10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2012.

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

from                             to                            

Commission file number 001-13790

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	76-0336636
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
13403 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas	77040-6094
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(713) 690-7300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer ¨	Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company ¨
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

On April 27, 2012, there were approximately 101.2 million shares of common stock outstanding.

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents

	Page
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets — March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011		5
Consolidated Statements of Earnings — Three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011		6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011		7
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity — Three months ended March  31, 2012		8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011		9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		10
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		40
Item 4. Controls and Procedures		40
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings		41
Item 1A. Risk Factors		41
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		41
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		41
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures		41
Item 5. Other Information		41
Item 6. Exhibits		42
Signatures		43

2

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Report on Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and projections about future events and include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this Report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as growth of our business and operations, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Generally, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably” or similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements.

Many risks and uncertainties may have an impact on the matters addressed in these forward-looking statements, which could affect our future financial results and performance, including, among other things:

• the effects of catastrophe losses,

• the cyclical nature of the insurance business,

• inherent uncertainties in the loss estimation process, which can adversely impact the adequacy of loss reserves,

• the impact of past and future potential credit market downturns, including any potential additional ratings downgrade and/or impairment or perceived impairment of the debt securities of sovereign issuers, including the United States of America,

• the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues,

• the effects of extensive governmental regulation of the insurance industry,

• changes to the country’s health care delivery system,

• the effects, if any, of climate change, on the risks we insure,

• potential credit risk with brokers,

• the effects of industry consolidations,

• our assessment of underwriting risk,

• our retention of risk, which could expose us to potential losses,

• the adequacy of reinsurance protection,

• the ability and willingness of reinsurers to pay balances due us,

• the occurrence of terrorist activities,

• our ability to maintain our competitive position,

• fluctuations in securities markets, including defaults, which may reduce the value of our investment assets, reduce investment income or generate realized investment losses,

• changes in our assigned financial strength ratings,

• our ability to raise capital and funds for liquidity in the future,

• attraction and retention of qualified employees,

3

• our ability to successfully expand our business through the acquisition of insurance-related companies,

• impairment of goodwill,

• the ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends in needed amounts,

• fluctuations in foreign exchange rates,

• failure of, or loss of security related to, our information technology systems,

• difficulties with outsourcing relationships, and

• change of control.

We describe these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

These events or factors could cause our results or performance to differ materially from those we express in our forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements that are included in this Report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives or plans will be achieved.

Our forward-looking statements speak only at the date made, and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward-looking events discussed in this Report may not occur.

4

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited, in thousands except per share data)

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
			(as adjusted)
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed income securities – available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2012 – $5,640,630 and 2011 – $5,385,432)	$	5,992,827	$	5,718,834
Fixed income securities – held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $163,136)		-		161,102
Short-term investments, at cost (approximates fair value)		221,087		133,917
Other investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2012 and 2011 – $38,230)		38,571		35,897
Total investments		6,252,485		6,049,750
Cash		90,913		104,550
Restricted cash		196,451		229,821
Premium, claims and other receivables		601,507		688,732
Reinsurance recoverables		1,083,054		1,056,068
Ceded unearned premium		231,405		222,300
Ceded life and annuity benefits		60,636		61,061
Deferred policy acquisition costs		195,558		189,633
Goodwill		873,900		872,814
Other assets		179,042		122,549
Total assets	$	9,764,951	$	9,597,278
LIABILITIES
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	$	3,721,974	$	3,658,317
Life and annuity policy benefits		60,636		61,061
Reinsurance, premium and claims payable		366,293		366,499
Unearned premium		1,042,050		1,031,034
Deferred ceding commissions		65,916		62,364
Notes payable		563,829		478,790
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		650,296		665,231
Total liabilities		6,470,994		6,323,296
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250,000 shares authorized (shares issued: 2012 – 123,000 and 2011 – 122,720; outstanding: 2012 – 102,196 and 2011 – 104,101)		123,000		122,720
Additional paid-in capital		1,004,595		1,001,308
Retained earnings		2,496,539		2,429,818
Accumulated other comprehensive income		244,295		227,659
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: 2012 – 20,804 and 2011 – 18,619)		(574,472)		(507,523)
Total shareholders’ equity		3,293,957		3,273,982
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	9,764,951	$	9,597,278

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(unaudited, in thousands except per share data)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
REVENUE
Net earned premium	$	547,141	$	508,480
Net investment income		57,010		51,595
Other operating income		5,201		7,321
Net realized investment gain (loss)		171		(559)
Other-than-temporary impairment credit losses		-		(3,129)
Total revenue		609,523		563,708
EXPENSE
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net		328,928		347,586
Policy acquisition costs, net		69,444		69,843
Other operating expense		87,282		77,847
Interest expense		6,909		5,553
Total expense		492,563		500,829
Earnings before income tax expense		116,960		62,879
Income tax expense		34,376		15,889
Net earnings	$	82,584	$	46,990
Earnings per common share
Basic	$	0.80	$	0.41
Diluted	$	0.79	$	0.41

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(unaudited, in thousands)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Net earnings	$	82,584	$	46,990
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Investment gains (losses):
Investment gains (losses) during the period		21,640		(22,457)
Income tax charge (benefit)		7,303		(12,323)
Investment gains (losses), net of tax		14,337		(10,134)
Less reclassification adjustments for:
Gains (losses) included in net earnings		171		(3,692)
Income tax charge (benefit)		60		(1,292)
Gains (losses) included in net earnings, net of tax		111		(2,400)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)		14,226		(7,734)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		2,533		6,025
Income tax charge (benefit)		123		-
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		2,410		6,025
Other comprehensive income (loss)		16,636		(1,709)
Comprehensive income	$	99,220	$	45,281

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Three months ended March 31, 2012

(unaudited, in thousands except per share data)

	Common stock		Additional paid-in capital		Retained earnings		Accumulated other comprehensive income		Treasury stock		Total shareholders’ equity
Balance at December 31, 2011 (as previously reported)	$	122,720	$	1,001,308	$	2,447,850	$	227,659	$	(507,523)	$	3,292,014
Cumulative effect of accounting change (deferred policy acquisition costs)		-		-		(18,032)		-		-		(18,032)
Balance at December 31, 2011 (as adjusted)		122,720		1,001,308		2,429,818		227,659		(507,523)		3,273,982
Net earnings		-		-		82,584		-		-		82,584
Other comprehensive income		-		-		-		16,636		-		16,636
Issuance of 94 shares for exercise of options, including tax effect		94		1,184		-		-		-		1,278
Purchase of 2,185 common shares		-		-		-		-		(66,949)		(66,949)
Stock-based compensation		186		2,103		-		-		-		2,289
Cash dividends declared, $0.155 per share		-		-		(15,863)		-		-		(15,863)
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	123,000	$	1,004,595	$	2,496,539	$	244,295	$	(574,472)	$	3,293,957

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited, in thousands)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Operating activities
Net earnings	$	82,584		$	46,990
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in premium, claims and other receivables		16,089			(29,384	)
Change in reinsurance recoverables		(19,639	)		(98,459	)
Change in ceded unearned premium		(8,887	)		35,386
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable		35,737			159,429
Change in unearned premium		10,545			(19,014	)
Change in reinsurance, premium and claims payable, excluding restricted cash		17,802			(8,612	)
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(44,098	)		(5,680	)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,373			3,072
Depreciation and amortization expense		4,605			4,449
Other, net		(22,141	)		(6,119	)
Cash provided by operating activities		74,970			82,058
Investing activities
Sales of available for sale fixed income securities		65,103			48,932
Maturity or call of available for sale fixed income securities		145,713			186,908
Maturity or call of held to maturity fixed income securities		28,636			19,082
Cost of available for sale fixed income securities acquired		(230,283	)		(522,918	)
Change in short-term investments		(66,008	)		228,608
Payments for purchase of businesses, net of cash received		(32,143	)		(1,892	)
Other, net		(3,443	)		(7,500	)
Cash used by investing activities		(92,425	)		(48,780	)
Financing activities
Advances on line of credit		95,000			—
Payments on line of credit		(10,000	)		—
Sale of common stock		1,278			20,525
Purchase of common stock		(62,358	)		(35,709	)
Dividends paid		(16,139	)		(16,670	)
Other, net		(3,963	)		(498	)
Cash provided (used) by financing activities		3,818			(32,352	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		(13,637	)		926
Cash at beginning of year		104,550			97,857
Cash at end of period	$	90,913		$	98,783

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

(1) General Information

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HCC) and its subsidiaries (collectively we, us or our) include domestic and foreign property and casualty and life insurance companies and underwriting agencies with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. We underwrite a variety of non-correlated specialty insurance products, including property and casualty, accident and health, surety, credit, and aviation product lines, in approximately 180 countries. We market our products through a network of independent agents and brokers, producers, managing general agents and directly to customers.

Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of HCC and its subsidiaries. We have made all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair statement of results of the interim periods, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 was derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts in our 2011 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2012 presentation. None of our reclassifications had an effect on our consolidated net earnings, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2012

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

A new accounting standard clarifies the definition of acquisition costs incurred by an insurance company and limits capitalization to such costs directly related to renewing or acquiring new insurance contracts. Under the new standard, we expense all costs incurred for unsuccessful marketing or underwriting efforts, along with indirect costs, as incurred. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012 through retrospective adjustment of the capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes and consolidated shareholders’ equity in our prior years’ consolidated financial statements. We also reclassified expenses in our prior years’ consolidated income statements to reflect the new definition of policy acquisition costs. Application of the new guidance did not impact our reported consolidated net earnings or cash flows in prior years. The following line items in our consolidated financial statements were affected by this change in accounting guidance:

		$XXXXXXX		$XXXXXXX		$XXXXXXX
	December 31, 2011
	As originally reported		Change		As adjusted
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$	217,608	$	(27,975)	$	189,633
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (deferred income taxes)		675,174		(9,943)		665,231
Retained earnings		2,447,850		(18,032)		2,429,818

		$XXXX,XXX,XX		$XXXX,XXX,XX		$XXXX,XXX,XX
	Three months ended March 31, 2011
	As  originally reported		Change		As adjusted
Policy acquistion costs, net	$	83,378	$	(13,535)	$	69,843
Other operating expense		64,312		13,535		77,847

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

Goodwill Impairment

A new accounting standard simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment. The new standard permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. Previous guidance required an entity to test goodwill for impairment, at least on an annual basis, by first comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, then the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Under the new rules, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. The new rules were effective for us on January 1, 2012. We do not expect application of the new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

(2) Investments

On March 31, 2012, we reclassified our entire portfolio of fixed income securities classified as held to maturity, which consisted of corporate fixed income, U.S. government and foreign government securities, to fixed income securities classified as available for sale. Financial markets recently have been disrupted by several events, including the European debt crisis and the August 2011 downgrade of U.S. government debt by Standard & Poor’s Corporation. Due to these market disruptions and our desire to maintain greater flexibility in managing our entire investment portfolio in an uncertain economy, we changed our prior intent to hold these securities to maturity. On the date of transfer, these securities had a fair value of $139.1 million and an amortized cost of $136.0 million. The securities’ net unrealized appreciation, net of tax, increased our accumulated other comprehensive income and shareholders’ equity by $2.0 million as of March 31, 2012.

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gain or loss, and fair value of our fixed income securities were as follows:

		$XXXXXX		$XXXXXX		$XXXXXX		$XXXXXX
	Cost or		Gross		Gross
	amortized		unrealized		unrealized
	cost		gain		loss		Fair value
March 31, 2012
U.S. government and government agency securities	$	263,352	$	8,894	$	(99)	$	272,147
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		992,522		83,508		(175)		1,075,855
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,801,978		129,297		(514)		1,930,761
Corporate fixed income securities		1,022,264		42,835		(1,612)		1,063,487
Residential mortgage-backed securities		991,349		58,432		(2,002)		1,047,779
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		258,961		19,787		(95)		278,653
Asset-backed securities		36,506		233		(1)		36,738
Foreign government securities		273,698		13,716		(7)		287,407
Total fixed income securities - available for sale	$	5,640,630	$	356,702	$	(4,505)	$	5,992,827

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

	Cost or amortized cost		Gross unrealized gain		Gross unrealized loss		Fair value
December 31, 2011
U.S. government and government agency securities	$	285,166	$	10,523	$	(10)	$	295,679
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		999,940		85,528		(127)		1,085,341
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,741,297		122,746		(155)		1,863,888
Corporate fixed income securities		817,886		35,221		(6,774)		846,333
Residential mortgage-backed securities		1,036,436		65,771		(2,121)		1,100,086
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		244,535		15,162		(3,573)		256,124
Asset-backed securities		34,655		147		(56)		34,746
Foreign government securities		225,517		11,203		(83)		236,637
Total fixed income securities - available for sale	$	5,385,432	$	346,301	$	(12,899)	$	5,718,834
U.S. government securities	$	6,998	$	69	$	-	$	7,067
Corporate fixed income securities		110,284		1,814		(455)		111,643
Foreign government securities		43,820		746		(140)		44,426
Total fixed income securities - held to maturity	$	161,102	$	2,629	$	(595)	$	163,136

Substantially all of our fixed income securities are investment grade and all securities were income producing in 2012. The following table displays the gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated.

	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
	Fair value		Unrealized losses		Fair value		Unrealized losses		Fair value		Unrealized losses
March 31, 2012
U.S. government and government agency securities	$	24,922	$	(99)	$	-	$	-	$	24,922	$	(99)
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		11,407		(155)		828		(20)		12,235		(175)
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		44,650		(494)		1,573		(20)		46,223		(514)
Corporate fixed income securities		97,215		(1,601)		1,419		(11)		98,634		(1,612)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		35,435		(396)		8,416		(1,606)		43,851		(2,002)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		18,577		(95)		-		-		18,577		(95)
Asset-backed securities		2,855		(1)		-		-		2,855		(1)
Foreign government securities		4,684		(7)		-		-		4,684		(7)
Total	$	239,745	$	(2,848)	$	12,236	$	(1,657)	$	251,981	$	(4,505)

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
	Fair value		Unrealized losses		Fair value		Unrealized losses		Fair value		Unrealized losses
December 31, 2011
U.S. government and government agency securities	$	13,984	$	(10)	$	-	$	-	$	13,984	$	(10)
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		10,256		(107)		899		(20)		11,155		(127)
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		21,856		(67)		6,796		(88)		28,652		(155)
Corporate fixed income securities		154,856		(6,391)		18,005		(383)		172,861		(6,774)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		32,430		(1,364)		7,582		(757)		40,012		(2,121)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		39,075		(3,573)		-		-		39,075		(3,573)
Asset-backed securities		19,648		(56)		-		-		19,648		(56)
Foreign government securities		4,198		(83)		-		-		4,198		(83)
Total	$	296,303	$	(11,651)	$	33,282	$	(1,248)	$	329,585	$	(12,899)

A security has an impairment loss when its fair value is less than its cost or amortized cost at the balance sheet date. We evaluate our securities for possible other-than-temporary impairment losses at each quarter end. Our reviews cover all impaired securities where the loss exceeds $0.5 million and the loss either exceeds 10% of cost or the security had been in a loss position for longer than twelve consecutive months. We recognized no other-than-temporary impairment losses in the first quarter of 2012 and $3.1 million, all of which were recognized in earnings, in the first quarter of 2011.

