10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010
Commission File Number 001-34257
 
(UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY LOGO)
UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Iowa   42-0644327
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
118 Second Avenue, S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52407
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (319) 399-5700
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 o
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 o NO o
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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES o NO þ
As of July 26, 2010, 26,321,219 shares of common stock were outstanding.
 
 
 

 

 


 

United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries
Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
June 30, 2010
         
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 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

 


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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
It is important to note that our actual results could differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data and Number of Shares)   2010     2009  
    (unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
Investments
               
Fixed maturities (including $72,956, at fair value, of securities loaned in 2010)
               
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $8,103 in 2010 and $9,720 in 2009)
  $ 8,017     $ 9,605  
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,169,436 in 2010 and $2,075,733 in 2009)
    2,283,526       2,158,391  
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $51,490 in 2010 and $53,306 in 2009)
    123,996       132,718  
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $9,461 in 2010 and $11,724 in 2009)
    9,454       12,613  
Mortgage loans
    7,067       7,328  
Policy loans
    7,504       7,947  
Other long-term investments
    17,145       15,880  
Short-term investments
    1,100       7,359  
 
           
 
  $ 2,457,809     $ 2,351,841  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 156,839     $ 190,852  
Accrued investment income
    29,458       28,697  
Securities lending collateral
    75,013        
Premiums receivable
    144,371       127,456  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    88,222       92,505  
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $32,100 in 2010 and $30,812 in 2009)
    21,815       22,278  
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables
    48,310       40,936  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    1,759       1,673  
Income taxes receivable
    16,733       28,197  
Other assets
    16,250       18,109  
 
           
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 3,056,579     $ 2,902,544  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Liabilities
               
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
               
Property and casualty insurance
  $ 601,527     $ 606,045  
Life insurance
    1,354,009       1,321,600  
Unearned premiums
    222,891       206,010  
Securities lending payable
    75,013        
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    79,489       84,934  
Deferred income taxes
    17,715       11,220  
 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES
  $ 2,350,644     $ 2,229,809  
 
           
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Common stock, $3.33 1/3 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 26,321,219 and 26,533,040 shares issued and outstanding in 2010 and 2009, respectively
  $ 87,737     $ 88,443  
Additional paid-in capital
    137,322       139,403  
Retained earnings
    411,118       384,242  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
    69,758       60,647  
 
           
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 705,935     $ 672,735  
 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 3,056,579     $ 2,902,544  
 
           
The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
                                 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data   Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
and Number of Shares)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Revenues
                               
Net premiums earned
  $ 117,082     $ 119,671     $ 231,390     $ 237,992  
Investment income, net of investment expenses
    28,291       27,359       56,259       50,630  
Realized investment gains (losses)
                               
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
    (117 )     (13,583 )     (459 )     (18,139 )
All other realized gains
    2,463       430       5,531       1,498  
 
                       
Total realized investment gains (losses)
    2,346       (13,153 )     5,072       (16,641 )
Other income
    295       169       418       328  
 
                       
 
  $ 148,014     $ 134,046     $ 293,139     $ 272,309  
 
                       
 
                               
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
                               
Losses and loss settlement expenses
  $ 72,757     $ 90,558     $ 141,120     $ 176,636  
Future policy benefits
    7,375       5,874       13,765       9,262  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    28,057       28,795       54,573       58,201  
Other underwriting expenses
    8,587       9,782       17,371       17,910  
Interest on policyholders’ accounts
    10,647       10,397       21,448       20,169  
 
                       
 
  $ 127,423     $ 145,406     $ 248,277     $ 282,178  
 
                       
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ 20,591     $ (11,360 )   $ 44,862     $ (9,869 )
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
    5,197       (6,026 )     10,076       (7,805 )
 
                       
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 15,394     $ (5,334 )   $ 34,786     $ (2,064 )
 
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    26,356,353       26,591,677       26,395,593       26,602,518  
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.58     $ (0.20 )   $ 1.32     $ (0.08 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.58     $ (0.20 )   $ 1.32     $ (0.08 )
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.30     $ 0.30  
The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
         
    Six  
    Months Ended  
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data and Number of Shares)   June 30, 2010  
 
       
Common stock
       
Balance, beginning of y ear
  $ 88,443  
Shares repurchased (213,076 shares)
    (710 )
Shares issued for stock-based awards (1,255 shares)
    4  
 
     
Balance, end of period
  $ 87,737  
 
     
 
       
Additional paid-in capital
       
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 139,403  
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants
    879  
Shares repurchased
    (2,979 )
Shares issued for stock-based awards
    19  
 
     
Balance, end of period
  $ 137,322  
 
     
 
       
Retained earnings
       
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 384,242  
Net income
    34,786  
Dividends on common stock ($0.30 per share)
    (7,910 )
 
     
Balance, end of period
  $ 411,118  
 
     
 
       
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
       
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 60,647  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (1)
    8,417  
Change in underfunded status of employee benefit plans
    694  
 
     
Balance, end of period
  $ 69,758  
 
     
 
       
Summary of changes
       
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 672,735  
Net income
    34,786  
All other changes in stockholders’ equity accounts
    (1,586 )
 
     
Balance, end of period
  $ 705,935  
 
     
     
(1)   The change in net unrealized appreciation is net of reclassification adjustments.
The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009  
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
               
Net income
  $ 34,786     $ (2,064 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
               
Net accretion of bond premium
    1,891       1,548  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,455       1,805  
Stock-based compensation expense
    878       1,267  
Realized investment (gains) losses
    (5,072 )     16,641  
Net cash flows from trading investments
    2,379       (2,352 )
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
    2,976       (9,673 )
Changes in:
               
Accrued investment income
    (761 )     (1,012 )
Premiums receivable
    (16,915 )     (19,685 )
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    (7,294 )     (3,992 )
Reinsurance receivables
    (7,374 )     7,225  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    (86 )     (295 )
Income taxes receivable
    11,464       10,341  
Other assets
    1,859       (541 )
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
    12,659       15,274  
Unearned premiums
    16,881       16,565  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (4,377 )     4,746  
Deferred income taxes
    (1,388 )      
Other, net
    (494 )     953  
 
           
Total adjustments
  $ 8,681     $ 38,815  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 43,467     $ 36,751  
 
           
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
               
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments
  $ 3,402     $ 8,360  
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments
    1,603       2,675  
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments
    192,888       177,632  
Proceeds from short-term and other investments
    3,200       17,925  
Purchase of available-for-sale investments
    (277,962 )     (251,479 )
Purchase of short-term and other investments
    (3,308 )     (7,534 )
Change in securities lending collateral
    (75,013 )     (69,845 )
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment
    (960 )     (4,662 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (156,150 )   $ (126,928 )
 
           
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
               
Policyholders’ account balances
               
Deposits to investment and universal life contracts
  $ 70,669     $ 163,857  
Withdrawals from investment and universal life contracts
    (55,437 )     (91,610 )
Change in securities lending payable
    75,013       69,845  
Payment of cash dividends
    (7,910 )     (7,982 )
Repurchase of common stock
    (3,689 )     (538 )
Issuance of common stock
    23       19  
Tax benefit from issuance of common stock
    1       (23 )
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
  $ 78,670     $ 133,568  
 
           
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ (34,013 )   $ 43,391  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    190,852       109,582  
 
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 156,839     $ 152,973  
 
           
The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The terms “United Fire,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to United Fire & Casualty Company or United Fire & Casualty Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliate, as the context requires. In the opinion of the management of United Fire, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results reported for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year. The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The review report of Ernst & Young LLP as of and for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010, accompanies the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I.
We maintain our records in conformity with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance departments of the states in which we are domiciled. To the extent that certain of these practices differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we have made adjustments to present the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The financial statement categories that are most dependent on management estimates and assumptions include investments, deferred policy acquisition costs, and future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses.
In the preparation of the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, we have evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less. We made payments for income taxes of $10.5 million and $1.8 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We received tax refunds totaling $13.5 million and $10.3 million in the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, due to overpayment of prior year tax and operating loss carrybacks. We made no significant payments of interest for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, other than for interest credited to policyholders’ accounts.
Income Taxes
We reported a federal income tax expense of $10.1 million (at an effective tax rate of 22.5 percent) and a federal income tax benefit of $7.8 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our effective tax rate is less than the federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent due principally to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest income and non-taxable dividend income.

 

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We have recognized no liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. In addition, we have not accrued for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examination for years before 2004. There are no ongoing examinations of income tax returns by federal or state tax authorities except for the State of Illinois examinations of 2007 and 2008 tax years, which are currently ongoing.
Legal Proceedings
We have been named as a defendant in various lawsuits, including actions seeking certification from the court to proceed as a class action suit and actions filed by individual policyholders, relating to disputes arising from damages that occurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. As of June 30, 2010, there were approximately 130 individual policyholder cases pending, and an additional seven class action cases pending. These cases have been filed in Louisiana state courts and federal district courts and involve, among other claims, disputes as to the amount of reimbursable claims in particular cases, as well as the scope of insurance coverage under homeowners and commercial property policies due to flooding, civil authority actions, loss of use and business interruption. Certain of these cases also claim a breach of duty of good faith or violations of Louisiana insurance claims-handling laws or regulations and involve claims for punitive or exemplary damages. Other cases claim that under Louisiana’s so-called “Valued Policy Law,” the insurers must pay the total insured value of a home that is totally destroyed if any portion of such damage was caused by a covered peril, even if the principal cause of the loss was an excluded peril. Other cases challenge the scope or enforceability of the water damage exclusion in the policies.
Several actions pending against various insurers, including us, were consolidated for purposes of pretrial discovery and motion practice under the caption In re Katrina Canal Breaches Consolidated Litigation, Civil Action No. 05-4182 in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. In August 2009, the Federal trial court ruled in that case that certification of policyholder claims as a class would be inappropriate. This ruling has been appealed by the plaintiff policyholders. Federal court rulings in that case are not binding on state courts, which do not have to follow the federal court ruling on class certification.
Following an April 2008 Louisiana Supreme Court decision finding that flood damage was clearly excluded from coverage, both state and federal courts have been reviewing pending lawsuits seeking class certification and other pending lawsuits in order to expedite pre-trial discovery and to move the cases towards trial. In the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, we concluded approximately 85 of the 215 lawsuits that were pending at December 31, 2009.
In July 2008, Lafayette Insurance Company participated in a hearing in St Bernard Parish, Louisiana after which the court entered an order certifying a class defined as all Lafayette Insurance Company personal lines policyholders within an eight parish area in and around New Orleans who sustained wind damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina and whose claims were at least partially denied or allegedly misadjusted. We appealed this order as we feel it was not supported by the evidence. On October 14, 2009, we were notified that our appeal to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals was denied. We sought review of this decision by the Louisiana Supreme Court and in May 2010 we were notified that the Court had agreed to review the case. The case is currently in the briefing stage. We have reserved each case included in this class action based on the estimated exposure attributable to our policy. However, if we do not obtain relief in our appeal, we will review recorded reserves and adjust them if we believe adjustment to be necessary.
We intend to continue to defend the cases related to losses incurred as a consequence of Hurricane Katrina. We have established our loss and loss settlement expense reserves on the assumption that the application of the Valued Policy Law will not result in our having to pay damages for perils not otherwise covered. We believe that, in the aggregate, these reserves are adequate. However, our evaluation of these claims and the adequacy of recorded reserves may change if we encounter adverse developments in the further defense of these claims.

