997 |
Stock-based compensation expense |  | 7,421 |  |  | 7,428 |
Undistributed (gains) losses of equity method investments |  | (131 | ) |  | 248 |
Net realized gains |  | (26,988 | ) |  | (21,940 | )
Retirement income plan curtailment expense |  | — |  |  | 16 |
Changes in assets and liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Increase in reserve for loss and loss expenses, net of reinsurance recoverables |  | 86,887 |  |  | 112,876 |
Increase in unearned premiums, net of prepaid reinsurance |  | 68,935 |  |  | 120,288 |
Decrease in net federal income taxes |  | 33,596 |  |  | 8,990 |
Increase in premiums receivable |  | (66,816 | ) |  | (84,826 | )
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs |  | (16,700 | ) |  | (21,688 | )
Increase in interest and dividends due or accrued |  | (82 | ) |  | (45 | )
(Decrease) increase in accrued salaries and benefits |  | (13,958 | ) |  | 8,286 |
(Decrease) increase in accrued insurance expenses |  | (12,545 | ) |  | 6,895 |
Other-net |  | (25,036 | ) |  | (13,480 | )
Net adjustments |  | 57,642 |  |  | 156,906 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | 158,119 |  |  | 237,989 |
Investing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase of fixed income securities, available-for-sale |  | (560,493 | ) |  | (838,634 | )
Purchase of equity securities, available-for-sale |  | (185,529 | ) |  | (112,742 | )
Purchase of other investments |  | (8,498 | ) |  | (7,864 | )
Purchase of short-term investments |  | (1,082,192 | ) |  | (1,619,948 | )
Sale of subsidiary |  | — |  |  | 1,225 |
Sale of fixed income securities, available-for-sale |  | 35,499 |  |  | 6,851 |
Sale of short-term investments |  | 1,074,850 |  |  | 1,662,340 |
Redemption and maturities of fixed income securities, held-to-maturity |  | 56,375 |  |  | 87,952 |
Redemption and maturities of fixed income securities, available-for-sale |  | 336,939 |  |  | 413,722 |
Sale of equity securities, available-for-sale |  | 186,001 |  |  | 109,399 |
Distributions from other investments |  | 13,514 |  |  | 10,546 |
Purchase of property and equipment |  | (9,178 | ) |  | (10,493 | )
Sale of renewal rights |  | 8,000 |  |  | — |
Net cash used in investing activities |  | (134,712 | ) |  | (297,646 | )
Financing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Dividends to stockholders |  | (20,899 | ) |  | (20,532 | )
Acquisition of treasury stock |  | (2,920 | ) |  | (3,295 | )
Net proceeds from stock purchase and compensation plans |  | 3,554 |  |  | 4,305 |
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable, net of debt issuance costs |  | — |  |  | 178,435 |
Repayment of notes payable |  | — |  |  | (100,000 | )
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements |  | 1,024 |  |  | 1,479 |
Repayments of capital lease obligations |  | (1,858 | ) |  | (768 | )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |  | (21,099 | ) |  | 59,624 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash |  | 2,308 |  |  | (33 | )
Cash, beginning of year |  | 193 |  |  | 210 |
Cash, end of period |  | $ | 2,501 |  |  | 177 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. Organization
Selective Insurance Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, (collectively referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”) offers standard and excess and surplus lines (“E&S”) property and casualty insurance products. Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (referred to as the “Parent”) was incorporated in New Jersey in 1977 and its main offices are located in Branchville, New Jersey. The Parent’s common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SIGI.”
We classify our business into three operating segments:

• | Our Standard Insurance Operations segment, which is comprised of both commercial lines ("Commercial Lines") and personal lines ("Personal Lines") business, sells property and casualty insurance products and services in the standard market, including flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program's ("NFIP") write-your-own ("WYO") program;

• | Our E&S Insurance Operations segment sells Commercial Lines property and casualty insurance products and services to insureds who have not obtained coverage in the standard market; and

• | Our Investments segment, which invests the premiums collected by our Standard and E&S Insurance Operations and amounts generated through our capital management strategies, which may include the issuance of debt and equity securities.

NOTE 2. Basis of Presentation
These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements (“Financial Statements”) include the accounts of the Parent and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared in conformity with: (i) U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”); and (ii) the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. The preparation of the Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported financial statement balances, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the Parent and its subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation.
Certain amounts in our prior years' Financial Statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on our net income, stockholders' equity, or cash flows.
These Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that, in our opinion, are normal, recurring, and necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations and financial condition. The Financial Statements cover the third quarters ended September 30, 2014 (“Third Quarter 2014”) and September 30, 2013 (“Third Quarter 2013”) and the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 ("Nine Months 2014") and September 30, 2013 ("Nine Months 2013"). The Financial Statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP and the SEC for audited annual financial statements. Results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Consequently, the Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Annual Report”) filed with the SEC.
NOTE 3. Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-11, Income Taxes, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) ("ASU 2013-11"). ASU 2013-11 applies to all entities with unrecognized tax benefits that also have tax loss or tax credit carryforwards in the same tax jurisdiction as of the reporting date. An unrecognized tax benefit is the difference between a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefit that is more likely than not sustainable under examination. Under ASU 2013-11, an entity must net an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, against deferred tax assets for a net operating loss ("NOL") carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except when:

• | An NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryfoward is not available as of the reporting date under the governing tax law to settle taxes that would result from the disallowance of the tax position; or

• | The entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for this purpose.

If either of these conditions exist, an entity should present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a liability and should not net the unrecognized tax benefit with a deferred tax asset.
ASU 2013-11 was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our financial condition or results of operation.
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In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects ("ASU 2014-01"). ASU 2014-01 applies to all reporting entities that invest in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for a low-income housing tax credit. ASU 2014-01 permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using a newly defined "proportional amortization method" if certain conditions are met. This policy election is required to be applied consistently to all qualifying investments, rather than a decision to be applied to individual investments. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as components of income tax expense (benefit). When a company does not make a policy election to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method, these investments are required to be accounted for as an equity method investment or a cost method investment.
ASU 2014-01 is effective for public business entities for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption being permitted. During Third Quarter 2014, we adopted this guidance and have made a policy election to use the proportional amortization method. The adoption of this guidance did not materially impact our financial condition or results of operation.
Pronouncements to be effective in the future
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (“ASU 2014-12”). ASU 2014-12 applies to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. That is the case when an employee is eligible to retire or otherwise terminate employment before the end of the period in which a performance target could be achieved and still be eligible to vest in the award if and when the performance target is achieved. ASU 2014-12 is intended to resolve the diverse accounting treatment of these types of awards in practice. Many reporting entities were accounting for these types of performance targets as non-vesting conditions that affect the grant-date fair value of the award while other entities treated these performance targets as performance conditions that do not affect the grant-date fair value of the award. ASU 2014-12 clarifies that these types of performance targets should be treated as performance conditions that do not impact the grant-date fair value of the award.
This guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The implementation of ASU 2014-12 will not affect us, as we are currently recording expense consistent with the requirements of this accounting update.
NOTE 4. Statements of Cash Flow
Supplemental cash flow information for Nine Months 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

|  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Cash paid during the period for: |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest |  | $ | 14,089 |  |  | 13,325 |
Federal income tax |  | 4,699 |  |  | 17,000 |
Non-cash items: |  |  |  |
Tax-free exchange of fixed income securities, available-for-sale ("AFS") |  | 14,954 |  |  | 23,733 |
Tax-free exchange of fixed income securities, held-to-maturity ("HTM") |  | 4,288 |  |  | 15,820 |
Stock split related to equity securities, AFS |  | 334 |  |  | — |
Assets acquired under capital lease arrangements |  | 4,853 |  |  | 2,290 |

At September 30, 2014, included in "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $8.1 million of cash received from the NFIP, which is restricted to pay flood claims under the WYO program.
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NOTE 5. Investments
(a) The amortized cost, net unrealized gains and losses, carrying value, unrecognized holding gains and losses, and fair value of HTM fixed income securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

September 30, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Amortized Cost |  | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) |  | Carrying Value |  | Unrecognized Holding Gains |  | Unrecognized Holding Losses |  | Fair Value
Foreign government |  | $ | 5,292 |  |  | 68 |  |  | 5,360 |  |  | 47 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,407 |
Obligations of state and political subdivisions |  | 301,216 |  |  | 2,472 |  |  | 303,688 |  |  | 13,921 |  |  | — |  |  | 317,609 |
Corporate securities |  | 20,303 |  |  | (325 | ) |  | 19,978 |  |  | 2,749 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 22,726 |
Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) |  | 3,111 |  |  | (530 | ) |  | 2,581 |  |  | 543 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,124 |
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) |  | 4,953 |  |  | (478 | ) |  | 4,475 |  |  | 849 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,324 |
Total HTM fixed income securities |  | $ | 334,875 |  |  | 1,207 |  |  | 336,082 |  |  | 18,109 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 354,190 |

December 31, 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Amortized Cost |  | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) |  | Carrying Value |  | Unrecognized Holding Gains |  | Unrecognized Holding Losses |  | Fair Value
Foreign government |  | $ | 5,292 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 5,423 |  |  | 168 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,591 |
Obligations of state and political subdivisions |  | 348,109 |  |  | 4,013 |  |  | 352,122 |  |  | 17,634 |  |  | — |  |  | 369,756 |
Corporate securities |  | 28,174 |  |  | (346 | ) |  | 27,828 |  |  | 2,446 |  |  | — |  |  | 30,274 |
ABS |  | 3,413 |  |  | (655 | ) |  | 2,758 |  |  | 657 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,415 |
CMBS |  | 5,634 |  |  | (886 | ) |  | 4,748 |  |  | 3,197 |  |  | — |  |  | 7,945 |
Total HTM fixed income securities |  | $ | 390,622 |  |  | 2,257 |  |  | 392,879 |  |  | 24,102 |  |  | — |  |  | 416,981 |

Unrecognized holding gains and losses of HTM securities are not reflected in the Financial Statements, as they represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as HTM; or (ii) the date that an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charge is recognized on an HTM security, through the date of the balance sheet. Our HTM securities had an average duration of 2.0 years as of September 30, 2014.
(b) The cost/amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of AFS securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

September 30, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Cost/ Amortized Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Value
U.S. government and government agencies |  | $ | 143,742 |  |  | 8,210 |  |  | (263 | ) |  | 151,689 |
Foreign government |  | 27,041 |  |  | 832 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | 27,867 |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 1,196,478 |  |  | 34,533 |  |  | (1,777 | ) |  | 1,229,234 |
Corporate securities |  | 1,725,290 |  |  | 44,571 |  |  | (6,631 | ) |  | 1,763,230 |
ABS |  | 146,557 |  |  | 791 |  |  | (382 | ) |  | 146,966 |
CMBS 1 |  | 164,934 |  |  | 2,077 |  |  | (1,493 | ) |  | 165,518 |
Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)2 |  | 480,210 |  |  | 7,664 |  |  | (4,740 | ) |  | 483,134 |
AFS fixed income securities |  | 3,884,252 |  |  | 98,678 |  |  | (15,292 | ) |  | 3,967,638 |
AFS equity securities |  | 180,419 |  |  | 34,797 |  |  | (3,950 | ) |  | 211,266 |
Total AFS securities |  | $ | 4,064,671 |  |  | 133,475 |  |  | (19,242 | ) |  | 4,178,904 |

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December 31, 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Cost/ Amortized Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Value
U.S. government and government agencies |  | $ | 163,218 |  |  | 10,661 |  |  | (504 | ) |  | 173,375 |
Foreign government |  | 29,781 |  |  | 906 |  |  | (72 | ) |  | 30,615 |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 946,455 |  |  | 25,194 |  |  | (20,025 | ) |  | 951,624 |
Corporate securities |  | 1,707,928 |  |  | 44,004 |  |  | (17,049 | ) |  | 1,734,883 |
ABS |  | 140,430 |  |  | 934 |  |  | (468 | ) |  | 140,896 |
CMBS 1 |  | 172,288 |  |  | 2,462 |  |  | (3,466 | ) |  | 171,284 |
RMBS 2 |  | 515,877 |  |  | 7,273 |  |  | (10,291 | ) |  | 512,859 |
AFS fixed income securities |  | 3,675,977 |  |  | 91,434 |  |  | (51,875 | ) |  | 3,715,536 |
AFS equity securities |  | 155,350 |  |  | 37,517 |  |  | (96 | ) |  | 192,771 |
Total AFS securities |  | $ | 3,831,327 |  |  | 128,951 |  |  | (51,971 | ) |  | 3,908,307 |

1 CMBS includes government guaranteed agency securities with a fair value of $17.6 million at September 30, 2014 and $30.0 million at December 31, 2013.
2 RMBS includes government guaranteed agency securities with a fair value of $35.9 million at September 30, 2014 and $55.2 million at December 31, 2013.
Unrealized gains and losses of AFS securities represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as AFS; or (ii) the date that an OTTI charge is recognized on an AFS security, through the date of the balance sheet. These unrealized gains and losses are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(c) The following tables summarize, for all securities in a net unrealized/unrecognized loss position at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value and gross pre-tax net unrealized/unrecognized loss by asset class and by length of time those securities have been in a net loss position:

September 30, 2014 |  | Less than 12 months |  | 12 months or longer
($ in thousands) |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1 |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1
AFS securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government and government agencies |  | $ | 1,001 |  |  | — |  |  | 13,219 |  |  | (263 | )
Foreign government |  | 4,755 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 121,728 |  |  | (292 | ) |  | 98,944 |  |  | (1,485 | )
Corporate securities |  | 274,501 |  |  | (1,529 | ) |  | 158,127 |  |  | (5,102 | )
ABS |  | 47,542 |  |  | (134 | ) |  | 14,149 |  |  | (248 | )
CMBS |  | 16,969 |  |  | (89 | ) |  | 57,634 |  |  | (1,404 | )
RMBS |  | 30,958 |  |  | (101 | ) |  | 163,237 |  |  | (4,639 | )
Total fixed income securities |  | 497,454 |  |  | (2,151 | ) |  | 505,310 |  |  | (13,141 | )
Equity securities |  | 35,229 |  |  | (3,950 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Subtotal |  | $ | 532,683 |  |  | (6,101 | ) |  | 505,310 |  |  | (13,141 | )

|  | Less than 12 months |  | 12 months or longer
($ in thousands) |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1 |  | Unrecognized Gains 2 |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1 |  | Unrecognized Gains 2
HTM securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 460 |  |  | (9 | ) |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
ABS |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,428 |  |  | (530 | ) |  | 516 |
Subtotal |  | $ | 460 |  |  | (9 | ) |  | 8 |  |  | 2,428 |  |  | (530 | ) |  | 516 |
Total AFS and HTM |  | $ | 533,143 |  |  | (6,110 | ) |  | 8 |  |  | 507,738 |  |  | (13,671 | ) |  | 516 |

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December 31, 2013 |  | Less than 12 months |  | 12 months or longer
($ in thousands) |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1 |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1
AFS securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government and government agencies |  | $ | 16,955 |  |  | (500 | ) |  | 507 |  |  | (4 | )
Foreign government |  | 2,029 |  |  | (30 | ) |  | 2,955 |  |  | (42 | )
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 442,531 |  |  | (19,120 | ) |  | 13,530 |  |  | (905 | )
Corporate securities |  | 511,100 |  |  | (15,911 | ) |  | 14,771 |  |  | (1,138 | )
ABS |  | 68,725 |  |  | (468 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
CMBS |  | 100,396 |  |  | (2,950 | ) |  | 6,298 |  |  | (516 | )
RMBS |  | 268,943 |  |  | (10,031 | ) |  | 2,670 |  |  | (260 | )
Total fixed income securities |  | 1,410,679 |  |  | (49,010 | ) |  | 40,731 |  |  | (2,865 | )
Equity securities |  | 1,124 |  |  | (96 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Subtotal |  | $ | 1,411,803 |  |  | (49,106 | ) |  | 40,731 |  |  | (2,865 | )

|  | Less than 12 months |  | 12 months or longer
($ in thousands) |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1 |  | Unrecognized Gains 2 |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Losses 1 |  | Unrecognized Gains 2
HTM securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | $ | 65 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 5 |  |  | 441 |  |  | (20 | ) |  | 14 |
ABS |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,490 |  |  | (655 | ) |  | 621 |
Subtotal |  | 65 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 5 |  |  | 2,931 |  |  | (675 | ) |  | 635 |
Total AFS and HTM |  | $ | 1,411,868 |  |  | (49,111 | ) |  | 5 |  |  | 43,662 |  |  | (3,540 | ) |  | 635 |

1 Gross unrealized losses include non-OTTI unrealized amounts and OTTI losses recognized in AOCI. In addition, this column includes remaining unrealized gain or loss amounts on securities that were transferred to an HTM designation in the first quarter of 2009 for those securities that are in a net unrealized/unrecognized loss position.
2 Unrecognized gains represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as HTM; or (ii) the date that an OTTI charge is recognized on an HTM security.
The table below provides our net unrealized/unrecognized loss positions by impairment severity as of September 30, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013:

($ in thousands) |  |
September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013
Number of Issues | % of Market/Book | Unrealized/ Unrecognized Loss |  | Number of Issues | % of Market/Book | Unrealized/ Unrecognized Loss
404 |  | 80% - 99% | $ | 16,417 |  |  | 556 |  | 80% - 99% | $ | 51,835 |
2 |  | 60% - 79% | 2,840 |  |  | 1 |  | 60% - 79% | 176 |
— |  | 40% - 59% | — |  |  | — |  | 40% - 59% | — |
— |  | 20% - 39% | — |  |  | — |  | 20% - 39% | — |
— |  | 0% - 19% | — |  |  | — |  | 0% - 19% | — |
|  |  | $ | 19,257 |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 52,011 |

