PICO HOLDINGS INC /NEW (Form: S-3, Received: 11/14/2014 17:02:09)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2014

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

__________________

PICO HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



California (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	94-2723335 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 300

La Jolla, California 92037

(858) 456-6022

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of registrant’s principal executive offices)

__________________

Maxim C.W. Webb

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary

7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 300

La Jolla, CA 92037

(858) 456-6022

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Jason L. Kent, Esq.

Cooley LLP

4401 Eastgate Mall

San Diego, CA 92121

(858) 550-6000

_____________________

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement

(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)

_____________________

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ý

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ý

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

__________________

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of each class of securities to be registered	Amount to be Registered	Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Unit	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price	Amount of Registration Fee (1)
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	(2)	(3)	(3)	--
Preferred Stock	(2)	(3)	(3)	--
Debt Securities	(2)	(3)	(3)	--
Warrants	(2)	(3)	(3)	--
Total	(2)	(3)	$400,000,000	$46,480


(1)	Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(2)

There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities and such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $400,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the principal amount of such debt securities shall be in such greater amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $400,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities registered also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock and amount of debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock or debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of any such securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.


(3)	The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

__________________________________________

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 14, 2014

PROSPECTUS

$400,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

From time to time, we may offer up to $400,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable antidilution provisions.

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of the securities being offered.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “PICO.” On November 12, 2014, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $19.92 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.

We will sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts or over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

__________________________________________

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

__________________________________________

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

__________________________________________

The date of this prospectus is , 2014.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	i
SUMMARY	1
RISK FACTORS	4
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	4
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES	4
USE OF PROCEEDS	5
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK	5
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	7
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	13
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES	15
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	18
LEGAL MATTERS	19
EXPERTS	19
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	19
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE	20
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY	20

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total aggregate offering price of $400,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference,” before investing in any of the securities offered.

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. This prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “PICO,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to PICO Holdings, Inc., a California corporation, and its subsidiaries.

Company Overview

We are a diversified holding company. We seek to build and operate businesses where we believe significant value can be created from the development of unique assets and to acquire businesses which we identify as undervalued and where our management participation in operations can aid in the recognition of the business’s fair value, as well as create additional value.

Our objective is to maximize long-term shareholder value and to manage our operations to achieve a superior return on net assets over the long term, as opposed to short-term earnings. We own and operate several diverse businesses and assets. Our portfolio of businesses is designed to provide a mix of revenues and income from both long-term assets that may require several years to develop and monetize and shorter-term operations that should generate recurring revenue each quarter.

As of the date of this prospectus our business is separated into the following operating segments:


•	Water Resource and Water Storage Operations;


•	Real Estate Operations;


•	Agribusiness Operations; and


•	Corporate.

As of the date of this prospectus our major consolidated subsidiaries are (wholly–owned unless noted):


•	Vidler Water Company, Inc. which acquires and develops water resources and water storage operations in the southwestern United States, with assets and operations in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico;


•	UCP, Inc., a 57.2% owned subsidiary which is a homebuilder and land developer in markets located in California and Puget Sound area of Washington State, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee; and


•	PICO Northstar Hallock, LLC, an 87.7% owned subsidiary, doing business as Northstar Agri Industries, which operates a canola seed crushing facility in Hallock, Minnesota.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in 1981 in California. Our principal executive offices are located at 7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 300, La Jolla, CA 92037, and our telephone number is (858) 456-6022. Our corporate website address is www.picoholdings.com. We do not incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information on, or accessible through, our website, and you should not consider it as part of this prospectus.

The Securities We May Offer

We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities, up to a total aggregate offering price of $400,000,000 from time to time in one or more offerings under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the relevant offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:


•	designation or classification;


•	aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;


•	maturity, if applicable;


•	original issue discount, if any;


•	rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;


•	redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any;


•	conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange;


•	ranking, if applicable;


•	restrictive covenants, if any;


•	voting or other rights, if any; and


•	important United States federal income tax considerations.

The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may sell the securities directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:


•	the names of those underwriters or agents;


•	applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;


•	details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and


•	the estimated net proceeds to us.

Common Stock .