 

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We consider all of our other litigation pending as of June 30, 2010 to be ordinary, routine, and incidental to our business.
Securities Lending
We participate in a securities lending program administered by The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”). The program generates investment income and we receive discounts from Northern Trust on unrelated investment fees. Pursuant to the lending agreement, Northern Trust, as our agent, loans certain of our fixed maturity securities to other institutions for short periods of time. Borrowers of these securities must deposit collateral, generally in the form of cash, with Northern Trust that is equal to at least 102% of the market value of the loaned securities, plus accrued interest. Northern Trust marks the loaned securities to market daily at an aggregate level per borrower. As the market value of the loaned securities fluctuates, the borrower either deposits additional collateral or Northern Trust refunds collateral to the borrower in order to maintain the collateral level at 102%. We retain the right to terminate the loan at any time, whereupon the borrower must return the loaned securities to Northern Trust. If the borrower defaults and does not return the securities, Northern Trust will use the deposited collateral to purchase equivalent securities for us. If Northern Trust is unable to purchase equivalent securities, we would receive the deposited collateral in place of the borrowed securities.
Under the accounting guidance for secured borrowing transactions, the collateral deposited by the borrower and our obligation to return that collateral to the borrower is reported in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as an asset (“securities lending collateral”) and a corresponding liability (“securities lending payable”) at June 30, 2010. There were no securities on loan under the program at December 31, 2009. At June 30, 2010, we had securities totaling $73.0 million on loan under the program. At June 30, 2010, collateral received and managed by our agent having a fair value of $75.0 million had been reinvested in short-term highly liquid investments.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Adopted Accounting Standards
Fair Value Measurements
In January 2010, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance that clarifies and provides additional disclosure requirements related to recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements. The guidance requires separate disclosures for the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, along with an explanation for the transfers. Additionally, a separate disclosure is required for purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance also provides additional clarification for both the level of disaggregation reported for each class of assets or liabilities and disclosures of inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements for assets and liabilities categorized as Level 2 or Level 3.
The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. Refer to Note 3 for the information required to be disclosed upon our adoption of the guidance effective January 1, 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the guidance effective January 1, 2011 will have on the disclosures made in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
Fair Value of Investments
A reconciliation of the amortized cost (cost for equity securities) to fair value of investments in held-to-maturity and available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, is as follows:
                                 
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
    Cost or     Gross Unrealized     Gross Unrealized        
June 30, 2010   Amortized Cost     Appreciation     Depreciation     Fair Value  
HELD-TO-MATURITY
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
United States government
                               
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 318     $ 6     $     $ 324  
Mortgage-backed securities
    487       67             554  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                               
General obligations
    1,355       18             1,373  
Special revenue
    5,857       135       140       5,852  
 
                       
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities
  $ 8,017     $ 226     $ 140     $ 8,103  
 
                       
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
United States government and government- sponsored enterprises
                               
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 17,502     $ 2,263     $     $ 19,765  
Mortgage-backed securities
    2                   2  
US Treasury
    42,683       1,037             43,720  
Agency
    103,868       252       29       104,091  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                               
General obligations
    370,429       24,960       113       395,276  
Special revenue
    220,513       11,954       485       231,982  
Foreign bonds
                               
Canadian
    73,123       5,047             78,170  
Other foreign
    88,710       4,549       45       93,214  
Public utilities
                               
Electric
    212,476       14,081       404       226,153  
Natural gas
    60,919       3,497             64,416  
Other
    3,450       277             3,727  
Corporate bonds
                               
Bank, trust and insurance companies
    268,671       12,002       5,085       275,588  
Transportation
    27,934       1,451       5       29,380  
Energy
    133,611       6,189       436       139,364  
Technology
    122,988       7,205       22       130,171  
Basic industry
    122,004       6,026       196       127,834  
Credit cyclicals
    61,378       3,867             65,245  
Other
    239,175       16,749       496       255,428  
 
                       
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities
  $ 2,169,436     $ 121,406     $ 7,316     $ 2,283,526  
 
                       
Equity securities
                               
Common stocks
                               
Public utilities
                               
Electric
  $ 6,319     $ 3,513     $ 47     $ 9,785  
Natural gas
    838       782             1,620  
Bank, trust and insurance companies
                               
Banks
    6,478       28,752       153       35,077  
Insurance
    3,129       9,048       124       12,053  
Other
    1,505       628             2,133  
All other common stocks
                               
Energy
    4,903       3,460       28       8,335  
Technology
    8,100       5,371       265       13,206  
Basic industry
    7,019       4,735       28       11,726  
Credit cyclicals
    116       549             665  
Other
    11,621       16,734       141       28,214  
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
    1,462             280       1,182  
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
  $ 51,490     $ 73,572     $ 1,066     $ 123,996  
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
  $ 2,220,926     $ 194,978     $ 8,382     $ 2,407,522  
 
                       

 

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    (Dollars in Thousands)  
    Cost or     Gross Unrealized     Gross Unrealized        
December 31, 2009   Amortized Cost     Appreciation     Depreciation     Fair Value  
HELD-TO-MATURITY
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
United States government
                               
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 955     $ 21     $     $ 976  
Mortgage-backed securities
    534       73             607  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                               
General obligations
    1,478       21       5       1,494  
Special revenue
    6,638       163       158       6,643  
 
                       
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities
  $ 9,605     $ 278     $ 163     $ 9,720  
 
                       
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
United States government and government- sponsored enterprises
                               
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 17,452     $ 1,500     $     $ 18,952  
Mortgage-backed securities
    2                   2  
US Treasury
    35,278       564       192       35,650  
Agency
    71,667       6       1,048       70,625  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                               
General obligations
    371,098       19,408       128       390,378  
Special revenue
    219,991       8,605       1,234       227,362  
Foreign bonds
                               
Canadian
    55,979       2,847             58,826  
Other
    79,115       3,571       272       82,414  
Public utilities
                               
Electric
    212,699       11,603       298       224,004  
Natural gas
    54,936       2,870             57,806  
Other
    3,597       181             3,778  
Corporate bonds
                               
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
    287,409       10,061       8,261       289,209  
Transportation
    30,427       1,775       15       32,187  
Energy
    145,933       6,653       247       152,339  
Technology
    84,123       5,180       131       89,172  
Basic industry
    105,631       4,266       330       109,567  
Credit cyclicals
    69,686       2,912       13       72,585  
Other
    230,710       13,874       1,049       243,535  
 
                       
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities
  $ 2,075,733     $ 95,876     $ 13,218     $ 2,158,391  
 
                       
Equity securities
                               
Common stocks
                               
Public utilities
                               
Electric
  $ 6,646     $ 3,649     $ 262     $ 10,033  
Natural gas
    838       846             1,684  
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
                               
Banks
    6,517       29,503       131       35,889  
Insurance
    3,129       8,634       111       11,652  
Other
    1,505       437             1,942  
All other common stocks
                               
Transportation
    38       1,555             1,593  
Energy
    4,903       4,650       24       9,529  
Technology
    8,100       5,995       185       13,910  
Basic industry
    7,156       6,403       110       13,449  
Credit cyclicals
    1,402       1,774             3,176  
Other
    11,611       17,241       20       28,832  
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
    1,461             432       1,029  
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
  $ 53,306     $ 80,687     $ 1,275     $ 132,718  
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
  $ 2,129,039     $ 176,563     $ 14,493     $ 2,291,109  
 
                       

 

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Maturities
The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading securities at June 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.
                                                 
    Held-To-Maturity     Available-For-Sale     Trading  
(Dollars in Thousands)   Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
June 30, 2010   Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
Due in one year or less
  $ 556     $ 563     $ 209,044     $ 214,061     $ 2,815     $ 2,748  
Due after one year through five years
    6,337       6,310       1,085,130       1,150,011       459       494  
Due after five years through 10 years
    319       352       759,337       797,673              
Due after 10 years
                98,421       102,014       6,187       6,212  
Mortgage-backed securities
    487       554       2       2              
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    318       324       17,502       19,765              
 
                                   
 
  $ 8,017     $ 8,103     $ 2,169,436     $ 2,283,526     $ 9,461     $ 9,454  
 
                                   
Realized Investment Gains and Losses
We determine the cost of investments sold by the specific identification method. A summary of realized investment gains (losses) resulting from investment sales, calls and other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges, is as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Realized investment gains (losses)
                               
Fixed maturities
  $ 373     $ (2,222 )   $ 862     $ (5,497 )
Equity securities
    2,565       (11,472 )     4,909       (11,982 )
Trading securities
    (592 )     541       (684 )     838  
Other long-term investments
                (15 )      
 
                       
Total realized investment gains (losses)
  $ 2,346     $ (13,153 )   $ 5,072     $ (16,641 )
 
                       
For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the proceeds and gross realized gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities were as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Proceeds from sales
  $ 2,800     $ 311     $ 3,402     $ 8,360  
Gross realized gains
    1,513             1,915        
Gross realized losses
          346             426  
There were no sales of held-to-maturity securities during the three-month or six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
Our investment portfolio includes trading securities with embedded derivatives. These securities, which are primarily convertible redeemable preferred debt securities, are recorded at fair value. Income or loss, including the change in the fair value of these trading securities, is recognized currently in earnings as a component of realized investment gains and losses. Our portfolio of trading securities had a fair value of $9.5 million and $12.6 million at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

 

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The realized gains (losses) attributable to the change in fair value during the reporting period of trading securities held at June 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Trading
                               
Realized gains
  $     $ 541     $     $ 815  
Realized losses
    609             896        
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Pursuant to an agreement with one of our limited liability partnership holdings, we are contractually committed to make capital contributions up to $15.0 million, upon request by the partnership, through December 31, 2017. As of June 30, 2010, our remaining potential contractual obligation was $12.2 million.
Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation
A summary of changes in net unrealized investment appreciation is as follows:
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009  
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
               
Available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities
  $ 24,526     $ 71,398  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    (11,576 )     (40,670 )
Income tax effect
    (4,533 )     (10,755 )
 
           
Total change in net unrealized appreciation, net of tax
  $ 8,417     $ 19,973  
 
           
We continually monitor the difference between our cost basis and the estimated fair value of our investments. Our accounting policy for impairment recognition requires OTTI charges to be recorded when we determine that it is more likely than not that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the fixed maturity security or that the anticipated recovery in fair value of the equity security will not occur in a reasonable amount of time. Impairment charges on investments are recorded based on the fair value of the investments at the measurement date. Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; our intention to hold the investment; and the likelihood that we will be required to sell the investment.
The tables on the following pages present a summary of fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. It is possible that we could recognize OTTI charges in future periods on securities held at June 30, 2010, if future events or information cause us to determine that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary.
We believe the unrealized depreciation in value of our fixed maturity portfolio is primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates and not the credit quality of the issuer. We have no intent to sell and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the securities until such time that the fair value recovers or the securities mature.
We have evaluated the unrealized losses reported for all of our equity securities at June 30, 2010, and have concluded that the duration and severity of these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at June 30, 2010. Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at June 30, 2010 was $.2 million. We have no intention to sell any of these securities prior to a recovery in value, but will continue to monitor the fair value reported for these securities as part of our overall process to evaluate investments for OTTI recognition.