At September 30, 2014, we had 406 securities in an aggregate unrealized/unrecognized loss position of $19.3 million, compared to 557 securities in an aggregate unrealized/unrecognized loss position of $52.0 million at December 31, 2013. This improvement was mainly driven by a lower interest rate environment. Fixed income security pricing in the marketplace has improved reflecting the 54 basis point decrease in 10-year U.S. Treasury Note yields during Nine Months 2014.
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At September 30, 2014, $13.2 million of the aggregate unrealized/unrecognized losses related to securities that have been in a loss position for more than 12 months, while at December 31, 2013, these losses amounted to $2.9 million. Despite these securities being in a loss position, the nature of the loss is interest-rate related as opposed to credit-related concerns, as was evidenced by the fact that the severity of impairment on these securities improved from an average of 6% of amortized cost at year end to an average of 3% of amortized cost at the end of the third quarter. This movement is reflective of the overall interest rate decline experienced during the year.
For a discussion regarding the impact of interest rate movements on our fixed income securities portfolio, refer to Item 7A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk." in our 2013 Annual Report.
We have reviewed the securities in the tables above in accordance with our OTTI policy, as described in Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report.
In addition, we do not intend to sell any securities in an unrealized/unrecognized loss position, nor do we believe we will be required to sell these securities, and therefore we have concluded that they are temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2014. This conclusion reflects our current judgment as to the financial position and future prospects of the entity that issued the investment security and underlying collateral. If our judgment about an individual security changes in the future, we may ultimately record a credit loss after having originally concluded that one did not exist, which could have a material impact on our net income and financial position in future periods.
(d) Fixed income securities at September 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") are included in the maturity tables using the estimated average life of each security. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Listed below are HTM fixed income securities at September 30, 2014:

($ in thousands) |  | Carrying Value |  | Fair Value
Due in one year or less |  | $ | 99,364 |  |  | 100,786 |
Due after one year through five years |  | 220,937 |  |  | 235,038 |
Due after five years through 10 years |  | 15,781 |  |  | 18,366 |
Total HTM fixed income securities |  | $ | 336,082 |  |  | 354,190 |

Listed below are AFS fixed income securities at September 30, 2014:

($ in thousands) |  | Fair Value
Due in one year or less |  | $ | 435,053 |
Due after one year through five years |  | 1,915,327 |
Due after five years through 10 years |  | 1,507,315 |
Due after 10 years |  | 109,943 |
Total AFS fixed income securities |  | $ | 3,967,638 |

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(e) The following table summarizes our other investment portfolio by strategy and the remaining commitment amount associated with each strategy:

Other Investments |  | Carrying Value |  | September 30, 2014
($ in thousands) |  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013 |  | Remaining Commitment
Alternative Investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Secondary private equity |  | $ | 23,064 |  |  | 25,618 |  |  | 6,978 |
Private equity |  | 21,569 |  |  | 20,192 |  |  | 9,181 |
Energy/power generation |  | 16,659 |  |  | 17,361 |  |  | 6,984 |
Mezzanine financing |  | 11,273 |  |  | 12,738 |  |  | 13,774 |
Real estate |  | 11,212 |  |  | 11,698 |  |  | 10,061 |
Distressed debt |  | 9,205 |  |  | 11,579 |  |  | 2,981 |
Venture capital |  | 7,115 |  |  | 7,025 |  |  | 350 |
Total alternative investments |  | 100,097 |  |  | 106,211 |  |  | 50,309 |
Other securities |  | 6,451 |  |  | 1,664 |  |  | — |
Total other investments |  | $ | 106,548 |  |  | 107,875 |  |  | 50,309 |

For a description of our seven alternative investment strategies, as well as information regarding redemption, restrictions, and fund liquidations, refer to Note 5. “Investments” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report.
The following table sets forth gross summarized financial information for our other investments portfolio, including the portion not owned by us. The investments are carried under the equity method of accounting. The last line of the table below reflects our share of the aggregate income, which is the portion included in our Financial Statements. As the majority of these investments report results to us on a one quarter lag, the summarized financial statement information for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30 is based on the investments' results through June 30 and is as follows:

Income Statement Information |  | Quarter ended September 30,1 |  | Nine Months ended September 30,2
($ in millions) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Net investment income |  | $ | 81.3 |  |  | 97.8 |  |  | $ | 167.0 |  |  | 352.8 |
Realized (losses) gains |  | (26.1 | ) |  | 162.8 |  |  | 171.5 |  |  | 762.5 |
Net change in unrealized appreciation |  | 628.6 |  |  | 104.8 |  |  | 1,471.0 |  |  | 85.9 |
Net income |  | $ | 683.8 |  |  | 365.4 |  |  | $ | 1,809.5 |  |  | 1,201.2 |
Selective’s insurance subsidiaries’ other investments income |  | $ | 3.9 |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | $ | 12.7 |  |  | 10.1 |

1 The majority of these results are for the second quarter of each respective year.
2 The majority of these results are for the nine months ended June 30 of each respective year.
(f) We have pledged certain AFS fixed income securities as collateral related to: (i) our outstanding borrowing of $58 million with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI"); and (ii) our reinsurance obligations related to our 2011 acquisition of our E&S book of business. In addition, certain securities were on deposit with various state and regulatory agencies to comply with insurance laws. We retain all rights regarding all securities pledged as collateral.
The following table summarizes the market value of these securities at September 30, 2014:

($ in millions) |  | FHLBI Collateral |  | Reinsurance Collateral |  | State and Regulatory Deposits |  | Total
U.S. government and government agencies |  | $ | 22.8 |  |  | — |  |  | 25.6 |  |  | 48.4 |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | — |  |  | 5.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 5.7 |
Corporate securities |  | — |  |  | 5.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 5.3 |
ABS |  | — |  |  | 2.0 |  |  | — |  |  | 2.0 |
CMBS |  | 1.2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1.2 |
RMBS |  | 37.6 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 39.9 |
Total pledged as collateral |  | $ | 61.6 |  |  | 15.3 |  |  | 25.6 |  |  | 102.5 |

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(g) The components of pre-tax net investment income earned for the periods indicated were as follows:

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Fixed income securities |  | $ | 30,706 |  |  | 30,569 |  |  | $ | 95,515 |  |  | $ | 90,956 |
Equity securities |  | 1,909 |  |  | 1,341 |  |  | 5,094 |  |  | 4,422 |
Short-term investments |  | 15 |  |  | 21 |  |  | 48 |  |  | 102 |
Other investments |  | 3,906 |  |  | 2,639 |  |  | 12,677 |  |  | 10,110 |
Investment expenses |  | (2,244 | ) |  | (2,113 | ) |  | (6,734 | ) |  | (6,260 | )
Net investment income earned |  | $ | 34,292 |  |  | 32,457 |  |  | 106,600 |  |  | 99,330 |

(h) The following tables summarize OTTI by asset type for the periods indicated. We had no OTTI charges in Third Quarter 2014:

Third Quarter 2013 |  | Gross |  | Included in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") |  | Recognized in Earnings
($ in thousands) |  |  |
AFS securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities |  | $ | 680 |  |  | — |  |  | 680 |
OTTI losses |  | $ | 680 |  |  | — |  |  | 680 |

Nine Months 2014 |  | Gross |  | Included in OCI |  | Recognized in Earnings
($ in thousands) |  |  |
AFS securities |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities |  | $ | 1,382 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,382 |
OTTI losses |  | $ | 1,382 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,382 |

Nine Months 2013 |  | Gross |  | Included in OCI |  | Recognized in Earnings
($ in thousands) |  |  |
HTM fixed income securities |  |  |  |  |  |
ABS |  | $ | (44 | ) |  | (47 | ) |  | 3 |
Total HTM fixed income securities |  | (44 | ) |  | (47 | ) |  | 3 |
AFS fixed income securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
RMBS |  | (22 | ) |  | (30 | ) |  | 8 |
Total AFS fixed income securities |  | (22 | ) |  | (30 | ) |  | 8 |
Equity securities |  | 1,326 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,326 |
Total AFS securities |  | 1,304 |  |  | (30 | ) |  | 1,334 |
Other investments |  | 1,847 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,847 |
OTTI losses |  | $ | 3,107 |  |  | (77 | ) |  | 3,184 |

For a discussion of our evaluation for OTTI of fixed income securities, short-term investments, equity securities, and other investments, refer to Note 2. "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." of our 2013 Annual Report.
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The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, credit loss impairments on fixed income securities for which a portionof the OTTI charge was recognized in OCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts:

|  | Quarter ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Balance, beginning of period |  | $ | 5,534 |  |  | 7,488 |
Addition for the amount related to credit loss for which an OTTI was not previously recognized |  | — |  |  | — |
Reductions for securities sold during the period |  | (90 | ) |  | — |
Reductions for securities for which the amount previously recognized in OCI was recognized in earnings because of intention or potential requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost |  | — |  |  | — |
Reductions for securities for which the entire amount previously recognized in OCI was recognized in earnings due to a decrease in cash flows expected |  | — |  |  | — |
Additional increases to the amount related to credit loss for which an OTTI was previously recognized |  | — |  |  | — |
Accretion of credit loss impairments previously recognized due to an increase in cash flows expected to be collected |  | — |  |  | — |
Balance, end of period |  | $ | 5,444 |  |  | 7,488 |

|  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Balance, beginning of period |  | $ | 7,488 |  |  | 7,477 |
Addition for the amount related to credit loss for which an OTTI was not previously recognized |  | — |  |  | — |
Reductions for securities sold during the period |  | (2,044 | ) |  | — |
Reductions for securities for which the amount previously recognized in OCI was recognized in earnings because of intention or potential requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost |  | — |  |  | — |
Reductions for securities for which the entire amount previously recognized in OCI was recognized in earnings due to a decrease in cash flows expected |  | — |  |  | — |
Additional increases to the amount related to credit loss for which an OTTI was previously recognized |  | — |  |  | 11 |
Accretion of credit loss impairments previously recognized due to an increase in cash flows expected to be collected |  | — |  |  | — |
Balance, end of period |  | $ | 5,444 |  |  | 7,488 |

(i) The components of net realized gains, excluding OTTI charges, for the periods indicated were as follows:

|  | Quarter ended September 30, | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 | 2014 |  | 2013
HTM fixed income securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gains |  | $ | — |  |  | 32 |  | 3 |  |  | 35 |
Losses |  | (4 | ) |  | (37 | ) | (18 | ) |  | (86 | )
AFS fixed income securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gains |  | 695 |  |  | 662 |  | 1,633 |  |  | 2,580 |
Losses |  | (29 | ) |  | (31 | ) | (172 | ) |  | (330 | )
AFS equity securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gains |  | 14,576 |  |  | 13,801 |  | 27,255 |  |  | 24,272 |
Losses |  | (8 | ) |  | (236 | ) | (332 | ) |  | (407 | )
Other investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gains |  | 1 |  |  | — |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Losses |  | — |  |  | (80 | ) | — |  |  | (940 | )
Total other net realized investment gains |  | 15,231 |  |  | 14,111 |  | 28,370 |  |  | 25,124 |
Total OTTI charges recognized in earnings |  | — |  |  | (680 | ) | (1,382 | ) |  | (3,184 | )
Total net realized gains |  | $ | 15,231 |  |  | 13,431 |  | 26,988 |  |  | 21,940 |

Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of the cost of the specific investments sold. The $15.2 million and $28.4 million in net realized gains in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014, respectively, were primarily related to the sale of AFS equity securities due to the rebalancing of our high dividend yield strategy holdings within our equity portfolio.
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Of the $14.1 million and $25.1 million in net realized gains in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2013, $13.5 million and $19.1 million, respectively, were related to the sale of AFS equity securities due to the rebalancing of our high dividend yield strategy holdings within our equity portfolio. In addition, $4.7 million in net realized gains in Nine Months 2013, was related to the sale of a private equity security due to the acquisition of this investment by a third party.
Proceeds from the sale of AFS securities were $89.9 million in Third Quarter 2014 and $221.5 million in Nine Months 2014, and $67.2 million and $116.3 million in the same periods a year ago.
NOTE 6. Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

|  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013
($ in thousands) |  | Carrying Amount |  | Fair Value |  | Carrying Amount |  | Fair Value
Financial Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
HTM |  | $ | 336,082 |  |  | 354,190 |  |  | 392,879 |  |  | 416,981 |
AFS |  | 3,967,638 |  |  | 3,967,638 |  |  | 3,715,536 |  |  | 3,715,536 |
Equity securities, AFS |  | 211,266 |  |  | 211,266 |  |  | 192,771 |  |  | 192,771 |
Short-term investments |  | 181,593 |  |  | 181,593 |  |  | 174,251 |  |  | 174,251 |
Financial Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2.90% borrowings from FHLBI |  | 13,000 |  |  | 13,085 |  |  | 13,000 |  |  | 13,319 |
1.25% borrowings from FHLBI |  | 45,000 |  |  | 45,220 |  |  | 45,000 |  |  | 45,259 |
7.25% Senior Notes |  | 49,896 |  |  | 56,970 |  |  | 49,916 |  |  | 50,887 |
6.70% Senior Notes |  | 99,398 |  |  | 110,310 |  |  | 99,498 |  |  | 98,247 |
5.875% Senior Notes |  | 185,000 |  |  | 179,598 |  |  | 185,000 |  |  | 146,298 |
Total notes payable |  | $ | 392,294 |  |  | 405,183 |  |  | 392,414 |  |  | 354,010 |

The fair values of our financial assets and liabilities are generated using various valuation techniques and are placed into the fair value hierarchy considering the following: (i) the highest priority is given to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1); (ii) the next highest priority is given to quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets in markets that are not active and other inputs that can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets (Level 2); and (iii) the lowest priority is given to unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity and that reflect our assumptions about the exit price, including assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset (Level 3). An asset or liability's classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the end of the reporting period.
For a discussion of the techniques used to value our financial assets and liabilities, refer to Note 2. "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." of our 2013 Annual Report.
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The following tables provide quantitative disclosures of our financial assets that were measured at fair value at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

September 30, 2014 |  |  |  | Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) |  | Assets Measured at Fair Value at 9/30/2014 |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/ Liabilities (Level 1)1 |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)1 |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Description |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Measured on a recurring basis: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
AFS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government and government agencies |  | $ | 151,689 |  |  | 51,467 |  |  | 100,222 |  |  | — |
Foreign government |  | 27,867 |  |  | — |  |  | 27,867 |  |  | — |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 1,229,234 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,229,234 |  |  | — |
Corporate securities |  | 1,763,230 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,763,230 |  |  | — |
ABS |  | 146,966 |  |  | — |  |  | 146,966 |  |  | — |
CMBS |  | 165,518 |  |  | — |  |  | 165,518 |  |  | — |
RMBS |  | 483,134 |  |  | — |  |  | 483,134 |  |  | — |
Total AFS fixed income securities |  | 3,967,638 |  |  | 51,467 |  |  | 3,916,171 |  |  | — |
Equity securities |  | 211,266 |  |  | 208,366 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,900 |
Total AFS Securities |  | 4,178,904 |  |  | 259,833 |  |  | 3,916,171 |  |  | 2,900 |
Short-term investments |  | 181,593 |  |  | 181,593 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total assets measured at fair value |  | $ | 4,360,497 |  |  | 441,426 |  |  | 3,916,171 |  |  | 2,900 |

1 | There were no transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2.

December 31, 2013 |  |  |  | Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) |  | Assets Measured at Fair Value at 12/31/13 |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1)1 |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)1 |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Description |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Measured on a recurring basis: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
AFS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government and government agencies |  | $ | 173,375 |  |  | 52,153 |  |  | 121,222 |  |  | — |
Foreign government |  | 30,615 |  |  | — |  |  | 30,615 |  |  | — |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 951,624 |  |  | — |  |  | 951,624 |  |  | — |
Corporate securities |  | 1,734,883 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,734,883 |  |  | — |
ABS |  | 140,896 |  |  | — |  |  | 140,896 |  |  | — |
CMBS |  | 171,284 |  |  | — |  |  | 171,284 |  |  | — |
RMBS |  | 512,859 |  |  | — |  |  | 512,859 |  |  | — |
Total AFS fixed income securities |  | 3,715,536 |  |  | 52,153 |  |  | 3,663,383 |  |  | — |
Equity securities |  | 192,771 |  |  | 189,871 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,900 |
Total AFS Securities |  | 3,908,307 |  |  | 242,024 |  |  | 3,663,383 |  |  | 2,900 |
Short-term investments |  | 174,251 |  |  | 174,251 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total assets measured at fair value |  | $ | 4,082,558 |  |  | 416,275 |  |  | 3,663,383 |  |  | 2,900 |

1 | There were no transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2.

