Basis of preparation and consolidation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of preparation and consolidation

Basis of preparation and consolidation

These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates in these Consolidated Financial Statements the results of operations and financial position of all voting interest entities (“VOE”) in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and all variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The consolidation assessment, including the determination as to whether an entity qualifies as a VIE or VOE, depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding each entity.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management 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. While management believes that the amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:

•reserve for losses and loss expenses;

•premium estimates for business written on a line slip or proportional basis;

•the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets;

•reinsurance recoverable balances including the provision for uncollectible amounts; and

•investment valuation of financial assets.

The term “ASC” used in these notes refers to Accounting Standard Codification issued by the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”).