 

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    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
(Dollars in Thousands)                   Gross                     Gross             Gross  
June 30, 2010   Number     Fair     Unrealized     Number     Fair     Unrealized     Fair     Unrealized  
Type of Investment   of Issues     Value     Depreciation     of Issues     Value     Depreciation     Value     Depreciation  
HELD-TO-MATURITY
                                                               
Fixed maturities
                                                               
Bonds
                                                               
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                                                               
Special revenue
        $     $       1     $ 700     $ 140     $ 700     $ 140  
 
                                               
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities
        $     $       1     $ 700     $ 140     $ 700     $ 140  
 
                                               
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                                                               
Fixed maturities
                                                               
Bonds
                                                               
United States government and government-sponsored enterprises
                                                               
Agency
                      2       9,971       29       9,971       29  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                                                               
General obligations
    1       491       38       4       3,032       75       3,523       113  
Special revenue
    4       3,990       141       9       9,143       344       13,133       485  
Foreign bonds
                                                               
Other foreign
    1       3,199       11       1       1,394       34       4,593       45  
Public utilities
                                                               
Electric
    1       1,300       100       3       7,179       304       8,479       404  
Corporate bonds
                                                               
Bank, trust and insurance companies
    5       8,875       76       39       48,066       5,009       56,941       5,085  
Transportation
                      1       2,001       5       2,001       5  
Energy
    6       12,097       383       1       2,119       53       14,216       436  
Technology
    1       999       1       1       3,035       21       4,034       22  
Basic industry
    1       1,047       1       3       5,591       195       6,638       196  
Other
    2       7,794       279       5       7,151       217       14,945       496  
 
                                               
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities
    22     $ 39,792     $ 1,030       69     $ 98,682     $ 6,286     $ 138,474     $ 7,316  
 
                                               
Equity securities
                                                               
Common stocks
                                                               
Public utilities
                                                               
Electric
    3     $ 299     $ 9       5     $ 412     $ 38     $ 711     $ 47  
Bank, trust and insurance companies
                                                               
Banks
                      1       403       153       403       153  
Insurance
    1       247       41       4       430       83       677       124  
All other common stocks
                                                               
Energy
    2       184       28                         184       28  
Technology
    7       953       30       3       861       235       1,814       265  
Basic industry
    2       123       28                         123       28  
Other
    8       2,442       126       3       264       15       2,706       141  
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
                      7       1,182       280       1,182       280  
 
                                               
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
    23     $ 4,248     $ 262       23     $ 3,552     $ 804     $ 7,800     $ 1,066  
 
                                               
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
    45     $ 44,040     $ 1,292       92     $ 102,234     $ 7,090     $ 146,274     $ 8,382  
 
                                               
Total
    45     $ 44,040     $ 1,292       93     $ 102,934     $ 7,230     $ 146,974     $ 8,522  
 
                                               

 

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    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
(In Thousands)                   Gross                     Gross             Gross  
December 31, 2009   Number     Fair     Unrealized     Number     Fair     Unrealized     Fair     Unrealized  
Type of Investment   of Issues     Value     Depreciation     of Issues     Value     Depreciation     Value     Depreciation  
HELD-TO-MATURITY
                                                               
Fixed maturities
                                                               
Bonds
                                                               
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                                                               
General obligations
    1     $ 300     $ 5           $     $     $ 300     $ 5  
Special revenue
                      1       679       158       679       158  
 
                                               
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities
    1     $ 300     $ 5       1     $ 679     $ 158     $ 979     $ 163  
 
                                               
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                                                               
Fixed maturities
                                                               
Bonds
                                                               
United States government and government- sponsored enterprises
                                                               
US Treasury
    5     $ 11,772     $ 192           $     $     $ 11,772     $ 192  
Agency
    5       24,755       246       10       42,198       802       66,953       1,048  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                                                               
General obligations
    2       966       23       3       2,118       105       3,084       128  
Special revenue
    21       22,892       463       10       9,401       771       32,293       1,234  
Foreign bonds
                                                               
Other
    2       1,329       19       4       10,492       253       11,821       272  
Public utilities
                                                               
Electric
    1       4,958       99       6       7,761       199       12,719       298  
Corporate bonds
                                                               
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
    13       20,789       813       46       70,871       7,448       91,660       8,261  
Transportation
                      1       1,997       15       1,997       15  
Energy
    1       3,189       37       5       9,710       210       12,899       247  
Technology
    4       8,263       65       1       952       66       9,215       131  
Basic industry
    6       15,843       136       2       4,806       194       20,649       330  
Credit cyclicals
    3       5,217       13                         5,217       13  
Other
    1       3,270       72       7       16,892       977       20,162       1,049  
 
                                               
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities
    64     $ 123,243     $ 2,178       95     $ 177,198     $ 11,040     $ 300,441     $ 13,218  
 
                                               
Equity securities
                                                               
Common stocks
                                                               
Public utilities
                                                               
Electric
        $     $       12     $ 2,074     $ 262     $ 2,074     $ 262  
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
                                                               
Banks
                      1       425       131       425       131  
Insurance
    2       299       46       3       391       65       690       111  
All other common stock
                                                               
Energy
                      2       188       24       188       24  
Technology
                      5       2,235       185       2,235       185  
Basic industry
                      2       151       110       151       110  
Other
                      3       258       20       258       20  
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
                      5       1,030       432       1,030       432  
 
                                               
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
    2     $ 299     $ 46       33     $ 6,752     $ 1,229     $ 7,051     $ 1,275  
 
                                               
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
    66     $ 123,542     $ 2,224       128     $ 183,950     $ 12,269     $ 307,492     $ 14,493  
 
                                               
Total
    67     $ 123,842     $ 2,229       129     $ 184,629     $ 12,427     $ 308,471     $ 14,656  
 
                                               

 

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NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments based on relevant market information or by discounting estimated future cash flows at estimated current market discount rates appropriate to the particular asset or liability shown.
In most cases, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of fixed maturities, equity securities, trading securities and short-term investments. Where quoted market prices do not exist, we base fair values on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.
We base the estimated fair value of mortgage loans on discounted cash flows, utilizing the market rate of interest for similar loans in effect at the valuation date.
The estimated fair value of policy loans is equivalent to carrying value. We do not make policy loans for amounts in excess of the cash surrender value of the related policy. In all instances, the policy loans are fully collateralized by the related liability for future policy benefits for traditional insurance policies or by the policyholders’ account balance for interest-sensitive policies.
Our other long-term investments consist primarily of holdings in limited liability partnership funds that are valued by the various fund managers and are recorded on the equity method of accounting. In management’s opinion, these values represent fair value.
For cash and cash equivalents and accrued investment income, carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value, due to its short-term nature.
We calculate the fair value of the liabilities for all annuity products based upon the estimated value of the business, using current market rates and forecast assumptions and risk-adjusted discount rates, when relevant observable market data does not exist.
A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is as follows:
                                 
    June 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
(In Thousands)   Fair Value     Carrying Value     Fair Value     Carrying Value  
Assets
                               
Investments
                               
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities
  $ 8,103     $ 8,017     $ 9,720     $ 9,605  
Available-for-sale fixed maturities
    2,283,526       2,283,526       2,158,391       2,158,391  
Trading securities
    9,454       9,454       12,613       12,613  
Equity securities
    123,996       123,996       132,718       132,718  
M ortgage loans
    7,962       7,067       8,229       7,328  
Policy loans
    7,504       7,504       7,947       7,947  
Other long-term investments
    17,145       17,145       15,880       15,880  
Short-term investments
    1,100       1,100       7,359       7,359  
Cash and cash equivalents
    156,839       156,839       190,852       190,852  
Accrued investment income
    29,458       29,458       28,697       28,697  
Liabilities
                               
Policy reserves
                               
Annuity (accumulations)
  $ 996,028     $ 929,562     $ 1,087,457     $ 914,003  
Annuity (benefit payments)
    84,598       82,786       85,336       77,025  

 

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FASB guidance on fair value measurements includes the application of a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Our financial instruments are categorized into a three-level hierarchy, which is based upon the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.
Financial instruments recorded at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy as follows:
Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments.
Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, in markets that are not active or on inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3: Valuations are based on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.
Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the period.
To determine the fair value of the majority of our investments, we utilize prices obtained from independent, nationally recognized pricing services. We obtain one price for each security. When the pricing services cannot provide a determination of fair value for a specific security, we obtain non-binding price quotes from broker-dealers that we have had several years’ experience with and who have demonstrated knowledge of the subject security. We request and utilize one broker quote per security.
We validate the prices obtained from pricing services and brokers prior to their use for reporting purposes by evaluating their reasonableness on a monthly basis. Our validation process includes a review for unusual fluctuations. In our opinion, the pricing obtained at June 30, 2010, was reasonable.
In order to determine the proper classification in the fair value hierarchy for each security where the price is obtained from an independent pricing service, we obtain and evaluate the vendors’ pricing procedures and inputs used to price the security, which include unadjusted quoted market prices for identical securities, such as a New York Stock Exchange closing price and quoted prices for identical securities in markets that are not active. For fixed maturity securities, an evaluation of interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatility, prepayment speeds, and credit risks and default rates may also be performed. We have determined that these processes and inputs result in fair values and classifications consistent with the applicable FASB guidance on fair value measurements.
We review our fair value hierarchy categorizations on a quarterly basis, at which time the classification of certain financial instruments may change if the input observations have changed.

 

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The following tables present the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                                 
(In Thousands)           Fair Value Measurements  
Description   June 30, 2010     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
AVAILABLE-FO R-SALE
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
United States government and government- sponsored enterprises
                               
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 19,765     $     $ 19,765     $  
Mortgage-backed securities
    2             2        
US Treasury
    43,720             43,720        
Agency
    104,091             104,091        
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                               
General obligations
    395,276             395,276        
Special revenue
    231,982             230,926       1,056  
Foreign bonds
                               
Canadian
    78,170             78,170        
Other
    93,214             91,820       1,394  
Public utilities
                               
Electric
    226,153             226,118       35  
Natural gas
    64,416             64,416        
Other
    3,727             3,727        
Corporate bonds
                               
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
    275,588             263,437       12,151  
Transportation
    29,380             29,380        
Energy
    139,364             139,364        
Technology
    130,171             130,171        
Basic industry
    127,834             123,028       4,806  
Credit cyclicals
    65,245             62,595       2,650  
Other
    255,428             249,314       6,114  
 
                       
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities
  $ 2,283,526     $     $ 2,255,320     $ 28,206  
 
                       
Equity securities
                               
Common stocks
                               
Public utilities
                               
Electric
  $ 9,785     $ 9,785     $     $  
Natural gas
    1,620       1,620              
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
                               
Banks
    35,077       35,077              
Insurance
    12,053       12,053              
Other
    2,133       2,133              
All other common stocks
                               
Energy
    8,335       8,335              
Technology
    13,206       13,178       28        
Basic industry
    11,726       11,726              
Credit cyclicals
    665       665              
Other
    28,214       27,950       264        
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
    1,182       953       229        
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
  $ 123,996     $ 123,475     $ 521     $  
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
  $ 2,407,522     $ 123,475     $ 2,255,841     $ 28,206  
 
                       
TRADING
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
Foreign bonds
  $ 2,444     $     $ 2,444     $  
Corporate bonds
                               