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There were no changes in the fair value of securities measured using Level 3 prices during Nine Months 2014. The following table provides a summary of these changes during full year 2013:

December 31, 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Government |  | Corporate |  | ABS |  | CMBS |  | Equity |  | Receivable for Proceeds Related to Sale of Selective HR Solutions ("Selective HR") |  | Total
Fair value, December 31, 2012 |  | $ | 19,789 |  |  | 2,946 |  |  | 6,068 |  |  | 7,162 |  |  | 3,607 |  |  | 2,705 |  |  | 42,277 |
Total net (losses) gains for the period included in: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
OCI 1 |  | (537 | ) |  | (7 | ) |  | (74 | ) |  | 772 |  |  | 3,935 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,089 |
Net income 2,3 |  | (76 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 361 |  |  | — |  |  | (1,480 | ) |  | (1,195 | )
Purchases |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Sales |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Issuances |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Settlements |  | (1,847 | ) |  | (168 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2,420 | ) |  | — |  |  | (225 | ) |  | (4,660 | )
Transfers into Level 3 |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Transfers out of Level 3 |  | (17,329 | ) |  | (2,771 | ) |  | (5,994 | ) |  | (5,875 | ) |  | (4,642 | ) |  | (1,000 | ) |  | (37,611 | )
Fair value, December 31, 2013 |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,900 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,900 |

1 Amounts are reported in “Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period” on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in our 2013 Annual Report.
2 Amounts are reported in “Net realized gains” for realized gains and losses and “Net investment income earned” for amortization of securities on the Consolidated Statements of Income in our 2013 Annual Report.
3 For the receivable related to the sale of Selective HR, amounts in "Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax" relate to an impairment charge and amounts in "Other income" relate to interest accretion on the Consolidated Statements of Income in our 2013 Annual Report.
As discussed in Note 2. "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." in our 2013 Annual Report, the fair value of our Level 3 fixed income securities is typically obtained through non-binding broker quotes based on unobservable inputs, which we review for reasonableness. There were no fixed income securities measured using Level 3 inputs at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. However, in 2013, fixed income securities with a fair value of $32.0 million were transferred out of Level 3 during the year due to the availability of Level 2 pricing at December 31, 2013 that was not available previously.
Equity securities with a fair value of $2.9 million were measured using Level 3 inputs at September 30, 2014 and at December 31, 2013. An equity security with a fair value of $4.6 million was transferred out of Level 3 during 2013 due to the availability of Level 2 pricing at the date of transfer. In addition, the receivable related to the sale of Selective HR was settled during 2013 and as a result was also transferred out of Level 3.
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The following tables provide quantitative information regarding our financial assets and liabilities that were disclosed at fair value at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

September 30, 2014 |  |  |  | Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) |  | Assets/ Liabilities Disclosed at Fair Value at 9/30/2014 |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/ Liabilities (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
HTM: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign government |  | $ | 5,407 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,407 |  |  | — |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 317,609 |  |  | — |  |  | 317,609 |  |  | — |
Corporate securities |  | 22,726 |  |  | — |  |  | 22,726 |  |  | — |
ABS |  | 3,124 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,124 |  |  | — |
CMBS |  | 5,324 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,324 |  |  | — |
Total HTM fixed income securities |  | $ | 354,190 |  |  | — |  |  | 354,190 |  |  | — |
Financial Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2.90% borrowings from FHLBI |  | $ | 13,085 |  |  | — |  |  | 13,085 |  |  | — |
1.25% borrowings from FHLBI |  | 45,220 |  |  | — |  |  | 45,220 |  |  | — |
7.25% Senior Notes |  | 56,970 |  |  | — |  |  | 56,970 |  |  | — |
6.70% Senior Notes |  | 110,310 |  |  | — |  |  | 110,310 |  |  | — |
5.875% Senior Notes |  | 179,598 |  |  | 179,598 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total notes payable |  | $ | 405,183 |  |  | 179,598 |  |  | 225,585 |  |  | — |

December 31, 2013 |  |  |  | Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) |  | Assets/ Liabilities Disclosed at Fair Value at 12/31/2013 |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/ Liabilities (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
HTM: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign government |  | $ | 5,591 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,591 |  |  | — |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions |  | 369,756 |  |  | — |  |  | 369,756 |  |  | — |
Corporate securities |  | 30,274 |  |  | — |  |  | 30,274 |  |  | — |
ABS |  | 3,415 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,415 |  |  | — |
CMBS |  | 7,945 |  |  | — |  |  | 7,945 |  |  | — |
Total HTM fixed income securities |  | $ | 416,981 |  |  | — |  |  | 416,981 |  |  | — |
Financial Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2.90% borrowings from FHLBI |  | $ | 13,319 |  |  | — |  |  | 13,319 |  |  | — |
1.25% borrowings from FHLBI |  | 45,259 |  |  | — |  |  | 45,259 |  |  | — |
7.25% Senior Notes |  | 50,887 |  |  | — |  |  | 50,887 |  |  | — |
6.70% Senior Notes |  | 98,247 |  |  | — |  |  | 98,247 |  |  | — |
5.875% Senior Notes |  | 146,298 |  |  | 146,298 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total notes payable |  | $ | 354,010 |  |  | 146,298 |  |  | 207,712 |  |  | — |

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NOTE 7. Reinsurance
The following table contains a listing of direct, assumed, and ceded reinsurance amounts for premiums written, premiums earned, and loss and loss expenses incurred for the periods indicated. For more information concerning reinsurance, refer to Note 8. “Reinsurance” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report.

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Premiums written: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct |  | $ | 592,858 |  |  | 570,849 |  |  | 1,723,063 |  |  | 1,650,855 |
Assumed |  | 5,780 |  |  | 22,053 |  |  | 19,467 |  |  | 34,913 |
Ceded |  | (103,517 | ) |  | (100,154 | ) |  | (290,836 | ) |  | (280,719 | )
Net |  | $ | 495,121 |  |  | 492,748 |  |  | 1,451,694 |  |  | 1,405,049 |
Premiums earned: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct |  | $ | 548,734 |  |  | 518,307 |  |  | 1,630,347 |  |  | 1,516,454 |
Assumed |  | 6,789 |  |  | 11,066 |  |  | 27,359 |  |  | 32,480 |
Ceded |  | (92,884 | ) |  | (91,805 | ) |  | (274,947 | ) |  | (264,174 | )
Net |  | $ | 462,639 |  |  | 437,568 |  |  | 1,382,759 |  |  | 1,284,760 |
Loss and loss expense incurred: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct |  | $ | 304,525 |  |  | 350,648 |  |  | 995,581 |  |  | 1,055,248 |
Assumed |  | 5,362 |  |  | 7,264 |  |  | 20,218 |  |  | 22,758 |
Ceded |  | (38,955 | ) |  | (74,595 | ) |  | (126,526 | ) |  | (245,246 | )
Net |  | $ | 270,932 |  |  | 283,317 |  |  | 889,273 |  |  | 832,760 |

Direct premiums earned increases in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013 reflect pure price increases coupled with stable retention that we have achieved in our Standard Insurance Operations. These increases were consistent with the fluctuation in DPW for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.
Assumed premiums written and earned decreased in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 compared to the same periods last year as a result of the March 2014 sale of the renewal rights to our self-insured group, or "SIG," book of pooled public entity business.
Direct loss and loss expense incurred decreased by $46.1 million in Third Quarter 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 driven by: (i) lower catastrophe losses; (ii) favorable prior year casualty reserve development; and (iii) a $4.0 million reduction in our estimated ultimate exposure related to Hurricane Sandy, $3.6 million of which is ceded under our catastrophe excess of loss treaty.
In addition, the ceded premiums and losses related to our participation in the NFIP, under which 100% of our flood premiums, losses, and loss expenses are ceded to the NFIP, are as follows:

Ceded to NFIP |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Ceded premiums written |  | $ | (69,922 | ) |  | (64,196 | ) |  | (193,000 | ) |  | (183,364 | )
Ceded premiums earned |  | (60,761 | ) |  | (57,920 | ) |  | (178,260 | ) |  | (169,697 | )
Ceded loss and loss expense incurred |  | (14,008 | ) |  | (34,879 | ) |  | (48,099 | ) |  | (162,780 | )

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NOTE 8. Segment Information
The disaggregated results of our three operating segments are used by senior management to manage our operations. These segments are evaluated based on the following:

• | Our Standard Insurance Operations segment and our E&S Insurance Operations segment are evaluated based on statutory underwriting results (net premiums earned, incurred loss and loss expenses, policyholders dividends, policy acquisition costs, and other underwriting expenses), and statutory combined ratios; and

• | Our Investments segment is evaluated based on after-tax net investment income and net realized gains and losses.

In computing the results of each segment, we do not make adjustments for interest expense or net general corporate expenses. While we do not fully allocate taxes to all segments, we do allocate taxes to our Investments segment as we manage that segment on after-tax results. We do not maintain separate investment portfolios for the segments and therefore, do not allocate assets to the segments.
In the first quarter of 2014, we sold the renewal rights to our $38 million self-insured group, or "SIG," book of business within the Standard Insurance Operations segment. We decided to opportunistically sell this small and specialized book of pooled business as a significant portion of the business was produced outside of our standard lines footprint, and proved difficult to grow. As this was a renewal rights sale, we will continue to service policies that were in force at the date of the sale. We continue to remain active in the municipal and public school marketplace for individual risks that procure traditional insurance programs rather than pooling arrangements. The proceeds from this sale, which amounted to $8 million, are included in "Miscellaneous income" within the table below as a component of the Standard Insurance Operations revenue.
The following summaries present revenues from continuing operations (net investment income and net realized gains on investments in the case of the Investments segment) and pre-tax income from continuing operations for the individual segments:

Revenue by Segment |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Standard Insurance Operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net premiums earned: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial automobile |  | $ | 83,536 |  |  | 79,138 |  |  | 249,224 |  |  | 230,191 |
Workers compensation |  | 66,732 |  |  | 66,510 |  |  | 205,137 |  |  | 197,449 |
General liability |  | 110,894 |  |  | 100,925 |  |  | 331,303 |  |  | 298,394 |
Commercial property |  | 61,304 |  |  | 57,004 |  |  | 182,716 |  |  | 165,356 |
Businessowners’ policies |  | 21,649 |  |  | 19,629 |  |  | 63,797 |  |  | 56,794 |
Bonds |  | 4,791 |  |  | 4,705 |  |  | 14,281 |  |  | 14,244 |
Other |  | 3,237 |  |  | 3,051 |  |  | 9,633 |  |  | 9,036 |
Total Standard Commercial Lines |  | 352,143 |  |  | 330,962 |  |  | 1,056,091 |  |  | 971,464 |
Personal automobile |  | 37,695 |  |  | 38,513 |  |  | 113,943 |  |  | 115,432 |
Homeowners |  | 33,957 |  |  | 32,374 |  |  | 100,831 |  |  | 95,211 |
Other |  | 2,725 |  |  | 3,827 |  |  | 8,965 |  |  | 10,655 |
Total Standard Personal Lines |  | 74,377 |  |  | 74,714 |  |  | 223,739 |  |  | 221,298 |
Total Standard Insurance Operations net premiums earned |  | 426,520 |  |  | 405,676 |  |  | 1,279,830 |  |  | 1,192,762 |
Miscellaneous income |  | 3,196 |  |  | 3,342 |  |  | 14,923 |  |  | 9,590 |
Total Standard Insurance Operations revenue |  | 429,716 |  |  | 409,018 |  |  | 1,294,753 |  |  | 1,202,352 |
E&S Insurance Operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net premiums earned |  | 36,119 |  |  | 31,892 |  |  | 102,929 |  |  | 91,998 |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income |  | 34,292 |  |  | 32,457 |  |  | 106,600 |  |  | 99,330 |
Net realized investment gains |  | 15,231 |  |  | 13,431 |  |  | 26,988 |  |  | 21,940 |
Total investment revenues |  | 49,523 |  |  | 45,888 |  |  | 133,588 |  |  | 121,270 |
Total all segments |  | 515,358 |  |  | 486,798 |  |  | 1,531,270 |  |  | 1,415,620 |
Other income |  | — |  |  | 15 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 87 |
Total revenues from continuing operations |  | $ | 515,358 |  |  | 486,813 |  |  | 1,531,278 |  |  | 1,415,707 |

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Income from Continuing Operations before Federal Income Tax |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Standard Insurance Operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial Lines underwriting gain |  | $ | 27,771 |  |  | 8,776 |  |  | $ | 39,844 |  |  | 24,621 |
Personal Lines underwriting gain |  | 8,037 |  |  | 1,362 |  |  | 95 |  |  | 4,360 |
Total Standard Insurance Operations underwriting gain, before federal income tax |  | 35,808 |  |  | 10,138 |  |  | 39,939 |  |  | 28,981 |
GAAP combined ratio |  | 91.6 | % |  | 97.5 |  |  | 96.9 | % |  | 97.6 |
Statutory combined ratio |  | 90.5 | % |  | 96.0 |  |  | 96.3 | % |  | 96.6 |
E&S Insurance Operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Underwriting (loss) gain |  | (1,371 | ) |  | 13 |  |  | (433 | ) |  | (2,186 | )
GAAP combined ratio |  | 103.8 | % |  | 100.0 |  |  | 100.4 | % |  | 102.4 |
Statutory combined ratio |  | 102.9 | % |  | 100.5 |  |  | 100.3 | % |  | 101.9 |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income |  | 34,292 |  |  | 32,457 |  |  | 106,600 |  |  | 99,330 |
Net realized investment gains |  | 15,231 |  |  | 13,431 |  |  | 26,988 |  |  | 21,940 |
Total investment income, before federal income tax |  | 49,523 |  |  | 45,888 |  |  | 133,588 |  |  | 121,270 |
Tax on investment income |  | 13,858 |  |  | 12,648 |  |  | 36,374 |  |  | 31,960 |
Total investment income, after federal income tax |  | 35,665 |  |  | 33,240 |  |  | 97,214 |  |  | 89,310 |

Reconciliation of Segment Results to Income from Continuing Operations, before Federal Income Tax |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Standard Insurance Operations underwriting gain, before federal income tax |  | $ | 35,808 |  |  | 10,138 |  |  | $ | 39,939 |  |  | 28,981 |
E&S Insurance Operations underwriting (loss) gain, before federal income tax |  | (1,371 | ) |  | 13 |  |  | (433 | ) |  | (2,186 | )
Investment income, before federal income tax |  | 49,523 |  |  | 45,888 |  |  | 133,588 |  |  | 121,270 |
Total all segments |  | 83,960 |  |  | 56,039 |  |  | 173,094 |  |  | 148,065 |
Interest expense |  | (5,558 | ) |  | (5,570 | ) |  | (16,544 | ) |  | (16,971 | )
General corporate and other expenses |  | (3,076 | ) |  | (5,984 | ) |  | (16,619 | ) |  | (21,540 | )
Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax |  | $ | 75,326 |  |  | 44,485 |  |  | $ | 139,931 |  |  | 109,554 |

NOTE 9. Retirement Plans
The following table shows the net periodic benefit cost related to the Retirement Income Plan for Selective Insurance Company of America (“Retirement Income Plan”) and the life insurance benefits provided to eligible Selective Insurance Company of America retirees (referred to as the "Retirement Life Plan"). For more information concerning these plans, refer to Note 15. “Retirement Plans” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report.

|  | Retirement Income Plan Quarter ended September 30, |  | Retirement Life Plan Quarter ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Periodic Benefit Cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost |  | $ | 1,627 |  |  | 1,857 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Interest cost |  | 3,253 |  |  | 3,053 |  |  | 73 |  |  | 69 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (3,919 | ) |  | (3,986 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss |  | 367 |  |  | 772 |  |  | 14 |  |  | 18 |
Total net periodic cost |  | $ | 1,328 |  |  | 1,696 |  |  | 87 |  |  | 87 |

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|  | Retirement Income Plan Nine Months ended September 30, |  | Retirement Life Plan Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Periodic Benefit Cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost |  | $ | 4,880 |  |  | 6,163 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Interest cost |  | 9,760 |  |  | 9,407 |  |  | 219 |  |  | 208 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (11,756 | ) |  | (11,819 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of unrecognized prior service |  | — |  |  | 10 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss |  | 1,102 |  |  | 3,366 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 53 |
Curtailment expense |  | — |  |  | 16 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total net periodic cost |  | $ | 3,986 |  |  | 7,143 |  |  | 259 |  |  | 261 |

|  | Retirement Income Plan Nine Months ended September 30, |  | Retirement Life Plan Nine Months ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Weighted-Average Expense Assumptions: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  | 5.16 | % |  | 4.66 |  | 4.85 | % |  | 4.42
Expected return on plan assets |  | 6.92 |  |  | 7.40 |  | — |  |  | —
Rate of compensation increase |  | 4.00 |  |  | 4.00 |  | — |  |  | —

We presently anticipate contributing $10.4 million to the Retirement Income Plan in 2014, $8.0 million of which has been funded as of September 30, 2014.
NOTE 10. Comprehensive Income
The components of comprehensive income, both gross and net of tax, for Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

Third Quarter 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Gross |  | Tax |  | Net
Net income |  | $ | 75,326 |  |  | 22,164 |  |  | 53,162 |
Components of OCI: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized losses on investment securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding losses during the period |  | (13,831 | ) |  | (4,843 | ) |  | (8,988 | )
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |
HTM securities |  | (373 | ) |  | (130 | ) |  | (243 | )
Non-credit OTTI |  | 1,200 |  |  | 420 |  |  | 780 |
Realized gains on AFS securities |  | (16,435 | ) |  | (5,752 | ) |  | (10,683 | )
Net unrealized losses |  | (29,439 | ) |  | (10,305 | ) |  | (19,134 | )
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | 381 |  |  | 134 |  |  | 247 |
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans |  | 381 |  |  | 134 |  |  | 247 |
Other comprehensive loss |  | (29,058 | ) |  | (10,171 | ) |  | (18,887 | )
Comprehensive income |  | $ | 46,268 |  |  | 11,993 |  |  | 34,275 |

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Third Quarter 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Gross |  | Tax |  | Net
Net income |  | $ | 44,485 |  |  | 11,832 |  |  | 32,653 |
Components of OCI: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized losses on investment securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding gains during the period |  | 9,820 |  |  | 3,437 |  |  | 6,383 |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |
HTM securities |  | (472 | ) |  | (165 | ) |  | (307 | )
Non-credit OTTI |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Realized gains on AFS securities |  | (13,516 | ) |  | (4,731 | ) |  | (8,785 | )
Net unrealized losses |  | (4,167 | ) |  | (1,459 | ) |  | (2,708 | )
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | 790 |  |  | 277 |  |  | 513 |
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans |  | 790 |  |  | 277 |  |  | 513 |
Other comprehensive loss |  | (3,377 | ) |  | (1,182 | ) |  | (2,195 | )
Comprehensive loss |  | $ | 41,108 |  |  | 10,650 |  |  | 30,458 |

Nine Months 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Gross |  | Tax |  | Net
Net income |  | $ | 139,931 |  |  | 39,454 |  |  | 100,477 |
Components of OCI: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized gains on investment securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding gains during the period |  | 64,255 |  |  | 22,488 |  |  | 41,767 |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |
HTM securities |  | (1,050 | ) |  | (367 | ) |  | (683 | )
Non-credit OTTI |  | 1,669 |  |  | 584 |  |  | 1,085 |
Realized gains on AFS securities |  | (28,672 | ) |  | (10,035 | ) |  | (18,637 | )
Net unrealized gains |  | 36,202 |  |  | 12,670 |  |  | 23,532 |
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | 1,142 |  |  | 400 |  |  | 742 |
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans |  | 1,142 |  |  | 400 |  |  | 742 |
Other comprehensive income |  | 37,344 |  |  | 13,070 |  |  | 24,274 |
Comprehensive income |  | $ | 177,275 |  |  | 52,524 |  |  | 124,751 |

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Nine Months 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Gross |  | Tax |  | Net
Net income |  | $ | 108,019 |  |  | 26,936 |  |  | 81,083 |
Components of OCI: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized losses on investment securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding losses during the period |  | (77,810 | ) |  | (27,234 | ) |  | (50,576 | )
Non-credit OTTI recognized in OCI |  | 77 |  |  | 27 |  |  | 50 |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |
HTM securities |  | (1,803 | ) |  | (631 | ) |  | (1,172 | )
Non-credit OTTI |  | 14 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 9 |
Realized gains on AFS securities |  | (24,780 | ) |  | (8,673 | ) |  | (16,107 | )
Net unrealized losses |  | (104,302 | ) |  | (36,506 | ) |  | (67,796 | )
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial gains |  | 44,000 |  |  | 15,400 |  |  | 28,600 |
Amounts reclassified into net income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | 3,419 |  |  | 1,197 |  |  | 2,222 |
Prior service cost |  | 10 |  |  | 4 |  |  | 6 |
Curtailment expense |  | 16 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 11 |
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans |  | 47,445 |  |  | 16,606 |  |  | 30,839 |
Other comprehensive loss |  | (56,857 | ) |  | (19,900 | ) |  | (36,957 | )
Comprehensive income |  | $ | 51,162 |  |  | 7,036 |  |  | 44,126 |

