Debt and Credit Arrangements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt and Credit Arrangements [Abstract]

Debt and Credit Arrangements

(7) Debt and Credit Arrangements

(a) Long term debt consisted of the following:

	December 31
	2011		2010
	(in millions)
6% notes due November 15, 2011	$	—	$	400
5.2% notes due April 1, 2013		275		275
5.75% notes due May 15, 2018		600		600
6.6% debentures due August 15, 2018		100		100
6.8% debentures due November 15, 2031		200		200
6% notes due May 11, 2037		800		800
6.5% notes due May 15, 2038		600		600
6.375% capital securities due March 29, 2067		1,000		1,000
	$	3,575	$	3,975

The 5.2% notes, the 5.75% notes, the 6.6% debentures, the 6.8% debentures, the 6% notes and the 6.5% notes are all unsecured obligations of Chubb. Chubb generally may redeem some or all of the notes and debentures prior to maturity in accordance with the terms of each debt instrument.

Chubb has outstanding $1.0 billion of unsecured junior subordinated capital securities. The capital securities will become due on April 15, 2037, the scheduled maturity date, but only to the extent that Chubb has received sufficient net proceeds from the sale of certain qualifying capital securities. Chubb must use its commercially reasonable efforts, subject to certain market disruption events, to sell enough qualifying capital securities to permit repayment of the capital securities on the scheduled maturity date or as soon thereafter as possible. Any remaining outstanding principal amount will be due on March 29, 2067, the final maturity date. The capital securities bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.375% through April 14, 2017. Thereafter, the capital securities will bear interest at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. Subject to certain conditions, Chubb has the right to defer the payment of interest on the capital securities for a period not exceeding ten consecutive years. During any such period, interest will continue to accrue and Chubb generally may not declare or pay any dividends on or purchase any shares of its capital stock.

In connection with the issuance of the capital securities, Chubb entered into a replacement capital covenant in which it agreed that it will not repay, redeem, or purchase the capital securities before March 29, 2047, unless, subject to certain limitations, it has received proceeds from the sale of specified replacement capital securities. The replacement capital covenant is not intended for the benefit of holders of the capital securities and may not be enforced by them. The replacement capital covenant is for the benefit of holders of one or more designated series of Chubb’s indebtedness, which will initially be its 6.8% debentures due November 15, 2031.

Subject to the replacement capital covenant, the capital securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 15, 2017 at a redemption price equal to the principal amount plus any accrued interest or prior to April 15, 2017 at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) the principal amount or (ii) a make-whole amount, in each case plus any accrued interest.

The amounts of long term debt due annually during the five years subsequent to December 31, 2011 are as follows:

Years Ending December 31	(in millions)
2012	$	—
2013		275
2014		—
2015		—
2016		—

(b) Interest costs of $245 million were incurred in 2011 and $248 million were incurred in 2010 and 2009. Interest paid was $244 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

(c) Chubb has a revolving credit agreement with a group of banks that provides for up to $500 million of unsecured borrowings. There have been no borrowings under this agreement. Various interest rate options are available to Chubb, all of which are based on market interest rates. Chubb pays a fee to have this revolving credit facility available. The agreement contains customary restrictive covenants including a covenant to maintain a minimum consolidated shareholders’ equity, as adjusted. At December 31, 2011, Chubb was in compliance with all such covenants. The revolving credit facility is available for general corporate purposes and to support Chubb’s commercial paper borrowing arrangement. The agreement has a termination date of October 19, 2012. Under the agreement, Chubb is permitted to request on two occasions, at any time during the remaining term of the agreement, an extension of the maturity date for an additional one year period. On the termination date of the agreement, any borrowings then outstanding become payable.