Energy
    2,492             2,492        
Technology
    2,822             2,822        
Other
    320             320        
Redeemable Preferred Stock
    1,376       1,376              
 
                       
Total Trading Securities
  $ 9,454     $ 1,376     $ 8,078     $  
 
                       
Short-Term Investments
  $ 1,100     $ 1,100     $     $  
 
                       
Money Market Accounts
  $ 36,773     $ 36,773     $     $  
 
                       
Total
  $ 2,454,849     $ 162,724     $ 2,263,919     $ 28,206  
 
                       

 

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(In Thousands)           Fair Value Measurements  
Description   December 31, 2009     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
United States government and government- sponsored enterprises
                               
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 18,952     $     $ 18,952     $  
Mortgage-backed securities
    2             2        
US Treasury
    35,650             35,650        
Agency
    70,625             70,625        
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
                               
General obligations
    390,378             390,378        
Special revenue
    227,362             226,252       1,110  
Foreign bonds
                               
Canadian
    58,826             58,826        
Other
    82,414             81,020       1,394  
Public utilities
                               
Electric
    224,004             223,934       70  
Natural gas
    57,806             57,806        
Other
    3,778             3,778        
Corporate bonds
                               
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
    289,209             275,181       14,028  
Transportation
    32,187             32,187        
Energy
    152,339             152,339        
Technology
    89,172             89,172        
Basic industry
    109,567             104,761       4,806  
Credit cyclicals
    72,585             69,737       2,848  
Other
    243,535             237,332       6,203  
 
                       
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities
  $ 2,158,391     $     $ 2,127,932     $ 30,459  
 
                       
Equity securities
                               
Common stocks
                               
Public utilities
                               
Electric
  $ 10,033     $ 10,033     $     $  
Natural gas
    1,684       1,684              
Banks
    35,889       35,889              
Insurance
    11,652       11,652              
Other
    1,942       1,942              
All other common stocks
                               
Transportation
    1,593       1,593              
Energy
    9,529       9,529              
Technology
    13,910       13,879       31        
Basic industry
    13,449       13,449              
Credit cyclicals
    3,176       3,176              
Other
    28,832       28,573       259        
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
    1,029       1,029              
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
  $ 132,718     $ 132,428     $ 290     $  
 
                       
Total Available-for-Sale Securities
  $ 2,291,109     $ 132,428     $ 2,128,222     $ 30,459  
 
                       
TRADING
                               
Fixed maturities
                               
Bonds
                               
Foreign bonds
  $ 2,689     $     $ 2,689     $  
Public utilities
    1,460             1,460        
Corporate bonds
                               
Energy
    2,310             2,310        
Technology
    4,314             4,314        
Other
    532       211       321        
Redeemable Preferred Stock
    1,308       1,308              
 
                       
Total Trading Securities
  $ 12,613     $ 1,519     $ 11,094     $  
 
                       
Short-Term Investments
  $ 7,359     $ 1,100     $ 6,005     $ 254  
 
                       
Money Market Accounts
  $ 96,163     $ 96,163     $     $  
 
                       
Total
  $ 2,407,244     $ 231,210     $ 2,145,321     $ 30,713  
 
                       

 

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The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 1 is based on quoted market prices that are readily and regularly available.
The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 2 is determined by management after reviewing market prices obtained from independent pricing services and brokers. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these securities could have been sold at the reporting date. Our independent pricing services and brokers obtain prices from reputable pricing vendors in the marketplace. They continually monitor and review the external pricing sources, while actively participating to resolve any pricing issues that may arise.
For the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, the change in our securities categorized as Level 1 and Level 2, shown in the foregoing tables, is the result of investment purchases made during the period. This change is reflected in the amount of funds held in our money markets at June 30, 2010 as compared to December 31, 2009, as we primarily used these funds to purchase fixed maturity securities. Also contributing to the change was an increase in the unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities since December 31, 2009. There were no significant transfers of securities in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 during the period.
The securities that may be categorized as Level 3 include holdings in certain private placement fixed maturity and equity securities and certain securities that were determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired in a prior period and for which an active market does not currently exist.
The fair value of our Level 3 private placement securities is determined by management in reliance on pricing received from our independent pricing services and brokers consistent with the estimation of fair value for Level 2 securities.
The fair value of our Level 3 impaired securities was determined primarily based upon management’s assumptions regarding the timing and amount of future cash inflows. If a security has been written down or the issuer is in bankruptcy, management relies in part on outside opinions from rating agencies, our lien position on the security, general economic conditions and management’s expertise to determine fair value. We have the ability and the positive intent to hold securities until such time that we are able to recover all or a portion of our original investment. If a security does not have a market at the balance sheet date, management will estimate the security’s fair value based on other securities in the market. Management will continue to monitor securities after the balance sheet date to confirm that their estimated fair value is reasonable.
The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010:
                                         
    States,                          
    municipalities                          
    and political     Foreign     Public     Corporate        
(In Thousands)   subdivisions     bonds     utilities     bonds     Total  
Balance at March 31, 2010
  $ 1,110     $ 1,394     $ 35     $ 25,813     $ 28,352  
Realized gains (1)
                                       
Unrealized gains (1)
                            47       47  
Amortization
                                       
Purchases
                                       
Disposals
    (54 )                     (139 )     (193 )
Transfers in
                                       
Transfers out  
                                       
 
                             
Balance at June 30, 2010
  $ 1,056     $ 1,394     $ 35     $ 25,721     $ 28,206  
 
                             
     
(1)   Realized gains are recorded as a component of current operations whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.
The amount reported in the previous table as “disposals,” included $.2 million of corporate bonds where an unobservable price was not available at June 30, 2010.

 

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The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010:
                                                 
    States,                                
    municipalities                                
    and political     Foreign     Public     Corporate     Short-term        
(In Thousands)   subdivisions     bonds     utilities     bonds     investments     Total  
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 1,110     $ 1,394     $ 70     $ 27,885     $ 254     $ 30,713  
Realized gains (1)
                                               
Unrealized gains (losses) (1)
                    (2 )     104               102  
Amortization
                                               
Purchases
                                               
Disposals
    (54 )             (33 )     (2,522 )             (2,609 )
Transfers in
                            254               254  
Transfers out
                                  (254 )     (254 )
 
                                   
Balance at June 30, 2010
  $ 1,056     $ 1,394     $ 35     $ 25,721     $     $ 28,206  
 
                                   
     
(1)   Realized gains are recorded as a component of current operations whereas unrealized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.
The amount reported in the previous table as “disposals” under the column “corporate bonds,” included $2.1 million of corporate bonds that were disposed of due to issuer debt restructuring. The securities disposed of included $.3 million of securities previously classified as short-term investments that were transferred to corporate bonds as a result of this debt restructuring.
NOTE 4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Our pension and postretirement benefit expense for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Pension expense
  $ 1,182     $ 1,967     $ 2,544     $ 2,724  
Other postretirement benefit expense
    628       687       1,257       1,257  
We previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 that we expected to contribute $3.0 million to the pension plan in 2010. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, we contributed $1.8 million to the pension plan. We anticipate that the total contribution for the 2010 plan year will not vary significantly from the expected contribution.
NOTE 5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Nonqualified Employee Stock Award Plan
The United Fire & Casualty Company 2008 Stock Plan (the “2008 Stock Plan”) authorizes the issuance of restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and nonqualified stock options for up to 1,900,000 shares of United Fire common stock to employees, with 820,805 authorized shares available for future issuance at June 30, 2010. The 2008 Stock Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which determines those employees that will receive awards under the 2008 Stock Plan, when awards will be granted, and the terms and conditions of the awards. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the 2008 Stock Plan. Pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, grant awards to employees of United Fire or any of its affiliated companies who are in positions of substantial responsibility with United Fire.

 

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Option awards granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan are granted to buy shares of United Fire’s common stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant. All outstanding option awards vest and are exercisable in installments of 20.0 percent of the number of shares covered by the option award each year from the grant date, unless the Board of Directors authorizes the acceleration of vesting. To the extent not exercised, vested option awards accumulate and are exercisable by the awardee, in whole or in part, in any subsequent year included in the option period, but not later than 10 years from the grant date. Restricted stock awards granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan fully vest after five years from the date of issuance, unless accelerated upon the approval of the Board of Directors, at which time United Fire common stock will be issued to the awardee. Restricted stock awards are generally granted free of charge to the eligible employees of United Fire as designated by the Board of Directors.
The activity in the 2008 Stock Plan is displayed in the following table.
                 
    Six        
    Months Ended     Inception  
Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants   June 30, 2010     to Date  
Beginning balance
    919,525       1,900,000  
Number of awards granted
    (114,070 )     (1,139,045 )
Number of awards forfeited or expired
    15,350       59,850  
 
           
Ending balance
    820,805       820,805  
Number of option awards exercised
    250       167,292  
Number of restricted stock awards vested
           
Nonqualified Nonemployee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan
We have a nonemployee director stock option and restricted stock plan that authorizes United Fire to grant restricted stock and nonqualified stock options to purchase 150,000 shares of United Fire’s common stock, with 37,003 options available for future issuance at June 30, 2010. The Board of Directors has the authority to determine which nonemployee directors receive awards under the plan, when options and restricted stock shall be granted, the option price, the option expiration date, the date of grant, the vesting schedule of options or whether the options shall be immediately vested, the terms and conditions of options and restricted stock (other than those terms and conditions set forth in the plan) and the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to an option agreement or restricted stock agreement. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the plan.
The activity in our nonemployee director stock option and restricted stock plan is displayed in the following table.
                 
    Six        
    Months Ended     Inception  
Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants   June 30, 2010     to Date  
Beginning balance
    70,003       150,000  
Number of awards granted
    (33,000 )     (119,000 )
Number of awards forfeited or expired
          6,003  
 
           
Ending balance
    37,003       37,003  
Number of awards exercised
           

 

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Stock-Based Compensation Expense
For each of the three-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $.4 million. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $.9 million, and $1.3 million respectively. As of June 30, 2010, we had $4.1 million in stock-based compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations. We expect this compensation to be recognized over the remainder of 2010 and subsequent years according to the following table, except with respect to awards that are accelerated by the Board of Directors, in which case we will recognize any remaining compensation expense in the period in which the awards are accelerated.
         
(In Thousands)        
2010
  $ 855  
2011
    1,399  
2012
    990  
2013
    548  
2014
    314  
2015
    32  
 
     
Total
  $ 4,138  
 
     

 

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NOTE 6. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We have two reportable business segments in our operations: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. The property and casualty insurance segment has three domestic locations from which it conducts its business. All offices target a similar customer base, market the same products and use the same marketing strategies and are therefore aggregated. The life insurance segment operates from our home office. Because all of our insurance is sold domestically, we have no revenues allocable to foreign operations.
We evaluate the two segments on the basis of both statutory accounting practices prescribed by our states of domicile and GAAP. We analyze results based on profitability (i.e., loss ratios), investment results, expenses, and return on equity. The basis we use to determine and analyze segments and to measure segment profit or loss have not changed from that reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The following tables for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 have been reconciled to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.
                         