We have recognized credit losses on certain impaired fixed income securities, for which each security also had an impairment loss recorded in other comprehensive income. The rollforward of these credit losses was as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Balance at beginning of year	$	5,047	$	4,273
Credit losses recognized in earnings
Securities previously impaired		-		1,247
Securities not previously impaired		-		1,838
Securities sold		-		(673)
Balance at March 31	$	5,047	$	6,685

We had $0.6 million after-tax other-than-temporary impairment losses, related to mortgage-backed securities, included in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2012. This amount includes the after-tax unrealized gains and losses on these impaired securities resulting from changes in their fair value subsequent to their initial other-than-temporary impairment measurement dates.

We do not consider the $4.5 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed income securities in our portfolio at March 31, 2012 to be other-than-temporary impairments because: 1) as of March 31, 2012, we have received substantially all contractual interest and principal payments on these securities, 2) we do not intend to sell these securities, 3) it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases and 4) the unrealized loss relates to non-credit factors, such as interest rate changes and market conditions.

13

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

The amortized cost and fair value of our fixed income securities at March 31, 2012, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The weighted-average life of our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities was 4.4 years at March 31, 2012.

	Cost or amortized cost		Fair value
Due in 1 year or less	$	379,129	$	386,378
Due after 1 year through 5 years		1,121,859		1,174,766
Due after 5 years through 10 years		1,170,245		1,267,353
Due after 10 years through 15 years		794,448		859,376
Due after 15 years		888,133		941,784
Securities with fixed maturities		4,353,814		4,629,657
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities		1,286,816		1,363,170
Total fixed income securities	$	5,640,630	$	5,992,827

The sources of net investment income were as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Fixed income securities
Taxable	$	31,115	$	27,095
Exempt from U.S. income taxes		26,612		24,911
Total fixed income securities		57,727		52,006
Short-term investments		62		156
Other		467		642
Total investment income		58,256		52,804
Investment expense		(1,246)		(1,209)
Net investment income	$	57,010	$	51,595

14

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

(3) Fair Value Measurements

Our financial instruments include assets and liabilities carried at fair value, as well as assets and liabilities carried at cost or amortized cost but disclosed at fair value in our financial statements. In determining fair value, we generally apply the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant data based on market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. We classify our financial instruments into the following three-level hierarchy:

• Level 1 – Inputs are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

• Level 2 – Inputs are based on observable market data (other than quoted prices), or are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

• Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable and not corroborated by market data.

Our Level 1 investments consist of U.S. Treasuries, money market funds, and equity securities traded in an active exchange market. We use unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments to measure fair value.

Our Level 2 investments include most of our fixed income securities, which consist of U.S. government agency securities, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities, bank loans, and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Level 2 also includes certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing deposits at banks, which we report as short-term investments. We measure fair value for the majority of our Level 2 investments using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. The remaining investments are valued using pricing models or matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable assumptions, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, default rates, loss severity and other economic measures.

We use independent pricing services to assist us in determining fair value for approximately 99% of our Level 2 investments. The pricing services provide a single price or quote per security. We use data provided by our third party investment managers to value the remaining Level 2 investments. To validate that these quoted and modeled prices are reasonable estimates of fair value, we perform various quantitative and qualitative procedures, including: 1) evaluation of the underlying methodologies, 2) analysis of recent sales activity, 3) analytical review of our fair values against current market prices and 4) comparison of the pricing services’ fair value to other pricing services’ fair value for the same investment. No markets for our investments were judged to be inactive at period end. Based on these procedures, we did not adjust the prices or quotes provided by our independent pricing services or third party investment managers as of March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

Our Level 2 financial instruments also include our notes payable. We determine the fair value of our 6.30% Senior Notes based on quoted prices, but the market is inactive. The fair value of borrowings under our Revolving Loan Facility approximates the carrying amount because interest is based on 30-day LIBOR plus a margin.

Our Level 3 securities include certain fixed income securities and an insurance contract that we account for as a derivative and classify in other assets. We determine fair value of our Level 3 securities based on internally developed models that use assumptions or other data that are not readily observable from objective sources.

15

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

The following tables present the fair value of our financial instruments that were carried or disclosed at fair value. Unless indicated, these items were carried at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet.

		$179,050.00		$179,050.00		$179,050.00		$179,050.00
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
March 31, 2012
Fixed income securities - available for sale
U.S. government and government agency securities	$	179,050	$	93,097	$	-	$	272,147
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		-		1,075,855		-		1,075,855
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		-		1,930,761		-		1,930,761
Corporate fixed income securities		-		1,063,330		157		1,063,487
Residential mortgage-backed securities		-		1,047,779		-		1,047,779
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		-		278,653		-		278,653
Asset-backed securities		-		36,738		-		36,738
Foreign government securities		-		287,407		-		287,407
Total fixed income securities - available for sale		179,050		5,813,620		157		5,992,827
Short-term investments*		115,023		106,064		-		221,087
Other investments		38,396		-		-		38,396
Other assets		-		-		1,731		1,731
Total assets measured at fair value	$	332,469	$	5,919,684	$	1,888	$	6,254,041
Notes payable* - measured at fair value	$	-	$	599,059	$	-	$	599,059
December 31, 2011
Fixed income securities - available for sale
U.S. government and government agency securities	$	201,582	$	94,097	$	-	$	295,679
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		-		1,085,341		-		1,085,341
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		-		1,863,888		-		1,863,888
Corporate fixed income securities		-		846,178		155		846,333
Residential mortgage-backed securities		-		1,100,086		-		1,100,086
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		-		256,124		-		256,124
Asset-backed securities		-		33,731		1,015		34,746
Foreign government securities		-		236,637		-		236,637
Total fixed income securities - available for sale		201,582		5,516,082		1,170		5,718,834
Fixed income securities - held to maturity*		-		163,136		-		163,136
Short-term investments*		67,288		66,629		-		133,917
Other investments		35,720		-		-		35,720
Other assets		-		-		1,516		1,516
Total assets measured at fair value	$	304,590	$	5,745,847	$	2,686	$	6,053,123
Notes payable* - measured at fair value	$	-	$	505,671	$	-	$	505,671

*Carried at cost or amortized cost on our consolidated balance sheet.

16

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

The following tables present the changes in fair value of our Level 3 financial instruments.

		$ 000,00.00		$ 000,00.00		$ 000,00.00		$ 000,00.00		$ 000,00.00		$ 000,00.00
	2012						2011
	Fixed income securities		Other assets		Total		Fixed income securities		Other assets		Total
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,170	$	1,516	$	2,686	$	1,438	$	857	$	2,295
Net gains (losses) – realized		-		-		-		(2)		-		(2)
Net gains (losses) – unrealized		2		215		217		(11)		263		252
Sales		-		-		-		(144)		-		(144)
Transfers out of Level 3		(1,015)		-		(1,015)		-		-		-
Balance at March 31	$	157	$	1,731	$	1,888	$	1,281	$	1,120	$	2,401

Unrealized gains and losses on our Level 3 fixed income securities are reported in other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity, and unrealized gains and losses on our Level 3 other assets are reported in other operating income. We transferred an investment from Level 3 to Level 2 in the first quarter of 2012 because we were able to determine its fair value using inputs based on observable market data in the period transferred. There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 in the first quarter of 2011.

(4) Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, our insurance companies cede a portion of their premium to domestic and foreign reinsurers through treaty and facultative reinsurance agreements. Although reinsurance does not discharge the direct insurer from liability to its policyholder, our insurance companies participate in such agreements in order to limit their loss exposure, protect them against catastrophic losses and diversify their business. The following tables present the effect of such reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs.

		$ 000,00.00,00		$ 000,00.00,00
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Direct written premium	$	544,770	$	508,141
Reinsurance assumed		137,919		141,067
Reinsurance ceded		(124,285)		(110,324)
Net written premium	$	558,404	$	538,884
Direct earned premium	$	591,183	$	574,808
Reinsurance assumed		82,338		79,381
Reinsurance ceded		(126,380)		(145,709)
Net earned premium	$	547,141	$	508,480
Direct loss and loss adjustment expense	$	365,392	$	442,754
Reinsurance assumed		36,709		73,907
Reinsurance ceded		(73,173)		(169,075)
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	328,928	$	347,586

17

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

		$3,721,974 00		$3,721,974 00
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Policy acquisition costs	$	95,735	$	97,823
Ceding commissions		(26,291)		(27,980)
Net policy acquisition costs	$	69,444	$	69,843

The table below shows the components of our reinsurance recoverables in our consolidated balance sheets.

		$3,721,974 00		$3,721,974 00
	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	$	62,297	$	83,109
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses		524,144		477,760
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses		498,113		497,074
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance		(1,500)		(1,875)
Total reinsurance recoverables	$	1,083,054	$	1,056,068

Reinsurers not authorized by the respective states of domicile of our U.S. domiciled insurance companies are required to collateralize reinsurance obligations due to us. The table below shows the amounts of letters of credit and cash available to us as collateral, plus other potential offsets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

		$3,721,974 00		$3,721,974 00
	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Payables to reinsurers	$	203,449	$	195,806
Letters of credit		114,311		120,589
Cash		118,710		83,731
Total credits	$	436,470	$	400,126

The tables below show the calculation of net reserves, net unearned premium and net deferred policy acquisition costs.

		$3,721,974 00		$3,721,974 00
	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	$	3,721,974	$	3,658,317
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses		(524,144)		(477,760)
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses		(498,113)		(497,074)
Net reserves	$	2,699,717	$	2,683,483
Unearned premium	$	1,042,050	$	1,031,034
Ceded unearned premium		(231,405)		(222,300)
Net unearned premium	$	810,645	$	808,734
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$	195,558	$	189,633
Deferred ceding commissions		(65,916)		(62,364)
Net deferred policy acquisition costs	$	129,642	$	127,269

18

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

(5) Notes Payable

Notes payable were as follows:

		$3,721,974 00		$3,721,974 00
	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
6.30% Senior Notes	$	298,829	$	298,790
$600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility		265,000		180,000
Total notes payable	$	563,829	$	478,790

We have a $90.0 million Standby Letter of Credit Facility that is used to guarantee our performance in our Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 4141. There have been no changes to the terms and conditions related to our Senior Notes, the $600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility (the Facility) and the Standby Letter of Credit Facility from those described in Note 7, “Notes Payable” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Facility at March 31, 2012 was 1.62%. The borrowings and letters of credit issued under the Facility reduced our available borrowing capacity on the Facility to $325.0 million at March 31, 2012.

We were in compliance with debt covenants related to our Senior Notes, the Facility and the Standby Letter of Credit Facility at March 31, 2012.

(6) Earnings Per Share

The following table details the numerator and denominator used in our earnings per share calculations.

		$3,721,974 00		$3,721,974 00
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Net earnings	$	82,584	$	46,990
Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock		(1,463)		(598)
Net earnings available to common stock	$	81,121	$	46,392
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		102,034		113,754
Dilutive effect of outstanding options (determined using treasury stock method)		159		352
Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding		102,193		114,106
Anti-dilutive stock options not included in treasury stock method computation		2,224		2,397

19

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

(7) Stock-Based Compensation

In 2012, we granted the following shares of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options for the purchase of shares of our common stock. For all grants except stock options, we measure fair value based on the closing stock price of our common stock on the grant date. For stock options, we use the Black-Scholes single option pricing model to determine the fair value of an option on its grant date. The fair value of the restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options will be expensed over the vesting period.

	Number of shares		Weighted-average grant date fair value		Aggregate fair value		Vesting period
Restricted stock awards		188,758	$	30.60	$	5,775,995		2-4 years
Restricted stock units		13,155		30.60		402,543		4 years
Stock options		17,500		8.14		142,371		1-5 years

(8) Segments

We report HCC’s results in six operating segments. Our insurance underwriting segments consist of the following:

• U.S. Property & Casualty

• Professional Liability

• Accident & Health

• U.S. Surety & Credit

• International

The Investing segment includes our consolidated investment portfolio, as well as all investment income, investment related expenses, realized investment gains and losses, and other-than-temporary impairment credit losses on investments. All investment activity is reported as revenue, consistent with our consolidated presentation.

In addition to our segments, we include a Corporate & Other category to reconcile segment results to consolidated totals. The Corporate & Other category includes corporate operating expenses not allocable to the segments, interest expense on long-term debt, foreign currency expense (benefit), and underwriting results of our Exited Lines. Our Exited Lines include product lines that we no longer write and do not expect to write in the future.

20

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

The following tables present information by business segment.

	U.S. Property & Casualty		Professional Liability		Accident & Health		U.S. Surety & Credit		International		Investing		Corporate & Other		Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2012
Net earned premium	$	89,018	$	101,438	$	217,667	$	47,729	$	91,284	$	-	$	5	$	547,141
Other revenue		2,363		133		1,338		215		1,194		57,181		(42)		62,382
Segment revenue		91,381		101,571		219,005		47,944		92,478		57,181		(37)		609,523
Loss and LAE		49,261		69,155		161,713		11,033		37,767		-		(1)		328,928
Other expense		29,722		17,531		31,318		28,120		32,153		-		24,791		163,635
Segment expense		78,983		86,686		193,031		39,153		69,920		-		24,790		492,563
Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	12,398	$	14,885	$	25,974	$	8,791	$	22,558	$	57,181	$	(24,827)	$	116,960
Three months ended March 31, 2011
Net earned premium	$	80,254	$	100,750	$	198,540	$	51,364	$	77,447	$	-	$	125	$	508,480
Other revenue		4,879		201		1,016		246		1,008		47,907		(29)		55,228
Segment revenue		85,133		100,951		199,556		51,610		78,455		47,907		96		563,708
Loss and LAE		47,484		66,263		144,858		15,039		74,172		-		(230)		347,586
Other expense		28,406		17,104		30,418		28,255		31,665		-		17,395		153,243
Segment expense		75,890		83,367		175,276		43,294		105,837		-		17,165		500,829
Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	9,243	$	17,584	$	24,280	$	8,316	$	(27,382)	$	47,907	$	(17,069)	$	62,879

21

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)

(9) Commitments and Contingencies

Catastrophe and Large Loss Exposure

We have exposure to catastrophic losses caused by natural perils (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and tornados), as well as from man-made events (such as terrorist attacks). The incidence, timing and severity of catastrophe losses are unpredictable. We assess our exposures in areas most vulnerable to natural catastrophes and apply procedures to ascertain our probable maximum loss from a single event. We maintain reinsurance protection that we believe is sufficient to limit our exposure to a foreseeable event. In the first quarter of 2012, we recognized $7.6 million of net losses from catastrophic events. In the first quarter of 2011, we recognized gross losses of $105.2 million from catastrophic events in Japan, New Zealand and Australia. After reinsurance and reinstatement premium, our pretax loss was $51.5 million.

Litigation

We are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer or reinsurer, the liabilities for which, we believe, have been adequately included in our loss reserves. Also, from time to time, we are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that relate to disputes with third parties, or that involve alleged errors and omissions on the part of our subsidiaries. We have provided accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, based on present information, the availability of insurance coverage and advice received from our outside legal counsel, we believe the resolution of any such matters will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Indemnifications

In conjunction with the sales of business assets and subsidiaries, we have provided indemnifications to the buyers. Certain indemnifications cover typical representations and warranties related to our responsibilities to perform under the sales contracts. Under other indemnifications, we agree to reimburse the purchasers for taxes or ERISA-related amounts, if any, assessed after the sale date but related to pre-sale activities. We cannot quantify the maximum potential exposure covered by all of our indemnifications because the indemnifications cover a variety of matters, operations and scenarios. Certain of these indemnifications have no time limit. For those with a time limit, the longest such indemnification expires in 2025. We accrue a loss when a valid claim is made by a purchaser and we believe we have potential exposure. At March 31, 2012, we have an accrued liability of $11.6 million, as well as $6.3 million in escrow and $3.2 million of letters of credit, to cover our obligations or anticipated payments under these indemnifications.

