UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PERSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

 

 

 

Commission file number 0-24000

 

 

ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY

 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

PENNSYLVANIA

 

25-0466020

 

 

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

 

 

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, Pennsylvania

 

16530

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

(814) 870-2000

 

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

Not applicable

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  X   No         

 

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

Yes  X   No         

 

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

Yes  X   No         

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, 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. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer    X   

Accelerated Filer         

Non-Accelerated Filer         

Smaller Reporting Company         

 

 

(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           No   X 

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock as of the latest practicable date, with no par value and a stated value of $0.0292 per share, was 49,395,315 at April 29, 2011.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock as of the latest practicable date, with no par value and a stated value of $70 per share, was 2,546 at April 29, 2011.

 



 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations—Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position—March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—March 31, 2011

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

2



 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

 

$

1,030

 

$

978

 

Net investment income

 

105

 

104

 

Net realized investment gains

 

149

 

125

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

0

 

(2

)

Equity in earnings of limited partnerships

 

72

 

3

 

Other income

 

9

 

8

 

Total revenues

 

1,365

 

1,216

 

Benefits and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance losses and loss expenses

 

706

 

761

 

Policy acquisition and underwriting expenses

 

247

 

227

 

Total benefits and expenses

 

953

 

988

 

Income from operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest

 

412

 

228

 

Provision for income taxes

 

138

 

66

 

Net income

 

$

274

 

$

162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity - Exchange

 

230

 

115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Indemnity

 

$

44

 

$

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Indemnity per share

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock – basic

 

$

0.88

 

$

0.92

 

Class A common stock – diluted

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.82

 

Class B common stock – basic and diluted

 

$

126.48

 

$

132.83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding attributable to Indemnity – Basic

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock

 

49,789,056

 

51,185,736

 

Class B common stock

 

2,546

 

2,546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding attributable to Indemnity– Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock

 

55,968,838

 

57,357,543

 

Class B common stock

 

2,546

 

2,546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock

 

$

0.515

 

$

0.48

 

Class B common stock

 

$

77.25

 

$

72.00

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3



 

ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Investments – Indemnity

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $506 and $257, respectively)

 

$

513

 

$

264

 

Equity securities (cost of $18 and $20, respectively)

 

22

 

24

 

Trading securities, at fair value (cost of $23 and $21, respectively)

 

29

 

28

 

Limited partnerships (cost of $200 and $202, respectively)

 

222

 

216

 

Other invested assets

 

1

 

1

 

Investments – Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $6,857 and $6,863, respectively)

 

7,254

 

7,279

 

Equity securities (cost of $519 and $503, respectively)

 

603

 

570

 

Trading securities, at fair value (cost of $1,847 and $1,773, respectively)

 

2,462

 

2,306

 

Limited partnerships (cost of $1,097 and $1,083, respectively)

 

1,153

 

1,108

 

Other invested assets

 

18

 

19

 

Total investments

 

12,277

 

11,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents (Exchange portion of $125 and $120, respectively)

 

211

 

430

 

Premiums receivable from policyholders (Exchange portion of $959 and $942, respectively)

 

959

 

942

 

Reinsurance recoverable (Exchange portion of $199 and $201, respectively)

 

199

 

201

 

Deferred acquisition costs (Exchange portion of $469 and $467, respectively)

 

469

 

467

 

Other assets (Exchange portion of $332 and $357, respectively)

 

438

 

489

 

Total assets

 

$

14,553

 

$

14,344

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Indemnity liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

$

14

 

$

26

 

Other liabilities

 

344

 

382

 

Exchange liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss expense reserves

 

3,559

 

3,584

 

Life policy and deposit contract reserves

 

1,615

 

1,603

 

Unearned premiums

 

2,093

 

2,082

 

Deferred income taxes

 

309

 

257

 

Other liabilities

 

68

 

76

 

Total liabilities

 

8,002

 

8,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indemnity’s shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock, stated value $0.0292 per share; authorized 74,996,930 shares; 68,289,600 shares issued; 49,525,482 and 50,054,506 shares outstanding, respectively

 

2

 

2

 

Class B common stock, convertible at a rate of 2,400 Class A shares for one Class B share, stated value $70 per share; 2,546 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, respectively

 

0

 

0

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

16

 

8

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(63

)

(53

)

Retained earnings

 

1,846

 

1,827

 

Total contributed capital and retained earnings

 

1,801

 

1,784

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 18,764,118 and 18,235,094 shares, respectively

 

(908

)

(872

)

Total Indemnity shareholders’ equity

 

893

 

912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity – Exchange

 

5,658

 

5,422

 

Total equity

 

6,551

 

6,334

 

Total liabilities, shareholders’ equity and noncontrolling interest

 

$

14,553

 

$

14,344

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 14, “Indemnity Supplemental Information,” for supplemental consolidating statements of financial position information.