    Property and              
(In Thousands)   Casualty Insurance     Life Insurance     Total  
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 105,396     $ 11,766     $ 117,162  
Investment income, net of investment expenses
    9,049       19,288       28,337  
Realized investment gains (losses)
    (721 )     3,067       2,346  
Other income
    75       220       295  
 
                 
Revenues
  $ 113,799     $ 34,341     $ 148,140  
 
                 
Intersegment eliminations
    (46 )     (80 )     (126 )
 
                 
Total revenues
  $ 113,753     $ 34,261     $ 148,014  
 
                 
Net income
  $ 11,424     $ 3,970     $ 15,394  
 
                 
Assets
  $ 1,344,024     $ 1,712,555     $ 3,056,579  
 
                 
Invested assets
  $ 956,108     $ 1,501,701     $ 2,457,809  
 
                 
 
                       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 109,458     $ 10,290     $ 119,748  
Investment income, net of investment expenses
    9,125       18,277       27,402  
Realized investment losses
    (7,631 )     (5,522 )     (13,153 )
Other income
    17       152       169  
 
                 
Revenues
  $ 110,969     $ 23,197     $ 134,166  
 
                 
Intersegment eliminations
    (43 )     (77 )     (120 )
 
                 
Total revenues
  $ 110,926     $ 23,120     $ 134,046  
 
                 
Net income
  $ (3,783 )   $ (1,551 )   $ (5,334 )
 
                 
Assets
  $ 1,319,141     $ 1,556,893     $ 2,876,034  
 
                 
Invested assets
  $ 874,078     $ 1,328,842     $ 2,202,920  
 
                 

 

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The following tables for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 have been reconciled to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.
                         
    Property and              
(In Thousands)   Casualty Insurance     Life Insurance     Total  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 207,375     $ 24,174     $ 231,549  
Investment income, net of investment expenses
    17,731       38,619       56,350  
Realized investment gains
    1,455       3,617       5,072  
Other income
    17       401       418  
 
                 
Revenues
  $ 226,578     $ 66,811     $ 293,389  
 
                 
Intersegment eliminations
    (91 )     (159 )     (250 )
 
                 
Total revenues
  $ 226,487     $ 66,652     $ 293,139  
 
                 
Net income
  $ 27,500     $ 7,286     $ 34,786  
 
                 
Assets
  $ 1,344,024     $ 1,712,555     $ 3,056,579  
 
                 
Invested assets
  $ 956,108     $ 1,501,701     $ 2,457,809  
 
                 
 
                       
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 218,672     $ 19,475     $ 238,147  
Investment income, net of investment expenses
    15,216       35,500       50,716  
Realized investment losses
    (8,348 )     (8,293 )     (16,641 )
Other income
    45       283       328  
 
                 
Revenues
  $ 225,585     $ 46,965     $ 272,550  
 
                 
Intersegment eliminations
    (86 )     (155 )     (241 )
 
                 
Total revenues
  $ 225,499     $ 46,810     $ 272,309  
 
                 
Net loss
  $ (1,919 )   $ (145 )   $ (2,064 )
 
                 
Assets
  $ 1,319,141     $ 1,556,893     $ 2,876,034  
 
                 
Invested assets
  $ 874,078     $ 1,328,842     $ 2,202,920  
 
                 
NOTE 7. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The dilutive shares we consider in our diluted earnings per share calculation relate to our outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards.
We determine the dilutive effect of our stock options outstanding using the “treasury stock” method. Under this method, we assume the exercise of all of the outstanding stock options whose exercise price is less than the weighted-average fair market value of our common stock during the reporting period. This method also assumes that the proceeds from the hypothetical stock option exercises are used to repurchase shares of our common stock at the weighted-average fair market value of the stock during the reporting period. The net of the assumed stock options exercised and assumed common shares repurchased represent the number of dilutive common shares, which we add to the denominator of the earnings per share calculation.

 

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The components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)   Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted  
Net income (loss)
  $ 15,394     $ 15,394     $ (5,334 )   $ (5,334 )
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    26,356       26,356       26,592       26,592  
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards
          19              
Add dilutive effect of stock options
          25              
 
                       
Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation
    26,356       26,400       26,592       26,592  
 
                       
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.58     $ 0.58     $ (0.20 )   $ (0.20 )
 
                       
Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation(1)
          814             924  
 
                       
     
(1)   Outstanding awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.
The components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)   Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted  
Net income (loss)
  $ 34,786     $ 34,786     $ (2,064 )   $ (2,064 )
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    26,396       26,396       26,603       26,603  
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards
          19              
 
                       
Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation
    26,396       26,415       26,603       26,603  
 
                       
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 1.32     $ 1.32     $ (0.08 )   $ (0.08 )
 
                       
Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation(1)
          814             924  
 
                       
     
(1)   Outstanding awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.
NOTE 8. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholders’ equity during the reporting period except those resulting from investments by stockholders and dividends to stockholders.
The following table sets forth the components of our comprehensive income and the related tax effects for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009  
Net income (loss)
  $ 15,394     $ (5,334 )
 
               
Other comprehensive income (loss)
               
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments
    (3,455 )     27,259  
Adjustment for net realized (gains) losses included in income
    (2,346 )     13,153  
Adjustment for costs included in employee benefit expense
    453       899  
 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
    (5,348 )     41,311  
Income tax effect
    1,858       (14,458 )
 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax
    (3,490 )     26,853  
 
           
 
               
Comprehensive income
  $ 11,904     $ 21,519  
 
           

 

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The following table sets forth the components of our comprehensive income and the related tax effects for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009  
Net income (loss)
  $ 34,786     $ (2,064 )
 
               
Other comprehensive income
               
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments
    18,022       14,087  
Adjustment for net realized (gains) losses included in income
    (5,072 )     16,641  
Adjustment for costs included in employee benefit expense
    1,068       1,215  
 
           
Other comprehensive income, before tax
    14,018       31,943  
Income tax effect
    (4,907 )     (11,180 )
 
           
Other comprehensive income, after tax
    9,111       20,763  
 
           
 
               
Comprehensive income
  $ 43,897     $ 18,699  
 
           

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
United Fire & Casualty Company
We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of United Fire & Casualty Company as of June 30, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the interim consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of United Fire & Casualty Company as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and in our report dated March 1, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
         
  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP    
  Ernst & Young LLP   
Chicago, Illinois
July 30, 2010

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report may contain forward-looking statements about our operations, anticipated performance and other similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and/or projected. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our company, the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as “expect(s),” “anticipate(s),” “intend(s),” “plan(s),” “believe(s),” “continue(s),” “seek(s),” “estimate(s),” “goal(s),” “target(s),” “forecast(s),” “project(s),” “predict(s),” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will continue,” “might,” “hope,” “can” and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance or financial condition, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in Part II Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this document. Among the factors that could cause our actual outcomes and results to differ are:
  The adequacy of our loss and loss settlement reserves established for Hurricane Katrina, which are based on management estimates.
 
  The resolution of regulatory issues and litigation pertaining to and arising out of Hurricane Katrina.
 
  The frequency and severity of claims, including those related to catastrophe losses, and the impact those claims have on our loss reserve adequacy.
 
  Developments in the domestic and global financial markets that could affect our investment portfolio and financing plans.
 
  The valuation of invested assets.
 
  The calculation and recovery of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”).
 
  The valuation of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations.
 
  The absolute and relative performance of our products or services.
 
  Our relationship with our agents.
 
  Our relationship with our reinsurers.
 
  The financial strength rating of our reinsurers.
 
  The increased costs and risk associated with the security of our data.
 
  Changes in industry trends and significant industry developments.
 
  Governmental actions, policies or regulations, including, but not limited to, domestic health care reform, financial services regulatory reform, corporate governance, new laws or regulations or court decisions interpreting existing laws and regulations or policy provisions.
 
  NASDAQ policies or regulations relating to corporate governance, and the cost to comply.
These are representative of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and that potentially may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with GAAP. As we prepare these financial statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting estimates are: the valuation of investments; the valuation of reserves for losses, claims, and loss settlement expenses; the valuation of reserves for future policy benefits; and the calculation of the deferred policy acquisition costs asset. These critical accounting estimates are more fully described in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide an understanding of our results of operations and consolidated financial position. Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. When we provide information on a statutory basis, we label it as such; otherwise all other data is presented in accordance with GAAP.
This discussion and analysis is presented in these sections:
    Our Business
    Executive Summary
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    Results of Operations for Property and Casualty Insurance, Life Insurance and Investment Portfolio
    Liquidity and Capital Resources
    Statutory Financial Measures
OUR BUSINESS
Founded in 1946, United Fire & Casualty Company provides insurance protection for individuals and businesses through several regional companies. We are represented by over 800 independent property and casualty insurance agencies and more than 975 independent life insurance agencies throughout the country, predominantly in the Midwest, West and South.
We operate two business segments:
    property and casualty insurance, which includes commercial insurance, personal insurance, surety bonds and assumed insurance
    life insurance, which includes deferred and immediate annuities, universal life products and traditional life (primarily single premium whole life insurance) products
These business segments are managed separately, as they generally do not share the same customer base, and they each have different products, pricing and expense structures.

 

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For the six months ended June 30, 2010, property and casualty business accounted for nearly 90.0 percent of our net premiums earned, with approximately 91.0 percent from commercial lines. Life insurance business made up approximately 10.0 percent of our net premiums earned, with over 62.0 percent from traditional life insurance products.
We do not expect the current composition of property and casualty insurance and life insurance to change materially during 2010.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, more than half of our property and casualty premiums were written in Iowa, Texas, Missouri, Louisiana and Illinois; and over three-fourths of our life insurance premiums were written in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota.
We evaluate segment profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Segment profit or loss described in the following sections of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pretax basis.
Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, changes in reserves for future policy benefits, operating expenses and interest on policyholders’ accounts.
The profitability of our company is influenced by many factors, including price competition, economic conditions, interest rates, weather-related events and other catastrophes, such as natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes and tornados) and manmade disasters, state regulations, court decisions and changes in the law. Management believes that climate change will not have a material impact on our profitability.
To manage these risks and uncertainties, we maintain a conservative approach to our business operations, focusing on writing good business at an adequate price and preferring quality to volume. Our goal is to achieve consistent profitability through disciplined underwriting, superior loss control services, fair and ethical claims handling, exceptional customer service, efficient and effective technology and strong agency relationships.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
United Fire Group had a profitable second quarter in 2010, posting a net income of $15.4 million, compared with a net loss of $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2009.
Contributing to our favorable results for the second quarter and first six months of 2010 were increased realized investment gains from a significant reduction in other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) charges and decreased losses and loss settlement expenses from improved noncatastrophe claims experience.
Also, year-to-date losses related to Hurricane Katrina were significantly lower than last year, as we continued to aggressively work to resolve remaining lawsuits related to this catastrophe.
Our property and casualty and life insurance business segments performed well in the second quarter despite marketplace challenges.
In the property and casualty segment, net premiums written were down in both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010, as the weak economy continued to restrict our growth. Pricing levels were flat in our commercial lines business, while personal lines pricing levels increased slightly.
Offsetting the decline in our net premiums earned were lower levels of losses and loss settlement expenses and underwriting expenses. Our combined ratio improved by 15.5 percentage points to 94.2 percent in the second quarter and by 14.8 percentage points to 93.0 percent in the first six months of 2010, indicating an underwriting gain.
With sustained downward pressure on pricing, our underwriters continue to focus on writing good business at an adequate price, preferring quality over volume. In the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010, we were able to retain approximately 80 percent of our personal and commercial lines book of business, which was in line with our retention goals.