(10) Supplemental Information

Supplemental cash flow information was as follows:

		$ 000,00.000		$ 000,00.000
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Income taxes paid	$	5,784	$	19,106
Interest paid		1,071		2,286
Dividends declared but not paid at end of period		15,863		16,638

22

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012.

Overview

We are a specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland, transacting business in approximately 180 countries. Our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange and closed at $31.87 on April 27, 2012, resulting in market capitalization of $3.2 billion.

We underwrite a variety of relatively non–correlated specialty insurance products, including property and casualty, accident and health, surety and credit product lines. We market our insurance products through a network of independent agents and brokers, managing general agents and directly to consumers. In addition, we assume insurance written by other insurance companies. We manage our businesses through five insurance underwriting segments and our Investing segment. Our insurance underwriting segments are U.S. Property & Casualty, Professional Liability, Accident & Health, U.S. Surety & Credit and International.

Our business philosophy is to maximize underwriting profit while managing risk. We concentrate our insurance writings in selected specialty lines of business in which we believe we can achieve meaningful underwriting profit. We also rely on our experienced underwriting personnel and our access to and expertise in the reinsurance marketplace to limit or reduce risk. Our business plan is shaped by our underlying business philosophy. As a result, our primary objective is to maximize net earnings and grow book value per share, rather than to grow gross written premium or our market share.

Our major domestic and international insurance companies have financial strength ratings of AA (Very Strong) from Standard & Poor’s Corporation, A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best Company, Inc., AA (Very Strong) from Fitch Ratings and A1 (Good Security) from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Key facts about our consolidated group as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 were as follows:

• We had consolidated shareholders’ equity of $3.3 billion, with a book value per share of $32.23.

• We generated net earnings of $82.6 million, or $0.79 per diluted share.

• We produced total revenue of $609.5 million, of which 90% related to net earned premium and 9% related to net investment income.

• We recognized $7.6 million of net catastrophe losses — $4.0 million in our U.S. Property & Casualty segment from storms in the United States and $3.6 million in our International segment from other small catastrophes.

• Our net loss ratio was 60.1% and our combined ratio was 85.2%.

• Our debt to capital ratio was 14.6%.

• We purchased $66.9 million, or 2.2 million shares, of our common stock at an average cost of $30.64 per share.

• We declared dividends of $0.155 per share and paid $16.1 million of dividends.

Comparisons in the following sections refer to the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011, unless otherwise noted. Certain 2011 amounts have been adjusted to reflect our adoption of a new accounting standard as of January 1, 2012. See Note 1, “General Information — Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2012” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of this guidance and the impact of our retrospective adoption on prior year results. Amounts in tables are in thousands, except for earnings per share, percentages, ratios and number of employees.

23

Results of Operations

Our results and key metrics for the first quarter of 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net earnings	$	82,584		$	46,990
Earnings per diluted share	$	0.79		$	0.41
Net loss ratio		60.1	%		68.4	%
Expense ratio		25.1			26.3
Combined ratio		85.2	%		94.7	%

In the first quarter of 2012, we recognized $7.6 million of net losses resulting from United States storms, primarily in our public risk line of business within our U.S. Property and Casualty segment and from other small catastrophes in our Property Treaty line of business within our International segment. The 2012 catastrophe losses increased both our net loss ratio and combined ratio by 1.3 percentage points, and decreased net earnings by $0.05 per diluted share. In the first quarter of 2011, we recognized gross losses of $105.2 million from catastrophic events in Japan, New Zealand and Australia. After reinsurance and reinstatement premium, our pretax loss was $51.5 million. The 2011 catastrophe losses increased our net loss ratio by 9.6 percentage points and our combined ratio by 9.9 percentage points, and decreased net earnings by $0.29 per diluted share.

Revenue

Total revenue increased $45.8 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to additional net earned premium and higher net investment income.

Gross written premium, net written premium and net earned premium are detailed below by segment.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
U.S. Property & Casualty	$	153,147	$	129,550
Professional Liability		101,245		101,120
Accident & Health		216,123		196,300
U.S. Surety & Credit		54,493		53,771
International		157,676		168,348
Exited Lines		5		119
Total gross written premium	$	682,689	$	649,208
U.S. Property & Casualty	$	92,328	$	86,722
Professional Liability		70,913		73,791
Accident & Health		215,884		196,105
U.S. Surety & Credit		44,704		49,707
International		134,570		132,440
Exited Lines		5		119
Total net written premium	$	558,404	$	538,884

24

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
U.S. Property & Casualty	$	89,018	$	80,254
Professional Liability		101,438		100,750
Accident & Health		217,667		198,540
U.S. Surety & Credit		47,729		51,364
International		91,284		77,447
Exited Lines		5		125
Total net earned premium	$	547,141	$	508,480

Growth in premium occurred in the U.S. Property & Casualty segment from our new business lines added in 2011 and increased title reinsurance premium; the Accident & Health segment from higher writings of our medical stop-loss product; and the International segment from pricing increases in our energy line of business. Related to the 2011 catastrophe losses, we recorded $7.1 million of reinstatement premium for continued reinsurance coverage, which reduced the International segment’s 2011 net written and net earned premium. See the “Segment Operations” section below for further discussion of the relationship and changes in premium revenue within each segment.

Net investment income, which is included in our Investing segment, increased 10% year-over-year primarily due to higher income from fixed income securities, generated from an increased amount of investments. Our fixed income securities portfolio increased 9% from $5.5 billion at March 31, 2011 to $6.0 billion at March 31, 2012. The growth in fixed income securities resulted primarily from cash flow from operations and a $235.8 million increase in net unrealized gain on the portfolio.

The following table details the components of our other operating income. The fee and commission income relates to third party agency and broker commissions.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Fee and commission income	$	4,403	$	6,609
Financial instruments		215		263
Other		583		449
Other operating income	$	5,201	$	7,321

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Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense

The tables below detail, by segment, our net loss and loss adjustment expense and our net loss ratios.

		XXXXXX			XXXXXX
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
U.S. Property & Casualty	$	49,261		$	47,484
Professional Liability		69,155			66,263
Accident & Health		161,713			144,858
U.S. Surety & Credit		11,033			15,039
International		37,767			74,172
Exited Lines		(1)			(230)
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	328,928		$	347,586
U.S. Property & Casualty		55.3	%		59.2	%
Professional Liability		68.2			65.8
Accident & Health		74.3			73.0
U.S. Surety & Credit		23.1			29.3
International		41.4			95.8
Consolidated net loss ratio		60.1	%		68.4	%
Consolidated accident year net loss ratio		60.1	%		66.6	%
Loss development represents an increase or decrease in estimates of ultimate losses related to prior accident years. Deficiencies and redundancies in ultimate loss estimates occur as we review our loss exposure with our actuaries, increasing or reducing estimates of our ultimate losses as a result of such reviews and as losses are finally settled or claims exposures change. The excess of total recorded net reserves over the actuarial point estimate approximated 4.8% of our recorded net reserves at March 31, 2012, compared to 4.2% at December 31, 2011. We recognized no development in the first quarter of 2012, compared to adverse development of $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2011, primarily in our Professional Liability segment. Our consolidated accident year net loss ratio was lower in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to higher catastrophe losses in 2011. See the “Segment Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in our net loss and loss adjustment expense and net loss ratios for each segment.
The table below provides a reconciliation of our consolidated reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense payable, net of reinsurance ceded, the amount of our paid claims, and our net paid loss ratio.
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense payable at beginning of period	$	2,683,483		$	2,537,772
Net reserve additions from acquired businesses		14,705			645
Foreign currency adjustment		17,123			22,216
Net loss and loss adjustment expense		328,928			347,586
Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments		(344,522)			(297,123)
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense payable at end of period	$	2,699,717		$	2,611,096
Net paid loss ratio		63.0	%		58.4	%

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The net paid loss ratio was higher in 2012 primarily due to our payment of $27.5 million to commute a large contract in our Exited Lines. The commutation had no material effect on net earnings but increased our net paid loss ratio by 5.1 percentage points. The amount of claims paid fluctuates period to period due to our mix of business and the timing of claims settlement and catastrophic events.

Policy Acquisition Costs

Our policy acquisition cost percentage was 12.7% and 13.7% in the first quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. The lower percentage primarily relates to a change in the mix of business in 2012, where we wrote more premium in lines that have lower commission rates than in our other lines of business. The 2011 policy acquisition cost percentage was increased 0.2 percentage points due to $7.1 million of reinstatement premium (recorded as a reduction of net earned premium).

Other Operating Expense

For the first quarter of 2012, 59% of our other operating expense related to compensation and benefits for our 1,864 employees. Other operating expense increased 12% in 2012, primarily due to higher compensation and benefits costs and technology-related expenses, as well as a change in foreign currency expense. We recognized foreign currency expense of $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to a benefit of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2011, directly related to the strengthening of the British pound sterling in 2012. Other operating expense included stock-based compensation expense of $2.4 million in 2012 and $3.1 million in 2011. At March 31, 2012, there was approximately $28.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested options and restricted stock awards and units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years.

Interest Expense

Interest expense on debt and short-term borrowings was $6.9 million and $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our interest expense increased in 2012 due to a higher amount of outstanding borrowings on our $600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility. Our 2012 and 2011 interest expense included $4.8 million for our Senior Notes.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective income tax rate was 29.4% for the first quarter of 2012, compared to 25.3% for the first quarter of 2011. The higher effective rate in 2012 is due to the relationship of pretax income and tax-exempt investment income in the two quarters. Our pretax income was substantially lower in 2011 due to $51.5 million of net catastrophe losses, whereas our tax-exempt investment income was essentially flat during the quarters.

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Segment Operations

Each of our insurance segments bears risk for insurance coverage written within its portfolio of insurance products. Each segment generates income from premium written by our underwriting agencies, through third party agents and brokers, or on a direct basis. The insurance segments also write facultative or individual account reinsurance, as well as treaty reinsurance business. In some cases, we purchase reinsurance to limit the segments’ net losses from both individual policy losses and multiple policy losses from catastrophic risks. Our segments maintain disciplined expense management and a streamlined management structure, which results in favorable expense ratios. The following provides operational information about our five insurance underwriting segments and our Investing segment.

U.S. Property & Casualty Segment

The following tables summarize the operations of the U.S. Property & Casualty segment.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net earned premium	$	89,018		$	80,254
Other revenue		2,363			4,879
Segment revenue		91,381			85,133
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net		49,261			47,484
Other expense		29,722			28,406
Segment expense		78,983			75,890
Segment pretax earnings	$	12,398		$	9,243
Net loss ratio		55.3	%		59.2	%
Expense ratio		32.5			33.4
Combined ratio		87.8	%		92.6	%
Aviation	$	28,823		$	27,282
E&O		16,377			19,557
Public Risk		15,218			11,252
Other		28,600			22,163
Total net earned premium	$	89,018		$	80,254
Aviation		46.9	%		58.5	%
E&O		61.0			59.5
Public Risk		93.0			73.7
Other		40.5			52.3
Total net loss ratio		55.3	%		59.2	%

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	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Aviation	$	37,090	$	41,448
E&O		16,891		19,693
Public Risk		19,784		17,453
Other		79,382		50,956
Total gross written premium	$	153,147	$	129,550
Aviation	$	27,507	$	27,394
E&O		16,505		19,566
Public Risk		15,594		13,252
Other		32,722		26,510
Total net written premium	$	92,328	$	86,722

Our U.S. Property & Casualty segment pretax earnings increased 34% year-over-year due to higher net earned premium from a change in the mix of products in this segment and a lower net loss ratio. In the first quarter of 2012, our three new underwriting teams for technical property, primary casualty and excess casualty products wrote $5.2 million of net premium. In addition, an increase in title reinsurance premium more than offset lower writings in our E&O line of business.

Segment earnings were impacted by $4.0 million of net catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2012, primarily in our public risk line of business. The 2011 segment earnings and net loss ratio reflect the impact of $2.0 million of net catastrophe losses related to our event cancellation product line (included in Other), as well as $1.5 million in adverse loss development.

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Professional Liability Segment

The following tables summarize the operations of the Professional Liability segment.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net earned premium	$	101,438		$	100,750
Other revenue		133			201
Segment revenue		101,571			100,951
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net		69,155			66,263
Other expense		17,531			17,104
Segment expense		86,686			83,367
Segment pretax earnings	$	14,885		$	17,584
Net loss ratio		68.2	%		65.8	%
Expense ratio		17.3			16.9
Combined ratio		85.5	%		82.7	%
U.S. D&O	$	86,254		$	89,975
International D&O		15,184			10,775
Total net earned premium	$	101,438		$	100,750
U.S. D&O		71.0	%		66.4	%
International D&O		51.9			60.6
Total net loss ratio		68.2	%		65.8	%
U.S. D&O	$	74,996		$	77,191
International D&O		26,249			23,929
Total gross written premium	$	101,245		$	101,120
U.S. D&O	$	55,705		$	59,611
International D&O		15,208			14,180
Total net written premium	$	70,913		$	73,791

Our Professional Liability segment pretax earnings decreased and the net loss ratio increased in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, primarily due to the results of our diversified financial products (DFP) line of business in U.S. D&O. We increased the 2011 ultimate loss ratio for DFP in the third quarter of 2011 and continued to use that same ultimate loss ratio in 2012. The segment recorded adverse loss development of $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 related to the DFP business.

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Accident & Health Segment

The following tables summarize the operations of the Accident & Health segment.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net earned premium	$	217,667		$	198,540
Other revenue		1,338			1,016
Segment revenue		219,005			199,556
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net		161,713			144,858
Other expense		31,318			30,418
Segment expense		193,031			175,276
Segment pretax earnings	$	25,974		$	24,280
Net loss ratio		74.3	%		73.0	%
Expense ratio		14.3			15.2
Combined ratio		88.6	%		88.2	%
Medical Stop-loss	$	193,087		$	174,909
Other		24,580			23,631
Total net earned premium	$	217,667		$	198,540
Medical Stop-loss		75.3	%		73.9	%
Other		66.5			66.3
Total net loss ratio		74.3	%		73.0	%
Medical Stop-loss	$	193,233		$	174,957
Other		22,890			21,343
Total gross written premium	$	216,123		$	196,300
Medical Stop-loss	$	193,087		$	174,909
Other		22,797			21,196
Total net written premium	$	215,884		$	196,105

The Accident & Health segment pretax earnings increased 7% in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011. This increase is directly related to higher net earned premium in our medical stop-loss product line due to writing new business and rate increases, which were in line with medical loss cost trends, on renewal business.

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U.S. Surety & Credit Segment

The following tables summarize the operations of the U.S. Surety & Credit segment.

