v2.4.0.8
Investments
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Investments
Investments
Available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 included the following:
 
June 30, 2013
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
206,778

 
$
8,427

 
$
(1,383
)
 
$
213,822

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
53,486

 
3,732

 
(293
)
 
56,925

State and municipal bonds
1,204,739

 
55,546

 
(7,113
)
 
1,253,172

Corporate debt
1,502,700

 
60,506

 
(16,314
)
 
1,546,892

Residential mortgage-backed securities
263,844

 
10,382

 
(1,993
)
*
272,233

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
43,696

 
822

 
(69
)
 
44,449

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
67,861

 
3,264

 
(260
)
 
70,865

Other asset-backed securities
75,843

 
625

 
(393
)
 
76,075

 
$
3,418,947

 
$
143,304

 
$
(27,818
)
 
$
3,534,433

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
191,642

 
$
14,266

 
$
(51
)
 
$
205,857

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
52,110

 
4,837

 

 
56,947

State and municipal bonds
1,134,744

 
85,329

 
(94
)
 
1,219,979

Corporate debt
1,375,880

 
96,187

 
(1,543
)
 
1,470,524

Residential mortgage-backed securities
272,990

 
17,070

 
(210
)
*
289,850

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
57,234

 
2,255

 
(25
)
 
59,464

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
69,062

 
5,049

 
(5
)
 
74,106

Other asset-backed securities
70,670

 
1,203

 
(601
)
 
71,272

 
$
3,224,332

 
$
226,196

 
$
(2,529
)
 
$
3,447,999

*
Includes other-than-temporary impairments recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income of $0.5 million and $0.9 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
The recorded cost basis and estimated fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities at June 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Due in one
year or less
 
Due after
one year
through
five years
 
Due after
five years
through
ten years
 
Due after
ten years
 
Total Fair
Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
206,778

 
$
24,239

 
$
135,973

 
$
49,745

 
$
3,865

 
$
213,822

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
53,486

 

 
49,356

 
7,340

 
229

 
56,925

State and municipal bonds
1,204,739

 
52,665

 
418,391

 
493,559

 
288,557

 
1,253,172

Corporate debt
1,502,700

 
104,583

 
702,834

 
685,649

 
53,826

 
1,546,892

Residential mortgage-backed securities
263,844

 

 

 

 

 
272,233

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
43,696

 

 

 

 

 
44,449

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
67,861

 

 

 

 

 
70,865

Other asset-backed securities
75,843

 

 

 

 

 
76,075

 
$
3,418,947

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,534,433


Excluding investments in bonds and notes of the U.S. Government and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, no investment in any entity or its affiliates exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2013.
Cash and securities with a carrying value of $39.0 million at June 30, 2013 were on deposit with various state insurance departments to meet regulatory requirements. ProAssurance also held securities with a carrying value of $196.5 million at June 30, 2013 and $196.2 million at December 31, 2012 that are pledged as collateral security for advances under the Revolving Credit Agreement (see Note 9).
Business Owned Life Insurance (BOLI)
ProAssurance holds BOLI policies on management employees that are carried at the current cash surrender value of the policies (original cost $33 million). The primary purpose of the program is to offset future employee benefit expenses through earnings on the cash value of the policies. ProAssurance is the owner and principal beneficiary of these policies.
Other Investments
Other Investments at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was comprised as follows:
(In thousands)
June 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Investments in LPs/LLCs, at cost
$
28,362

 
$
25,092

FHLB capital stock, at cost
3,449

 
4,278

Other, principally an annuity, at amortized cost
1,500

 
1,715

 
$
33,311

 
$
31,085


FHLB capital stock is not marketable, but may be liquidated by terminating membership in the FHLB. The liquidation process can take up to five years.
Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
ProAssurance holds investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, accounted for under the equity method. The investments include the following:
 
