Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

 

OR

 

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                  to                 

 

Commission File Number: 000-50070

 

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

13-4181699

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

20 Custom House Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

 

 

 

(617) 951-0600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer     o        Accelerated filer     x        Non-accelerated filer      o         Smaller reporting company     o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  o    No  x

 

As of November 3, 2008, there were 16,309,825 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page No.

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (Unaudited)

3

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

4

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

5

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

6

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

7

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

8

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

Executive Summary and Overview

19

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

23

 

Results of Operations – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

31

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

36

 

Forward-Looking Statements

38

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

38

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

39

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

39

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

39

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

40

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

40

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

40

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

40

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

40

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

41

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

42

 



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Investment securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: $956,529 and $995,360)

 

$

938,064

 

$

1,002,028

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $8,688 and $6,794)

 

8,315

 

6,977

 

Total investment securities

 

946,379

 

1,009,005

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

107,782

 

46,311

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

 

156,811

 

156,343

 

Accrued investment income

 

10,345

 

10,972

 

Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

13,571

 

13,047

 

Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

77,805

 

84,290

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

24,005

 

28,818

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

51,377

 

48,652

 

Deferred income taxes

 

24,359

 

13,388

 

Equity and deposits in pools

 

35,406

 

26,235

 

Other assets

 

14,429

 

9,931

 

Total assets

 

$

1,462,269

 

$

1,446,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

$

464,191

 

$

477,720

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

321,889

 

320,545

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

38,043

 

50,023

 

Taxes payable

 

671

 

120

 

Payable to reinsurers

 

26,032

 

10,662

 

Other liabilites

 

16,812

 

17,922

 

Total liabilities

 

867,638

 

876,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 16,460,530 and 16,242,213 shares issued

 

165

 

162

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

139,177

 

134,224

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes

 

(12,245

)

4,453

 

Retained earnings

 

471,563

 

432,746

 

Treasury stock, at cost; 122,324 and 48,124 shares

 

(4,029

)

(1,585

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

594,631

 

570,000

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,462,269

 

$

1,446,992

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share and share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

$

141,251

 

$

152,617

 

$

439,001

 

$

460,132

 

Net investment income

 

11,710

 

10,984

 

34,445

 

32,803

 

Net realized (losses) gains on investments

 

(1,047

)

104

 

1,056

 

13

 

Finance and other service income

 

4,584

 

4,194

 

13,597

 

12,182

 

Total revenue

 

156,498

 

167,899

 

488,099

 

505,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

87,702

 

92,720

 

274,650

 

278,047

 

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

 

43,130

 

42,588

 

132,069

 

126,307

 

Interest expenses

 

22

 

22

 

59

 

63

 

Total expenses

 

130,854

 

135,330

 

406,778

 

404,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

25,644

 

32,569

 

81,321

 

100,713

 

Income tax expense

 

7,286

 

9,647

 

22,987

 

30,226

 

Net income

 

$

18,358

 

$

22,922

 

$

58,334

 

$

70,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per weighted average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.43

 

$

3.64

 

$

4.40

 

Diluted

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.42

 

$

3.62

 

$

4.38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.40

 

$

1.20

 

$

0.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

16,079,387

 

16,030,811

 

16,046,111

 

16,025,292

 

Diluted

 

16,170,042

 

16,096,505

 

16,113,432

 

16,096,646

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Income/(Loss),

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Shareholders’

 

 

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

Net of Taxes

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

$

161

 

$

129,785

 

$

21

 

$

366,381

 

$

 

$

496,348

 

Net income, January 1 to September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

70,487

 

 

 

70,487

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(747

)

 

 

 

 

(747

)

Exercise of options and unearned compensation on restricted stock, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

1

 

3,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,460

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,576

)

 

 

(14,576

)

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,585

)

(1,585

)

Balance at September 30, 2007

 

$

162

 

$

133,244

 

$

(726

)

$

422,292

 

$

(1,585

)

$

553,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Income/(Loss),

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Shareholders’

 

 

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

Net of Taxes

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

$

162

 

$

134,224

 

$

4,453

 

$

432,746

 

$

(1,585

)

$

570,000

 

Net income, January 1 to September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,334

 

 

 

58,334

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(16,698

)

 

 

 

 

(16,698

)

Exercise of options and unearned compensation on restricted stock, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

3

 

4,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,956

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,517

)

 

 

(19,517

)

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,444

)

(2,444

)

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

165

 

$

139,177

 

$

(12,245

)

$

471,563

 

$

(4,029

)

$

594,631

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net income

 

$

18,358

 

$

22,922

 

$

58,334

 

$

70,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding (losses) gains during the period, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(5,052), $4,035, $(8,621) and $(397)

 

(9,382

)

7,493

 

(16,011

)

(738

)

Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income, net of tax expense (benefit) of $367, $(36), $(369) and $(5)

 

680

 

(68

)

(687

)

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (losses) gains on securities available for sale

 

(8,702

)

7,425

 

(16,698

)

(747

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

9,656

 

$

30,347

 

$

41,636

 

$

69,740

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

58,334

 

$

70,487

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization, net

 

8,438

 

7,271

 

(Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes

 

(1,980

)

101

 

Net realized gains on investments

 

(1,056

)

(5

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(468

)

(14,653

)

Accrued investment income

 

627

 

(933

)

Receivable from reinsurers

 

5,961

 

(15,078

)

Ceded unearned premiums

 

4,813

 

1,840

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(2,725

)

(5,338

)

Other assets

 

(10,131

)

(6,340

)

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

(13,529

)

18,614

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

1,344

 

17,284

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(11,980

)

(15,325

)

Payable to reinsurers

 

15,370

 

19,740

 

Other liabilities

 

(679

)

3,962

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

52,339

 

81,627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities purchased

 

(108,209

)

(233,957

)

Equity securities purchased

 

(5,147

)

(4,161

)

Proceeds from sales, paydowns and calls of fixed maturities

 

123,316

 

171,106

 

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

 

21,156

 

11,000

 

Proceeds from sales of equity securities

 

3,135

 

4,635

 

Fixed assets purchased

 

(5,223

)

(6,937

)

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

 

29,028

 

(58,314

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds and excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options

 

2,065

 

457

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(19,517

)

(14,576

)

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

(2,444

)

(1,585

)

Net cash used for financing activities

 

(19,896

)

(15,704

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

61,471

 

7,609

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

46,311

 

26,283

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

107,782

 

$

33,892

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

The consolidated financial statements include Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The subsidiaries consist of Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Whiteshirts Asset Management Corporation (“WAMC”), and Whiteshirts Management Corporation, which is WAMC’s holding company. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

The financial information as of September 30, 2008 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of the Company, the information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations for the periods. These unaudited consolidated financial statements may not be indicative of financial results for the full year and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 14, 2008.

 

The Company is a leading provider of personal lines property and casualty insurance focused exclusively on the Massachusetts market. The Company’s principal product line is private passenger automobile insurance, which accounted for 74.6% of its direct written premiums in 2007. The Company operates through its insurance company subsidiaries, Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Safety Property and Casualty Company (together referred to as the “Insurance Subsidiaries”).

 

On June 20, 2007, the Company applied for admission in the State of New Hampshire for a Certificate of Authority to transact insurance business. On October 16, 2007, the State of New Hampshire Insurance Department issued a Certificate of Authority for property and casualty insurance to each of the Company’s insurance company subsidiaries. The Company began writing private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance business in New Hampshire on October 15, 2008.

 

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard applies to fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. See Note 5 for further information regarding the Company’s investments and fair value measurements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. This statement permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates. Subsequent unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings. The Company has chosen not to elect the fair value option permitted by this statement.

 

3. Earnings per Weighted Average Common Share

 

Basic earnings per weighted average common share (“EPS”) are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding and the net effect of potentially dilutive common shares. At September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s potentially dilutive instruments were common shares under options of 242,866, and 344,168, respectively, and common shares under restriction of 230,325, and 175,281, respectively.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

Basic and diluted EPS were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Earnings per weighted average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.43

 

$

3.64

 

$

4.40

 

Diluted

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.42

 

$

3.62

 

$

4.38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

16,079,387

 

16,030,811

 

16,046,111

 

16,025,292

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

38,813

 

56,418

 

49,752

 

63,270

 

Restricted stock

 

51,842

 

9,276

 

17,569

 

8,084

 

Diluted

 

16,170,042

 

16,096,505

 

16,113,432

 

16,096,646

 

 

Diluted EPS excludes stock options with exercise prices and exercise tax benefits greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the period because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. There were 168,925 anti-dilutive stock options for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008. There were 174,925 anti-dilutive stock options for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

Diluted EPS also excludes common shares under restriction with a fair value on the grant date greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the period because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. There were 0 and 114,231 anti-dilutive shares under restriction for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. There were 46,035 and 65,760 anti-dilutive shares under restriction for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation

 

Management Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

Long-term incentive compensation is provided under the Company’s 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan (“the Incentive Plan”) which provides for a variety of stock-based compensation awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock (“RS”) awards.

 

The maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be granted is 2,500,000. Shares of stock covered by an award under the Incentive Plan that are forfeited will again be available for issuance in connection with future grants of awards under the plan. At September 30, 2008 there were 1,056,595 shares available for future grant. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee intend to issue more awards under the Incentive Plan in the future.

 

A summary of stock based awards granted under the Incentive Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is as follows:

 

Type of

 

 

 

Number of

 

Fair

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Awards

 

Value per

 

 

 

Awarded

 

Effective Date

 

Granted

 

Share (1)

 

Vesting Terms

 

RS

 

March 10, 2008

 

76,816

 

$

35.80

 

3 years, 30%-30%-40%

 

RS

 

March 10, 2008

 

4,000

 

$

35.80

 

No vesting period (2)

 

RS

 

March 20, 2008

 

45,779

 

$

34.37

 

5 years, 20% annually

 

 


(1) The fair value per share of the restricted stock grant is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

(2) The shares cannot be sold, assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of until the recipient is no longer a member of the Board of Directors.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

Accounting and Reporting for Stock-Based Awards

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123R (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”), which requires the Company to measure and recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. Under the provisions of FAS 123R, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant).

 

As permitted by FAS 123R, the Company elected the modified prospective transition method. Under the modified prospective transition method, (i) compensation expense for share-based awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 is recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost calculated for pro forma disclosure purposes under FAS 123 as adjusted to incorporate forfeiture assumptions under FAS 123R, and (ii) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R.

 

Stock Options

 

                The fair value of stock options used to compute net income and earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is the estimated fair value at grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

 

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Expected dividend yield

 

1.36% - 2.52%

 

1.36% - 2.52%

 

Expected volatility

 

0.20 - 0.36

 

0.20 - 0.36

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

3.23% - 4.76%

 

3.23% - 4.76%

 

Expected holding period

 

6.5 - 7 years

 

6.5 - 7 years

 

 

Expected dividend yield is the Company’s dividend yield on the measurement date and is based on the assumption that the current yield will continue in the future. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock as well as the volatility of a peer group of property and casualty insurers measured for a period equal to the expected holding period of the option. The risk-free interest rate is based upon the yield on the measurement date of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond with a maturity period equal to the expected holding period of the option. The expected holding period is based upon the simplified method provided in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment,” which utilizes the mid-points between the vesting dates and the expiration date of the option award to calculate the overall expected term. There were no stock options granted during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Under

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Option

 

Exercise Price

 

Contractual Term

 

Value

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

334,588

 

$

28.25

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(91,722

)

$

14.74

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

242,866

 

$

33.35

 

6.5 years

 

$

1,706

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

124,631

 

$

29.86

 

6.2 years

 

$

1,243

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based upon the Company’s closing stock price of $37.93 on September 30, 2008, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The range of exercise prices on stock options outstanding under the Incentive Plan was $12.00 to $42.85 at September 30, 2008 and 2007. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $2,127 and $375, respectively.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

A summary of the status of non-vested options as of September 30, 2008, is presented below.

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

Grant Date

 

 

 

Shares

 

Exercise Price

 

Non-vested at beginning of year

 

192,580

 

$

33.62

 

Vested

 

(74,345

)

$

28.20

 

Non-vested at end of period

 

118,235

 

$

37.03

 

 

As of September 30, 2008, there was $1,051 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

 

Cash received from options exercised was $1,352 and $305 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

 

Restricted Stock

 

Restricted stock awarded to employees in the form of unvested shares is recorded at the market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and amortized ratably as expense over the requisite service period.

 

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity under the Incentive Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Under

 

Average

 

 

 

Restriction

 

Fair Value

 

Outstanding at beginning of the year

 

186,751

 

$

41.85

 

Granted

 

126,595

 

$

35.28

 

Vested and unrestricted

 

(67,021

)

$

40.79

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

246,325

 

$

38.77

 

 

As of September 30, 2008, there was $6,993 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years. The total fair value of the shares that were vested and unrestricted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $2,733 and $1,748, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded compensation expense related to restricted stock of $1,673 and $1,356, net of income tax benefits of $901 and $730, respectively.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

5. Investments

 

The gross unrealized gains (losses) of investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities were as follows:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Cost or

 

Gross

 

Gross

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies (1)

 

$

299,237

 

$

1,598

 

$

(2,035

)

$

298,800

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

510,824

 

3,671

 

(11,344

)

503,151

 

Asset-backed securities (1)

 

80,166

 

 

(7,562

)

72,604

 

Corporate and other securities

 

66,302

 

220

 

(3,013

)

63,509

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

 

956,529

 

5,489

 

(23,954

)

938,064

 

Equity securities (2)

 

8,688

 

 

(373

)

8,315

 

Totals

 

$

965,217

 

$

5,489

 

$

(24,327

)

$

946,379

 

 


(1) Obligations of U.S. Government agencies include collateralized mortgage obligations issued, guaranteed and/or insured by the following issuers: Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA). The total of these fixed maturity securities was $296,739 at amortized cost and $296,130 at fair value as of September 30, 2008. As such, the asset-backed securities presented exclude such issuers already presented under U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government Agencies.

(2) Equity securities consist solely of interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan.

 

The amortized cost and the estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Cost

 

Fair Value

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

15,633

 

$

15,648

 

Due after one year through five years

 

238,856

 

240,752

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

158,161

 

155,307

 

Due after ten years through twenty years

 

152,761

 

143,791

 

Due after twenty years

 

14,213

 

13,832

 

Asset-backed securities

 

376,905

 

368,734

 

       Totals

 

$

956,529

 

$

938,064

 

 

12



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

The gross realized gains (losses) on sales of fixed maturities and equity securities were as follows for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Gross realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

$

123

 

$

56

 

$

2,251

 

$

908

 

Equity securities

 

 

82

 

 

175

 

Gross realized losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

(1,052

)

(42

)

(1,077

)

(1,078

)

Equity securities

 

(118

)

 

(118

)

 

Net realized (losses) gains on investments

 

$

(1,047

)

$

96

 

$

1,056

 

$

5

 

 

Proceeds from fixed maturities maturing were $3,481, and $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Proceeds from fixed maturities maturing were $21,156 and $11,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

The following table illustrates the gross unrealized losses included in the Company’s investment portfolio and the fair value of those securities aggregated by investment category. The table also illustrates the length of time that they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies

 

$

100,774

 

$

1,488

 

$

20,979

 

$

547

 

$

121,753

 

$

2,035

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

182,854

 

8,143

 

60,320

 

3,201

 

243,174

 

11,344

 

Asset-backed securities

 

32,488

 

4,067

 

40,116

 

3,495

 

72,604

 

7,562

 

Corporate and other securities

 

29,005

 

906

 

16,815

 

2,107

 

45,820

 

3,013

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

 

345,121

 

14,604

 

138,230

 

9,350

 

483,351

 

23,954

 

Equity securities

 

3,658

 

373

 

 

 

3,658

 

373

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

$

348,779

 

$

14,977

 

$

138,230

 

$

9,350

 

$

487,009

 

$

24,327

 

 

The Company’s investment portfolio included 215 securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2008. The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairment is based upon analysis of each security as of the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than the cost, the financial condition and the near term prospects of the issuer, whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments, and the Company’s intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery of its costs.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the Company’s fixed income securities portfolio was comprised entirely of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. Government and agency securities, states and political subdivision securities, and asset-backed securities (i.e., all securities received a rating assigned by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. of Baa or higher, except the few securities not rated by Moody’s which received Standard &Poor’s ratings of A- or higher, as well as a rating assigned by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners of 1 or 2). The Company holds no subprime mortgage debt securities. All of the Company’s holdings in mortgage-backed securities are either U.S. Government or agency guaranteed or are rated Aaa/AAA. The unrealized losses recorded on the fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2008 resulted from fluctuations in market interest rates and other temporary market conditions as opposed to fundamental changes in the credit quality of the issuers of such securities. Given its current level of liquidity and its positive operating cash flows, the Company

 

13



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

intends and believes it has the ability to hold these securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value. Therefore, these decreases in values are viewed as being temporary.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, there was a significant deterioration in the issuer’s financial condition of one of the Company’s holdings, American International Group, Inc. Accordingly, the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $1,032 for this security. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, there was no significant deterioration in the credit quality of any of the Company’s other holdings.

 

Net Investment Income

 

The components of net investment income were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Interest and dividends on fixed maturities

 

$

11,467

 

$

10,617

 

$

34,168

 

$

31,728

 

Dividends on equity securities

 

79

 

74

 

201

 

179

 

Interest on cash and cash equivalents

 

492

 

618

 

1,072

 

1,871

 

Total investment income

 

12,038

 

11,309

 

35,441

 

33,778

 

Investment expenses

 

328

 

325

 

996

 

975

 

Net investment income

 

$

11,710

 

$

10,984

 

$

34,445

 

$

32,803

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted FAS 157.  FAS 157 provides a revised definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosure requirements for fair value information. Under FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (an exit price). The statement establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between inputs based on market data from independent sources (“observable inputs”) and a reporting entity’s internal assumptions based upon the best information available when external market data is limited or unavailable (“unobservable inputs”). The fair value hierarchy in FAS 157 prioritizes fair value measurements into three levels based on the nature of the inputs as follows:

 

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

 

Level 2 – Valuations based on observable inputs that do not meet the criteria for Level 1, including quoted prices in    inactive markets and quoted prices in active markets for similar, but not identical instruments; and

 

Level 3 – Valuations based on unobservable inputs.

 

The Company uses observable inputs for the vast majority of its investment portfolio. Fair value measurements for securities for which quoted prices are unavailable are estimated based upon reference to observable inputs, such as benchmark interest rates, market comparables, broker quotes and other relevant inputs. In circumstances where quoted prices or observable inputs are adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of fair value, such fair value measurements are considered a lower level measurement in the FAS 157 fair value hierarchy.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

The following table presents the Company’s fair value measurements for investments by level.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1 Inputs

 

Level 2 Inputs

 

Level 3 Inputs

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

$

938,064

 

$

 

$

934,393

 

$

3,671

 

Equity securities

 

8,315

 

8,315

 

 

 

Total investment securities

 

$

946,379

 

$

8,315

 

$

934,393

 

$

3,671

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 fair value measurements for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

Total

 

Balance at July 1, 2008

 

$

3,671

 

$

 

$

3,671

 

Net gains and losses included in earnings

 

 

 

 

Net gains included in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

Purchases and sales

 

 

 

 

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

3,671

 

$

 

$

3,671

 

Amount of total losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2008

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 fair value measurements for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

3,758

 

$

 

$

3,758

 

Net gains and losses included in earnings

 

 

 

 

Net losses included in other comprehensive income

 

(87

)

 

(87

)

Purchases and sales

 

 

 

 

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

3,671

 

$

 

$

3,671

 

Amount of total losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2008

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

On January 1 and September 30, 2008, one fixed maturity security was manually priced solely using broker quotes. This was deemed to render the fair value measurements as based upon unobservable inputs and accordingly, it was classified within Level 3. Transfers in and out of Level 3 would be attributable to changes in the ability to observe significant inputs in determining fair value exit pricing. As noted in the table above, no transfers were made in or out of Level 3 inputs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

6. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (“LAE”) Reserves

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and LAE, as shown in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

 

$

477,720

 

$

449,444

 

Less reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE

 

(84,290

)

(78,464

)

Net reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

 

393,430

 

370,980

 

Incurred losses and LAE, related to:

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

297,554

 

297,349

 

Prior years

 

(22,904

)

(19,302

)

Total incurred losses and LAE

 

274,650

 

278,047

 

Paid losses and LAE related to:

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

155,614

 

154,563

 

Prior years

 

126,080

 

107,835

 

Total paid losses and LAE

 

281,694

 

262,398

 

Net reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

 

386,386

 

386,629

 

Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and LAE

 

77,805

 

81,429

 

Reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

 

$

464,191

 

$

468,058

 

 

At the end of each period, the reserves were re-estimated for all prior accident years. The Company’s prior year reserves decreased by $22,904, and $19,302 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and resulted from re-estimations of prior years ultimate loss and LAE liabilities. The decrease in prior years reserves during the 2008 period is primarily composed of reductions of $14,681 in the Company’s retained automobile reserves and $6,334 in reserves assumed from Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (“CAR”). The decrease in prior year reserves during the 2007 period is primarily composed of reductions of $9,078 in the Company’s retained automobile reserves and $8,506 in CAR assumed reserves.

 

Due to the nature of the risks that the Company underwrites and has historically underwritten, management does not believe that it has an exposure to asbestos or environmental pollution liabilities.

 

7. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Various claims, generally incidental to the conduct of normal business, are pending or alleged against the Company from time to time. In the opinion of management, based in part on the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, if estimates of the ultimate resolutions of those proceedings are revised, liabilities related to those proceedings could be adjusted in the near term.

