Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and include the accounts of Unitrin, Inc. (“Unitrin”) and its subsidiaries (individually and collectively referred to herein as the “Company”) and are unaudited. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company accounts for its former Unitrin Business Insurance operations as discontinued operations. Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement footnote disclosures, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) is not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting and has been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation. The preparation of interim financial statements relies heavily on estimates. This factor and certain other factors, such as the seasonal nature of some portions of the insurance business, as well as market conditions, call for caution in drawing specific conclusions from interim results. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in Unitrin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2010 Annual Report”).

Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issues Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) to amend the authoritative literature in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The Company has not adopted any new accounting standards in 2011. There have been seven ASUs issued in 2011 that amend the original text of ASC. Except for ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements, described below, none of the ASUs issued in 2011 are expected to have an impact on the Company. ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts, which was issued in 2010 and also described below, is expected to have an impact on the Company.

In October 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with earlier adoption permitted. The provisions of the new standard can be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The standard amends ASC Topic 944, Financial Services—Insurance, and modifies the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal contracts. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company and the method of adoption.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements. The standard is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The new standard amends the existing fair value definition and enhances disclosure requirements. Other than the enhanced disclosure requirements, the Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on the Company.