The balances of, and changes in, each component of AOCI (net of taxes) as of September 30, 2014 are as follows:

September 30, 2014 |  | Net Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Investment Securities |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | OTTI Related |  | HTM Related |  | All Other |  | Investments Subtotal |  | Defined Benefit Pension and Post-Retirement Plans |  | Total AOCI
Balance, December 31, 2013 |  | $ | (1,599 | ) |  | 1,467 |  |  | 51,635 |  |  | 51,503 |  |  | (26,652 | ) |  | 24,851 |
OCI before reclassifications |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 41,767 |  |  | 41,767 |  |  | — |  |  | 41,767 |
Amounts reclassified from AOCI |  | 1,085 |  |  | (683 | ) |  | (18,637 | ) |  | (18,235 | ) |  | 742 |  |  | (17,493 | )
Net current period OCI |  | 1,085 |  |  | (683 | ) |  | 23,130 |  |  | 23,532 |  |  | 742 |  |  | 24,274 |
Balance, September 30, 2014 |  | $ | (514 | ) |  | 784 |  |  | 74,765 |  |  | 75,035 |  |  | (25,910 | ) |  | 49,125 |

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The reclassifications out of AOCI are as follows:

| Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |
($ in thousands) | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013 | Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Income
OTTI related |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of non-credit OTTI losses on HTM securities | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 14 |  | Net investment income earned
Non-credit OTTI on disposed securities | 1,200 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,669 |  |  | — |  | Net realized gains
| 1,200 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1,669 |  |  | 14 |  | Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax
| (420 | ) |  | — |  |  | (584 | ) |  | (5 | ) | Total federal income tax expense
| 780 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1,085 |  |  | 9 |  | Net income
HTM related |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized losses (gains) on HTM disposals | 12 |  |  | (19 | ) |  | 87 |  |  | (170 | ) | Net realized gains
Amortization of net unrealized gains on HTM securities | (385 | ) |  | (453 | ) |  | (1,137 | ) |  | (1,633 | ) | Net investment income earned
| (373 | ) |  | (472 | ) |  | (1,050 | ) |  | (1,803 | ) | Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax
| 130 |  |  | 165 |  |  | 367 |  |  | 631 |  | Total federal income tax expense
| (243 | ) |  | (307 | ) |  | (683 | ) |  | (1,172 | ) | Net income
Realized gains and losses on AFS and OTTI |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized gains on AFS disposals and OTTI | (16,435 | ) |  | (13,516 | ) |  | (28,672 | ) |  | (24,780 | ) | Net realized gains
| (16,435 | ) |  | (13,516 | ) |  | (28,672 | ) |  | (24,780 | ) | Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax
| 5,752 |  |  | 4,731 |  |  | 10,035 |  |  | 8,673 |  | Total federal income tax expense
| (10,683 | ) |  | (8,785 | ) |  | (18,637 | ) |  | (16,107 | ) | Net income
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement life plans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss | 88 |  |  | 159 |  |  | 263 |  |  | 717 |  | Loss and loss expense incurred
| 293 |  |  | 631 |  |  | 879 |  |  | 2,702 |  | Policy acquisition costs
| 381 |  |  | 790 |  |  | 1,142 |  |  | 3,419 |  | Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax
Prior service cost | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  | Loss and loss adjustment expenses
| — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  | Policy acquisition costs
| — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 10 |  | Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax
Curtailment expense | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 16 |  | Policy acquisition costs
| — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 16 |  | Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax
Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement life | 381 |  |  | 790 |  |  | 1,142 |  |  | 3,445 |  | Income from continuing operations, before federal income tax
| (134 | ) |  | (277 | ) |  | (400 | ) |  | (1,206 | ) | Total federal income tax expense
| 247 |  |  | 513 |  |  | 742 |  |  | 2,239 |  | Net income
Total reclassifications for the period | (9,899 | ) |  | (8,578 | ) |  | (17,493 | ) |  | (15,031 | ) | Net income

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Note 11. Litigation
In the ordinary course of conducting business, we are named as defendants in various legal proceedings. Most of these proceedings are claims litigation involving our Insurance Subsidiaries as either: (i) liability insurers defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds; or (ii) insurers defending first-party coverage claims brought against them. We account for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. We expect that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Our Insurance Subsidiaries are also from time to time involved in other legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example, improper reimbursement of medical providers paid under workers compensation and personal and commercial automobile insurance policies. Our Insurance Subsidiaries also are involved from time to time in individual actions in which extra-contractual damages, punitive damages, or penalties are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. We believe that we have valid defenses to these cases. We expect that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such lawsuits, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition. Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we discuss and make statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, current expectations, and projections regarding our company’s future operations and performance. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” and “intends” and their negatives. We caution prospective investors that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Risks and uncertainties are inherent in our future performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” below in Part II “Other Information.” These risk factors may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment and new risk factors emerge from time to time. We can neither predict such new risk factors nor can we assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this report. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur. We make forward-looking statements based on currently available information and assume no obligation to update these statements due to changes in underlying factors, new information, future developments, or otherwise.
Introduction
We classify our business into three operating segments:

• | Our Standard Insurance Operations segment, which is comprised of both commercial lines ("Commercial Lines") and personal lines ("Personal Lines") business, sells property and casualty insurance products and services in the standard market, including flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program's ("NFIPs") write-your-own ("WYO") program;

• | Our Excess and Surplus ("E&S") Insurance Operations segment sells Commercial Lines property and casualty insurance products and services to insureds who have not obtained coverage in the standard market; and

• | Our Investments segment, which invests the premiums collected by our Standard and E&S Insurance Operations and amounts generated through our capital management strategies, which may include the issuance of debt and equity securities.

Our Standard Insurance Operations products and services are sold through nine subsidiaries that write Commercial Lines and Personal Lines business, some of which write flood business through the NFIP's WYO program.
Our E&S Insurance Operations products and services are sold through one subsidiary. This subsidiary, Mesa Underwriters Specialty Insurance Company ("MUSIC"), provides us with a nationally-authorized non-admitted platform to write commercial and personal E&S lines business.
Our ten insurance subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "Insurance Subsidiaries."
The purpose of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to provide an understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition and known trends and uncertainties that may have a material impact in future periods. Consequently, investors should read the MD&A in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in our 2013 Annual Report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
In the MD&A, we will discuss and analyze the following:

• | Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates;

• | Financial Highlights of Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014 and Third Quarter and Nine Months 2013;

• | Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment;

• | Federal Income Taxes;

• | Financial Condition, Liquidity, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Resources;

• | Ratings;

• | Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; and

• | Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities, and Commitments.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include amounts based on our informed estimates and judgments for those transactions that are not yet complete. Such estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Those estimates and judgments most critical to the preparation of the consolidated financial statements involve the following: (i) reserves for loss and loss expenses; (ii) pension and post-retirement benefit plan actuarial assumptions; (iii) other-than-temporary investment impairments ("OTTI"); and (iv) reinsurance. These estimates and judgments require the use of assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and, therefore, are subject to change as facts and circumstances develop. If different estimates and judgments had been applied, materially different amounts might have been reported in the financial statements. For example, the Society of Actuaries issued final versions of its mortality tables and mortality improvement scale in October 2014, which reflect increasing life expectancies in the United States. We will adopt the new mortality information in the fourth quarter of this year, which will potentially result in a pre-tax charge to other comprehensive income of approximately $20 million as of December 31, 2014, assuming all other assumptions related to the post-retirement plan remain unchanged.
For additional information regarding our critical accounting policies, refer to our 2013 Annual Report, pages 44 through 52.
Financial Highlights of Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014 and Third Quarter and Nine Months 2013 1

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |
($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") measures: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues |  | $ | 515,358 |  |  | 486,813 |  |  | 6 |  |  | % |  | $ | 1,531,278 |  |  | 1,415,707 |  |  | 8 |  |  | %
Pre-tax net investment income |  | 34,292 |  |  | 32,457 |  |  | 6 |  |  |  |  | 106,600 |  |  | 99,330 |  |  | 7 |  |  |
Pre-tax net income |  | 75,326 |  |  | 44,485 |  |  | 69 |  |  |  |  | 139,931 |  |  | 108,019 |  |  | 30 |  |  |
Net income |  | 53,162 |  |  | 32,653 |  |  | 63 |  |  |  |  | 100,477 |  |  | 81,083 |  |  | 24 |  |  |
Diluted net income per share |  | 0.93 |  |  | 0.57 |  |  | 63 |  |  |  |  | 1.75 |  |  | 1.43 |  |  | 22 |  |  |
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares |  | 57,406 |  |  | 56,900 |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  | 57,286 |  |  | 56,719 |  |  | 1 |  |  |
GAAP combined ratio |  | 92.6 | % |  | 97.7 |  |  | (5.1 | ) |  | pts |  | 97.1 |  |  | 97.9 |  |  | (0.8 | ) |  | pts
Statutory combined ratio |  | 91.5 | % |  | 96.3 |  |  | (4.8 | ) |  |  |  | 96.6 |  |  | 96.9 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  |
Return on average equity |  | 17.0 | % |  | 11.7 |  |  | 5.3 |  |  |  |  | 11.1 |  |  | 9.8 |  |  | 1.3 |  |  |
Non-GAAP measures: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating income 2 |  | $ | 43,262 |  |  | 23,922 |  |  | 81 |  |  | % |  | $ | 82,935 |  |  | 67,819 |  |  | 22 |  |  | %
Diluted operating income per share 2 |  | 0.76 |  |  | 0.42 |  |  | 81 |  |  |  |  | 1.44 |  |  | 1.20 |  |  | 20 |  |  |
Operating return on average equity 2 |  | 13.8 | % |  | 8.6 |  |  | 5.2 |  |  | pts |  | 9.1 |  |  | 8.2 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | pts

1 | Refer to the Glossary of Terms attached to our 2013 Annual Report as Exhibit 99.1 for definitions of terms used in this Form 10-Q.

2 | Operating income is used as an important financial measure by us, analysts, and investors, because the realization of investment gains and losses on sales in any given period is largely discretionary as to timing. In addition, these realized investment gains and losses, as well as OTTI that are charged to earnings and the results of discontinued operations, could distort the analysis of trends. See below for a reconciliation of operating income to net income in accordance with GAAP. Operating return on average equity is calculated by dividing annualized operating income by average stockholders’ equity.

The following table reconciles operating income and net income for the periods presented above:

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Operating income |  | $ | 43,262 |  |  | 23,922 |  |  | 82,935 |  |  | 67,819 |
Net realized gains, net of tax |  | 9,900 |  |  | 8,731 |  |  | 17,542 |  |  | 14,261 |
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (997 | )
Net income |  | $ | 53,162 |  |  | 32,653 |  |  | 100,477 |  |  | 81,083 |
Diluted operating income per share |  | $ | 0.76 |  |  | 0.42 |  |  | 1.44 |  |  | 1.20 |
Diluted net realized gains per share |  | 0.17 |  |  | 0.15 |  |  | 0.31 |  |  | 0.25 |
Diluted net loss from disposal of discontinued operations per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (0.02 | )
Diluted net income per share |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | 0.57 |  |  | 1.75 |  |  | 1.43 |

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Over the long term, we target a return on average equity that is three points higher than our cost of capital, or 12%, excluding the impact of realized gains and losses, which is referred to as operating return on average equity. Our operating return on average equity and contribution by component for Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 and the comparable prior year periods are as follows:

Operating Return on Average Equity |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
|  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Standard Insurance Operations |  | 7.4 | % |  | 2.4 | % |  | 2.9 | % |  | 2.3 | %
E&S Insurance Operations |  | (0.3 | )% |  | — | % |  | — | % |  | (0.2 | )%
Investments |  | 8.2 | % |  | 8.8 | % |  | 8.8 | % |  | 9.0 | %
Other |  | (1.5 | )% |  | (2.6 | )% |  | (2.6 | )% |  | (2.9 | )%
Total |  | 13.8 | % |  | 8.6 | % |  | 9.1 | % |  | 8.2 | %

Our operating return on average equity in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 reflects GAAP combined ratios of 92.6% and 97.1%, respectively, compared to 97.7% and 97.9% in the same periods a year ago. Lower catastrophe losses coupled with increased favorable prior year casualty reserve development and the impact of renewal pure price increases drove the improvement in operating return on average equity in the quarter. On a year-to-date basis, higher property losses, including catastrophe losses, partially offset the benefits of rate and favorable prior year casualty reserve development, resulting in a modest improvement over last year. Further descriptions of the variances for the quarter and year-to-date periods are as follows:

• | Catastrophe losses for Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 were $5.4 million, or 1.2 points, and $66.9 million, or 4.8 points, respectively, compared to $11.9 million, or 2.7 points, and $33.1 million, or 2.6 points, in the respective prior year periods. The majority of these catastrophe losses in the year-to-date period were attributed to extreme weather events in the first quarter of 2014, which brought freezing temperatures and snowstorms to our 22-state standard lines footprint, coupled with hail, tornadoes, and wind events in the second quarter of 2014.

• | Non-catastrophe property losses of $60.4 million, or 13.0 points, for Third Quarter 2014 were comparable to last year. However, on a year-to-date basis, non-catastrophe property losses of $224.8 million, or 16.3 points, were 2.8 points higher than Nine Months 2013. These non-catastrophe property losses were primarily the result of fires, roof collapses, and water damage, which were often related to the weather events experienced throughout our footprint states in the first half of 2014.

• | Renewal pure price increases of 7.6% and 5.8% were achieved in full-year 2013 and Nine Months 2014, respectively, which are currently earning in at 6.4% in Third Quarter 2014 and 6.8% in Nine Months 2014. This earned rate is above the loss inflation trend of approximately 3%. After taking into account the incremental expenses associated with the additional premium, the net benefit to the combined ratio is approximately 2.5 points for both periods.

• | Favorable prior year casualty development in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 was $7.5 million, or 1.6 points, and $39.5 million, or 2.8 points, respectively, compared to favorable prior year casualty development of $3.5 million, or 0.8 points, and $7.5 million, or 0.6 points, in Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013, respectively. We experienced improved workers compensation trends in the quarter and year-to-date periods, with no development either favorable or unfavorable. We believe the stability in workers compensation reserves over the past three quarters is largely due to our claims initiatives. Our strategic case management unit employs a triage process that focuses on claims with the potential for high severity. After the claims are directed into the unit, specialists and expert medical resources manage the cases through settlement. The level of prior year casualty reserve releases in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014 were driven by improving claim trends within our general liability line of business attributable to the 2007 through 2013 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior year casualty development in our E&S Insurance Operations of $4 million attributable to the 2012 and 2013 accident years.

Also contributing to Nine Months 2014 Insurance Operations results, was the March 2014 sale of the renewal rights to our self-insured group's book of pooled public entity business ("SIG"), which contributed $8 million to other income and reduced the combined ratio by 0.6 points. Although we did not solicit buyers, we decided to sell this small and specialized book of business when the opportunity presented itself because it had significant production outside of our standard lines footprint, and proved difficult to grow. We, however, have retained our substantial individual risk public entity book of business and we will continue to look for opportunities to grow it.
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The remaining fluctuation in our Third Quarter 2014 operating return on average equity compared to Third Quarter 2013 was driven by lower long-term employee compensation expense associated with fluctuations in our stock price. This item is captured within the "Other" component in the table above.
The following table provides a quantitative foundation for analyzing our overall Insurance Subsidiaries' underwriting results, the significant changes of which are described above:

All Lines |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |
GAAP Insurance Operations Results: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net premiums written ("NPW") |  | $ | 495,121 |  |  | 492,748 |  |  | — |  |  | % |  | $ | 1,451,694 |  |  | 1,405,049 |  |  | 3 |  |  | %
Net premiums earned (“NPE”) |  | 462,639 |  |  | 437,568 |  |  | 6 |  |  |  |  | 1,382,759 |  |  | 1,284,760 |  |  | 8 |  |  |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense incurred |  | 270,932 |  |  | 283,317 |  |  | (4 | ) |  |  |  | 889,273 |  |  | 832,760 |  |  | 7 |  |  |
Net underwriting expenses incurred |  | 156,114 |  |  | 142,774 |  |  | 9 |  |  |  |  | 450,037 |  |  | 421,812 |  |  | 7 |  |  |
Dividends to policyholders |  | 1,156 |  |  | 1,326 |  |  | (13 | ) |  |  |  | 3,943 |  |  | 3,393 |  |  | 16 |  |  |
Underwriting gain |  | $ | 34,437 |  |  | 10,151 |  |  | 239 |  |  | % |  | $ | 39,506 |  |  | 26,795 |  |  | 47 |  |  | %
GAAP Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 58.6 |  | % | 64.7 |  |  | (6.1 | ) |  | pts |  | 64.3 |  | % | 64.8 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  | pts
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 33.8 |  |  | 32.7 |  |  | 1.1 |  |  |  |  | 32.5 |  |  | 32.8 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  |
Dividends to policyholders ratio |  | 0.2 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  |
Combined ratio |  | 92.6 |  |  | 97.7 |  |  | (5.1 | ) |  |  |  | 97.1 |  |  | 97.9 |  |  | (0.8 | ) |  |
Statutory Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 58.4 |  |  | 64.7 |  |  | (6.3 | ) |  |  |  | 64.2 |  |  | 64.8 |  |  | (0.6 | ) |  |
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 32.9 |  |  | 31.3 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  |  |  | 32.1 |  |  | 31.8 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  |
Dividends to policyholders ratio |  | 0.2 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  |
Combined ratio |  | 91.5 |  | % | 96.3 |  |  | (4.8 | ) |  | pts |  | 96.6 |  | % | 96.9 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | pts