 

Massachusetts law requires that insurers licensed to do business in Massachusetts participate in the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund (“Insolvency Fund”). Members of the Insolvency Fund are assessed a proportionate share of the obligations and expenses of the Insolvency Fund in connection with an insolvent insurer. Although the Company has not received written notice regarding 2008 actions to be taken by the Insolvency Fund, based upon existing knowledge that a reimbursement of prior year assessments was approved by the Board of Directors of the Insolvency Fund at its October 28, 2008 meeting, the Company reduced its estimated potential assessments to $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, which resulted in a reduction to underwriting expenses of $250 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. During the comparable 2007 period, similarly without receipt of written notice but based upon existing knowledge of the assessment amount approved by the Board of Directors of the Insolvency Fund at its October 15, 2007 meeting, the Company reduced its estimated potential assessments to $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, which resulted in a reduction to underwriting expenses of $250 for the three months ended September 30, 2007.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

It is anticipated that there will be additional assessments from time to time relating to various insolvencies. Although the timing and amounts of any future assessments are not known, based upon existing knowledge, management’s opinion is that such future assessments will not have a material effect upon the financial position of the Company.

 

8. Debt

 

On August 14, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with RBS Citizens, NA (“RBS Citizens”). The New Credit Agreement amended and restated the terms of the Company’s existing Revolving Credit Agreement with RBS Citizens prior to its expiration date of August 17, 2008. The New Credit Agreement extends the maturity date to August 14, 2013 and provides a $30,000 revolving credit facility with an accordion feature allowing for future expansion of the committed amount up to $50,000. Loans under the credit facility bear interest at the Company’s option at either (i) the LIBOR rate plus 1.25% per annum or (ii) the higher of RBS Citizens prime rate or 0.5% above the federal funds rate plus 1.25% per annum. Interest only is payable prior to maturity.

 

The obligations of the Company under the credit facility are secured by pledges of the Company’s assets and the capital stock of its operating subsidiaries. The credit facility is guaranteed by the non-insurance company subsidiaries of the Company. The credit facility contains covenants including requirements to maintain minimum risk based capital ratios and statutory surplus of Safety Insurance Company as well as limitations or restrictions on indebtedness, liens, dividends, and other matters. As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.

 

The Company had no amounts outstanding on its credit facility at September 30, 2008 and at December 31, 2007. The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expenses was computed at a rate of 0.25% on the $30,000 commitment at September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

9. Income Taxes

 

Federal income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 has been computed using estimated effective tax rates. These rates are revised, if necessary, at the end of each successive interim period to reflect the current estimates of the annual effective tax rates.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB statement 109” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the Company determine whether the benefits of its tax positions have a more likely than not chance of being sustained upon audit based upon the technical merits of the tax position. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized no adjustment to its consolidated balance sheet or statement of operations. The Company believes that the positions taken on its income tax returns for open tax years will be sustained upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a liability under FIN 48.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, there were no material changes to the amount of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits or to any assumptions regarding the amount of its FIN 48 liability.

 

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company was no longer subject to examination of its U.S. federal tax returns for years prior to 2004.

 

10. Share Repurchase Program

 

On August 3, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $30,000 of the Company’s outstanding common shares. Under the program, the Company may repurchase shares of its common stock for cash in public or private transactions, in the open market or otherwise, at management’s discretion. The timing of such repurchases and actual number of shares repurchased depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable regulatory and corporate requirements. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company purchased 74,200 of its common shares on the open market under the program at a cost of $2,444. During October 2008, purchases of 28,381 of the Company’s common shares were made at a cost of $883 pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted by the Company on September 28, 2007 which permits shares to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under securities laws. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, the Company purchased 48,124 of its common shares on the open market under the program at a cost of $1,585.

 

18



Table of Contents

 

Item 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which appear elsewhere in this document. In this discussion, all dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except share and per share data.

 

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. We intend statements which are not historical in nature to be, and are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, the Company’s senior management may make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. This safe harbor requires that we specify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. We cannot promise that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below for specific important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements.

 

Executive Summary and Overview

 

In this discussion, “Safety” refers to Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and “our Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries consist of Safety Insurance Company (“Safety Insurance”), Safety Indemnity Insurance Company (“Safety Indemnity”), Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“Safety P&C”), Whiteshirts Asset Management Corporation (“WAMC”), and Whiteshirts Management Corporation, which is WAMC’s holding company.

 

We are a leading provider of private passenger automobile insurance in Massachusetts. In addition to private passenger automobile insurance (which represented 74.6% of our direct written premiums in 2007), we offer a portfolio of other insurance products, including commercial automobile (13.3% of 2007 direct written premiums), homeowners (9.3% of 2007 direct written premiums), dwelling fire, umbrella and business owner policies (totaling 2.8% of 2007 direct written premiums). Operating virtually exclusively in Massachusetts through our insurance company subsidiaries, Safety Insurance, Safety Indemnity, and Safety P&C, (together referred to as the “Insurance Subsidiaries”), we have established strong relationships with 814 independent insurance agents in 916 locations throughout Massachusetts. We have used these relationships and our extensive knowledge of the Massachusetts market to become the second largest private passenger automobile and third largest commercial automobile insurance carrier in Massachusetts, capturing an approximate 11.3% and 11.9% share, respectively, of the Massachusetts private passenger and commercial automobile markets in 2008, according to the Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (“CAR”) Cession Volume Analysis Report of September 30, 2008, based on automobile exposures. These statistics total, for each vehicle insured, the number of months during the year insurance for that vehicle is in effect, to arrive at an aggregate number of car-months for each insurer; this aggregate number, divided by 12, equals the insurer’s number of car-years, a measure we refer to in this discussion as automobile exposures.

 

On June 20, 2007, we applied for admission in the State of New Hampshire for a Certificate of Authority to transact insurance business. On October 16, 2007, the State of New Hampshire Insurance Department issued a Certificate of Authority for property and casualty insurance to each of our Insurance Subsidiaries. We began writing private passenger automobile and homeowners business in New Hampshire on October 15, 2008.

 

Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Market

 

We have been subject to extensive regulation in the private passenger automobile insurance industry in Massachusetts, which represented 74.6% of our direct written premiums in 2007. Owners of registered automobiles in Massachusetts are required to maintain minimum automobile insurance coverage. Prior to April 1, 2008, the Commissioner of Insurance (the “Commissioner”) had fixed and established the maximum rates that could be charged for private passenger automobile insurance. Prior to April 1, 2008, as a servicing carrier of CAR, we were required to issue a policy to all qualified applicants. CAR operates at an underwriting deficit. This deficit is allocated among every Massachusetts automobile insurance company, including us, based on a complex formula that takes into consideration a company’s voluntary market share, the rate at which it cedes business to CAR, and the company’s utilization of a credit system CAR has designed to encourage carriers to reduce their use of CAR. In addition, based on our market share, we have been assigned certain licensed producers by CAR that have been unable to obtain a voluntary contract with another insurer. We call these agents Exclusive Representative Producers, or ERPs.

 

19



Table of Contents

 

On July 16, 2007, the Commissioner issued two decisions that significantly changed how private passenger automobile insurance is regulated in Massachusetts. In the first decision, the Commissioner approved and set a time table for the implementation of new CAR rules pursuant to which the current reinsurance program run by CAR is being replaced with an assigned risk plan, the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (“MAIP”). Under these new rules, we will no longer be assigned ERPs whose business we must insure (subject to the option of ceding it to CAR) and instead, we will be assigned individual policies by CAR. The MAIP began with business effective on or after April 1, 2008 for new business and those risks that have 10 or more Safe Driver Points. The last policy effective date on which any risk can be ceded to CAR in accordance with the current reinsurance program is March 31, 2009. We are not able at this time to determine what effect these new CAR rules will have on our business.

 

The Commissioner’s decision to implement an assigned risk plan brought to a close a lengthy period of regulatory and judicial consideration of the Massachusetts private passenger residual market.

 

In the second decision referenced above, the Commissioner announced that she would not fix and establish the maximum premium rates that can be charged for private passenger automobile insurance policies issued or renewed after April 1, 2008. In a letter accompanying the decision, the Commissioner stated that in place of the “fixed and established” system, she would institute a system that introduces competitive pricing to the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market, which the Commissioner has described as “managed competition” (“Managed Competition”). On October 5, 2007, the Commissioner issued a Competitive Rating Regulation; 211 CMR 79.00: Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance Rates that describes the technical details of Managed Competition (the “Regulation”). The Regulation governs the rate filing that an insurer can file. Safety filed its rate filing on November 19, 2007 and amended it on November 27, 2007.

 

In addition, the Regulation prohibits the following rating and underwriting factors:

 

·                   Rating Factors: Insurers are prohibited from using credit information, sex, marital status, race, creed, national origin, religion, occupation, income, education, home ownership and age (except to produce the reduction in rates for insureds age 65 and over).

 

·                   Underwriting Factors: Insurers are prohibited from refusing to issue or renew a private passenger auto insurance policy based on credit information, sex, marital status, race, creed, national origin, religion, age, occupation, income, principal place of garaging, education and home ownership.

 

The Commissioner has issued a number of bulletins addressing issues related to the implementation of Managed Competition (the “Rating Bulletins”). Rating Bulletins 2007-07 and 2007-08 limit rates to not more than 110% of what the 2007 premium rate level would have been for each risk. Rating Bulletin 2007-10 sets standards for filing policy forms and application for insurance. Rating Bulletin 2007-11 offers guidance on required and optional discounts, and Rating Bulletin 2007-12 limits the ability of companies to offer different rate levels within companies of the same insurance group or among risk categories within a single insurance company.

 

The Commissioner has also issued a number of Rating Bulletins for policies effective April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. Rating Bulletin 2008-09 limits residual market (MAIP) rates to 110% of what the 2008 premium rate level would have been for each risk. Rating Bulletin 2008-11 limits voluntary market rates to a level no higher than the rates in the residual market. Rating Bulletin 2008-17 describes how companies may place risks among company affiliates within an insurer group.

 

We are not able at this time to determine what effect these bulletins will have on our business over the long term.

 

CAR runs a reinsurance pool for commercial automobile policies and beginning January 1, 2006, CAR implemented a Limited Servicing Carrier Program (“LSC”) for ceded commercial automobile policies. CAR approved Safety Insurance and five other servicing carriers through a Request for Proposal to process ceded commercial automobile business, which is spread equitably among the six servicing carriers. Each Massachusetts commercial automobile insurer must bear a portion of the losses of the commercial reinsurance pool that is serviced by the six servicing carriers in the LSC program. Subject to Commissioner review, CAR sets the premium rates for commercial automobile policies reinsured through CAR and this reinsurance pool can generate an underwriting result that is a profit or deficit based upon CAR’s rate level. This underwriting result is allocated among every Massachusetts commercial automobile insurance company, including us, based on a company’s commercial automobile voluntary market share.

 

CAR also runs a reinsurance pool for Taxi, Limousine and Car Service risks (the “Taxi/Limo Program”). On April 25, 2007, Safety submitted through a Request for Proposal a bid to process a portion of the Taxi/Limo Program. CAR approved Safety as one of the two servicing carriers for this program beginning January 1, 2008.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

As noted above, in 2007 and previous years, the Commissioner set the maximum premium rates that could be charged and minimum commissions that had to be paid to agents for private passenger automobile insurance. Beginning in 2007, the effective date of the Commissioner’s rate decision was April 1st as compared to January 1st of 2006 and prior rate decisions. The 2006 rates were in effect from January 1, 2006 until March 31, 2007. The Commissioner announced on December 15, 2006, an 11.7% statewide average private passenger automobile insurance rate decrease for 2007, compared to an 8.7% decrease for 2006. Coinciding with the 2007 rate decision, the Commissioner also approved a 13.0% commission rate which agents receive for selling private passenger automobile insurance, as a percentage of premiums, compared to a commission rate of 11.8% in 2006.

 

Under Managed Competition, we decreased our rates an average 6.3% effective April 1, 2008. We decreased our rates an additional average 0.2% effective May 1, 2008, and an additional average decrease of 0.1% effective November 1, 2008. Our rates include a 13.0% commission rate for agents.

 

Our direct written premiums increased by 20.0% between 2002 and 2007, from $516,556 to $619,848. However, our direct written premiums decreased by 1.5% between 2006 and 2007 as a result of the state-mandated private passenger automobile rate decrease effective April 1, 2007. We anticipate a further reduction in private passenger automobile direct written premiums for 2008 as a result of Managed Competition rate decreases effective on and after April 1, 2008.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, our average private passenger automobile premium per exposure decreased by 7.6% from the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The table below shows average Massachusetts private passenger automobile premium rate changes and changes in our average premium per automobile exposure.

 

Massachusetts Private Passenger Automobile Rates

 

 

 

 

 

Safety Change in

 

 

 

Average Rate

 

Average Premium per

 

Year

 

Change (1)

 

Automobile Exposure (2)

 

2008

 

(6.5

)%

(7.6

)%

2007

 

(11.7

)%

(5.5

)%

2006

 

(8.7

)%

(6.8

)%

2005

 

(1.7

)%

0.1

%

2004

 

2.5

%

6.1

%

2003

 

2.7

%

6.9

%

2002

 

0.0

%

5.2

%

2001

 

(8.3

)%

0.0

%

2000

 

0.7

%

7.4

%

1999

 

0.7

%

10.9

%

1998

 

(4.0

)%

2.8

%

 


(1)  Source: Commissioner rate decisions for 1998 – 2007, and Safety Insurance for 2008. The 11.7% average rate decrease in 2007 was in effect for the period April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008. The 6.5% average rate decrease in 2008 is effective for the period April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009.

(2)  Source: Safety Insurance.

 

Statutory Accounting Principles

 

Our results are reported in accordance with GAAP, which differ from amounts reported in accordance with statutory accounting principles (“SAP”) as prescribed by insurance regulatory authorities. Specifically, under GAAP:

 

·                   Policy acquisition costs such as commissions, premium taxes and other variable costs incurred in connection with writing new and renewal business are capitalized and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period in which the related premiums are earned, rather than expensed as incurred, as required by SAP.

·                   Certain assets are included in the consolidated balance sheets whereas, under SAP, such assets are designated as “non admitted assets,” and charged directly against statutory surplus. These assets consist primarily of premium receivables that are outstanding over ninety days, federal deferred tax assets in excess of statutory limitations, furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and prepaid expenses.

 

21



Table of Contents

 

·                   Amounts related to ceded reinsurance are shown gross of ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance recoverables, rather than netted against unearned premium reserves and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, respectively, as required by SAP.

·                   Fixed maturities securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, are reported at current fair values, rather than at amortized cost, or the lower of amortized cost or market, depending on the specific type of security, as required by SAP.

·                   The differing treatment of income and expense items results in a corresponding difference in federal income tax expense. Changes in deferred income taxes are reflected as an item of income tax benefit or expense, rather than recorded directly to surplus as regards policyholders, as required by SAP. Admittance testing may result in a charge to unassigned surplus for non-admitted portions of deferred tax assets. Under GAAP reporting, a valuation allowance may be recorded against the deferred tax asset and reflected as an expense.

 

Insurance Ratios

 

The property and casualty insurance industry uses the combined ratio as a measure of underwriting profitability. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio (losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred as a percent of net earned premiums) plus the expense ratio (underwriting expenses as a percent of net written premiums, if calculated on a SAP basis, or net earned premiums, if calculated on a GAAP basis). The combined ratio reflects only underwriting results, and does not include income from investments or finance and other service income. Underwriting profitability is subject to significant fluctuations due to competition, catastrophic events, weather, economic and social conditions and other factors.

 

Our statutory insurance ratios are outlined in the following table:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Statutory Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio

 

62.1

%

60.8

%

62.6

%

60.4

%

Expense Ratio

 

31.7

%

28.7

%

30.0

%

27.2

%

Combined Ratio

 

93.8

%

89.5

%

92.6

%

87.6

%

 

Under GAAP, the loss ratio is computed in the same manner as under SAP, but the expense ratio is determined by matching underwriting expenses to the period over which net premiums were earned, rather than to the period that net premiums were written.

 

Our GAAP insurance ratios are outlined in the following table:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

GAAP Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio

 

62.1

%

60.8

%

62.6

%

60.4

%

Expense Ratio

 

30.5

%

27.9

%

30.1

%

27.5

%

Combined Ratio

 

92.6

%

88.7

%

92.7

%

87.9

%

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Long-term incentive compensation is provided under the our 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan (“the Incentive Plan”) which provides for a variety of stock-based compensation awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock (“RS”) awards.

 

The maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be granted is 2,500,000. Shares of stock covered by an award under the Incentive Plan that are forfeited will again be available for issuance in connection with future grants of awards under the plan. At September 30, 2008, there were 1,056,595 shares available for future grant. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee intend to issue more awards under the Incentive Plan in the future.

 

22



Table of Contents

 

A summary of stock based awards granted under the Incentive Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is as follows:

 

Type of

 

 

 

Number of

 

Fair

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Awards

 

Value per

 

 

 

Awarded

 

Effective Date

 

Granted

 

Share (1)

 

Vesting Terms

 

RS

 

March 10, 2008

 

76,816

 

$

35.80

 

3 years, 30%-30%-40%

 

RS

 

March 10, 2008

 

4,000

 

$

35.80

 

No vesting period (2)

 

RS

 

March 20, 2008

 

45,779

 

$

34.37

 

5 years, 20% annually

 

 


(1)  The fair value per share of the restricted stock grant is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.

(2)  The shares cannot be sold, assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of until the recipient is no longer a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Reinsurance

 

We reinsure with other insurance companies a portion of our potential liability under the policies we have underwritten, thereby protecting us against an unexpectedly large loss or a catastrophic occurrence that could produce large losses, primarily in our homeowners line of business. We use various software products to measure our exposure to catastrophe losses and the probable maximum loss to us for catastrophe losses such as hurricanes. The models include estimates for our share of the catastrophe losses generated in the residual market for property insurance by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (“FAIR Plan”). In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the reinsurance market has seen from the various software modelers, increases in the estimate of damage from hurricanes in the southern and northeast portions of the United States due to revised estimations of increased hurricane activity and increases in the estimation of demand surge in the periods following a significant event. We continue to adjust our reinsurance programs as a result of the changes to the models. As of July 1 2008, our catastrophe reinsurance provides gross per occurrence reinsurance coverage up to $330,000. As a result of the changes to the models, and our revised reinsurance program, our catastrophe reinsurance protects us in the event of a “170-year storm” (that is, a storm of a severity expected to occur once in a 170-year period). Swiss Re, our primary reinsurer, maintains an A.M. Best rating of “A+” (Superior). All of our other reinsurers have an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) or better except for Folksamerica, Montpelier, New Castle and PARIS RE which are rated “A-” (Excellent). We are a participant in CAR, a state-established body that runs the residual market reinsurance programs for both private passenger and commercial automobile insurance in Massachusetts under which premiums, expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses on ceded business are shared by all insurers writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts. We also participate in the FAIR Plan in which premiums, expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses on homeowners business that cannot be placed in the voluntary market are shared by all insurers writing homeowners insurance in Massachusetts. The FAIR Plan has grown dramatically over the past few years as insurance carriers have reduced their exposure to coastal property. The FAIR Plan’s exposure to catastrophe losses has increased and as a result the FAIR Plan has decided to buy reinsurance to reduce their exposure to catastrophe losses. On July 1, 2008, the FAIR Plan purchased $1,100,000 of catastrophe reinsurance for property losses in excess of $180,000. At September 30, 2008, we had no material amounts recoverable from any reinsurer, excluding the residual markets described above.

 

On March 10, 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a resolution that prohibits Safety from purchasing finite reinsurance (reinsurance that transfers only a finite or limited amount of risk to the reinsurer) without approval by the Board. To date, the Company has never purchased a finite reinsurance contract.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves.

 

Significant periods of time can elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting to us of that loss and our final payment of that loss. To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, we establish reserves as balance sheet liabilities. Our reserves represent estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported losses and the expenses of investigating and paying those losses, or loss adjustment expenses. Every quarter, we review our previously established reserves and adjust them, if necessary.

 

23



Table of Contents

 

When a claim is reported, claims personnel establish a “case reserve” for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. The amount of the reserve is primarily based upon an evaluation of the type of claim involved, the circumstances surrounding each claim and the policy provisions relating to the loss. The estimate reflects the informed judgment of such personnel based on general insurance reserving practices and on the experience and knowledge of the claims person. During the loss adjustment period, these estimates are revised as deemed necessary by our claims department based on subsequent developments and periodic reviews of the cases.

 

In accordance with industry practice, we also maintain reserves for estimated losses incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”). IBNR reserves are determined in accordance with commonly accepted actuarial reserving techniques on the basis of our historical information and experience. We review and make adjustments to incurred but not yet reported reserves quarterly.

 

When reviewing reserves, we analyze historical data and estimate the impact of various loss development factors, such as our historical loss experience and that of the industry, trends in claims frequency and severity, our mix of business, our claims processing procedures, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, and changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. A change in any of these factors from the assumption implicit in our estimate can cause our actual loss experience to be better or worse than our reserves, and the difference can be material. There is no precise method, however, for evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of reserves, because the eventual development of reserves is affected by many factors.

 

Management determines our loss and LAE reserves estimate based upon the analysis of our actuaries. A reasonable estimate is derived by selecting a point estimate within a range of indications as calculated by our actuaries using generally accepted actuarial techniques. The key assumption in most actuarial analysis is that past patterns of frequency and severity will repeat in the future, unless a significant change in the factors described above takes place. Our key factors and resulting assumptions are the ultimate frequency and severity of claims, based upon the most recent ten years of claims reported to the Company, and the data CAR reports to us to calculate our share of the residual market, as of the date of the applicable balance sheet. For each accident year and each coverage within a line of business our actuaries calculate the ultimate losses incurred. Our total reserves are the difference between the ultimate losses incurred and the cumulative loss and loss adjustment payments made to date. Our IBNR reserves are calculated as the difference between our total reserves and the outstanding case reserves at the end of the accounting period. To determine ultimate losses, our actuaries calculate a range of indications and select a point estimation using such actuarial techniques as:

 

·                   Paid Loss Indications: This method projects ultimate loss estimates based upon extrapolations of historic paid loss trends. This method tends to be used on short tail lines such as automobile physical damage.