 

4



 

ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in millions)

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2011

 2010

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period – Indemnity

 

$(53

)

$(43

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized holding (losses) gains on investments arising during period

 

(1

)

13

 

Unrealized gains transferred to noncontrolling interest (See Note 1)

 

(13

)

 

Reclassification adjustment for gross gains included in net income

 

(1

)

(4

)

Unrealized (losses) gains on investments

 

(15

)

9

 

Income tax benefit (expense) related to unrealized gains

 

5

 

(3

)

Change in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax – Indemnity

 

(10

)

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period – Indemnity

 

$(63

)

$(37

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax – Indemnity

 

$(10

)

$   6

 

Change in other comprehensive income, net of tax – Exchange

 

$   6

 

$ 45

 

Change in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax – Erie Insurance Group

 

$  (4

)

$ 51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income – Erie Insurance Group

 

$274

 

$162

 

Change in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax – Erie Insurance Group

 

(4

)

51

 

Unrealized gains transferred to noncontrolling interest, net of tax (See Note 1)

 

9

 

 

Total comprehensive income – Erie Insurance Group

 

279

 

213

 

Less: Noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity – Exchange

 

236

 

160

 

Total comprehensive income - Indemnity

 

$  43

 

$  53

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5



 

ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(in millions)

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums collected

 

$1,023

 

$ 965

 

Net investment income received

 

97

 

99

 

Limited partnership distributions

 

32

 

18

 

Service agreement fee received

 

8

 

8

 

Commissions and bonuses paid to agents

 

(178

)

(169

)

Losses paid

 

(598

)

(622

)

Loss expenses paid

 

(109

)

(106

)

Other underwriting and acquisition costs paid

 

(162

)

(159

)

Income taxes paid

 

(21

)

(7

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

92

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(752

)

(525

)

Preferred stock

 

(35

)

(67

)

Common stock

 

(421

)

(249

)

Limited partnerships

 

(29

)

(30

)

Sales/maturities of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity sales

 

277

 

233

 

Fixed maturity calls/maturities

 

247

 

315

 

Preferred stock

 

25

 

29

 

Common stock

 

400

 

251

 

Sale of and returns on limited partnerships

 

26

 

3

 

Disposal (purchase) of property and equipment

 

7

 

(9

)

Net collections on agent loans

 

1

 

0

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(254

)

(49

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Annuity and supplementary contract deposits and interest

 

22

 

33

 

Annuity and supplementary contract surrenders and withdrawals

 

(21

)

(18

)

Universal life deposits and interest

 

12

 

11

 

Universal life surrenders

 

(8

)

(8

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(36

)

(3

)

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(26

)

(25

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(57

)

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(219

)

(32

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

430

 

234

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$  211

 

$ 202

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 14, “Indemnity Supplemental Information,” for supplemental cash flow information.

 

6



 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Note 1.  Nature of Operations

 

Erie Indemnity Company (“Indemnity”) is a publicly held Pennsylvania business corporation that since 1925 has been the managing attorney-in-fact for the subscribers (policyholders) at the Erie Insurance Exchange (“Exchange”). The Exchange is a subscriber owned Pennsylvania-domiciled reciprocal insurer that writes property and casualty insurance.

 

Indemnity’s primary function is to perform certain services for the Exchange relating to the sales, underwriting and issuance of policies on behalf of the Exchange. This is done in accordance with a subscriber’s agreement (a limited power of attorney) executed by each subscriber (policyholder), appointing Indemnity as their common attorney-in-fact to transact business on their behalf and to manage the affairs of the Exchange. Pursuant to the subscriber’s agreement and for its services as attorney-in-fact, Indemnity earns a management fee calculated as a percentage of the direct premiums written by the Exchange and the other members of the Property and Casualty Group, which are assumed by the Exchange under an intercompany pooling arrangement.

 

Through December 31, 2010, Indemnity also operated as a property and casualty insurer through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Erie Insurance Company (“EIC”), Erie Insurance Company of New York (“ENY”) and Erie Insurance Property and Casualty Company (“EPC”). EIC, ENY and EPC, together with the Exchange and its wholly owned subsidiary, Flagship City Insurance Company (“Flagship”), are collectively referred to as the “Property and Casualty Group”.

