1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A.DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

We underwrite selected property and casualty insurance coverages. We conduct operations principally through three insurance companies. These companies are organized in a vertical structure beneath RLI Corp. with RLI Insurance Company (RLI Ins.) as the first-level, or principal, insurance subsidiary. RLI Ins. writes multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, a subsidiary of RLI Ins., writes surplus lines insurance in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company (CBIC), a subsidiary of RLI Ins., writes multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In 2015, we sold RLI Indemnity Company (RIC), a former subsidiary of Mt. Hawley, as a “shell.” This transaction was essentially the sale of insurance licenses. All business and cash flows from the former subsidiary remain within the RLI Insurance Group. See note 13 for more information on the sale of RIC.

B.PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), which differ in some respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our holding company and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

C.ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

As no effective Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) impact our financial statements, there are no new adopted accounting standards to report.

D.PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

This ASU was issued to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring them to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related recognized debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We have not early-adopted this ASU and do not believe adoption will have a material effect on our financial statements.

ASU 2015-09, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts

This ASU was issued to enhance disclosures about an entity’s insurance liabilities, including the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows related to those liabilities. The new guidance requires the following information related to unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses be disclosed using an appropriate level of disaggregation so as not to obscure useful information:

Net incurred and paid claims development information by accident year for the number of years for which claims incurred typically remain outstanding, but need not exceed 10 years;

A reconciliation of incurred and paid claims development information to the aggregate carrying amount of the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, with separate disclosure of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims for each period presented in the statement of financial position;

For each accident year presented, the total of incurred-but-not-reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims included in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses;

For each accident year presented, quantitative information about claim frequency accompanied by a qualitative description of methodologies used for determining claim frequency information; and

For all claims, the average annual percentage payout of incurred claims by age.

This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We have not early adopted this ASU and while disclosures will be increased, we do not believe adoption will have a material effect on our financial statements.

ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

This ASU was issued to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance makes targeted improvements to GAAP as follows:

Requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income;

Simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment;

Eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet;

Requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes;

Requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments;

Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and

Clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets.

This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is only permitted for provision (e) above. Upon adoption, a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet will be made as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We have not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect our financial statements.

ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)

ASU 2016-02 was issued to improve the financial reporting of leasing transactions. Under current guidance for lessees, leases are only included on the balance sheet if certain criteria, classifying the agreement as a capital lease, are met. This update will require the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability, discounted to the present value, for all leases that extend beyond 12 months. For operating leases, the asset and liability will be expensed over the lease term on a straight-line basis, with all cash flows included in the operating section of the statement of cash flows. For finance leases, interest on the lease liability will be recognized separately from the amortization of the right-of-use asset in the statement of comprehensive income and the repayment of the principal portion of the lease liability will be classified as a financing activity while the interest component will be included in the operating section of the statement of cash flows.

This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, leases will be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. We have not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect our financial statements. See note 10 for more information on our current lease expenses and obligations.

INVESTMENTS:

We classify our investments in all debt and equity securities into one of three categories: available-for-sale, held-to-maturity or trading.

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES

Debt and equity securities not included as held-to-maturity or trading are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on these securities are excluded from net earnings but are recorded as a separate component of comprehensive earnings and shareholders’ equity, net of deferred income taxes. All of our debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.

HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES

Debt securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. Except for declines that are other-than-temporary, changes in the fair value of these securities are not reflected in the financial statements. During 2014, we sold our remaining debt security classified as held-to-maturity.

TRADING SECURITIES

Debt and equity securities purchased for short-term resale are classified as trading securities. These securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. During 2013, we sold our remaining debt securities classified as trading.

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, no securities were transferred from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale or trading.

OTHER THAN TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENT

We regularly evaluate our fixed income and equity securities using both quantitative and qualitative criteria to determine impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of the investments. The following are the key factors for determining if a security is other-than-temporarily impaired:

The length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost,

The probability of significant adverse changes to the cash flows on a fixed income investment,

The occurrence of a discrete credit event resulting in the issuer defaulting on a material obligation, the issuer seeking protection from creditors under the bankruptcy laws, the issuer proposing a voluntary reorganization under which creditors are asked to exchange their claims for cash or securities having a fair value substantially lower than par value,

The probability that we will recover the entire amortized cost basis of our fixed income securities prior to maturity or

For our equity securities, our expectation of recovery to cost within a reasonable period of time.