·                   Incurred Loss Indications: This method projects ultimate loss estimates based upon extrapolations of historic incurred loss trends. This method tends to be used on long tail lines of business such as automobile liability and homeowner’s liability.

·                   Bornhuetter-Ferguson Indications: This method projects ultimate loss estimates based upon extrapolations of an expected amount of IBNR, which is added to current incurred losses or paid losses. This method tends to be used on small, immature, or volatile lines of business, such as our BOP and umbrella lines of business.

·                   Bodily Injury Code Indications: This method projects ultimate loss estimates for our private passenger and commercial automobile bodily injury coverage based upon extrapolations of the historic number of accidents and the historic number of bodily injury claims per accident. Projected ultimate bodily injury claims are then segregated into expected claims by type of injury (e.g. soft tissue injury vs. hard tissue injury) based on past experience. An ultimate severity, or average paid loss amounts, is estimated based upon extrapolating historic trends. Projected ultimate loss estimates using this method are the aggregate of estimated losses by injury type.

 

Such techniques assume that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, are an appropriate basis for predicting our ultimate losses, total reserves and resulting IBNR reserves. It is possible that the final outcome may fall above or below these amounts as a result of a number of factors, including immature data, sparse data, or significant growth in a line of business. Using these methodologies our actuaries established a range of reasonably possible estimations for net reserves of approximately $344,215 to $389,344 as of September 30, 2008. In general, the low and high values of the ranges represent reasonable minimum and maximum values of the indications based on the techniques described above. The Company’s selected point estimate of net loss and LAE reserves based upon the analysis of our actuaries was $386,386 as of September 30, 2008.

 

24



Table of Contents

 

The following table presents the point estimation of the recorded reserves and the range of estimations by line of business for net loss and LAE reserves as of September 30, 2008.

 

Line of Business

 

Low

 

Recorded

 

High

 

Private passenger automobile

 

$

240,590

 

$

271,230

 

$

271,768

 

Commercial automobile

 

55,445

 

60,494

 

60,735

 

Homeowners

 

31,373

 

34,388

 

35,204

 

All other

 

16,807

 

20,274

 

21,637

 

Total

 

$

344,215

 

$

386,386

 

$

389,344

 

 

The following table presents our total net reserves and the corresponding case reserves and IBNR reserves by line of business as of September 30, 2008.

 

Line of Business

 

Case

 

IBNR

 

Total

 

Private passenger automobile

 

$

205,787

 

$

22,936

 

$

228,723

 

CAR assumed private passenger auto

 

25,207

 

17,300

 

42,507

 

Commercial automobile

 

32,352

 

10,288

 

42,640

 

CAR assumed commercial automobile

 

9,132

 

8,722

 

17,854

 

Homeowners

 

14,754

 

6,813

 

21,567

 

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

 

5,870

 

6,951

 

12,821

 

All other

 

9,726

 

10,548

 

20,274

 

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

 

$

302,828

 

$

83,558

 

$

386,386

 

 

For our private passenger automobile, commercial automobile and homeowners lines of business as of September 30, 2008, due to the relatively long time we have been writing these lines of insurance and our stable long-term trends in frequency and severity, the range of reserves is relatively narrow.

 

For our all other lines of business as of September 30, 2008 due to the relatively short time we have been writing these lines of business, the sparse amount of data and the resulting immature history available for our analysis, the range of reserves is relatively wide. In all business lines, we have recorded reserves closer to the high in the ranges of our projections.

 

Our IBNR reserves for CAR assumed private passenger and assumed commercial automobile business are 40.7% and 48.9%, respectively, of our total reserves for CAR assumed private passenger and assumed commercial automobile business as of September 30, 2008 due to the reporting lags in the information we receive from CAR, as described further in the section entitled CAR Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves .

 

The following table presents information by line of business for our total net reserves and the corresponding retained (i.e., direct less ceded) reserves and assumed reserves as of September 30, 2008.

 

Line of Business

 

Retained

 

Assumed

 

Net

 

Private passenger automobile

 

$

228,723

 

 

 

 

 

CAR assumed private passenger automobile

 

 

 

$

42,507

 

 

 

Net private passenger automobile

 

 

 

 

 

$

271,230

 

Commercial automobile

 

42,640

 

 

 

 

 

CAR assumed commercial automobile

 

 

 

17,854

 

 

 

Net commercial automobile

 

 

 

 

 

60,494

 

Homeowners

 

21,567

 

 

 

 

 

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

 

 

 

12,821

 

 

 

Net homeowners

 

 

 

 

 

34,388

 

All other

 

20,274

 

 

20,274

 

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

 

$

313,204

 

$

73,182

 

$

386,386

 

 

25



Table of Contents

 

CAR Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

 

We are a participant in CAR and assume a significant portion of losses and LAE on business ceded by the industry participants to CAR. We estimate reserves for assumed losses and LAE that have not yet been reported to us by CAR. Our estimations are based upon the same factors we use for our own reserves, plus additional factors due to the nature of and the information we receive from CAR.

 

The CAR deficit, which consists of premium ceded to CAR less CAR losses and LAE, is allocated among every automobile insurance company writing business in Massachusetts based on a complex formula (the “Participation Ratio”) that takes into consideration a company’s voluntary market share, the amount of business it cedes to CAR and credits the company earns under a system CAR has designed to encourage carriers to voluntarily write business in selected under-priced classes and territories.

 

We receive a Settlement of Balances report from CAR that reports our share of CAR premium, losses and LAE, on a lagged basis, seventy-five days after the end of every quarter. CAR-published financial data is always at least one quarter behind the financial data we report. For example, when we reported our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2007, we had nine months of reported 2007 CAR financial data, and we had to estimate and record as IBNR reserves what CAR would report to us for the last three months of the year.

 

We receive our final calendar year Participation Ratio report from CAR eight months after the end of that year, and thus we have to estimate for six quarters our share of the CAR deficit. For example, for the year ended December 31, 2007 we had to estimate our 2007 policy year CAR Participation Ratio beginning with the first quarter of 2007 through the second quarter of 2008.

 

Because of the lag in CAR estimates, and in order to try to validate to the extent possible the information CAR does provide, we must try to estimate the effects of the actions of our competitors in order to establish our Participation Ratio. Before final Participation Ratios are available, we estimate the size of CAR and the resulting deficit based on historical analysis of CAR results, and estimations of our competitors’ current cession strategies. Even after our final Participation Ratio is available from CAR, we must continue to estimate the size of CAR, and the resulting deficit based upon data published by CAR and our own continuing analysis. As a result, changes in our reserves for CAR may continue to occur until all claims are finally settled. The Loss Reserving Committee at CAR meets 70 days after the end of each quarter to estimate the CAR deficit for all active policy years and publishes estimations, which we use to estimate our share of the deficit. The estimation that CAR calculates is based on data it collects from 19 servicing carriers which settle, reserve and report claims using a variety of methods. Any delays or errors in the collection of this data could have a significant impact on the accuracy of CAR’s estimations.

 

Although we rely to a significant extent in setting our reserves on the information CAR provides, we are cautious in our use of that information, both because of the delays described above and because the CAR estimates incorporate data CAR receives from all other CAR servicing carriers in Massachusetts. We do not have direct access to that data or firsthand knowledge of how those carriers are currently conducting their operations. As a result, we are cautious in recording CAR reserves for the calendar years that we have to estimate our Participation Ratio and these reserves are subject to significant judgments and estimates.

 

Sensitivity Analysis

 

Establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process. There can be no certainty that currently established reserves based on our key assumptions regarding frequency and severity in our lines of business, or our assumptions regarding our share of the CAR loss will prove adequate in light of subsequent actual experience. To the extent that reserves are inadequate and are strengthened, the amount of such increase is treated as a charge to earnings in the period that the deficiency is recognized. To the extent that reserves are redundant and are released, the amount of the release is a credit to earnings in the period the redundancy is recognized. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, a 1 percentage-point change in the loss and LAE ratio would result in a change in reserves of $4,390. Each 1 percentage-point change in the loss and loss expense ratio would have a $2,854 effect on net income, or $0.18 per diluted share.

 

Our assumptions consider that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, are an appropriate basis for establishing our reserves. Our individual key assumptions could each have a reasonable possible range of plus or minus 5 percentage-points for each estimation, although there is no guarantee that our assumptions will not have more than a 5 percentage point variation. The following sensitivity tables present information for each of our primary lines of business on the effect each 1 percentage-point change in each of our key assumptions on unpaid frequency and severity could

 

26



Table of Contents

 

have on our retained (i.e., direct minus ceded) loss and LAE reserves and net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. In evaluating the information in the table, it should be noted that a 1 percentage-point change in a single assumption would change estimated reserves by 1 percentage-point.  A 1 percentage-point change in both our key assumptions would change estimated reserves within a range of plus or minus 2 percentage-points.

 

 

 

-1 Percent

 

No

 

+1 Percent

 

 

 

Change in

 

Change in

 

Change in

 

 

 

Frequency

 

Frequency

 

Frequency

 

Private passenger automobile retained loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated decrease in reserves

 

$

(4,574

)

$

(2,287

)

$

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

2,973

 

1,487

 

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

(2,287

)

 

2,287

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

1,487

 

 

(1,487

)

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

2,287

 

4,574

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

(1,487

)

(2,973

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial automobile retained loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated decrease in reserves

 

(853

)

(426

)

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

554

 

277

 

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

(426

)

 

426

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

277

 

 

(277

)

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

426

 

853

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

(277

)

(554

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homeowners retained loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated decrease in reserves

 

(431

)

(216

)

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

280

 

140

 

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

(216

)

 

216

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

140

 

 

(140

)

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

216

 

431

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

(140

)

(280

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All other retained loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated decrease in reserves

 

(405

)

(203

)

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

263

 

132

 

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

(203

)

 

203

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

132

 

 

(132

)

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

203

 

405

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

(132

)

(263

)

 

27



Table of Contents

 

Our estimated share of CAR loss and LAE reserves is based on assumptions about our Participation Ratio, the size of CAR, and the resulting deficit (similar assumptions apply with respect to the FAIR Plan). Our assumptions consider that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, are an appropriate basis for establishing our CAR reserves. Each of our assumptions could have a reasonably possible range of plus or minus 5 percentage-points for each estimation.

 

The following sensitivity table presents information of the effect each 1 percentage-point change in our assumptions on our share of reserves for CAR and other residual markets could have on our assumed loss and LAE reserves and net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. In evaluating the information in the table, it should be noted that a 1 percentage-point change in our assumptions would change estimated reserves by 1 percentage-point.

 

 

 

-1 Percent

 

+1 Percent

 

 

 

Change in

 

Change in

 

 

 

Estimation

 

Estimation

 

CAR assumed private passenger automobile

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

$

(425

)

$

425

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

276

 

(276

)

CAR assumed commercial automobile

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

(179

)

179

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

116

 

(116

)

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

(128

)

128

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

83

 

(83

)

 

Reserve Development Summary

 

The changes we have recorded in our reserves in the past illustrate the uncertainty of estimating reserves. Our prior year reserves decreased by $22,904, and $19,302 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

The following table presents a comparison of prior year development of our net reserves for losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. Each accident year represents all claims for an annual accounting period in which loss events occurred, regardless of when the losses are actually reported, booked or paid. Our financial statements reflect the aggregate results of the current and all prior accident years.

 

Accident

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

Year

 

2008

 

2007

 

1998 & prior

 

$

(154

)

$

(338

)

1999

 

(166

)

(99

)

2000

 

(327

)

(703

)

2001

 

(870

)

(372

)

2002

 

(1,606

)

(109

)

2003

 

(1,910

)

(22

)

2004

 

(4,676

)

(2,188

)

2005

 

(4,819

)

(5,862

)

2006

 

(3,138

)

(9,609

)

2007

 

(5,238

)

 

All prior years

 

$

(22,904

)

$

(19,302

)

 

The decreases in prior years reserves during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 resulted from re-estimations of prior year ultimate loss and LAE liabilities. The 2008 decrease is primarily composed of reductions of $14,681 in our retained automobile reserves and $6,334 in CAR assumed reserves. The decrease in prior year reserves during the 2007 period is primarily composed of reductions of $9,078 in our retained automobile reserves and $8,506 in CAR assumed reserves.

 

28



Table of Contents

 

The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of our net reserves for losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Private Passenger

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accident Year

 

Automobile

 

Automobile

 

Homeowners

 

All Other

 

Total

 

1998 & prior

 

$

(83

)

$

(71

)

$

 

$

 

$

(154

)

1999

 

(88

)

(76

)

(2

)

 

(166

)

2000

 

(236

)

(8

)

(83

)

 

(327

)

2001

 

(711

)

(7

)

(142

)

(10

)

(870

)

2002

 

(1,529

)

(3

)

(74

)

 

(1,606

)

2003

 

(1,529

)

(4

)

(249

)

(128

)

(1,910

)

2004

 

(4,339

)

(287

)

(50

)

 

(4,676

)

2005

 

(3,996

)

(406

)

(297

)

(120

)

(4,819

)

2006

 

(2,734

)

(338

)

(66

)

 

(3,138

)

2007

 

(3,879

)

(691

)

(262

)

(406

)

(5,238

)

All prior years

 

$

(19,124

)

$

(1,891

)

$

(1,225

)

$

(664

)

$

(22,904

)

 

To further clarify the effects of changes in our reserve estimates for CAR and other residual markets, the next two tables break out the information in the table above by source of the business (i.e., non-residual market vs. residual market).

 

The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of retained reserves for losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2008; that is, all our reserves except for business ceded or assumed from CAR and other residual markets.

 

 

 

Retained

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Passenger

 

Commercial

 

Retained

 

Retained

 

 

 

Accident Year

 

Automobile

 

Automobile

 

Homeowners

 

All Other

 

Total

 

1998 & prior

 

$

(83

)

$

(71

)

$

 

$

 

$

(154

)

1999

 

(88

)

(76

)

 

 

(164

)

2000

 

(236

)

(8

)

(66

)

 

(310

)

2001

 

(711

)

(2

)

(117

)

(10

)

(840

)

2002

 

(1,529

)

(17

)

(35

)

 

(1,581

)

2003

 

(1,442

)

(2

)

(175

)

(128

)

(1,747

)

2004

 

(3,673

)

(232

)

 

 

(3,905

)

2005

 

(3,071

)

(298

)

(250

)

(120

)

(3,739

)

2006

 

(1,517

)

(200

)

21

 

 

(1,696

)

2007

 

(1,295

)

(130

)

(75

)

(406

)

(1,906

)

All prior years

 

$

(13,645

)

$

(1,036

)

$

(697

)

$

(664

)

$

(16,042

)

 

29



Table of Contents

 

The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of reserves assumed from CAR and other residual markets for losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

CAR Assumed

 

CAR Assumed

 

FAIR Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Passenger

 

Commercial

 

Assumed

 

Assumed

 

 

 

Accident Year

 

Automobile

 

Automobile

 

Homeowners

 

All Other

 

Total

 

1998 & prior

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

1999

 

 

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

2000

 

 

 

(17

)

 

(17

)

2001

 

 

(5

)

(25

)

 

(30

)

2002

 

 

14

 

(39

)

 

(25

)

2003

 

(87

)

(2

)

(74

)

 

(163

)

2004

 

(666

)

(55

)

(50

)

 

(771

)

2005

 

(925

)

(108

)

(47

)

 

(1,080

)

2006

 

(1,217

)

(138

)

(87

)

 

(1,442

)

2007

 

(2,584

)

(561

)

(187

)

 

(3,332

)

All prior years

 

$

(5,479

)

$

(855

)

$

(528

)

$

 

$

(6,862

)

 

 

Our private passenger automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased by $19,124 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to improved retained private passenger results of $12,527 for the accident years 2002 through 2007, and improved assumed CAR results for the private passenger automobile pool of $5,392 for accident years 2004 through 2007. The improved CAR results were due primarily to improved CAR private passenger loss ratios as published and reported by the CAR Loss Reserving Committee meetings. The improved retained private passenger results were primarily due to fewer IBNR claims than previously estimated and better than previously estimated severity on our established bodily injury and property damage case reserves.

 

Our commercial automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased by $1,891 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 due primarily to fewer IBNR claims than previously estimated.

 

Our homeowners line of business prior year reserves decreased by $1,225 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Our retained homeowners and FAIR Plan homeowners reserves decreased by $697 and $528, respectively.

 

In estimating all our loss reserves, including CAR, we follow the guidance prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises” and FAS No. 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts.”

 

For further information, see “Results of Operations: Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses .”

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.

 

We use a systematic methodology to evaluate declines in fair values below cost or amortized cost of our investments. This methodology ensures that we evaluate available evidence concerning any declines in a disciplined manner.

 

In our determination of whether a decline in fair value below amortized cost is an other-than-temporary impairment, we consider and evaluate several factors and circumstances including the issuer’s overall financial condition, the issuer’s credit and financial strength ratings, a weakening of the general market conditions in the industry or geographic region in which the issuer operates, a prolonged period (typically six months or longer) in which the fair value of an issuer’s securities remains below our amortized cost, our ability and intent to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery of our costs, and any other factors that may raise doubt about the issuer’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We record other-than-temporary impairments as realized losses, which serve to reduce net income and earnings per share. We record temporary losses as unrealized losses, which do not impact net income and earnings per share but reduce other comprehensive net income. The risks inherent in our assessment of other-than-temporary impairments include the risk that market

 

30



Table of Contents

 

factors may differ from our expectations, or that the credit assessment could change in the near term, resulting in a charge to earnings.

 

For further information, see “Results of Operations: Net Realized Investment Losses.”

 

Results of Operations

 

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

The following table shows certain of our selected financial results.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Direct written premiums

 

$

139,425

 

$

152,196

 

$

459,543

 

$

492,238

 

Net written premiums

 

$

132,640

 

$

148,727

 

$

445,159

 

$

479,254

 

Net earned premiums

 

$

141,251

 

$

152,617

 

$

439,001

 

$

460,132

 

Investment income

 

11,710

 

10,984

 

34,445

 

32,803

 

Net realized (losses) gains on investments

 

(1,047

)

104

 

1,056

 

13

 

Finance and other service income

 

4,584

 

4,194

 

13,597

 

12,182

 

Total revenue

 

156,498

 

167,899

 

488,099

 

505,130

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

87,702

 

92,720

 

274,650

 

278,047

 

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

 

43,130

 

42,588

 

132,069

 

126,307

 

Interest expenses

 

22

 

22

 

59

 

63

 

Total expenses

 

130,854

 

135,330

 

406,778

 

404,417

 

Income before income taxes

 

25,644

 

32,569

 

81,321

 

100,713

 

Income tax expense

 

7,286

 

9,647

 

22,987

 

30,226

 

Net income

 

$

18,358

 

$

22,922

 

$

58,334

 

$

70,487

 

Earnings per weighted average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.43

 

$

3.64

 

$

4.40

 

Diluted

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.42

 

$

3.62

 

$

4.38

 

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.40

 

$

1.20

 

$

0.90

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

16,079,387

 

16,030,811

 

16,046,111

 

16,025,292

 

Diluted

 

16,170,042

 

16,096,505

 

16,113,432

 

16,096,646

 

 

Direct Written Premiums. Direct written premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, decreased by $12,771, or 8.4% to $139,425 from $152,196 for the comparable 2007 period. Direct written premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased by $32,695 or 6.6%, to $459,543 from $492,238 for the comparable 2007 period. The 2008 decrease occurred primarily in our personal automobile line, largely as a result of a Massachusetts-mandated private passenger rate decrease of 11.7% effective April 1, 2007, and a further rate decrease of 6.6% effective in 2008 which we filed under Managed Competition. Our personal automobile line experienced a 7.6% decrease in average written premium per exposure and a 2.3% decrease in written exposures. Our commercial automobile line’s average written premium per exposure decreased by 2.6% with a 6.6% decrease in written exposures. Offsetting these decreases, our homeowners line average written premium per exposure increased by 2.2% with a 13.8% increase in written exposures.

 

Net Written Premiums. Net written premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, decreased by $16,087 or 10.8% to $132,640 from $148,727 for the comparable 2007 period. Net written premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased by $34,095, or 7.1% to $445,159 from $479,254 for the comparable 2007 period. This decrease was primarily due to the factors that decreased direct written premiums combined with a reduction in assumed premiums and was partially offset by decreases in premiums ceded to CAR.

 

Net Earned Premiums. Net earned premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, decreased by $11,366, or 7.4%, to $141,251 from $152,617 for the comparable 2007 period. Net earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2008

 

31



Table of Contents

 

decreased by $21,131 or 4.6% to $439,001 from $460,132 for the comparable 2007 period. This decrease was due to the factors that decreased direct and net written premiums.

 

The effect of reinsurance on net written and net earned premiums is presented in the following table.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Written Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

139,425

 

$

152,196

 

$

459,543

 

$

492,238

 

Assumed

 

5,693

 

13,429

 

30,685

 

43,920

 

Ceded

 

(12,478

)

(16,898

)

(45,069

)

(56,904

)

Net written premiums

 

$

132,640

 

$

148,727

 

$

445,159

 

$

479,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

148,650

 

$

157,493

 

$

451,367

 

$

473,355

 

Assumed

 

8,522

 

13,953

 

37,517

 

45,520

 

Ceded

 

(15,921

)

(18,829

)

(49,883

)

(58,743

)

Net earned premiums

 

$

141,251

 

$

152,617

 

$

439,001

 

$

460,132

 

 

 

Net Investment Income. Net investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, was $11,710 compared to $10,984 for the comparable 2007 period, an increase of 6.6%. Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $34,445 compared to $32,803 for the comparable 2007 period. Average cash and investment securities (at cost) increased by $64,463, or 6.5%, to $1,055,283 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $990,820 for the comparable 2007 period. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio remained at 4.4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, equivalent to the 4.4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Our duration decreased to 3.9 years at September 30, 2008, down from 4.2 years at December 31, 2007.