 

On December 31, 2010, Indemnity sold all of the outstanding capital stock of its wholly owned property and casualty subsidiaries to the Exchange. All property and casualty and life insurance operations are owned by the Exchange, and Indemnity will continue to function as the management company.

 

Erie Family Life Insurance Company (“EFL”) is an affiliated life insurance company that underwrites and sells individual and group life insurance policies and fixed annuities. On March 31, 2011, Indemnity sold its 21.6% ownership interest in EFL to the Exchange for 95% of EFL’s GAAP book value per share as of this date.  Because Indemnity and the Exchange are deemed to be under common control, there was no gain or loss resulting from this sale.

 

“Indemnity shareholder interest” refers to the interest in Erie Indemnity Company owned by the Class A and Class B shareholders. “Noncontrolling interest” refers to the interest in the Erie Insurance Exchange held for the benefit of the subscribers (policyholders).

 

The consolidated financial statements of Erie Indemnity Company reflect the results of Indemnity and its variable interest entity, the Exchange, which we refer to collectively as “Erie Insurance Group” (“we,” “us,” “our”).

 

Note 2.  Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Indemnity together with its affiliate companies in which Indemnity holds a majority voting or economic interest. In addition, we consolidate the Exchange as a variable interest entity for which Indemnity is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The required presentation of noncontrolling interests is reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Noncontrolling interests represent the ownership interests of the Exchange, all of which is held by parties other than Indemnity (i.e. the Exchange’s subscribers (policyholders)). Noncontrolling interests also include the Exchange subscribers’ ownership interest in EFL.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been included. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011. The

 

7



 

accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2011.

 

Presentation of assets and liabilities – While the assets of the Exchange are presented separately in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, the Exchange’s assets can only be used to satisfy the Exchange’s liabilities or for other unrestricted activities.  Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, does not require separate presentation of the Exchange’s assets.  However, because the shareholders of Indemnity have no rights to the assets of the Exchange and, conversely, the Exchange has no rights to the assets of Indemnity, we have presented the invested assets of the Exchange separately on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position along with the remaining consolidated assets reflecting the Exchange’s portion parenthetically. Liabilities are required under ASC 810, Consolidation, to be presented separately for the Exchange on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as the Exchange’s creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of Indemnity.

 

Rights of shareholders of Indemnity and subscribers (policyholders) of the Exchange – The shareholders of Indemnity, through the management fee, have a controlling financial interest in the Exchange; however, they have no other rights to or obligations arising from assets and liabilities of the Exchange. The shareholders of Indemnity own its equity but have no rights or interest in the Exchange’s (noncontrolling interest) income or equity. The noncontrolling interest equity represents the Exchange’s equity held for the benefit of its subscribers (policyholders), who have no rights or interest in the Indemnity shareholder interest income or equity.

 

All intercompany assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses between Indemnity and the Exchange have been eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

Adopted accounting pronouncements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.  This guidance updated the disclosures on ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.  The additional disclosures include the amounts and reasons for significant transfers between the levels in the fair value hierarchy, the expansion of fair market disclosures by each class of assets, disclosure of the policy for recognition of level transfers, and disclosure of the valuation techniques used for all Level 2 and Level 3 assets.  These disclosures were effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2009 and have been included in Note 6, “Fair Value.” An additional disclosure requirement to present purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements of Level 3 activity on a gross basis became effective with periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  The additional disclosures required by this guidance have been included in Note 6.

 

Pending accounting pronouncements

In October 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts.  This guidance modifies the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts. The amendments in this update specify that the costs are limited to incremental direct costs that result directly from successful contract transactions and would not have been incurred by the insurance entity had the contract transactions not occurred.  These costs must be directly related to underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection and sales force contract selling.  The amendments also specify that advertising costs only should be included as deferred acquisition costs if the direct-response advertising criteria are met.  ASU 2010-26 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with either prospective or retrospective adoption permitted.  Although we have not performed a detailed analysis, the adoption method and impact of this update on the Company’s financial position, cash flows, or results of operations is expected to be immaterial.

 

8



 

Note 3.  Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share are calculated under the two-class method, which allocates earnings to each class of stock based on its dividend rights. Class B shares are convertible into Class A shares at a conversion ratio of 2,400 to 1.  Class A diluted earnings per share are calculated under the if-converted method, which reflects the conversion of Class B shares and the effect of potentially dilutive outstanding employee stock-based awards and awards vested and not yet vested related to the outside directors’ stock compensation plan. Vested shares related to the outside directors’ compensation plan were included in the table below for the first time at December 31, 2010. The March 31, 2010 amounts have been updated to include these shares.  This had no impact on previously reported diluted earnings per share.