Outlook
In its financial review issued on September 19, 2014, A.M. Best and Company ("A.M. Best") noted that increased catastrophe and non-catastrophe losses and lower levels of favorable development of prior years' loss reserves drove the U.S. property and casualty industry to break-even underwriting results through the first six months of 2014. Overall, catastrophe losses accounted for 5.3 points on the industry combined ratio, an increase over the 4.6-point impact in the first six months of 2013. Partially offsetting the decline in loss experience was an improvement in industry premiums, which grew 4% during the first six months of 2014 compared to the same period last year. The overall result of these changes was a modest underwriting loss, producing an industry combined ratio of 99.1% for the first six months of 2014, up from 96.6% for the first six months of 2013.
A.M. Best, in their Segment Review of U.S. Surplus Lines issued in September 2014, views the surplus lines segment as "stable but believes profit margins may shrink in the near term as average rate increases diminish on various lines of coverage." However, "the surplus lines market still appears to be in a good position to produce healthy returns and net operating profits in 2014."
A.M. Best's estimate for the 2014 property and casualty industry combined ratio was 99.4%, as noted in their 2013 year-end review. Their report cited: "In looking ahead to 2014, A.M. Best expects premiums to continue growing through price increases, but the pace of these rate changes are expected to slow and temper growth in premium." We believe standard commercial lines renewal pure pricing is under pressure industry-wide. Commercial lines pricing for the industry was up only 3% for the second quarter of 2014, according to the Towers Watson Commercial Lines Insurance Price Survey. For Third Quarter 2014, our Standard Commercial Lines renewal pure price increased 5.3%, about 200 basis points higher than the industry's pricing in the second quarter of 2014, which we view as positive compared to our expectations for the industry in the third quarter.
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In early 2012, we laid out a three-year plan to achieve overall annual renewal pure price increases of 5% to 8%. We achieved 5.8% in Nine Months 2014, including 5.8% in our Standard Commercial Lines, 6.5% in our Standard Personal Lines, and 3.8% in our E&S Lines. Overall renewal pure price increases of 7.6% in full-year 2013 and the 5.8% in Nine Months 2014 translated into earned price increases of 6.8% in Nine Months 2014, which is above loss inflation trends of approximately 3%. The 5.5% overall renewal pure price increase that we expect to achieve in 2014 is also above loss inflation trends, and will continue to add to profitability in 2015.
Our Insurance Subsidiaries reported a statutory combined ratio, excluding catastrophes, of 91.8% for Nine Months 2014, which is in line with our stated full-year 2014 goal of 92%. Catastrophe losses in the year of $66.9 million added 4.8 points to our statutory combined ratio. These catastrophe losses were primarily related to extreme winter weather in the first quarter of 2014 and Midwest storms in the second quarter of 2014.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note fell by 54 basis points in Nine Months 2014. The continued low interest rate environment has several impacts on our business, some of which are beneficial and some of which present a challenge to us. The benefits include lower inflation rates that suppress loss trends, as well as reduce our cost of capital. While the low interest rate environment presents a challenge to us in generating after-tax return, we believe the after-tax yield on our fixed income securities portfolio has stabilized at around 2.25%, as new purchase yields are approximating the average yield on bonds that are currently being disposed.
Given the results we have achieved in Nine Months 2014, including the overall renewal pure price increases we have achieved, we currently expect to generate:

• | A full-year combined ratio of 92% excluding catastrophe losses and any additional prior year casualty reserve development;

• | 4 to 4.5 points of catastrophe losses for the year;

• | Renewal pure price increases of approximately 5.5% on an overall company basis;

• | After-tax investment income of approximately $105 million; and

• | Weighted-average shares of approximately 57.4 million.

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Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment
Insurance Operations
Standard Insurance Operations
Our Standard Insurance Operations segment, which represents 92% of our combined insurance operations NPW, sells insurance products and services primarily in 22 states in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. and the District of Columbia, through approximately 1,100 independent retail insurance agencies. This segment consists of two components: (i) Commercial Lines, which markets primarily to businesses and represents approximately 83% of the segment's NPW; and (ii) Personal Lines, including our flood business, which markets primarily to individuals and represents approximately 17% of the segment's NPW.

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |
GAAP Insurance Operations Results: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPW |  | $ | 455,486 |  |  | 457,173 |  |  | — |  |  | % |  | $ | 1,344,215 |  |  | 1,308,428 |  |  | 3 |  |  | %
NPE |  | 426,520 |  |  | 405,676 |  |  | 5 |  |  |  |  | 1,279,830 |  |  | 1,192,762 |  |  | 7 |  |  |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense incurred |  | 246,489 |  |  | 262,697 |  |  | (6 | ) |  |  |  | 822,550 |  |  | 771,948 |  |  | 7 |  |  |
Net underwriting expenses incurred |  | 143,067 |  |  | 131,515 |  |  | 9 |  |  |  |  | 413,398 |  |  | 388,440 |  |  | 6 |  |  |
Dividends to policyholders |  | 1,156 |  |  | 1,326 |  |  | (13 | ) |  |  |  | 3,943 |  |  | 3,393 |  |  | 16 |  |  |
Underwriting gain |  | $ | 35,808 |  |  | 10,138 |  |  | 253 |  |  | % |  | $ | 39,939 |  |  | 28,981 |  |  | 38 |  |  | %
GAAP Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 57.8 |  | % | 64.8 |  |  | (7.0 | ) |  | pts |  | 64.3 |  | % | 64.7 |  |  | (0.4 | ) |  | pts
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 33.5 |  |  | 32.4 |  |  | 1.1 |  |  |  |  | 32.3 |  |  | 32.6 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  |
Dividends to policyholders ratio |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  |
Combined ratio |  | 91.6 |  |  | 97.5 |  |  | (5.9 | ) |  |  |  | 96.9 |  |  | 97.6 |  |  | (0.7 | ) |  |
Statutory Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 57.6 |  |  | 64.7 |  |  | (7.1 | ) |  |  |  | 64.2 |  |  | 64.7 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  |
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 32.6 |  |  | 31.0 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  |  |  | 31.8 |  |  | 31.6 |  |  | 0.2 |  |  |
Dividends to policyholders ratio |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  |
Combined ratio |  | 90.5 |  | % | 96.0 |  |  | (5.5 | ) |  | pts |  | 96.3 |  | % | 96.6 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | pts

NPW is relatively consistent with last year for both the quarter and year-to-date periods. Renewal pure price increases and strong retention have more than offset a reduction in premiums that has resulted from the sale of the SIG renewal rights. SIG NPW was approximately $27 million for Third Quarter 2013 and $28 million for Nine Months 2013. Renewal pure price increases and retention was as follows:

|  | Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |
($ in millions) |  | Renewal Pure Price Increase |  | Retention |  |  | Renewal Pure Price Increase |  | Retention |
Standard Commercial Lines |  | 5.3 | % | 83 | % |  | 7.9 | % | 83 | %
Standard Personal Lines |  | 6.8 |  | 81 |  |  | 7.5 |  | 86 |

|  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |
($ in millions) |  | Renewal Pure Price Increase |  | Retention |  |  | Renewal Pure Price Increase |  | Retention |
Standard Commercial Lines |  | 5.8 | % | 82 | % |  | 7.6 | % | 82 | %
Standard Personal Lines |  | 6.5 |  | 81 |  |  | 8.0 |  | 86 |

The decrease in the Standard Personal Lines retention was driven by targeted actions that we have taken to reduce our exposure to certain coverages that have historically been less profitable for us. Excluding the impact of these targeted actions, retention remains strong and comparable to last year.
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NPE increases in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 were consistent with the fluctuations in NPW for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.
The GAAP loss and loss expense ratio improved 7.0 points in Third Quarter 2014 and 0.4 points in Nine Months 2014 compared to the same periods a year ago. In addition to the quantitative information provided below, renewal pure price increases that exceeded our projected loss inflation trend contributed to the improvement in both periods.

| Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  |  | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  | Change in Ratio |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 4.9 |  | 1.1 |  | pts |  | $ | 10.9 |  | 2.7 |  | pts | (1.6 | ) | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 57.0 |  | 13.4 |  |  |  | 54.8 |  | 13.5 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |
Favorable prior year casualty reserve development | (12.0 | ) | (2.7 | ) |  |  | (3.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) |  | (1.9 | ) |

| Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  |  | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  | Change in Ratio |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 64.6 |  | 5.0 |  | pts |  | $ | 29.3 |  | 2.5 |  | pts | 2.5 |  | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 210.7 |  | 16.5 |  |  |  | 165.7 |  | 13.9 |  |  | 2.6 |  |
Favorable prior year casualty reserve development | (43.5 | ) | (3.4 | ) |  |  | (9.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) |  | (2.6 | ) |

The breakdown of favorable prior year casualty reserve development in our Standard Insurance Operations by line of business is as follows:

(Favorable)/Unfavorable Prior Year Casualty Reserve Development |  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |
($ in millions) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |
General liability |  | $ | (11.0 | ) |  | (3.0 | ) |  | $ | (36.0 | ) |  | (12.0 | ) |
Commercial automobile |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4.0 | ) |  | — |  |
Workers compensation |  | — |  |  | 3.5 |  |  | — |  |  | 14.0 |  |
Businessowners' policies |  | 1.0 |  |  | (2.0 | ) |  | 2.5 |  |  | (8.0 | ) |
Homeowners |  | — |  |  | (1.0 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2.5 | ) |
Personal automobile |  | (2.0 | ) |  | (1.0 | ) |  | (6.0 | ) |  | (1.0 | ) |
Total favorable prior year casualty reserve development |  | $ | (12.0 | ) |  | (3.5 | ) |  | $ | (43.5 | ) |  | (9.5 | ) |
Favorable impact on loss ratio |  | (2.7 | ) | pts | (0.8 | ) | pts | (3.4 | ) | pts | (0.8 | ) | pts

Favorable prior year casualty reserve development of $12.0 million in Third Quarter 2014 and $43.5 million in Nine Months 2014 was primarily driven by improving claim trends attributable to the 2007 through 2013 accident years on our general liability line of business coupled with stable workers compensation trends in 2014.
The GAAP underwriting expense ratio increased 1.1 points in Third Quarter 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 due to higher supplemental commissions to agents. On a year-to-date basis, the underwriting expense ratio decreased 0.3 points due to: (i) an increase in premiums that outpaced expense growth; and (ii) a gain from the SIG sale of $8 million, or 0.6 points. Partially offsetting these items were higher supplemental commissions to agents. For additional information regarding the sale, see Note 8. “Segment Information” in Item 1. “Financial Statements.” of this Form 10-Q.
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Review of Underwriting Results by Line of Business

Standard Commercial Lines |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |
GAAP Insurance Operations Results: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPW |  | $ | 376,438 |  |  | 376,373 |  |  | — |  | % |  | $ | 1,119,648 |  |  | 1,080,213 |  |  | 4 |  | %
NPE |  | 352,143 |  |  | 330,962 |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 1,056,091 |  |  | 971,464 |  |  | 9 |  |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense incurred |  | 201,352 |  |  | 209,771 |  |  | (4 | ) |  |  | 660,523 |  |  | 614,226 |  |  | 8 |  |
Net underwriting expenses incurred |  | 121,864 |  |  | 111,089 |  |  | 10 |  |  |  | 351,781 |  |  | 329,224 |  |  | 7 |  |
Dividends to policyholders |  | 1,156 |  |  | 1,326 |  |  | (13 | ) |  |  | 3,943 |  |  | 3,393 |  |  | 16 |  |
Underwriting gain |  | $ | 27,771 |  |  | 8,776 |  |  | 216 |  | % |  | $ | 39,844 |  |  | 24,621 |  |  | 62 |  | %
GAAP Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 57.2 |  | % | 63.4 |  |  | (6.2 | ) | pts |  | 62.5 |  | % | 63.2 |  |  | (0.7 | ) | pts
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 34.6 |  |  | 33.5 |  |  | 1.1 |  |  |  | 33.3 |  |  | 34.0 |  |  | (0.7 | ) |
Dividends to policyholders ratio |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.1 |  |
Combined ratio |  | 92.1 |  |  | 97.3 |  |  | (5.2 | ) |  |  | 96.2 |  |  | 97.5 |  |  | (1.3 | ) |
Statutory Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 56.9 |  |  | 63.3 |  |  | (6.4 | ) |  |  | 62.5 |  |  | 63.2 |  |  | (0.7 | ) |
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 33.7 |  |  | 31.9 |  |  | 1.8 |  |  |  | 32.6 |  |  | 32.7 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |
Dividends to policyholders ratio |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.1 |  |
Combined ratio |  | 90.9 |  | % | 95.6 |  |  | (4.7 | ) | pts |  | 95.5 |  | % | 96.2 |  |  | (0.7 | ) | pts

The increase in NPW in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 compared to the same periods last year was driven by renewal pure price increases and strong retention, which were partially offset by the NPW impact of the sale of the SIG renewal rights. Quantitative data on retention and pricing is as follows:

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in millions) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Retention |  | 83 | % | 83 |  | 82 | % | 82
Renewal pure price increases |  | 5.3 |  | 7.9 |  | 5.8 |  | 7.6

NPE increases in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014 were consistent with the fluctuations in NPW for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.
The GAAP loss and loss expense ratio decreased 6.2 points in Third Quarter 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 driven by: (i) renewal pure price increases that averaged 5.8% in Nine Months 2014 and 7.6% in full-year 2013, the earning of which exceeds our projected loss inflation trend by approximately 3 points; and (ii) favorable prior year casualty reserve development. Quantitative information regarding property losses and reserve development is as follows:

| Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | Losses Incurred | Impact on Loss Ratio |  |  | Losses Incurred | Impact on Loss Ratio |  | Change in Ratio |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 3.3 |  | 0.9 |  | pts |  | $ | 2.2 |  | 0.7 |  | pts | 0.2 |  | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 35.3 |  | 10.0 |  |  |  | 34.9 |  | 10.5 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |
Favorable prior year casualty reserve development | (10.0 | ) | (2.7 | ) |  |  | (1.5 | ) | (0.4 | ) |  | (2.3 | ) |

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On a year-to-date basis, earned pricing that is exceeding loss inflation trends by approximately 4 points and favorable prior year development are significantly offset by higher catastrophe and non-catastrophe property losses. Quantitative information regarding property losses and reserve development are as follows:

| Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |  |
($ in millions) | Losses Incurred | Impact on Loss Ratio |  |  | Losses Incurred | Impact on Loss Ratio |  | Change in Ratio |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 41.9 |  | 4.0 |  | pts |  | $ | 12.1 |  | 1.2 |  | pts | 2.8 |  | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 137.7 |  | 13.0 |  |  |  | 99.7 |  | 10.3 |  |  | 2.7 |  |
Favorable prior year casualty reserve development | (37.5 | ) | (3.5 | ) |  |  | (6.0 | ) | (0.6 | ) |  | (2.9 | ) |

The GAAP underwriting expense ratio increased 1.1 points in Third Quarter 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 partially due to: (i) higher supplemental commissions to agents; and (ii) expenses that outpaced premium growth in the quarter.
The improvement in the GAAP underwriting expense ratio in Nine Months 2014 compared to Nine Months 2013 was primarily driven by the income generated from the sale of our SIG renewal rights for $8 million, or 0.8 points, in the first quarter of 2014. For additional information regarding the sale, see Note 8. “Segment Information” in Item 1. “Financial Statements.” of this Form 10-Q.
The following is a discussion of our most significant standard Commercial Lines of business and their respective statutory results:

General Liability |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |
Statutory NPW |  | $ | 117,731 |  |  | 115,866 |  |  | 2 |  | % |  | $ | 355,411 |  |  | 335,503 |  |  | 6 |  | %
Direct new business |  | 20,738 |  |  | 20,169 |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 60,412 |  |  | 60,809 |  |  | (1 | ) |
Retention |  | 83 |  | % | 82 |  |  | 1 |  | pts |  | 82 |  | % | 81 |  |  | 1 |  | pts
Renewal pure price increases |  | 6.1 |  | % | 9.3 |  |  | (3.2 | ) |  |  | 7.0 |  | % | 8.8 |  |  | (1.8 | ) |
Statutory NPE |  | $ | 110,894 |  |  | 100,925 |  |  | 10 |  | % |  | $ | 331,303 |  |  | 298,394 |  |  | 11 |  | %
Statutory combined ratio |  | 84.2 |  | % | 96.2 |  |  | (12.0 | ) | pts |  | 81.8 |  | % | 95.7 |  |  | (13.9 | ) | pts
% of total statutory standard Commercial Lines NPW |  | 31 |  | % | 31 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 32 |  | % | 31 |  |  |  |  |

The growth in NPW and NPE for our general liability business in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 reflects renewal pure price increases and strong retention. Partially offsetting this growth was the reduction in NPW as a result of the SIG renewal rights sale. SIG NPW was approximately $14 million in both Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013.
The statutory combined ratio improvement for Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 was driven by renewal pure price increases of 6.1% and 7.0%, respectively, that continue to outpace loss inflation trends on this line as well as the following:

| Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change Points |
Favorable prior year casualty reserve development | $ | (11.0 | ) | (9.9 | ) | pts | $ | (3.0 | ) | (3.0 | ) | pts | (6.9 | ) | pts

| Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change Points |
Favorable prior year casualty reserve development | $ | (36.0 | ) | (10.9 | ) | pts | $ | (12.0 | ) | (4.0 | ) | pts | (6.9 | ) | pts
Gain from SIG renewal rights sale | (2.1 | ) | (0.6 | ) |  | — |  | — |  |  | (0.6 | ) |

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Favorable prior year casualty reserve development in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 was driven by improving claim trends for the 2013 and prior accident years. Favorable prior year casualty reserve development in Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013 was driven by accident years 2011 and prior.