Voting. For all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered in the shareholder’s name. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is specifically authorized by our Amended and Restated Bylaws. Under cumulative voting for the election of directors, upon a proper and timely request by a shareholder, each shareholder is entitled to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares held multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. The votes may be cast for one or more candidates. Thus, under cumulative voting, a majority of the outstanding shares will not necessarily be able to elect all of the directors, and minority shareholders may be entitled to greater voting power with respect to election of directors than if cumulative voting did not apply.

Dividends. Holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in any dividends declared by our board of directors. Dividends consisting of shares of common stock may be paid to holders of shares of common stock or cash. We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Liquidation and Dissolution. If we are liquidated or dissolve, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the assets that remain after we pay our liabilities.

to transfer the shareholder’s shares of common stock. When we issue shares of common stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

Preferred Stock . As of the date of this prospectus, we do not have any shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance under our amended and restated articles of incorporation. In the future, we may seek shareholder approval for the purpose of amending our amended and restated articles of incorporation to authorize a number of shares of preferred stock for future issuance. Following the adoption of such amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation we would be able to issue shares of preferred stock in series and may, at the time of issuance, determine and fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. Convertible preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or exchangeable for our other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at the option of the holders of our preferred stock and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

We will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of determination relating to that series. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any certificate of determination that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. We urge you to read the prospectus supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of determination that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

Debt Securities . We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible debt securities will be convertible into our common stock or preferred stock. Conversion may be mandatory or at the holder’s option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

The debt securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

Warrants. We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants. Forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue. Warrants may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our annual, quarterly and other reports and documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although our forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of our management, these statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, these forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “hopes,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “intends,” “estimates,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “seeks,” “pro forma,” or “anticipates,” or other similar words (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of future matters. These statements include but are not limited to statements under the captions “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in other sections incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, as well as our other filings with the SEC. You should be aware that the occurrence of any of the events discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein could substantially harm our business, operating results and financial condition and that if any of these events occurs, it could adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.

The cautionary statements made in this prospectus are intended to be applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they may appear in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated. The following table is qualified by the more detailed information appearing in the computation table set forth in Exhibit 12.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part and the historical financial statements, including the notes to those financial statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus.



	Nine Months Ended September 30,		Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of loss before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates plus fixed charges, plus amortization of capitalized interest, less interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, and an estimate of the interest within rental expense. An “N/A” in the table means we reported a loss before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates and as a result, our earnings were insufficient to cover our fixed charges. Our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $24.8 million and $18.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Earnings were also insufficient to cover fixed charges by $28 million in 2013, $34.7 million in 2012, $38.2 million in 2011, $29.5 million in 2010, and $41.6 million in 2009.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds primarily in a money market mutual fund with a large financial institution.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorizes us to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and no shares of preferred stock. As of November 14, 2014, 22,772,800 shares of common stock were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

The following summary describes the material terms of our capital stock. The description of capital stock is qualified by reference to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

Voting . For all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered in the shareholder’s name. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is specifically authorized by our Amended and Restated Bylaws. Under cumulative voting for the election of directors, upon a proper and timely request by a shareholder, each shareholder is entitled to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares held multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. The votes may be cast for one or more candidates. Thus, under cumulative voting, a majority of the outstanding shares will not necessarily be able to elect all of the directors, and minority shareholders may be entitled to greater voting power with respect to election of directors than if cumulative voting did not apply.

Liquidation and Dissolution. If we are liquidated or dissolve, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the assets that remain after we pay our liabilities.

Other Rights and Restrictions. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive rights, and they have no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. Our common stock is not subject to redemption by us. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws do not restrict the ability of a holder of common stock to transfer the shareholder’s shares of common stock. When we issue shares of common stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

Preferred Stock

As of the date of this prospectus, we do not have any shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance under our amended and restated articles of incorporation. In the future, we may seek shareholder approval for the purpose of amending our amended and restated articles of incorporation to authorize a number of shares of preferred stock for future issuance. Following the adoption of such amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation we would be able to issue shares of preferred stock in series and may, at the time of issuance, determine the designations, preferences, conversion rights, cumulative, relative, participating optional or other rights, preferences and limitations of each series. Satisfaction of any dividend preferences of outstanding shares of preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of common stock. Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company before any payment is made to the holders of shares of common stock. In some circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management.