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in the basic and diluted per-share computations is presented as follows for each class of Indemnity common stock:

 

 

 

Indemnity Earnings Per Share Calculation

(dollars in millions,

 

Three months ended March 31,

except share data)

 

2011     

 

2010     

 

 

 

Allocated

 

Weighted

 

Per-

 

Allocated

 

Weighted

 

Per-

 

 

 

net income

 

shares

 

share

 

net income

 

shares

 

share

 

 

 

(numerator)

 

(denominator)

 

amount

 

(numerator)

 

(denominator)

 

amount

 

Class A – Basic EPS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to Class A stockholders

 

$44

 

49,789,056

 

$    0.88

 

 

$47

 

51,185,736

 

$    0.92

 

 

Dilutive effect of stock awards

 

0

 

69,382

 

 

 

0

 

61,407

 

 

 

Assumed conversion of Class B shares

 

0

 

6,110,400

 

 

 

0

 

6,110,400

 

 

 

Class A – Diluted EPS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to Class A stockholders on Class A equivalent shares

 

$44

 

55,968,838

 

$    0.78

 

 

$47

 

57,357,543

 

$    0.82

 

 

Class B – Basic and diluted EPS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to Class B stockholders

 

$  0

 

2,546

 

$126.48

 

 

$  0

 

2,546

 

$132.83

 

 

 

Included in the diluted earnings per share calculations for the first quarters of 2011 and 2010, respectively, were 6,400 and 11,200 shares of stock-based awards not yet vested, 60,329 and 47,296 shares of awards vested related to our outside directors’ stock compensation plan, and 2,653 and 2,911 shares of awards not yet vested related to our outside directors’ stock compensation plan.

 

Note 4.  Variable Interest Entity

 

Exchange

The Exchange is a reciprocal insurance exchange domiciled in Pennsylvania, for which Indemnity serves as attorney-in-fact. Indemnity holds a variable interest in the Exchange due to the absence of decision-making capabilities by the equity owners (subscribers/policyholders) of the Exchange and due to the significance of the management fee the Exchange pays to Indemnity as its decision maker. As a result, Indemnity is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the Exchange and is considered to be its primary beneficiary.

 

Consolidation of the Exchange’s financial results is required given the significance of the management fee to the Exchange and because Indemnity has the power to direct the activities of the Exchange that most significantly impact the Exchange’s economic performance. Indemnity earns management fee revenues from the Exchange for the services it provides as attorney-in-fact. Indemnity’s management fee revenues are based on all premiums written or assumed by the Exchange. Indemnity’s Board of Directors determines the management fee rate to be paid by the Exchange to Indemnity.  This rate cannot exceed 25% of the direct and affiliated assumed written premiums of the Exchange, as defined by the subscriber’s agreement signed by each policyholder. Management fee revenues and management fee expenses are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Indemnity has no obligation related to any underwriting and/or investment losses experienced by the Exchange.  Indemnity would however be adversely impacted if the Exchange incurred significant underwriting and/or investment losses. If the surplus of the Exchange were to decline significantly from its current level, its financial

 

9



 

strength ratings could be reduced and as a consequence the Exchange could find it more difficult to retain its existing business and attract new business. A decline in the business of the Exchange would have an adverse effect on the amount of the management fees Indemnity receives. In addition, a decline in the surplus of the Exchange from its current level may impact the management fee rate received by Indemnity. Indemnity also has an exposure to a concentration of credit risk related to the unsecured receivables due from the Exchange for its management fee.

 

On December 31, 2010, Indemnity sold all of the outstanding capital stock of its wholly owned subsidiaries to the Exchange. Under this new structure, all property and casualty insurance operations are owned by the Exchange, and Indemnity will continue to function as the management company. There was no impact on the existing reinsurance pooling agreement between the Exchange and EIC or ENY as a result of the sale, nor was there any impact to the subscribers (policyholders) of the Exchange, to the Exchange’s independent insurance agents, or to Indemnity’s employees.

 

Indemnity has not provided financial or other support to the Exchange for the reporting periods presented. At March 31, 2011, there are no explicit or implicit arrangements that would require Indemnity to provide future financial support to the Exchange. Indemnity is not liable if the Exchange was to be in violation of its debt covenants or was unable to meet its obligation for unfunded commitments to limited partnerships.