 

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In the life insurance segment, net premiums earned increased in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, reflecting sales growth of our single premium whole life product. We are focusing on increasing sales of our traditional life insurance products, especially single premium whole life, to better balance our product mix. Annuity sales are down substantially in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, as consumers are choosing to surrender their annuities and reinvest the funds in products with greater risk and potentially greater returns.
The growth in annuity sales in 2009 contributed to the increase in our invested assets and as a result an improvement in our investment results. This occurred in spite of historically low interest rates and declining dividends from our equity portfolio. Net investment income, which is a primary source of revenue, increased 3.4 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 11.1 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods of 2009.
We recorded realized investment gains of $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $5.1 million in the first six months of 2010, benefitting from significantly smaller OTTI charges in 2010 versus 2009.
Our stockholders’ equity rose by 4.9 percent to $705.9 million at June 30, 2010, from $672.7 million at December 31, 2009. Our book value increased by $1.47 per share to $26.82 per share as of June 30, 2010, from $25.35 per share at December 31, 2009.
After two difficult years for United Fire, our profits have finally begun to rebound.
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     %     2010     2009     %  
 
                                               
Revenues
                                               
Net premiums earned
  $ 117,082     $ 119,671       (2.2 )%   $ 231,390     $ 237,992       (2.8 )%
Investment income, net of investment expenses
    28,291       27,359       3.4       56,259       50,630       11.1  
Realized investment gains (losses)
                                               
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
    (117 )     (13,583 )     99.1       (459 )     (18,139 )     97.5  
All other realized gains
    2,463       430       472.8       5,531       1,498       269.2  
 
                                     
Total realized investment gains (losses)
    2,346       (13,153 )     117.8       5,072       (16,641 )     130.5  
Other income
    295       169       74.6       418       328       27.4  
 
                                   
 
  $ 148,014     $ 134,046       10.4 %   $ 293,139     $ 272,309       7.6 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
                                               
Losses and loss settlement expenses
  $ 72,757     $ 90,558       (19.7 )%   $ 141,120     $ 176,636       (20.1 )%
Increase in liability for future policy benefits
    7,375       5,874       25.6       13,765       9,262       48.6  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    28,057       28,795       (2.6 )     54,573       58,201       (6.2 )
Other underwriting expenses
    8,587       9,782       (12.2 )     17,371       17,910       (3.0 )
Interest on policyholders’ accounts
    10,647       10,397       2.4       21,448       20,169       6.3  
 
                                   
 
  $ 127,423     $ 145,406       (12.4 )%   $ 248,277     $ 282,178       (12.0 )%
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ 20,591     $ (11,360 )     281.3 %   $ 44,862     $ (9,869 )     554.6  
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
    5,197       (6,026 )     186.2       10,076       (7,805 )     229.1  
 
                                   
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 15,394     $ (5,334 )     388.6 %   $ 34,786     $ (2,064 )     NM %
 
                                   
     
NM = Not meaningful

 

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The following is a summary of our financial performance for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010.
Consolidated Results of Operations
    Net income was $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared with net loss of $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2009. The quarter-over-quarter improvement is largely attributable to a significant reduction in OTTI charges in 2010, as our investment portfolio began to recover from the financial crisis experienced by the economy. Also contributing to the improvement for the quarter was a lower level of losses and loss settlement expenses due to an improvement in severity and frequency in our noncatastrophe claims.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, net income was $34.8 million versus a net loss of $2.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009. The year-over-year improvement is due to the significant reduction in OTTI charges in 2010 and the lower level of losses and loss settlement expenses as a result of our noncatastrophe claims experience and a reduction in Hurricane Katrina development.
    Net premiums written for the property and casualty segment decreased 2.8 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 4.6 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods of 2009, due primarily to the weak economy, as some of our current and prospective commercial policyholders are forced to reduce staff, cut vehicle fleets and, in some cases, go out of business.
    Annuity deposits decreased 71.1 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 72.0 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods of 2009. In the second quarter and first half of 2010, annuity sales have decreased, as consumers who perceive a recovering economy are choosing to surrender their annuities and reinvest the funds in products with greater risk and potentially greater returns. Annuity deposits are not recorded as a component of net premiums written or net premiums earned; however, we invest the funds to generate investment income.
    Our combined ratio improved to 94.2 percent in the second quarter of 2010, from 109.7 percent in the second quarter of 2009. In the six months ended June 30, 2010, our combined ratio was 93.0 percent versus 107.8 percent for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009.
    We experienced no adverse development from Hurricane Katrina claims litigation in the second quarter of 2010, compared with $.5 million in the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, losses and loss settlement expenses related to Hurricane Katrina were $5.4 million, versus $12.4 million in the first six months of 2009.
Consolidated Financial Condition
    Net cash outflow related to our annuity business was $.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $1.6 million in the first six months of 2010 versus a net cash inflow of $37.2 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $56.6 million in the first six months of 2009. The net cash outflow is attributable to the decline in annuity deposits and annuitant withdrawals as discussed previously.

 

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    In the second quarter of 2010, United Fire repurchased 46,800 shares of our common stock for $.9 million at an average cost of $19.90 per share. In the first six months of 2010, we repurchased 213,076 shares of our common stock for $3.7 million at an average cost of $17.31 per share. As of June 30, 2010, the book value per share of our common stock was $26.82 and we were authorized to purchase an additional 303,078 shares of common stock under our share repurchase program, which expires in August 2011.
    Net unrealized investment gains totaled $90.9 million as of June 30, 2010, an increase of $8.4 million or 10.2 percent since December 31, 2009. An increase in the value of our fixed maturity portfolio was the primary factor for the rise in net unrealized investment gains. However, this increase was somewhat offset by a decrease in the value of our equity portfolio, as the equity markets experienced a decline in the second quarter of 2010.
    Our stockholders’ equity increased to $705.9 million at June 30, 2010, from $672.7 million at December 31, 2009.
    Book value increased by $1.47 per share to $26.82 per share as of June 30, 2010, from $25.35 per share at December 31, 2009. The change in 2010 is attributable to a significant increase in our net income, as well as the rise in our net unrealized investment gains, net of tax.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment Results
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Net premiums written (1)
  $ 117,099     $ 120,413     $ 224,223     $ 235,062  
 
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 105,396     $ 109,458     $ 207,375     $ 218,672  
Losses and loss settlement expenses
    (68,253 )     (86,394 )     (131,881 )     (168,673 )
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    (25,482 )     (26,244 )     (49,525 )     (53,142 )
Other underwriting expenses
    (5,574 )     (7,287 )     (11,505 )     (13,380 )
 
                       
Underwriting gain (loss) (1)
  $ 6,087     $ (10,467 )   $ 14,464     $ (16,523 )
 
                               
Investment income, net of underwriting expenses
    9,003       9,082       17,640       15,130  
Realized investment gains (losses)
                               
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
    (117 )     (7,847 )     (153 )     (9,657 )
All other realized gains (losses)
    (604 )     216       1,608       1,309  
 
                       
Total realized investment gains (losses)
    (721 )     (7,631 )     1,455       (8,348 )
Other income
    75       17       17       45  
 
                       
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ 14,444     $ (8,999 )   $ 33,576     $ (9,696 )
 
                       
 
                               
GAAP Ratios:
                               
Net loss ratio (without catastrophes)
    57.6 %     71.9 %     55.8 %     66.8 %
Hurricane Katrina litigation — effect on net loss ratio
          0.5       2.6       5.7  
Other catastrophes — effect on net loss ratio
    7.2       6.5       5.2 %     4.6 %
 
                       
Net loss ratio
    64.8 %     78.9 %     63.6 %     77.1 %
 
                       
Expense ratio (2) (3)
    29.4       30.8       29.4       30.7  
 
                       
Combined ratio
    94.2 %     109.7 %     93.0 %     107.8 %
 
                       
     
(1)   The Statutory Financial Measures section of this report defines data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.
 
(2)   Includes policyholder dividends.
 
(3)   We have excluded disaster charges and other related expenses, net of recoveries, from the GAAP expense ratio. These charges resulted from flood damage at our home office and hurricane damage at our Gulf Coast regional office in 2008, totaling $7,051 in the second quarter of 2010 and $(16,376) in the first six months of 2010, compared with $(188,200) in the second quarter of 2009 and $(545,782) in the first six months of 2009.
    Net premiums written declined in the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010, as compared with the same periods of the prior year. This is due primarily to the weak economy, as some of our current and prospective commercial policyholders are forced to reduce staff, cut vehicle fleets and, in some cases, go out of business. Also limiting our ability to grow are sustained soft-market conditions in the insurance industry, with continued downward pressure on pricing. Our pricing levels were flat in our commercial lines business, while our personal lines pricing levels increased slightly. To overcome these market challenges, our underwriters continue to focus on writing good business at an adequate price, preferring quality over volume. In the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010, we were able to retain approximately 80 percent of our personal and commercial lines book of business, which was in line with our retention goals.
    Losses and loss settlement expenses decreased 21.0 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 21.8 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods in 2009. This is due to an improvement in our noncatastrophe claims experience and a reduction in our Hurricane Katrina development:

 

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    Noncatastrophe claims experience — our claims frequency decreased slightly in the six months ended June 30, 2010, as compared with the same prior-year period, which is a trend in the industry that we expect to level off. We also experienced a decrease in claims severity in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same period of 2009.
    Hurricane Katrina — we experienced no adverse development from Hurricane Katrina claims litigation in the second quarter of 2010, compared with $.5 million in the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, losses and loss settlement expenses related to Hurricane Katrina were $5.4 million, versus $12.4 million in the first six months of 2009.
    Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased 2.9 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 6.8 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods in 2009. The decrease in net premiums written has resulted in a reduction of the deferred acquisition costs asset and related amortization.
    GAAP combined ratio improved by 15.5 percentage points in the second quarter of 2010 and 14.8 percentage points in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same prior-year periods. This is due primarily to the aforementioned decrease in our losses and loss settlement expenses.
For a detailed discussion of our consolidated investment results, refer to the “Investment Portfolio” section of this item.
The following tables display our premiums earned, losses and loss settlement expenses and loss ratio by line of business for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                 
    2010     2009  
            Losses                     Losses        
            and Loss                     and Loss        
            Settlement                     Settlement        
(In Thousands)   Premiums     Expenses     Loss     Premiums     Expenses     Loss  
Unaudited   Earned     Incurred     Ratio     Earned     Incurred     Ratio  
Commercial lines
                                               
Other liability (1)
  $ 28,507     $ 13,104       46.0 %   $ 30,585     $ 29,116       95.2 %
Fire and allied lines (2)
    24,460       19,482       79.6       25,621       21,462       83.8  
Automobile
    23,216       16,653       71.7       24,387       17,426       71.5  
Workers’ compensation
    11,628       7,505       64.5       12,943       9,390       72.5  
Fidelity and surety
    4,297       2,273       52.9       4,729       898       19.0  
Miscellaneous
    197       9       4.6       215       67       31.2  
 
                                   
Total commercial lines
  $ 92,305     $ 59,026       63.9 %   $ 98,480     $ 78,359       79.6 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Personal lines
                                               
Fire and allied lines (3)
  $ 6,108     $ 5,758       94.3 %   $ 5,448     $ 4,671       85.7 %
Automobile
    3,616       3,076       85.1       3,183       2,571       80.8  
Miscellaneous
    116       (49 )     N/A       89       (28 )     N/A  
 
                                   
Total personal lines
  $ 9,840     $ 8,785       89.3 %   $ 8,720     $ 7,214       82.7 %
 
                                   
Reinsurance assumed
  $ 3,251     $ 442       13.6 %   $ 2,258     $ 821       36.4 %
 
                                   
Total
  $ 105,396     $ 68,253       64.8 %   $ 109,458     $ 86,394       78.9 %
 
                                   
     
(1)   “Other liability” is business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage arising from general business operations, accidents on the insured’s premises and products manufactured or sold.
 