Commercial Automobile |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |
Statutory NPW |  | $ | 90,599 |  |  | 91,715 |  |  | (1 | ) | % |  | $ | 267,134 |  |  | 257,841 |  |  | 4 |  | %
Direct new business |  | 14,275 |  |  | 16,420 |  |  | (13 | ) |  |  | 42,760 |  |  | 47,490 |  |  | (10 | ) |
Retention |  | 83 |  | % | 83 |  |  | — |  | pts |  | 82 |  | % | 82 |  |  | — |  | pts
Renewal pure price increases |  | 5.1 |  | % | 8.0 |  |  | (2.9 | ) |  |  | 5.8 |  | % | 7.4 |  |  | (1.6 | ) |
Statutory NPE |  | $ | 83,536 |  |  | 79,138 |  |  | 6 |  | % |  | $ | 249,224 |  |  | 230,191 |  |  | 8 |  | %
Statutory combined ratio |  | 92.8 |  | % | 97.1 |  |  | (4.3 | ) | pts |  | 93.7 |  | % | 96.8 |  |  | (3.1 | ) | pts
% of total statutory standard Commercial Lines NPW |  | 24 |  | % | 24 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24 |  | % | 24 |  |  |  |  |

The fluctuation in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 NPW was impacted by the following: (i) renewal pure price increases; (ii) strong retention; and (iii) lower premiums due to the sale of the SIG renewal rights. SIG NPW was approximately $5 million in both Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013.
NPE increases in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 were consistent with the fluctuations in NPW for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.
The statutory combined ratio improvements for Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 were impacted by the following:

| Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change Points |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 0.2 |  | 0.2 | pts | $ | 0.1 |  | 0.1 | pts | 0.1 |  | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 10.0 |  | 11.9 |  | 13.3 |  | 16.8 |  | (4.9 | ) |

| Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change Points |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 1.7 |  | 0.7 |  | pts | $ | (0.9 | ) | (0.4 | ) | pts | 1.1 |  | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 34.0 |  | 13.6 |  |  | 36.9 |  | 16.0 |  |  | (2.4 | ) |
Favorable prior year casualty reserve development | (4.0 | ) | (1.6 | ) |  | — |  | — |  |  | (1.6 | ) |
Gain from SIG renewal rights sale | (1.5 | ) | (0.6 | ) |  | — |  | — |  |  | (0.6 | ) |

Favorable prior year casualty development in Nine Months 2014 was driven by the 2008 through 2012 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior year casualty development in the 2013 accident year.
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Workers Compensation |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |
Statutory NPW |  | $ | 65,740 |  |  | 70,461 |  |  | (7 | ) | % |  | $ | 206,921 |  |  | 214,455 |  |  | (4 | ) | %
Direct new business |  | 12,512 |  |  | 14,459 |  |  | (13 | ) |  |  | 37,239 |  |  | 43,151 |  |  | (14 | ) |
Retention |  | 81 |  | % | 82 |  |  | (1 | ) | pts |  | 81 |  | % | 82 |  |  | (1 | ) | pts
Renewal pure price increases |  | 5.1 |  | % | 7.9 |  |  | (2.8 | ) |  |  | 5.2 |  | % | 7.8 |  |  | (2.6 | ) |
Statutory NPE |  | $ | 66,732 |  |  | 66,510 |  |  | — |  | % |  | $ | 205,137 |  |  | 197,449 |  |  | 4 |  | %
Statutory combined ratio |  | 111.2 |  | % | 118.2 |  |  | (7.0 | ) | pts |  | 109.6 |  | % | 118.4 |  |  | (8.8 | ) | pts
% of total statutory standard Commercial Lines NPW |  | 17 |  | % | 19 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18 |  | % | 20 |  |  |  |

Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 NPW decreased compared to Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013 due to a decrease in direct new business. In addition, premiums for this line are down year over year as a result of the SIG renewal rights sale. SIG NPW was approximately $4 million in both Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013.
NPE increases in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 were consistent with the fluctuations in NPW for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.
While we continue to view workers compensation in the context of an overall account, we remain very focused on improving this competitive line of business through both underwriting and claims initiatives. We achieved renewal pure price increases of 5.1% in Third Quarter 2014 and 5.2% in Nine Months 2014. We are applying all the underwriting tools we have to move pricing higher and write the best risks. In addition, we have centralized the handling of all workers compensation claims alongside our strategic case management unit to facilitate our strategy of early identification, escalation, and mitigation of potentially high-risk claims. We have supplemented our claims expertise within our strategic case management unit with the addition of medical specialists, including nurse practitioners and a physician consultant.
The improvement in the statutory combined ratio was primarily attributable to the following:

| Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change Points |
Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development | $ | — |  | — |  | pts | $ | 3.5 |  | 5.3 |  | pts | (5.3 | ) | pts

| Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change Points |
Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development | $ | — |  | — |  | pts | $ | 14.0 |  | 7.2 |  | pts | (7.2 | ) | pts
Gain from SIG renewal rights sale | (1.5 | ) | (0.7 | ) |  | — |  | — |  |  | (0.7 | ) |

Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013 unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development was primarily driven by adverse development in several accident years from 2008 and prior. Nine Months 2013 was also adversely impacted by the 2012 accident year.
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Commercial Property |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |
Statutory NPW |  | $ | 71,463 |  |  | 69,578 |  |  | 3 |  | % |  | $ | 198,189 |  |  | 186,531 |  |  | 6 |  | %
Direct new business |  | 16,783 |  |  | 16,966 |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | 44,549 |  |  | 45,747 |  |  | (3 | ) |
Retention |  | 82 |  | % | 82 |  |  | — |  | pts |  | 81 |  | % | 81 |  |  | — |  | pts
Renewal pure price increases |  | 4.2 |  | % | 5.8 |  |  | (1.6 | ) |  |  | 4.6 |  | % | 5.6 |  |  | (1.0 | ) |
Statutory NPE |  | $ | 61,304 |  |  | 57,004 |  |  | 8 |  | % |  | $ | 182,716 |  |  | 165,356 |  |  | 10 |  | %
Statutory combined ratio |  | 79.9 |  | % | 67.0 |  |  | 12.9 |  | pts |  | 104.1 |  | % | 77.8 |  |  | 26.3 |  | pts
% of total statutory standard Commercial Lines NPW |  | 19 |  | % | 18 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18 |  | % | 17 |  |  |  |

NPW and NPE increased in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013 primarily due to renewal pure price increases and strong retention, partially offset by the reduction in NPW as a result of the SIG renewal rights sale. SIG NPW was approximately $5 million in both Third Quarter 2013 and Nine Months 2013.
The increase in the statutory combined ratio in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 compared to the same prior year periods was due to the following:

| Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change % or Points |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 2.7 |  | 4.4 | pts |  | $ | 0.9 |  | 1.6 | pts | 2.8 | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 20.8 |  | 34.0 |  |  | 14.8 |  | 25.9 |  | 8.1 |

| Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  |  | (Benefit) Expense | Impact on Combined Ratio |  | Change % or Points |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 31.7 |  | 17.4 |  | pts |  | $ | 10.4 |  | 6.3 | pts | 11.1 |  | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 83.4 |  | 45.6 |  |  |  | 48.7 |  | 29.5 |  | 16.1 |  |
Gain from SIG renewal rights sale | (1.4 | ) | (0.7 | ) |  |  | — |  | — |  | (0.7 | ) |

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Standard Personal Lines |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |
GAAP Insurance Operations Results: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPW |  | $ | 79,048 |  |  | 80,800 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | % |  | $ | 224,567 |  |  | 228,215 |  |  | (2 | ) | %
NPE |  | 74,377 |  |  | 74,714 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 223,739 |  |  | 221,298 |  |  | 1 |  |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense incurred |  | 45,137 |  |  | 52,926 |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  |  | 162,027 |  |  | 157,722 |  |  | 3 |  |
Net underwriting expenses incurred |  | 21,203 |  |  | 20,426 |  |  | 4 |  |  |  |  | 61,617 |  |  | 59,216 |  |  | 4 |  |
Underwriting gain |  | $ | 8,037 |  |  | 1,362 |  |  | 490 |  |  | % |  | $ | 95 |  |  | 4,360 |  |  | (98 | ) | %
GAAP Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 60.7 |  | % | 70.8 |  |  | (10.1 | ) |  | pts |  | 72.4 |  | % | 71.3 |  |  | 1.1 |  | pts
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 28.5 |  |  | 27.4 |  |  | 1.1 |  |  |  |  | 27.6 |  |  | 26.7 |  |  | 0.9 |  |
Combined ratio |  | 89.2 |  |  | 98.2 |  |  | (9.0 | ) |  |  |  | 100.0 |  |  | 98.0 |  |  | 2.0 |  |
Statutory Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 60.7 |  |  | 70.9 |  |  | (10.2 | ) |  |  |  | 72.4 |  |  | 71.4 |  |  | 1.0 |  |
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 28.2 |  |  | 26.7 |  |  | 1.5 |  |  |  |  | 27.5 |  |  | 26.2 |  |  | 1.3 |  |
Combined ratio |  | 88.9 |  | % | 97.6 |  |  | (8.7 | ) |  | pts |  | 99.9 |  | % | 97.6 |  |  | 2.3 |  | pts

The decreases in NPW for both the quarter and year-to-date periods were primarily driven by lower retention compared to the same periods a year ago. The decrease in the year-to-date period was also driven by a 10% decrease in new business. Partially offsetting these decreases were renewal pure price increases. Quantitative information regarding these items is as follows:

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |
($ in millions) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |
Retention |  | 81 |  | % | 86 |  |  |  | 81 |  | % | 86 |  |
Renewal pure price increase |  | 6.8 |  |  | 7.5 |  |  |  | 6.5 |  |  | 8.0 |  |

The decrease in retention was driven by targeted actions that we have taken to reduce our exposure to certain coverages that have historically been less profitable for us. Excluding the impact of these targeted actions, retention remains strong and comparable to last year.
NPE increases in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2014 compared to Third Quarter and Nine Months 2013 are consistent with the fluctuations in NPW for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.
The improvement in the GAAP loss and loss expense ratio of 10.1 points in Third Quarter 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 was driven by: (i) a decrease in catastrophe losses; and (ii) renewal pure price increases of 6.5% for Nine Months 2014 and 7.8% for full-year 2013, the earning of which exceeds our projected loss inflation trend for the casualty component of our Personal Lines. Partially offsetting these benefits were higher non-catastrophe property losses. Quantitative information regarding property losses and reserve development are as follows:

| Quarter ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Quarter ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  |  | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  | Change in Ratio |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 1.6 |  | 2.2 |  | pts |  | $ | 8.7 |  | 11.7 |  | pts | (9.5 | ) | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 21.7 |  | 29.2 |  |  |  | 19.9 |  | 26.6 |  |  | 2.6 |  |
Favorable prior year casualty development | (2.0 | ) | (2.7 | ) |  |  | (2.0 | ) | (2.7 | ) |  | — |  |

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The increase in the GAAP loss and loss expense ratio of 1.1 points in Nine Months 2014 compared to Nine Months 2013 was driven by storms and fires, resulting in: (i) an increased level of catastrophe losses; and (ii) higher non-catastrophe property losses. Partially offsetting these losses was the earning of renewal pure price increases that exceeded our projected loss inflation trend for the casualty component of our Personal Lines and favorable prior year casualty reserve development. Quantitative information regarding property losses and reserve development is as follows:

| Nine Months ended September 30, 2014 |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 |  |  |
($ in millions) | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  |  | Loss and Loss Expense Incurred | Impact on Loss and Loss Expense Ratio |  | Change in Ratio |
Catastrophe losses | $ | 22.6 |  | 10.1 |  | pts |  | $ | 17.1 |  | 7.7 |  | pts | 2.4 |  | pts
Non-catastrophe property losses | 73.0 |  | 32.6 |  |  |  | 66.0 |  | 29.8 |  |  | 2.8 |  |
Favorable prior year casualty development | (6.0 | ) | (2.7 | ) |  |  | (3.5 | ) | (1.7 | ) |  | (1.0 | ) |

Favorable prior year casualty reserve development in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 was driven by the 2010 through 2012 accident years on our personal auto line of business.
The increase in the underwriting expense ratios for each of the periods mentioned above were driven by higher supplemental commissions to agents.
E&S Insurance Operations
Our E&S Insurance Operations segment, which represents 8% of our combined insurance operations NPW, sells Commercial Lines insurance products and services in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through approximately 85 wholesale general agents. Insurance policies in this segment typically cover business risks with unique characteristics, such as the nature of the business or its claim history, that have not obtained coverage in the standard commercial marketplace. E&S insurers have more flexibility in coverage terms and rates compared to standard market insurers, generally resulting in policies with higher rates, and terms and conditions that are customized for specific risks.

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  |  |  |  | Nine Months ended September 30, |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |  |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | Change % or Points |
GAAP Insurance Operations Results: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPW |  | $ | 39,635 |  |  | 35,575 |  |  | 11 |  | % |  | $ | 107,479 |  |  | 96,621 |  |  | 11 |  | %
NPE |  | 36,119 |  |  | 31,892 |  |  | 13 |  |  |  | 102,929 |  |  | 91,998 |  |  | 12 |  |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense incurred |  | 24,443 |  |  | 20,620 |  |  | 19 |  |  |  | 66,723 |  |  | 60,812 |  |  | 10 |  |
Net underwriting expenses incurred |  | 13,047 |  |  | 11,259 |  |  | 16 |  |  |  | 36,639 |  |  | 33,372 |  |  | 10 |  |
Underwriting gain (loss) |  | $ | (1,371 | ) |  | 13 |  |  | (10,646 | ) | % |  | $ | (433 | ) |  | (2,186 | ) |  | 80 |  | %
GAAP Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 67.7 |  | % | 64.7 |  |  | 3.0 |  | pts |  | 64.8 |  | % | 66.1 |  |  | (1.3 | ) | pts
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 36.1 |  |  | 35.3 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  |  | 35.6 |  |  | 36.3 |  |  | (0.7 | ) |
Combined ratio |  | 103.8 |  |  | 100.0 |  |  | 3.8 |  |  |  | 100.4 |  |  | 102.4 |  |  | (2.0 | ) |
Statutory Ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense ratio |  | 67.6 |  |  | 64.7 |  |  | 2.9 |  |  |  | 64.9 |  |  | 66.2 |  |  | (1.3 | ) |
Underwriting expense ratio |  | 35.3 |  |  | 35.8 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  |  | 35.4 |  |  | 35.7 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |
Combined ratio |  | 102.9 |  | % | 100.5 |  |  | 2.4 |  | pts |  | 100.3 |  | % | 101.9 |  |  | (1.6 | ) | pts

The increase in the combined ratio in Third Quarter 2014 compared to Third Quarter 2013 was driven by unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development in Third Quarter 2014 of $4.0 million, or 11.0 points, compared to no prior year casualty reserve development in Third Quarter 2013. Partially offsetting this increase was the following:

• | Significant underwriting actions that we have implemented to increase premiums and improve profitability, including achieving renewal pure price increases of 2.8% in Third Quarter 2014; and

• | Catastrophe losses of 1.4 points in Third Quarter 2014 compared to 3.1 points in Third Quarter 2013.

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The improvement in the combined ratio in Nine Months 2014 compared to Nine Months 2013 was driven by the following:

• | Significant underwriting actions mentioned above, including achieving renewal pure price increases of 3.8% in Nine Months 2014; and

• | Catastrophe losses of 2.3 points in Nine Months 2014 compared to 4.2 points in Nine Months 2013.

These year-to-date benefits were partially offset by unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development of $4.0 million, or 3.8 points, in Nine Months 2014 compared to $2.5 million, or 2.7 points, in Nine Months 2013.
Reinsurance: Standard Insurance Operations
Reinsurance Treaties and Arrangements
We have successfully completed negotiations of our July 1, 2014 Standard Insurance Operations excess of loss treaties with
some enhancements in terms and conditions and the same structure as the expiring treaties as follows:
Property Excess of Loss
The property excess of loss treaty ("Property Treaty") continues to provide $38.0 million of coverage in excess of a $2.0 million retention:

• | The per occurrence cap on the total program is $84.0 million.

• | The first layer continues to have unlimited reinstatements. The annual aggregate limit for the $30.0 million in excess of $10.0 million second layer is $120.0 million.

• | The Property Treaty continues to exclude nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological terrorism losses.

Casualty Excess of Loss
The casualty excess of loss treaty (“Casualty Treaty”) continues to provide $88.0 million of coverage in excess of a $2.0 million retention:

• | The first through sixth layers provide coverage for 100% of up to $88.0 million in excess of a $2.0 million

retention.

• | The Casualty Treaty excludes nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological terrorism losses, with the annual aggregate terrorism limits increased to $208.0 million from $201.0 million.

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Investments
Our investment philosophy includes certain return and risk objectives for the fixed income, equity, and other investment portfolios. Although yield and income generation remain the key drivers to our investment strategy, our overall philosophy is to invest with a long-term horizon along with predominantly a “buy-and-hold” approach. The primary fixed income portfolio return objective is to maximize after-tax investment yield and income while balancing risk. A secondary objective is to meet or exceed a weighted-average benchmark of public fixed income indices. Within the equity portfolio, the high dividend yield strategy is designed to generate consistent dividend income while maintaining an expected tracking error to the S&P 500 Index. Additional equity strategies are focused on meeting or exceeding strategy-specific benchmarks of public equity indices. The return objective of the other investment portfolio, which includes alternative investments, is to meet or exceed the S&P 500 Index.