 

Note 5. Segment Information

 

Our reportable segments include management operations, property and casualty insurance operations, life insurance operations and investment operations. Accounting policies for segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. See Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2011. Assets are not allocated to the segments but rather are reviewed in total for purposes of decision-making. No single customer or agent provides 10% or more of revenues.

 

Our management operations segment consists of serving as attorney-in-fact for the Exchange. Indemnity operates in this capacity solely for the Exchange. We evaluate profitability of our management operations segment principally on the gross margin from management operations. Indemnity earns management fees from the Exchange for providing sales, underwriting and policy issuance services. Management fee revenue, which is eliminated in consolidation, is calculated as a percentage not to exceed 25% of all the direct premiums written by the Exchange and the other members of the Property and Casualty Group, which are assumed by the Exchange under an intercompany pooling arrangement. The Property and Casualty Group issues policies with annual terms only. Management fees are recorded upon policy issuance or renewal, as substantially all of the services required to be performed by Indemnity have been satisfied at that time. Certain activities are performed and related costs are incurred by us subsequent to policy issuance in connection with the services provided to the Exchange; however, these activities are inconsequential and perfunctory.  Although these management fee revenues and expenses are eliminated in consolidation, the amount of the fee directly impacts the allocation of our consolidated net income between noncontrolling interest, which bears the management fee expense and represents the interests of the Exchange subscribers (policyholders), and Indemnity’s interest, which earns the management fee revenue and represents Indemnity shareholder interest in net income.

 

Our property and casualty insurance operations segment includes personal and commercial lines.  Personal lines consist primarily of personal auto and homeowners and are marketed to individuals. Commercial lines consist primarily of commercial multi-peril, commercial auto and workers compensation and are marketed to small- and medium-sized businesses. Our property and casualty policies are sold by independent agents. Our property and casualty insurance underwriting operations are conducted through the Exchange and its subsidiaries and include assumed voluntary reinsurance from nonaffiliated domestic and foreign sources, assumed involuntary and ceded reinsurance business.  The Exchange exited the assumed voluntary reinsurance business effective December 31, 2003, and therefore unaffiliated reinsurance includes only run-off activity of the previously assumed voluntary reinsurance business.  We evaluate profitability of the property and casualty operations principally based on net underwriting results represented by the combined ratio.

 

Our life insurance operations segment includes traditional and universal life insurance products and fixed annuities marketed to individuals using the same independent agency force utilized by our property and casualty operations. We evaluate profitability of the life insurance segment principally based on segment net income, including

 

10



 

investments, which for segment purposes are reflected in the investment operations segment. At the same time, we recognize that investment-related income is integral to the evaluation of the life insurance segment because of the long duration of life products. Through March 31, 2011, investment activities on life insurance-related assets generated revenues of $27 million resulting in EFL reporting income before income taxes of $13 million, before intercompany eliminations. Through March 31, 2010, investment activities on life insurance-related assets generated revenues of $27 million resulting in EFL reporting income before income taxes of $10 million, before intercompany eliminations.

 

The investment operations segment performance is evaluated based on appreciation of assets, rate of return and overall return. Investment-related income for the life operations is included in the investment segment results.

 

The following tables summarize the components of the Consolidated Statements of Operations by reportable business segments:

 

 

 

Erie Insurance Group

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011

(in millions)

 

Management
operations

 

Property
and
casualty
insurance
operations

 

Life
insurance
operations

 

Investment
operations

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Premiums earned/life policy revenue

 

 

 

$1,014

 

  16

 

 

 

 

 

$1,030

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$108

 

$   (3)

 

105

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

149

 

 

 

149

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

Equity in earnings of limited partnerships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

72

Management fee revenue

 

$251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(251)

 

Service agreement and other revenue

 

8

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

9

Total revenues

 

259

 

1,014

 

17

 

329

 

(254)

 

1,365

Cost of management operations

 

211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(211)

 

Insurance losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

683

 

24

 

 

 

(1)

 

706

Policy acquisition and underwriting expenses

 

 

 

282

 

7

 

 

 

(42)

 

247

Total benefits and expenses

 

211

 

965

 

31

 

 

(254)

 

953

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

48

 

49

 

(14)

 

329

 

 

412

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

17

 

17

 

(5)

 

109

 

 

138

Net income (loss)

 

$  31

 

$     32

 

$  (9)

 

$220

 

$    –

 

$   274

 

 

 

Erie Insurance Group

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2010

(in millions)

 

Management
operations

 

