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Commitments, contingencies, and guarantees
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments, contingencies, and guarantees Commitments, contingencies, and guarantees
a) Derivative instruments
Foreign currency management
As a global company, Chubb entities transact business in multiple currencies. Our policy is to generally match assets, liabilities, and required capital for each individual jurisdiction in local currency, which would include the use of derivatives discussed below. We do not hedge our net asset non-U.S. dollar capital positions; however, we do consider economic hedging for planned cross border transactions.

Derivative instruments employed
Chubb maintains positions in derivative instruments such as futures, options, swaps, and foreign currency forward contracts for which the primary purposes are to manage duration and foreign currency exposure, yield enhancement, or to obtain an exposure to a particular financial market. Chubb also maintains positions in convertible securities that contain embedded derivatives. Investment derivative instruments are recorded in either Other assets (OA) or Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities (AP), convertible bonds are recorded in Fixed maturities available for sale (FM AFS), and convertible equity securities are recorded in Equity securities (ES) in the Consolidated balance sheets. These are the most numerous and frequent derivative transactions. In addition, Chubb purchases to be announced mortgage-backed securities (TBAs) as part of its investing activities.
Under reinsurance programs covering GLBs, Chubb assumes the risk of GLBs, principally GMIB, associated with variable annuity contracts. The GMIB risk is triggered if, at the time the contract holder elects to convert the accumulated account value to a periodic payment stream (annuitize), the accumulated account value is not sufficient to provide a guaranteed minimum level of monthly income. The GLB reinsurance product meets the definition of a derivative instrument and is classified within AP. Chubb also generally maintains positions in exchange-traded equity futures contracts on equity market indices to limit equity exposure in the GMDB and GLB book of business. All derivative instruments are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Net realized gains (losses) in the Consolidated statements of operations. None of the derivative instruments are designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The following table presents the balance sheet locations, fair values of derivative instruments in an asset or (liability) position, and notional values/payment provisions of our derivative instruments: 
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Location
Fair ValueNotional
Value/
Payment
Provision
Fair ValueNotional
Value/
Payment
Provision
Derivative Asset Derivative (Liability) Derivative Asset Derivative (Liability)
(in millions of U.S. dollars)
Investment and embedded derivative instruments:
Foreign currency forward contractsOA / (AP)$22 $(49)$2,807 $11 $(78)$2,579 
Options/Futures contracts on notes, bonds, and equitiesOA / (AP)13 (3)1,749 13 (15)1,615 
Convertible securities (1)
FM AFS / ES9  11 — 
$44 $(52)$4,567 $28 $(93)$4,199 
Other derivative instruments:
Futures contracts on equities (2)
OA / (AP)$ $(17)$709 $— $(13)$613 
OtherOA / (AP)  16 — 63 
$ $(17)$725 $$(13)$676 
GLB (3)
(AP)$ $(1,089)$1,658 $— $(897)$1,510 
(1)Includes fair value of embedded derivatives.
(2)Related to GMDB and GLB book of business.
(3)Note that the payment provision related to GLB is the net amount at risk. The concept of a notional value does not apply to the GLB reinsurance contracts.


At December 31, 2020 and 2019, net derivative liabilities of $30 million and $75 million, respectively, included in the table above were subject to a master netting agreement. The remaining derivatives included in the table above were not subject to a master netting agreement. 

b) Derivative instrument objectives
(i) Foreign currency exposure management
A foreign currency forward contract (forward) is an agreement between participants to exchange specific currencies at a future date. Chubb uses forwards to minimize the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies as discussed above.

(ii) Duration management and market exposure
Futures
Futures contracts give the holder the right and obligation to participate in market movements, determined by the index or underlying security on which the futures contract is based. Settlement is made daily in cash by an amount equal to the change in value of the futures contract times a multiplier that scales the size of the contract. Exchange-traded futures contracts on money market instruments, notes and bonds are used in fixed maturity portfolios to more efficiently manage duration, as substitutes for ownership of the money market instruments, bonds and notes without significantly increasing the risk in the portfolio. Investments in futures contracts may be made only to the extent that there are assets under management not otherwise committed.

Exchange-traded equity futures contracts are used to limit exposure to a severe equity market decline, which would cause an increase in expected claims and therefore, an increase in future policy benefit reserves for GMDB and an increase in the fair value liability for GLB reinsurance business.
Options
An option contract conveys to the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell a specified amount or value of an underlying security at a fixed price. Option contracts are used in our investment portfolio as protection against unexpected shifts in interest rates, which would affect the duration of the fixed maturity portfolio. By using options in the portfolio, the overall interest rate sensitivity of the portfolio can be reduced. Option contracts may also be used as an alternative to futures contracts in the synthetic strategy as described above.