We will incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to one or more Current Reports on Form 8-K, the form of any certificate of determination that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. This description will include:


•	the title and stated value;


•	the number of shares we are offering;


•	the liquidation preference per share;


•	the purchase price per share;


•	the dividend rate per share, dividend period, payment date or dates and method of calculation for dividends;


•	whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;


•	our right, if any, to defer payment of dividends and the maximum length of any such deferral period;


•	the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;


•	the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;


•	the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;


•	any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;


•	whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or other securities of ours, including warrants, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and under what circumstances and the mechanism by which it may be adjusted, and the conversion period;


•	whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities or other securities of ours, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and under what circumstances it may be adjusted, and the exchange period;

•voting rights, if any;


•	preemptive rights, if any;


•	restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;


•	whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;


•	a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;


•	the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;


•	any limitations on issuances of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock being issued as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and


•	any other specific terms, rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications or limitations of, or restrictions on the preferred stock.

If we issue and sell shares of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

The laws of the state of California, the state of our incorporation, provide that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of such preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of determination.

The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that common shareholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay, deter or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of Charter Documents

Special Meeting Requirements . Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may be called at the request of our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors, the president, or one or more shareholders entitled to cast not less than one-tenth of the votes at that meeting.

Advance Notice Requirement . Our Amended and Restated Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. Shareholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a shareholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to our secretary or other appropriate officer of the shareholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next shareholder meeting shareholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

Indemnification . Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that we may indemnify officers and directors for certain acts in excess of indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporate Code.

These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring a hostile takeover or delaying a change in control or management of us.

Transfer Agent And Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 330 N. Brand Blvd, Suite 701, Glendale, California 91203. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

Listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol PICO.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Subject to restrictions imposed by our existing debt agreements, if any, we may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:


•	the title of the series of debt securities;


•	any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;


•	the maturity date or dates;


•	the form of the debt securities of the series;


•	the applicability of any guarantees;


•	whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;


•	whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

•

if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;


•	the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;


•	our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;


•	if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;


•	the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;


•	the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;


•	any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;


•	whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;

•

if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;


•	if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;


•	additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;


•	additions to or changes in the Events of Default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;


•	additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;


•	additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;


•	additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;


•	the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;


•	whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;


•	the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any, and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;


•	any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and


•	any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

Events of Default under the Indenture

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

•

if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

•

if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

•

if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and


•	if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, of such series of debt securities due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:


•	the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and


•	subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:


•	the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;


•	the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request,


•	such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and


•	the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:


•	to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;


•	to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”


•	to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

•

to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;


•	to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;


•	to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

•

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under “Description of Debt Securities—General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;


•	to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or


•	to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:


•	extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;


•	reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or


•	reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

Discharge

The indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:


•	provide for payment;


•	register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;


•	replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;


•	pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;


•	maintain paying agencies;


•	hold monies for payment in trust;


•	recover excess money held by the trustee;


•	compensate and indemnify the trustee; and


•	appoint any successor trustee.

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:


•	issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or


•	register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Trustee

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the debt securities, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

We have filed forms of the warrant agreements as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant agreement, if any, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants being offered, including:


•	the title of such securities;


•	the offering price or prices and aggregate number of warrants offered;


•	the currency or currencies for which the warrants may be purchased;


•	if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;


•	if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;


•	if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;


•	in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;


•	in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which, and the currency in which, these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;


•	the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;


•	the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;


•	the terms of any rights to force the exercise of the warrants;


•	any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;


•	the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;


•	the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;


•	a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;


•	the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and


•	any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:


•	in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or


•	in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent in connection with the exercise of the warrant.

Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

Governing Law

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the warrants or warrant agreements, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities . We describe global securities in greater detail below . We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee or depositary maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities . These persons are the legal holders of the securities . We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities . As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement . This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system . These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security . Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants . Consequently, for global securities, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary . The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners . The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly . Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant . As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

A global security may be terminated in certain situations as described under “—Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated,” or issue securities that are not issued in global form . In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them . These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so . Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee or third party employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities . We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means . This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the legal holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that legal holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so . Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture, or for other purposes . In such an event, we would seek approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities . Whether and how the legal holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:


•	how it handles securities payments and notices;


•	whether it imposes fees or charges;


•	how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;


•	whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;


•	how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and


•	if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary . Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select . The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary . Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise . We describe those situations below under “—Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security . Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does . Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued as a global security, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated . If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations For Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers . We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If securities are issued only as global securities, an investor should be aware of the following:


•	an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;


•	an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;


•	an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;


•	an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in the global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;


•	the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in the global security ;


•	we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security, nor will we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way;


•	the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in the global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and


•	financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in the global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities .

There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor . We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests . After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor . Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders . We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

A global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:


•	if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;


•	if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or


•	if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement . When a global security terminates, the depositary, and neither we nor any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:


•	at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;


•	at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;


•	at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or


•	at negotiated prices.

We may also sell equity securities covered by this registration statement in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:


•	on or through the facilities of the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which such securities may be listed, quoted or traded at the time of sale; and/or


•	to or through a market maker otherwise than on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or such other securities exchanges or quotation or trading services.

Such at-the-market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent.

A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:


•	the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if any;


•	the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;


•	any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;


•	any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;


•	any public offering price;


•	any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and


•	any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities, and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

All securities we offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on any exchange or over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters in connection with the offering and the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon by Cooley LLP.

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of PICO Holding, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement, as well as any other document filed by us with the SEC, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including PICO. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

We maintain a website at www.picoholdings.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The SEC file number for the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is 033-36383. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that you should read about us.

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document:


•	our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and filed with the SEC on March 17, 2014;


•	our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, which were filed with the SEC on May 12, 2014, August 11, 2014 and November 10, 2014, respectively;


•	the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on April 2, 2014; and


•	our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014, May 19, 2014 and October 24, 2014.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, or (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents by writing us at 7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 300, La Jolla, California 92037or telephoning us at (858) 456-6022.

Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the document to the extent that a statement contained in this document or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document modifies or supersedes the statement.

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR

SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the California General Corporation Law, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the offering of the securities being registered . All the amounts shown are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.



SEC registration fee	$	46,480
Accounting fees and expenses	100,000
Legal fees and expenses	150,000
Transfer agent fees and expenses	5,000
Trustee fees and expenses	15,000
Printing and miscellaneous expenses	20,000
Total	$	336,480

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Pursuant to provisions of the California General Corporation Law (the “ CGCL ”), the registrant’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “ Articles of Incorporation ”) includes a provision which eliminates the personal liability of its directors to the registrant and its shareholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under California law. This limitation has no effect on a director’s liability (i) for acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (ii) for acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interest of the registrant or its shareholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper benefit, (iv) for acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director’s duty to the registrant or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director’s duties, of a risk of serious injury to the registrant or its shareholders, (v) for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director’s duty to the registrant or its shareholders, (vi) under Section 310 of the CGCL (concerning contracts or transactions between the corporation and a director) or (vii) under Section 316 of the CGCL (concerning a director’s liability for improper distributions, loans and guarantees). The provision does not eliminate liability of a director for any acts or omissions which occurred prior to November 18, 1988, the effective date of the registrant’s amended Articles of Incorporation including such provision, and it does not eliminate or limit the liability of an officer for any act or omission as an officer, notwithstanding that the officer is also a director or that his or her actions, if negligent or improper, have been ratified by the Board of Directors. Further, the provision has no effect on claims arising under federal or state securities laws and does not affect the availability of injunctions and other equitable remedies available to the registrant’s shareholders for any violation of a director’s fiduciary duty to the registrant or its shareholders.

The registrant’s Articles of Incorporation also include a section authorizing the registrant to indemnify its officers, directors and other agents through bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents, vote of shareholders or otherwise in excess of the indemnification permitted by Section 317 of the CGCL, subject only to the limits set forth in Section 204 of the CGCL with respect to actions for breach of duty to the corporation and its shareholders. The registrant has entered into agreements with its executive officers and directors to provide indemnity to such persons to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law.

The registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws expressly provide that the registrant shall have the right to purchase and maintain insurance against any liability asserted against or incurred by officers, directors and other agents, whether or not the registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against the liability insured against. The registrant has obtained directors and officers liability and company reimbursement insurance policies, referred to as the D & O Policies. The D & O Policies are subject to customary exclusions.

Section 317 of the CGCL makes provisions for the indemnification of officers, directors and other corporate agents in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons, under certain circumstances, against such liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.