Property
and
casualty
insurance
operations

 

Life
insurance
operations

 

Investment
operations

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Premiums earned/life policy revenue

 

 

 

$   962

 

$    16

 

 

 

 

 

$  978

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$107

 

$   (3)

 

104

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

125

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

(2)

Equity in earnings of limited partnerships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

Management fee revenue

 

$237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(237)

 

Service agreement and other revenue

 

8

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

8

Total revenues

 

245

 

962

 

16

 

233

 

(240)

 

1,216

Cost of management operations

 

192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(192)

 

Insurance losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

738

 

24

 

 

 

(1)

 

761

Policy acquisition and underwriting expenses

 

 

 

265

 

9

 

 

 

(47)

 

227

Total benefits and expenses

 

192

 

1,003

 

33

 

 

(240)

 

988

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

53

 

(41)

 

(17)

 

233

 

 

228

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

18

 

(14)

 

(6)

 

68

 

 

66

Net income (loss)

 

$  35

 

$   (27)

 

$  (11)

 

$165

 

$     –

 

$  162

 

See the “Results of the Erie Insurance Group’s operations by interest” table in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the composition of income attributable to Indemnity and income attributable to the noncontrolling interest (Exchange).

 

11



 

Note 6. Fair Value

 

Our available-for-sale and trading securities are recorded at fair value, which is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction between willing market participants as of the measurement date.

 

Valuation techniques used to derive the fair value of our available-for-sale and trading securities are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources.

 

Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions regarding fair market value for these securities.  Although the majority of our prices are obtained from third party sources, we also perform an internal pricing review for securities with low trading volumes in the current market conditions. Financial instruments are categorized based upon the following characteristics or inputs to the valuation techniques:

 

Level 1              Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets not subject to adjustments or discounts.

 

Level 2              Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

Level 3              Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable and reflect management’s estimate of fair value based on assumptions used by market participants in an orderly transaction as of the valuation date.

 

The following table represents the fair value measurements on a recurring basis for our consolidated available-for-sale and trading securities by asset class and level of input at March 31, 2011:

 

 

 

Erie Insurance Group

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

 

 

 

Fair value measurements using:

 

(in millions)

 

Total

 

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
Level 1

 

Significant
observable inputs
Level 2

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
Level 3

 

Indemnity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. treasuries and government agencies

 

$  10

 

$ 0

 

$  10

 

$0

 

U.S. government sponsored enterprises

 

9

 

0

 

9

 

0

 

Municipal securities

 

222

 

0

 

222

 

0

 

U.S. corporate debt – non-financial

 

78

 

0

 

78

 

0

 

U.S. corporate debt – financial

 

107

 

0

 

107

 

0

 

Foreign corporate debt – non-financial

 

21

 

0

 

21

 

0

 

Foreign corporate debt – financial

 

30

 

0

 

30

 

0

 

Structured securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities – auto loans

 

12

 

0

 

12

 

0

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

4

 

0

 

0

 

4

 

Commercial mortgage-backed

 

20

 

0

 

20

 

0

 

Total fixed maturities

 

513

 

0

 

509

 

4

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

9

 

5

 

4

 

0

 

Non-financial

 

12

 

6

 

6

 

0

 

Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-financial

 

1

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

Total equity securities

 

22

 

11

 

11

 

0

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

535

 

11

 

520

 

4

 

Trading securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

29

 

29

 

0

 

0

 

Total trading securities

 

29

 

29

 

0

 

0

 

Total – Indemnity

 

$564

 

$40

 

$520

 

$4

 

 

12



 

 

 

Erie Insurance Group

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

 

 

 

Fair value measurements using:

 

(in millions)

 

Total

 

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
Level 1

 

Significant
observable inputs
Level 2

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
Level 3

 

Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. treasuries and government agencies

 

$      11

 

$     11

 

$      0

 

$ 0

 

U.S. government sponsored enterprises

 

70

 

0

 

70

 

0

 

Foreign government

 

21

 

0

 

21

 

0

 

Municipal securities

 

1,436

 

0

 

1,432

 

4

 

U.S. corporate debt – non-financial

 

2,452

 

6

 

2,437

 

9

 

U.S. corporate debt – financial

 

1,934

 

6

 

1,926

 

2

 

Foreign corporate debt – non-financial

 

530

 

0

 

530

 

0

 

Foreign corporate debt – financial

 

365

 

0

 

365

 

0

 

Structured securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities – auto loans

 

36

 

0

 

36

 

0

 

Asset-backed securities – other

 

