Third-Party Reinsurance

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Third-Party Reinsurance

Third-Party Reinsurance

NOTE 4. Third-Party Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, White Mountains’ insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may seek to limit losses that may arise from catastrophes or other events by reinsuring with third-party reinsurers. White Mountains remains liable for risks reinsured in the event that the reinsurer does not honor its obligations under reinsurance contracts. The effects of reinsurance on White Mountains’ insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ written and earned premiums and on losses and LAE were as follows:

	Year ended December 31, 2011
Millions	OneBeacon			Sirius Group			OtherOperations		Total
Written premiums:
Direct	$	1,077.6		$	139.5		$	—	$	1,217.1
Assumed	48.2			988.6			—		1,036.8
Gross written premiums	1,125.8			1,128.1			—		2,253.9
Ceded	(62.9		)	(212.4		)	—		(275.3		)
Net written premiums	$	1,062.9		$	915.7		$	—	$	1,978.6
Earned premiums:
Direct	$	1,138.5		$	128.5		$	—	$	1,267.0
Assumed	43.1			989.8			—		1,032.9
Gross earned premiums	1,181.6			1,118.3			—		2,299.9
Ceded	(166.1		)	(206.0		)	—		(372.1		)
Net earned premiums	$	1, 015.5		$	912.3		$	—	$	1,927.8
Losses and LAE:
Direct	$	1,151.1		$	80.0		$	—	$	1,231.1
Assumed	36.1			627.8			—		663.9
Gross losses and LAE	1,187.2			707.8			—		1,895.0
Ceded	(606.3		)	(81.8		)	—		(688.1		)
Net losses and LAE	$	580.9		$	626.0		$	—	$	1,206.9

	Year ended December 31, 2010
Millions	OneBeacon			Sirius Group			OtherOperations		Total
Written premiums:
Direct	$	1,501.5		$	121.6		$	—	$	1,623.1
Assumed	57.7			957.5			—		1,015.2
Gross written premiums	1,559.2			1,079.1			—		2,638.3
Ceded (1)	(400.2		)	(213.3		)	—		(613.5		)
Net written premiums	$	1,159.0		$	865.8		$	—	$	2,024.8
Earned premiums:
Direct	$	1,648.7		$	117.9		$	—	$	1,766.6
Assumed	64.2			929.7			—		993.9
Gross earned premiums	1,712.9			1,047.6			—		2,760.5
Ceded (1)	(309.0		)	(199.7		)	—		(508.7		)
Net earned premiums	$	1,403.9		$	847.9		$	—	$	2,251.8
Losses and LAE:
Direct	$	877.1		$	59.4		$	—	$	936.5
Assumed	138.4			684.4			—		822.8
Gross losses and LAE	1,015.5			743.8			—		1,759.3
Ceded (1)	(157.3		)	(212.8		)	—		(370.1		)
Net losses and LAE	$	858.2		$	531.0		$	—	$	1,389.2

(1) During 2010, OneBeacon ceded written premiums of $262.2, earned premiums of $165.0 and loss and LAE of $86.5 pursuant to the Commercial Lines Transaction.

	Year ended December 31, 2009
Millions	OneBeacon			Sirius Group			OtherOperations		Total
Written premiums:
Direct	$	1,972.4		$	107.3		$	—	$	2,079.7
Assumed	58.6			889.2			—		947.8
Gross written premiums	2,031.0			996.5			—		3,027.5
Ceded	(213.2		)	(189.7		)	—		(402.9		)
Net written premiums	$	1,817.8		$	806.8		$	—	$	2,624.6
Earned premiums:
Direct	$	2,021.7		$	107.2		$	—	$	2,128.9
Assumed	66.8			927.5			—		994.3
Gross earned premiums	2,088.5			1,034.7			—		3,123.2
Ceded	(229.7		)	(175.9		)	—		(405.6		)
Net earned premiums	$	1,858.8		$	858.8		$	—	$	2,717.6
Losses and LAE:
Direct	$	1,020.7		$	68.8		$	—	$	1,089.5
Assumed	40.8			492.2			—		533.0
Gross losses and LAE	1,061.5			561.0			—		1,622.5
Ceded	(56.2		)	(142.2		)	—		(198.4		)
Net losses and LAE	$	1,005.3		$	418.8		$	—	$	1,424.1

OneBeacon

In the normal course of its business, OneBeacon purchases reinsurance from highly rated third-party reinsurers in order to minimize loss from large risks or catastrophic events.