 

Net Realized Gains(Losses) on Investments. Net realized losses on investments were $1,047 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, primarily consisting of an impairment write-down of one American International Group, Inc. fixed maturity security, compared to net realized gains of $104 for the comparable 2007 period. Net realized gains on investments were $1,056 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to net realized gains of $13 for the comparable 2007 period.

 

The gross unrealized gains (losses) on investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities were as follows:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Cost or

 

Gross

 

Gross

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
of U.S. Government agencies (1)

 

$

299,237

 

$

1,598

 

$

(2,035

)

$

298,800

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

510,824

 

3,671

 

(11,344

)

503,151

 

Asset-backed securities (1)

 

80,166

 

 

(7,562

)

72,604

 

Corporate and other securities

 

66,302

 

220

 

(3,013

)

63,509

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

 

956,529

 

5,489

 

(23,954

)

938,064

 

Equity securities (2)

 

8,688

 

 

(373

)

8,315

 

Totals

 

$

965,217

 

$

5,489

 

$

(24,327

)

$

946,379

 

 


(1) Obligations of U.S. Government agencies include collateralized mortgage obligations issued, guaranteed and/or insured by the following issuers: Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA). The total of these fixed maturity securities was $296,739 at amortized cost and $296,130 at fair value as of September 30, 2008. As such, the asset-backed securities presented exclude such issuers already presented under U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government Agencies.

(2) Equity securities consist solely of interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan.

 

32



Table of Contents

 

As of September 30, 2008, our portfolio of fixed maturity investments was comprised entirely of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. Government and agency securities, states and political subdivisions securities, and asset-backed securities (i.e., all our securities received a rating assigned by Moody’s of Baa or higher, except the few securities not rated by Moody’s which received Standard & Poor’s ratings of A- or higher, as well as a rating assigned by the SVO 1 or 2).

 

The composition of our fixed income security portfolio by Moody’s rating was as follows:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Percent

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies

 

$

298,800

 

31.9

%

Aaa/Aa

 

470,329

 

50.1

 

A

 

118,313

 

12.6

 

Baa

 

30,795

 

3.3

 

Not rated (Standard & Poor’s rating of A- or higher)

 

19,827

 

2.1

 

Total

 

$

938,064

 

100.0

%

 

Ratings are assigned by Moody’s, or the equivalent, as discussed above. Such ratings are generally assigned upon the issuance of the securities and are subject to revision on the basis of ongoing evaluations. Ratings in the table are as of the date indicated.

 

In our determination of other-than-temporary impairments, we consider several factors and circumstances including the issuer’s overall financial condition, the issuer’s credit and financial strength ratings, a weakening of the general market conditions in the industry or geographic region in which the issuer operates, a prolonged period (typically six months or longer) in which the fair value of an issuer’s securities remains below our amortized cost, our ability and intent to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery of our costs, and any other factors that may raise doubt about the issuer’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Other-than-temporary impairments are recorded as realized losses, which serve to reduce net income and earnings per share. Temporary losses are recorded as unrealized losses, which do not impact net income and earnings per share but reduce other comprehensive net income. The risks inherent in the assessment of other-than-temporary impairments include the risk that market factors may differ from our expectations; we may decide to subsequently sell a security for unforeseen business needs; or the credit assessment could change in the near term, resulting in a charge to earnings.

 

The following table illustrates the gross unrealized losses included in the Company’s investment portfolio and the fair value of those securities, aggregated by investment category. The table also illustrates the length of time that they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies

 

$

100,774

 

$

1,488

 

$

20,979

 

$

547

 

$

121,753

 

$

2,035

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

182,854

 

8,143

 

60,320

 

3,201

 

243,174

 

11,344

 

Asset-backed securities

 

32,488

 

4,067

 

40,116

 

3,495

 

72,604

 

7,562

 

Corporate and other securities

 

29,005

 

906

 

16,815

 

2,107

 

45,820

 

3,013

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

 

345,121

 

14,604

 

138,230

 

9,350

 

483,351

 

23,954

 

Equity securities

 

3,658

 

373

 

 

 

3,658

 

373

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

$

348,779

 

$

14,977

 

$

138,230

 

$

9,350

 

$

487,009

 

$

24,327

 

 

Of the $24,327 gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008, $13,379 relates to fixed maturity obligations of U.S. Government agencies and obligations of states and political subdivisions. The remaining $10,948 of gross unrealized losses relates primarily to holdings of investment grade asset-backed, corporate, other fixed maturity and equity securities.

 

33



Table of Contents

 

We continue to hold no subprime mortgage debt securities. All of our holdings in mortgage-backed securities are either U.S. Government or agency guaranteed or are rated Aaa/AAA. The unrealized losses recorded on the fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2008 resulted from fluctuations in market interest rates and other temporary market conditions as opposed to fundamental changes in the credit quality of the issuers of such securities. Given our current level of liquidity and our positive operating cash flows, we intend to and believe we have the ability to hold these securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value. Therefore, these decreases in values are viewed as being temporary.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, there was a significant deterioration in the issuer’s financial condition of one of our holdings, American International Group, Inc. Accordingly, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $1,032 for this security. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, there was no significant deterioration in the credit quality of any of our other holdings.

 

On January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS157”). FAS 157 provides a revised definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosure requirements for fair value information. Under FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (an exit price). The statement establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between inputs based on market data from independent sources (“observable inputs”) and a reporting entity’s internal assumptions based upon the best information available when external market data is limited or unavailable (“unobservable inputs”). The fair value hierarchy in FAS 157 prioritizes fair value measurements into three levels based on the nature of the inputs as follows:

 

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

 

Level 2 – Valuations based on observable inputs that do not meet the criteria for Level 1, including quoted prices in    inactive markets and quoted prices in active markets for similar, but not identical instruments; and

 

Level 3 – Valuations based on unobservable inputs.

 

We use observable inputs for the vast majority of our investment portfolio. Fair value measurements for securities for which quoted prices are unavailable are estimated based upon reference to observable inputs, such as benchmark interest rates, market comparables, broker quotes and other relevant inputs. In circumstances where quoted prices or observable inputs are adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of fair value, such fair value measurements are considered a lower level measurement in the FAS 157 fair value hierarchy.

 

As of September 30, 2008, approximately 99.6% of the investment portfolio recorded at fair value was priced based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs. The following table summarizes our total fair value measurements and the fair value measurements based on Level 3 inputs for investments at September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1 Inputs

 

Level 2 Inputs

 

Level 3 Inputs

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

$

938,064

 

$

 

$

934,393

 

$

3,671

 

Equity securities

 

8,315

 

8,315

 

 

 

Total investment securities

 

$

946,379

 

$

8,315

 

$

934,393

 

$

3,671

 

 

34



Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes the changes in our Level 3 fair value measurements for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

Total

 

Balance at July 1, 2008

 

$

3,671

 

$

 

$

3,671

 

Net gains and losses included in earnings

 

 

 

 

Net gains included in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

Purchases and sales

 

 

 

 

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

3,671

 

$

 

$

3,671

 

Amount of total losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2008

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in our Level 3 fair value measurements for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

3,758

 

$

 

$

3,758

 

Net gains and losses included in earnings

 

 

 

 

Net losses included in other comprehensive income

 

(87

)

 

(87

)

Purchases and sales

 

 

 

 

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

3,671

 

$

 

$

3,671

 

Amount of total losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2008

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

On January 1 and September 30, 2008, one fixed maturity security was manually priced solely using broker quotes. This was deemed to render the fair value measurements as based upon unobservable inputs and accordingly, it was classified within Level 3. Transfers in and out of Level 3 would be attributable to changes in the ability to observe significant inputs in determining fair value exit pricing. As noted in the table above, no transfers were made in or out of Level 3 inputs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

Finance and Other Service Income. Finance and other service income includes revenues from premium installment charges, which we recognize when earned, and other miscellaneous income and fees. Finance and other service income increased by $390, or 9.3% to $4,584 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 from $4,194 for the comparable 2007 period. Finance and other service income increased by $1,415, or 11.6%, to $13,597 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $12,182 for the comparable 2007 period.

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 decreased by $5,018 or 5.4%, to $87,702 from $92,720 for the comparable 2007 period. Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased by $3,397 or 1.2% to $274,650 from $278,047 for the comparable 2007 period. Our GAAP loss ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 increased to 62.1% compared to 60.8% for the comparable 2007 period. Our GAAP loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased to 62.6% from 60.4% for the comparable 2007 period. Our GAAP loss ratio excluding loss adjustment expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 increased to 53.3% from 52.2% for the comparable 2007 period. Our GAAP loss ratio excluding loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased to 53.9% from 52.0% for the comparable 2007 period. The loss ratio increased primarily as a result of a decrease in our personal automobile earned premiums per exposure. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $8,211 and $22,904 compared to prior year favorable development of $4,581 and $19,302 for the comparable 2007 period.

 

35



Table of Contents

 

Underwriting, Operating and Related Expenses. Underwriting, operating and related expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 increased by $542, or 1.3%, to $43,130 from $42,588 for the comparable 2007 period. Underwriting, operating and related expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased by $5,762 or 4.6% to $132,069 from $126,307 for the comparable 2007 period. Our GAAP expense ratios for the third quarter of 2008 increased to 30.5% compared to 27.9% for the comparable 2007 period. Our GAAP expense ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased to 30.1% from 27.5% for the comparable 2007 period. The expense ratio increased primarily as a result of the decrease in net earned premiums as discussed above.

 

Interest Expenses. Interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 was $22, the same as for the comparable 2007 period. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $59 compared to $63 for the comparable 2007 period. The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expense was $19 and $56 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Income Tax Expense. Our effective tax rate was 28.4% and 29.6% for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 28.3% and 30.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. These effective rates were lower than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to adjustments for tax-exempt investment income.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As a holding company, Safety’s assets consist primarily of the stock of our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our principal source of funds to meet our obligations and pay dividends to shareholders, therefore, is dividends and other permitted payments from our subsidiaries, principally Safety Insurance. Safety is the borrower under our credit facilities.

 

Safety Insurance’s sources of funds primarily include premiums received, investment income and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments. Safety Insurance’s principal uses of cash are the payment of claims, operating expenses and taxes, the purchase of investments and payment of dividends to Safety.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $52,339 and $81,627 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our operations typically generate substantial positive cash flows from operations as most premiums are received in advance of the time when claim and benefit payments are required. These positive operating cash flows are expected to continue to meet our liquidity requirements.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $29,028 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 due primarily from sales, paydowns, calls and maturities of fixed maturities in excess of purchases of fixed maturity securities. Net cash used by investing activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $58,314 and was primarily the result of purchases of fixed maturity securities exceeding sales, paydowns, calls and maturities.

 

Net cash used for financing activities increased to $19,896 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $15,704, during the comparable 2007 period. Net cash used for financing activities is primarily comprised of dividend payments to shareholders and the acquisition of treasury stock during 2008 and 2007.

 

Credit Facility

 

On August 14, 2008, we entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with RBS Citizens, NA (“RBS Citizens”). The New Credit Agreement amended and restated the terms of our existing Revolving Credit Agreement with RBS Citizens prior to its expiration date of August 17, 2008. The New Credit Agreement extends the maturity date to August 14, 2013 and provides a $30,000 revolving credit facility with an accordion feature allowing for future expansion of the committed amount up to $50,000. Loans under the credit facility bear interest at the Company’s option at either (i) the LIBOR rate plus 1.25% per annum or (ii) the higher of RBS Citizens prime rate or 0.5% above the federal funds rate plus 1.25% per annum. Interest only is payable prior to maturity.

 

Our obligations under the credit facility are secured by pledges of our assets and the capital stock of our operating subsidiaries. The credit facility is guaranteed by our non-insurance company subsidiaries. The credit facility contains covenants including requirements to maintain minimum risk based capital ratios and statutory surplus of Safety Insurance Company as well as limitations or restrictions on indebtedness, liens, dividends, and other matters. As of September 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

 

36



Table of Contents

 

We had no amounts outstanding on its credit facility at September 30, 2008 and at December 31, 2007. The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expenses was computed at a rate of 0.25% on the $30,000 commitment at September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions that limit the maximum amount of dividends available to be paid to their parent without prior approval of the Commissioner. The Massachusetts statute limits the dividends an insurer may pay in any twelve-month period, without the prior permission of the Commissioner, to the greater of (i) 10% of the insurer’s surplus as of the preceding December 31 or (ii) the insurer’s net income for the twelve-month period ending the preceding December 31, in each case determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. Our insurance company subsidiaries may not declare an “extraordinary dividend” (defined as any dividend or distribution that, together with other distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the limits established by Massachusetts statute) until thirty days after the Commissioner has received notice of the intended dividend and has not objected. As historically administered by the Commissioner, this provision requires the Commissioner’s prior approval of an extraordinary dividend. Under Massachusetts law, an insurer may pay cash dividends only from its unassigned funds, also known as earned surplus, and the insurer’s remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. At December 31, 2007, the statutory surplus of Safety Insurance was $514,957, and its net income for 2007 was $83,375. As a result, a maximum of $83,375 is available in 2008 for such dividends without prior approval of the Commissioner. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Safety Insurance recorded dividends to Safety of $14,025.

 

The maximum dividend permitted by law is not indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay dividends, which may be constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus, which could affect an insurer’s ratings or competitive position, the amount of premiums that can be written and the ability to pay future dividends.

 

On February 15, 2008, our Board approved and declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock of $0.40 per share, or $6,478, which was paid on March 14, 2008, to shareholders of record on March 3, 2008. On May 6, 2008, our Board approved and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share or $6,506, which was paid on June 13, 2008, to shareholders of record on June 2, 2008. On August 4, 2008 our Board approved and declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock of $0.40 per share or $6,533, which was paid on September 15, 2008, to shareholders of record on September 2, 2008. On November 3, 2008, our Board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share, to be paid on December 15, 2008, to our shareholders of record on December 1, 2008. We plan to continue to declare and pay quarterly cash dividends in 2008, depending on our financial position and the regularity of our cash flows.

 

On August 3, 2007, our Board approved a share repurchase program of up to $30,000 of Safety’s outstanding common shares. Under the program, Safety may repurchase shares of its common stock for cash in public or private transactions, in the open market or otherwise, at management’s discretion. The timing of such repurchases and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable regulatory and corporate requirements. The program does not require Safety to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we purchased 74,200 of our common shares on the open market under the program at a cost of $2,444. During October 2008, purchases of 28,381 of our common shares were made at a cost of $883 pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted by the Company on September 28, 2007 which permits shares to be repurchased when we might otherwise be precluded from doing so under securities laws. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, we purchased 48,124 of our common shares on the open market under the program at a cost of $1,585.

 

Management believes that the current level of cash flow from operations provides us with sufficient liquidity to meet our operating needs over the next 12 months. We expect to be able to continue to meet our operating needs after the next 12 months from internally generated funds. Since our ability to meet our obligations in the long term (beyond such twelve-month period) is dependent upon such factors as market changes, insurance regulatory changes and economic conditions, no assurance can be given that the available net cash flow will be sufficient to meet our operating needs. We expect that we would need to borrow or issue capital stock if we needed additional funds, for example, to pay for an acquisition or a significant expansion of our operations. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds for any of the foregoing purposes would be available to us at such time.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no material obligations under a guarantee contract meeting the characteristics identified in paragraph 3 of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” We have no material retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity. We have no material obligations, including contingent obligations, under contracts that would be

 

37



Table of Contents

 

accounted for as derivative instruments. We have no obligations, including contingent obligations, arising out of a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity held by, and material to, us, where such entity provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us. We have no direct investments in real estate and no holdings of mortgages secured by commercial real estate. Accordingly, we have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Forward-looking statements might include one or more of the following, among others:

 

·                   Projections of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items;

·       Descriptions of plans or objectives of management for future operations, products or services;

·       Forecasts of future economic performance, liquidity, need for funding and income;

·       Descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing; and

·       Future performance of credit markets.

 

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “aim,” “projects,” or words of similar meaning and expressions that indicate future events and trends, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company’s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expenditures and financial results, are forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual future conditions, events, results or trends to differ significantly and/or materially from historical results or those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to the competitive nature of our industry and the possible adverse effects of such competition. Although a number of national insurers that are much larger than we are do not currently compete in a material way in the Massachusetts private passenger automobile market, if one or more of these companies decided to aggressively enter the market it could have a material adverse effect on us. Other significant factors include conditions for business operations and restrictive regulations in Massachusetts, the possibility of losses due to claims resulting from severe weather, the possibility that the Commissioner may approve future Rule changes that change the operation of the residual market, our possible need for and availability of additional financing, and our dependence on strategic relationships, among others, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC, such as those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on March 14, 2008.

 

Some other factors, such as market, operational, liquidity, interest rate, equity and other risks, are described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Factors relating to the regulation and supervision of our Company are also described or incorporated in this report. There are other factors besides those described or incorporated in this report that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Information about Market Risk (Dollars in thousands)

 

Market Risk. Market risk is the risk that we will incur losses due to adverse changes in market rates and prices. We have exposure to market risk through our investment activities and our financing activities. Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates. We use both fixed and variable rate debt as sources of financing. We have not entered, and do not plan to enter, into any derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. Our exposure to interest rate changes primarily results from our significant holdings of fixed rate investments and from our financing activities. Our fixed maturity investments include U.S. and foreign government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, obligations of state and local governments and governmental authorities, corporate bonds and asset-backed securities, most of which are exposed to changes in prevailing interest rates.

 

38



Table of Contents

 

We manage our exposure to risks associated with interest rate fluctuations through active review of our investment portfolio by our management and Board and consultation with third-party financial advisors. As a general matter, we do not attempt to match the durations of our assets with the durations of our liabilities, and the majority of our liabilities are “short tail.”  Our goal is to maximize the total after-tax return on all of our investments. An important strategy that we employ to achieve this goal is to try to hold enough in cash and short-term investments in order to avoid liquidating longer-term investments to pay claims.

 

Based upon the results of interest rate sensitivity analysis, the following table shows the interest rate risk of our investments in fixed maturities, including preferred stocks with characteristics of fixed maturities, measured in terms of fair value (which is equal to the carrying value for all our fixed maturity securities).

 

 

 

-100 Basis

 

 

 

+100 Basis

 

 

 

Point Change

 

No Change

 

Point Change

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated fair value

 

$

981,154

 

$

938,064

 

$

892,092

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in fair value

 

$

43,090

 

$

 

$

(45,972

)

 

With respect to floating rate debt, we are exposed to the effects of changes in prevailing interest rates. At September 30, 2008, we had no debt outstanding under our credit facility. Assuming the full utilization of our current available credit facility, a 2.0% increase in the prevailing interest rate on our variable rate debt would result in interest expense increasing approximately $600 for 2008, assuming that all of such debt is outstanding for the entire year.

 

In addition, in the current market environment, our investments can also contain liquidity risks.

 

Equity Risk. Equity risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in equity prices. In the past, our exposure to changes in equity prices primarily resulted from our holdings of common stocks, mutual funds and other equities. While we have in the past held common equity securities in our investment portfolio, presently we hold none, except for interests in mutual funds to fund the executive deferred compensation plan. We continuously evaluate market conditions and we expect in the future to purchase equity securities. We principally managed equity price risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation techniques.

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures [as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)] as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective and ensure that all information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and that information required to be disclosed in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings - Please see “Item 1 – Financial Statements - Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies.”

 

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

 

There have been no subsequent material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

39



Table of Contents

 

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On August 3, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $30 million of Safety’s outstanding common shares. The program does not require Safety to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. There was no activity under this repurchase program for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

Item 3.        Defaults upon Senior Securities - None.

 

Item 4.        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – None.

 

Item 5.        Other Information - None.

 

Item 6.        Exhibits - The exhibits are contained herein as listed in the Exhibit Index.

 

40



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC. (Registrant)

 Date: November 7, 2008

 

 

By:

/s/ WILLIAM J. BEGLEY, JR.

 

 

William J. Begley, Jr.

 

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

41



Table of Contents

 

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description

11

 

Statement regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings (1)

10.1

 

Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan Basic Plan Document, amended and restated effective November 7, 2008 (2)

10.2

 

Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan Adoption Agreement, amended and restated effective November 7, 2008 (2)

10.3

 

Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan Trust Agreement, amended and restated effective November 7, 2008 (2)

31.1

 

CEO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)

31.2

 

CFO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)

32.1

 

CEO Certification Pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)

32.2

 

CFO Certification Pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)

 


(1) Not included herein as the information can be calculated from the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations (see
page 4).

(2) Included herein.

 

42


Exhibit 10.1

 

The CORPORATE plan for Retirement SM
EXECUTIVE PLAN

 

BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

 

This document has not been approved by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental entity.  The Employer must determine whether the plan is subject to the Federal securities laws and the securities laws of the various states.  The Employer may not rely on this document to ensure any particular tax consequences or to ensure that the Plan is “unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act with respect to the Employer’s particular situation.  Fidelity Management Trust Company, its affiliates and employees cannot and do not provide legal or tax advice or opinions in connection with this document.  This document does not constitute legal or tax advice or opinions and is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purposes of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. This document must be reviewed by the Employer’s attorney prior to adoption.