The price of an option is influenced by the underlying security, expected volatility, time to expiration, and supply and demand.
The credit risk associated with the above derivative financial instruments relates to the potential for non-performance by counterparties. Although non-performance is not anticipated, in order to minimize the risk of loss, management monitors the creditworthiness of its counterparties and obtains collateral. The performance of exchange-traded instruments is guaranteed by the exchange on which they trade. For non-exchange-traded instruments, the counterparties are principally banks which must meet certain criteria according to our investment guidelines.

Interest rate swaps
An interest rate swap is a contract between two counterparties in which interest payments are made based on a notional principal amount, which itself is never paid or received. Under the terms of an interest rate swap, one counterparty makes interest payments based on a fixed interest rate and the other counterparty’s payments are based on a floating rate. Interest rate swap contracts are used occasionally in our investment portfolio as protection against unexpected shifts in interest rates, which would affect the fair value of the fixed maturity portfolio. By using interest rate swaps in the portfolio, the overall duration or interest rate sensitivity of the portfolio can be impacted.

Cross-currency swaps
Cross-currency swaps are agreements under which two counterparties exchange interest payments and principal denominated in different currencies at a future date. We use cross-currency swaps to reduce the foreign currency and interest rate risk by converting cash flows back into local currency. We invest in foreign currency denominated investments to improve credit diversification and also to obtain better duration matching to our liabilities that is limited in the local currency market.

Other
Included within Other are derivatives intended to reduce potential losses which may arise from certain exposures in our insurance business. The economic benefit provided by these derivatives is similar to purchased reinsurance. For example, Chubb may enter into crop derivative contracts to protect underwriting results in the event of a significant decline in commodity prices.

(iii) Convertible security investments
A convertible security is a debt instrument or preferred stock that can be converted into a predetermined amount of the issuer’s equity. The convertible option is an embedded derivative within the host instruments which are classified in the investment portfolio as either available for sale or as an equity security. Chubb purchases convertible securities for their total return and not specifically for the conversion feature.

(iv) TBA
By acquiring TBAs, we make a commitment to purchase a future issuance of mortgage-backed securities. For the period between purchase of the TBAs and issuance of the underlying security, we account for our position as a derivative in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Chubb purchases TBAs both for their total return and for the flexibility they provide related to our mortgage-backed security strategy.

(v) GLB
Under the GLB program, as the assuming entity, Chubb is obligated to provide coverage until the expiration or maturity of the underlying deferred annuity contracts or the expiry of the reinsurance treaty. The GLB is accounted for as a derivative and is recorded at fair value. Fair value represents management’s estimate of an exit price and thus, includes a risk margin. We may recognize a realized loss for other changes in fair value due to adverse changes in the capital markets (e.g., declining interest rates and/or declining U.S. and/or international equity markets) and changes in actual or estimated future policyholder behavior (e.g., increased annuitization or decreased lapse rates) although we expect the business to be profitable.

To mitigate adverse changes in the capital markets, we maintain positions in exchange-traded equity futures contracts, as noted under section "(ii) Futures" above. These futures increase in fair value when the S&P 500 index decreases (and decrease in fair
value when the S&P 500 index increases). The net impact of gains or losses related to changes in fair value of the GLB liability and the exchange-traded equity futures are included in Net realized gains (losses).

c) Securities lending and secured borrowings
Chubb participates in a securities lending program operated by a third-party banking institution whereby certain assets are loaned to qualified borrowers and from which we earn an incremental return. The securities lending collateral can only be drawn down by Chubb in the event that the institution borrowing the securities is in default under the lending agreement. An indemnification agreement with the lending agent protects us in the event a borrower becomes insolvent or fails to return any of the securities on loan. The collateral is recorded in Securities lending collateral and the liability is recorded in Securities lending payable in the Consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents the carrying value of collateral held under securities lending agreements by investment category and remaining contractual maturity of the underlying agreements:
Remaining contractual maturity
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
(in millions of U.S. dollars)Overnight and Continuous
Collateral held under securities lending agreements:
Cash$551 $346 
U.S. Treasury / Agency148 
Non-U.S.1,032 595 
Corporate and asset-backed securities30 
Mortgage-backed securities4 18 
Equity securities79 24 
$1,844 $994 
Gross amount of recognized liability for securities lending payable$1,844 $994 
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, our repurchase agreement obligations of $1,405 million and $1,416 million, respectively, were fully collateralized. In contrast to securities lending programs, the use of cash received is not restricted for the repurchase obligations. The fair value of the underlying securities sold remains in Fixed maturities available for sale, and the repurchase agreement obligation is recorded in Repurchase agreements in the Consolidated balance sheets.
The following table presents the carrying value of collateral pledged under repurchase agreements by investment category and remaining contractual maturity of the underlying agreements:
Remaining contractual maturity
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
30-90 DaysGreater than 90 DaysUp to 30 Days30-90 DaysGreater than 90 DaysTotal
(in millions of U.S. dollars)Total
Collateral pledged under repurchase agreements:
Cash$ $4 $4 $$— $— $
U.S. Treasury / Agency 106 106 107 — — 107 
Mortgage-backed securities481 871 1,352 399 476 480 1,355 
$481 $981 $1,462 $508 $476 $480 $1,464 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements$1,405 $1,416 
Difference (1)
$57 $48 
(1)Per the repurchase agreements, the amount of collateral posted is required to exceed the amount of gross liability.