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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules



Exhibit Number		Description of Document
1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 7, 2007.
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 19, 2009.
4.1		Specimen Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement File No. 333-198065.
4.2		Form of Indenture, between the Registrant and one or more trustees to be named
4.3*		Form of Senior Note
4.4*		Form of Subordinated Note
4.5		Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.6		Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.7		Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.8*		Form of Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Certificate of Determination of Preferred Stock
5.1		Opinion of Cooley LLP
12.1		Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios
23.1		Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2		Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
25.1*		Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Indenture

____________________


*	To be filed by amendment or by a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:


(i)	To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;


(iii)	To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

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provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, (i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(l) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be a part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offing of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(8) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant named below certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of La Jolla, State of California, on this 14 day of November, 2014.



		PICO Holdings, Inc.


		By:	/s/ Maxim C.W. Webb
			Maxim C.W. Webb
			Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Maxim C.W. Webb and John T. Perri, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign, and file with the SEC any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, (iii) act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in this registration statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and (iv) take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby approving, ratifying and confirming all that such agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact or any of his substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



DATE	SIGNATURE	TITLE

November 14, 2014	/s/ John R. Hart	Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director
	John R. Hart	(Principal Executive Officer)

November 14, 2014	/s/ Maxim C.W. Webb	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary
	Maxim C.W. Webb	(Principal Financial Officer)
November 14, 2014	/s/ John T. Perri	Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
	John T. Perri	(Principal Accounting Officer)
November 14, 2014	/s/ Kristina M. Leslie	Chairman of the Board of Directors
	Kristina M. Leslie

November 14, 2014	/s/ Robert G. Deuster	Director
	Robert G. Deuster

November 14, 2014	/s/ Carlos C. Campbell	Director
	Carlos C. Campbell

November 14, 2014	/s/ Kenneth J. Slepicka	Director
	Kenneth J. Slepicka

November 14, 2014	/s/ Julie H. Sullivan	Director
	Julie H. Sullivan, Ph.D.

November 14, 2014	/s/ Michael J. Machado	Director
	Michael J. Machado

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS



Exhibit Number		Description of Document
1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 7, 2007.
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 19, 2009.
4.1		Specimen Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement File No. 333-198065.
4.2		Form of Indenture, between the Registrant and one or more trustees to be named
4.3*		Form of Senior Note
4.4*		Form of Subordinated Note
4.5		Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.6		Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.7		Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.8*		Form of Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Certificate of Determination of Preferred Stock
5.1		Opinion of Cooley LLP
12.1		Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios
23.1		Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2		Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
25.1*		Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Indenture

____________________

* To be filed by amendment or by a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

II-6

PAGE

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS	1
Section 1.01 Definitions of Terms	1
ARTICLE 2 ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES	4
Section 2.01 Designation and Terms of Securities	4
Section 2.02 Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate	7
Section 2.03 Denominations: Provisions for Payment	7
Section 2.04 Execution and Authentications	8
Section 2.05 Registration of Transfer and Exchange	9
Section 2.06 Temporary Securities	10
Section 2.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities	10
Section 2.08 Cancellation	11
Section 2.09 Benefits of Indenture	11
Section 2.10 Authenticating Agent	12
Section 2.11 Global Securities	12
Section 2.12 CUSIP Numbers	13
ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS	13
Section 3.01 Redemption	13
Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption	13
Section 3.03 Payment Upon Redemption	14
Section 3.04 Sinking Fund	15
Section 3.05 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities	15
Section 3.06 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund	15
ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS	16
Section 4.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest	16
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency	16
Section 4.03 Paying Agents	16
Section 4.04 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee	17
ARTICLE 5 SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE	17
Section 5.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders	17
Section 5.02 Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders	18
Section 5.03 Reports by the Company	18
Section 5.04 Reports by the Trustee	19
ARTICLE 6 REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT	19
Section 6.01 Events of Default	19
Section 6.02 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee	20
Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected	22
Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits	22
Section 6.05 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver	23
Section 6.06 Control by Securityholders	23
Section 6.07 Undertaking to Pay Costs	24
ARTICLE 7 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE	24
Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee	24
Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee	25
Section 7.03 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities	27
Section 7.04 May Hold Securities	27