 

(07/2007)

 

ECM NQ 2007 BPD

 

 

 

 

© 2007 Fidelity Management & Research Company

 

 



 

CORPORATEplan for Retirement EXECUTIVE
BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT

 

ARTICLE 1

ADOPTION AGREEMENT

 

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS

 

2.01 - Definitions

 

ARTICLE 3

PARTICIPATION

 

3.01 - Date of Participation

3.02 - Participation Following a Change in Status

 

ARTICLE 4

CONTRIBUTIONS

 

4.01 - Deferral Contributions

4.02 - Matching Contributions

4.03 - Employer Contributions

4.04 - Election Forms

 

ARTICLE 5

PARTICIPANTS’ ACCOUNTS

 

ARTICLE 6

INVESTMENT OF ACCOUNTS

 

6.01 - Manner of Investment

6.02 - Investment Decisions, Earnings and Expenses

 

ARTICLE 7

RIGHT TO BENEFITS

 

7.01 - Retirement

7.02 - Death

7.03 - Separation from Service

7.04 - Vesting after Partial Distribution

7.05 - Forfeitures

7.06 - Change in Control

7.07 - Disability

7.08 - Directors

 

ARTICLE 8

DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

 

8.01 - Events Triggering and Form of Distributions

8.02 - Notice to Trustee

8.03 - Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals

 

i



 

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

9.01 - Amendment by Employer

9.02 - Termination

 

ARTICLE 10

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.01 - Communication to Participants

10.02 - Limitation of Rights

10.03 - Nonalienability of Benefits

10.04 - Facility of Payment

10.05 - Plan Records

10.06 - USERRA

10.07 - Governing Law

 

ARTICLE 11

PLAN ADMINISTRATION

 

11.01 - Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator

11.02 - Claims and Review Procedures

 

ii



 

PREAMBLE

 

It is the intention of the Employer to establish herein an unfunded plan maintained solely for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees as provided in ERISA.  The Employer further intends that this Plan comply with Code section 409A, and the Plan is to be construed accordingly.

 

If the Employer has previously maintained the Plan described herein pursuant to a previously existing plan document or description, the Employer’s adoption of this Plan document is an amendment and complete restatement of, and supersedes, such previously existing document or description with respect to benefits accrued or to be paid on or after the effective date of this document (except to the extent expressly provided otherwise herein).

 

Article 1.  Adoption Agreement.

 

Article 2.  Definitions.

 

2.01.  Definitions.

 

(a)  Wherever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

 

(1)  “Account” means an account established on the books of the Employer for the purpose of recording amounts credited to a Participant and any income, expenses, gains, or losses attributable thereto.

 

(2)           “Active Participant” means a Participant who is eligible to accrue benefits under a plan other than earnings on amounts previously deferred) within the 24-month period ending on the date the Participant becomes a Participant under Section 3.01.  Notwithstanding the above, however, a Participant is not an Active Participant if he has been paid all amounts deferred under the plan, provided that he was, on and before the date of the last payment, ineligible to continue or to elect to continue to participate in the plan for periods after such last payment (other than through an election of a different time and form of payment with respect to the amounts paid).

 

(A)   For purposes of Section 4.01(d), as used in the first paragraph of the definition of “Active Participant”  above, “plan”  means an account balance plan (or portion thereof) of the Employer or a Related Employer subject to Code section 409A pursuant to which the Participant is eligible to accrue benefits only if the Participant elects to defer compensation thereunder, and the “date the Participant becomes a Participant under Section 3.01” refers only to the date the Participant becomes a Participant with respect to Deferral Contributions.

 

(B)   For purposes of Section 8.01(a)(2), as used in the first paragraph of the definition of “Active Participant”  above, “plan”  means an account balance plan (or portion thereof) of the Employer or a Related Employer subject to Code section 409A pursuant to which the Participant is eligible to accrue benefits without any election by the Participant to defer compensation thereunder, and the “date the Participant becomes a Participant under Section 3.01” refers only to the date the Participant becomes a Participant with respect to Matching or Employer Contributions.

 

1



 

(3)   “Administrator” means the Employer adopting this Plan (but excluding Related Employers) or other person designated by the Employer in Section 1.01(c).

 

(4)   “Adoption Agreement” means Article 1, under which the Employer establishes and adopts or amends the Plan and selects certain provisions of the Plan. The provisions of the Adoption Agreement are an integral part of the Plan.

 

(5)   “Beneficiary” means the person or persons entitled under Section 7.02 to receive benefits under the Plan upon the death of a Participant.

 

(6)   “Bonus” means any Performance-based Bonus or any Non-performance-based Bonus as listed and identified in the table in Section 1.05(a)(2) hereof.

 

(7)   “Change in Control” means a change in control with respect to the applicable corporation, as defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(5).  For purposes of this definition “applicable corporation” means:

 

(A) The corporation for which the Participant is performing services at the time of the change in control event;

 

(B) The corporation(s) liable for payment hereunder (but only if either the accrued benefit hereunder is attributable to the performance of service by the Participant for such corporation(s) or there is a bona fide business purpose for such corporation(s) to be liable for such payment and, in either case, no significant purpose of making such corporation(s) liable for such benefit is the avoidance of Federal income tax); or

 

(C) A corporate majority shareholder of one of the corporations described in (A) or (B) above or any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a corporation identified in (A)   or (B) above.

 

(8)   “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

(9)   “Compensation” means for purposes of Article 4:

 

(A)  If the Employer elects Section 1.04(a), such term as defined in such Section 1.04(a).

 

(B) If the Employer elects Section 1.04(b), wages as defined in Code section 3401(a) and all other payments of compensation to an Employee by the Employer (in the course of the Employer’s trade or business) for which the Employer is required to furnish the Employee a written statement under Code sections 6041(d) and 6051(a)(3), excluding any items elected by the Employer in Section 1.04(b), reimbursements or other expense allowances, fringe benefits (cash and non-cash), moving expenses, deferred compensation and welfare benefits, but including amounts that are not includable in the gross income of the Employee under a salary reduction agreement by reason of the application of Code section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b).  Compensation shall be determined without regard to any rules under Code section 3401(a) that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Code section 3401 (a)(2)).

 

2



 

(C) If the Employer elects Section 1.04(c), any and all monetary remuneration paid to the Director by the Employer, including, but not limited to, meeting fees and annual retainers, and excluding items listed in Section 1.04(c).

 

For purposes of this Section 2.01(a)(9), Compensation shall also include amounts deferred pursuant to an election under Section 4.01.

 

(10)  “Deferral Contribution” means a hypothetical contribution credited to a Participant’s Account as the result of the Participant’s election to reduce his Compensation in exchange for such credit, as described in Section 4.01.

 

(11)  “Director” means a person, other than an Employee, who is elected or appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Employer, with respect to a corporation, or to an analogous position with respect to an entity that is not a corporation.

 

(12)  “Disability” is described in Section 1.07(a)(2).

 

(13)  “Employee” means any employee of the Employer.

 

(14)  “Employer” means the employer named in Section 1.02(a) and any Related Employers listed in Section 1.02(b).

 

(15)  “Employer Contribution” means a hypothetical contribution credited to a Participant’s Account under the Plan as a result of the Employer’s crediting of such amount, as described in Section 4.03.

 

(16)  “Employment Commencement Date” means the date on which the Employee commences employment with the Employer.

 

(17)  “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as from time to time amended.

 

(18)  “Inactive Participant” means a Participant who is not an Employee or Director.

 

(19)  “Matching Contribution” means a hypothetical contribution credited to a Participant’s Account under the Plan as a result of the Employer’s crediting of such amount, as described in Section 4.02.

 

(20)  “Non-performance-based Bonus” means any Bonus listed under the column entitled “non performance based” in Section 1.05(a)(2).

 

(21)  “Participant” means any Employee or Director who participates in the Plan in accordance with Article 3 (or formerly participated in the Plan and has an amount credited to his Account).

 

(22)  “Performance-based Bonus” means any Bonus listed under the column entitled “performance based” in Section 1.05(a)(2), which constitutes compensation, the amount of, or entitlement to, which is contingent on the satisfaction of pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least 12 consecutive months and which is further defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(e).

 

(23)  “Permissible Investment” means the investments specified by the Employer as available for hypothetical investment of Accounts.  The Permissible Investments under the Plan are listed in the Service Agreement, and the provisions of the Service Agreement listing the Permissible Investments are hereby incorporated herein.

 

3



 

(24)  “Plan” means the plan established by the Employer as set forth herein as a new plan or as an amendment to an existing plan, such establishment to be evidenced by the Employer’s execution of the Adoption Agreement, together with any and all amendments hereto.

 

(25)  “Related Employer” means any employer other than the Employer named in Section 1.02 (a), if the Employer and such other employer are members of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code section 414(b)) or trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control (as defined in Code section 414(c)).

 

(26)  “Separation from Service” means the date the Participant retires or otherwise has a termination of employment (or a termination of the contract pursuant to which the Participant has provided services as a Director, for a Director Participant) with the Employer and all Related Employers, as further defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(h); provided, however, that

 

(A)  For purposes of this paragraph (26), the definition of “Related Employer” shall be modified as follows:

 

(i)            In applying Code section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) for purposes of determining a controlled group of corporations under Code section 414(b), the phrase “at least 50%” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place “at least 80 percent” appears in Code section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3); and

 

(ii)           In applying 26 CFR section 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining trades or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control for purposes of Code section 414(c), the phrase “at least 50%” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place “at least 80 percent” appears in 26 CFR section 1.414(c)-2.

 

(B)  In the event a Participant provides services to the Employer or a Related Employer as an Employee and a Director,

 

(i)            The Employee Participant’s services as a Director are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has a Separation from Service as an Employee; and

 

(ii)           The Director Participant’s services as an Employee are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has a Separation from Service as a Director

 

provided that this Plan is not aggregated with a plan subject to Code section 409A in which the Director Participant participates as an employee of the Employer or a Related Employer or in which the Employee Participant participates as a director (or a similar position with respect to a non-corporate entity) of the Employer or a Related Employer, as applicable, pursuant to 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(c)(2)(ii).

 

(27)  “Service Agreement” means the agreement between the Employer and Trustee regarding the arrangement between the parties for recordkeeping services with respect to the Plan.

 

(28)  “Specified Employee,” (unless defined by the Employer in a separate writing, in which case such writing is hereby incorporated herein) means a Participant who meets the requirements in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(i) applying the default definition components provided in such regulation (those that would apply absent elections, as described in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(i)(8)), including an identification date of December 31.  In the event that such default definition components are applicable, the Employer has elected Section 1.01(b)(2) and, immediately prior to the date in Section 1.01(b)(2), the Plan applied an identification date (the “prior date”) other than the December 31, the prior date shall continue to apply, and December 31 shall not apply, until the date that is 12 months after the date in Section 1.01(b)(2).

 

4



 

(29)  “Trust” means the trust created by the Employer, pursuant to the Trust agreement between the Employer and the Trustee, under which assets are held, administered, and managed, subject to the claims of the Employer’s creditors in the event of the Employer’s insolvency, until paid to Participants and their Beneficiaries as specified in the Plan.

 

(30)  “Trust Fund” means the property held in the Trust by the Trustee.

 

(31)  “Trustee” means the individual(s) or entity appointed by the Employer under the Trust agreement.

 

(32)  “Unforeseeable Emergency” is as defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(i).

 

(33)  “Year of Service” is as defined in Section 7.03(b) for purposes of the elapsed time method and in Section 7.03(c) for purposes of the class year method.

 

(b) Pronouns used in the Plan are in the masculine gender but include the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

 

Article 3.   Participation.

 

3.01. Date of Participation . An Employee or Director becomes a Participant on the date such Employee’s or Director’s participation becomes effective (as described in Section 1.03).

 

3.02. Participation following a Change in Status.

 

(a)  If a Participant ceases to be an Employee or Director and thereafter resumes the same status he had as a Participant during his immediately previous participation in the Plan (as an Employee if previously a Participant as an Employee and as a Director if previously a Participant as a Director), he will again become a Participant immediately upon resumption of such status, provided, however, that if such Participant is a Director, he is an eligible Director upon resumption of such status (as defined in Section 1.03(b)), and provided, further, that if such Participant is an Employee, he is an eligible Employee upon resumption of such status (as defined in Section 1.03 (a)).  Deferral Contributions to such Participant’s Account thereafter, if any, shall be subject to (1) or (2) below.

 

(1) If the Participant resumes such status during a period for which such Participant had previously made a valid deferral election pursuant to Section 4.01, he shall immediately resume such Deferral Contributions.  Deferral Contributions applicable to periods thereafter shall be made pursuant to the election and other rules described in Section 4.01.

 

(2) If the Participant resumes such status after the period described in the first sentence of paragraph (1) of this Section 3.02, any Deferral Contributions with respect to such Participant shall be made pursuant to the election and other rules described in Section 4.01.

 

(b) When an individual who is a Participant due to his status as an eligible Employee (as defined in Section 1.03(a)) continues in the employ of the Employer or Related Employer but ceases to be an eligible Employee, the individual shall not receive an allocation of Matching or Employer Contributions for the period during which he is not an eligible Employee.  Such Participant shall continue to make Deferral Contributions throughout the remainder of the applicable period (as described in Section 4.01) in which such change in status occurs, if, and as, applicable.

 

5



 

(c) When an individual who is a Participant due to his status as an eligible Director (as defined in Section 1.03(b)) continues his directorship with the Employer or a Related Employer but ceases to be an eligible Director, the individual shall not receive an allocation of Matching or Employer Contributions for the period during which he is not an eligible Director. Such Participant shall continue to make Deferral Contributions throughout the remainder of the applicable period (as described in Section 4.01) in which such change in status occurs, if, and as, applicable.

 

Article 4.   Contributions.

 

4. 01   Deferral Contributions .  If elected by the Employer pursuant to Section 1.05(a) and/or 1.06(a), a Participant described in such applicable Section may elect to reduce his Compensation by a specified percentage or dollar amount. The Employer shall credit an amount to the Participant’s Account equal to the amount of such reduction.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.01, such election shall be effective to defer Compensation relating to all services performed in the calendar year beginning after the calendar year in which the Participant executes the election.  Under no circumstances may a salary reduction agreement be adopted retroactively.  If the Employer has elected to apply Section 1.05(a)(2), no amount will be deducted from Bonuses unless the Participant has made a separate deferral election applicable to such Bonuses.  A Participant’s election to defer Compensation may be changed at any time before the last permissible date for making such election, at which time such election becomes irrevocable.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the conditions under which a Participant may make a deferral election as provided in the applicable salary reduction agreement are hereby incorporated herein and supersede any otherwise inconsistent Plan provision.

 

(a)           Performance Based Bonus.  With respect to a Performance-based Bonus, a separate election made pursuant to Section 1.05(a)(2) will be effective to defer such Bonus if made no later than 6 months before the end of the period during which the services on which such Performance-based Bonus is based are performed.

 

(b)          Fiscal Year Bonus. With respect to a Bonus relating to a period of service coextensive with one   or more consecutive fiscal years of the Employer, of which no amount is paid or payable during the service period, a separate election pursuant to Section 1.05(a)(2) will be effective to defer   such Bonus if made no later than the close of the Employer’s fiscal year next preceding the first fiscal year in which the Participant performs any services for which such Bonus is payable.

 

(c)           Cancellation of Salary Reduction Agreement.

 

(1) The Administrator may cancel a Participant’s salary reduction agreement pursuant to the provisions of 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(viii) in connection with the Participant’s Unforeseeable Emergency. To the extent required pursuant to the application of 26 CFR section 1.401 (k)-1(d)(3) (or any successor thereto), a Participant’s salary reduction agreement shall be automatically cancelled.

 

(2) The Administrator may cancel a Participant’s salary reduction agreement pursuant to the provisions of 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(xii) in connection with the Participant’s disability.  Such cancellation must occur by the later of the end of the Participant’s taxable year or the 15 th day of the third month following the date the Participant incurs a disability.  For purposes of this paragraph (2), a disability is any medically determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the Participant’s inability to perform the duties of his or her position or any substantially similar position, where such impairment can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months.

 

6



 

In no event may the Participant, directly or indirectly, elect such a cancellation.  A cancellation pursuant to this subsection (c) shall apply only to Compensation not yet earned.

 

(d)   Initial Deferral Election.   Notwithstanding the above, if the Participant is not an Active Participant, the Participant may make an election to defer Compensation within 30 days after the Participant becomes a Participant, which election shall be effective with respect to Compensation payable for services performed during the calendar year (or other deferral period described in (a) or (b) above, as applicable) and after the date of such election.  For Compensation that is earned based upon a specified performance period (e.g., an annual bonus) an election pursuant to this subsection (d) will be effective to defer an amount equal to the total amount of the Compensation for the performance period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the election over the total number of days in the performance period.

 

4.02. Matching Contributions.  If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.05(b) and/or 1.06(b)(1), the Employer shall credit a Matching Contribution to the Account of each Participant entitled to such Matching Contribution. The amount of the Matching Contribution shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.05 (b) and/or 1.06(b)(1), as applicable, provided, however, that the Matching Contributions credited to the Account of a Participant pursuant to Section 1.05(b)(2) shall be limited pursuant to (a) and (b) below:

 

(a) The sum of Matching Contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to Section 1.05(b)(2) for any calendar year and any other benefits the Participant accrues pursuant to another plan subject to Code section 409A as a result of such Participant’s action or inaction under a qualified plan with respect to elective deferrals and other employee pre-tax contributions subject to the contribution restrictions under Code section 401(a)(30) or 402(g) shall not result in an increase in the amounts deferred under all plans subject to Code section 409A in which the Participant participates in excess of the limit with respect to elective deferrals under Code section 402(g)(1)(A), (B) and (C) in effect for the calendar year in which such action or inaction occurs; and

 

(b) The Matching Contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to Section 1.05(b)(2) shall never exceed 100% of the matching amounts that would be provided under the qualified employer plan identified in Section 1.05(b)(2) absent any plan-based restrictions that reflect limits on qualified plan contributions under the Code.

 

4.03. Employer Contributions.   If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.05(c)(1) and/or 1.06(b)(2), the Employer shall make an Employer Contribution to be credited to the Account of each Participant entitled thereto in the amount provided in such Section(s).  If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.05 (c)(2) and/or 1.06(b)(3), the Employer may make an Employer Contribution to be credited to the Account maintained on behalf of any Participant in such an amount as the Employer, in its sole discretion, shall determine, subject to the provisions of the applicable Section.

 

4.04. Election Forms.   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the terms of an election form with respect to the conditions under which a Participant may make any election hereunder, as provided in such form (whether electronic or otherwise) are hereby incorporated herein and supersede any otherwise inconsistent Plan provision.

 

Article 5.   Participants’ Accounts. The Administrator will maintain an Account for each Participant, reflecting hypothetical contributions credited to the Participant, along with hypothetical earnings, expenses, gains and losses, pursuant to the terms hereof. A hypothetical contribution shall be credited to the Account of a Participant on the date determined by the Employer and accepted by the Plan recordkeeper. The Administrator will maintain such other accounts and records as it deems appropriate to the discharge of its duties under the Plan.

 

7



 

Article 6.  Investment of Accounts.

 

6.01.   Manner of Investment .    All amounts credited to the Accounts of Participants shall be treated as though invested and reinvested only in Permissible Investments.

 

6.02.    Investment Decisions , Earnings and Expenses .   Investments in which the Accounts of Participants shall be treated as invested and reinvested shall be directed by the Employer or by each Participant, or both, in accordance with Section 1.09.   All dividends, interest, gains, and distributions of any nature that would be earned on a Permissible Investment will be credited to the Account as though reinvested in additional shares of that Permissible Investment.   Expenses that would be attributable to such investments shall be charged to the Account of the Participant.

 

Article 7.  Right to Benefits.

 

7.01.   Retirement .    If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08(e)(1), the Account of a Participant or an Inactive Participant who attains retirement eligibility prior to a Separation from Service will be 100% vested.

 

7.02.   Death .    If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08(e)(2), the Account of a Participant or former Participant who dies before the distribution of his entire Account will be 100% vested, provided that at the time of his death he is earning Years of Service.

 

A Participant may designate a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, or change any prior designation of Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, by giving notice to the Administrator on a form designated by the Administrator.   If more than one person is designated as the Beneficiary, their respective interests shall be as indicated on the designation form.

 

A copy of the death certificate or other sufficient documentation must be filed with and approved by the Administrator.   If upon the death of the Participant there is, in the opinion of the Administrator, no designated Beneficiary for part or all of the Participant’s Account, such amount will be paid to his surviving spouse or, if none, to his estate (such spouse or estate shall be deemed to be the Beneficiary for purposes of the Plan).   If a Beneficiary dies after benefits to such Beneficiary have commenced, but before they have been completed, and, in the opinion of the Administrator, no person has been designated to receive such remaining benefits, then such benefits shall be paid to the deceased Beneficiary’s estate.

 

A distribution to a Beneficiary of a Specified Employee is not considered to be a payment to a Specified Employee for purposes of Sections 1.07 and 8.01(e).

 

7.03.  Separation from Service.

 

(a)  General.    If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08, and subject to Section 1.08(e)(2), if a Participant has a Separation from Service, he will be entitled to a benefit equal to (i) the vested percentage(s) of the value of the Matching and Employer Contributions credited to his Account, as adjusted for income, expense, gain, or loss, such percentage(s) determined in accordance with the vesting schedule(s) and methodology selected by the Employer in Section 1.08, and (ii) the value of the Deferral Contributions to his Account as adjusted for income, expense, gain, or loss.   The amount payable under this Section 7.03 will be distributed in accordance with Article 8.