The timing and size of catastrophe losses are unpredictable and the level of losses experienced in any year could be material to OneBeacon’s operating results and financial position. Examples of catastrophes include losses caused by earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes and other types of storms and terrorist acts. The extent of losses caused by catastrophes is a function of the amount and type of insured exposure in the area affected by the event as well as the severity of the event. OneBeacon uses models (primarily AIR Worldwide (“AIR”) Version 12) to estimate the probability of the occurrence of a catastrophic event as well as potential losses under various scenarios. OneBeacon uses this model output in conjunction with other data to manage its exposure to catastrophe losses through individual risk selection and by limiting its concentration of insurance written in catastrophe-prone areas such as coastal regions. In addition, OneBeacon imposes wind deductibles on existing coastal windstorm exposures.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, OneBeacon has sought to mitigate the risk associated with any future terrorist attacks by limiting the aggregate insured value of policies in geographic areas with exposure to losses from terrorist attacks. This is accomplished by either limiting the total insured values exposed, or, where applicable, through the use of terrorism exclusions.

In December 2007, the U.S. government extended the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (the “Terrorism Act” or “TRIA”) until December 31, 2014. The Terrorism Act established a federal “backstop” for commercial property and casualty losses, including workers compensation, resulting from acts of terrorism by or on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest. As extended, the law now also covers domestic acts of terrorism. The law limits the industry’s aggregate liability by requiring the federal government to share 85% of certified losses once a company meets a specific retention or deductible as determined by its prior year’s direct written premiums and limits the aggregate liability to be paid by the government and industry without further action by Congress at $100 billion. In exchange for this “backstop,” primary insurers are required to make coverage available to commercial insureds for losses from acts of terrorism as specified in the Terrorism Act. The following types of coverage are excluded from the program: commercial automobile, burglary and theft, surety, farmowners multi-peril and all professional liability coverage except directors and officers coverage.

OneBeacon estimates its individual retention level for commercial policies subject to the Terrorism Act to be approximately $100 million in 2012, which is based on 2011 net written premiums. The federal government will pay 85% of covered terrorism losses that exceed OneBeacon’s or the industry’s retention levels in 2012 up to a total of $100 billion.

OneBeacon seeks to further reduce its potential loss from catastrophe exposures through the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance. Effective May 1, 2011, OneBeacon renewed its property catastrophe reinsurance program through April 30, 2012. The program provides coverage for OneBeacon’s property business for losses resulting from natural catastrophes, as well as certain acts of terrorism. Under the program, the first $50.0 million of losses resulting from any single catastrophe are retained and the next $175.0 million of losses resulting from the catastrophe are reinsured, although OneBeacon retains a co-participation of 26% of losses from $50.0 million to $100.0 million and 10% of the losses from $100.0 million to $175.0 million. Losses from $175.0 million to $225.0 million are fully reinsured. Any loss above $225.0 million would be retained in full. In the event of a catastrophe, OneBeacon’s property catastrophe reinsurance program is reinstated for the remainder of the original contract term by paying a reinstatement premium that is based on the percentage of coverage reinstated and the original property catastrophe coverage premium.

OneBeacon had entered into a 30% quota share agreement with a group of reinsurers that ran from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, and had renewed the agreement effective January 1, 2010. Through June 30, 2010 OneBeacon ceded $25.6 million of written premiums from its Northeast homeowners business written through OneBeacon Insurance Company (“OBIC”) and its subsidiary companies, along with Adirondack and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association.  Effective July 1, 2010, the closing date of the Personal Lines Transaction, the agreement was amended to remove OneBeacon as a signatory.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, OneBeacon ceded $59.9 million under this quota share agreement.

OneBeacon’s property catastrophe reinsurance program does not cover property losses resulting from any nuclear events or biological, chemical or radiological terrorist attacks or losses resulting from acts of terrorism as defined under the Terrorism Act, as amended, committed by an individual or individuals acting on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest, as well as domestic acts of terrorism. Such losses are subject to coverage provided to insurance companies by TRIA.

OneBeacon also purchases property-per-risk reinsurance coverage to reduce large loss volatility. The property-per-risk reinsurance program reinsures losses in excess of $10.0 million up to $100.0 million. Individual risk facultative reinsurance may be purchased above $100.0 million where OneBeacon deems it appropriate. The property-per-risk treaty also provides one limit of reinsurance protection for losses in excess of $10.0 million up to $100.0 million on an individual risk basis for terrorism losses. However, any nuclear events, or biological, chemical or radiological terrorist attacks are not covered.

OneBeacon also maintains a casualty reinsurance program that provides protection for individual policies involving workers compensation, general liability, automobile liability, professional liability or umbrella liability in excess of $5.0 million up to $21.0 million ($20.0 million for healthcare professional liability). Casualty losses involving more than one insured are covered by a dedicated treaty up to $40.0 million in excess of a retention of $10.0 million.

