Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of accounting

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Use Of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While management believes that the amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:

• Non-life reserves;

• Life and health reserves;

• Reinsurance recoverable for unpaid losses;

• Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned;

• Recoverability of deferred acquisition costs;

• Recoverability of deferred tax assets;

• Valuation of certain investments that are measured using significant unobservable inputs; and

• Valuation of goodwill and intangible assets.

Premiums

Gross premiums written and earned are based upon reports received from ceding companies, supplemented by the Company’s own estimates of premiums written and earned for which ceding company reports have not been received. The determination of premium estimates requires a review of the Company’s experience with cedants, familiarity with each market, an understanding of the characteristics of each line of business and management’s assessment of the impact of various other factors on the volume of business written and ceded to the Company. Premium estimates are updated as new information is received from cedants and differences between such estimates and actual amounts are recorded in the period in which the estimates are changed or the actual amounts are determined. Net premiums written and earned are presented net of ceded premiums.

Premiums related to non-life businessare earned on a basis that is consistent with the risks covered under the terms of the reinsurance contracts, which is generally one to two years. Reinstatement premiums are recognized as written and earned at the time a loss event occurs, where coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms. The accrual of reinstatement premiums is based on management’s estimate of losses and loss expenses associated with the loss event. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired risks under contracts in force.

Premiums related to life and annuity business are recorded over the premium-paying period on the underlying policies. Premiums on contracts for which there is no significant mortality or critical illness risk are accounted for in a manner consistent with accounting for interest-bearing financial instruments and are not reported as revenues, but rather as direct deposits to the contract. Amounts assessed against annuity and universal life policyholders are recognized as revenue in the period assessed.

Losses and Loss Expenses

The reserves for non-life business include amounts determined from loss reports on individual treaties (case reserves), additional case reserves when the Company’s loss estimate is higher than reported by the cedants (ACRs) and amounts for losses incurred but not yet reported to the Company (IBNR). Such reserves are estimated by management based upon reports received from ceding companies, supplemented by the Company’s own actuarial estimates of reserves for which ceding company reports have not been received, and based on the Company’s own historical experience. To the extent that the Company’s own historical experience is inadequate for estimating reserves, such estimates may be determined based upon industry experience and management’s judgment. The estimates are regularly reviewed and the ultimate liability may be materially in excess of, or less than, the amounts provided. Any adjustments are reflected in the periods in which they are determined, which may affect the Company’s operating results in future periods.

Life Policy Benefits

The life and health reserves have been established based upon information reported by ceding companies, supplemented by the Company’s actuarial estimates, which for life include mortality, morbidity, critical illness, persistency and future investment income, with appropriate provision to reflect uncertainty. For traditional and limited payment long-duration contracts, the assumptions are locked in at contract inception and are subject to annual loss recognition testing. Future policy benefit reserves for annuity and universal life contracts are carried at their accumulated values. Reserves for policy claims and benefits include both mortality, morbidity and critical illness claims in the process of settlement, and claims that have been incurred but not yet reported.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Acquisition costs, comprising primarily incremental brokerage fees, commissions and excise taxes, which vary directly with, and are related to, the acquisition of reinsurance contracts, are capitalized and charged to expense as the related premium is earned. All other acquisition related costs, including indirect costs, are expensed as incurred. Acquisition costs are shown net of commissions earned on ceded reinsurance. 

Acquisition costs related to individual life and annuity contracts are deferred and amortized over the premium-paying periods in proportion to anticipated premium income, allowing for lapses, terminations and anticipated investment income. Acquisition costs related to universal life and single premium annuity contracts for which there is no significant mortality or critical illness risk are deferred and amortized over the lives of the contracts as a percentage of the estimated gross profits expected to be realized on the contracts.

The Company establishes a premium deficiency reserve to the extent the deferred acquisition costs are insufficient to cover the excess of expected losses and loss expenses, settlement costs and deferred acquisition costs over the related unearned premiums. Actual and anticipated losses and loss expenses, other costs, and investment income related to underlying premiums are considered in determining the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs for the Company’s short-duration contracts. Actual and anticipated loss experience, together with the present value of future gross premiums, the present value of future benefits, and settlement and maintenance costs are considered in determining the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs related to the Company’s life and annuity business.