 

8



 

(b)  Elapsed Time Vesting.     Unless otherwise provided by the Employer in Section 1.08, vesting shall be determined based on the elapsed time method.   For purposes of the elapsed time method, “Years of Service” means, with respect to any Participant or Inactive Participant, the number of whole years of his periods of service with the Employer and any Related Employers (as defined in Section 2.01(a)(26)(A)), subject to any exclusion elected by the Employer in Section 1.08(c).   A Participant or Inactive Participant will receive credit for the aggregate of all time period(s) commencing with his Employment Commencement Date and ending on the date a break in service begins, unless any such years are excluded by Section 1.08(c).   A Participant or Inactive Participant will also receive credit for any period of severance of less than 12 consecutive months.  Fractional periods of a year will be expressed in terms of days.

 

A break in service is a period of severance of at least 12 consecutive months.   A “period of severance” is a continuous period of time beginning on the date the Participant or Inactive Participant incurs a Separation from Service, or if earlier, the 12-month anniversary of the date on which the Participant or Inactive Participant was otherwise first absent from service.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Employer shall comply with any service crediting rules to the extent required by applicable law.

 

(c)  Class Year Vesting.   If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08, a Participant’s or Inactive Participant’s vested percentage in the Matching Contributions and/or Employer Contributions portion(s) of his Account shall be determined pursuant to the class year method.  Pursuant to such method, amounts attributable to the applicable contribution types are assigned to “class years” established in the records of the Plan.  Such class years are years (calendar or non-calendar) to which the contribution is assigned by the Administrator, as described in the Service Agreement between the Trustee and the Employer.  The Participant’s or Inactive Participant’s vested percentage in amounts attributable to a particular contribution is determined from the beginning of the applicable class year to the date the Participant or Inactive Participant incurs a Separation from Service.  For purposes of the class year method, a Participant or Inactive Participant is credited with a Year of Service on the first day of each such class year.

 

7.04.   Vesting after Partial Distribution .    If a distribution from a Participant’s Account has been made to him at a time when his Account is less than 100% vested, the vesting schedule in Section 1.08 will thereafter apply only to amounts in his Account attributable to Matching Contributions and Employer Contributions credited after such distribution.    The balance of his Account attributable to Matching Contributions and Employer Contributions immediately after such distribution will be subject to the following for the purpose of determining his interest therein.

 

At any relevant time prior to a forfeiture of any portion thereof under Section 7.05, a Participant’s nonforfeitable interest in the portion of his Account described in the sentence immediately above will be equal to P(AB + (RxD))-(RxD), where P is the nonforfeitable percentage at the relevant time determined under Section 1.08; AB is the account balance of such portion at the relevant time; D is the amount of the distribution; and R is the ratio of the account balance of such portion at the relevant time to the account balance of such portion after distribution.  Following a forfeiture of any portion of such portion under Section 7.05 below, any balance with respect to such portion will remain fully vested and nonforfeitable.

 

7.05.   Forfeitures .    Once payments are to commence to a Participant or Inactive Participant hereunder, the portion of such Account subject to the same payment commencement date but not yet vested, if any, (determined by his vested percentage at such payment commencement date) will be forfeited by him

 

7.06.   Change in Control .    If the Employer has elected to apply Section 1.07(a)(3)(D), then, upon a Change in Control, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, all Participant Accounts shall be 100% vested.

 

9



 

7.07.   Disability .    If the Employer has elected to apply Section 1.08(e)(3), then, upon the date a Participant incurs a Disability, as defined in Section 1.07(a)(2), notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, all Accounts of such Participant shall be 100% vested.

 

7.08.   Directors .    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, all Accounts of a Participant who is a Director shall be 100% vested at all times, including Accounts attributable to the Participant’s service as an Employee, if any.

 

Article 8.  Distribution of Benefits.

 

8.01 Events Triggering, and Form of, Distributions.

 

(a)           Events triggering the distribution of benefits and the form of such distributions are described in Section  1.07(a),  pursuant to the Employer’s election and/or the Participant’s election,  as applicable.

 

(1)  With respect to the form and time of distribution of amounts attributable to a Deferral Contribution, a Participant election must be made no later than the time by which the Participant must elect to make a Deferral Contribution, as described in Section 4.01.

 

(2)  With respect to the form and time of distribution of amounts attributable to Matching or Employer Contributions, a Participant election must be made no later than the time by which a Participant would be required to make a Deferral Contribution as described in Section 4.01 with respect to the calendar year for which the Matching and/or Employer Contributions are credited.   For purposes of applying Section 4.01(d) “Active Participant” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.01(a)(2)(B).

 

(3)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an election choosing a distribution trigger and payment method pursuant to Section 1.07(a)(1) will only be effective with respect to amounts attributable to contributions credited to the Participant’s Account for the calendar year (or other deferral period described in 4.01 (a)  or (b))  to which such election relates. Amounts attributable to contributions credited to a Participant’s account prior to the effective date of any new election will not be affected and will be paid in accordance with the otherwise applicable election.

 

(b)          If the Employer elects to permit a distribution election change pursuant to Section 1.07(b), then any such distribution election change must satisfy (1) through (3) below:

 

(1)  Such election may not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which such election is made.

 

(2)  In the case of an election related to a payment not on account of Disability, death or the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the payment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been paid (or in the case of installment payments, five years from the date the first amount was scheduled to be paid).

 

10



 

(3)  Any election related to a payment at a specified time or pursuant to a fixed schedule may not be made less than 12 months prior to the date the payment is scheduled to be paid (or in the case of installment payments, 12 months prior to the date the first amount was scheduled to be paid).

 

With respect to any initial distribution election, a Participant shall in no event be permitted to make more than one distribution election change.

 

(c)   A Participant’s entitlement to installments will not be treated as an entitlement to a series of separate payments.

 

(d)   If the Plan does not provide for Plan-level payment triggers pursuant to Section 1.07(a)(3), and the Participant does not designate in the manner prescribed by the Administrator the method of distribution, and/or the distribution trigger (if and as required), such method of distribution shall be a lump sum at Separation from Service.

 

(e)   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any Specified Employee, if the applicable payment trigger is Separation from Service, then payment shall not commence before the date that is six months after the date of Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Specified Employee, pursuant to Section 7.02).  Payments to which a Specified Employee would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following the date of Separation from Service are delayed by six months.

 

(f)   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may, in its discretion, automatically pay out a Participant’s vested Account in a lump sum, provided that such payment satisfies the requirements in (1) through (3) below:

 

(1)  Such payment results in the termination and liquidation of the entirety of the Participant’s interest under the plan (as defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(c)(2)), including all agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements with respect to which deferrals of compensation are treated as having been deferred under a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(c)(2);

 

(2)  Such payment is not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Code section 402(g)(1)(B); and

 

(3)  Such exercise of Administrator discretion is evidenced in writing no later than the date of such payment.

 

(g)   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may, in its discretion, delay a payment otherwise required hereunder to a date after the designated payment date due to any of the circumstances described in (1) through (4) below, provided that the Administrator treats all payments to similarly situated Participants on a reasonably consistent basis.

 

(1)  In the event the Administrator reasonably anticipates that, if the payment were made as scheduled, the Employer’s deduction with respect to such payment would not be permitted due to the application of Code section 162(m), provided the delay complies with the conditions in 26 CFR section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(i).

 

(2)  In the event the Administrator reasonably anticipates that the making of such payment will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law, provided the delay complies with the conditions in 26 CFR section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii).

 

(3)  Upon such other events and conditions as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service may prescribe in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

 

11



 

(4)  Upon a change in control event, provided the delay complies with conditions in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iv).

 

(h)   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may provide an election to change the time or form of a payment hereunder to satisfy the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended, 38 USC sections 4301 through 4344.

 

8.02.   Notice to Trustee .    The Administrator will provide direction to the Trustee, as provided in the Trust agreement, whenever any Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to receive benefits under the Plan.   The Administrator’s notice shall indicate the form, amount and frequency of benefits that such Participant or Beneficiary shall receive.

 

8.03.    Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals .    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Participant may apply to the Administrator to withdraw some or all of his Account if such withdrawal is made on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency as determined by the Administrator in accordance with the requirements of and subject to the limitations provided in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(3).

 

Article 9.  Amendment and Termination.

 

9.01  Amendment by Employer .   The Employer reserves the authority to amend the Plan in its discretion. Any such amendment notwithstanding, no Participant’s Account shall be reduced by such amendment below the amount to which the Participant would have been entitled if he had voluntarily left the employ of the Employer immediately prior to the date of the change.

 

9.02.   Termination .    The Employer has no obligation or liability whatsoever to maintain the Plan for any length of time and may terminate the Plan at any time by written notice delivered to the Trustee without any liability hereunder for any such discontinuance or termination.   Such termination shall comply with 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix) and other applicable guidance.

 

Article 10.  Miscellaneous.

 

10.01.   Communication to Participants .    The Plan will be communicated to all Participants by the Employer promptly after the Plan is adopted.

 

10.02.   Limitation of Rights .    Neither the establishment of the Plan and the Trust, nor any amendment thereof, nor the creation of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits, will be construed as giving to any Participant or other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer, Administrator or Trustee, except as provided herein; in no event will the terms of employment or service of any individual be modified or in any way affected hereby.

 

10.03.   Nonalienability of Benefits .    The benefits provided hereunder will not be subject to alienation, assignment, garnishment, attachment, execution or levy of any kind, either voluntarily or involuntarily, and any attempt to cause such benefits to be so subjected will not be recognized, except to such extent as may be required by law and as provided pursuant to a domestic relations order (defined in Code section 414 (p)(1)(B)), as determined by the Administrator.   Pursuant to a domestic relations order, payments may be accelerated to a time sooner, and pursuant to a schedule more rapid, than the time and schedule applicable in the absence of the domestic relations order, provided that such payment pursuant to such order is not made to the Participant and provided further that this provision shall not be construed to provide the Participant discretion regarding whether such payment time or schedule will be accelerated.

 

12



 

10.04.   Facility of Payment .    In the event the Administrator determines, on the basis of medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrator, that the recipient of any benefit payments under the Plan is incapable of handling his affairs by reason of minority, illness, infirmity or other incapacity,  the Administrator may disburse such payments, or direct the Trustee to disburse such payments, as applicable, to a person or institution designated by a court which has jurisdiction over such recipient or a person or institution otherwise having the legal authority under State law for the care and control of such recipient. The receipt by such person or institution of any such payments shall be complete acquittance therefore, and any such payment to the extent thereof, shall discharge the liability of the Trust for the payment of benefits hereunder to such recipient.

 

10.05.     Plan Records .   The Administrator shall maintain the records of the Plan on a calendar-year basis.

 

10.06.   USERRA .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator shall permit any Participant election and make any payments hereunder required by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended, 38 USC 4301-4334.

 

10.07.   Governing Law.   The Plan and the accompanying Adoption Agreement will be construed, administered and enforced according to ERISA, and to the extent not preempted thereby, the laws of the State in which the Employer has its principal place of business, without regard to the conflict of laws principles of such State.

 

Article 11.  Plan Administration.

 

11.01.   Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator .   The Administrator has the full power and the full responsibility to administer the Plan in all of its details, subject, however, to the applicable requirements of ERISA.  The Administrator’s powers and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(a)  To make and enforce such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Plan;

 

(b)  To interpret the Plan, its interpretation thereof in good faith to be final and conclusive on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan;

 

(c)  To decide all questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of any person to participate in the Plan;

 

(d)  To administer the claims and review procedures specified in Section 11.02;

 

(e)  To compute the amount of benefits which will be payable to any Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan;

 

(f)   To determine the person or persons to whom such benefits will be paid;

 

(g)  To authorize the payment of benefits;

 

(h)  To appoint such agents, counsel, accountants, and consultants as may be required to assist in administering the Plan; and

 

(i)   By written instrument, to allocate and delegate its responsibilities, including the formation of an administrative committee to administer the Plan.

 

13



 

11.02.  Claims and Review Procedures.

 

(a)  Claims Procedure .   If any person believes he is being denied any rights or benefits under the Plan, such person may file a claim in writing with the Administrator.   If any such claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing.    Such notification will contain (i) specific reasons for the denial, (ii) specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (iv) information as to the steps to be taken if the person wishes to submit a request for review, including a statement of the such person’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA section 502(a) following as adverse determination upon review.  Such notification will be given within 90 days after the claim is received by the Administrator (or within 180 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 90-day period).

 

If the claim concerns disability benefits under the Plan, the Plan Administrator must notify the claimant in writing within 45 days after the claim has been filed in order to deny it.   If special circumstances require an extension of time to process the claim, the Plan Administrator must notify the claimant before the end of the 45-day period that the claim may take up to 30 days longer to process.   If special circumstances still prevent the resolution of the claim, the Plan Administrator may then only take up to another 30 days after giving the claimant notice before the end of the original 30-day extension.   If the Plan Administrator gives the claimant notice that the claimant needs to provide additional information regarding the claim, the claimant must do so within 45 days of that notice.

 

(b)  Review Procedure .  Within 60 days after the date on which a person receives a written notice of a denied claim (or, if applicable, within 60 days after the date on which such denial is considered to have occurred), such person (or his duly authorized representative) may (i) file a written request with the Administrator for a review of his denied claim and of pertinent documents and (ii) submit written issues and comments to the Administrator.  This written request may include comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim for benefits.   The claimant shall be provided, upon the claimant’s request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim for benefits.   The review will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. The Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing.    Such notification will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by such person and will contain specific reasons for the decision as well as specific references to pertinent Plan provisions.   The decision on review will be made within 60 days after the request for review is received by the Administrator (or within 120 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the request, such as an election by the Administrator to hold a hearing, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 60-day period). The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects to render the determination on review.

 

If the initial claim was for disability benefits under the Plan and has been denied by the Plan Administrator, the claimant will have 180 days from the date the claimant received notice of the claim’s denial in which to appeal that decision.    The review will be handled completely independently of the findings and decision made regarding the initial claim and will be processed by an individual who is not a subordinate of the individual who denied the initial claim.   If the claim requires medical judgment, the individual handling the appeal will consult with a medical professional whom was not consulted regarding the initial claim and who is not a subordinate of anyone consulted regarding the initial claim and identify that medical professional to the claimant.

 

14



 

The Plan Administrator shall provide the claimant with written notification of a plan’s benefit determination on review.   In the case of an adverse benefit determination, the notification shall set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant - the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determinations, reference to the specific plan provisions on which the benefit determination is based, a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon the claimant’s request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim for benefits.

 

15


Exhibit 10.2

 

The CORPORATE plan for Retirement SM
EXECUTIVE P LAN

 

Adoption Agreement

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

 

This document has not been approved by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental entity.  An Employer must determine whether the plan is subject to the Federal securities laws and the securities laws of the various states.  An Employer may not rely on this document to ensure any particular tax consequences or to ensure that the Plan is “unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act with respect to the Employer’s particular situation.  Fidelity Management Trust Company, its affiliates and employees cannot and do not provide legal or tax advice or opinions in connection with this document.  This document does not constitute legal or tax advice or opinions and is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purposes of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.  This document must be reviewed by the Employer’s attorney prior to adoption.

 

Plan Number: 44279

ECM NQ 2007 AA

(07/2007)

10/20/2008

 

© 2007 Fidelity Management & Research Company

 



 

ADOPTION AGREEMENT
ARTICLE 1

 

1.01          PLAN INFORMATION

 

(a)            Name of Plan:

 

This is the Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).

 

(b)            Plan Status (Check one.) :

 

(1)            Adoption Agreement effective date:    11/7/2008.

 

(2)            The Adoption Agreement effective date is (Check (A) or check and complete (B)) :

 

(A)           o   A new Plan effective date.

 

(B)            x   An amendment and restatement of the Plan.

 

(c)            Name of Administrator, if not the Employer:

 

 

1.02          EMPLOYER

 

(a)            Employer Name:        Safety Insurance Company

 

(b)            The term “Employer” includes the following Related Employer(s) (as defined in Section 2.01(a)(25)) participating in the Plan:

 

1



 

1.03          COVERAGE

 

(Check (a) and/or (b).)

 

(a)            x   The following Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan (Check (1) or (2)) :

 

(1)          x   Only those Employees designated in writing by the Employer, which writing is hereby incorporated herein.

 

(2)          o    Only those Employees in the eligible class described below:

 

(b)            o   The following Directors are eligible to participate in the Plan (Check (1) or (2)) :

 

(1)          o   Only those Directors designated in writing by the Employer, which writing is hereby incorporated herein.

 

(2)          o   All Directors, effective as of the later of the date in 1.01(b) or the date the Director becomes a Director.

 

(Note:  A designation in Section 1.03(a)(1) or Section 1.03(b)(1) or a description in Section 1.03(a)(2) must include the effective date of such participation.)

 

1.04          COMPENSATION

 

(If Section 1.03(a) is selected, select (a) or (b). If Section 1.03(b) is selected, complete (c))

 

For purposes of determining all contributions under the Plan:

 

(a)            o  Compensation shall be as defined, with respect to Employees, in the                                                        Plan maintained by the Employer:

 

(1)    o   to the extent it is in excess of the limit imposed under Code section 401(a)(17).

 

(2)    o   notwithstanding the limit imposed under Code section 401(a)(17).

 

(b)            x  Compensation shall be as defined in Section 2.01(a)(9) with respect to Employees (Check (1), and/or (2) below, if, and as, appropriate) :

 

(1)    o   but excluding the following:

 

2



 

(2)    o    but excluding bonuses, except those bonuses listed in the table in Section 1.05(a)(2).

 

(c)            o Compensation shall be as defined in Section 2.01(a)(9)(c) with respect to Directors, but excluding the following:

 

1.05          CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES

 

(a)            Deferral Contributions (Complete all that apply):

 

(1)

 

x

Deferral Contributions. Subject to any minimum or maximum deferral amount provided below, the Employer shall make a Deferral Contribution in accordance with, and subject to, Section 4.01 on behalf of each Participant who has an executed salary reduction agreement in effect with the Employer for the applicable calendar year (or portion of the applicable calendar year).

 

Deferral Contributions

 

Dollar Amount

 

% Amount

Type of Compensation

 

Min

 

Max

 

Min

 

Max

Base Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

75

 

(Note:  With respect to each type of Compensation, list the minimum and maximum dollar amounts or percentages as whole dollar amounts or whole number percentages.)

 

(2)

 

x

Deferral Contributions with respect to Bonus Compensation only. The Employer  requires Participants to enter into a special salary reduction agreement to make Deferral Contributions with respect to one or more Bonuses, subject to minimum and maximum deferral limitations, as provided in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treated As

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferral Contributions

 

Performance

 

Performance

 

Dollar Amount

 

% Amount

Type of Bonus

 

Based

 

Based

 

Min

 

Max

 

Min

 

Max

Bonus Compensation

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

100

 

(Note:  With respect to each type of Bonus, list the minimum and maximum dollar amounts or percentages as whole dollar amounts or whole number percentages.  In the event a bonus identified as a Performance-based Bonus above does not constitute a Performance-based Bonus with respect to any Participant, such Bonus will be treated as a Non-Performance-based Bonus with respect to such Participant.)

 

3



 

(b)            Matching Contributions (Choose (1) or (2) below, and (3) below, as applicable):

 

(1)          x The Employer shall make a Matching Contribution on behalf of each Employee Participant in an amount described below:

 

(A)   o  % of the Employee Participant’s Deferral Contributions for the calendar year.

 

(B)   o  The amount, if any, declared by the Employer in writing, which writing is hereby incorporated herein.

 

(C)  x Other:         75% of the Participant’s Deferral Contributions; provided, however, that Deferral Contributions in excess of 8% of the Participant’s compensation for the Plan Year shall not be considered.  For this purpose, “compensation” shall mean the Participant’s base salary and annual bonus received (or deferred) in such Plan Year.

 

(2)         o       Matching Contribution Offset. For each Employee Participant who has made elective contributions (as defined in 26  CFR section   1.401(k)-6 (“QP Deferrals”)) of the maximum permitted under Code section 402(g), or the maximum permitted under the terms of the                                                        Plan (the “QP”), to the QP, the Employer shall make a Matching Contribution in an amount equal to (A) minus (B) below:

 

(A)   The matching contributions (as defined in 26 CFR section 1.401(m)-1(a)(2) (“QP Match”)) that the Employee Participant would have received under the QP on the sum of the Deferral Contributions and the Participant’s QP Deferrals, determined as though—

 

·    no limits otherwise imposed by the tax law applied to such QP match; and

·    the Employee Participant’s Deferral Contributions had been made to the QP.

 

(B)   The QP Match actually made to such Employee Participant under the QP for the applicable calendar year.

 

Provided, however, that the Matching Contributions made on behalf of any Employee Participant pursuant to this Section 1.05(b)(2) shall be limited as provided in Section 4.02 hereof.

 

(3)             o  Matching Contribution Limits ( Check the appropriate box (es)) :

 

(A)    o   Deferral Contributions in excess of    % of the Employee Participant’s Compensation for the calendar year shall not be considered for Matching Contributions.

 

4



 

(B)    o   Matching Contributions for each Employee Participant for each calendar year shall be limited to $

 

(c)            Employer Contributions

 

(1)  x     Fixed Employer Contributions. The Employer shall make an Employer Contribution on behalf of each Employee Participant in an amount determined as described below:

 

1.75% of the combined statutory net income from the insurance subsidiaries of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

 

(2)  o     Discretionary Employer Contributions. The Employer may make Employer Contributions to the accounts of Employee Participants in any amount (which amount may be zero), as determined by the Employer in its sole discretion from time to time in a writing, which is hereby incorporated herein.

 

1.06          CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF DIRECTORS

 

(a)  o   Director Deferral Contributions

 

The Employer shall make a Deferral Contribution in accordance with, and subject to, Section 4.01 on behalf of each Director Participant who has an executed deferral agreement in effect with the Employer for the applicable calendar year (or portion of the applicable calendar year), which deferral agreement shall be subject to any minimum and/or maximum deferral amounts provided in the table below.