In addition, OneBeacon has reinsurance contracts with two reinsurance companies rated “AA+” (Very Strong, the second highest of twenty-one financial strength ratings) by Standard & Poor’s and “A++” (Superior, the highest of fifteen financial strength ratings) by A.M. Best. One contract is the reinsurance cover with NICO, which entitles OneBeacon to recover up to $2.5 billion in ultimate loss and LAE incurred related primarily to claims arising from business written by OneBeacon prior to 1992 for asbestos claims and prior to 1987 for environmental claims and certain other exposures. As of December 31, 2011, OneBeacon has ceded estimated incurred losses of approximately $2.3 billion to the NICO Cover. Net losses paid totaled $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2011. Since entering into the NICO Cover, approximately 8% ($184 million) of the $2.3 billion of utilized coverage relates to uncollectible Third-Party Recoverables and settlements on Third-Party Recoverables through December 31, 2011. The other contract is a reinsurance cover with General Reinsurance Corporation (“GRC”) for up to $570 million of additional losses on all claims arising from accident years 2000 and prior (the “GRC Cover”). Through December 31, 2011, OneBeacon had ceded estimated incurred losses of $562.0 million to the GRC Cover. Pursuant to the GRC Cover, OneBeacon is not entitled to recover losses to the full contract limit if such losses are reimbursed by GRC more quickly than anticipated at the time the contract was signed. OneBeacon intends to only seek reimbursement from GRC for claims which result in payment patterns similar to those supporting OneBeacon’s recoverables recorded pursuant to the GRC Cover. The economic cost of not submitting certain other eligible claims to GRC is primarily the investment spread between the rate credited by GRC and the rate achieved by OneBeacon on its own investments. This cost, if any, is expected to be nominal. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, OneBeacon collected $73.5 million and $61.3 million, respectively, under the GRC Cover.

At December 31, 2011, OneBeacon had $16.5 million of reinsurance recoverables on paid losses and $2,330.8 million (gross of $163.3 million in purchase accounting adjustments, as described in Note 3) that will become recoverable if claims are paid in accordance with current reserve estimates. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve OneBeacon of its obligation to its policyholders. Therefore, collectability of balances due from reinsurers is critical to its financial strength.

The following table provides a listing of OneBeacon’s top reinsurers, excluding industry pools and associations and affiliates of White Mountains, based upon recoverable amounts, the percentage of total reinsurance recoverables and the reinsurer’s A.M. Best rating.

Top Reinsurers ($ in millions)	Balance at December 31, 2011		% of Total		A.M. Best Rating(1)
National Indemnity Company and General Reinsurance Corporation (2)	$	1,540.6	66	%		A++
Hanover Insurance Group Ltd.	90.9		4	%		A
Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire (3)	57.1		2	%		A++
Tower Group Inc.	35.1		1	%		A-
Munich Reinsurance America	26.4		1	%		A+

(1)	A.M. Best ratings as detailed above are: “A++” (Superior, which is the highest of fifteen financial strength ratings), “A+” (Superior, which is the second highest of fifteen financial strength ratings), “A” (Excellent, which is the third highest of fifteen financial strength ratings), and “A-” (Excellent, which is the fourth highest of fifteen financial strength ratings). Ratings are as of December 31, 2011.
(2)	Includes $198.3 of Third-Party Recoverables, which NICO would pay under the terms of the NICO Cover if they are unable to collect from third-party reinsurers.
(3)	Includes $30.5 of reinsurance recoverables from various third-party reinsurers that are guaranteed by Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire under the terms of a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement between Houston General Insurance Company and Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire.

Sirius Group

Sirius Group’s reinsurance protection primarily consists of pro-rata and excess of loss protections to cover aviation, trade credit, and certain property exposures. Sirius Group’s property reinsurance provides both proportional and non-proportional protections for Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia.  This reinsurance is designed to increase underwriting capacity where appropriate, and to reduce exposure both to large catastrophe losses and to a frequency of smaller loss events.  Attachment points and coverage limits vary by region around the world.  Reinsurance contracts do not relieve Sirius Group of its obligation to its ceding companies. Therefore, collectability of balances due from its retrocessional reinsurers is critical to Sirius Group’s financial strength.