Reinsurance

The Company purchases retrocessional contracts to reduce its exposure to risk of losses on reinsurance assumed. Ceded premiums, which represent the cost of retrocessional protection purchased by the Company, are expensed over the coverage period. Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent the portion of premiums ceded applicable to the unexpired term of policies in force.

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses involves actuarial estimates consistent with those used to establish the associated liabilities for non-life and life and health reserves and are recorded net of a valuation allowance for estimated uncollectible recoveries.

Retroactive reinsurance reimburses a ceding company for liabilities incurred as a result of past insurable events covered under contracts subject to the reinsurance. Premiums payable for retroactive reinsurance coverage meeting the conditions of reinsurance accounting are reported as reinsurance recoverables to the extent that those amounts do not exceed recorded liabilities relating to underlying reinsurance contracts. To the extent that recorded liabilities on an underlying reinsurance contract exceed premiums payable for retroactive coverage, a deferred gain is recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Funds Held by Reinsured Companies

The Company writes certain business on a funds held basis. Under such contractual arrangements, the cedant retains the premiums that would have otherwise been paid to the Company and the Company is credited with investment income on these funds. The Company generally earns investment income on the funds held balances based upon a predetermined interest rate, either fixed contractually at the inception of the contract or based upon a recognized index (e.g. LIBOR). However, in certain circumstances, the Company may receive an investment return based upon either the result of a pool of assets held by the cedant, generally used to collateralize the funds held balance, or the investment return earned by the cedant on its entire investment portfolio. In these arrangements, gross investment returns are typically reflected in net investment income in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In these arrangements, the Company is exposed, to a limited extent, to the underlying credit risk of the pool of assets inasmuch as the underlying policies may have guaranteed minimum returns. In such cases, an embedded derivative exists and its fair value is recorded by the Company as an increase or decrease to the funds held balance.

Deposit Assets and Liabilities

In the normal course of its operations, the Company writes certain contracts that do not meet the risk transfer provisions of U.S. GAAP. While these contracts do not meet risk transfer provisions for accounting purposes, there is a remote possibility that the Company will suffer a loss. The Company accounts for these contracts using the deposit accounting method originally recording deposit assets or liabilities for an amount equivalent to the consideration paid or received, respectively. The difference between the consideration received and the estimated liability for unpaid losses is determined upon entering into the contract and, if a loss, recognized into income immediately, and if a gain, the gain is deferred and earned over the expected settlement period of the contract, with the unearned portion recorded as a component of deposit liabilities. Actuarial studies are used to estimate the liabilities under these contracts and the appropriate accretion rates to increase or decrease the liabilities over the term of the contracts. The change in the estimated liability for the period is recorded in Other income or loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Under some of these contracts, cedants retain the assets on a funds-held basis. In those cases, the Company records those assets as deposit assets and records the related income in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Also included in Deposit assets are receivables included as an element of certain life reinsurance agreements that do not meet risk transfer.

Investments

The Company elects the fair value option for Fixed maturities and Equities with changes in fair value recorded in Net realized and unrealized investment gains or losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Short-term investments, which comprise securities with a maturity greater than three months but less than one year from the date of purchase, are recorded at fair value by electing either the fair value option with changes in fair value recorded in Net realized and unrealized gains or losses included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, or by designating as available-for-sale with changes in fair value recorded in Other comprehensive income or loss.

Investments in real estate are recorded at cost less any write down for impairment, where applicable. Real estate assets held for investment are reviewed for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable and exceeds its estimated fair value.

The Company recognizes Other invested assets at fair value, except for those that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Other invested assets consist of equity investments in non-publicly traded companies; privately placed corporate loans, notes and loans receivable and notes securitization; and derivative financial instruments. Non-publicly traded entities in which the Company has significant influence, including an ownership of more than 20% and less than 50% of the voting rights, and limited partnerships in which the Company has more than a minor interest (typically more than 3 to 5%), are accounted for using either the equity method or the fair value option. Where the equity method is used, the Company's share of profits or losses of the investee are recorded in Interest in earnings or losses of equity method investees in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Where the fair value option is elected, the investment is recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Net realized and unrealized investment gains or losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 2(n) below for significant accounting policy for derivatives.

Net investment income includes interest and dividend income, amortization of premiums and discounts on fixed maturities and short-term investments, and is net of investment expenses and withholding taxes. Investment income is recognized when earned and accrued to the balance sheet date. Realized gains or losses on the disposal of investments are determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Investment purchases and sales are recorded on a trade-date basis.