 

Deferral Contributions

 

Dollar Amount

 

% Amount

Type of Compensation

 

Min

 

Max

 

Min

 

Max

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Note:  With respect to each type of Compensation, list the minimum and maximum dollar amounts or percentages as whole dollar amounts or whole number percentages.)

 

(b)  Matching and Employer Contributions:

 

(1)   o Matching Contributions. The Employer shall make a Matching Contribution on behalf of each Director Participant in an amount determined as described below:

 

(2)   o Fixed Employer Contributions. The Employer shall make an Employer Contribution on behalf of each Director Participant in an amount determined as described below:

 

5



 

(3)            o   Discretionary Employer Contributions. The Employer may make Employer Contributions to the accounts of Director Participants in any amount (which amount may be zero), as determined by the Employer in its sole discretion from time to time, in a writing, which is hereby incorporated herein.

 

1.07          DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The form and timing of distributions from the Participant’s vested Account shall be made consistent with the elections in this Section 1.07.

 

(a) (1)  Distribution options to be provided to Participants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(G)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(D) Earlier of

 

(E) Earlier of

 

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

(A) Specified

 

(B) Specified

 

(C) Separation

 

Separation or

 

Separation or

 

 

 

in

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

Age

 

From Service

 

Age

 

Specified Date

 

(F) Disability

 

Control

 

(H) Death

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferral Contribution

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

x Lump Sum
x Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matching Contributions

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

x Lump Sum
x Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer Contributions

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

x Lump Sum
x Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

o Lump Sum

 

o Lump Sum
o Installments

 

 

(Note:  If the Employer elects (F), (G), or (H) above, the Employer must also elect (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) above, and the Participant must also elect (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) above.  In the event the Employer elects only a single payment trigger and/or payment method above, then such single payment trigger and/or payment method shall automatically apply to the Participant.  If the employer elects to provide for payment upon a specified date or age, and the employer applies a vesting schedule to amounts that may be subject to such payment trigger(s), the employer must apply a minimum deferral period, the number of years of which must be greater than the number of years required for 100% vesting in any such amounts. If the employer elects to provide for payment upon disability and/or death, and the employer applies a vesting schedule to amounts that may be subject to such payment trigger, the employer must also elect to apply 100% vesting in any such amounts upon disability and/or death.)

 

6



 

(2)       x        A Participant incurs a Disability when the Participant (Check at least one if Section 1.07(a)(1)(F) or if Section 1.08(e)(3) is elected):

 

(A)          o  is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

 

( B)          o  is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.

 

(C)          o  is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.

 

(D)         x  is determined to be disabled pursuant to the following disability insurance program : The Hartford Insurance Long-Term Disability Plan (plan # GLT 674581) the definition of disability under which complies with the requirements in regulations under Code section 409A.

 

(Note:  If more than one box above is checked, then the Participant will have a Disability if he satisfies at least one of the descriptions corresponding to one of such checked boxes.)

 

(3)         x      Regardless of any payment trigger and, as applicable, payment method, to which the Participant would otherwise be subject pursuant to (1) above, the first to occur of the following Plan-level payment triggers will cause payment to the Participant commencing pursuant to Section 1.07(c)(1) below in a lump sum, provided such Plan-level payment trigger occurs prior to the payment trigger to which the Participant would otherwise be subject.

 

Payment Trigger

 

(A)           o Separation from Service prior to:

 

(B)            o Separation from Service

 

(C)            o Death

 

(D)           x Change in Control

 

7



 

(b)           Distribution Election Change

 

 A  Participant

 

(1)

o

 

shall

(2)

x

 

shall not

 

 be permitted to modify a scheduled distribution election in accordance with Section 8.01(b) hereof.

 

(c)           Commencement of Distributions

 

(1)                                   Each lump sum distribution and the first distribution in a series of installment payments (if applicable) shall commence as elected in (A), (B) or (C) below:

 

(A)  x

 

Monthly on the 1 st day of the month which day next follows the applicable triggering event described in 1.07(a).

 

 

 

(B)  o

 

Quarterly on the            day of the following months                         ,                             ,                               , or                         (list one month in each calendar quarter) which day next follows the applicable triggering event described in 1.07(a).

 

 

 

(C)  o

 

Annually on the            day of                          (month) which day next follows the applicable triggering event described in 1.07(a).

 

(Note:  Notwithstanding the above: a six-month delay shall be imposed with respect to certain distributions to Specified Employees; a Participant who chooses payment on a Specified Date will choose a month, year or quarter (as applicable) only, and payment will be made on the applicable date elected in (A), (B) or (C) above that falls within such month, year or quarter elected by the Participant.)

 

(2)                                   The commencement of distributions pursuant to the events elected in Section 1.07(a)(1) and Section 1.07(a)(3) shall be modified by application of the following:

 

(A)  o

 

Separation from Service Event Delay - Separation from Service will be treated as not having occurred for                months after the date of such event.

 

 

 

(B)  o

 

Plan Level Delay - all distribution events (other than those based on   Specified Date or Specified Age) will be treated as not having occurred for            days (insert number of days but not more than 30).

 

(d)           Installment Frequency and Duration

 

If installments are available under the Plan pursuant to Section 1.07(a), a Participant shall be permitted to elect that the installments will be paid (Complete 1 and 2 below):

 

8



 

(1)           at the following intervals:

 

(A)  o

 

Monthly commencing on the day elected in Section 1.07(c)(1).

 

 

 

(B)  o

 

Quarterly commencing on the day elected in Section1.07(c)(1) (with payments made at three-month intervals thereafter).

 

 

 

(C)  x

 

Annually commencing on the day elected in Section 1.07(c)(1).

 

(2)           over the following term(s)  (Complete either (A) or (B)):

 

(A)  x

 

Any term of whole years between 2 (minimum of 1) and 10

(maximum of 30).

 

 

 

(B)  o

 

Any of the whole year terms selected below.

 

o 1

 

o 2

 

o 3

 

o 4

 

o 5

 

o 6

o 7

 

o 8

 

o 9

 

o 10

 

o 11

 

o 12

o 13

 

o 14

 

o 15

 

o 16

 

o 17

 

o 18

o 19

 

o 20

 

o 21

 

o 22

 

o 23

 

o 24

o 25

 

o 26

 

o 27

 

o 28

 

o 29

 

o 30

 

(Note:  Only elect a term of one year if Section 1.07(d)(1)(A) and/or Section 1.07(d)(1)(B) is elected above.)

 

(e)           Conversion to Lump Sum

 

o  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary , if the Participant’s vested Account at the time such Account becomes payable to him hereunder does not exceed $           distribution of the Participant’s vested Account shall automatically be made in the form of a single lump sum at the time prescribed in Section 1.07 (c)(1).

 

(f)            Distribution Rules Applicable to Pre-effective Date Accruals

 

o  Benefits accrued under the Plan (subject to Code section 409A) prior to the date     in Section 1.01(b)(1) above are subject to distribution rules not described in Section 1.07(a) through (e), and such rules are described in Attachment A Re: PRE EFFECTIVE DATE ACCRUAL DISTRIBUTION RULES.

 

9



 

1.08  VESTING SCHEDULE

 

(a)           (1)            The Participant’s vested percentage in Matching Contributions elected in Section 1.05(b) shall be based upon the following schedule and unless Section 1.08(a)(2) is checked below will be based on the elapsed time method as described in Section 7.03(b).

 

Years of Service

 

Vesting %

 

0

 

0

 

1

 

20

 

2

 

40

 

3

 

60

 

4

 

80

 

5

 

100

 

 

(2)            o   Vesting shall be based on the class year method as described in Section 7.03(c).

 

(b)           (1)            The Participant’s vested percentage in Employer Contributions elected in Section 1.05(c) shall be based upon the following schedule and unless Section 1.08(b)(2) is checked below will be based on the elapsed time  method as described in Section 7.03(b).

 

Years of Service

 

Vesting %

 

0

 

0

 

1

 

20

 

2

 

40

 

3

 

60

 

4

 

80

 

5

 

100

 

 

(2)           o   Vesting shall be based on the class year method as described in Section 7.03(c).

 

(c)           o   Years of Service shall exclude (Check one.):

 

(1) o for new plans, service prior to the Effective Date as defined in Section 1.01(b)(2)(A).

 

(2)  o   for existing plans converting from another plan document, service prior to theoriginal Effective Date as defined in Section 1.01(b)(2)(B).

 

(Note:  Do not elect to apply this Section 1.08(c) if vesting is based only on the class year  method.)

 

(d)           o Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Participant will forfeit his Matching Contributions and Employer Contributions (regardless of whether vested) upon the occurrence of the following event(s):

 

10



 

(Note: Contributions with respect to Directors, which are 100% vested at all times, are subject to the rule in this subsection (d).)

 

(e)            A Participant will be 100% vested in his Matching Contributions and Employer Contributions upon (Check the appropriate box(es)):

 

(1)  o     Retirement eligibility is the date the Participant attains age 0 and completes 0 Years of Service, as defined in Section 7.03(b).

 

(2)  x   Death.

 

(3)  x   The date on which the Participant becomes disabled, as determined under Section 1.07(a)(2).

 

(Note:  Participants will automatically vest upon Change in Control if Section 1.07(a)(1)(G) is elected.)

 

(f)            o Years of Service in Section 1.08 (a)(1) and Section 1.08 (b)(1) shall include service with the following employers:

 

1.09  INVESTMENT DECISIONS

 

A Participant’s Account shall be treated as invested in the Permissible Investments as directed by the Participant unless otherwise provided below:

 

1.10  ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

 

The Employer may elect Option below and complete the Superseding Provisions Addendum to describe overriding provisions that are not otherwise reflected in this Adoption Agreement.

 

x  The Employer has completed the Superseding Provisions Addendum to reflect the provisions of the Plan that supersede provisions of this Adoption Agreement and/or the Basic Plan Document.

 

11



 

   EXECUTION PAGE

(Fidelity’s Copy)

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Adoption Agreement to be executed this 29th day of October, 2008.

 

 

 

Employer

Safety Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ William J. Begley, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title

VP, Treasurer, CFO

 

12



 

   EXECUTION PAGE

(Fidelity’s Copy)

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Adoption Agreement to be executed this 29th day of October, 2008.

 

 

 

Employer

Safety Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ William J. Begley, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title

VP, Treasurer, CFO

 

13



 

AMENDMENT EXECUTION PAGE
(Fidelity’s Copy)

 

Plan Name:

 

Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”)

 

 

 

Employer:

 

Safety Insurance Company

 

(Note: These execution pages are to be completed in the event the Employer modifies any prior election(s) or makes a new election(s) in this Adoption Agreement.  Attach the amended page(s) of the Adoption Agreement to these execution pages.)

 

The following section(s) of the Plan are hereby amended effective as of the date(s) set forth below:

 

Section Amended

 

Effective Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Amendment to be executed on the date below.

 

 

Employer:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

14



 

AMENDMENT EXECUTION PAGE
(Fidelity’s Copy)

 

Plan Name:

 

  Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”)

 

 

 

Employer:

 

  Safety Insurance Company

 

(Note: These execution pages are to be completed in the event the Employer modifies any prior election(s) or makes a new election(s) in this Adoption Agreement.  Attach the amended page(s) of the Adoption Agreement to these execution pages.)

 

Section Amended

 

Effective Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Amendment to be executed on the date below.

 

 

Employer:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

15



 

ATTACHMENT A

 

Re:    PRE EFFECTIVE DATE ACCRUAL DISTRIBUTION RULES

 

Plan Name:

  Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16



 

ATTACHMENT B

 

Re:  SUPERSEDING PROVISIONS
for

 

Plan Name:

Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”)

 

(a)  Superseding  Provision(s) - The following provisions  supersede  other  provisions  of  this  Adoption  Agreement and/or the Basic Plan Document as described below:

 

Notwithstanding anything the contrary in section 1.07(a)(3)(D), all Participants shall have a nonforfeitable right to receive the entire amount of their account balances under the Plan and all  such amounts shall be paid out to Participants commencing pursuant to Section 1.07(c)(1) in a lump  sum.

 

17


Exhibit 10.3

 

TRUST AGREEMENT

 

Between

 

Safety Insurance Company

 

And

 

FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY

 

Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan
Trust

 

Dated as of November 7, 2008

 

Plan Number:44279

 

ECM NQ 2007 BPD

(07/2007)

 

10/20/2008

 

 

 

 

© 2007 Fidelity Management & Research Company

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Trust

 

3

 

 

(a) Establishment

 

 

 

 

(b) Grantor Trust

 

 

 

 

(c) Trust Assets

 

 

 

 

(d) Non-Assignment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Payments to Sponsor

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Disbursement

 

4

 

 

(a) Directions from Sponsor

 

 

 

 

(b) Limitations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Investment of Trust

 

4

 

 

(a) Selection of Investment Options

 

 

 

 

(b) Available Investment Options (c)

 

 

 

 

Investment Directions

 

 

 

 

(d) Funding Mechanism

 

 

 

 

(e) Mutual Funds

 

 

 

 

(f) Trustee Powers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Recordkeeping and Administrative Services to Be Performed

 

7

 

 

(a) Accounts

 

 

 

 

(b) Inspection and Audit

 

 

 

 

(c) Notice of Plan Amendment

 

 

 

 

(d) Returns, Reports and Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

Compensation and Expenses

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

Directions and Indemnification

 

8

 

 

(a) Directions from Sponsor

 

 

 

 

(b) Directions from Participants

 

 

 

 

(c) Indemnification

 

 

 

 

(d) Survival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

 

9

 

 

(a) Resignation and Removal

 

 

 

 

(b) Termination

 

 

 

 

(c) Notice Period

 

 

 

 

(d) Transition Assistance

 

 

 

 

(e) Failure to Appoint Successor

 

 

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Successor Trustee

 

10

 

 

(a) Appointment

 

 

 

 

(b) Acceptance

 

 

 

 

(c) Corporate Action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Resignation, Removal, and Termination Notices

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

Duration

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Insolvency of Sponsor

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

Amendment or Modification

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Electronic Services

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

General

 

13

 

 

(a) Performance by Trustee, its Agent or Affiliates

 

 

 

 

(b) Entire Agreement

 

 

 

 

(c) Waiver

 

 

 

 

(d) Successors and Assigns

 

 

 

 

(e) Partial Invalidity

 

 

 

 

(f) Section Headings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

Assignment

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

Force Majeure

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

Confidentiality

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

Situs of Trust Assets

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

Governing Law

 

15

 

 

(a) Massachusetts Law Controls

 

 

 

 

(b) Trust Agreement Controls

 

 

 

ii



 

TRUST AGREEMENT , dated as of the 7 th day of November 2008, between Safety Insurance Company, a Massachusetts entity, having an office at 20 Custom House Street, Boston, MA 02110 (the “Sponsor”), and FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company, having an office at 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (the “Trustee”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS , the Sponsor is the sponsor of the Plan; and

 

WHEREAS , the Sponsor wishes to restate, in its entirety, by entering into this Agreement, the irrevocable trust originally established on January 1, 2004, with regard to the Plan and to contribute to the Trust assets that shall be held therein, subject to the claims of Sponsor’s creditors in the event of Sponsor’s Insolvency, as herein defined, until paid to Participants and their beneficiaries in such manner and at such times as specified in the Plan;

 

WHEREAS , it is the intention of the parties that the Trust shall not affect the status of the Plan as an unfunded plan maintained for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”);

 

WHEREAS , it is the intention of the Sponsor to make contributions to the Trust to provide itself with a source of funds to assist it in the meeting of its liabilities under the Plan; and

 

WHEREAS , the Trustee is willing to hold and invest the aforesaid assets in trust among several investment options selected by the Sponsor.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth below, the Sponsor and the Trustee agree as follows:

 

Section 1.   Definitions .  The following terms as used in this Trust Agreement have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

 

(a)           “ Agreement ” shall mean this Trust Agreement, as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.

 

(b)           “ Business Day ” shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.

 

(c)           “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it has been or may be amended from time

 

1



 

to time.

 

(d)                                  ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as it has been or may be amended from time to time.

 

(e)                                   Fidelity Mutual Fund ” shall mean any investment company advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company or any of its affiliates.

 

(f)                                     Insolvency ” shall mean that the Sponsor is or has become insolvent as defined in Section 13(a).

 

(g)                                  Mutual Fund ” shall refer both to Fidelity Mutual Funds and Non-Fidelity Mutual Funds.

 

(h)                                  Non-Fidelity Mutual Fund ” shall mean certain investment companies not advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company or any of its affiliates.

 

(i)                                      Participant ” shall mean, with respect to the Plan, any individual who has accrued a benefit under    the Plan, which has not yet been fully distributed and/or forfeited, and shall include the designated beneficiary(ies) with respect to the benefit of such an individual until such benefit has been fully distributed and/or forfeited.

 

(j)                                      Permissible Investment ” shall mean any of the investments specified by the Sponsor as available for investment of assets of the Trust and agreed to by the Trustee. The Permissible Investments shall be listed in the Service Agreement.

 

(k)                                   Plan ” shall mean the plan or plans described in the Service Agreement.

 

(l)                                      Reconciliation Period ” shall mean the period beginning on the date of the initial transfer of assets to the Trust and ending on the date of the completion of the reconciliation of Participant records.

 

(m)                                Reporting Date ” shall mean the last day of each calendar quarter, the date as of which the Trustee resigns or is removed pursuant to this Agreement and the date as of which this Agreement terminates pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

 

(n)                                  Service Agreement ” shall mean the agreement between the Trustee and the Sponsor for the Trustee, through certain affiliates and related companies, to provide administrative and recordkeeping services for the Plan.

 

(o)                                  Sponsor ” shall mean Safety Insurance Company, as identified in the first paragraph of this Agreement, or any successor to all or substantially all of its businesses which, by agreement, operation of law or otherwise, assumes the responsibility of the Sponsor under this Agreement.

 

(p)                                  Trust ” shall mean the Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan Trust, being the trust restated by the Sponsor and the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement.

 

(q)                                  Trustee ” shall mean Fidelity Management Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company and any successor to all or substantially all of its trust business.  The term Trustee shall also include any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Agreement to the extent such successor agrees to serve as Trustee under the Agreement.

 

Section 2.  Trust.

 

(a)   Establishment .  The Sponsor hereby establishes the Trust with the Trustee.  The Trust shall consist of an initial contribution of money or other property acceptable to the Trustee in its sole discretion, made by the Sponsor or transferred from a previous trustee, such additional sums of money as

 

2



 

shall from time to time be delivered to the Trustee, all investments made therewith and proceeds thereof, and all earnings and profits thereon, less the payments that are made by the Trustee as provided herein, without distinction between principal and income.  The Trustee hereby accepts the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.  In accepting this Trust, the Trustee shall be accountable for the assets received by it, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

 

(b)   Grantor Trust .  The Trust is intended to be a grantor trust, of which the Sponsor is the grantor, within the meaning of subpart E, part I, subchapter J, chapter 1, subtitle A of the Code, and shall be construed accordingly.

 

(c)   Trust Assets .  The principal of the Trust, and any earnings thereon shall be held separate and apart from other funds of the Sponsor and shall be used exclusively for the uses and purposes of Participants and general creditors as herein set forth.  Participants and their beneficiaries shall have no preferred claim on, or any beneficial ownership interest in, any assets of the Trust.  Any rights created under the Plan and the Agreement shall be mere unsecured contractual rights of Participants and their beneficiaries against the Sponsor.  Any assets held by the Trust will be subject to the claims of the Sponsor’s general creditors under federal and state law in the event of Insolvency, as defined in this Agreement.

 

(d)   Non-Assignment .  Benefit payments to Participants and their beneficiaries from the Trust may not be anticipated, assigned (either at law or in equity), alienated, pledged, encumbered, or subjected to attachment, garnishment, levy, execution, or other legal or equitable process. Nothwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Sponsor can direct the Trustee to disperse monies pursuant to a domestic relations order as defined in Code section 414 (p)(1)(B) in accordance with Section 4(a).

 

Section 3.  Payments to Sponsor .  Except as provided under the Agreement, the Sponsor shall have no right to retain or divert to others any of the Trust assets before all benefit payments have been made to the Participants and their beneficiaries pursuant to the terms of the Plan.  The Sponsor may direct the Trustee in writing to pay the Sponsor any amount in excess of the amount needed to pay all of the benefits accrued under the Plan as of the date of such payment.

 

3



 

Section 4.  Disbursements.

 

(a)   Directions from Sponsor .

 

(i)   If the Service Agreement provides that the Trustee will make distributions of Plan benefits directly to Participants and beneficiaries, the Trustee shall disburse monies to Participants and their beneficiaries for benefit payments in the amounts that the Sponsor directs from time to time in writing.  The Trustee shall have no responsibility to ascertain whether the Sponsor’s direction complies with the terms of the Plan or of any applicable law.  The Trustee shall be responsible for federal or state income tax reporting or withholding with respect to such Plan benefits.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for tax reporting or withholding of FICA (Social Security and Medicare), any federal or state unemployment, or local tax with respect to Plan distributions.

 

(ii)   If the Service Agreement provides that the Sponsor shall be responsible for making distributions of benefits to Participants and beneficiaries, then the Trustee shall disburse monies to the Sponsor for benefit payments in the amounts that the Sponsor directs from time to time in writing.  The Trustee shall have no responsibility to ascertain whether the Sponsor’s direction complies with the terms of the Plan or any applicable law.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for: (1) making benefit payments to Participants under the Plan; or, (2) any federal, state or local tax reporting or withholding of any kind with respect to such Plan benefits.

 

(b)   Limitations .  The Trustee shall not be required to make any disbursement in excess of the net realizable value of the assets of the Trust at the time of the disbursement.

 

Section 5.  Investment of Trust.

 

(a)   Selection of Investment Options .  The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the selection of investment options under the Trust and shall not render investment advice to any person in connection with the selection of such options.