14

 

0

 

9

 

5

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

71

 

0

 

41

 

30

 

Commercial mortgage-backed

 

81

 

0

 

81

 

0

 

Residential mortgage-backed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government sponsored enterprises

 

216

 

0

 

216

 

0

 

Non-government sponsored enterprises

 

17

 

0

 

17

 

0

 

Total fixed maturities

 

7,254

 

23

 

7,181

 

50

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

391

 

107

 

276

 

8

 

Non-financial

 

144

 

48

 

96

 

0

 

Government sponsored enterprises

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

58

 

17

 

41

 

0

 

Non-financial

 

9

 

0

 

9

 

0

 

Total equity securities

 

603

 

173

 

422

 

8

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

7,857

 

196

 

7,603

 

58

 

Trading securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

2,462

 

2,449

 

0

 

13

 

Total trading securities

 

2,462

 

2,449

 

0

 

13

 

Total – Exchange

 

$10,319

 

$2,645

 

$7,603

 

$71

 

Total – Erie Insurance Group

 

$10,883

 

$2,685

 

$8,123

 

$75

 

 

13



 

Level 3 Assets – Quarterly Change:

 

 

 

Erie Insurance Group

(in millions)

 

 

Beginning
balance at
December 31,
2010

 

Included
in
earnings
(1)

 

Included
in other
comprehensive
income

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Transfers
in and (out)
of
Level 3
(2)

 

Ending
balance at
March 31,
2011

 

Indemnity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. corporate debt – financial

 

$ 0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$ 0

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

4

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

4

 

Total fixed maturities

 

4

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

4

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable – financial

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Total equity securities

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Total Level 3 assets – Indemnity

 

$ 4

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$ 4

 

Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal Securities

 

$ 4

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$ 4

 

U.S. corporate debt – non-financial

 

9

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

9

 

U.S. corporate debt – financial

 

2

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

Asset-backed securities – other

 

10

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

5

 

0

 

5

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

30

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

30

 

Total fixed maturities

 

55

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

5

 

0

 

50

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable – financial

 

7

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

8

 

Total equity securities

 

7

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

8

 

Trading securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

12

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

13

 

Total Trading securities

 

12

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

13

 

Total Level 3 assets – Exchange

 

$74

 

$1

 

$1

 

$0

 

$5

 

$0

 

$71

 

Total Level 3 assets – Erie Insurance Group

 

$78

 

$1

 

$1

 

$0

 

$5

 

$0

 

$75

 

 

(1)   Includes losses as a result of other-than-temporary impairments and accrual of discount and amortization of premium.  These amounts are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was $1 million in unrealized gains included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2011 on Level 3 securities.

 

(2)   Transfers in and out of Level 3 are attributable to changes in the availability of market observable information for individual securities within the respective categories. There were no significant transfers in and out of Level 3.  Transfers in and out of levels are recognized at the end of the period.

 

 

There were no significant transfers between levels 1 and 2 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

14



 

The following table represents the fair value measurements on a recurring basis for our consolidated available-for-sale and trading securities by asset class and level of input at December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

Erie Insurance Group

 

 

Fair value measurements using:

(in millions)

 

Total

 

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
Level 1

 

Significant
observable inputs
Level 2

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
Level 3

 

Indemnity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. treasuries and government agencies

 

$       25

 

$    25

 

$       0

 

$ 0

 

Municipal securities

 

197

 

0

 

197

 

0

 

U.S. corporate debt – non-financial

 

12

 

0

 

12

 

0

 

U.S. corporate debt – financial

 

26

 

0

 

26

 

0

 

Structured securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

4

 

0

 

0

 

4

 

Total fixed maturities

 

264

 

25

 

235

 

4

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

11

 

5

 

6

 

0

 

Non-financial

 

12

 

6

 

6

 

0

 

Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-financial

 

1

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

Total equity securities

 

24

 

11

 

13

 

0

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

288

 

36

 

248

 

4

 

Trading securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

28

 

28

 

0

 

0

 

Total trading securities

 

28

 

28

 

0

 

0

 

Total – Indemnity

 

$     316

 

$     64

 

$   248

 

$ 4

 

Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. treasuries and government agencies

 

$       12

 

$     12

 

$      0

 

$  0

 

U.S. government sponsored enterprises

 

75

 

0

 

75

 

0

 

Foreign government

 

21

 

0

 

21

 

0

 

Municipal securities

 

1,471

 

0

 

1,467

 

4

 

U.S. corporate debt – non-financial

 