The Company defines fair value as the price received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company measures the fair value of financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers between the hierarchy levels at the beginning of the period. Refer to Note 3 for the valuation techniques used by the Company

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are carried at fair value and include fixed income securities that, from the date of purchase, have a maturity of three months or less.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for transactions in which it obtains control over one or more businesses using the acquisition method. The purchase price is allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities, including any intangible assets, based on their estimated fair value at the acquisition date. The estimates of fair values for assets and liabilities acquired are determined based on various market and income analyses and appraisals. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, while any excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the purchase price is recorded as a gain in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All costs associated with an acquisition are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. The Company assesses the appropriateness of its valuation of goodwill on an annual basis (as of December 31) or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If, as a result of the assessment, the Company determines that the value of its goodwill is impaired, goodwill will be written down in the period in which the determination is made.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets represent the fair value adjustments related to renewal rights, and customer relationships; value of life business acquired; and U.S. licenses arising from acquisitions. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives and the amortization expense is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization. The carrying values of indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment on an annual basis (as of December 31) or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. Impairment is recognized if the carrying values of the intangible assets are not recoverable from their undiscounted cash flows and is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value.

Income Taxes

Certain subsidiaries and branches of the Company operate in jurisdictions where they are subject to taxation. Current and deferred income taxes are charged or credited to Net income or loss or, in certain cases, to Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, based upon enacted tax laws and rates applicable in the relevant jurisdiction in the period in which the tax becomes accruable or realizable. Deferred income taxes are provided for all temporary differences between the bases of assets and liabilities used in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and those used in the various jurisdictional tax returns. When management’s assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded against the deferred tax assets. Where appropriate, the valuation allowance assessment considers tax planning strategies.

The Company recognizes a tax benefit relating to uncertain tax positions only where the position is more likely than not to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. A liability is recognized for any tax benefit (along with any interest and penalty, if applicable) claimed in a tax return in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements under U.S. GAAP. Any changes in amounts recognized are recorded in the period in which they are determined.

Foreign Exchange

In recording foreign currency transactions, revenue and expense items in a currency other than the functional currency are converted into the functional currency at the average rates of exchange for the period. Monetary assets and liabilities originating in currencies other than the functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency at the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet dates. The resulting foreign exchange transaction gains or losses are included in Net foreign exchange gains or losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The national currencies of the Company’s subsidiaries and branches are generally their functional currencies, except for the Company’s Bermuda subsidiaries, its Swiss branch and its Singapore subsidiary and branches, whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar. In translating the financial statements of those subsidiaries or branches whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, assets and liabilities are converted into U.S. dollars using the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet dates, and revenues and expenses are converted using the average foreign exchange rates for the period. The effect of translation adjustments are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Currency translation adjustment, a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The change in currency translation adjustment is reflected in Other comprehensive income or loss.

(n)

Derivatives

The Company’s investment strategy allows for the use of derivative instruments, subject to strict limitations. The Company may use derivative financial instruments such as foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign currency option contracts, futures contracts, to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities (TBAs), total return swaps, interest rate swaps, insurance-linked securities, and credit default swaps for the purpose of managing overall currency risk, market exposures and portfolio duration, for hedging certain investments, or for enhancing investment performance that would be allowed under the Company’s investment policy if implemented in other ways.

On the date the Company enters into a derivative contract, management determines whether or not the derivative is to be used and designated as a hedge of an identified underlying risk exposure (a designated hedge). The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded in Other invested assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with gains and losses associated with changes in fair value recognized in either Net realized and unrealized investment gains or losses or Net foreign exchange gains or losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, or in Other comprehensive income, depending on the nature and designation of the derivative instrument (see also Note 5).

The Company formally documents all relationships between designated hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. In this documentation, the Company specifically identifies the asset or liability that has been designated as a hedged item and states how the hedging instrument is expected to hedge the risks related to the hedged item. The Company formally measures effectiveness of its designated hedging relationships both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis. For its derivatives designated as hedges at December 31, 2018, the Company's method for assessing the effectiveness of the designated hedge was a qualitative assessment, as the Company determined that the hedging instrument (the designated foreign currency forward contracts) and the hedged assets (the available-for-sale foreign currency denominated short-term investments) were perfectly aligned as they related to the hedged risk, the foreign currency exchange rate risk exposure. These hedges were settled during 2019, and there were no derivatives designated as hedges at December 31, 2019.