		0000000000			0000000000
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net earned premium	$	47,729		$	51,364
Other revenue		215			246
Segment revenue		47,944			51,610
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net		11,033			15,039
Other expense		28,120			28,255
Segment expense		39,153			43,294
Segment pretax earnings	$	8,791		$	8,316
Net loss ratio		23.1	%		29.3	%
Expense ratio		58.7			54.7
Combined ratio		81.8	%		84.0	%
Surety	$	39,920		$	40,661
Credit		7,809			10,703
Total net earned premium	$	47,729		$	51,364
Surety		24.8	%		25.4	%
Credit		14.6			44.2
Total net loss ratio		23.1	%		29.3	%
Surety	$	39,926		$	41,705
Credit		14,567			12,066
Total gross written premium	$	54,493		$	53,771
Surety	$	36,134		$	39,758
Credit		8,570			9,949
Total net written premium	$	44,704		$	49,707

Our U.S. Surety & Credit segment pretax earnings increased 6% year-over-year. Net earned premium in our surety line of business decreased in 2012 due to lower production of commercial bonds and new quota share reinsurance on certain products. In the first quarter of 2012, we had a large loss in our credit line of business, which, because of its size, had significant reinsurance recoveries. Our losses net of these reinsurance recoveries were limited, resulting in a lower loss ratio than in the first quarter of 2011. The benefit related to the lower loss ratio was offset by a reduction of net written premium and net earned premium due to $4.3 million of reinstatement premium related to this large loss.

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International Segment

The following tables summarize the operations of the International segment.

		000000000			000000000
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net earned premium	$	91,284		$	77,447
Other revenue		1,194			1,008
Segment revenue		92,478			78,455
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net		37,767			74,172
Other expense		32,153			31,665
Segment expense		69,920			105,837
Segment pretax income (loss)	$	22,558		$	(27,382)
Net loss ratio		41.4	%		95.8	%
Expense ratio		34.8			40.4
Combined ratio		76.2	%		136.2	%
Energy	$	15,094		$	12,049
Property Treaty		22,089			16,004
Liability		19,482			19,932
Surety & Credit		17,761			17,374
Other		16,858			12,088
Total net earned premium	$	91,284		$	77,447
Energy		37.1	%		80.9	%
Property Treaty		12.8			126.7
Liability		51.2			51.8
Surety & Credit		67.9			40.5
Other		43.3			221.7
Total net loss ratios		41.4	%		95.8	%
Energy	$	20,595		$	16,303
Property Treaty		69,338			71,819
Liability		19,260			24,118
Surety & Credit		20,958			26,673
Other		27,525			29,435
Total gross written premium	$	157,676		$	168,348

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		0000000000		0000000000
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Energy	$	12,824	$	5,052
Property Treaty		62,302		61,160
Liability		17,892		22,360
Surety & Credit		19,027		24,758
Other		22,525		19,110
Total net written premium	$	134,570	$	132,440

Our International segment pretax earnings were impacted by net catastrophe losses of $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 and $49.5 million in the first quarter of 2011. The 2012 losses related to small catastrophes in our property treaty business. In 2011, we recognized gross losses of $85.2 million for catastrophes in Japan, New Zealand and Australia. After reinsurance, our 2011 net losses were $42.4 million and we incurred $7.1 million of reinstatement premium for continued reinsurance coverage. The 2011 catastrophic events impacted our energy and property treaty product lines, as well as our property (direct and facultative) and accident and health product lines (both included in Other). These catastrophe losses increased the International segment’s net loss ratio by 3.5 percentage points in 2012 and 58.2 percentage points in 2011.

The segment’s increase in net earned premium in 2012 primarily related to reinstatement premium in 2011 (recorded as a reduction of net earned premium) related to catastrophe losses in our energy and property treaty businesses. The energy, property treaty and Other net loss ratios reflect the catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011. The effect of the reinstatement premium in 2011 increased the segment’s 2011 expense ratio by 3.4 percentage points.

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Investing Segment

We invest the majority of our funds in highly-rated fixed income securities, which are designated as available for sale securities. We held $6.0 billion of fixed income securities at March 31, 2012. Substantially all of our fixed income securities were investment grade and 78% were rated AAA or AA. At March 31, 2012, the portfolio’s average long-term tax equivalent yield was 5.0%, the weighted-average life was 7.7 years, and the weighted-average duration was 4.8 years.

The following tables summarize the investment results of our Investing segment.

		$5,809,313 00			$5,809,313 00
	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Fixed income securities	$	57,727		$	52,006
Short-term investments		62			156
Other investments		467			642
Net realized investment gain (loss)		171			(559)
Other-than-temporary impairment credit losses		-			(3,129)
Investment expenses		(1,246)			(1,209)
Segment pretax earnings	$	57,181		$	47,907
Average investments, at cost	$	5,809,313		$	5,584,231
Average long-term yield (1)		4.1	%		4.0	%
Average long-term tax equivalent yield (1)		5.0	%		4.9	%
Average combined tax equivalent yield (1), (2)		4.9	%		4.6	%
Weighted-average life of fixed income securities		7.7 years			7.2 years
Weighted-average duration of fixed income securities		4.8 years			5.4 years
Weighted-average combined duration (2)		4.6 years			5.2 years
Weighted-average rating of fixed income securities		AA			AA+

(1) Excluding realized and unrealized gains and losses.

(2) Including short-term and other investments.

On March 31, 2012, we reclassified our entire portfolio of fixed income securities classified as held to maturity, which consisted of corporate fixed income, U.S. government and foreign government securities, to fixed income securities classified as available for sale. Financial markets have been disrupted recently by several events, including the European debt crisis and the August 2011 downgrade of U.S. government debt by Standard & Poor’s Corporation. Due to these market disruptions and our desire to maintain greater flexibility in managing our entire investment portfolio in an uncertain economy, we changed our prior intent to hold these securities to maturity. On the date of transfer, these securities had a fair value of $139.1 million and an amortized cost of $136.0 million. The transferred securities’ net unrealized appreciation, net of tax, increased our accumulated other comprehensive income and shareholders’ equity by $2.0 million as of March 31, 2012.

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This table summarizes our investments by type, substantially all of which were reported at fair value, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

		1,063,487 000		1,063,487 000			1,063,487 000		1,063,487 000
	March 31, 2012					December 31, 2011
	Amount		%			Amount		%
U.S. government and government agency securities	$	272,147		4	%	$	302,677		5	%
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,075,855		17			1,085,341		18
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,930,761		31			1,863,888		31
Corporate fixed income securities		1,063,487		17			956,617		16
Residential mortgage-backed securities		1,047,779		17			1,100,086		18
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		278,653		4			256,124		4
Asset-backed securities		36,738		1			34,746		1
Foreign government securities		287,407		5			280,457		4
Short-term investments		221,087		3			133,917		2
Other investments		38,571		1			35,897		1
Total investments	$	6,252,485		100	%	$	6,049,750		100	%

Our total investments increased $202.7 million in 2012, principally from: 1) operating cash flow, 2) consolidation of our Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 4040 upon its merger into Syndicate 4141 as of January 1, 2012 and 3) an $18.8 million increase in the pretax net unrealized gain associated with our available for sale fixed income securities during the first quarter of 2012. During 2011, we substantially reduced our short-term investments and re-invested the funds in long-term fixed income securities in order to maximize our investment return.

The ratings of our individual securities within our available for sale portfolio at March 31, 2012 were as follows:

		$849,503000		$849,503000
	Amount		%
AAA	$	849,503		14	%
AA		3,847,230		64
A		1,043,436		18
BBB		204,530		3
BB and below		48,128		1
Total fixed income securities	$	5,992,827		100	%

At March 31, 2012, we held $1.9 billion of special purpose revenue bonds, as well as $1.1 billion of general obligation bonds, which are issued by states, municipalities and political subdivisions and collectively referred to, in the investment market, as municipal bonds. The overall rating of our municipal bonds was AA at March 31, 2012. Within our municipal bond portfolio, we held $276.7 million of pre-refunded bonds, which are supported by U.S. government debt obligations. Our special purpose revenue bonds are secured by revenue sources specific to each security. At March 31, 2012, the percentages of our special purpose revenue bond portfolio supported by these major revenue sources were as follows: 1) water and sewer – 24%, 2) education – 21%, 3) transportation – 19%, 4) leasing – 8% and 5) electric – 7%.

Many of our special purpose revenue bonds are insured by mono-line insurance companies or supported by credit enhancement programs of various states and municipalities. We view bond insurance as credit enhancement and not credit substitution. We base our investment decision on the strength of the issuer. A credit review is performed on each issuer and on the sustainability of the revenue source before we acquire a special purpose revenue bond and periodically, on an ongoing basis, thereafter. The underlying average credit rating of our special purpose revenue bond issuers, excluding any bond insurance, was AA at March 31, 2012. Although recent economic conditions in the United States may reduce the source of revenue to support certain of these securities, the majority are supported by revenue from essential sources, as indicated above, which we believe generate a stable source of revenue.

36

At March 31, 2012, we held corporate fixed income securities issued by foreign corporations with an aggregate fair value of $434.1 million. In addition, we held securities issued by foreign governments, agencies or supranational entities with an aggregate fair value of $287.4 million. At March 31, 2012, our holdings of foreign debt were relatively unchanged from our holdings of foreign debt at December 31, 2011.

At March 31, 2012, we held a commercial mortgage-backed securities portfolio with a fair value of $278.7 million, an average rating of AA+ and an average loan-to-value ratio of 69%. We owned no collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) or collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and we are not counterparty to any credit default swap transactions.

The methodologies used to determine the fair value of our investments are described in Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The accounting polices and procedures that we use to determine our other-than-temporary impairment losses are described in Note 2, “Investments” to the Consolidated Financial Statements and “Critical Accounting Policies – Other-than-temporary Impairments in Investments” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Corporate & Other

The following table summarizes activity in the Corporate & Other category.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Net earned premium	$	5	$	125
Other revenue		(42)		(29)
Total revenue		(37)		96
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net		(1)		(230)
Other expense - Exited Lines		645		1,067
Other expense - Corporate		14,579		12,124
Interest expense		6,802		5,429
Foreign currency expense (benefit)		2,765		(1,225)
Total expense		24,790		17,165
Pretax loss	$	(24,827)	$	(17,069)

Our Corporate expenses not allocable to the segments increased $2.5 million in 2012, primarily due to higher employee compensation and benefit costs and information technology expense related to our new technology systems. Our interest expense increased due to a higher amount of outstanding borrowings on our $600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility in 2012.

Foreign currency expense increased quarter-over-quarter due to our increased level of available for sale securities denominated in foreign currencies and strengthening of the British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar in 2012. We hold available for sale securities denominated in foreign currencies to economically hedge the currency exchange risk on our foreign-denominated loss reserves. The foreign currency gain or loss related to loss reserves is recorded through the income statement, while the foreign currency gain or loss related to available for sale securities is recorded through other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity. This mismatch may cause fluctuations in our reported foreign currency benefit or expense in future periods.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Credit market disruptions in recent years have resulted in a tightening of available sources of credit and significant liquidity concerns for many companies. We believe we have sufficient sources of liquidity at a reasonable cost at the present time, based on the following:

• We held $312.0 million of cash and liquid short-term investments at March 31, 2012.

• Our available for sale bond portfolio (including our previous held to maturity bonds) had a fair value of $6.0 billion at March 31, 2012, of which $226.4 million of bonds were held directly by the parent company. We generally intend to hold these securities until their maturity, but we would be able to sell securities to generate cash if the need arises.

• We have a four-year $600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility that expires on March 8, 2015. We had $325.0 million of borrowing capacity available at March 31, 2012.

• Our long-term debt consists of $300.0 million principal amount of unsecured 6.30% Senior Notes due November 15, 2019. Our debt to total capital ratio was 14.6% at March 31, 2012 and 12.8% at December 31, 2011, with the increase related to our borrowings under the Revolving Loan Facility.

• We have a $90.0 million Standby Letter of Credit Facility that expires on December 31, 2015, which is used to guarantee our performance in our Lloyd’s of London syndicate.

• Our domestic insurance subsidiaries have the ability to pay $255.1 million in dividends in 2012 to the parent company without obtaining special permission from state regulatory authorities. HCC can utilize these dividends for any purpose, including to pay down debt, pay dividends to shareholders, fund acquisitions, purchase our common stock and pay operating expenses.

• We have a new “Universal Shelf” registration statement, which was filed and became effective in March 2012 and expires in March 2015. The current shelf registration statement provides for the issuance of an aggregate of $1.0 billion of securities. These securities may be debt securities, equity securities, or a combination thereof. The shelf registration statement provides us the means to access the debt and equity markets relatively quickly, if we are satisfied with the current pricing in the financial market.

Capital Management

Notes Payable

There have been no changes to the terms and conditions related to our Senior Notes, the $600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility (the Facility) and the Standby Letter of Credit Facility from those described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

As of March 31, 2012, we had borrowed $265.0 million under the Facility, primarily to fund purchases of our common stock. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Facility at March 31, 2012 was 1.62%. The borrowings and letters of credit issued under the Facility reduced our available borrowing capacity on the Facility to $325.0 million at March 31, 2012.

We were in compliance with debt covenants related to our Senior Notes, the Facility, and the Standby Letter of Credit Facility at March 31, 2012.

38

Share Repurchases

On September 23, 2011, the Board approved the purchase of up to $300.0 million of our common stock (the Plan). Purchases under the Plan may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time-to-time in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Purchases under the Plan will be made opportunistically from time-to-time, subject to market and business conditions, the level of cash generated from our operations, cash required for acquisitions, our debt covenant compliance, and other relevant factors. The Plan does not obligate us to purchase any particular number of shares, has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Board’s discretion.

In the first quarter of 2012, we purchased $66.9 million, or 2.2 million shares, at an average cost of $30.64 per share. As of April 27, 2012, $128.8 million of repurchase authority remains under the Plan.

Cash Flow

We receive substantial cash from premiums, reinsurance recoverables, surety collateral, outward commutations, proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments, and investment income. Our principal cash outflows are for the payment of claims and loss adjustment expenses, premium payments to reinsurers, return of surety collateral, inward commutations, purchases of investments, debt service, policy acquisition costs, operating expenses, taxes, dividends, and common stock purchases. Cash provided by operating activities can fluctuate due to timing differences in the collection of premium receivables, reinsurance recoverables and surety collateral; the payment of losses, premium payables, return of surety collateral; and the completion of commutations.

The components of our net operating cash flows are summarized in the following table.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Net earnings	$	82,584	$	46,990
Change in premium, claims and other receivables, net of reinsurance, premium and claims payables and excluding restricted cash		33,891		(37,996)
Change in unearned premium, net		1,658		16,372
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable, net of reinsurance recoverables		16,098		60,970
Other, net		(59,261)		(4,278)
Cash provided by operating activities	$	74,970	$	82,058

In the first quarter of 2012, we generated operating cash flow of $75.0 million, compared to $82.1 million in the same period of 2011. Our 2012 operating cash was reduced by $27.5 million that we paid to commute a large contract in our assumed accident and health reinsurance business reported in Exited Lines. Receipt and repayment of collateral funds related to surety bonds decreased the first quarter operating cash flow by $22.7 million in 2012 and increased it by $1.7 million in 2011. Our operating cash flow in 2012 benefitted from increased premium collections.

