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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The following table summarizes the balance sheet classification of derivatives recorded at fair value. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated and is presented in the table to quantify the volume of our derivative activities. Notional amounts are not reflective of credit risk.

None of our derivative instruments are designated as hedges under current accounting guidance.
 
  
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
  
Derivative
Notional
Amount
 
Derivative
Asset
Fair
Value(1)
 
Derivative
Liability
Fair
Value(1)
 
Derivative
Notional
Amount
 
Derivative
Asset
Fair
Value(1)
 
Derivative
Liability
Fair
Value(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Relating to investment portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange forward contracts
$
160,998

 
$
—

 
$
748

 
$
195,979

 
$
12,331

 
$
87

 
 
Interest rate swaps
180,000

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
Relating to underwriting portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange forward contracts
479,347

 
6,912

 
319

 
492,899

 
2,034

 
8,989

 
 
Weather-related contracts
3,050

 
—

 
74

 
67,957

 
2,532

 
6,500

 
 
Commodity contracts
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
Other underwriting-related contracts
75,000

 
—

 
12,135

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
Total derivatives
 
 
$
6,912

 
$
13,276

 
 
 
$
16,897

 
$
15,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Asset and liability derivatives are classified within other assets and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

Our derivative instruments are generally traded under International Swaps and Derivatives Association master netting agreements, which establish terms that apply to all transactions. In the event of a bankruptcy or other stipulated event, master netting agreements provide that individual positions be replaced with a new amount, usually referred to as the termination amount, determined by taking into account market prices and converting into a single currency. Effectively, this contractual close-out netting reduces credit exposure from gross to net exposure. The table below presents a reconciliation of our gross derivative assets and liabilities to the net amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the difference being attributable to the impact of master netting agreements.
 
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
Gross Amounts
Gross Amounts Offset
Net
Amounts(1)
 
Gross Amounts
Gross Amounts Offset
Net
Amounts(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
$
9,514

$
(2,602
)
$
6,912

 
$
22,270

$
(5,373
)
$
16,897

 
 
Derivative liabilities
$
15,878

$
(2,602
)
$
13,276

 
$
20,949

$
(5,373
)
$
15,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Net asset and liability derivatives are classified within other assets and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Refer to Note 4 'Investments' for information on reverse repurchase agreements.

a) Relating to Investment Portfolio

Foreign Currency Risk

Within our investment portfolio we are exposed to foreign currency risk. Accordingly, the fair values of our investment portfolio are partially influenced by the change in foreign exchange rates. We may enter into foreign currency exchange forward contracts to manage the effect of this foreign currency risk. These foreign currency hedging activities are not designated as specific hedges for financial reporting purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

Our investment portfolio contains a large percentage of fixed maturities which exposes us to significant interest rate risk. As part of our overall management of this risk, we may use interest rate swaps.

b) Relating to Underwriting Portfolio

Foreign Currency Risk

Our (re)insurance subsidiaries and branches operate in various foreign countries. Consequently, some of our business is written in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and, therefore, our underwriting portfolio is exposed to significant foreign currency risk. We manage foreign currency risk by seeking to match our foreign-denominated net liabilities under (re)insurance contracts with cash and investments that are denominated in such currencies. We may also use derivative instruments, specifically forward contracts and currency options, to economically hedge foreign currency exposures.

Weather Risk

We write derivative-based risk management products designed to address weather risks with the objective of generating profits on a portfolio basis. The majority of this business consists of receiving a payment at contract inception in exchange for bearing the risk of variations in a quantifiable weather-related phenomenon, such as temperature. Where a client wishes to minimize the upfront payment, these transactions may be structured as swaps or collars. In general, our portfolio of such derivative contracts is of short duration, with contracts being predominantly seasonal in nature. In order to economically hedge a portion of this portfolio, we may also purchase weather derivatives.

Commodity Risk

Within our (re)insurance portfolio we are exposed to commodity price risk. We may hedge a portion of this price risk by entering into commodity derivative contracts.

Other Underwriting-related Risks

We enter into insurance and reinsurance contracts that are required to be accounted for as derivatives. These insurance or reinsurance contract provides indemnification to an insured or cedant as a result of a change in a variable as opposed to a change in an identifiable insured event. We consider these contracts to be part of our underwriting operations.

The total unrealized and realized gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedges were as follows:  
 
  
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
  
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Relating to investment portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Net realized investment gains (losses)
$
(2,347
)
 
$
2,404

 
$
(4,719
)
 
$
(116
)
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Net realized investment gains (losses)
(3,620
)
 
—

 
(3,181
)
 
—

 
 
Relating to underwriting portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Foreign exchange losses (gains)
(16,385
)
 
(5,876
)
 
(13,628
)
 
(2,776
)
 
 
Weather-related contracts
Other insurance related income (losses)
(1,697
)
 
451

 
(9,629
)
 
(24
)
 
 
Commodity contracts
Other insurance related income (losses)
—

 
(543
)
 
—

 
(301
)
 
 
Other underwriting-related contracts
Other insurance related income (losses)
338

 
—

 
338

 
—

 
 
Total
 
$
(23,711
)
 
$
(3,564
)
 
$
(30,819
)
 
$
(3,217
)