Quantitative criteria considered during this process include, but are not limited to: the degree and duration of current fair value as compared to the cost (amortized, in certain cases) of the security, degree and duration of the security’s fair value being below cost and, for fixed maturities, whether the issuer is in compliance with terms and covenants of the security. Qualitative criteria include the credit quality, current economic conditions, the anticipated speed of cost recovery, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, as well as our absence of intent to sell or requirement to sell fixed income securities prior to maturity. In addition, we consider price declines of securities in our other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) analysis, where such price declines provide evidence of declining credit quality, and we distinguish between price changes caused by credit deterioration, as opposed to rising interest rates. See note 2 for further discussion of OTTI.

Interest on fixed maturities and short-term investments is credited to earnings on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the lives of the related fixed maturities. Dividends on equity securities are credited to earnings on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains and losses on disposition of investments are based on specific identification of the investments sold on the settlement date.

F.CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND OTHER INVESTED ASSETS

Cash consists of uninvested balances in bank accounts. Short-term investments consist of investments with original maturities of 90 days or less, primarily AAA-rated prime and government money market funds. Short-term investments are carried at cost. We have not experienced losses on these instruments. Other invested assets includes an investment in two low income housing tax credit partnerships, carried at amortized cost, membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, carried at cost, and an investment in a real estate fund, carried at cost. Due to the nature of cash, short-term investments and other invested assets, their carrying amounts approximate fair value.

G.REINSURANCE

Ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance balances recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses are reported separately as assets, instead of being netted with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not relieve us of our legal liability to our policyholders.

We continuously monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers. As part of our monitoring efforts, we review their annual financial statements, quarterly disclosures and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings for those reinsurers that are publicly traded. We also review insurance industry developments that may impact the financial condition of our reinsurers. We analyze the credit risk associated with our reinsurance balances recoverable by monitoring the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) ratings of our reinsurers. In addition, we subject our reinsurance recoverables to detailed recoverable tests, including one based on average default by S&P rating. Based upon our review and testing, our policy is to charge to earnings, in the form of an allowance, an estimate of unrecoverable amounts from reinsurers. This allowance is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the amount makes a reasonable provision for reinsurance balances that we may be unable to recover.

H.POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

We defer commissions, premium taxes and certain other costs that are incrementally or directly related to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts. Acquisition-related costs may be deemed ineligible for deferral when they are based on contingent or performance criteria beyond the basic acquisition of the insurance contract or when efforts to obtain or renew the insurance contract are unsuccessful. All eligible costs are capitalized and charged to expense in proportion to premium revenue recognized. The method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. This would also give effect to the premiums to be earned and anticipated losses and settlement expenses, as well as certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premiums are earned. Judgments as to the ultimate recoverability of such deferred costs are reviewed on a segment basis and are highly dependent upon estimated future loss costs associated with the premiums written. This deferral methodology applies to both gross and ceded premiums and acquisition costs.

I.PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are presented at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated on a straight-line basis for financial statement purposes over periods ranging from 3 to 10 years for equipment and up to 30 years for buildings and improvements.

J.INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED INVESTEES

We maintain a 40 percent interest in the earnings of Maui Jim, Inc. (Maui Jim), a manufacturer of high-quality sunglasses, which is accounted for by the equity method. We also maintain a similar minority representation on their board of directors. Maui Jim’s chief executive officer owns a controlling majority of the outstanding shares of Maui Jim. We carry this investment at the holding company, RLI Corp., level as it is not core to our insurance operations. Our investment in Maui Jim was $62.7 million in 2015 and $54.3 million in 2014. In 2015, we recorded $9.9 million in investee earnings for Maui Jim, compared to $12.0 million in 2014 and $10.9 million in 2013. Maui Jim recorded net income of $23.7 million in 2015, $30.7 million in 2014 and $26.1 million in 2013. Additional summarized financial information for Maui Jim for 2015 and 2014 is outlined in the following table:


(in millions)	2015		2014
Total assets	$	223.4	$	219.8
Total liabilities		90.0		107.6
Total equity		133.4		112.2

Approximately $52.0 million of undistributed earnings from Maui Jim are included in our retained earnings as of December 31, 2015. In 2014 and 2013, we received dividends of $6.6 million and $13.2 million, respectively, from Maui Jim. No dividends were received in 2015.