39

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2012

See Note 1, “General Information — Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2012” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recently adopted accounting guidance related to deferred policy acquisition costs and its retrospective impact on our prior year consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

We provided information about our critical accounting policies in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We have made no changes in the identification or methods of application of these policies.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December  31, 2011.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Act)) that are designed to ensure that required information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required timeframe, as specified in rules set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2012. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2012.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the first quarter of 2012, we identified no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

40

Part II — Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer or reinsurer, the liabilities for which, we believe, have been adequately included in our loss reserves. Also, from time to time, we are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that relate to disputes with third parties, or that involve alleged errors and omissions on the part of our subsidiaries. We have provided accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, based on present information, the availability of insurance coverage and advice received from our outside legal counsel, we believe the resolution of any such matters will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On September 23, 2011, the Board approved the purchase of up to $300.0 million of our common stock (the Plan). Purchases under the Plan may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time-to-time in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Purchases under the Plan will be made opportunistically, subject to market and business conditions, the level of cash generated from our operations, cash required for acquisitions, our debt covenant compliance, and other relevant factors. The Plan does not obligate us to purchase any particular number of shares, has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Board’s discretion. During the first quarter of 2012, we purchased our common stock, as follows:

Period	Total number of     shares purchased		Average price     paid per share	Total number of shares     purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs		Approximate dollar value of shares that may     yet be  purchased under     the plans or programs
January		152,265	$27.81		152,265	$222,171,566
February		318,374	$30.43		318,374	$212,483,856
March		1,714,484	$30.93		1,714,484	$159,457,013

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

41

Item 6.  Exhibits

3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., filed with Delaware Secretary of State on July 23, 1996 and May 21, 1998, respectively (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-61687) filed on August 17, 1998).
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2008).
4.1	Indenture, dated August 23, 2001, between HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank related to Debt Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 24, 2001).
4.2	Form of Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated November 16, 2009, between HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association related to the 6.30% Senior Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2009).
10.1	Employment Agreement, dated March 21, 2012, between HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and William N. Burke (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2012).
10.2	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 30, 2012, between HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Craig J. Kelbel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2012).
10.3	Renewal Letter, dated March 30, 2012, between HCC Service Company, Inc. and Barry J. Cook (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2012).
†12	Statement of Ratios.
†31.1	Certification by Chief Executive Officer.
†31.2	Certification by Chief Financial Officer.
†32.1	Certification with Respect to Quarterly Report.
†101	The following financial statements from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.*

† Filed herewith.

* The XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability of that section and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.

42

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
	(Registrant)
May 7, 2012	/s/ John N. Molbeck, Jr.
(Date)	John N. Molbeck, Jr.,
	Chief Executive Officer
May 7, 2012	/s/ Pamela J. Penny
(Date)	Pamela J. Penny, Executive Vice President
	and Chief Accounting Officer

43

EX-12

Exhibit 12

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Statement of Ratios

(unaudited, in thousands except ratios)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net loss ratio
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	$	328,928		$	347,586
Net earned premium		547,141			508,480
Net loss ratio (1)		60.1	%		68.4	%
(Net loss ratio = incurred loss and loss adjustment expense divided by net earned premium)
Expense ratio
Segment underwriting expense (2)	$	138,844		$	135,848
Segment revenue (3)		552,379			515,705
Expense ratio		25.1	%		26.3	%
(Expense ratio = segment underwriting expense divided by segment revenue)
Combined ratio		85.2	%		94.7	%
(Combined ratio = net loss ratio plus expense ratio)
Accident year net loss ratio
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	$	328,928		$	347,586
Add: Favorable (adverse) development		-			(9,015)
Accident year net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	328,928		$	338,571
Accident year net earned premium	$	547,141		$	508,480
Accident year net loss ratio		60.1	%		66.6	%
(Accident year net loss ratio = accident year net loss and loss adjustment expense divided by accident year net earned premium)
Net paid loss ratio
Losses paid, net of reinsurance	$	344,522		$	297,123
Net earned premium		547,141			508,480
Net paid loss ratio		63.0	%		58.4	%
(Net paid loss ratio = losses paid, net of reinsurance, divided by net earned premium)

(1) Calculated for our insurance companies using financial data reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(2) Sum of Other Expense for each of our insurance segments.

(3) Sum of Segment Revenue for each of our insurance segments.

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Statement of Ratios

(unaudited, in thousands except ratios)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
Interest factor of rent expense (4)	$	1,312	$	1,341
Interest expense		6,909		5,553
Capitalized interest		13		68
Total fixed charges	$	8,234	$	6,962
Earnings before income tax expense	$	116,960	$	62,879
Interest factor of rent expense (4)		1,312		1,341
Interest expense		6,909		5,553
Earnings per calculation	$	125,181	$	69,773
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (5)		15.20		10.02

(4) Estimated to be 33% of total rent expense.

(5) Earnings per calculation divided by total fixed charges.

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, John N. Molbeck, Jr., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

May 7, 2012	/s/ John N. Molbeck, Jr.
(Date)	John N. Molbeck, Jr.,
	Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Brad T. Irick, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

May 7, 2012	/s/ Brad T. Irick
(Date)	Brad T. Irick, Executive Vice President
	and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO

QUARTERLY REPORT OF

HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

The undersigned, being the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the Company), pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, do hereby certify to the best of their knowledge with respect to the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (the Report):

1. that the Report fully complies with all requirements of Section 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. that the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the periods presented in the Report.

May 7, 2012	/s/ John N. Molbeck, Jr.
(Date)	John N. Molbeck, Jr.,
	Chief Executive Officer
May 7, 2012	/s/ Brad T. Irick
(Date)	Brad T. Irick, Executive Vice President
	and Chief Financial Officer

This certification is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of such section. This certification is not deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference. A signed original of this certification has been provided to HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and will be retained by HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
Net earnings	$ 82,584	$ 46,990
Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	(1,463)	(598)
Net earnings available to common stock	$ 81,121	$ 46,392
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	102,034	113,754
Dilutive effect of outstanding options (determined using treasury stock method)	159	352
Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding	102,193	114,106
Anti-dilutive stock options not included in treasury stock method computation	2,224	2,397

XML

Supplemental Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Supplemental Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Information

(10) Supplemental Information

Supplemental cash flow information was as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Income taxes paid	$	5,784	$	19,106
Interest paid		1,071		2,286
Dividends declared but not paid at end of period		15,863		16,638

XML

Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

(9)Commitments and Contingencies

Catastrophe and Large Loss Exposure

We have exposure to catastrophic losses caused by natural perils (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and tornados), as well as from man-made events (such as terrorist attacks). The incidence, timing and severity of catastrophe losses are unpredictable. We assess our exposures in areas most vulnerable to natural catastrophes and apply procedures to ascertain our probable maximum loss from a single event. We maintain reinsurance protection that we believe is sufficient to limit our exposure to a foreseeable event. In the first quarter of 2012, we recognized $7.6million of net losses from catastrophic events. In the first quarter of 2011, we recognized gross losses of $105.2million from catastrophic events in Japan, New Zealand and Australia. After reinsurance and reinstatement premium, our pretax loss was $51.5million.

Litigation

We are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer or reinsurer, the liabilities for which, we believe, have been adequately included in our loss reserves. Also, from time to time, we are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that relate to disputes with third parties, or that involve alleged errors and omissions on the part of our subsidiaries. We have provided accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, based on present information, the availability of insurance coverage and advice received from our outside legal counsel, we believe the resolution of any such matters will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Indemnifications

In conjunction with the sales of business assets and subsidiaries, we have provided indemnifications to the buyers. Certain indemnifications cover typical representations and warranties related to our responsibilities to perform under the sales contracts. Under other indemnifications, we agree to reimburse the purchasers for taxes or ERISA-related amounts, if any, assessed after the sale date but related to pre-sale activities. We cannot quantify the maximum potential exposure covered by all of our indemnifications because the indemnifications cover a variety of matters, operations and scenarios. Certain of these indemnifications have no time limit. For those with a time limit, the longest such indemnification expires in 2025. We accrue a loss when a valid claim is made by a purchaser and we believe we have potential exposure. At March 31, 2012, we have an accrued liability of $11.6million,as well as $6.3million in escrow and $3.2million of letters of credit, to cover our obligations or anticipated payments under these indemnifications.

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Notes Payable

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Notes Payable [Abstract]

Notes Payable

(5) Notes Payable

Notes payable were as follows:

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
6.30% Senior Notes		$	298,829	$	298,790
$600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility			265,000		180,000
	Total notes payable	$	563,829	$	478,790

We have a $90.0 million Standby Letter of Credit Facility that is used to guarantee our performance in our Lloyd's of London Syndicate 4141. There have been no changes to the terms and conditions related to our Senior Notes, the $600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility (the Facility) and the Standby Letter of Credit Facility from those described in Note 7, “Notes Payable” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Facility at March 31, 2012 was 1.62%. The borrowings and letters of credit issued under the Facility reduced our available borrowing capacity on the Facility to $325.0million at March 31, 2012.

We were in compliance with debt covenants related to our Senior Notes, the Facility and the Standby Letter of Credit Facility at March 31, 2012.

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Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Balance at beginning of period	$ 2,686
Sales		(144)
Gains and (losses)-unrealized	217	252
Gains and (losses)-realized		(2)
Transfers out of Level 3	(1,015)
Balance at end of period	1,888	2,401
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Balance at beginning of period	1,170	1,438
Sales		(144)
Gains and (losses)-unrealized	2	(11)
Gains and (losses)-realized		(2)
Transfers out of Level 3	(1,015)
Balance at end of period	157	1,281
Other Assets [Member]
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Balance at beginning of period	1,516	857
Gains and (losses)-unrealized	215	263
Balance at end of period	$ 1,731	$ 1,120

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Supplemental Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Supplemental Information
Income taxes paid	$ 5,784	$ 19,106
Interest paid	1,071	2,286
Dividends declared but not paid at year end	$ 15,863	$ 16,638

XML

Stock Based Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	5
Restricted stock awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares	188,758
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	30.60
Aggregate fair value	5,775,995
Restricted stock awards [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	2
Restricted stock awards [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4
Restricted stock units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares	13,155
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	30.60
Aggregate fair value	402,543
Vesting period	4 n/a
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares	17,500
Weighted-average grant date fair value	8.14
Aggregate fair value	142,371
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1

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Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

(6)Earnings Per Share

The following table details the numerator and denominator used in our earnings per share calculations.

		Three months ended March 31,
		2012		2011
Net earnings		$	82,584	$	46,990
Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock			(1,463)		(598)
	Net earnings available to common stock	$	81,121	$	46,392
Weighted-average common shares outstanding			102,034		113,754
Dilutive effect of outstanding options (determined using treasury stock method)			159		352
	Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding		102,193		114,106
Anti-dilutive stock options not included in treasury stock method computation			2,224		2,397

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies Line Items [Abstract]
Recognized Gross losses from catastrophic events		$ 105,200,000
Liability related to indemnifications	11,600,000
Pretax loss after reinsurance	7,600,000	51,500,000
Letters of credit to cover obligations or anticipated payments	3,200,000
Amount in escrow account	$ 6,300,000

XML

General Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

General Information [Abstract]

General Information

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HCC) and its subsidiaries (collectively we, us or our) include domestic andforeign property and casualty and life insurance companies and underwriting agencies with offices in theUnited States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. We underwrite a variety of non-correlated specialtyinsurance products, including property and casualty, accident and health, surety,credit, and aviationproduct lines, in approximately 180 countries. We market our products through a network of independent agents and brokers, producers, managing general agents and directly to customers.

Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of HCC and its subsidiaries. We have made all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair statement of results of the interim periods, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 was derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts in our 2011 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2012 presentation. None of our reclassifications had an effect on our consolidated net earnings, shareholders' equity or cash flows.

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2012

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

A new accounting standard clarifies the definition of acquisition costs incurred by an insurance company and limits capitalization to such costs directly related to renewing or acquiring new insurance contracts. Under the new standard, we expense all costs incurred for unsuccessful marketing or underwriting efforts, along with indirect costs, as incurred. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012 through retrospective adjustment of the capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes and consolidated shareholders' equity in our prior years' consolidated financial statements. We also reclassified expenses in our prior years' consolidated income statements to reflect the new definition of policy acquisition costs. Application of the new guidance did not impact our reported consolidated net earnings or cash flows in prior years. The following line items in our consolidated financial statements were affected by this change in accounting guidance:

	December 31, 2011
	As originally
	reported		Change		As adjusted
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$	217,608	$	(27,975)	$	189,633
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (deferred income taxes)		675,174		(9,943)		665,231
Retained earnings		2,447,850		(18,032)		2,429,818

	Three months ended March 31, 2011
	As originally
	reported		Change		As adjusted
Policy acquistion costs, net	$	83,378	$	(13,535)	$	69,843
Other operating expense		64,312		13,535		77,847

Goodwill Impairment

A new accounting standard simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment. The new standard permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. Previous guidance required an entity to test goodwill for impairment, at least on an annual basis, by first comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, then the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Under the new rules, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. The new rules were effective for us on January 1, 2012. We do not expect application of the new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Segments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segments [Abstract]

Segments

(8) Segments

We report HCC's results in six operating segments. Our insurance underwriting segments consist of the following:

• U.S. Property & Casualty
• Professional Liability
• Accident & Health
• U.S. Surety & Credit
• International

The Investing segment includes our consolidated investment portfolio, as well as all investment income, investment related expenses, realized investment gains and losses, and other-than-temporary impairment credit losses on investments. All investment activity is reported as revenue, consistent with our consolidated presentation.

In addition to our segments, we include a Corporate & Other category to reconcile segment results to consolidated totals. The Corporate & Other category includes corporate operating expenses not allocable to the segments, interest expense on long-term debt, foreign currency expense (benefit), and underwriting results of our Exited Lines. Our Exited Lines include product lines that we no longer write and do not expect to write in the future.

The following tables present information by business segment.