The Company will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively if it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to the risk it was meant to hedge; if the derivative instrument expires, is sold, or is otherwise terminated; or if the Company removes the designation of the hedge. To the extent that the Company discontinues hedge accounting because, based on management’s assessment, the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, or the Company otherwise de-designates the hedge, the derivative will continue to be carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at its fair value, with changes in its fair value recognized in in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, or in Other comprehensive income, depending on the type of derivative held.

Pensions

The Company recognizes an asset or a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the funded status of its defined benefit plans that are overfunded or underfunded, respectively, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the pension obligation and recognizes changes in the funded status of defined benefit plans in the year in which the changes occur as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company is involved in the normal course of business with variable interest entities (VIEs). An assessment is performed as of the date the Company becomes initially involved in the VIE followed by a reassessment upon certain events related to its involvement in the VIE. The Company consolidates a VIE when it is the primary beneficiary having a controlling financial interest as a result of having the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses, or right to receive benefits, that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

Segment Reporting

The Company monitors the performance of its operations in three segments: Property & Casualty (P&C), Specialty and Life and Health. Segments represent markets that are reasonably homogeneous in terms of client types, buying patterns, underlying risk patterns or approach to risk management.

Since the Company does not manage its assets by segment, neither assets nor net investment income are allocated to the P&C and Specialty segments. However, because of the interest-sensitive nature of some of the Company’s life products, allocated net investment income is considered in management’s assessment of the profitability of the Life and Health segment. The following items are not considered in evaluating the results of the P&C, Specialty and Life and Health segments: Net realized and unrealized investment gains or losses, Interest expense, Loss on redemption of debt, Amortization of intangible assets, Net foreign exchange gains or losses, Income tax expense or benefit and Interest in earnings and losses of equity method investments. These items are included in the Corporate and Other component, which is comprised of the Company’s investment and corporate activities, including other expenses.

Share-based Incentives

The Company is authorized to issue restricted Class B shares to certain executives and directors. The compensation cost for restricted shares is measured at fair value and expensed over the period for which the employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, up to three years from the date of grant. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur. Unrestricted Class B shares can be sold back to the Company at the option of the shareholder. Class B shares are accounted for as liabilities, included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted during 2019

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance on the accounting for leases. The guidance requires, among other items, lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, and expands required disclosures. The guidance does not significantly change the lessees’ recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows for operating leases. The guidance was effective for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company adopted the guidance using the modified retrospective transition method, and as a result, the Company’s reporting for comparative periods including related disclosures prior to adoption continue to be presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with the previous lease accounting guidance. The Company elected the "package of practical expedients" permitted under the guidance and also elected the hindsight practical expedient in determining the lease term for the Company's existing leases at transition. The adoption of this standard resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets of $76 million included in Other assets and lease liabilities of $86 million included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019. The reduction of the right-of-use asset relates primarily to deferred rent that was recorded under the previous guidance. The Company determined it was not required to record a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2019. See Note 15(b) for further details.

Not yet adopted

In January and April 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance on the accounting for goodwill impairment. This update removes the second step of the goodwill impairment test and requires entities to apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. The guidance is effective for annual impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on the recognition of credit losses by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology with new accounting models related to how credit losses on financial instruments are determined. The new guidance is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost such as loans, reinsurance receivables, trade receivables, debt securities, off-balance sheet credit exposures, and other financial assets that have a contractual right to receive cash. The Company's investments, except for certain Other invested assets that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and Investments in real estate, are measured at fair value through net income, and therefore those investments would not be impacted by the adoption of this guidance. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures required to be adopted for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance to the disclosure requirements for fair value measurement as part of the disclosure framework project. The updated guidance allows for the removal and modification of certain disclosures to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures required to be adopted for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance to improve financial reporting for insurance companies that issue long-duration contracts such as life insurance and annuities. The objective of the new guidance is to improve, simplify, and enhance the financial reporting of long-duration contracts by providing financial statement users with useful information in a timely and transparent manner. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures required to be adopted for the year ended December 31, 2022. This guidance could have a material impact on the measurement recognition of long duration contracts and will result in additional disclosures once adopted.

In August 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance to the disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans as part of the disclosure framework project. The updated guidance allows for the removal and modification of certain disclosures to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its disclosures required to be adopted for the year ended December 31, 2021.