XML 29 R18.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.0.1
Dividend Restrictions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Disclosure of Restrictions on Dividends, Loans and Advances Disclosure [Abstract]  
Dividend Restrictions

11. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES

The individual law of all states, including New Hampshire and Michigan, where Hanover Insurance and Citizens are domiciled, respectively, restrict the payment of dividends to stockholders by insurers. These laws affect the dividend paying ability of Hanover Insurance and Citizens.

Pursuant to New Hampshire’s statute, the maximum dividends and other distributions that an insurer may pay in any twelve-month period, without prior approval of the New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner, is limited to the lesser of: (a) 10% of such insurer’s statutory policyholder surplus as of the preceding December 31, or (b) statutory net income less net realized gains, and including undistributed net income from the previous two calendar years. Hanover Insurance declared and paid dividends to its parent totaling $100.0 million in both 2023 and 2022, and $255.0 million in 2021. At January 1, 2024, the maximum dividend payable without prior approval was $163.3 million. In May 2024, the maximum dividend declared payable without prior approval will increase by $100.0 million to a total amount of $263.3 million.

Pursuant to Michigan’s statute, the maximum dividends and other distributions that an insurer may pay in any twelve-month period, without prior approval of the Michigan Insurance Commissioner, is limited to the greater of: (a) 10% of policyholders’ surplus as of December 31 of the immediately preceding year or (b) the statutory net income less net realized gains for the immediately preceding calendar year. Citizens declared and paid dividends to its parent, Hanover Insurance, totaling $10.0 million in 2023, $72.0 million in 2022, and $90.0 million in 2021. At January 1, 2024, the maximum dividend payable without prior approval was $49.9 million. In November 2024, the maximum dividend declared payable without prior approval will increase by $10.0 million to a total amount of $59.9 million.

The statutes in both New Hampshire and Michigan require that prior notice to the respective Insurance Commissioner of any proposed dividend be provided and such Commissioner may, in certain circumstances, prohibit the payment of the proposed dividend.