2,535

 

6

 

2,520

 

9

 

U.S. corporate debt – financial

 

1,897

 

6

 

1,889

 

2

 

Foreign corporate debt – non-financial

 

449

 

0

 

449

 

0

 

Foreign corporate debt – financial

 

382

 

0

 

382

 

0

 

Structured securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities – auto loans

 

38

 

0

 

38

 

0

 

Asset-backed securities – other

 

19

 

0

 

9

 

10

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

70

 

0

 

40

 

30

 

Commercial mortgage-backed

 

86

 

0

 

86

 

0

 

Residential mortgage-backed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government sponsored enterprises

 

205

 

0

 

205

 

0

 

Non-government sponsored enterprises

 

19

 

0

 

19

 

0

 

Total fixed maturities

 

7,279

 

24

 

7,200

 

55

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

373

 

102

 

264

 

7

 

Non-financial

 

133

 

48

 

85

 

0

 

Government sponsored enterprises

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

55

 

16

 

39

 

0

 

Non-financial

 

9

 

0

 

9

 

0

 

Total equity securities

 

570

 

166

 

397

 

7

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

7,849

 

190

 

7,597

 

62

 

Trading securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

2,306

 

2,294

 

0

 

12

 

Total trading securities

 

2,306

 

2,294

 

0

 

12

 

Total – Exchange

 

$10,155

 

$2,484

 

$7,597

 

$74

 

Total – Erie Insurance Group

 

$10,471

 

$2,548

 

$7,845

 

$78

 

 

15



 

Level 3 Assets – Quarterly Change:

 

 

 

Erie Insurance Group

 

(in millions)

 

Beginning
balance at
December 31,
2009

 

Included in
earnings
(1)

 

Included in other
comprehensive
income

 

Purchases,
sales and
adjustments

 

Transfers in
and (out) of
Level 3
(2)

 

Ending
balance at
March 31, 2010

 

Indemnity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. corporate debt – financial

 

$  2

 

$0

 

$  0

 

$ 0

 

$ 0

 

$    2

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

8

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

9

 

Total fixed maturities

 

10

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

11

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable – financial

 

1

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

Total equity securities

 

1

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

Total Level 3 assets – Indemnity

 

$11

 

$0

 

$  2

 

$ 0

 

$  0

 

$  13

 

Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. corporate debt – non-financial

 

$17

 

$0

 

$  0

 

$(7)

 

$(1)

 

$    9

 

Asset backed securities – other

 

5

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

5

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

49

 

1

 

7

 

0

 

13

 

70

 

Total fixed maturities

 

71

 

1

 

7

 

(7)

 

12

 

84

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. nonredeemable – financial

 

4

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

5

 

Total equity securities

 

4

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

5

 

Trading securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

9

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

10

 

Total trading securities

 

9

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

10

 

Total Level 3 assets – Exchange

 

$84

 

$2

 

$  8

 

$(7)

 

$12

 

$  99

 

Total Level 3 assets – Erie Insurance Group

 

$95

 

$2

 

$10

 

$(7)

 

$12

 

$112

 

 

(1)

Includes losses as a result of other-than-temporary impairments and accrual of discount and amortization of premium. These amounts are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was $1 million in unrealized gains included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2010 on Level 3 securities.

 

 

(2)

Transfers in and out of Level 3 are attributable to changes in the availability of market observable information for individual securities within the respective categories. There were no significant transfers in and out of Level 3. Transfers in and out of levels are recognized at the end of the period.

 

There were no significant transfers between levels 1 and 2 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

Estimates of fair values for our investment portfolio are obtained primarily from a nationally recognized pricing service.  Our Level 1 category includes those securities valued using an exchange traded price provided by the pricing service.  The methodologies used by the pricing service that support a Level 2 classification of a financial instrument include multiple verifiable, observable inputs including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data.  Pricing service valuations for Level 3 securities are based on proprietary models and are used when observable inputs are not available in illiquid markets.  In limited circumstances we adjust the price received from the pricing service when, in our judgment, a better reflection of fair value is available based on corroborating information and our knowledge and monitoring of market conditions. At March 31, 2011, we adjusted some prices received by the pricing service to reflect an alternate fair market value based on observable market data such as a disparity in price of comparable securities and/or non-binding broker quotes.

 

16



 

The following table displays the number and values of these adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Number of
holdings

 

Value of
securities
using pricing
service

 

Value of
securities used in
the financial
statements

 

Exchange

 

10

 

$21

 

$19

 

Total – Erie Insurance Group