			U.S. Property & Casualty		Professional Liability		Accident & Health		U.S. Surety & Credit		International		Investing		Corporate & Other		Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2012
Net earned premium			$	89,018	$	101,438	$	217,667	$	47,729	$	91,284	$	0	$	5	$	547,141
Other revenue				2,363		133		1,338		215		1,194		57,181		(42)		62,382
	Segment revenue			91,381		101,571		219,005		47,944		92,478		57,181		(37)		609,523
Loss and LAE				49,261		69,155		161,713		11,033		37,767		0		(1)		328,928
Other expense				29,722		17,531		31,318		28,120		32,153		0		24,791		163,635
	Segment expense			78,983		86,686		193,031		39,153		69,920		-		24,790		492,563
		Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	12,398	$	14,885	$	25,974	$	8,791	$	22,558	$	57,181	$	(24,827)	$	116,960

Three months ended March 31, 2011
Net earned premium			$	80,254	$	100,750	$	198,540	$	51,364	$	77,447	$	0	$	125	$	508,480
Other revenue				4,879		201		1,016		246		1,008		47,907		(29)		55,228
	Segment revenue			85,133		100,951		199,556		51,610		78,455		47,907		96		563,708
Loss and LAE				47,484		66,263		144,858		15,039		74,172		0		(230)		347,586
Other expense				28,406		17,104		30,418		28,255		31,665		0		17,395		153,243
	Segment expense			75,890		83,367		175,276		43,294		105,837		-		17,165		500,829
		Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	9,243	$	17,584	$	24,280	$	8,316	$	(27,382)	$	47,907	$	(17,069)	$	62,879

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Reinsurance (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Effect of reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs
Direct written premium	$ 544,770	$ 508,141
Reinsurance assumed	137,919	141,067
Reinsurance ceded	(124,285)	(110,324)
Net written premium	558,404	538,884
Direct earned premium	591,183	574,808
Reinsurance assumed	82,338	79,381
Reinsurance ceded	(126,380)	(145,709)
Net earned premium	547,141	508,480
Direct loss and loss adjustment expense	365,392	442,754
Reinsurance assumed	36,709	73,907
Reinsurance ceded	(73,173)	(169,075)
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	328,928	347,586
Policy acquisition costs	95,735	97,823
Ceding commissions	(26,291)	(27,980)
Net policy acquisition costs	$ 69,444	$ 69,843

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Reinsurance (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Reinsurance [Abstract]

Effect of reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Direct written premium	$	544,770	$	508,141
Reinsurance assumed		137,919		141,067
Reinsurance ceded		(124,285)		(110,324)
Net written premium	$	558,404	$	538,884
Direct earned premium	$	591,183	$	574,808
Reinsurance assumed		82,338		79,381
Reinsurance ceded		(126,380)		(145,709)
Net earned premium	$	547,141	$	508,480
Direct loss and loss adjustment expense	$	365,392	$	442,754
Reinsurance assumed		36,709		73,907
Reinsurance ceded		(73,173)		(169,075)
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	328,928	$	347,586

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Policy acquisition costs	$	95,735	$	97,823
Ceding commissions		(26,291)		(27,980)
Net policy acquisition costs	$	69,444	$	69,843

Components of our reinsurance recoverables

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		$	62,297	$	83,109
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			524,144		477,760
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			498,113		497,074
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance			(1,500)		(1,875)
	Total reinsurance recoverables	$	1,083,054	$	1,056,068

Amounts of letters of credit and cash deposits held by us as collateral, plus other credits available for potential offset

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
Payables to reinsurers		$	203,449	$	195,806
Letters of credit			114,311		120,589
Cash			118,710		83,731
	Total credits	$	436,470	$	400,126

Calculation of net reserves, net unearned premium and net deferred policy acquisition costs

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable		$	3,721,974	$	3,658,317
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			(524,144)		(477,760)
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			(498,113)		(497,074)
	Net reserves	$	2,699,717	$	2,683,483
Unearned premium		$	1,042,050	$	1,031,034
Ceded unearned premium			(231,405)		(222,300)
	Net unearned premium	$	810,645	$	808,734
Deferred policy acquisition costs		$	195,558	$	189,633
Deferred ceding commissions			(65,916)		(62,364)
	Net deferred policy acquisition costs	$	129,642	$	127,269

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Segments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segments [Abstract]

Information by business segment

			U.S. Property & Casualty		Professional Liability		Accident & Health		U.S. Surety & Credit		International		Investing		Corporate & Other		Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2012
Net earned premium			$	89,018	$	101,438	$	217,667	$	47,729	$	91,284	$	0	$	5	$	547,141
Other revenue				2,363		133		1,338		215		1,194		57,181		(42)		62,382
	Segment revenue			91,381		101,571		219,005		47,944		92,478		57,181		(37)		609,523
Loss and LAE				49,261		69,155		161,713		11,033		37,767		0		(1)		328,928
Other expense				29,722		17,531		31,318		28,120		32,153		0		24,791		163,635
	Segment expense			78,983		86,686		193,031		39,153		69,920		-		24,790		492,563
		Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	12,398	$	14,885	$	25,974	$	8,791	$	22,558	$	57,181	$	(24,827)	$	116,960

Three months ended March 31, 2011
Net earned premium			$	80,254	$	100,750	$	198,540	$	51,364	$	77,447	$	0	$	125	$	508,480
Other revenue				4,879		201		1,016		246		1,008		47,907		(29)		55,228
	Segment revenue			85,133		100,951		199,556		51,610		78,455		47,907		96		563,708
Loss and LAE				47,484		66,263		144,858		15,039		74,172		0		(230)		347,586
Other expense				28,406		17,104		30,418		28,255		31,665		0		17,395		153,243
	Segment expense			75,890		83,367		175,276		43,294		105,837		-		17,165		500,829
		Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	9,243	$	17,584	$	24,280	$	8,316	$	(27,382)	$	47,907	$	(17,069)	$	62,879

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Reinsurance (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of reinsurance recoverables
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	$ 62,297	$ 83,109
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses	524,144	477,760
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses	498,113	497,074
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance	(1,500)	(1,875)
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 1,083,054	$ 1,056,068

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Reinsurance (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Amounts of letters of credit and cash deposits held by us as collateral, plus other credits available for potential offset
Payables to reinsurers	$ 203,449	$ 195,806
Letters of credit	114,311	120,589
Cash deposits	118,710	83,731
Total credits	$ 436,470	$ 400,126

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Operating activities
Net earnings	$ 82,584	$ 46,990
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Change in premium, claims and other receivables	16,089	(29,384)
Change in reinsurance recoverables	(19,639)	(98,459)
Change in ceded unearned premium	(8,887)	35,386
Change in loss and loss adjustments expense payable	35,737	159,429
Change in unearned premium	10,545	(19,014)
Change in reinsurance, premium and claims payable, excluding restricted cash	17,802	(8,612)
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(44,098)	(5,680)
Stock-based compensation expense	2,373	3,072
Depreciation and amortization expense	4,605	4,449
Other, net	(22,141)	(6,119)
Cash provided by operating activities	74,970	82,058
Investing activities
Proceeds from sales of available for sale fixed income securities	65,103	48,932
Maturity or call of available for sale fixed income securities	145,713	186,908
Maturity or call of held to maturity fixed income securities	28,636	19,082
Cost of available for sale fixed income securities acquired	(230,283)	(522,918)
Change in short-term investments	(66,008)	228,608
Payments for purchase of businesses, net of cash received	(32,143)	(1,892)
Other, net	(3,443)	(7,500)
Cash used by investing activities	(92,425)	(48,780)
Financing activities
Advances on line of credit	95,000
Payments on line of credit	(10,000)
Sale of common stock	1,278	20,525
Purchase of common stock	(62,358)	(35,709)
Dividends paid	(16,139)	(16,670)
Other, net	(3,963)	(498)
Cash used by financing activities	3,818	(32,352)
Net decrease in cash	(13,637)	926
Cash at beginning of year	104,550	97,857
Cash at end of period	$ 90,913	$ 98,783

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Reinsurance (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Calculation of net reserves, net unearned premium and net deferred policy acquisition costs
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	$ 3,721,974	$ 3,658,317
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses	(524,144)	(477,760)
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses	(498,113)	(497,074)
Net reserves	2,699,717	2,683,483
Unearned premium	1,042,050	1,031,034
Ceded unearned premium	(231,405)	(222,300)
Net unearned premium	810,645	808,734
Deferred policy acquisition costs	195,558	189,633
Deferred ceding commissions	(65,916)	(62,364)
Net deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 129,642	$ 127,269

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Stock based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Stock based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock based Compensation

(7) Stock-Based Compensation

In 2012, we granted the following shares of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options for the purchase of shares of our common stock. For all grants except stock options, we measure fair value based on the closing stock price of our common stock on the grant date. For stock options, we use the Black-Scholes single option pricing model to determine the fair value of an option on its grant date. The fair value of the restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options will be expensed over the vesting period.

		Weighted-average
	Number	grant date		Aggregate		Vesting
	of shares	fair value		fair value		period
Restricted stock awards	188,758	$	30.60	$	5,775,995	2-4 years
Restricted stock units	13,155		30.60		402,543	4 years
Stock options	17,500		8.14		142,371	1-5 years

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments
Fixed income securities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2012-$5,640,630; 2011 - $5,385,432)	$ 5,992,827	$ 5,718,834
Fixed income securities - held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $163,136)	0	161,102
Short-term investments, at cost, which approximates fair value	221,087	133,917
Other investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2012 and 2011-$38,230)	38,571	35,897
Total investments	6,252,485	6,049,750
Cash	90,913	104,550
Restricted cash	196,451	229,821
Premium, claims and other receivables	601,507	688,732
Reinsurance recoverables	1,083,054	1,056,068
Ceded unearned premium	231,405	222,300
Ceded life and annuity benefits	60,636	61,061
Deferred policy acquisition costs	195,558	189,633
Goodwill	873,900	872,814
Other assets	179,042	122,549
Total assets	9,764,951	9,597,278
LIABILITIES
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	3,721,974	3,658,317
Life and annuity policy benefits	60,636	61,061
Reinsurance, premium and claims payable	366,293	366,499
Unearned premium	1,042,050	1,031,034
Deferred ceding commissions	65,916	62,364
Notes payable	563,829	478,790
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	650,296	665,231
Total liabilities	6,470,994	6,323,296
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250,000 shares authroized (shares issued: 2012-123,000 and 2011-122,720; outstanding: 2012-102,196 and 2011-104,101)	123,000	122,720
Additional paid-in capital	1,004,595	1,001,308
Retained earnings	2,496,539	2,429,818
Accumulated other comprehensive income	244,295	227,659
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: 2012-20,804 and 2011-18,619)	(574,472)	(507,523)
Total shareholders' equity	3,293,957	3,273,982
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 9,764,951	$ 9,597,278

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Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	$ 547,141	$ 508,480
Other revenue	62,382	55,228
Total revenue	609,523	563,708
Loss and LAE	328,928	347,586
Other expense	163,635	153,243
Segment Expense	492,563	500,829
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	116,960	62,879
U.S. Property & Casualty
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	89,018	80,254
Other revenue	2,363	4,879
Total revenue	91,381	85,133
Loss and LAE	49,261	47,484
Other expense	29,722	28,406
Segment Expense	78,983	75,890
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	12,398	9,243
Professional Liability [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	101,438	100,750
Other revenue	133	201
Total revenue	101,571	100,951
Loss and LAE	69,155	66,263
Other expense	17,531	17,104
Segment Expense	86,686	83,367
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	14,885	17,584
Accident & Health
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	217,667	198,540
Other revenue	1,338	1,016
Total revenue	219,005	199,556
Loss and LAE	161,713	144,858
Other expense	31,318	30,418
Segment Expense	193,031	175,276
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	25,974	24,280
U.S. Surety & Credit
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	47,729	51,364
Other revenue	215	246
Total revenue	47,944	51,610
Loss and LAE	11,033	15,039
Other expense	28,120	28,255
Segment Expense	39,153	43,294
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	8,791	8,316
International [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	91,284	77,447
Other revenue	1,194	1,008
Total revenue	92,478	78,455
Loss and LAE	37,767	74,172
Other expense	32,153	31,665
Segment Expense	69,920	105,837
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	22,558	(27,382)
Investing [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	0	0
Other revenue	57,181	47,907
Total revenue	57,181	47,907
Loss and LAE	0	0
Other expense	0	0
Segment Expense	0	0
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	57,181	47,907
Corporate and Other [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	5	125
Other revenue	(42)	(29)
Total revenue	(37)	96
Loss and LAE	(1)	(230)
Other expense	24,791	17,395
Segment Expense	24,790	17,165
Segment Pre Tax Earnings Loss	$ (24,827)	$ (17,069)

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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income	Treasury stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 3,273,982	$ 122,720	$ 1,001,308	$ 2,429,818	$ 227,659	$ (507,523)
Net earnings	82,584			82,584
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,636				16,636
Issuance of 94 shares for exercise of options, including tax effect	1,278	94	1,184
Purchase of 2,185 common shares	(66,949)					(66,949)
Stock-based compensation	2,289	186	2,103
Cash dividends declared $0.155 per share	(15,863)			(15,863)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 3,293,957	$ 123,000	$ 1,004,595	$ 2,496,539	$ 244,295	$ (574,472)

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Notes Payable (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Notes Payable [Line Items]
Notes payable	$ 563,829	$ 478,790
6.3% Senior Notes [Member]
Notes Payable [Line Items]
Notes payable	298,829	298,790
$600 Million Revolving Loan Facility [Member]
Notes Payable [Line Items]
Notes payable	$ 265,000	$ 180,000

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

(3) Fair Value Measurements

Our financial instruments include assets and liabilities carried at fair value, as well as assets and liabilities carried at cost or amortized cost but disclosed at fair value in our financial statements. In determining fair value, we generally apply the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant data based on market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. We classify our financial instruments into the following three-level hierarchy:

•Level 1 – Inputs are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

•Level 2 – Inputs are based on observable market data (other than quoted prices), or are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

•Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable and not corroborated by market data.

Our Level 1 investments consist ofU.S. Treasuries, money market funds,and equity securities traded in an active exchange market. We use unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments to measure fair value.

Our Level 2 investments include most of our fixed income securities, which consist of U.S. government agency securities, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities, bank loans, and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.Level 2 also includes certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing deposits at banks, which we report as short-term investments. We measure fair value for the majority of our Level 2 investments using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. The remaining investments are valued using pricing models or matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable assumptions, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, default rates, loss severity and other economic measures.

We use independent pricing services to assist us in determining fair value for approximately 99% of our Level 2 investments. The pricing services provide a single price or quote per security. We use data provided by our third party investment managers to value the remaining Level 2 investments. To validate that these quoted and modeled prices are reasonable estimates of fair value, we perform various quantitative and qualitative procedures, including: 1) evaluation of the underlying methodologies, 2) analysis of recent sales activity, 3) analytical review of our fair values against current market prices and 4) comparison of the pricing services' fair value to other pricing services' fair value for the same investment. No markets for our investments were judged to be inactive at period end. Based on these procedures, we did not adjust the prices or quotes provided by our independent pricing services or third party investment managers as of March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

Our Level 2 financial instruments also include our notes payable. We determine the fair value of our 6.30% Senior Notes based on quoted prices, but the market is inactive. The fair value of borrowings under our Revolving Loan Facility approximates the carrying amount because interest is based on 30-day LIBOR plus a margin.

Our Level 3 securities include certain fixed income securities and an insurance contract that we account for as a derivative and classify in other assets. We determine fair value of our Level 3 securities based on internally developed models that use assumptions or other data that are not readily observable from objective sources.

The following tables present the fair value of our financial instruments that were carried or disclosed at fair value. Unless indicated, these items were carried at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet.

		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
March 31, 2012
Fixed income securities - available for sale
	U.S. government and government agency securities	$	179,050	$	93,097	$	0	$	272,147
	Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		0		1,075,855		0		1,075,855
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
	and political subdivisions		0		1,930,761		0		1,930,761
	Corporate fixed income securities		0		1,063,330		157		1,063,487
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		0		1,047,779		0		1,047,779
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		0		278,653		0		278,653
	Asset-backed securities		0		36,738		0		36,738
	Foreign government securities		0		287,407		0		287,407
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale		179,050		5,813,620		157		5,992,827
Short-term investments*			115,023		106,064		0		221,087
Other investments			38,396		0		0		38,396
Other assets			0		0		1,731		1,731
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	332,469	$	5,919,684	$	1,888	$	6,254,041
Notes payable* - measured at fair value		$	0	$	599,059	$	0	$	599,059

December 31, 2011
Fixed income securities - available for sale
	U.S. government and government agency securities	$	201,582	$	94,097	$	0	$	295,679
	Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		0		1,085,341		0		1,085,341
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
	and political subdivisions		0		1,863,888		0		1,863,888
	Corporate fixed income securities		0		846,178		155		846,333
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		0		1,100,086		0		1,100,086
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		0		256,124		0		256,124
	Asset-backed securities		0		33,731		1,015		34,746
	Foreign government securities		0		236,637		0		236,637
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale		201,582		5,516,082		1,170		5,718,834
Fixed income securities - held to maturity*			0		163,136		0		163,136
Short-term investments*			67,288		66,629		0		133,917
Other investments			35,720		0		0		35,720
Other assets			0		0		1,516		1,516
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	304,590	$	5,745,847	$	2,686	$	6,053,123
Notes payable* - measured at fair value		$	-	$	505,671	$	-	$	505,671

*Carried at cost or amortized cost on our consolidated balance sheet.