(2)   “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril and inland marine.
 
(3)   “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, homeowners and inland marine.

 

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The following tables display our premiums earned, losses and loss settlement expenses and loss ratio by line of business for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                 
    2010     2009  
            Losses                     Losses        
            and Loss                     and Loss        
            Settlement                     Settlement        
(In Thousands)   Premiums     Expenses     Loss     Premiums     Expenses     Loss  
Unaudited   Earned     Incurred     Ratio     Earned     Incurred     Ratio  
Commercial lines
                                               
Other liability
  $ 56,721     $ 31,945       56.3 %   $ 61,637     $ 49,221       79.9 %
Fire and allied lines
    48,844       39,281       80.4       51,021       48,535       95.1  
Automobile
    46,226       30,483       65.9       48,773       32,636       66.9  
Workers’ compensation
    22,846       11,783       51.6       26,154       21,166       80.9  
Fidelity and surety
    8,976       2,482       27.7       10,142       1,171       11.5  
Miscellaneous
    399       45       11.3       425       118       27.8  
 
                                   
Total commercial lines
  $ 184,012     $ 116,019       63.0 %   $ 198,152     $ 152,847       77.1 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Personal lines
                                               
Fire and allied lines
  $ 12,087     $ 7,825       64.7 %   $ 10,787     $ 8,479       78.6 %
Automobile
    7,083       5,957       84.1       6,269       4,922       78.5  
Miscellaneous
    203       (76 )     (37.4 )     173       266       153.8  
 
                                   
Total personal lines
  $ 19,373     $ 13,706       70.7 %   $ 17,229     $ 13,667       79.3 %
 
                                   
Reinsurance assumed
  $ 3,990     $ 2,156       54.0 %   $ 3,291     $ 2,159       65.6 %
 
                                   
Total
  $ 207,375     $ 131,881       63.6 %   $ 218,672     $ 168,673       77.1 %
 
                                   
    Other liability — The loss ratio improved 49.2 percentage points to 46.0 percent in the three months ended June 30, 2010, from 95.2 percent in the three months ended June 30, 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the loss ratio improved 23.6 percentage points to 56.3 percent, from 79.9 percent in the six months ended June 30, 2009. The decrease in our loss ratio in both periods is due to an improvement in the severity in our noncatastrophe claims experience.
    Workers’ compensation — The loss ratio improved 8.0 percentage points to 64.5 percent in the three months ended June 30, 2010, from 72.5 percent in the three months ended June 30, 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the loss ratio improved 29.3 percentage points to 51.6 percent, from 80.9 percent in the six months ended June 30, 2009. The improvement in this line is due to the normal fluctuations that generally occur in the workers’ compensation line of business.
    Fidelity and surety — The loss ratio increased 33.9 percentage points to 52.9 in the three months ended June 30, 2010, from 19.0 percent in the three months ended June 30, 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the loss ratio increased 16.2 percentage points to 27.7 percent, from 11.5 percent in the six months ended June 30, 2009. This is primarily the result of an increase in our losses and loss settlement expenses in the fidelity and surety line of business, primarily from a large claim of $1.7 million incurred in the second quarter of 2010. Also, contributing to the higher loss ratio was a decline in the premiums earned. Because the size of this line is relatively small in relation to our other lines of business, large fluctuations in the loss ratio may occur, which is indicative of the current state of the economy.

 

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Life Insurance Segment Results
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Revenues
                               
Net premiums earned
  $ 11,686     $ 10,213     $ 24,015     $ 19,320  
Investment income, net
    19,288       18,277       38,619       35,500  
Realized investment gains (losses)
                               
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
          (5,736 )     (306 )     (8,482 )
All other realized gains
    3,067       214       3,923       189  
 
                       
Total realized investment gains (losses)
    3,067       (5,522 )     3,617       (8,293 )
Other income
    220       152       401       283  
 
                       
Total Revenues
  $ 34,261     $ 23,120     $ 66,652     $ 46,810  
 
                               
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
                               
Losses and loss settlement expenses
  $ 4,504     $ 4,164     $ 9,239     $ 7,963  
Increase in liability for future policy benefits
    7,375       5,874       13,765       9,262  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    2,575       2,551       5,048       5,059  
Other underwriting expenses
    3,013       2,495       5,866       4,530  
Interest on policyholders’ accounts
    10,647       10,397       21,448       20,169  
 
                       
Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses
  $ 28,114     $ 25,481     $ 55,366     $ 46,983  
 
                       
 
                               
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
  $ 6,147     $ (2,361 )   $ 11,286     $ (173 )
 
                       
     
(1)   The Statutory Financial Measures section of this report defines data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.
As part of our long-term strategy for profitability, we are emphasizing the marketing of our traditional life insurance products, primarily single premium whole life, to our independent life insurance agents to achieve a more balanced product mix. Sales growth of our single premium whole life product is the primary reason for the following increases:
    Net premiums earned increased 14.4 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 24.3 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods of 2009.
    Increase in liability for future policy benefits increased 25.6 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 48.6 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods of 2009.
Our life insurance segment also experienced the following:
    Losses and loss settlement expenses increased 8.2 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 16.0 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same prior-year periods, reflecting a rise in both annuity benefits and life insurance death benefits.
    Other underwriting expenses increased 20.8 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 29.5 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same prior-year periods, due largely to an increase in agent commissions that resulted from the improvement in premiums written for our single premium whole life and universal life products.
    Annuity deposits decreased 71.1 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 72.0 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods of 2009. In 2009, we experienced a significant increase in our annuity sales, as consumers in a troubled economy sought products with guaranteed rates of return. In the second quarter and first half of 2010, annuity sales have decreased, as consumers who perceived a recovering economy chose to surrender their annuities and reinvest the funds in products with greater risk and potentially greater returns. Annuity deposits are not recorded as a component of net premiums written or net premiums earned; however, we invest the funds to generate investment income.

 

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    Net cash outflow related to our annuity business was $.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $1.6 million in the first six months of 2010, versus net cash inflow of $37.2 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $56.6 million in the first six months of 2009. The net cash outflow is attributable to the decline in annuity deposits and annuitant withdrawals.
Investment Portfolio
Our invested assets totaled $2,457.8 million at June 30, 2010, compared with $2,351.8 million at December 31, 2009. At June 30, 2010, 93.3 percent of the value of our investment portfolio was fixed maturity securities and 5.0 percent was equity securities. Because the primary purpose of our investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, we follow a conservative investment philosophy and invest in a diversified portfolio of high quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds.
Composition
We develop our investment strategies based on a number of factors, including estimated duration of reserve liabilities, short- and long-term liquidity needs, projected tax obligation, general economic conditions, expected rates of inflation and regulatory requirements. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the investment committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations.
The composition of our investment portfolio at June 30, 2010 is presented at carrying value in the following table:
                                                 
    Property & Casualty     Life        
    Insurance Segment     Insurance Segment     Total  
            Percent             Percent             Percent  
(Dollars in Thousands)           of Total             of Total             of Total  
Fixed maturities (1)
  $ 819,227       85.7 %   $ 1,472,316       98.0 %   $ 2,291,543       93.3 %
Equity securities
    111,621       11.7       12,375       0.8       123,996       5.0  
Trading securities
    9,454       1.0                   9,454       0.4  
Mortgage loans
                7,067       0.5       7,067       0.3  
Policy loans
                7,504       0.5       7,504       0.3  
Other long-term investments
    14,706       1.5       2,439       0.2       17,145       0.7  
Short-term investments
    1,100       0.1                   1,100        
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total
  $ 956,108       100.0 %   $ 1,501,701       100.0 %   $ 2,457,809       100.0 %
 
                                   
     
(1)   Available-for-sale fixed maturities are carried at fair value. Held-to-maturity fixed maturities are carried at amortized cost.

 

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The composition of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2009 is presented at carrying value in the following table:
                                                 
    Property & Casualty     Life        
    Insurance Segment     Insurance Segment     Total  
            Percent             Percent             Percent  
(Dollars in Thousands)           of Total             of Total             of Total  
Fixed maturities
  $ 766,274       83.6 %   $ 1,401,722       97.5 %   $ 2,167,996       92.3 %
Equity securities
    117,741       12.9       14,977       1.0       132,718       5.6  
Trading securities
    12,613       1.4                   12,613       0.5  
Mortgage loans
                7,328       0.5       7,328       0.3  
Policy loans
                7,947       0.6       7,947       0.3  
Other long-term investments
    13,344       1.5       2,536       0.2       15,880       0.7  
Short-term investments
    5,083       0.6       2,276       0.2       7,359       0.3  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total
  $ 915,055       100.0 %   $ 1,436,786       100.0 %   $ 2,351,841       100.0 %
 
                                   
At June 30, 2010, we classified $2,283.5 million, or 99.7 percent, of our fixed maturities portfolio as available-for-sale, compared with $2,158.4 million, or 99.6 percent, at December 31, 2009. We classified our remaining fixed maturity securities as held-to-maturity securities (which are reported at amortized cost) or trading securities. We recorded trading securities, primarily convertible redeemable preferred debt securities, at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages, derivative securities or other credit enhancement vehicles.
Credit Quality
The following table displays a breakdown for all of our fixed maturity securities by credit rating at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Information contained in the table is generally based upon the issue credit ratings provided by Moody’s. If credit ratings from Moody’s were unavailable, we obtained them from Standard & Poor’s.
                                 
(In Thousands)   June 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
Rating   Carrying Value     % of Total     Carrying Value     % of Total  
AAA
  $ 293,569       12.8 %   $ 207,199       9.5 %
AA
    441,367       19.2       397,380       18.2  
A
    495,773       21.5       562,795       25.8  
Baa/BBB
    945,516       41.1       869,465       39.9  
Other/Not Rated
    124,772       5.4       143,770       6.6  
 
                       
 
  $ 2,300,997       100.0 %   $ 2,180,609       100.0 %
 
                       
The credit ratings of our fixed maturity securities portfolio at June 30, 2010, have not changed significantly since December 31, 2009, however, the increase in our AAA fixed maturity securities is reflective of the investment purchases we have made during 2010.
Duration
Our investment portfolio is composed primarily of fixed maturity securities whose fair values are susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement we use to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our claim liabilities. If our invested assets and claims liabilities have similar durations, then any change in interest rates will have an equal and opposite effect on our investments and claim liabilities. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and claim liabilities is liquidity. With appropriate matching, our investments will mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely.