PAGE

Section 7.05 Moneys Held in Trust	27
Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement	27
Section 7.07 Reliance on Officer’s Certificate	28
Section 7.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests	28
Section 7.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility	28
Section 7.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor	29
Section 7.11 Acceptance of Appointment By Successor	30
Section 7.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business	31
Section 7.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company	31
Section 7.14 Notice of Default.	31
ARTICLE 8 CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS	32
Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Securityholders	32
Section 8.02 Proof of Execution by Securityholders	32
Section 8.03 Who May be Deemed Owners	32
Section 8.04 Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded	33
Section 8.05 Actions Binding on Future Securityholders	33
ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES	33
Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders	33
Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders	34
Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures	35
Section 9.04 Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures	35
Section 9.05 Execution of Supplemental Indentures	35
ARTICLE 10 SUCCESSOR ENTITY	36
Section 10.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc.	36
Section 10.02 Successor Entity Substituted	36
ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE	37
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture	37
Section 11.02 Discharge of Obligations	37
Section 11.03 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust	38
Section 11.04 Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents	38
Section 11.05 Repayment to Company	38
ARTICLE 12 IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS	38
Section 12.01 No Recourse	38
ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS	39
Section 13.01 Effect on Successors and Assigns	39
Section 13.02 Actions by Successor	39
Section 13.03 Surrender of Company Powers	39
Section 13.04 Notices	39
Section 13.05 Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver	39
Section 13.06 Treatment of Securities as Debt	40
Section 13.07 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent	40
Section 13.08 Payments on Business Days	40
Section 13.09 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act	40
Section 13.10 Counterparts	41
Section 13.11 Separability	41

PAGE

Section 13.12 Compliance Certificates	41
Section 13.13 Patriot Act	41
Section 13.14 Force Majeure	41
Section 13.15 Table of Contents; Headings	42



Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as Amended		Section of Indenture
310(a)		7.09
310(b)		7.08
		7.10
310(c)		Inapplicable
311(a)		7.13
311(b)		7.13
311(c)		Inapplicable
312(a)		5.01
		5.02(a)
312(b)		5.02(c)
312(c)		5.02(c)
313(a)		5.04(a)
313(b)		5.04(b)
313(c)		5.04(a)
		5.04(b)
313(d)		5.04(c)
314(a)		5.03
		13.12
314(b)		Inapplicable
314(c)		13.07(a)
314(d)		Inapplicable
314(e)		13.07(b)
314(f)		Inapplicable
315(a)		7.01(a)
		7.01(b)
315(b)		7.14
315(c)		7.01
315(d)		7.01(b)
315(e)		6.07
316(a)		6.06
		8.04
316(b)		6.04
316(c)		8.01
317(a)		6.02
317(b)		4.03
318(a)		13.09



[[Form if Warrants are attached to Other Securities and are not immediately detachable.]		[Prior to , this Warrant Certificate cannot be transferred or exchanged unless attached to a [Title of Other Securities].]

[Form of Legend if Warrants are not immediately exercisable.]		[Prior to , Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate cannot be exercised.]


(1)	This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.


•	shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”);


•	shares of preferred stock of the Company (the “ Preferred Stock ”);



	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2013			2012			2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Loss before fixed charge additions
Loss before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	$	(23,402	)	$	(16,326	)	$	(25,432	)	$	(29,578	)	$	(34,657	)	$	(28,655	)	$	(40,742	)
Fixed charges	6,515			9,266			10,710			10,578			4,038			2,202			2,142
Amortization of capitalized interest	215			214			286			119
Interest capitalized	(1,621		)	(2,081		)	(2,903		)	(5,215		)	(3,534		)	(821		)	(868		)
Total loss, before fixed charge addition	$	(18,293	)	$	(8,927	)	$	(17,339	)	$	(24,096	)	$	(34,153	)	$	(27,274	)	$	(39,468	)

Fixed charges:
Interest expensed	$	4,193		$	5,304		$	6,881		$	4,153		$	146		$	1,356		$	1,251
Interest capitalized	1,621			2,081			2,903			5,215			3,534			821			868
Amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness	662			1,841			876			1,185			335
Estimate of interest within rental expense	39			40			50			25			23			25			23
Total fixed charges	$	6,515		$	9,266		$	10,710		$	10,578		$	4,038		$	2,202		$	2,142

Total loss and fixed charges	$	(24,808	)	$	(18,193	)	$	(28,049	)	$	(34,674	)	$	(38,191	)	$	(29,476	)	$	(41,610	)

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ⁽¹⁾	N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A

Deficiency of earnings to cover fixed charges	$	(24,808	)	$	(18,193	)	$	(28,049	)	$	(34,674	)	$	(38,191	)	$	(29,476	)	$	(41,610	)