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Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses [Abstract]  
Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses [Text Block]

7. Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) represent the estimated ultimate net cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through each balance sheet date. The reserves for unpaid losses and LAE are estimated using individual case-basis valuations and statistical analyses. These reserves are revised periodically and are subject to the effects of trends in loss severity and frequency. Due to the inherent uncertainty in estimating unpaid losses and LAE, the actual ultimate amounts may differ from the recorded amounts. The estimates are periodically reviewed and adjusted as experience develops or new information becomes known. Such adjustments are included in current operations. The aggregate loss reserves are increased or decreased to reflect unfavorable or favorable loss development when the available information indicates a reasonable likelihood that the ultimate loss would be more or less than the previous estimates.

 

We recorded $2.0 million of unfavorable development in reserve estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The $2.0 million unfavorable development recognized in the first quarter of 2013 was attributable to $0.7 million unfavorable development on claims incurred in the 2012 accident year, $1.6 million unfavorable development on claims incurred in the 2011 accident year, $0.1 million unfavorable development on claims incurred in the 2010 accident year partially offset by $0.4 million favorable development on claims incurred in the 2009 and prior accident years. Our E&S Commercial business unit accounted for $3.5 million of the unfavorable development recognized during the first quarter of 2013. These unfavorable developments were partially offset by favorable development of $0.5 million in our Hallmark Select business unit, $0.3 million in our Personal Lines business unit and $0.7 million in our Standard Commercial P&C business unit. The unfavorable development for our E&S Commercial business unit of $3.5 million was primarily driven by unfavorable claims development in the 2011 and 2010 accident years as a result of unfavorable loss development in commercial auto liability. The favorable development for our Hallmark Select business unit of $0.5 million was driven by favorable claims development in the 2011 and prior accident years related to our aircraft liability lines of business, partially offset by unfavorable claims development in the 2012 accident year related to our aircraft hull coverage. The favorable loss development for our Personal Lines business unit of $0.3 million was attributable to the 2012 and 2011 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable development in the 2010 and prior accident years. The favorable loss development for our Standard Commercial P&C business unit of $0.7 million was primarily related to commercial auto liability in the 2010 and prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable loss development related to commercial property in the 2012 accident year.

 

We recorded $3.0 million of favorable development in reserve estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The $3.0 million favorable development recognized in the first quarter of 2012 was attributable to $0.3 million favorable development on claims incurred in the 2011 accident year, $0.5 million favorable development on claims incurred in the 2010 accident year, $0.9 million favorable development on claims incurred in the 2009 accident year and $1.3 million favorable development on claims incurred in the 2008 and prior accident years. Our Standard Commercial P&C business unit and E&S Commercial business unit accounted for $2.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of the favorable development recognized during the first quarter of 2012. These favorable developments were partially offset by $0.8 million of unfavorable development in our Personal Lines business unit. The favorable development for our Standard Commercial P&C business unit of $2.9 million was driven by favorable claims development in the 2011 accident year as a result of favorable loss development in commercial property and commercial auto liability. Further contributing to the favorable development for our Standard Commercial P&C business unit was favorable claims development in the 2009 and prior accident years driven primarily by general liability and commercial auto liability. The favorable development for our E&S Commercial business unit of $0.9 million was driven by favorable claims development in the 2010 and prior accident years as a result of favorable loss development in general liability, commercial auto liability and commercial property, partially offset by unfavorable claims development in the 2011 accident year as a result of unfavorable loss development in commercial auto physical damage. The unfavorable loss development for our Personal Lines business unit of $0.8 million was attributable to 2010 and prior accident years.