The following tables present the changes in fair value of our Level 3

	2012						2011
	Fixed						Fixed
	income		Other				income		Other
	securities		assets		Total		securities		assets		Total
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,170	$	1,516	$	2,686	$	1,438	$	857	$	2,295
Net gains (losses) – realized		0		0		0		(2)		0		(2)
Net gains (losses) – unrealized		2		215		217		(11)		263		252
Sales		0		0		0		(144)		0		(144)
Transfers out of Level 3		(1,015)		0		(1,015)		0		0		0
Balance at March 31	$	157	$	1,731	$	1,888	$	1,281	$	1,120	$	2,401

Unrealized gains and losses on our Level 3 fixed income securities are reported in other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity, and unrealized gains and losses on our Level 3 other assets are reported in other operating income. We transferred an investment from Level 3 to Level 2 in the first quarter of 2012 because we were able to determine its fair value using inputs based on observable market data in the period transferred.There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 in the first quarter of 2011.

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Notes Payable (Textuals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 08, 2011
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Borrowing capacity under line of credit facility		$ 600,000,000
Contracutal interest rate on borrowing under facility	1.62%
Remaining borrowing capacity under Revolving Loan Facility as reduced by outstanding letters of credit	325,000,000
Letter of credit facility outstanding amount	$ 90,000,000

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	$ 5,992,827	$ 5,718,834
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	0	163,136
Short-term Investments	221,087	133,917
Other investments	38,396	35,720
Other assets	1,731	1,516
Total assets measured at fair value	6,254,041	6,053,123
Notes payable	599,059	505,671
Level 1 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	179,050	201,582
Short-term Investments	115,023	67,288
Other investments	38,396	35,720
Total assets measured at fair value	332,469	304,590
Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	5,813,620	5,516,082
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value		163,136
Short-term Investments	106,064	66,629
Total assets measured at fair value	5,919,684	5,745,847
Notes payable	599,059	505,671
Level 3 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	157	1,170
Other assets	1,731	1,516
Total assets measured at fair value	1,888	2,686
U.S. government and government agency securities [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	272,147	295,679
U.S. government and government agency securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	179,050	201,582
U.S. government and government agency securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	93,097	94,097
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,075,855	1,085,341
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,075,855	1,085,341
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,930,761	1,863,888
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,930,761	1,863,888
Corporate fixed income securities [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,063,487	846,333
Corporate fixed income securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,063,330	846,178
Corporate fixed income securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale		155
Total assets measured at fair value	157
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,047,779	1,100,086
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,047,779	1,100,086
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	278,653	256,124
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	278,653	256,124
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	36,738	34,746
Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	36,738	33,731
Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale		1,015
Foreign government securities [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	287,407	236,637
Foreign government securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fixed income securities-available for sale
Fixed income securities - available for sale	$ 287,407	$ 236,637

XML

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Issuance of 94 shares for exercise of options, including tax effect	94
Purchase of 2,185 common shares	2,185
Cash dividends declared $0.155 per share	$ 0.155

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments
Total fixed income securities, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	$ 5,640,630	$ 5,385,432
Fair value for fixed income securities - held to maturity, at amortized cost	0	163,136
Other investments, amortized cost	$ 38,230	$ 38,230
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000	250,000
Common stock, shares issued	123,000	122,720
Common stock, shares outstanding	102,196	104,101
Treasury stock	20,804	18,619

XML

Investments (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Income Securities Held To Maturity
Held to maturity, amortized cost basis	$ 0	$ 161,102
Gross unrealized gain		2,629
Gross unrealized loss		(595)
Fair value	0	163,136
U.S. government securities [Member]
Fixed Income Securities Held To Maturity
Held to maturity, amortized cost basis		6,998
Gross unrealized gain		69
Fair value		7,067
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fixed Income Securities Held To Maturity
Held to maturity, amortized cost basis		110,284
Gross unrealized gain		1,814
Gross unrealized loss		(455)
Fair value		111,643
Foreign government securities [Member]
Fixed Income Securities Held To Maturity
Held to maturity, amortized cost basis		43,820
Gross unrealized gain		746
Gross unrealized loss		(140)
Fair value		$ 44,426

XML

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Apr. 27, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC/DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000888919
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		101,200,000

XML

Investments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Credit losses recognized in earnings with component in other comprehensive income
Balance at beginning of period	$ 4,273	$ 5,047	$ 5,047
Securities previously impaired	1,247
Securities previously not impaired	1,838
Securities sold	(673)
Balance at end of period	$ 6,685	$ 5,047	$ 5,047

XML

Consolidated Statement of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
REVENUE
Net earned premium	$ 547,141	$ 508,480
Net investment income	57,010	51,595
Other Revenue	62,382	55,228
Other operating income	5,201	7,321
Net realized investment gain	171	(559)
Other-than-temporary impairment credit losses	0	(3,129)
Total revenue	609,523	563,708
EXPENSE
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	328,928	347,586
Policy acquisition costs, net	69,444	69,843
Other operating expense	87,282	77,847
Interest expense	6,909	5,553
Total expense	492,563	500,829
Earnings before income taxes	116,960	62,879
Income tax expense	34,376	15,889
Net earnings	$ 82,584	$ 46,990
Earnings per common share
Basic	$ 0.80	$ 0.41
Diluted	$ 0.79	$ 0.41

XML

General Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Deferred Policy Acquistion Costs	Dec. 31, 2011 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (deferred income taxes)	Dec. 31, 2011 Retained Earnings	Mar. 31, 2011 Policy acquisition costs net	Mar. 31, 2011 Other operating expense
New Accounting Pronouncements And Change In Accounting Principals [Line Items]
As originally reported	$ 217,608	$ 675,174	$ 2,447,850	$ 83,378	$ 64,312
Change	(27,975)	(9,943)	(18,032)	(13,535)	13,535
As adjusted	$ 189,633	$ 665,231	$ 2,429,818	$ 69,843	$ 77,847

XML

General Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Cumulative-Effect Adjustment [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2011
	As originally
	reported		Change		As adjusted
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$	217,608	$	(27,975)	$	189,633
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (deferred income taxes)		675,174		(9,943)		665,231
Retained earnings		2,447,850		(18,032)		2,429,818

	Three months ended March 31, 2011
	As originally
	reported		Change		As adjusted
Policy acquistion costs, net	$	83,378	$	(13,535)	$	69,843
Other operating expense		64,312		13,535		77,847

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Assets at fair value

		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
March 31, 2012
Fixed income securities - available for sale
	U.S. government and government agency securities	$	179,050	$	93,097	$	0	$	272,147
	Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		0		1,075,855		0		1,075,855
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
	and political subdivisions		0		1,930,761		0		1,930,761
	Corporate fixed income securities		0		1,063,330		157		1,063,487
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		0		1,047,779		0		1,047,779
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		0		278,653		0		278,653
	Asset-backed securities		0		36,738		0		36,738
	Foreign government securities		0		287,407		0		287,407
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale		179,050		5,813,620		157		5,992,827
Short-term investments*			115,023		106,064		0		221,087
Other investments			38,396		0		0		38,396
Other assets			0		0		1,731		1,731
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	332,469	$	5,919,684	$	1,888	$	6,254,041
Notes payable* - measured at fair value		$	0	$	599,059	$	0	$	599,059

December 31, 2011
Fixed income securities - available for sale
	U.S. government and government agency securities	$	201,582	$	94,097	$	0	$	295,679
	Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		0		1,085,341		0		1,085,341
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
	and political subdivisions		0		1,863,888		0		1,863,888
	Corporate fixed income securities		0		846,178		155		846,333
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		0		1,100,086		0		1,100,086
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		0		256,124		0		256,124
	Asset-backed securities		0		33,731		1,015		34,746
	Foreign government securities		0		236,637		0		236,637
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale		201,582		5,516,082		1,170		5,718,834
Fixed income securities - held to maturity*			0		163,136		0		163,136
Short-term investments*			67,288		66,629		0		133,917
Other investments			35,720		0		0		35,720
Other assets			0		0		1,516		1,516
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	304,590	$	5,745,847	$	2,686	$	6,053,123
Notes payable* - measured at fair value		$	-	$	505,671	$	-	$	505,671

Changes in fair value of level 3 assets

	2012						2011
	Fixed						Fixed
	income		Other				income		Other
	securities		assets		Total		securities		assets		Total
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,170	$	1,516	$	2,686	$	1,438	$	857	$	2,295
Net gains (losses) – realized		0		0		0		(2)		0		(2)
Net gains (losses) – unrealized		2		215		217		(11)		263		252
Sales		0		0		0		(144)		0		(144)
Transfers out of Level 3		(1,015)		0		(1,015)		0		0		0
Balance at March 31	$	157	$	1,731	$	1,888	$	1,281	$	1,120	$	2,401

XML

Investments (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Amortized cost and fair value of fixed income securities
Due in 1 year or less, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	$ 379,129
Due after 1 year through 5 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,121,859
Due after 5 years through 10 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,170,245
Due after 10 years through 15 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	794,448
Due after 15 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	888,133
Securities with fixed maturities, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	4,353,814
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,286,816
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,640,630	5,385,432
Due in 1 year or less, Available for sale, Fair value	386,378
Due after 1 year through 5 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,174,766
Due after 5 years through 10 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,267,353
Due after 10 years through 15 years, Available for sale, Fair value	859,376
Due after 15 years, Available for sale, Fair value	941,784
Securities with fixed maturities, Available for sale, Fair value	4,629,657
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Available for sale, Fair value	1,363,170
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	5,992,827
Total fixed income securities, Held to maturity, Amortized cost	0	161,102
Total fixed income securities, Held to maturity, Fair value	$ 0	$ 163,136

XML

Investments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Investment [Abstract]

Fixed Income Securities Available For Sale

		Cost or		Gross		Gross
		amortized		unrealized		unrealized
		cost		gain		loss		Fair value
March 31, 2012
U.S. government and government agency securities		$	263,352	$	8,894	$	(99)	$	272,147
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political
	subdivisions		992,522		83,508		(175)		1,075,855
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		1,801,978		129,297		(514)		1,930,761
Corporate fixed income securities			1,022,264		42,835		(1,612)		1,063,487
Residential mortgage-backed securities			991,349		58,432		(2,002)		1,047,779
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			258,961		19,787		(95)		278,653
Asset-backed securities			36,506		233		(1)		36,738
Foreign government securities			273,698		13,716		(7)		287,407
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale	$	5,640,630	$	356,702	$	(4,505)	$	5,992,827

		Cost or		Gross		Gross
		amortized		unrealized		unrealized
		cost		gain		loss		Fair value
December 31, 2011
U.S. government and government agency securities		$	285,166	$	10,523	$	(10)	$	295,679
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political
	subdivisions		999,940		85,528		(127)		1,085,341
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		1,741,297		122,746		(155)		1,863,888
Corporate fixed income securities			817,886		35,221		(6,774)		846,333
Residential mortgage-backed securities			1,036,436		65,771		(2,121)		1,100,086
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			244,535		15,162		(3,573)		256,124
Asset-backed securities			34,655		147		(56)		34,746
Foreign government securities			225,517		11,203		(83)		236,637
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale	$	5,385,432	$	346,301	$	(12,899)	$	5,718,834

Fixed Income Securities Held To Maturity

U.S. government securities		$	6,998	$	69	$	-	$	7,067
Corporate fixed income securities			110,284		1,814		(455)		111,643
Foreign government securities			43,820		746		(140)		44,426
	Total fixed income securities - held to maturity	$	161,102	$	2,629	$	(595)	$	163,136

Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities loss that were in a continuous loss position

		Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
				Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses
March 31, 2012
U.S. government and government agency
	securities	$	24,922	$	(99)	$	0	$	0	$	24,922	$	(99)
Fixed income securities of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		11,407		(155)		828		(20)		12,235		(175)
Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		44,650		(494)		1,573		(20)		46,223		(514)
Corporate fixed income securities			97,215		(1,601)		1,419		(11)		98,634		(1,612)
Residential mortgage-backed securities			35,435		(396)		8,416		(1,606)		43,851		(2,002)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			18,577		(95)		0		0		18,577		(95)
Asset-backed securities			2,855		(1)		0		0		2,855		(1)
Foreign government securities			4,684		(7)		0		0		4,684		(7)
	Total	$	239,745	$	(2,848)	$	12,236	$	(1,657)	$	251,981	$	(4,505)

		Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
				Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses
December 31, 2011
U.S. government and government agency
	securities	$	13,984	$	(10)	$	0	$	0	$	13,984	$	(10)
Fixed income securities of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		10,256		(107)		899		(20)		11,155		(127)
Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		21,856		(67)		6,796		(88)		28,652		(155)
Corporate fixed income securities			154,856		(6,391)		18,005		(383)		172,861		(6,774)
Residential mortgage-backed securities			32,430		(1,364)		7,582		(757)		40,012		(2,121)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			39,075		(3,573)		0		0		39,075		(3,573)
Asset-backed securities			19,648		(56)		0		0		19,648		(56)
Foreign government securities			4,198		(83)		0		0		4,198		(83)
	Total	$	296,303	$	(11,651)	$	33,282	$	(1,248)	$	329,585	$	(12,899)

Rollforward of other than temporary impairment credit losses

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Balance at beginning of year	$	5,047	$	4,273
Credit losses recognized in earnings
Securities previously impaired		0		1,247
Securities not previously impaired		0		1,838
Securities sold		0		(673)
Balance at March 31	$	5,047	$	6,685

Amortized cost and fair value of fixed income securities

		Cost or amortized cost		Fair value
Due in 1 year or less		$	379,129	$	386,378
Due after 1 year through 5 years			1,121,859		1,174,766
Due after 5 years through 10 years			1,170,245		1,267,353
Due after 10 years through 15 years			794,448		859,376
Due after 15 years			888,133		941,784
	Securities with fixed maturities		4,353,814		4,629,657
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			1,286,816		1,363,170
	Total fixed income securities	$	5,640,630	$	5,992,827

Sources of net investment income

		Three months ended March 31,
		2012		2011
Fixed income securities
Taxable		$	31,115	$	27,095
Exempt from U.S. income taxes			26,612		24,911
	Total fixed income securities		57,727		52,006
Short-term investments			62		156
Other			467		642
	Total investment income		58,256		52,804
Investment expense			(1,246)		(1,209)
	Net investment income	$	57,010	$	51,595

XML

General Information (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

General Information [Abstract]

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2012

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

A new accounting standard clarifies the definition of acquisition costs incurred by an insurance company and limits capitalization to such costs directly related to renewing or acquiring new insurance contracts. Under the new standard, we expense all costs incurred for unsuccessful marketing or underwriting efforts, along with indirect costs, as incurred. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012 through retrospective adjustment of the capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes and consolidated shareholders' equity in our prior years' consolidated financial statements. We also reclassified expenses in our prior years' consolidated income statements to reflect the new definition of policy acquisition costs. Application of the new guidance did not impact our reported consolidated net earnings or cash flows in prior years. The following line items in our consolidated financial statements were affected by this change in accounting guidance:

Goodwill Impairment

A new accounting standard simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment. The new standard permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. Previous guidance required an entity to test goodwill for impairment, at least on an annual basis, by first comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, then the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Under the new rules, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. The new rules were effective for us on January 1, 2012. We do not expect application of the new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Investments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Investment [Abstract]

Investments

(2)  Investments

On March 31, 2012, we reclassified our entire portfolio of fixed income securities classified as held to maturity, which consisted of corporate fixed income, U.S. government and foreign government securities, to fixed income securities classified as available for sale. Financial markets recently have been disrupted by several events, including the European debt crisis and the August 2011 downgrade of U.S. government debt by Standard & Poor's Corporation. Due to these market disruptions and our desire to maintain greater flexibility in managing our entire investment portfolio in an uncertain economy, we changed our prior intent to hold these securities to maturity. On the date of transfer, these securities had a fair value of $139.1 million and an amortized cost of $136.0 million.The securities' net unrealized appreciation, net of tax, increased our accumulated other comprehensive income and shareholders' equity by $2.0 million as of March 31, 2012.