On February 5, 2014, we invested $5.3 million for a 20 percent equity ownership interest in Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime). On March 4, 2015, we invested an additional $1.7 million, increasing our total equity ownership to 27 percent. Prime writes business through two Illinois domiciled insurance carriers, Prime Insurance Company, an excess and surplus lines company, and Prime Property and Casualty Insurance Inc., an admitted insurance company. Our investment in Prime was $8.1 million at December 31, 2015 and $5.7 million at December 31, 2014. In 2015, we recorded $1.0 million in investee earnings for Prime, compared to $0.3 million in 2014. Additionally, we entered into a 25 percent quota share reinsurance treaty with Prime, effective January 1, 2014, which contributed $11.3 million of gross premiums written and $10.9 million of net premiums earned during 2015, compared to $10.2 million of gross premiums written and $5.3 million of net premiums earned during 2014.

We perform annual impairment reviews of our investments in our unconsolidated investees, which take into consideration current valuation and operating results. Based upon the most recent reviews, the assets were not impaired.

K.INTANGIBLE ASSETS

In accordance with GAAP guidelines, the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is not permitted. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets remain on the balance sheet and are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or earlier if there is reason to suspect that their values may have been diminished or impaired. Goodwill and intangibles totaled $71.3 million at December 31, 2015 as detailed in the following table.


Goodwill and Intangible Assets
(in thousands)
Reporting Unit		2015		2014
Goodwill
Energy surety	$	25,706	$	25,706
Miscellaneous and contract surety		15,110		15,110
P&C package business		5,246		5,246
Medical professional liability		12,434		12,434
Total goodwill	$	58,496	$	58,496

Intangibles
State insurance licenses*	$	7,500	$	8,009
Definite lived intangibles		5,298		6,190
Total intangibles	$	12,798	$	14,199

Total goodwill and intangibles	$	71,294	$	72,695

*Decrease from 2014 is due to the sale of RIC, which included $0.5 million of state licenses carried as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. See note 13 for further discussion on the sale of RIC.

Annual impairment testing was performed on each of these goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during 2015. Based upon these reviews, none of the assets were impaired. In addition, as of December 31, 2015, there were no triggering events that occurred that would suggest an updated review was necessary. However, as a result of premium declines, the margin of fair value over carrying value on our medical professional liability goodwill is smaller than in previous years. We continue to monitor the performance of the medical professional liability reporting unit and will reexamine our valuation should results change from expectations or other triggering events occur.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, a triggering event occurred when a fair value amount for state insurance licenses was obtained from a merger and acquisition broker with expertise in providing valuations for fully-licensed P&C shell companies. The carrying cost of CBIC’s licenses exceeded the fair value and resulted in a $1.3 million impairment included as a net realized loss in the 2014 consolidated statement of earnings.

The definite-lived intangible assets are amortized against future operating results based on their estimated useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets was $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $1.2 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

L.UNPAID LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES

The liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses represents estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported claims and related expenses. The estimates are based on certain actuarial and other assumptions related to the ultimate cost to settle such claims. Such assumptions are subject to occasional changes due to evolving economic, social and political conditions. All estimates are periodically reviewed and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments are reflected in the results of operations in the period in which they are determined. Due to the inherent uncertainty in estimating reserves for losses and settlement expenses, there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not exceed recorded amounts. If actual liabilities do exceed recorded amounts, there will be an adverse effect. Furthermore, we may determine that recorded reserves are more than adequate to cover expected losses, which would lead to a reduction in our reserves.

M.INSURANCE REVENUE RECOGNITION

Insurance premiums are recognized ratably over the term of the contracts, net of ceded reinsurance. Unearned premiums are calculated on a monthly pro rata basis.

N.INCOME TAXES

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Federal income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of “temporary differences” by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities, operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. The effect on deferred taxes for a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all or some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We consider uncertainties in income taxes and recognize those in our financial statements as required. As it relates to uncertainties in income taxes, our unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalty accruals, are not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. Also, no tax uncertainties are expected to result in significant increases or decreases to unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12-month period. Penalties and interest related to income tax uncertainties, should they occur, would be included in income tax expense in the period in which they are incurred.