June 30, 2013
 
Carrying Value
(In thousands)
Unfunded
Commitments
 
Percentage
Ownership
 
June 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Investment in LPs/LLCs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax credit partnerships
$
53,555

 
See below
 
$
147,200

 
$
87,310

Secured debt fund
28,400

 
<
20%
 
11,637

 

Long equity fund
None

 
<
20%
 
5,657

 

Long/Short equity fund
None

 
<
20%
 
8,602

 
17,115

Non-public equity funds
42,563

 
<
20%
 
18,653

 
16,624

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
191,749

 
$
121,049


Tax credit partnership interests held by ProAssurance generate investment returns by providing tax benefits to fund investors in the form of project operating losses and tax credits. The related properties are principally low income housing projects. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to two of the tax credit partnership interests was almost 100%; these interests had a carrying value of $64.8 million at June 30, 2013. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the remaining tax credit partnership interests was less than 20%; these interests had a carrying value of $82.4 million at June 30, 2013. All are accounted for under the equity method as ProAssurance does not have the ability to exert control over the partnerships.
The Secured debt fund is structured to provide interest distributions and capital appreciation primarily through investments in senior secured debt.
The Long equity fund targets long-term total returns through holdings in public international companies.
The Long/Short equity fund targets absolute returns using a strategy designed to take advantage of event-driven market opportunities.
The Non-public equity funds hold diversified private equities and are structured to provide capital appreciation.
Investments Held in a Loss Position
The following tables provide summarized information with respect to investments held in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, including the length of time the investment had been held in a continuous unrealized loss position.
 
June 30, 2013
 
Total
 
Less than 12 months
 
More than 12 months
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
(In thousands)
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
54,610

 
$
(1,383
)
 
$
54,610

 
$
(1,383
)
 
$

 
$

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
5,579

 
(293
)
 
5,579

 
(293
)
 

 

State and municipal bonds
210,096

 
(7,113
)
 
208,105

 
(7,089
)
 
1,991

 
(24
)
Corporate debt
423,388

 
(16,314
)
 
416,240

 
(15,961
)
 
7,148

 
(353
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
75,441

 
(1,993
)
 
74,789

 
(1,990
)
 
652

 
(3
)
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
5,252

 
(69
)
 
4,765

 
(59
)
 
487

 
(10
)
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
13,309

 
(260
)
 
13,309

 
(260
)
 

 

Other asset-backed securities
26,728

 
(393
)
 
23,397

 
(158
)
 
3,331

 
(235
)
 
$
814,403

 
$
(27,818
)
 
$
800,794

 
$
(27,193
)
 
$
13,609

 
$
(625
)
Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in LPs/LLCs carried at cost
$
4,972

 
$
(325
)
 
$
3,906

 
$
(294
)
 
$
1,066

 
$
(31
)

 
December 31, 2012
 
Total
 
Less than 12 months
 
More than 12 months
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
(In thousands)
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
4,073

 
$
(51
)
 
$
4,073

 
$
(51
)
 
$

 
$

State and municipal bonds
11,234

 
(94
)
 
9,232

 
(65
)
 
2,002

 
(29
)
Corporate debt
90,154

 
(1,543
)
 
81,878

 
(1,377
)
 
8,276

 
(166
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
10,721

 
(210
)
 
10,029

 
(205
)
 
692

 
(5
)
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,643

 
(25
)
 
498

 
(2
)
 
1,145

 
(23
)
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
2,100

 
(5
)
 
1,103

 
(1
)
 
997

 
(4
)
Other asset-backed securities
10,746

 
(601
)
 
7,707

 
(20
)
 
3,039

 
(581
)
 
$
130,671

 
$
(2,529
)
 
$
114,520

 
$
(1,721
)
 
$
16,151

 
$
(808
)
Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in LPs/LLCs carried at cost
$
9,474

 
$
(851
)
 
$
8,697

 
$
(688
)
 
$
777

 
$
(163
)

