XML 23 R12.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.2
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The following table provides the balance sheet classifications of derivatives recorded at fair value:
  June 30, 2020December 31, 2019
  
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$83,470  $ $455  $68,998  $—  $1,405  
Relating to underwriting portfolio:
Foreign exchange forward contracts859,203  3,414  1,395  1,038,630  3,174  2,560  
Other underwriting-related contracts75,000  —  9,818  85,000  —  9,672  
Total derivatives$3,415  $11,668  $3,174  $13,637  
(1)Asset and liability derivatives are classified within other assets and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

The notional amounts of derivative contracts represent the basis on which amounts paid or received are calculated and are presented in the above table to quantify the volume of the Company's derivative activities. Notional amounts are not reflective of credit risk.

None of the Company's derivative instruments are designated as hedges under current accounting guidance.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Company's 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 following table provides a reconciliation of 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, 2020December 31, 2019
Gross amountsGross amounts offset
Net
amounts(1)
Gross amountsGross amounts offset
Net
amounts(1)
Derivative assets$8,263  $(4,848) $3,415  $7,673  $(4,499) $3,174  
Derivative liabilities$16,516  $(4,848) $11,668  $18,136  $(4,499) $13,637  
(1)Net asset and liability derivatives are classified within other assets and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Refer to Note 3 'Investments' for information on reverse repurchase agreements.

a) Relating to Investment Portfolio

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company's investment portfolio is exposed to foreign currency risk therefore the fair values of its investments are partially influenced by changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company may enter into foreign 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

The Company's investment portfolio contains a large percentage of fixed maturities which exposes it to significant interest rate risk. As part of overall management of this risk, the Company may use interest rate swaps.

b) Relating to Underwriting Portfolio

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company's insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and branches operate in various countries. Some of its business is written in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, therefore the underwriting portfolio is exposed to significant foreign currency risk. The Company manages foreign currency risk by seeking to match its foreign-denominated net liabilities under insurance and reinsurance contracts with cash and investments that are denominated in the same currencies. The Company uses derivative instruments, specifically, forward contracts to economically hedge foreign currency exposures.

Other Underwriting-related Risks

The Company enters into insurance and reinsurance contracts that are accounted for as derivatives. These insurance or reinsurance contracts provide indemnification to an insured or cedant as a result of a change in a variable as opposed to an identifiable insurable event. The Company considers these contracts to be part of its underwriting operations.
The total unrealized and realized gains (losses) recognized in net income for derivatives not designated as hedges are shown in the following table:  
  Location of gain (loss) recognized in net incomeThree months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
  2020201920202019
Relating to investment portfolio:
Foreign exchange forward contractsNet investment gains (losses)$154  $620  $3,316  $1,372  
Interest rate swapsNet investment gains (losses)—  (824) —  (3,677) 
Relating to underwriting portfolio:
Foreign exchange forward contractsForeign exchange gains (losses)(870) 802  (1,559) (9,715) 
Other underwriting-related contractsOther insurance related income (losses)470  271  (9,730) 618  
Total$(246) $869  $(7,973) $(11,402)