As an insurance company, we are subject to minimal state income tax liabilities. On a state basis, since the majority of our income is from insurance operations, we pay premium taxes in lieu of state income taxes. Premium taxes are a component of policy acquisition costs and calculated as a percentage of gross premiums written.

O.EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock or common stock equivalents were exercised or converted into common stock. When inclusion of these items increases the earnings per share or reduces the loss per share, the effect on earnings is anti-dilutive. Under these circumstances, the diluted net earnings or net loss per share is computed excluding the these items.

The following represents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted EPS computations contained in the consolidated financial statements.


			Weighted Average
	Income		Shares	Per Share
(in thousands, except per share data)	(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Amount
For the year ended December 31, 2015
Basic EPS
Income available to common shareholders	$	137,544	43,299	$	3.18
Stock options		—	832
Diluted EPS
Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions	$	137,544	44,131	$	3.12

For the year ended December 31, 2014
Basic EPS
Income available to common shareholders	$	135,445	43,020	$	3.15
Stock options		—	799
Diluted EPS
Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions	$	135,445	43,819	$	3.09

For the year ended December 31, 2013
Basic EPS
Income available to common shareholders	$	126,255	42,744	$	2.95
Stock options		—	770
Diluted EPS
Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions	$	126,255	43,514	$	2.90

P.COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

Our comprehensive earnings include net earnings plus unrealized gains/losses on our available-for-sale investment securities, net of tax. In reporting the components of comprehensive earnings on a net basis in the statement of earnings, we used a 35 percent tax rate. Other comprehensive income (loss), as shown in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings, is net of tax expense (benefit) of $(25.3) million, $19.0 million and $(3.8) million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table illustrates the changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings for each period presented in the consolidated financial statements.


Unrealized Gains/Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities	For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2015		2014		2013

Beginning balance	$	171,383	$	136,027	$	143,170
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications		(26,199)		57,081		7,723
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings		(21,410)		(21,725)		(14,866)
Net current-period other comprehensive earnings (loss)	$	(47,609)	$	35,356	$	(7,143)
Ending balance	$	123,774	$	171,383	$	136,027

The sale or other-than-temporary impairment of an available-for-sale security results in amounts being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to current period net earnings. The effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive earnings by the respective line items of net earnings are presented in the following table.


Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
(in thousands)

Component of Accumulated	For the Year Ended December 31,						Affected line item in the
Other Comprehensive Earnings	2015		2014		2013		Statement of Earnings

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	$	32,939	$	33,423	$	22,871	Net realized investment gains
		—		—		—	Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on investments
	$	32,939	$	33,423	$	22,871	Earnings before income taxes
		(11,529)		(11,698)		(8,005)	Income tax expense
	$	21,410	$	21,725	$	14,866	Net earnings

Q.FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

Fair value is defined as the price in the principal market that would be received for an asset to facilitate an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We determined the fair value of certain financial instruments based on their underlying characteristics and relevant transactions in the marketplace. GAAP guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance also describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.

The following are the levels of the fair value hierarchy and a brief description of the type of valuation inputs that are used to establish each level:

Pricing Level 1 is applied to valuations based on readily available, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Pricing Level 2 is applied to valuations based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Pricing Level 3 is applied to valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable. Financial assets are classified based upon the lowest level of significant input that is used to determine fair value.

As a part of management’s process to determine fair value, we utilize widely recognized, third-party pricing sources to determine our fair values. We have obtained an understanding of the third-party pricing sources’ valuation methodologies and inputs. The following is a description of the valuation techniques used for financial assets that are measured at fair value, including the general classification of such assets pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.

Corporate, Agencies, Government and Municipal Bonds: The pricing vendor employs a multi-dimensional model which uses standard inputs including (listed in approximate order of priority for use) benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers and other reference data. The pricing vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events. All bonds valued using these techniques are classified as Level 2. All Corporate, Agencies, Government and Municipal securities are deemed Level 2.

Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS)/Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO) and Asset-backed Securities (ABS): The pricing vendor evaluation methodology includes principally interest rate movements and new issue data. Evaluation of the tranches (non-volatile, volatile or credit sensitivity) is based on the pricing vendors’ interpretation of accepted modeling and pricing conventions. This information is then used to determine the cash flows for each tranche, benchmark yields, pre-payment assumptions and to incorporate collateral performance. To evaluate CMO volatility, an option adjusted spread model is used in combination with models that simulate interest rate paths to determine market price information. This process allows the pricing vendor to obtain evaluations of a broad universe of securities in a way that reflects changes in yield curve, index rates, implied volatility, mortgage rates and recent trade activity. MBS/CMO and ABS with corroborated, observable inputs are classified as Level 2. All of our MBS/CMO and ABS are deemed Level 2.

For all of our fixed income securities classified as Level 2, as described above, we periodically conduct a review to assess the reasonableness of the fair values provided by our pricing services. Our review consists of a two-pronged approach. First, we compare prices provided by our pricing services to those provided by an additional source. In some cases, we obtain prices from securities brokers and compare them to the prices provided by our pricing services. In our comparisons, if discrepancies are found, we compare our prices to actual reported trade data for like securities. No changes to the fair values supplied by our pricing services have occurred as a result of our reviews. Based on these assessments, we have determined that the fair values of our Level 2 securities provided by our pricing services are reasonable.

Common Stock: For common stock securities, we receive prices from a nationally recognized pricing service. All of our common stock holdings are deemed Level 1 as exchange traded equities have readily observable price levels (fair value based on quoted market prices). As such, we have determined that the fair values of our Level 1 securities provided by our pricing service are reasonable.

Due to the relatively short-term nature of cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable, their carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of fair value. The fair value of our long-term debt is discussed further in note 4.

R.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options and similar awards. Guidance requires entities to measure compensation cost for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of those awards and recognize compensation expense over the service period that the awards are expected to vest.

We calculate the tax effects of share-based compensation under the alternative transition method as permitted by GAAP guidance. The alternative transition method includes simplified methods to determine the impact on the additional paid-in capital pool and consolidated statements of cash flows of the tax effects of employee share-based compensation awards.

See note 8 for further discussion and related disclosures regarding stock options.

S.RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES:

Certain risks and uncertainties are inherent to our day-to-day operations and to the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements. The more significant risks and uncertainties, as well as our attempt to mitigate, quantify and minimize such risks, are presented below and throughout the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Catastrophe Exposures

Our insurance coverages include exposure to catastrophic events. We monitor all catastrophe exposures by quantifying our exposed policy limits in each region and by using computer-assisted modeling techniques. Additionally, we limit our risk to such catastrophes through restraining the total policy limits written in each region and by purchasing reinsurance. Our major catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by earthquakes, primarily on the West Coast. In 2015, for this coverage, we had protection of $300 million in excess of $25 million first-dollar retention for earthquakes in California and $325 million in excess of a $25 million first-dollar retention for earthquakes outside of California. These amounts are subject to certain co-participations by us on losses in excess of the $25 million retentions. Our second largest catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by wind storms to commercial properties throughout the Gulf and East Coasts, as well as to homes we insure in Hawaii. In 2015, these coverages were supported by $225 million in excess of a $25 million first-dollar retention in traditional catastrophe reinsurance protection, subject to certain co-participations by us in the excess layers. In addition, we have incidental exposure to international catastrophic events.

Our catastrophe reinsurance treaty renewed on January 1, 2016. We purchased the same limits over the same first-dollar retention amounts outlined above, subject to certain retentions by us in the excess layers. We actively manage our catastrophe program to keep our net retention in line with risk tolerances and to optimize the risk/return trade off.

Environmental Exposures

We are subject to environmental claims and exposures primarily through our commercial umbrella, general liability and discontinued assumed casualty reinsurance lines of business. Although exposure to environmental claims exists in these lines of business, we seek to mitigate or control the extent of this exposure on the vast majority of this business through the following methods: (1) our policies include pollution exclusions that have been continually updated to further strengthen them, (2) our policies primarily cover moderate hazard risks and (3) we began writing this business after the insurance industry became aware of the potential pollution liability exposure and implemented changes to limit its exposure to this hazard.