 

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Group
The maximum weighted average duration of our fixed maturity available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and trading security portfolios, including convertible bonds, was 5.4 years at June 30, 2010, compared with 6.0 years at December 31, 2009.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment
For our property and casualty insurance segment, the maximum weighted average duration of our fixed maturity available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and trading security portfolios, including convertible bonds, was 6.8 years at June 30, 2010, compared with 7.3 years at December 31, 2009.
Life Insurance Segment
For our life insurance segment, the maximum weighted average duration of our fixed maturity available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and trading security portfolios, was 3.7 years at June 30, 2010, compared with 4.3 years at December 31, 2009.
Investment Results
Our net investment income increased 3.4 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 11.1 percent in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same periods of 2009. The growth in annuity sales last year contributed to the increase in our invested assets and net investment income, in spite of historically low interest rates and declining dividends from our equity portfolio.
Realized investment gains were $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $5.1 million in the first six months of 2010, compared with realized investment losses of $13.2 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $16.6 million in the first six months of 2009. The recovery in our investment portfolio is attributable to a significant reduction in OTTI charges, which totaled $.1 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $.5 million in the first six months of 2010 versus $13.6 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $18.1 million in the first six months of 2009. We incurred substantial OTTI charges in 2009 as a result of the financial crisis experienced by the economy.
We continually monitor the difference between our cost basis and the estimated fair value of our investments. Our accounting policy for impairment recognition requires OTTI charges to be recorded when we determine that it is more likely than not that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the fixed maturity security or that the anticipated recovery in fair value of the equity security will not occur in a reasonable amount of time. Impairment charges on investments are recorded based on the fair value of the investments at the measurement date. Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; our intention to hold the investment; and the likelihood that we will be required to sell the investment.
Changes in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities do not affect net income and earnings per share but do impact comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and book value per share. We believe that any unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2010, are temporary based upon our current analysis of the issuers of the securities that we hold and current market events. It is possible that we could recognize OTTI charges in future periods on securities that we own at June 30, 2010, if future events and information cause us to determine that a decline in value is other-than-temporary. However, we endeavor to invest in high quality assets to provide protection from future credit quality issues and corresponding impairment write-downs.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short- and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of premiums, annuity deposits, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Historically, we have generated substantial cash inflows from operations because cash from premium payments is usually received in advance of cash payments made to settle losses. When investing the cash generated from operations, we invest in securities with maturities that correlate to the anticipated timing of payments for losses and loss settlement expenses of the underlying insurance policies. The majority of our assets are invested in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities.
Our cash outflows are a result of losses and loss settlement expenses, commissions, premium taxes, income taxes, operating expenses, dividends, annuity withdrawals, and investment purchases. Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements.
The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2010 and 2009.
                 
Cash Flow Summary   Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009  
Cash provided provided by (used in)
               
Operating activities
  $ 43,467     $ 36,751  
Investing activities
    (156,150 )     (126,928 )
Financing activities
    78,670       133,568  
 
           
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (34,013 )   $ 43,391  
 
           
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $43.5 million and $36.8 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our operating cash flows increased in the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, as compared with the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, due to the lower level of claims payments in the first six months of 2010, as compared with the same period of 2009. A decrease in net premiums written during 2010 somewhat offset our positive operating cash flows, but also caused a corresponding lower level of commissions to be paid during this time.
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $156.2 million and $126.9 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, we had cash inflows from sales of investments, scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions and prepayments that totaled $201.1 million, compared with $206.6 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009. Our cash outflows for investment purchases totaled $281.3 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, compared with $259.0 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, as in 2010 we continued to purchase a higher level of fixed maturity securities rather than other investment vehicles such as short-term investments, which continue to be less profitable due to the lower market interest rates.
Net cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $78.7 million and $133.6 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, net cash inflows from our life insurance segment’s annuity and universal life deposits totaled $15.2 million, compared with $72.2 million for the same period of 2009. Additionally, in the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, our common stock repurchases totaled $3.7 million, compared with $.5 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2009.
If our operating and investing cash flows are not sufficient to support our operations, we may also borrow up to $50.0 million on a bank line of credit. Under the terms of our credit agreement, interest on outstanding notes is payable at the lender’s prevailing prime rate, minus 1.0 percent. We did not use our line of credit during the first six months of 2010.

 

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Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity increased 4.9 percent to $705.9 million at June 30, 2010, from $672.7 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in our stockholders’ equity was largely attributable to net income of $34.8 million and net unrealized investment appreciation of $8.4 million, net of tax. This was partially offset by stockholder dividends of $7.9 million and stock repurchases of $3.7 million. At June 30, 2010, book value per share was $26.82, compared with $25.35 at December 31, 2009.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Pursuant to an agreement with one of our limited liability partnership holdings, we are contractually committed to make capital contributions up to $15.0 million, upon request by the partnership, through December 31, 2017. As of June 30, 2010, our remaining potential contractual obligation was $12.2 million.
STATUTORY FINANCIAL MEASURES
United Fire and its subsidiaries are required to file financial statements based on statutory accounting principles in each of the states where our insurance companies are domiciled or licensed to conduct business. Management analyzes financial data and statements that are prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles rather than U.S. GAAP.
The following definitions of key statutory measures are provided for our readers’ convenience. United Fire does not reconcile data prepared under statutory accounting principles to those prepared under U.S. GAAP because Regulation G does not require reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of data prepared under a system of regulation of a government or governmental authority or self-regulatory organization that is applicable to the registrant.
Premiums written is a measure of our overall business volume. Net premiums written comprises direct and assumed premiums written, less ceded premiums written. Direct premiums written is the amount of premiums charged for policies issued during the period. Assumed premiums written is consideration or payment we receive in exchange for insurance we provide to other insurance companies. We report these premiums as revenue as they are earned over the underlying policy period. Ceded premiums written is the portion of direct premiums written that we cede to our reinsurers under our reinsurance contracts. Premiums written is an important measure of business production for the period under review.
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Net premiums written
  $ 128,749     $ 127,679     $ 248,185     $ 248,525  
Net change in unearned premium
    (11,695 )     (8,079 )     (16,881 )     (10,369 )
Net change in prepaid reinsurance premium
    28       71       86       (164 )
 
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 117,082     $ 119,671     $ 231,390     $ 237,992  
 
                       
Combined ratio is a commonly used financial measure of underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100 percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of two separately calculated ratios, the loss and loss settlement expense ratio (referred to as the “net loss ratio”) and the underwriting expense ratio (the “expense ratio”).
When prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premiums earned. The expense ratio is calculated by dividing nondeferred underwriting expenses and amortization of DAC by net premiums earned.

 

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When prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles, the net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premium earned and the expense ratio is calculated by dividing underwriting expenses by net premiums written.
Underwriting income (loss) is the gain or loss by an insurance company from the business of insurance. Underwriting income is equal to net premiums earned less incurred losses and loss settlement expenses, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, and other underwriting expenses. We use this financial measure in evaluating the results of our operations and to analyze the profitability of our property and casualty segment separately from our investment results.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We believe that disclosure of certain Non-GAAP financial measures enhances investor understanding of our financial performance. The following Non-GAAP financial measure is utilized in this filing:
Catastrophe losses utilize the designations of the Insurance Services Office (“ISO”) and are reported with loss and loss settlement expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. According to the ISO, a catastrophe loss is a single unpredictable incident or series of closely related incidents causing severe insured losses that cause $25.0 million or more in industry-wide direct insured losses to property and that affect a significant number of insureds and insurers. We also include as catastrophes those events we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Management at times may determine for comparison purposes that it is more meaningful to exclude extraordinary catastrophe losses and resulting litigation, such as Hurricane Katrina. The frequency and severity of catastrophic losses we experience in any year affect our results of operations and financial position. In analyzing the underwriting performance of our property and casualty insurance segment, we evaluate performance both including and excluding catastrophe losses. Portions of our catastrophe losses may be recoverable under our catastrophe reinsurance agreements. We include a discussion of the impact of catastrophes because we believe it is meaningful for investors to understand the variability in periodic earnings.
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In Thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
ISO catastrophes
  $ 7,545     $ 7,135     $ 15,924     $ 21,148  
Less Hurricane Katrina loss development
          (498 )     (5,351 )     (12,442 )
 
                       
ISO catastrophes without Hurricane Katrina
  $ 7,545     $ 6,637     $ 10,573     $ 8,706  
Non-ISO catastrophes
    25       494       153       1,402  
 
                       
Total catastrophes
  $ 7,570     $ 7,131     $ 10,726     $ 10,108  
 
                       
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We have exposure to market risk arising from potential losses in our investment portfolio due to adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. However, we have the ability to hold fixed maturity investments to maturity. Our investment guidelines define the overall framework for managing our market and other investment risks, including accountability and controls. In addition, each of our subsidiaries has specific investment policies that delineate the investment limits and strategies that are appropriate given each entity’s liquidity, surplus, product, and regulatory requirements. We respond to market risk by managing the character of investment purchases.
We do not utilize financial instrument hedges or derivative financial instruments to manage risks, nor do we enter into any swap, forward or option contracts, but attempt to mitigate our exposure through active portfolio management. In addition, we place the majority of our investments in high-quality, liquid securities and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. At June 30, 2010, we did not hold investments in sub-prime mortgages, derivative securities, credit default swaps or other credit-enhancement exposures.
While our primary market risk exposure is changes in interest rates, we do have exposure to changes in equity prices and limited exposure to foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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There have been no material changes in our market risk or market risk factors from that reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. We believe that a controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, no such change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a detailed discussion of legal proceedings of the Company, refer to Note 1—Legal Proceedings in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to a number of risks, including those identified in Part I, Item 1A of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010, that could have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly from period to period. The risks described in the above mentioned document are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Under our Share Repurchase Program, first announced in August 2007, we may purchase common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will be at our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, economic and general market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. We will generally consider repurchasing company stock on the open market if (i) the trading price on NASDAQ drops below 130 percent of its book value, (ii) sufficient excess capital is available to purchase the stock, and (iii) we are optimistic about future market trends and the performance of our company. Our Share Repurchase Program may be modified or discontinued at any time. It is currently set to expire in August 2011.
The following table provides information with respect to purchases of shares of common stock made by or on our behalf or by any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, during the three-month period ended June 30, 2010.
                                 
                    Total Number of Shares     Maximum Number of  
    Total             Purchased as a Part of     Shares that may be  
    Number of     Average Price     Publicly Announced     Purchased Under the  
Period   Shares Purchased     Paid per Share     Plans or Programs     Plans or Programs  
4/1/10 - 4/30/10
        $             349,878  
5/1/10 - 5/31/10
                      349,878  
6/1/10 - 6/30/10
    46,800       19.90       46,800       303,078  
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
             
Exhibit       Filed
number   Exhibit description   herewith
  11    
Statement Re Computation of Per Share Earnings. All information required by Exhibit 11 is presented within Note 7 of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with the FASB guidance on Earnings per Share
  X
  31.1    
Certification of Randy A. Ramlo pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002
  X
  31.2    
Certification of Dianne M. Lyons pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002
  X
  32.1    
Certification of Randy A. Ramlo pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002
  X
  32.2    
Certification of Dianne M. Lyons pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002
  X

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY
 
(Registrant)
       
 
       
/s/ Randy A. Ramlo
 
Randy A. Ramlo
  /s/ Dianne M. Lyons
 
Dianne M. Lyons
   
President, Chief Executive Officer,
  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and    
Director and Principal Executive Officer
  Principal Accounting Officer    
 
       
July 30, 2010
 
(Date)
  July 30, 2010
 
(Date)
   

 

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