Summary Of Accounting Policies And Accounting Changes (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Investments in Fixed Maturities include bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stocks. Investments in Fixed Maturities are classified as available for sale and reported at fair value. Net Investment Income, including amortization of purchased premiums and accretion of market discounts, on Investments in Fixed Maturities is recognized as interest over the period that it is earned using the effective yield method.

Investments in Equity Securities include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks and other equity interests and are reported at fair value. Investments in common and non-redeemable preferred stocks with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale. Dividend income on investments in common and non-redeemable preferred stocks is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Other equity interests primarily consist of exchange traded funds and interests in limited liability companies and limited partnerships in which the Company’s interests are deemed minor. The Company’s share of distributed earnings from other equity interests is recognized as dividend income when received.

Unrealized appreciation or depreciation, net of applicable deferred income taxes, on fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available for sale is reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) included in Shareholders’ Equity.

Equity Method Limited Liability Investments include investments in limited liability investment companies and limited partnerships in which the Company’s interests are not deemed minor and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES (Continued)

Fair Value Option Investments include investments in certain hedge funds, which the Company has elected the fair value option (“FVO”) to account for such investments. Under the FVO method of accounting, the Company reports changes in the fair value of such investments in Net Investment Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The hedge funds are designed to preserve liquidity, while providing higher returns than Kemper would otherwise expect to earn had it invested in other short-term investments.

Short-term Investments include certificates of deposits and other fixed maturities that mature within one year from the date of purchase, U.S. Treasury bills, money market mutual funds, overnight interest bearing accounts, and repurchase agreements. Short-term Investments are reported at cost, which approximates fair value.

Other Investments primarily include loans to policyholders and real estate. Loans to policyholders are carried at unpaid principal balance. Real estate is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Real estate is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method of depreciation. Real estate is evaluated for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss on real estate is recognized when the carrying value exceeds the sum of undiscounted projected future cash flows as well as the fair value, or, in the case of a property classified as held for sale, when the carrying value exceeds the fair value, net of costs to sell.

Gains and losses on sales of investments are computed on the specific identification method and are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the sales occur. The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolio for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value of an investment is other than temporary. Losses are computed on the specific identification method and reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period that the decline is determined to be other than temporary. The portion of an impairment of an investment in a fixed maturity attributed to a credit loss is reported in Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Income, with the portion of the impairment that is not attributed to a credit loss reported in AOCI.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company uses a hierarchical framework which prioritizes and ranks the market observability of inputs used in fair value measurements. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of asset or liability and the characteristics specific to the asset or liability being measured. Assets and liabilities with readily available, active, quoted market prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally are deemed to have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value. The Company classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into one of three levels as follows:


•	Level 1 — Quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities;


•	Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-derived prices whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and


•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability being measured.

Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs are based on the Company’s market assumptions. Unobservable inputs require significant management judgment or estimation. In some cases, the inputs used to measure an asset or liability may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those cases, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level of input that is significant to the entire measurement. Such determination requires significant management judgment. However, in accordance with GAAP, the Company is not permitted to use management judgment to adjust quoted market prices in an active market.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Costs directly associated with the successful acquisition of business, principally commissions and certain premium taxes and policy issuance costs, are deferred. Costs deferred on property and casualty insurance contracts and short duration health insurance contracts are amortized over the period in which premiums are earned. Costs deferred on traditional life insurance products and other long-duration insurance contracts are primarily amortized over the anticipated premium-paying period of the related policies in proportion to the ratio of the annual premiums to the total premiums anticipated, which is estimated using the same assumptions used in calculating policy reserves.

Goodwill

The cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of net assets acquired is reported as Goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for recoverability annually or when certain triggering events require testing.

Insurance Reserves

Reserves for losses and LAE on property and casualty insurance coverage and health insurance coverage represent the estimated claim cost and loss adjustment expense necessary to cover the ultimate net cost of investigating and settling all losses incurred and unpaid at the end of any given accounting period. Such estimates are based on individual case estimates for reported claims and estimates for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses, including expected development on reported claims. These estimates are adjusted in the aggregate for ultimate loss expectations based on historical experience patterns and current economic trends, with any change in the estimated ultimate liabilities being reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period of change. Changes in such estimates may be material.

For traditional life insurance products, the reserves for future policy benefits are estimated on the net level premium method using assumptions as of the issue date for mortality, interest, policy lapses and expenses, including provisions for adverse mortality. These assumptions vary by such characteristics as plan, age at issue and policy duration. Mortality assumptions are based on the Company’s historical experience and industry standards. Interest rate assumptions principally range from 3% to 7%. Lapse rate assumptions are based on actual and industry experience. Insurance Reserves for life insurance products are comprised of reserves for future policy benefits plus an estimate of the Company’s liability for unpaid life insurance claims and claims adjustment expenses, which includes an estimate for IBNR life insurance claims. Prior to the third quarter of 2016, except when required by applicable law, the Company did not utilize the database of reported deaths maintained by the Social Security Administration or any other comparable database (a “Death Master File” or “DMF”) in its operations, including to determine its IBNR liability for life insurance products. Instead of using such a database, the Company calculated its IBNR liability for life insurance products using Company-specific historical information, which included analyzing average paid claims and the average lag between date of death and the date reported to the Company for claims for which proof of death had been provided. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company initiated a voluntary enhancement of its claims handling procedures for its life insurance policies. The Company is now utilizing a DMF to identify potential situations where the Company has yet to be notified of an insured’s death and, as appropriate, initiating an outreach process to identify and contact beneficiaries and settle claims. Policyholders’ Benefits and Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 include a charge of $77.8 million to recognize the initial impact of using a DMF in the Company’s operations, including to determine its IBNR liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses for life insurance products.