As of June 30, 2013, there were 939 debt securities (32.6% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 543 issuers. The single greatest unrealized loss position was approximately $0.6 million; the second greatest unrealized loss position was approximately $0.4 million. The securities were evaluated for impairment as of June 30, 2013.
As of December 31, 2012, there were 142 debt securities (5.7% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 131 issuers. The single greatest unrealized loss position approximated $0.6 million; the second greatest unrealized loss position approximated $0.2 million. The securities were evaluated for impairment as of December 31, 2012.
Each quarter, ProAssurance performs a detailed analysis for the purpose of assessing whether any of the securities it holds in an unrealized loss position have suffered an other-than-temporary impairment in value. A detailed discussion of the factors considered in the assessment is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2012 Form 10-K.
Fixed maturity securities held in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2013, excluding asset-backed securities, have paid all scheduled contractual payments and are expected to continue doing so. Expected future cash flows of asset-backed securities held in an unrealized loss position were estimated as part of the June 30, 2013 impairment evaluation using the most recently available six-month historical performance data for the collateral (loans) underlying the security or, if historical data was not available, sector based assumptions, and equaled or exceeded the current amortized cost basis of the security.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income by investment category was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Fixed maturities
$
32,160

 
$
34,093

 
$
63,015

 
$
67,363

Equities
2,422

 
1,608

 
4,605

 
2,649

Short-term investments and Other invested assets
66

 
77

 
514

 
498

Business owned life insurance
439

 
461

 
875

 
918

Investment fees and expenses
(1,820
)
 
(1,729
)
 
(3,616
)
 
(3,425
)
Net investment income
$
33,267

 
$
34,510

 
$
65,393

 
$
68,003

 
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Realized investment gains and losses are recognized on the specific identification basis. The following table provides detailed information regarding net realized investment gains (losses):
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and municipal bonds
$
(71
)
 
$

 
$
(71
)
 
$

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
(218
)
 

 
(463
)
Corporate debt

 

 

 
(830
)
Other investments

 

 

 
(131
)
Portion recognized in (reclassified from) Other Comprehensive Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
(201
)
 

 
(201
)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
(71
)
 
(419
)
 
(71
)
 
(1,625
)
Gross realized gains, available-for-sale securities
3,809

 
2,262

 
6,923

 
6,150

Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale securities
(890
)
 
(89
)
 
(965
)
 
(183
)
Net realized gains (losses), trading securities
6,043

 
(50
)
 
8,832

 
727

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading securities
(420
)
 
(3,032
)
 
20,432

 
4,905

Decrease (increase) in the fair value of liabilities carried at fair value

 
(220
)
 

 
(844
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
$
8,471

 
$
(1,548
)
 
$
35,151

 
$
9,130


No significant impairment losses were recognized in the 2013 three- and six-month periods. Significant impairment losses recognized during the 2012 three- and six-month periods were as follows:
ProAssurance recognized impairment losses related to certain residential mortgage-backed securities during the 2012 three- and six-month periods because carrying values for those securities were greater than the future cash flows expected to be received from the securities.
ProAssurance recognized impairments related to corporate debt securities during the first quarter of 2012 because the credit standing of the issuers had deteriorated.
The following table presents a roll forward of cumulative credit losses recorded in earnings related to impaired debt securities for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was recorded in Other Comprehensive Income.
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Balance beginning of period
$
3,301

 
$
5,937

 
$
3,301

 
$
5,870

Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTTI has been previously recognized

 
201

 

 
268

Reductions due to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities sold during the period (realized)
(2,888
)
 

 
(2,888
)
 

Balance June 30
$
413

 
$
6,138

 
$
413

 
$
6,138


Other information regarding sales and purchases of available-for-sale securities is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In millions)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Proceeds from sales (exclusive of maturities and paydowns)
$
128.7

 
$
99.8

 
$
257.1

 
$
305.9

Purchases
$
206.6

 
$
99.5

 
$
307.4

 
$
347.1