 

(b)   Available Investment Options .  The Sponsor shall direct the Trustee as to what investment options the Trust shall be invested in (i) during the Reconciliation Period, and (ii) following the Reconciliation Period, subject to the following limitations.  The Sponsor may include only Permissible Investments as described in the Service Agreement; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be considered a fiduciary with investment discretion.  The Sponsor may add or remove investment options with the consent of the Trustee and upon mutual amendment of the Service Agreement to reflect such additions.

 

(c)   Investment Directions .  In order to provide for an accumulation of assets comparable to the contractual liabilities accruing under the Plan, the Sponsor may direct the Trustee in writing to invest

 

4



 

the assets held in the Trust to correspond to the hypothetical investments made for Participants in accordance with their direction under the Plan.

 

(d)   Funding Mechanism .  The Sponsor’s designation of available investment options under paragraphs (a) and (b) above, the maintenance of accounts for each Participant under the Plan and the crediting of investments to such accounts, and the exercise by Participants of any powers relating to investments under this Section 5 are solely for the purpose of providing a mechanism for measuring the obligation of the Sponsor to any particular Participant under the Plan.  As further provided in the Agreement, no Participant or beneficiary will have any preferential claim to or beneficial ownership interest in any asset or investment held in the Trust, and the rights of any Participant and his or her beneficiaries under the Plan and the Agreement are solely those of an unsecured general creditor of the Sponsor with respect to the benefits of the Participant under the Plan.

 

(e)   Mutual Funds .  The Sponsor hereby acknowledges that it has received from the Trustee a copy of the prospectus for each Mutual Fund selected by the Sponsor as a Permissible Investment.  Trust investments in Mutual Funds shall be subject to the following limitations:

 

(i)   Execution of Purchases and Sales .  Purchases and sales of Permissible Investments (other than for Exchanges) shall be made on the date on which the Trustee receives from the Sponsor in good order all information and documentation necessary to accurately effect such purchases and sales (or in the case of a purchase, the subsequent date on which the Trustee has received a wire transfer of funds necessary to make such purchase).  Exchanges of Permissible Investments shall be made on the same Business Day that the Trustee receives a proper direction if received before market close (generally 4:00 p.m. eastern time); if the direction is received after market close (generally 4:00 p.m. eastern time), the exchange shall be made the following Business Day.

 

(ii)   Voting .  At the time of mailing of notice of each annual or special stockholder’s meeting of any Mutual Fund, the Trustee shall send a copy of the notice and all proxy solicitation materials to the Sponsor, together with a voting direction form for return to the Trustee or its designee.  The Trustee shall vote the shares held in the Trust in the manner as directed by the Sponsor.  The Trustee shall not vote shares for which it has received no corresponding directions from the Sponsor.  The Sponsor shall also have the right to direct the Trustee as to the manner in which all shareholder rights, other than the right to vote, shall be exercised.  The Trustee shall have no duty to solicit directions from the Sponsor.

 

(f)   Trustee Powers .  The Trustee shall have the following powers and authority:

 

5



 

(i)                        Subject to paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 5, to sell, exchange, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any property held in the Trust, by private contract or at public auction.  No person dealing with the Trustee shall be bound to see to the application of the purchase money or other property delivered to the Trustee or to inquire into the validity, expediency, or propriety of any such sale or other disposition.

 

(ii)                     To cause any securities or other property held as part of the Trust to be registered in the Trustee’s own name, in the name of one or more of its nominees, or in the Trustee’s account with the Depository Trust Company of New York and to hold any investments in bearer form, but the books and records of the Trustee shall at all times show that all such investments are part of the Trust.

 

(iii)                  To keep that portion of the Trust in cash or cash balances as the Sponsor may, from time to time, deem to be in the best interest of the Trust.

 

(iv)                 To make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all documents of transfer or conveyance and to carry out the powers herein granted.

 

(v)                    To settle, compromise, or submit to arbitration any claims, debts, or damages due to or arising from the Trust; to commence or defend suits or legal or administrative proceedings; to represent the Trust in all suits and legal and administrative hearings; and to pay all reasonable expenses arising from any such action, from the Trust if not paid by the Sponsor.

 

(vi)                 To employ legal, accounting, clerical, and other assistance as may be required in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and to pay their reasonable expenses and compensation from the Trust if not paid by the Sponsor.

 

(vii)              To do all other acts although not specifically mentioned herein, as the Trustee may deem necessary to carry out any of the foregoing powers and the purposes of the Trust.

 

Notwithstanding any powers granted to the Trustee pursuant to the Agreement or to applicable law, the Trustee shall not have any power that could give the Trust the objective of carrying on a business and dividing the gains therefrom, within the meaning of Section 301.7701-2 of the Procedure and Administrative Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Code.

 

6



 

Section 6.  Recordkeeping and Administrative Services to Be Performed.

 

(a)   Accounts .  The Trustee shall keep accurate accounts of all investments, receipts, disbursements, and other transactions hereunder, and shall report the value of the assets held in the Trust periodically and on the date on which the Trustee resigns or is removed as provided in the Agreement or is terminated as provided in the Agreement.  Within thirty (30) days following each Reporting Date or within sixty (60) days in the case of a Reporting Date caused by the resignation or removal of the Trustee, or the termination of the Agreement, the Trustee shall file with the Sponsor a written account setting forth all investments, receipts, disbursements, and other transactions effected by the Trustee between the Reporting Date and the prior Reporting Date, and setting forth the value of the Trust as of the Reporting Date. Except as otherwise required under applicable law, upon the expiration of six (6) months from the date of filing such account with the Sponsor, the Trustee shall have no liability or further accountability to anyone with respect to the propriety of its acts or transactions shown in such account, except with respect to such acts or transactions as to which the Sponsor shall within such six (6) month period file with the Trustee written objections.

 

(b)   Inspection and Audit .  All records generated by the Trustee in accordance with paragraphs (a) shall be open to inspection and audit, during the Trustee’s regular business hours prior to the termination of the Agreement, by the Sponsor or any person designated by the Sponsor.

 

(c)   Effect of Plan Amendment .  The Sponsor must deliver to the Trustee a copy of any amendment to the Plan as soon as administratively feasible following the amendment’s adoption and the Sponsor must provide the Trustee on a timely basis with all additional information the Sponsor deems necessary for the Trustee to perform the its duties hereunder as well as such other information as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

(d)   Returns, Reports and Information .  Except as set forth in the Service Agreement, the Sponsor shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of all returns, reports, and information required of the Trust by law.  The Trustee shall provide the Sponsor with such information as the Sponsor may reasonably request to make these filings.  The Sponsor shall also be responsible for making any disclosures to Participants required by law.

 

Section 7.  Compensation and Expenses .  Sponsor shall pay to Trustee, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Trustee’s bill, the fees for services in accordance with the Service Agreement.  All fees for services are specifically outlined in the Service Agreement and are based on any assumptions identified therein.

 

All expenses of the Trustee relating directly to the acquisition and disposition of investments

 

7



 

constituting part of the Trust, and all taxes of any kind whatsoever that may be levied or assessed under existing or future laws upon or in respect of the Trust or the income thereof, shall be a charge against and paid from the appropriate Participants’ accounts.

 

Section 8.  Directions and Indemnification.

 

(a)   Directions from Sponsor .   Whenever the Sponsor provides a direction to the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, or by reason of any breach, arising from the direction if the direction is contained in a writing (or is oral and immediately confirmed in a writing) signed by any individual whose name and signature have been submitted (and not withdrawn) in writing to the Trustee by the Sponsor in the manner described in the Service Agreement, provided the Trustee reasonably believes the signature of the individual to be genuine.  Such direction may be made via electronic data transfer (“EDT”) in accordance with procedures agreed to by the Sponsor and the Trustee; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on such direction as if it were a direction made in writing by the Sponsor.  The Trustee shall have no responsibility to ascertain any direction’s (i) accuracy, (ii) compliance with the terms of the Plan or any applicable law, or (iii) effect for tax purposes or otherwise.

 

(b)   Directions from Participants .  The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss resulting from any Participant’s exercise or non-exercise of rights under this Agreement to direct the investment of the hypothetical assets in the Participant’s accounts.

 

(c)   Indemnification .  The Sponsor shall indemnify the Trustee against, and hold the Trustee harmless from, any and all loss, damage, penalty, liability, cost, and expense, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, that may be incurred by, imposed upon, or asserted against the Trustee by reason of any claim, regulatory proceeding, or litigation arising from any act done or omitted to be done by any individual or person with respect to the Plan or the Trust, excepting only any and all loss, etc., arising solely from the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

 

(d)   Survival .  The provisions of this Section 8 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.  Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

 

(a)   Resignation and Removal .

 

(i) The Trustee may resign at any time in accordance with the notice provisions set forth below.

 

(ii)  The Sponsor may remove the Trustee at any time in accordance with the

 

8



 

notice provisions set forth below.

 

(b)   Termination .  The Agreement may be terminated at any time by the Sponsor upon prior written notice to the Trustee in accordance with the notice provisions set forth below.

 

(c)   Notice Period . In the event either party desires to terminate the Agreement or any Services hereunder, the party shall provide at least sixty-(60) days prior written notice of the termination date to the other party; provided, however, that the receiving party may agree, in writing, to a shorter notice period.

 

(d)     Transition Assistance . In the event of termination of the Agreement, if requested by Sponsor, the Trustee shall assist Sponsor in developing a plan for the orderly transition of the Plan data, cash and assets then constituting the Trustee and recordkeeping services provided by the Trustee hereunder to Sponsor or its designee. The Trustee shall provide such assistance for a period not extending beyond sixty (60) days from the termination date of this Agreement.  The Trustee shall provide to Sponsor, or to any person designated by Sponsor, at a mutually agreeable time, one file of the Plan data prepared and maintained by the Trustee in the ordinary course of business, in the Trustee’s format.  The Trustee may provide other or additional transition assistance as mutually determined for additional fees, which shall be due and payable by the Sponsor prior to any termination of the Agreement.

 

(e)   Failure to Appoint Successor .  If, by the termination date, the Sponsor has not notified the Trustee in writing as to the individual or entity to which the assets and cash are to be transferred and delivered, the Trustee may bring an appropriate action or proceeding for leave to deposit the assets and cash in a court of competent jurisdiction.  The Trustee shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor for all costs and expenses of the action or proceeding including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’  fees and disbursements.

 

Section 10.  Successor Trustee.

 

(a)   Appointment .  If the office of Trustee becomes vacant for any reason, the Sponsor may in writing appoint a successor trustee under this Agreement.  The successor trustee shall have all of the rights, powers, privileges, obligations, duties, liabilities, and immunities granted to the Trustee under the Agreement.  After a successor trustee accepts appointment, a prior trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of the Trustee with respect to the Trust occurring after the time of the appointment.

 

(b)   Acceptance .  When the successor trustee accepts its appointment under the Agreement, title to the Trust assets shall immediately vest in the Trustee without any further action on the part of the

 

9



 

prior trustee.  The prior trustee shall execute all instruments and do all acts that reasonably may be necessary or reasonably may be requested in writing by the Sponsor or the Trustee to evidence the vesting of title to all Trust assets in the Trustee or to deliver all Trust assets to the Trustee.

 

(c)   Corporate Action .  Any successor of the Trustee, through sale or transfer of the business or trust department of the Trustee, or through reorganization, consolidation, or merger, or any similar transaction, shall, upon consummation of the transaction, become the Trustee under this Agreement.

 

Section 11.  Resignation, Removal, and Termination Notices .  All notices of resignation, removal, or termination under this Agreement must be in writing and mailed to the party to which the notice is being given by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the Sponsor at the address designated in the Service Agreement, and to the Trustee c/o Fidelity Investments - ECM Client Services Relationship Manager, P.O. Box 770001, Cincinnati, OH 45277-0026, or to such other addresses as the parties have notified each other of in the foregoing manner.

 

Section 12.  Duration .  The Trust shall continue in effect without limit as to time, subject, however, to the provisions of the Agreement relating to amendment, modification, and termination thereof.

 

Section 13.  Insolvency of Sponsor.

 

(a)   Trustee shall cease disbursement of funds for payment of benefits to Participants and their beneficiaries if the Sponsor is Insolvent.  Sponsor shall be considered “Insolvent” for purposes of the Agreement if (i) Sponsor is unable to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) Sponsor is subject to a pending proceeding as a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code.

 

(b)   All times during the continuance of the Trust, the principal and income of the Trust shall be subject to claims of general creditors of the Sponsor under federal and state law as set forth below.

 

(i)   The Board of Directors (or other body governing the entity under state law) and the Chief Executive Officer of the Sponsor shall have the duty to inform the Trustee in writing of the Sponsor’s Insolvency.  If a person claiming to be a creditor of the Sponsor alleges in writing to the Trustee that the Sponsor has become Insolvent, the Trustee shall determine whether the Sponsor is Insolvent and, pending such determination, the Trustee shall discontinue disbursements for payment of benefits to Participants or their beneficiaries.

 

(ii)   Unless the Trustee has actual knowledge of the Sponsor’s Insolvency, or has received notice from the Sponsor or a person claiming to be a creditor alleging that the Sponsor is

 

10



 

Insolvent, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire whether the Sponsor is Insolvent.  The Trustee may in all events rely on such evidence concerning the Sponsor’s solvency as may be furnished to the Trustee and that provides the Trustee with a reasonable basis for making a determination concerning the Sponsor’s solvency.

 

(iii)  If at any time the Trustee has determined that the Sponsor is Insolvent, the Trustee shall discontinue disbursements for payments to Participants or their beneficiaries and shall hold the assets of the Trust for the benefit of the Sponsor’s general creditors.  Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way diminish any rights of Participants or their beneficiaries to pursue their rights as general creditors of the Sponsor with respect to benefits due under the Plan or otherwise.

 

(iv)  Trustee shall resume disbursements for the payment of benefits to Participants or their beneficiaries in accordance with this Agreement only after the Trustee has determined that the Sponsor is not Insolvent (or is no longer Insolvent).

 

(c)   If the Sponsor permits the employees of another member of the same controlled group (as defined in IRC Section 414(b) or (c)) to participate in the Plan, all of the assets held by the Trust will be subject to the claims of the general creditors of both the Sponsor and all of such participating affiliates and, for purposes of Section 13(a), the Sponsor is considered Insolvent if any such affiliate meets the definition of Insolvent.

 

(d)   Provided that there are sufficient assets, if the Trustee discontinues the payment of benefits from the Trust pursuant to Section 13(a) hereof and subsequently resumes such payments, the first payment following such discontinuance shall include the aggregate amount of all payments due to Participants or their beneficiaries under the terms of the Plan for the period of such discontinuance, less the aggregate amount of any payments made to Participants or their beneficiaries by the Sponsor in lieu of the payments provided for hereunder during any such period of discontinuance.

 

Section 14.  Amendment or Modification .  This Agreement may be amended or modified at any time and from time to time only by an instrument executed by both the Sponsor and the Trustee.

 

Section 15.  Electronic Services.

 

(a)   The Trustee may provide communications and services (“Electronic Services”) and/or software products (“Electronic Products”) via electronic media, including, but not limited to Fidelity Plan Sponsor WebStation.  The Sponsor and its agents agree to use such Electronic Services and Electronic Products only in the course of reasonable administration of or participation in the Plan and to keep confidential and not publish, copy, broadcast, retransmit, reproduce, commercially exploit or otherwise

 

11



 

redisseminate the Electronic Products or Electronic Services or any portion thereof without the Trustee’s written consent, except, in cases where the Trustee has specifically notified the Sponsor that the Electronic Products or Services are suitable for delivery to Participants, for non-commercial personal use by the Participants or beneficiaries with respect to their participation in the Plan or for their other retirement planning purposes.

 

(b)   The Sponsor shall be responsible for installing and maintaining all Electronic Products, (including any programming required to accomplish the installation) and for displaying any and all content associated with Electronic Services on its computer network and/or intranet so that such content will appear exactly as it appears when delivered to the Sponsor.  All Electronic Products and Services shall be clearly identified as originating from the Trustee or its affiliate.  The Sponsor shall promptly remove Electronic Products or Services from its computer network and/or intranet, or replace the Electronic Products or Services with updated products or services provided by the Trustee, upon written notification (including written notification via facsimile) by the Trustee.

 

(c)   All Electronic Products shall be provided to the Sponsor without any express or implied legal warranties or acceptance of legal liability by the Trustee, and all Electronic Services shall be provided to the Sponsor without acceptance of legal liability related to or arising out of the electronic nature of the delivery or provision of such Services.  Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, no rights are conveyed to any property, intellectual or tangible, associated with the contents of the Electronic Products or Services and related material. The Trustee hereby grants to the Sponsor a non-exclusive, nontransferable revocable right and license to use the Electronic Products and Services in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

 

(d)   To the extent that any Electronic Products or Services utilize Internet services to transport data or communications, the Trustee will take, and the Sponsor agrees to follow, reasonable security precautions, however, the Trustee disclaims any liability for interception of any such data or communications. The Trustee reserves the right not to accept data or communications transmitted via electronic media by the Sponsor or a third party if it determines that the media does not provide adequate data security, or if it is not administratively feasible for the Trustee to use the data security provided. The Trustee shall not be responsible for, and makes no warranties regarding access, speed or availability of Internet or network services, or any other service required for electronic communication.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for any loss or damage related to or resulting from any changes or modifications to the Electronic Products or Services after delivering it to the Sponsor.

 

12



 

Section 16.  General.

 

(a)   Performance by Trustee, its Agents or Affiliates .  The Sponsor acknowledges and authorizes that the services to be provided under the Agreement shall be provided by the Trustee, its agents or affiliates, including but not limited to Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. or its successor, and that certain of such services may be provided pursuant to one or more other contractual agreements or relationships.

 

(b)   Entire Agreement .  This Agreement contains all of the terms agreed upon between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

(c)   Waiver .  No waiver by either party of any failure or refusal to comply with an obligation hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of any other or subsequent failure or refusal to so comply.

 

(d)   Successors and Assigns .  The stipulations in this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall bind, the successors and assigns of the respective parties.

 

(e)   Partial Invalidity .  If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement, or the application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of the Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

(f)   Section Headings .  The headings of the various sections, subsections and paragraphs of this Agreement have been inserted only for the purposes of convenience and are not part of the Agreement and shall not be deemed in any manner to modify, explain, expand or restrict any of the provisions of the Agreement.

 

Section 17.  Assignment .  This Agreement, and any of its rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other party(ies), and such consent may be withheld in any party’s sole discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Trustee may assign this Agreement in whole or in part, and any of its rights and obligations hereunder, to a subsidiary or affiliate of Trustee without consent of the Sponsor.  All provisions in the Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 18.  Force Majeure .  No party shall be deemed in default of the Agreement to the extent that any delay or failure in performance of its obligation(s) results, without its fault or negligence, from any cause beyond its reasonable control, such as acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes,

 

13



 

epidemics, war, riots, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, unusually severe weather conditions, power outages or strikes.  This clause shall not excuse any of the parties to the Agreement from any liability which results from failure to have in place reasonable disaster recovery and safeguarding plans adequate for protection of all data each of the parties to the Agreement are responsible for maintaining for the Plan.

 

Section 19.  Confidentiality .  Both parties to this Agreement recognize that in the course of implementing and providing the services described herein, each party may disclose to the other confidential information. All such confidential information, individually and collectively, and other proprietary information disclosed by either party shall remain the sole property of the party disclosing the same, and the receiving party shall have no interest or rights with respect thereto if so designated by the disclosing party to the receiving party.  Each party agrees to maintain all such confidential information in trust and confidence to the same extent that it protects its own proprietary information, and not to disclose such confidential information to any third party without the written consent of the other party.  Each party further agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.  In addition, each party agrees not to disclose or make public to anyone, in any manner, the terms of the Agreement, except as required by law, without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

Section 20.  Situs of Trust Assets .  The Sponsor and the Trustee agree that no assets of the Trust shall be located or transferred outside of the United States.

 

Section 21.  Governing Law.

 

(a)   Massachusetts Law Controls .  This Agreement is being made in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Trust shall be administered as a Massachusetts trust.  The validity, construction, effect, and administration of the Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, except to the extent those laws are superseded under Section 514 of ERISA.

 

(b)   Trust Agreement Controls .  The Trustee is not a party to the Plan, and in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and the provisions of the Agreement, the provisions of the Agreement shall control.

 

14



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

Plan Sponsor Name:

 

Safety Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ William J. Begley, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

William J. Begley, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

VP, Treasurer, CFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

10/29/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Gregory M. Perkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Gregory M. Perkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

10/31/2008

 

15



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

Plan Sponsor Name:

 

Safety Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ William. Begley, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

William J. Begley, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

VP, Treasurer, CFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

10/29/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Gregory M. Perkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Gregory M. Perkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

10/31/2008

 

16


Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, David F. Brussard, Chief Executive Officer of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. certify that:

 

1.                                        I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.;

 

2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:

 

a)               Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)              Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)               Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)              Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonable likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)               Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: November 7, 2008

 

/s/ DAVID F. BRUSSARD

 

David F. Brussard

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 


Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, William J. Begley Jr., Chief Financial Officer of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. certify that:

 

1.                                        I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.;

 

2.                                        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)               Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)              Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)               Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)              Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonable likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)               Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 7, 2008

 

 

 

/s/ WILLIAM J. BEGLEY, JR

 

William J. Begley, Jr.

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 


Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with this quarterly report of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2008 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David F. Brussard, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

· The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

· The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the periods presented in the Report.

 

Date: November 7, 2008

 

 

 

/ s/ DAVID F. BRUSSARD

 

David F. Brussard

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 


Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with this quarterly report of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2008 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, William J. Begley, Jr., Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

· The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

· The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the periods presented in the Report.

 

Date: November 7, 2008

 

/s/ WILLIAM J. BEGLEY, JR.

 

William J. Begley, Jr.

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

(Principal Financial Officer)