Other Receivables

Other Receivables primarily include reinsurance recoverables and accrued investment income. Reinsurance Recoverables were $106.4 million and $108.3 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Accrued Investment Income was $70.8 million and $68.5 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Other Assets

Other Assets primarily include property and equipment, internal use software, insurance licenses acquired in business combinations, the value of other intangible assets acquired, corporate-owned life insurance and prepaid expenses.

Property and equipment is depreciated over the useful lives of the assets, generally using the straight-line or double declining balance methods of depreciation depending on the asset involved.

Internal use software is amortized over the useful life of the asset using the straight-line method of amortization. Write-offs of Long-lived Assets for the year ended December 31, 2015 was a charge of $11.1 million to write off the costs of a computer software development project that was abandoned by the Company’s Property & Casualty Insurance segment. Write-offs of Long-lived Assets for the year ended December 31, 2014 was a charge of $54.6 million to write off certain software for the Company’s Property & Casualty Insurance segment after the Company determined that it was no longer probable that the software would be fully implemented.

Insurance licenses acquired in business combinations and other indefinite life intangibles are not amortized, but rather tested periodically for recoverability.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES (Continued)

Corporate-owned life insurance is reported at cash surrender value with changes due to cost of insurance and investment experience reported in Other Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company accounts for the present value of the future profits embedded in life insurance in force acquired (“Life VIF”) based on actuarial estimates of the present value of estimated net cash flows. Life VIF was $28.9 million and $32.5 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Life VIF is amortized using the effective interest method using interest rates consistent with the rates in the underlying insurance contracts. The Company estimates that it will record Life VIF amortization, net of interest, of $3.1 million in 2017, $2.8 million in 2018, $2.4 million in 2019, $2.0 million in 2020 and $1.8 million in 2021. The Company evaluates the Life VIF for recoverability annually.

The Company accounts for the present value of the future profits embedded in Property and Casualty Insurance Customer Relationships Acquired (“P&C Customer Relationships”) based on the present value of estimated future cash flows from the customer relationships acquired. P&C Customer Relationships was $9.0 million and $11.2 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. P&C Customer Relationships is amortized using the effective interest method. P&C Customer Relationships is tested for recoverability using undiscounted projections of future cash flows and written down to estimated fair value if the carrying value exceeds the sum of such projections of undiscounted cash flows.

The Company accounts for the present value of the future profits embedded in Property and Casualty Insurance Broker Relationships Acquired (“P&C Broker Relationships”) based on the present value of estimated future cash flows from the broker relationships acquired. P&C Broker Relationships was $16.8 million and $18.1 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. P&C Broker Relationships is amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 years. P&C Broker Relationships is tested for recoverability using undiscounted projections of future cash flows and written down to estimated fair value if the carrying value exceeds the sum of such projections of undiscounted cash flows.

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities primarily include accrued salaries and commissions, pension benefits, postretirement medical benefits and accrued taxes, licenses and fees.

Recognition of Earned Premiums and Related Expenses

Property and casualty insurance and short duration health insurance premiums are deferred when written and recognized and earned ratably over the periods to which the premiums relate. Unearned Premiums represent the portion of the premiums written related to the unexpired portion of policies in force which has been deferred and is reported as a liability. The Company performs a premium deficiency analysis typically at a product line level, namely automobile insurance, homeowners insurance and other insurance, which is consistent with the manner in which the Company acquires and services policies and measures profitability. Anticipated investment income is excluded from such analysis. A premium deficiency is recognized when the sum of expected claim costs, claim adjustment expenses, unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs and maintenance costs exceeds the related unearned premiums by first reducing related deferred policy acquisition costs to an amount, but not below zero, at which the premium deficiency would not exist. If a premium deficiency remains after first reducing deferred policy acquisition costs, a premium deficiency reserve is established and reported as a liability in the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s deferred policy acquisition costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 include reductions of $9.7 million and $9.0 million, respectively, due to premium deficiencies with respect to Alliance United’s personal automobile book of business.

Traditional life insurance premiums are recognized as revenue when due. Policyholders’ benefits are associated with related premiums to result in recognition of profits over the periods for which the benefits are provided using the net level premium method.

Policyholders’ Benefits and Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses include provisions for future policy benefits under life and certain accident and health insurance contracts and provisions for reported claims, estimates for IBNR claims and loss adjustment expenses. Benefit payments in excess of policy account balances are expensed.

Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, Kemper’s insurance subsidiaries reinsure certain risks above certain retention levels with other insurance enterprises. These reinsurance agreements do not relieve Kemper’s insurance subsidiaries of their legal obligations to the policyholder. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are included in Other Receivables.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES (Continued)

Gains related to long-duration reinsurance contracts are deferred and amortized over the life of the underlying reinsured policies. Losses related to long-duration reinsurance contracts are recognized immediately. Any gain or loss associated with reinsurance agreements for which Kemper’s insurance subsidiaries have been legally relieved of their obligations to the policyholder is recognized in the period of relief.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance, if any, is maintained for the portion of deferred income tax assets that the Company does not expect to recover. Increases, if any, in the valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets are recognized as income tax expense. Decreases, if any, in the valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets are recognized as income tax benefit. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which the change is enacted.

The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.