Total Invested Assets |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013 |  | Change %
Total invested assets |  | $ | 4,803,127 |  |  | 4,583,312 |  |  | 5 | %
Unrealized gain – before tax |  | 115,439 |  |  | 79,236 |  |  | 46 |
Unrealized gain – after tax |  | 75,035 |  |  | 51,504 |  |  | 46 |

The increase in our investment portfolio compared to year-end 2013 was primarily due to: (i) cash flows provided by operating activities of $158.1 million; and (ii) an increase in pre-tax unrealized gains of $36.2 million. These gains were driven by increases in the market value of our fixed income securities portfolio as interest rates decreased during Nine Months 2014.
During Nine Months 2014, interest rates on the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note fell by 54 basis points. This decline in interest rates increased the unrealized gain position on our fixed income securities portfolio. While the low interest rate environment presents a challenge to us in generating after-tax return, we believe the after-tax yield on our fixed income securities portfolio has stabilized at around 2.25%, as new purchase yields are approximating the average yield on bonds that are currently being disposed.
We structure our portfolio conservatively with a focus on: (i) asset diversification; (ii) investment quality; (iii) liquidity, particularly to meet the cash obligations of our insurance operations segments; (iv) consideration of taxes; and (v) preservation of capital. We believe that we have a high quality and liquid investment portfolio. The breakdown of our investment portfolio is as follows:

|  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013 |
U.S. government obligations |  | 3 | % | 4 |
Foreign government obligations |  | 1 |  | 1 |
State and municipal obligations |  | 32 |  | 28 |
Corporate securities |  | 37 |  | 39 |
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) |  | 14 |  | 15 |
Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) |  | 3 |  | 3 |
Total fixed income securities |  | 90 |  | 90 |
Equity securities |  | 4 |  | 4 |
Short-term investments |  | 4 |  | 4 |
Other investments |  | 2 |  | 2 |
Total |  | 100 | % | 100 |

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Fixed Income Securities
The average duration of the fixed income securities portfolio as of September 30, 2014 was 3.6 years, including short-term investments, compared to the Insurance Subsidiaries’ liability duration of approximately 3.8 years. The current duration of the fixed income securities portfolio is within our historical range, and is monitored and managed to maximize yield while managing interest rate risk at an acceptable level. We manage liquidity with a laddered maturity structure and an appropriate level of short-term investments to avoid liquidation of available-for-sale ("AFS") fixed income securities in the ordinary course of business. We typically have a long investment time horizon, and every purchase or sale is made with the intent of maximizing risk-adjusted investment returns in the current market environment while balancing capital preservation.
Our fixed income securities portfolio had a weighted average credit rating of “AA-" as of September 30, 2014. The following table presents the credit ratings of this portfolio:

Fixed Income Security Rating |  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013 |
Aaa/AAA |  | 16 | % | 15 |
Aa/AA |  | 45 |  | 45 |
A/A |  | 25 |  | 26 |
Baa/BBB |  | 13 |  | 13 |
Ba/BB or below |  | 1 |  | 1 |
Total |  | 100 | % | 100 |

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The following table summarizes the fair value, unrealized gain (loss) balances, and the weighted average credit qualities of our AFS fixed income securities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

|  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013
($ in millions) |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Gain (Loss) |  | Weighted Average Credit Quality |  | Fair Value |  | Unrealized Gain (Loss) |  | Weighted Average Credit Quality
AFS Fixed Income Portfolio: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government obligations |  | $ | 151.7 |  |  | 7.9 |  |  | AA+ |  | 173.4 |  |  | 10.1 |  |  | AA+
Foreign government obligations |  | 27.9 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  | AA- |  | 30.6 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  | AA-
State and municipal obligations |  | 1,229.2 |  |  | 32.8 |  |  | AA |  | 951.6 |  |  | 5.2 |  |  | AA
Corporate securities |  | 1,763.1 |  |  | 38.0 |  |  | A- |  | 1,734.9 |  |  | 27.0 |  |  | A
ABS |  | 147.0 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | AAA |  | 140.9 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | AAA
MBS |  | 648.7 |  |  | 3.5 |  |  | AA+ |  | 684.1 |  |  | (4.0 | ) |  | AA+
Total AFS fixed income portfolio |  | $ | 3,967.6 |  |  | 83.4 |  |  | AA- |  | 3,715.5 |  |  | 39.6 |  |  | AA-
State and Municipal Obligations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligations |  | $ | 564.5 |  |  | 14.6 |  |  | AA+ |  | 472.0 |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | AA+
Special revenue obligations |  | 664.7 |  |  | 18.2 |  |  | AA |  | 479.6 |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | AA
Total state and municipal obligations |  | $ | 1,229.2 |  |  | 32.8 |  |  | AA |  | 951.6 |  |  | 5.2 |  |  | AA
Corporate Securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial |  | $ | 541.7 |  |  | 11.5 |  |  | A |  | 534.1 |  |  | 11.7 |  |  | A
Industrials |  | 141.1 |  |  | 4.3 |  |  | A- |  | 135.1 |  |  | 3.7 |  |  | A-
Utilities |  | 150.2 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | BBB+ |  | 146.5 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | A-
Consumer discretionary |  | 204.1 |  |  | 5.4 |  |  | A- |  | 190.6 |  |  | 2.7 |  |  | A-
Consumer staples |  | 176.9 |  |  | 3.6 |  |  | A- |  | 171.9 |  |  | 3.0 |  |  | A
Healthcare |  | 169.5 |  |  | 4.3 |  |  | A |  | 168.5 |  |  | 3.1 |  |  | A
Materials |  | 109.8 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | BBB+ |  | 101.2 |  |  | 1.4 |  |  | A-
Energy |  | 105.9 |  |  | 1.5 |  |  | A- |  | 93.7 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | A-
Information technology |  | 111.9 |  |  | 1.2 |  |  | A+ |  | 121.2 |  |  | (0.6 | ) |  | A+
Telecommunications services |  | 49.2 |  |  | 1.1 |  |  | BBB+ |  | 64.7 |  |  | 1.0 |  |  | BBB+
Other |  | 2.8 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | AA |  | 7.4 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | AA+
Total corporate securities |  | $ | 1,763.1 |  |  | 38.0 |  |  | A- |  | 1,734.9 |  |  | 27.0 |  |  | A
ABS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ABS |  | $ | 146.6 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | AAA |  | 140.4 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | AAA
Sub-prime ABS 1 |  | 0.4 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | D |  | 0.5 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | D
Total ABS |  | 147.0 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | AAA |  | 140.9 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | AAA
MBS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Government guaranteed agency commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") |  | $ | 17.6 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | AA+ |  | 30.0 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | AA+
Other agency CMBS |  | 10.6 |  |  | (0.2 | ) |  | AA+ |  | 9.1 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | AA+
Non-agency CMBS |  | 137.3 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | AA+ |  | 132.2 |  |  | (1.5 | ) |  | AA+
Government guaranteed agency residential MBS ("RMBS") |  | 35.9 |  |  | 1.0 |  |  | AA+ |  | 55.2 |  |  | 1.4 |  |  | AA+
Other agency RMBS |  | 406.3 |  |  | 1.3 |  |  | AA+ |  | 411.5 |  |  | (5.1 | ) |  | AA+
Non-agency RMBS |  | 37.1 |  |  | 0.6 |  |  | A- |  | 41.4 |  |  | 0.6 |  |  | A-
Alternative-A (“Alt-A”) RMBS |  | 3.9 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | A |  | 4.7 |  |  | — |  |  | A
Total MBS |  | $ | 648.7 |  |  | 3.5 |  |  | AA+ |  | 684.1 |  |  | (4.0 | ) |  | AA+

1 Subprime ABS consists of one security whose issuer is currently expected by rating agencies to default on its obligations. We define sub-prime exposure as exposure to direct and indirect investments in non-agency residential mortgages with average FICO® scores below 650.
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The following tables provide information regarding our held-to-maturity (“HTM”) fixed income securities and their credit qualities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

September 30, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in millions) |  | Fair Value |  | Carry Value |  | Unrecognized Holding Gain (Loss) |  | Unrealized Gain (Loss) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") |  | Total Unrealized/ Unrecognized Gain (Loss) |  | Weighted Average Credit Quality
HTM Fixed Income Portfolio: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign government obligations |  | $ | 5.4 |  |  | 5.4 |  |  | — |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | AA+
State and municipal obligations |  | 317.6 |  |  | 303.6 |  |  | 14.0 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | 16.4 |  |  | AA
Corporate securities |  | 22.8 |  |  | 20.0 |  |  | 2.8 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | 2.5 |  |  | A+
ABS |  | 3.1 |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  | — |  |  | AAA
MBS |  | 5.3 |  |  | 4.5 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  | 0.3 |  |  | AAA
Total HTM fixed income portfolio |  | $ | 354.2 |  |  | 336.1 |  |  | 18.1 |  |  | 1.2 |  |  | 19.3 |  |  | AA
State and Municipal Obligations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligations |  | $ | 107.0 |  |  | 103.0 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  | 1.2 |  |  | 5.2 |  |  | AA
Special revenue obligations |  | 210.6 |  |  | 200.6 |  |  | 10.0 |  |  | 1.2 |  |  | 11.2 |  |  | AA
Total state and municipal obligations |  | $ | 317.6 |  |  | 303.6 |  |  | 14.0 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | 16.4 |  |  | AA
Corporate Securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial |  | $ | 2.3 |  |  | 1.9 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  | 0.3 |  |  | A-
Industrials |  | 6.7 |  |  | 5.7 |  |  | 1.0 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  | 0.9 |  |  | A+
Utilities |  | 13.5 |  |  | 12.1 |  |  | 1.4 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  | 1.3 |  |  | A+
Consumer staples |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | AA
Total corporate securities |  | $ | 22.8 |  |  | 20.0 |  |  | 2.8 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | 2.5 |  |  | A+
ABS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ABS |  | $ | 0.7 |  |  | 0.7 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | AA
Alt-A ABS |  | 2.4 |  |  | 1.9 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  | — |  |  | AAA
Total ABS |  | $ | 3.1 |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  | — |  |  | AAA
MBS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-agency CMBS |  | $ | 5.3 |  |  | 4.5 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  | 0.3 |  |  | AAA
Total MBS |  | $ | 5.3 |  |  | 4.5 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  | 0.3 |  |  | AAA

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December 31, 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in millions) |  | Fair Value |  | Carry Value |  | Unrecognized Holding Gain (Loss) |  | Unrealized Gain (Loss) in AOCI |  | Total Unrealized/ Unrecognized Gain (Loss) |  | Weighted Average Credit Quality
HTM Portfolio: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign government obligations |  | $ | 5.6 |  |  | 5.4 |  |  | 0.2 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | AA+
State and municipal obligations |  | 369.8 |  |  | 352.2 |  |  | 17.6 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  | 21.6 |  |  | AA
Corporate securities |  | 30.3 |  |  | 27.8 |  |  | 2.5 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | 2.2 |  |  | A
ABS |  | 3.4 |  |  | 2.8 |  |  | 0.6 |  |  | (0.6 | ) |  | — |  |  | AA+
MBS |  | 7.9 |  |  | 4.7 |  |  | 3.2 |  |  | (0.9 | ) |  | 2.3 |  |  | AA-
Total HTM portfolio |  | $ | 417.0 |  |  | 392.9 |  |  | 24.1 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | 26.4 |  |  | AA
State and Municipal Obligations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligations |  | $ | 118.5 |  |  | 113.1 |  |  | 5.4 |  |  | 2.0 |  |  | 7.4 |  |  | AA
Special revenue obligations |  | 251.3 |  |  | 239.1 |  |  | 12.2 |  |  | 2.0 |  |  | 14.2 |  |  | AA
Total state and municipal obligations |  | $ | 369.8 |  |  | 352.2 |  |  | 17.6 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  | 21.6 |  |  | AA
Corporate Securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial |  | $ | 7.3 |  |  | 6.8 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  | 0.4 |  |  | BBB+
Industrials |  | 7.8 |  |  | 6.8 |  |  | 1.0 |  |  | (0.2 | ) |  | 0.8 |  |  | A+
Utilities |  | 13.2 |  |  | 12.2 |  |  | 1.0 |  |  | — |  |  | 1.0 |  |  | A+
Consumer discretionary |  | 2.0 |  |  | 2.0 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | AA
Total corporate securities |  | $ | 30.3 |  |  | 27.8 |  |  | 2.5 |  |  | (0.3 | ) |  | 2.2 |  |  | A
ABS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ABS |  | $ | 0.9 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | A
Alt-A ABS |  | 2.5 |  |  | 1.9 |  |  | 0.6 |  |  | (0.6 | ) |  | — |  |  | AAA
Total ABS |  | $ | 3.4 |  |  | 2.8 |  |  | 0.6 |  |  | (0.6 | ) |  | — |  |  | AA+
MBS: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-agency CMBS |  | $ | 7.9 |  |  | 4.7 |  |  | 3.2 |  |  | (0.9 | ) |  | 2.3 |  |  | AA-
Total MBS |  | $ | 7.9 |  |  | 4.7 |  |  | 3.2 |  |  | (0.9 | ) |  | 2.3 |  |  | AA-

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The sector composition and credit quality of our municipal bonds did not significantly change from December 31, 2013. For details regarding our special revenue bond sectors and additional information regarding credit risk and our management of MBS exposure, see Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” of our 2013 Annual Report.
The following table details the top 10 state exposures of the municipal bond portion of our fixed income securities portfolio at September 30, 2014:

State Exposures of Municipal Bonds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | General Obligation |  | Special Revenue |  | Fair Value |  | % of Total |  | Weighted Average Credit Quality
($ in thousands) |  | Local |  | State |  |  |
New York |  | $ | 15,874 |  |  | — |  |  | 115,374 |  |  | 131,248 |  |  | 9% |  | AA+
Texas 1 |  | 61,698 |  |  | 5,890 |  |  | 62,726 |  |  | 130,314 |  |  | 9% |  | AA+
Washington |  | 39,316 |  |  | 6,972 |  |  | 50,346 |  |  | 96,634 |  |  | 6% |  | AA
California |  | 15,281 |  |  | 7,964 |  |  | 59,371 |  |  | 82,616 |  |  | 5% |  | AA
Florida |  | — |  |  | 15,511 |  |  | 50,086 |  |  | 65,597 |  |  | 4% |  | AA
Arizona |  | 11,734 |  |  | 999 |  |  | 43,924 |  |  | 56,657 |  |  | 4% |  | AA
Colorado |  | 31,654 |  |  | — |  |  | 20,999 |  |  | 52,653 |  |  | 3% |  | AA-
Oregon |  | 21,015 |  |  | — |  |  | 26,599 |  |  | 47,614 |  |  | 3% |  | AA+
Missouri |  | 15,835 |  |  | 10,114 |  |  | 21,540 |  |  | 47,489 |  |  | 3% |  | AA+
Ohio |  | 8,419 |  |  | 19,109 |  |  | 18,359 |  |  | 45,887 |  |  | 3% |  | AA+
Other |  | 160,045 |  |  | 152,487 |  |  | 335,366 |  |  | 647,898 |  |  | 42% |  | AA
|  | 380,871 |  |  | 219,046 |  |  | 804,690 |  |  | 1,404,607 |  |  | 91% |  | AA
Pre-refunded/escrowed to maturity bonds |  | 53,972 |  |  | 17,592 |  |  | 70,672 |  |  | 142,236 |  |  | 9% |  | AA+
Total |  | $ | 434,843 |  |  | 236,638 |  |  | 875,362 |  |  | 1,546,843 |  |  | 100% |  | AA
% of Total Municipal Portfolio |  | 28 | % |  | 15 | % |  | 57 | % |  | 100 | % |  |  |  |

1 Of the $62 million in local Texas general obligation bonds, $27 million represents investments in Texas Permanent School Fund bonds, which are considered to have lower risk as a result of the bond guarantee program that supports these bonds.
A portion of our municipal bonds contain insurance enhancements. The following table provides information regarding these insurance-enhanced securities as of September 30, 2014:

Insurers of Municipal Bond Securities |  |  |  |  |  |
($ in thousands) |  | Fair Value |  | Ratings with Insurance |  | Ratings without Insurance
National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation, a subsidiary of MBIA, Inc. |  | $ | 162,893 |  |  | AA- |  | AA-
Assured Guaranty |  | 131,341 |  |  | AA |  | AA-
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. |  | 51,292 |  |  | AA |  | AA-
Other |  | 10,486 |  |  | AA |  | AA-
Total |  | $ | 356,012 |  |  | AA |  | AA-

Equity Securities
Our equity securities portfolio was 4% of invested assets as of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, while the value of this portfolio increased modestly to $211.3 million from $192.8 million over the same time period. During Nine Months 2014, we rebalanced our high dividend yield strategy holdings within this portfolio, generating purchases of $185.4 million and sales of securities that had an original cost of $159.1 million.
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Unrealized/Unrecognized Losses
Our net unrealized/unrecognized loss positions improved by $32.8 million, to $19.3 million, as of September 30, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013. The majority of this improvement was in our fixed income securities portfolio, reflecting declining interest rates in the marketplace during Nine Months 2014.
The following table presents amortized cost and fair value information for our AFS fixed income securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2014 by contractual maturity:

($ in thousands) |  | Amortized Cost |  | Fair Value | Unrealized Loss
One year or less |  | $ | 9,092 |  |  | 8,984 |  | 108 |
Due after one year through five years |  | 486,229 |  |  | 481,165 |  | 5,064 |
Due after five years through ten years |  | 511,727 |  |  | 501,707 |  | 10,020 |
Due after ten years |  | 11,008 |  |  | 10,908 |  | 100 |
Total |  | $ | 1,018,056 |  |  | 1,002,764 |  | 15,292 |

The following table presents amortized cost and fair value information for our HTM fixed income securities that were in an unrealized/unrecognized loss position at September 30, 2014 by contractual maturity:

($ in thousands) |  | Amortized Cost |  | Fair Value | Unrecognized/Unrealized Loss
One year or less |  | $ | 461 |  |  | 460 |  | 1 |
Due after one year through five years |  | 2,442 |  |  | 2,428 |  | 14 |
Total |  | $ | 2,903 |  |  | 2,888 |  | 15 |

We have reviewed the securities in the tables above in accordance with our OTTI policy, which is discussed in Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report. We have concluded that these securities were temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2014. For additional information regarding the unrealized/unrecognized losses in our AFS and HTM portfolios, see Note 5. “Investments” in Item 1. “Financial Statements.” of this Form 10-Q.
Other Investments
As of September 30, 2014, other investments of $106.5 million represented 2% of our total invested assets. In addition to the capital that we have already invested to date, we are contractually obligated to invest up to an additional $50.3 million in our other investments portfolio through commitments that currently expire at various dates through 2026. For a description of our seven alternative investment strategies, as well as redemption, restrictions, and fund liquidations, refer to Note 5. “Investments” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report.
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Net Investment Income
The components of net investment income earned for the indicated periods were as follows:

|  | Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Fixed income securities |  | $ | 30,706 |  |  | 30,569 |  |  | 95,515 |  |  | 90,956 |
Equity securities |  | 1,909 |  |  | 1,341 |  |  | 5,094 |  |  | 4,422 |
Short-term investments |  | 15 |  |  | 21 |  |  | 48 |  |  | 102 |
Other investments |  | 3,906 |  |  | 2,639 |  |  | 12,677 |  |  | 10,110 |
Investment expenses |  | (2,244 | ) |  | (2,113 | ) |  | (6,734 | ) |  | (6,260 | )
Net investment income earned – before tax |  | 34,292 |  |  | 32,457 |  |  | 106,600 |  |  | 99,330 |
Net investment income tax expense |  | (8,527 | ) |  | (7,947 | ) |  | (26,928 | ) |  | (24,281 | )
Net investment income earned – after tax |  | $ | 25,765 |  |  | 24,510 |  |  | 79,672 |  |  | 75,049 |
Effective tax rate |  | 24.9 | % |  | 24.5 |  |  | 25.3 |  |  | 24.4 |
Annualized after-tax yield on fixed income securities |  | 2.2 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | 2.3 |
Annualized after-tax yield on investment portfolio |  | 2.2 |  |  | 2.2 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | 2.3 |

