Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

13.  Commitments and Contingencies

CNA Financial

In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, CNA has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such indemnification agreements may include provisions that survive indefinitely. As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate amount of quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans was $699 million.

In addition, CNA has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of June 30, 2014, CNA had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser’s ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. Certain provisions of the indemnification agreements survive indefinitely while others survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire.

Diamond Offshore

In July of 2014, Diamond Offshore was notified by Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., (“Petrobras”) that it is currently challenging assessments by Brazilian tax authorities of withholding taxes associated with the provision of drilling rigs for its operations in Brazil during the years 2008 and 2009. If Petrobras is ultimately assessed such withholding taxes, it will seek reimbursement from Diamond Offshore for the portion allocable to its drilling rigs. Diamond Offshore disputes any basis for Petrobras to obtain such reimbursement and has notified Petrobras of its position and intends to pursue all legal remedies available to defend itself. However, if Diamond Offshore’s position is not sustained, the amount of such reimbursement could be material.