In 2011, 2010 and 2009, Sirius Group purchased group excess of loss retrocessional coverage for its non-U.S. and non-Japan earthquake-related exposures. The non-U.S. and non-Japan earthquake cover was renewed for one year at April 1, 2011, providing $61.0 million of reinsurance protection through partially placed coverage layers in excess of Sirius Group’s retention of $35.0 million. Sirius Group will recognize the full $61.0 million recovery if a covered earthquake loss reaches $110.0 million. At April 1, 2010, Sirius Group purchased coverage for $65.0 million in excess of $45.0 million. At December 31, 2011, losses incurred for the February 2011 New Zealand earthquake totaled $44.4 million, which is less than the $45.0 million retention; accordingly, Sirius Group has not recovered any losses from this coverage.  At April 1, 2009, Sirius Group purchased coverage for $65.0 million in excess of $35.0 million, and this coverage applied to losses incurred from the Chile earthquake. During 2010, Sirius Group recovered the full $65.0 million limit under this earthquake cover as a result of the Chile Earthquake in February 2010.

Sirius Group’s aviation reinsurance program is intended to reduce exposure to a frequency of small losses, a single large loss, or a combination of both.  In 2012, for the proportional and facultative aviation portfolios, reinsurance protection was purchased on average in excess of a market loss of $150.0 million up to a full airline policy limit of $2.25 billion. For the non-proportional aviation portfolio, reinsurance protection includes a 15% quota share treaty and several excess of loss covers with varying attachment points and limits. In addition, the non-proportional portfolio is protected by $30.0 million in the form of first event industry loss warranties (“ILW”), and $6.0 million of available limit in the form of second event ILWs.  The first event ILWs attach at industry event levels between $400.0 million and $900.0 million.  The second event ILWs attach at industry event levels between $300.0 million and $600.0 million.

For accident and health, Sirius Group has excess of loss protection covering personal accident and life of €10 million ($13 million based on the December 31, 2011 EUR to USD exchange rate) of protection in excess of a €5 million ($7 million based on the December 31, 2011 EUR to USD exchange rate) retention for the Stockholm, Hamburg, Liege and Singapore branches.

For 2011, Sirius Group ceded 19% of its trade credit business under a quota share retrocession, which supported growth in this line.  The treaty was renewed for 2012 at a 20% cession percentage for credit business and 50% for bond business.

All of Sirius Group’s excess of loss reinsurance protections include provisions that reinstate coverage at a cost of 100% or more of the original reinsurance premium.

In 2000, Sirius America purchased a reinsurance contract from Imagine Re (the “Imagine Cover”) to reduce its statutory operating leverage and protect its statutory surplus from adverse development relating to A&E exposures as well as the reserves assumed in certain recent acquisitions. In accordance with ASC 944, the amounts related to reserves transferred to Imagine Re for liabilities incurred as a result of past insurable events were accounted for as retroactive reinsurance.  During 2010, Sirius America determined that the full reinsurance recoverable under the Imagine Cover was due.  Accordingly, Sirius America billed Imagine Re for the remaining balance due under the Imagine Cover and withdrew this amount from a trust that included invested assets that fully collateralized the reinsurance recoverable balance. As of December 31, 2010, Sirius America had collected all amounts due from Imagine Re. At December 31, 2009, Sirius America had $16.3 million of unamortized deferred gains related to the Imagine Cover. During 2010, as a result of the collection of the reinsurance recoverable balance due under the Imagine Cover, Sirius America recognized the remaining $16.3 million of unamortized deferred gains. Sirius Group recognized $4.6 million of deferred gains during 2009.

At December 31, 2011, Sirius Group had $13.9 million of reinsurance recoverables on paid losses and $339.7 million of reinsurance that will become recoverable if claims are paid in accordance with current reserve estimates.  The following table provides a listing of Sirius Group’s top reinsurers based upon recoverable amounts, the percentage of total recoverables and the reinsurer’s A.M. Best Rating.

Top Reinsurers ($ in millions)	Balance at December 31, 2011		% of Total		A.M. Best Rating(1)		% Collateralized
General Reinsurance Corporation	$	42.7	12	%		A++	1	%
Swiss Re Group	40.2		11	%		A+	20	%
Olympus (2)	35.5		10	%		NR-5	100	%
Lloyds of London(3)	27.2		8	%		A	8	%
Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association	14.6		4	%		N/A(4)	—	%

(1)	A.M. Best ratings as detailed above are: “NR-5” (Not formally followed), “A++” (Superior, which is the highest of fifteen financial strength ratings), “A+” (Superior, which is the second highest of fifteen financial strength ratings), and “A” (Excellent, which is the third highest of fifteen financial strength ratings).
(2)	Non-U.S. insurance entities. Balances are fully collateralized through funds held, letters of credit or trust agreements.
(3)	Represents the total of reinsurance recoverables due to Sirius Group from all Lloyds Syndicates.
(4)	Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (“MCCA”) is a non-profit unincorporated association of which every insurance company that sells automobile coverage in Michigan is required to be a member.  A.M. Best does not rate MCCA. Sirius Group acquired its recoverable from MCCA as a result of its acquisition of Stockbridge Insurance Company.