Net investment income before tax increased in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 compared to the same prior year periods. Both the quarter and year-to-date periods were positively impacted by higher income from the alternative investments within our other investments portfolio. In addition, in Nine Months 2014, higher income from our fixed income securities was driven by an increase in the size of this portfolio, which more than offset the lower yield earned this year compared to last.
Realized Gains and Losses
Our general philosophy for sales of securities is to reduce our exposure to securities and sectors based on economic evaluations and when the fundamentals for that security or sector have deteriorated, or to opportunistically trade out of securities to other securities with better economic return characteristics. We typically have a long investment time horizon, and every purchase or sale is made with the intent of maximizing risk-adjusted investment returns in the current market environment while balancing capital preservation. Total net realized gains amounted to $15.2 million in Third Quarter 2014 and $27.0 million in Nine Months 2014, compared to $13.4 million and $21.9 million in the same periods a year ago. These amounts included OTTI charges of $1.4 million in Nine Months 2014, $0.7 million in Third Quarter 2013, and $3.2 million in Nine Months 2013. There were no OTTI charges in Third Quarter 2014.
We regularly review our entire investment portfolio for declines in fair value. If we believe that a decline in the value of a particular investment is other than temporary, we record it as an OTTI, through realized losses in earnings for the credit-related portion and through unrealized losses in other comprehensive income ("OCI") for the non-credit related portion. If there is a decline in fair value of an equity security that we do not intend to hold, or if we determine that the decline is other than temporary, we write down the cost of the investment to fair value and record the charge through earnings as a component of realized losses.
For discussion of our realized gains and losses as well as our OTTI methodology, see Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report, and for qualitative information about our OTTI charges, see Note 5. "Investments" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this
Form 10-Q.
Federal Income Taxes
The following table provides information regarding federal income taxes from continuing operations:

| Quarter ended September 30, |  | Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in million) | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Federal income tax expense from continuing operations | $ | 22.2 |  |  | 11.8 |  |  | 39.5 |  |  | 27.5 |
Effective tax rate | 29 | % |  | 27 |  |  | 28 |  |  | 25 |

The increase in federal income tax expense in Third Quarter 2014 and Nine Months 2014 compared to the same prior year periods was primarily due to an improvement in underwriting results compared to last year. For a discussion of our underwriting results, see the "Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment" section above.
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Financial Condition, Liquidity, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Resources
Capital resources and liquidity reflect our ability to generate cash flows from business operations, borrow funds at competitive rates, and raise new capital to meet operating and growth needs.
Liquidity
We manage liquidity with a focus on generating sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our cash and short-term investment position of $184.1 million at September 30, 2014 was comprised of $44.9 million at Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (the "Parent") and $139.2 million at the Insurance Subsidiaries. Short-term investments are generally maintained in "AAA" rated money market funds approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The Parent continues to maintain a fixed income security investment portfolio containing high-quality, highly-liquid government and corporate fixed income securities to generate additional yield. This portfolio amounted to $52 million at September 30, 2014 compared to $56 million at December 31, 2013.
Sources of cash for the Parent have historically consisted of dividends from the Insurance Subsidiaries, borrowings under lines of credit and loan agreements with certain Insurance Subsidiaries, and the issuance of stock and debt securities. We continue to monitor these sources, giving consideration to our long-term liquidity and capital preservation strategies.
We currently anticipate the Insurance Subsidiaries will pay approximately $57.5 million in total dividends to the Parent in 2014. Cash dividends of $43.1 million were paid in Nine Months 2014. As of December 31, 2013, our allowable ordinary maximum dividend was approximately $127 million for 2014.
Any dividends to the Parent are subject to the approval and/or review of the insurance regulators in the respective domiciliary states and are generally payable only from earned surplus as reported in the statutory annual statements of those subsidiaries as of the preceding December 31. Although past dividends have historically been met with regulatory approval, there is no assurance that future dividends that may be declared will be approved. For additional information regarding dividend restrictions, refer to Note 20. “Statutory Financial Information, Capital Requirements, and Restrictions on Dividends and Transfers of Funds” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2013 Annual Report.
The Parent had no private or public issuances of stock during Nine Months 2014 and there were no borrowings under its $30 million line of credit ("Line of Credit") at September 30, 2014 or at any time during Nine Months 2014.
We have two Insurance Subsidiaries domiciled in Indiana ("Indiana Subsidiaries") that are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI"). These Insurance Subsidiaries are Selective Insurance Company of South Carolina ("SICSC") and Selective Insurance Company of the Southeast ("SICSE"). Membership in the FHLBI provides these subsidiaries with access to additional liquidity. The Indiana Subsidiaries' aggregate investment of $2.9 million provides them with the ability to borrow up to 20 times the total amount of the FHLBI common stock purchased, at comparatively low borrowing rates. All borrowings from the FHLBI are required to be secured by certain investments. For additional information regarding the required collateral, refer to Note 5. "Investments" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q.
The Parent's Line of Credit agreement permits collateralized borrowings by the Indiana Subsidiaries from the FHLBI so long as the aggregate amount borrowed does not exceed 10% of the respective Indiana Subsidiary's admitted assets from the preceding calendar year. Admitted assets amounted to $542.4 million for SICSC and $414.9 million for SICSE as of December 31, 2013, for a borrowing capacity of approximately $96 million. As our outstanding borrowing with the FHLBI is currently $58 million, the Indiana Subsidiaries have the ability to borrow approximately $38 million more until the Line of Credit borrowing limit is met, of which $30 million could be loaned to the Parent under lending agreements approved by the Indiana Department of Insurance. Similar to the Line of Credit agreement, these lending agreements limit borrowings by the Parent from the Indiana Subsidiaries to 10% of the admitted assets of the respective Indiana Subsidiary. For additional information regarding the Parent's Line of Credit, refer to the section below entitled “Short-term Borrowings.”
The Insurance Subsidiaries also generate liquidity through insurance float, which is created by collecting premiums and earning investment income before losses are paid. The period of the float can extend over many years. Our investment portfolio consists of maturity dates that are laddered to continually provide a source of cash flows for claims payments in the ordinary course of business. The duration of the fixed income securities portfolio including short-term investments was 3.6 years as of September 30, 2014, while the liabilities of the Insurance Subsidiaries have a duration of 3.8 years. In addition, the Insurance Subsidiaries purchase reinsurance coverage for protection against any significantly large claims or catastrophes that may occur during the year.
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The liquidity generated from the sources discussed above is used, among other things, to pay dividends to our shareholders. Dividends on shares of the Parent's common stock are declared and paid at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on our operating results, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other relevant factors. On October 29, 2014, our Board of Directors declared, for stockholders of record as of November 14, 2014, a $0.14 per share dividend to be paid on December 1, 2014. This is an 8% increase compared to the dividend declared on July 30, 2014.
Our ability to meet our interest and principal repayment obligations on our debt, as well as our ability to continue to pay dividends to our stockholders, is dependent on liquidity at the Parent coupled with the ability of the Insurance Subsidiaries to pay dividends, if necessary, and/or the availability of other sources of liquidity to the Parent. Upcoming principal payments on our debt include $13 million in December 2014 and $45 million in December 2016. Subsequent to 2016, our next principal repayment is due in 2034. Restrictions on the ability of the Insurance Subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends, without alternative liquidity options, could materially affect our ability to service debt and pay dividends on common stock.
Short-term Borrowings
Our Line of Credit with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), was renewed effective September 26, 2013 with a borrowing capacity of $30 million, which can be increased to $50 million with the approval of both lending partners.
The Line of Credit provides the Parent with an additional source of short-term liquidity. The interest rate on our Line of Credit varies and is based on, among other factors, the Parent’s debt ratings. The Line of Credit expires on September 26, 2017. There were no balances outstanding under the Line of Credit at September 30, 2014 or at any time during Nine Months 2014.
The Line of Credit agreement contains representations, warranties, and covenants that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including, without limitation, financial covenants under which we are obligated to maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, minimum combined statutory surplus, and maximum ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization, as well as covenants limiting our ability to: (i) merge or liquidate; (ii) incur debt or liens; (iii) dispose of assets; (iv) make certain investments and acquisitions; and (v) engage in transactions with affiliates.
The table below outlines information regarding certain of the covenants in the Line of Credit:

| Required as of September 30, 2014 | Actual as of September 30, 2014
Consolidated net worth | $857 million | $1.3 billion
Statutory surplus | Not less than $750 million | $1.3 billion
Debt-to-capitalization ratio 1 | Not to exceed 35% | 23.9%
A.M. Best financial strength rating | Minimum of A- | A

1 | Calculated in accordance with the Line of Credit agreement.

Capital Resources
Capital resources provide protection for policyholders, furnish the financial strength to support the business of underwriting insurance risks, and facilitate continued business growth. At September 30, 2014, we had statutory surplus of $1.3 billion, GAAP stockholders’ equity of $1.3 billion, and total debt of $392.3 million, which equates to a debt-to-capital ratio of approximately 23.6%.
Our cash requirements include, but are not limited to, principal and interest payments on various notes payable, dividends to stockholders, payment of claims, payment of commitments under limited partnership agreements and capital expenditures, as well as other operating expenses, which include agents’ commissions, labor costs, premium taxes, general and administrative expenses, and income taxes. For further details regarding our cash requirements, refer to the section below entitled, “Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities, and Commitments.”
We continually monitor our cash requirements and the amount of capital resources that we maintain at the holding company and operating subsidiary levels. As part of our long-term capital strategy, we strive to maintain capital metrics, relative to the macroeconomic environment, that support our targeted financial strength. Based on our analysis and market conditions, we may take a variety of actions, including, but not limited to, contributing capital to the Insurance Subsidiaries in our insurance operations, issuing additional debt and/or equity securities, repurchasing shares of the Parent’s common stock, and increasing stockholders’ dividends.
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Our capital management strategy is intended to protect the interests of the policyholders of the Insurance Subsidiaries and our stockholders, while enhancing our financial strength and underwriting capacity.
Book value per share increased to $22.45 as of September 30, 2014, from $20.63 as of December 31, 2013, due to $1.78 in net income coupled with a $0.42 increase in unrealized gains on our investment portfolio. These items were partially offset by $0.40 in dividends to our shareholders.
Ratings
We are rated by major rating agencies that issue opinions on our financial strength, operating performance, strategic position, and ability to meet policyholder obligations. We believe that our ability to write insurance business is most influenced by our rating from A.M. Best. In the second quarter of 2014, A.M. Best reaffirmed our rating of "A (Excellent)," their third highest of 13 financial strength ratings, with a “stable” outlook. The rating reflects our strong risk-adjusted capitalization, disciplined underwriting focus, increasing use of predictive modeling technology, strong independent retail agency relationships, and consistently stable loss reserves. We have been rated “A” or higher by A.M. Best for the past 84 years. A downgrade from A.M. Best to a rating below “A-” is an event of default under our Line of Credit and could affect our ability to write new business with customers and/or agents, some of whom are required (under various third-party agreements) to maintain insurance with a carrier that maintains a specified A.M. Best minimum rating.
Ratings by other major rating agencies are as follows:

• | Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") – Our “A+” rating was reaffirmed in the second quarter of 2014, citing our improved underwriting results, strong independent agency relationships, solid loss reserve position, and enhanced diversification through continued efforts to reduce our concentration in New Jersey. Our outlook has been revised to stable reflecting operating earnings-based interest coverage that showed improvement in 2013.

• | Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") – On October 8, 2014, S&P reaffirmed our financial strength rating of “A-” and revised our outlook to positive from stable. The rating reflects our strong business risk profile, strong competitive position and very strong capital and earnings. The positive outlook for the rating reflects S&P's view of ongoing efforts to improve the geographic and product diversification and reduce risk concentrations in catastrophe prone areas. In addition, the positive outlook reflects S&P's expectation that we will steadily improve our operating performance and that our capital adequacy will remain redundant at a very strong level.

• | Moody's Investor Service ("Moody's") – Our "A2" financial strength rating was reaffirmed in Third Quarter 2014 by Moody's, which cited our solid regional franchise with established independent agency support, solid risk adjusted capitalization, strong invested asset quality, and recently improving underwriting profitability. Our outlook remains negative, reflecting challenges in achieving further reductions in segment concentrations and maintaining the pace and consistency of profitability.

Our S&P, Moody's, and Fitch financial strength and associated credit ratings affect our ability to access capital markets. The interest rate on our Line of Credit varies and is based on, among other factors, the Parent's debt ratings. There can be no assurance that our ratings will continue for any given period of time or that they will not be changed. It is possible that positive or negative ratings actions by one or more of the rating agencies may occur in the future.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we did not have any material relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any material financing, liquidity, market, or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.
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Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities, and Commitments
Our future cash payments associated with: (i) loss and loss expense reserves; (ii) contractual obligations pursuant to operating leases for office space and equipment; (iii) notes payable; and (iv) contractual obligations related to our alternative and other investments portfolio have not materially changed since December 31, 2013. We expect to have the capacity to repay and/or refinance these obligations as they come due.
We have issued no material guarantees on behalf of others and have no trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts accounted for at fair value. We have no material transactions with related parties other than those disclosed in Note 17. "Related Party Transactions" included in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." of our 2013 Annual Report.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
There have been no material changes in the information about market risk set forth in our 2013 Annual Report.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. In performing this evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework ("COSO Framework") in 2013, transitioning from the 1992 COSO Framework in Third Quarter 2014. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are: (i) effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting information on a timely basis that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act; and (ii) effective in ensuring that information that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) occurred during Nine Months 2014 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
In the ordinary course of conducting business, we are named as defendants in various legal proceedings. Most of these proceedings are claims litigation involving our Insurance Subsidiaries as either: (i) liability insurers defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds; or (ii) insurers defending first-party coverage claims brought against them. We account for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. We expect that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Our Insurance Subsidiaries are also from time to time involved in other legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example, improper reimbursement of medical providers paid under workers compensation and personal and commercial automobile insurance policies. Our Insurance Subsidiaries are also involved from time to time in individual actions in which extra-contractual damages, punitive damages, or penalties are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. We believe that we have valid defenses to these cases. We expect that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such lawsuits, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition. Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
Certain risk factors exist that can have a significant impact on our business, liquidity, capital resources, results of operations, financial condition, and debt ratings. The impact of these risk factors also could impact certain actions that we take as part of our long-term capital strategy, including but not limited to, contributing capital to any or all of the Insurance Subsidiaries, issuing additional debt and/or equity securities, repurchasing our equity securities, redeeming our fixed income securities, or increasing or decreasing, stockholders dividends. We operate in a continually changing business environment and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Consequently, we can neither predict such new risk factors nor assess the potential future impact, if any, they might have on our business. There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” in our 2013 Annual Report other than as discussed below.
We face risks regarding our flood business because of uncertainties regarding the NFIP.
We are the fifth largest insurance group participating in the write-your-own ("WYO") arrangement of the NFIP, which is managed by the Mitigation Division of Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For WYO participation, we receive an expense allowance for policies written and a servicing fee for claims administered. Under the program, all losses are 100% reinsured by the Federal Government. As of September 30, 2014, the expense allowance was 30.7% of direct premiums written. Also, as of September 30, 2014, the servicing fee was the combination of 0.9% of direct written premiums and 1.5% of incurred losses.
The NFIP is funded by Congress. In 2012, after the NFIP had numerous short-term funding delays, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (“Biggert-Waters Act”). The Biggert-Waters Act: (i) extended NFIP funding to September 30, 2017; and (ii) moved the program to more market based rates for certain flood policyholders. FEMA implemented these rates throughout 2013, which created significant public discontent and Congressional concern over the impact of the new rates on NFIP insureds.
Consequently, Congress passed and, on March 21, 2014, the President signed into law, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (“Flood Affordability Act”). The Flood Affordability Act substantially modifies certain provisions of the Biggert-Waters Act, and makes certain other program changes. Significantly, the Flood Affordability Act substantially modifies many of the Biggert-Waters Act rate increases. Consequently, we are working with FEMA to implement the new rate structures.
As a WYO carrier, we are required to follow certain NFIP procedures when administering flood policies and claims. Some of these requirements may differ from our normal business practices and may present a reputational risk to our brand. Insurance companies are regulated by states; however, the NFIP is a federal program. Consequently, we have the risk that regulatory positions taken by the NFIP and a state regulator on the same issue may conflict.
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Despite the passage of the Flood Affordability Act, the NFIP remains under scrutiny by policymakers. The uncertainty behind the public policy debate and politics of flood insurance funding and reform make it difficult for us to predict the future of the NFIP and the continued financial viability of our participation in the program.
We are subject to the risk that legislation will be passed significantly changing insurance regulation and adversely impacting our business, our financial condition, and our results of operations.
Changes in rules for Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"). In 2013, HUD finalized a new "Disparate Impact" regulation that may adversely impact insurers' ability to differentiate pricing for homeowners policies using traditional risk selection analysis. Three insurance industry trade associations are challenging the regulation in two separate Federal lawsuits, one by the American Insurance Association (“AIA”) and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (“NAMIC”) in the District of Columbia and the other by Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (“PCI”) in Chicago. No substantive decisions have yet been made in the AIA and NAMIC case. In the PCI case, the court ruled that HUD acted arbitrarily in considering comments regarding the application of the McCarran-Ferguson Act and has remanded the regulation back to HUD for review and reconsideration. It is uncertain to what extent the application of this regulation will impact the property and casualty industry and underwriting practices, but it could increase litigation costs, force changes in underwriting practices, and impair our ability to write homeowners business profitably. The outcome of the litigations and potential rulemaking cannot be predicted at this time.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
The following table provides information regarding our purchases of our common stock in Third Quarter 2014:

Period |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased 1 |  | Average Price Paid per Share |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs |  | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Announced Programs
July 1 – 31, 2014 |  | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
August 1 - 31, 2014 |  | 5,159 |  |  | 23.16 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
September 1 – 30, 2014 |  | 595 |  |  | 23.75 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total |  | 5,754 |  |  | $ | 23.22 |  |  | — |  |  | — |

1 During Third Quarter 2014, 5,754 shares were purchased from employees in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units. These repurchases were made to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to those employees. These shares were not purchased as part of any publicly announced program. The shares that were purchased in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units were purchased at fair market value as defined in the Selective Insurance Group, Inc. 2005 Omnibus Stock Plan As Amended and Restated Effective as of May 1, 2010.
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Item 6. EXHIBITS.
(a) Exhibits:

Exhibit No. |  |
* 11 |  | Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
* 31.1 |  | Certification of Chief Executive Officer in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
* 31.2 |  | Certification of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
* 32.1 |  | Certification of Chief Executive Officer in accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
* 32.2 |  | Certification of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with Section 906 of the 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.LAB |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
** 101.PRE |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
** 101.DEF |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished and not filed herewith.
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SIGNATURES
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 thereunto duly authorized.
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Registrant

By: /s/ Gregory E. Murphy | October 30, 2014
Gregory E. Murphy |
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
By: /s/ Dale A. Thatcher | October 30, 2014
Dale A. Thatcher |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
(principal accounting officer and principal financial officer) |

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