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gain or loss, and fair value of our fixed income securities were as follows:

		Cost or		Gross		Gross
		amortized		unrealized		unrealized
		cost		gain		loss		Fair value
March 31, 2012
U.S. government and government agency securities		$	263,352	$	8,894	$	(99)	$	272,147
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political
	subdivisions		992,522		83,508		(175)		1,075,855
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		1,801,978		129,297		(514)		1,930,761
Corporate fixed income securities			1,022,264		42,835		(1,612)		1,063,487
Residential mortgage-backed securities			991,349		58,432		(2,002)		1,047,779
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			258,961		19,787		(95)		278,653
Asset-backed securities			36,506		233		(1)		36,738
Foreign government securities			273,698		13,716		(7)		287,407
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale	$	5,640,630	$	356,702	$	(4,505)	$	5,992,827

		Cost or		Gross		Gross
		amortized		unrealized		unrealized
		cost		gain		loss		Fair value
December 31, 2011
U.S. government and government agency securities		$	285,166	$	10,523	$	(10)	$	295,679
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political
	subdivisions		999,940		85,528		(127)		1,085,341
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and
	political subdivisions		1,741,297		122,746		(155)		1,863,888
Corporate fixed income securities			817,886		35,221		(6,774)		846,333
Residential mortgage-backed securities			1,036,436		65,771		(2,121)		1,100,086
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			244,535		15,162		(3,573)		256,124
Asset-backed securities			34,655		147		(56)		34,746
Foreign government securities			225,517		11,203		(83)		236,637
	Total fixed income securities - available for sale	$	5,385,432	$	346,301	$	(12,899)	$	5,718,834

U.S. government securities		$	6,998	$	69	$	-	$	7,067
Corporate fixed income securities			110,284		1,814		(455)		111,643
Foreign government securities			43,820		746		(140)		44,426
	Total fixed income securities - held to maturity	$	161,102	$	2,629	$	(595)	$	163,136

Substantially all of our fixed income securities are investment grade and all securities were income producing in 2012. The following table displays the gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated.

		Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
				Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses
March 31, 2012
U.S. government and government agency
	securities	$	24,922	$	(99)	$	0	$	0	$	24,922	$	(99)
Fixed income securities of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		11,407		(155)		828		(20)		12,235		(175)
Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		44,650		(494)		1,573		(20)		46,223		(514)
Corporate fixed income securities			97,215		(1,601)		1,419		(11)		98,634		(1,612)
Residential mortgage-backed securities			35,435		(396)		8,416		(1,606)		43,851		(2,002)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			18,577		(95)		0		0		18,577		(95)
Asset-backed securities			2,855		(1)		0		0		2,855		(1)
Foreign government securities			4,684		(7)		0		0		4,684		(7)
	Total	$	239,745	$	(2,848)	$	12,236	$	(1,657)	$	251,981	$	(4,505)

		Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
				Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses		Fair value		losses
December 31, 2011
U.S. government and government agency
	securities	$	13,984	$	(10)	$	0	$	0	$	13,984	$	(10)
Fixed income securities of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		10,256		(107)		899		(20)		11,155		(127)
Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
	municipalities and political subdivisions		21,856		(67)		6,796		(88)		28,652		(155)
Corporate fixed income securities			154,856		(6,391)		18,005		(383)		172,861		(6,774)
Residential mortgage-backed securities			32,430		(1,364)		7,582		(757)		40,012		(2,121)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			39,075		(3,573)		0		0		39,075		(3,573)
Asset-backed securities			19,648		(56)		0		0		19,648		(56)
Foreign government securities			4,198		(83)		0		0		4,198		(83)
	Total	$	296,303	$	(11,651)	$	33,282	$	(1,248)	$	329,585	$	(12,899)

A security has an impairment loss when its fair value is less than its cost or amortized cost at the balance sheet date. We evaluate our securities for possible other-than-temporary impairment losses at each quarter end. Our reviews cover all impaired securities where the loss exceeds$0.5 million and the loss either exceeds10% of cost or the security had been in a loss position for longer than twelve consecutive months. We recognized no other-than-temporaryimpairment losses in the first quarter of 2012 and $3.1 million, all of which were recognized in earnings, in the first quarter of 2011.

We have recognized credit losses on certain impaired fixed income securities, for which each security also had an impairment loss recorded in other comprehensive income. The rollforward of these credit losses was as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Balance at beginning of year	$	5,047	$	4,273
Credit losses recognized in earnings
Securities previously impaired		0		1,247
Securities not previously impaired		0		1,838
Securities sold		0		(673)
Balance at March 31	$	5,047	$	6,685

We had $0.6million after-tax other-than-temporary impairment losses, related to mortgage-backed securities, included in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity at March 31, 2012. This amount includes the after-tax unrealized gains and losses on these impaired securities resulting from changes in their fair value subsequent to their initial other-than-temporary impairment measurement dates.

We do not consider the $4.5 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed income securities in our portfolio atMarch 31, 2012 to be other-than-temporary impairments because: 1) as of March 31, 2012,we have received substantially all contractual interest and principal payments on these securities,2) we do not intend to sell these securities, 3) it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases and 4) the unrealized loss relates to non-credit factors, such as interest rate changes and market conditions.

The amortized cost and fair value of our fixed income securities at March 31, 2012, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The weighted-average life of our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities was 4.4years at March 31, 2012.

		Cost or amortized cost		Fair value
Due in 1 year or less		$	379,129	$	386,378
Due after 1 year through 5 years			1,121,859		1,174,766
Due after 5 years through 10 years			1,170,245		1,267,353
Due after 10 years through 15 years			794,448		859,376
Due after 15 years			888,133		941,784
	Securities with fixed maturities		4,353,814		4,629,657
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			1,286,816		1,363,170
	Total fixed income securities	$	5,640,630	$	5,992,827

The sources of net investment income were as follows:

		Three months ended March 31,
		2012		2011
Fixed income securities
Taxable		$	31,115	$	27,095
Exempt from U.S. income taxes			26,612		24,911
	Total fixed income securities		57,727		52,006
Short-term investments			62		156
Other			467		642
	Total investment income		58,256		52,804
Investment expense			(1,246)		(1,209)
	Net investment income	$	57,010	$	51,595

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Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 5,640,630	$ 5,385,432
Gross unrealized gain	356,702	346,301
Gross unrealized loss	(4,505)	(12,899)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	5,992,827	5,718,834
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	239,745	296,303
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(2,848)	(11,651)
12 months or more, Fair value	12,236	33,282
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	(1,657)	(1,248)
Total, Fair value	251,981	329,585
U.S. government and government agency securities [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	263,352	285,166
Gross unrealized gain	8,894	10,523
Gross unrealized loss	(99)	(10)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	272,147	295,679
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	24,922	13,984
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(99)	(10)
Total, Fair value	24,922	13,984
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	992,522	999,940
Gross unrealized gain	83,508	85,528
Gross unrealized loss	(175)	(127)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,075,855	1,085,341
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	11,407	10,256
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(155)	(107)
12 months or more, Fair value	828	899
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	(20)	(20)
Total, Fair value	12,235	11,155
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,801,978	1,741,297
Gross unrealized gain	129,297	122,746
Gross unrealized loss	(514)	(155)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,930,761	1,863,888
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	44,650	21,856
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(494)	(67)
12 months or more, Fair value	1,573	6,796
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	(20)	(88)
Total, Fair value	46,223	28,652
Corporate fixed income securities [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,022,264	817,886
Gross unrealized gain	42,835	35,221
Gross unrealized loss	(1,612)	(6,774)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,063,487	846,333
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	97,215	154,856
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(1,601)	(6,391)
12 months or more, Fair value	1,419	18,005
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	(11)	(383)
Total, Fair value	98,634	172,861
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	991,349	1,036,436
Gross unrealized gain	58,432	65,771
Gross unrealized loss	(2,002)	(2,121)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	1,047,779	1,100,086
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	35,435	32,430
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(396)	(1,364)
12 months or more, Fair value	8,416	7,582
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	(1,606)	(757)
Total, Fair value	43,851	40,012
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	258,961	244,535
Gross unrealized gain	19,787	15,162
Gross unrealized loss	(95)	(3,573)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	278,653	256,124
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	18,577	39,075
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(95)	(3,573)
Total, Fair value	18,577	39,075
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	36,506	34,655
Gross unrealized gain	233	147
Gross unrealized loss	(1)	(56)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	36,738	34,746
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	2,855	19,648
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(1)	(56)
Total, Fair value	2,855	19,648
Foreign government securities [Member]
Fixed Income securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	273,698	225,517
Gross unrealized gain	13,716	11,203
Gross unrealized loss	(7)	(83)
Fixed income securities - available for sale	287,407	236,637
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	4,684	4,198
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	(7)	(83)
Total, Fair value	$ 4,684	$ 4,198

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Notes Payable (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Notes Payable [Abstract]

Notes Payable

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
6.30% Senior Notes		$	298,829	$	298,790
$600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility			265,000		180,000
	Total notes payable	$	563,829	$	478,790

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Investments (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Investment [Abstract]
Fair value of held to maturity securities transferred	$ 139,100,000
Amortized cost of held to maturity securities transferred	136,000,000
Net unrealized appreciation, net of tax, increase in AOCI & SHE from transfer	2,000,000
Condition for categorizing the impaired securities	500,000
Condition for categorizing the impaired securities, percentage	10.00%
Other-than-temporary impairments related to mortgage backed securities, after tax	600,000
Gross unrealized losses on fixed income securities	4,500,000
Weighted-average life of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Years	4.4
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 3,129,000

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Fair Value Measurements (Details Textuals)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Independent pricing services to assist in determining fair value	99.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	6.30%

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Supplemental Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Supplemental Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Information

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Income taxes paid	$	5,784	$	19,106
Interest paid		1,071		2,286
Dividends declared but not paid at end of period		15,863		16,638

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Stock Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock based Compensation

(7) Stock-Based Compensation

In 2012, we granted the following shares of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options for the purchase of shares of our common stock. For all grants except stock options, we measure fair value based on the closing stock price of our common stock on the grant date. For stock options, we use the Black-Scholes single option pricing model to determine the fair value of an option on its grant date. The fair value of the restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options will be expensed over the vesting period.

		Weighted-average
	Number	grant date		Aggregate		Vesting
	of shares	fair value		fair value		period
Restricted stock awards	188,758	$	30.60	$	5,775,995	2-4 years
Restricted stock units	13,155		30.60		402,543	4 years
Stock options	17,500		8.14		142,371	1-5 years

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Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 82,584	$ 46,990
Investment gains (losses)
Investment gains (losses) during the year	21,640	(22,457)
Income tax charge (benefit)	7,303	(12,323)
Investments gains (losses), net of tax	14,337	(10,134)
Gains (losses) included in net earnings	171	(3,692)
Income tax charge (benefit)	60	(1,292)
Gains (losses) included in net earnings, net of tax	111	(2,400)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	14,226	(7,734)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,533	6,025
Income tax charge (benefit)	123	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	2,410	6,025
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,636	(1,709)
Comprehensive income	$ 99,220	$ 45,281

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General Information (Details Textuals)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 countries
General Information [Abstract]
Number of countries in which The Company underwrites non-correlated specialty insurance products	180

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Reinsurance

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Reinsurance [Abstract]

Reinsurance

(4) Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, our insurance companies cede a portion of their premium to domestic and foreign reinsurers through treaty and facultative reinsurance agreements. Although reinsurance does not discharge the direct insurer from liability to its policyholder, our insurance companies participate in such agreements in order to limit their loss exposure, protect them against catastrophic losses and diversify their business. The following tables present the effect of such reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Direct written premium	$	544,770	$	508,141
Reinsurance assumed		137,919		141,067
Reinsurance ceded		(124,285)		(110,324)
Net written premium	$	558,404	$	538,884
Direct earned premium	$	591,183	$	574,808
Reinsurance assumed		82,338		79,381
Reinsurance ceded		(126,380)		(145,709)
Net earned premium	$	547,141	$	508,480
Direct loss and loss adjustment expense	$	365,392	$	442,754
Reinsurance assumed		36,709		73,907
Reinsurance ceded		(73,173)		(169,075)
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	328,928	$	347,586

	Three months ended March 31,
	2012		2011
Policy acquisition costs	$	95,735	$	97,823
Ceding commissions		(26,291)		(27,980)
Net policy acquisition costs	$	69,444	$	69,843

The table below shows the components of our reinsurance recoverables in our consolidated balance sheets.

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		$	62,297	$	83,109
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			524,144		477,760
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			498,113		497,074
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance			(1,500)		(1,875)
	Total reinsurance recoverables	$	1,083,054	$	1,056,068

Reinsurers not authorized by the respective states of domicile of our U.S. domiciled insurance companies are required to collateralize reinsurance obligations due to us. The table below shows the amounts of letters of credit and cash available to us as collateral, plus other potential offsetsat March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
Payables to reinsurers		$	203,449	$	195,806
Letters of credit			114,311		120,589
Cash			118,710		83,731
	Total credits	$	436,470	$	400,126

The tables below show the calculation of net reserves, net unearned premium and net deferred policy acquisition costs.

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable		$	3,721,974	$	3,658,317
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			(524,144)		(477,760)
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			(498,113)		(497,074)
	Net reserves	$	2,699,717	$	2,683,483
Unearned premium		$	1,042,050	$	1,031,034
Ceded unearned premium			(231,405)		(222,300)
	Net unearned premium	$	810,645	$	808,734
Deferred policy acquisition costs		$	195,558	$	189,633
Deferred ceding commissions			(65,916)		(62,364)
	Net deferred policy acquisition costs	$	129,642	$	127,269

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per share

		Three months ended March 31,
		2012		2011
Net earnings		$	82,584	$	46,990
Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock			(1,463)		(598)
	Net earnings available to common stock	$	81,121	$	46,392
Weighted-average common shares outstanding			102,034		113,754
Dilutive effect of outstanding options (determined using treasury stock method)			159		352
	Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding		102,193		114,106
Anti-dilutive stock options not included in treasury stock method computation			2,224		2,397

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Investments (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Fixed Income Securities [Abstract]
Taxable	$ 31,115	$ 27,095
Exempt from U.S. income taxes	26,612	24,911
Total fixed income securities	57,727	52,006
Short-term investments	62	156
Other	467	642
Total investment income	58,256	52,804
Investment expense	1,246	1,209
Net investment income	$ 57,010	$ 51,595