Potential risks exist in our secured borrowing transactions due to market conditions and counterparty exposure. With collateral that we pledge, there is a risk that the collateral may not be returned at the expiration of the agreement. If the counterparty fails to return the collateral, Chubb will have free use of the borrowed funds until our collateral is returned. In addition, we may encounter the risk that Chubb may not be able to renew outstanding borrowings with a new term or with an existing counterparty due to market conditions including a decrease in demand as well as more restrictive terms from banks due to
increased regulatory and capital constraints. Should this condition occur, Chubb may seek alternative borrowing sources or reduce borrowings. Additionally, increased margins and collateral requirements due to market conditions would increase our restricted assets as we are required to provide additional collateral to support the transaction.

The following table presents net realized gains (losses) related to derivative instrument activity in the Consolidated statements of operations:
Year Ended December 31
(in millions of U.S. dollars)202020192018
Investment and embedded derivative instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts$65 $(79)$
Interest rate swaps (270)(115)
All other futures contracts, options, and equities16 (88)39 
Convertible securities (1)
 (2)
Total investment and embedded derivative instruments$81 $(435)$(75)
GLB and other derivative instruments:
GLB$(202)$(4)$(248)
Futures contracts on equities (2)
(108)(138)(4)
Other1 (8)(3)
Total GLB and other derivative instruments$(309)$(150)$(255)
$(228)$(585)$(330)
(1)Includes embedded derivatives.
(2)Related to GMDB and GLB book of business. 

d) Concentrations of credit risk
Our investment portfolio is managed following prudent standards of diversification. Specific provisions limit the allowable holdings of a single issue and issuer. We believe that there are no significant concentrations of credit risk associated with our investments. Our three largest corporate exposures by issuer at December 31, 2020, were Wells Fargo & Co., Bank of America Corp, and JP Morgan Chase & Co. Our largest exposure by industry at December 31, 2020 was financial services.

We market our insurance and reinsurance worldwide primarily through insurance and reinsurance brokers. We assume a degree of credit risk associated with brokers with whom we transact business. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, approximately 12 percent, 12 percent, and 10 percent, respectively, of our gross premiums written was generated from or placed by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. This entity is a large, well-established company, and there are no indications that it is financially troubled at December 31, 2020. No other broker or one insured accounted for more than 10 percent of our gross premiums written for these years.

e) Fixed maturities
At December 31, 2020, we have commitments to purchase fixed income securities of $605 million over the next several years.

f) Other investments
At December 31, 2020, included in Other investments in the Consolidated balance sheet are investments in limited partnerships and partially-owned investment companies with a carrying value of $6.5 billion. In connection with these investments, we have commitments that may require funding of up to $3.2 billion over the next several years. At December 31, 2019, these investments had a carrying value of $4.7 billion with a commitment that may require funding of up to $3.3 billion.

g) Letters of credit
We have access to capital markets and to credit facilities with letter of credit capacity of $4.0 billion with a sub-limit of $1.9 billion for revolving credit. Our existing credit facilities have remaining terms expiring through October 2022. At December 31, 2020, our LOC usage was $1.7 billion.

h) Legal proceedings
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to claims litigation involving disputed interpretations of policy coverages and, in some jurisdictions, direct actions by allegedly-injured persons seeking damages from policyholders. These lawsuits, involving claims on policies issued by our subsidiaries which are typical to the insurance industry in general and in the normal course of
business, are considered in our loss and loss expense reserves. In addition to claims litigation, we are subject to lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on insurance policies. This category of business litigation typically involves, among other things, allegations of underwriting errors or misconduct, employment claims, regulatory activity, or disputes arising from our business ventures. In the opinion of management, our ultimate liability for these matters could be, but we believe is not likely to be, material to our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

i) Lease commitments
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the right-of-use asset was $473 million and $551 million, respectively, recorded within Other assets on the Consolidated balance sheets, and the lease liability was $517 million and $603 million, respectively, which was recorded within Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on the Consolidated balance sheets. These leases consist principally of real estate operating leases that are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which expire at various dates. As of December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for the operating leases was 4.9 years and 2.6 percent, respectively. Rent expense was $152 million, $171 million, and $169 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under the operating leases are expected to be as follows:
For the years ending December 31
(in millions of U.S. dollars)
Undiscounted cash flows:
2021$150 
2022123 
202396 
202468 
202538 
Thereafter75 
Total undiscounted lease payments$550 
Less: Present value adjustment33 
Net lease liabilities reported as of December 31, 2020$517