In 2009, as an extension of our excess and surplus lines general liability product, we expanded our offerings into low to moderate environmental liability exposures for small contractors and asbestos and mold remediation specialists. The business unit also provides limited coverage for individually underwritten underground storage tanks. We attempted to mitigate the overall exposure by focusing on smaller risks with low to moderate exposures. A large portion of this business is also offered on a claims-made basis with relatively low limits. We avoid risks that have large-scale exposures including petrochemical, chemical, mining, manufacturers and other risks that might be exposed to superfund sites. This business is covered under our casualty ceded reinsurance treaties. Since 2009, we have written a total of $16.9 million of premium from this product extension with $3.9 million written in 2015.

We made loss and settlement expense payments on environmental liability claims and have loss and settlement expense reserves for others. We include this historical environmental loss experience with the remaining loss experience in the applicable line of business to project ultimate incurred losses and settlement expenses as well as related incurred but not reported (IBNR) loss and settlement expense reserves.

Although historical experience on environmental claims may not accurately reflect future environmental exposures, we used this experience to record loss and settlement expense reserves in the exposed lines of business. See further discussion of environmental exposures in note 6.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance does not discharge us from our primary liability to policyholders, and to the extent that a reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations, we would be liable. We continuously monitor the financial condition of prospective and existing reinsurers. As a result, we purchase reinsurance from a number of financially strong reinsurers. We provide an allowance for reinsurance balances deemed uncollectible. See further discussion of reinsurance exposures in note 5.

Investment Risk

Our investment portfolio is subject to market, credit and interest rate risks. The equity portfolio will fluctuate with movements in the overall stock market. While the equity portfolio has been constructed to have lower downside risk than the market, the portfolio is positively correlated with movements in domestic stocks. The bond portfolio is affected by interest rate changes and movement in credit spreads. We attempt to mitigate our interest rate and credit risks by constructing a well-diversified portfolio with high-quality securities with varied maturities. Downturns in the financial markets could have a negative effect on our portfolio. However, we attempt to manage this risk through asset allocation, duration and security selection.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity is essential to our business and a key component of our concept of asset-liability matching. Our liquidity may be impaired by an inability to collect premium receivable or reinsurance recoverable balances in a timely manner, an inability to sell assets or redeem our investments, an inability to access funds from our insurance subsidiaries, unforeseen outflows of cash or large claim payments or an inability to access debt or equity capital markets. This situation may arise due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as a general market disruption, an operational problem that affects third parties or us, or even by the perception among market participants that we, or other market participants, are experiencing greater liquidity risk.

Our credit ratings are important to our liquidity. A reduction in our credit ratings could adversely affect our liquidity and competitive position, by increasing our borrowing costs or limiting our access to the capital markets.

Financial Statements

The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. The most significant of these amounts is the liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses. Other estimates include investment valuation and OTTIs, the collectability of reinsurance balances, recoverability of deferred tax assets and deferred policy acquisition costs. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Although recorded estimates are supported by actuarial computations and other supportive data, the estimates are ultimately based on our expectations of future events. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

External Factors

Our insurance subsidiaries are highly regulated by the state in which they are incorporated and by the states in which they do business. Such regulations, among other things, limit the amount of dividends, impose restrictions on the amount and types of investments and regulate rates insurers may charge for various coverages. We are also subject to insolvency and guaranty fund assessments for various programs designed to ensure policyholder indemnification. We generally accrue an assessment during the period in which it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred from an insolvency and the amount of the related assessment can be reasonably estimated.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has developed Property/Casualty Risk-Based Capital (RBC) standards that relate an insurer’s reported statutory surplus to the risks inherent in its overall operations. The RBC formula uses the statutory annual statement to calculate the minimum indicated capital level to support asset (investment and credit) risk and underwriting (loss reserves, premiums written and unearned premium) risk. The NAIC model law calls for various levels of regulatory action based on the magnitude of an indicated RBC capital deficiency, if any. We regularly monitor our subsidiaries’ internal capital requirements and the NAIC’s RBC developments. As of December 31, 2015, we determined that our capital levels are well in excess of the minimum capital requirements for all RBC action levels and that our capital levels are sufficient to support the level of risk inherent in our operations. See note 9 for further discussion of statutory information and related insurance regulatory restrictions.

In addition, ratings are a critical factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Our insurance companies are rated by A.M. Best, S&P and Moody’s. Their ratings reflect their opinions of an insurance company’s and an insurance holding company’s financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders.