UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 26, 2015

VERISK ANALYTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-34480   26-2994223

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

545 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ   07310
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (201) 469-2000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

Effective May 26, 2015, Verisk Analytics, Inc. (the “Registrant”) amended and restated its Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Charter”) to eliminate references to its Class B common stock, rename its Class A common stock as “common stock”, make related conforming changes, update certain outdated provisions and remove certain redundant provisions. The Amended and Restated Charter eliminated references to 800 million authorized shares of Class B common stock, since there were no outstanding shares of Class B common stock and the Registrant had no plans or intentions to issue any shares of Class B common stock in the future. The Amended and Restated Charter has not changed any substantive terms of the Class A common stock, which is now renamed “common stock”, or any power or rights of its holders, and the common stock will continue to be listed and trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “VRSK”.

Furthermore, effective May 26, 2015, the Registrant amended and restated its Bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”) to adopt a majority voting standard for the election of directors in uncontested elections. Under the new majority voting standard, in order to be elected in an uncontested election, a director nominee must receive a majority of the votes cast in the election such that the number of shares properly cast “for” the nominee exceeds the number of votes properly cast “against” that nominee. In contested elections where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the voting standard will continue to be a plurality of votes cast. In addition, the Amended and Restated Bylaws deleted a reference to the initial commencement date of the Registrant’s annual meeting and eliminated references to the Registrant’s Class B common stock which was eliminated pursuant to the Amended and Restated Charter as described above.

The descriptions of the Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws set forth above are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Verisk Analytics, Inc. dated May 26, 2015
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Verisk Analytics, Inc. dated May 26, 2015


SIGNATURES

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

    VERISK ANALYTICS, INC.
Date: May 29, 2015 By: /s/ Kenneth E. Thompson
Name: Kenneth E. Thompson
Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF VERISK ANALYTICS, INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of § 242 and § 245 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

1. The present name of the corporation is Verisk Analytics, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”). The date of filing of the original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was May 23, 2008.

2. The Amended Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended in its entirety as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation hereinafter provided for.

3. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation herein certified has been duly adopted by the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of § 228, 242, and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

4. This Certificate shall become effective upon the filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

5. The Amended and Restated Certificate Incorporation of the Corporation shall, at the effective time, read as follows:

FIRST: Name . The name of the corporation is Verisk Analytics, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

SECOND: Registered Office and Registered Agent . The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

THIRD: Purpose . The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (“ Delaware Law ”).

FOURTH: Capital Stock . (a) The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 2,080,000,000, consisting of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and 80,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”).

(b) Upon the filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “ Filing Time ”), each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 of the Corporation issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto, shall be automatically reclassified as one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock without any further action on the part of the Corporation or by the holder thereof. Each certificate formerly representing a share or shares of Class A Common Stock shall automatically represent from and after the Filing Time, without any further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder thereof, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such certificate immediately prior to the Filing Time.

(c) Each holder of the Class A Common Stock may exchange with the Corporation each certificate evidencing such Class A Common Stock held by such holder for a certificate evidencing the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Section (b) of this ARTICLE FOURTH. The reclassification of the Class A Common Stock will be deemed to occur at the Filing Time, regardless of when any certificates previously representing such shares of Class A Common Stock (if such shares are held in certificated form) are physically surrendered to the Corporation in exchange for certificates representing such new Common Stock.

(d) The Board of Directors is hereby empowered to authorize by resolution or resolutions from time to time the issuance of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to each such class or series of Preferred Stock and the number of shares constituting each such class or series, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such class or series to the extent permitted by the Delaware Law.


FIFTH: Reserved.

SIXTH: Limitations on Beneficial Ownership .

(a) No Insurer Group shall Beneficially Own more than ten percent (10%) of the aggregate outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(b) If any Transfer is purportedly effected which, if effective, would result in any Insurer Group Beneficially Owning shares of Common Stock in violation of Section (a) of this ARTICLE SIXTH, then the intended Transferee shall acquire no rights in respect of the shares in excess of the amount permitted by Section (a) of this ARTICLE SIXTH, including, without limitation, voting rights or rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to such shares and, subject to Section (e) of this ARTICLE SIXTH, the Transfer of that number of shares of Common Stock that otherwise would cause any Insurer Group to violate Section (a) of this ARTICLE SIXTH shall be null and void ab initio .

(c) If the Board of Directors shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has purportedly taken place that, if effected would result in a violation of Section (a) of this ARTICLE SIXTH or that an Insurer Group intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership of any shares of Common Stock in violation of Section (a) of this ARTICLE SIXTH (whether or not such violation is intended), such shares of Common Stock shall be redeemable for cash or property or exchangeable for other shares of capital stock of the Corporation, in each case, at the option of, and for the amount determined by, the Board of Directors in good faith and in its sole discretion, and the Board of Directors shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section (a) of this ARTICLE SIXTH shall be null and void ab initio irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.

(d) An Insurer Group who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock that will or may violate Section (a) of this ARTICLE SIXTH shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation.

(e) Nothing in this ARTICLE SIXTH shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Stock Market or any other securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this ARTICLE SIXTH and any Transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this ARTICLE SIXTH.

(f) The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive and necessary relief, to enforce the provisions of this ARTICLE SIXTH.

(g) No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing as authorized by the Board of Directors.

(h) In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this ARTICLE SIXTH, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine, in good faith and in its sole discretion, the application of the provisions of this ARTICLE SIXTH, to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section (c) of this ARTICLE SIXTH requires an action by the Board of Directors and this Certificate of Incorporation fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of this ARTICLE SIXTH.


SEVENTH: Rights and Preferences . (a) Subject to Section (b) of ARTICLE SIXTH, each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of Designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock.

(b) Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over, or the right to participate with, the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine. All holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to participate ratably in any dividend or distribution paid on the Common Stock (regardless of class or series) and no dividend or distribution may be declared or paid on any class or series of Common Stock unless an equivalent dividend is contemporaneously declared and paid on each other class and series of Common Stock.

(c) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock, if any, shall be entitled, the holders of all outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder. For the purposes of this Section (c) of this ARTICLE SEVENTH, neither the voluntary sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all the property or assets of the Corporation nor the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into one or more other corporations shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, voluntary or involuntary, unless such voluntary sale, conveyance, exchange, transfer, merger or consolidation shall be in connection with a dissolution or winding-up of the business of the Corporation.

(d) In the event that the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise changed into other stock or securities, or the right to receive cash or any other property, such shares of Common Stock shall be exchanged for or changed into the same per share amount of stock, securities, cash or any other property, as the case may be, into which or for which each share of any other class of Common Stock is exchanged or changed.

EIGHTH: Bylaws . The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

NINTH: Board of Directors . (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of not less than seven nor more than fifteen directors, the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

(b) The directors shall be divided into three Classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each Class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders next following the annual meeting at which such director was elected. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each director shall hold office until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. In the event of any change in the number of directors, the Board of Directors shall apportion any newly created directorships among, or reduce the number of directorships in, such class or classes as shall equalize, as nearly as possible, the number of directors in each class. In no event will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.


(c) There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

(d) Vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or otherwise and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled solely by a majority of the directors then in office (although less than a quorum) or by the sole remaining director, and each director so elected shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the term of the Class to which such director shall have been elected.

(e) No director may be removed from office by the stockholders except for cause with the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding securities of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to ARTICLE FOURTH applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be subject to the provisions of this ARTICLE NINTH unless otherwise provided therein.

(g) In no event may a majority of (i) the Board of Directors, (ii) a committee of the Board of Directors or (iii) any Class of the Board of Directors, be employed by the Corporation or by an Insurer Group.

(h) Subject to Section (d) of this ARTICLE NINTH, in no event may a majority of directors constituting a quorum of the Board of Directors or a quorum of a committee of the Board of Directors be employed by the Corporation or by an Insurer Group.

TENTH: Action By Written Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken only upon the vote of stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly noticed and called in accordance with Delaware Law, as amended from time to time, and may not be taken by written consent of stockholders without a meeting.

ELEVENTH: Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation and may not be called by any other person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, such holders may call, pursuant to the terms of the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to ARTICLE FOURTH hereto, special meetings of holders of such Preferred Stock for purposes of election of such directors.

TWELFTH: Indemnification . (1) A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law.

(2)(a) Each person (and the heirs, executors or administrators of such person) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law. The right to indemnification conferred in this ARTICLE TWELFTH shall also include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in connection with any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware Law. The right to indemnification conferred in this ARTICLE TWELFTH shall be a contract right.

(b) The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to such of the employees and agents of the Corporation to such extent and to such effect as the Board of Directors shall determine to be appropriate and authorized by Delaware Law.


(3) The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Delaware Law.

(4) The rights and authority conferred in this ARTICLE TWELFTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may otherwise have or hereafter acquire.

(5) Neither the amendment nor repeal of this ARTICLE TWELFTH, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law, any modification of law, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this ARTICLE TWELFTH in respect of any acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.

THIRTEENTH: Amendments . The Corporation reserves the right to amend this Certificate of Incorporation in any manner permitted by Delaware Law and all rights and powers conferred herein on stockholders, directors and officers, if any, are subject to this reserved power; provided, however , that no provision of ARTICLE SIXTH may be amended, altered, repealed, or otherwise modified, and no provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with any such provisions may be adopted, whether by means of formal amendment thereto or by means of any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, other business combination or otherwise, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

FOURTEENTH: Definitions . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Certificate of Incorporation shall have their respective meanings as defined below:

“Beneficially Own” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (or any successor rules), except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Insurer Group such Insurer Group will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Insurer Group has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition; provided that Common Stock held by any person for the benefit of third parties or in customer or fiduciary accounts in the ordinary course of such Insurer Group’s business shall not be deemed to be Beneficially Owned by such person. The terms “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficial Ownership” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

“Insurer Group” means any insurance company whose primary activity is the writing of insurance or the reinsuring of risks underwritten by insurance companies or any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common ownership, management or control with such insurer or reinsurer.

“Transfer” means any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, distribution, devise or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, as well as any other event that causes any person to acquire Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock or the right to vote Common Stock, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, including (a) any offer, pledge, sale, contract to sell, the sale of any option or contract to purchase, the purchase of any option or contract to sell, the grant of any option, right or warrant to purchase, loan, or any other transfer or disposition of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (b) entering into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction is described in clause (a) or (b) above or is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise and (c) transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock, in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, or Beneficially Owned and whether by merger, operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring,” “Transferred,” “Transferee” and “Transferor” shall have the correlative meanings.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this amended and restated certificate of incorporation which restates and integrates and further amends the provisions of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of this corporation as heretofore amended or supplemented, having been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, has been executed by its corporate secretary as of the 26 th  day of May, 2015.

 

VERISK ANALYTICS, INC.
By: /s/ Kenneth E. Thompson
Kenneth E. Thompson
Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 3.2

Amended and Restated as of May 26, 2015

BYLAWS OF VERISK ANALYTICS, INC.

ARTICLE 1

OFFICES

Section 1.01. Registered Office . The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

Section 1.02. Other Offices . The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

Section 1.03. Books . The books of the Corporation may be kept within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE 2

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01. Time and Place of Meetings . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date and at such time as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors (or the Chairman in the absence of a determination by the Board of Directors).

Section 2.02. Annual Meetings . An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors and to transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

Section 2.03. Special Meetings . Special meetings of stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation and may not be called by any other person.

Section 2.04. Notice of Meetings and Adjourned Meetings; Waivers of Notice . (a) Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (“Delaware Law”), such notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. Unless these bylaws otherwise require, when a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (whether or not a quorum is present), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

(b) A written waiver of any such notice signed by the person entitled thereto, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.


Section 2.05. Quorum . Unless otherwise provided under the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws and subject to Delaware Law, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy shall adjourn the meeting, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

Section 2.06. Voting . (a) Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation and subject to Delaware Law, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each outstanding share of capital stock of the Corporation held by such stockholder. Any share of capital stock of the Corporation held by the Corporation shall have no voting rights. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specific circumstances and unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast against that director.

(b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to a corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, appointed by an instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder or by his attorney thereunto authorized, or by proxy sent by cable, telegram or by any means of electronic communication permitted by law, which results in a writing from such stockholder or by his attorney, and delivered to the secretary of the meeting. No proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date, unless said proxy provides for a longer period.

(c) Votes may be cast by any stockholder entitled to vote in person or by his proxy. In determining the number of votes cast for or against a proposal or nominee, shares abstaining from voting on a matter (including elections) will not be treated as a vote cast. A non-vote by a broker will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum but not for purposes of determining the number of votes cast.

Section 2.07. No Action by Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken only upon the vote of stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly noticed and called in accordance with Delaware Law and may not be taken by written consent of stockholders without a meeting.

Section 2.08. Organization . At each meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board, if one shall have been elected, or in the Chairman’s absence or if one shall not have been elected, the director designated by the vote of the majority of the directors present at such meeting, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary (or in the Secretary’s absence or inability to act, the person whom the chairman of the meeting shall appoint secretary of the meeting) shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.

Section 2.09. Order of Business . The order of business at all meetings of stockholders shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting.


Section 2.10. Nomination of Directors . Unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 2.10, who shall be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.10. Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 25 days prior to such anniversary date then to be timely such notice must be received by the Corporation no later than the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting was made. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such stockholder and (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder and any other direct or indirect pecuniary or economic interest in any capital stock of the Corporation of such person, including, without limitation, any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit sharing arrangement. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a director shall furnish to the secretary of the Corporation that information required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. Unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, no person shall be eligible to serve as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this bylaw. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the bylaws and the certificate of incorporation, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 2.11. Notice of Business . At any meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.11, who shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.11. For business to be properly brought before a stockholder meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 25 days prior to such anniversary date then to be timely such notice must be received by the Corporation no later than the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting was made. A stockholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and any other direct or indirect pecuniary or economic interest in any capital stock of the Corporation of such person, including, without limitation, any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit sharing arrangement, and (d) any material interest of the stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything in the bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a stockholder meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.11. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of the bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

ARTICLE 3

DIRECTORS

Section 3.01. General Powers . Except as otherwise provided in Delaware Law or the certificate of incorporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.


Section 3.02. Number, Election and Term Of Office . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of not less than seven nor more than fifteen directors, the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The directors shall be divided into three Classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each Class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders next following the annual meeting at which such director was elected. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each director shall hold office until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.

Section 3.03. Quorum and Manner of Acting . Unless the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws require a lesser or greater number, and subject to Section 3.15, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (whether or not a quorum is present), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors the directors present thereat shall adjourn the meeting, from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 3.04. Time and Place of Meetings . The Board of Directors shall hold its meetings at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors (or the Chairman in the absence of a determination by the Board of Directors).

Section 3.05. Annual Meeting . The Board of Directors shall meet for the purpose of organization, the election of officers and the transaction of other business, as soon as practicable after each annual meeting of stockholders, on the same day and at the same place where such annual meeting shall be held. Notice of such meeting need not be given. In the event such annual meeting is not so held, the annual meeting of the Board of Directors may be held at such place either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date and at such time as shall be specified in a notice thereof given as hereinafter provided in Section 3.07 herein or in a waiver of notice thereof signed by any director who chooses to waive the requirement of notice.

Section 3.06. Regular Meetings . After the place and time of regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall have been determined and notice thereof shall have been once given to each member of the Board of Directors, regular meetings may be held without further notice being given.

Section 3.07. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation and may not be called by any other person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, such holders may call, pursuant to the terms of the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to the certificate of incorporation, special meetings of holders of such Preferred Stock. Notice of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director at least one day before the date of the meeting in such manner as is determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.08. Committees . The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by Delaware Law to be submitted to the stockholders for approval or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.


Section 3.09. Action by Consent . Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions, are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 3.10. Telephonic Meetings . Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or such committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 3.11. Resignation . Any director may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the Secretary of the Corporation. The resignation of any director shall take effect upon receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall be specified in such notice; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 3.12. Vacancies . Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or otherwise and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled solely by a majority of the directors then in office (although less than a quorum) or by the sole remaining director, and each director so elected shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the term of the Class to which such director shall have been elected. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in accordance with Delaware Law. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, when one or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in the filling of the other vacancies.

Section 3.13. Removal . Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, no director may be removed from office by the stockholders except for cause with the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding securities of the corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 3.14. Compensation . Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have authority to fix the compensation of directors, including fees and reimbursement of expenses.

Section 3.15. Restrictions . In no event may a majority of (i) the Board of Directors, (ii) a committee of the Board of Directors or (iii) each Class of the Board of Directors, be employed by the Corporation or by an Insurer Group. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, in no event may a majority of directors constituting a quorum of the Board of Directors or a quorum of a committee of the Board of Directors be employed by the Corporation or by an Insurer Group.

Section 3.16. Preferred Stock Directors . Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, whenever the holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, the election, term of office, filing of vacancies, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the resolutions applicable thereto adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to the certificate of incorporation, and such directors so elected shall not be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.12 and 3.13 of this Article 3 unless otherwise provided therein.


ARTICLE 4

OFFICERS

Section 4.01. Principal Officers . The principal officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and a Secretary who shall have the duty, among other things, to record the proceedings of the meetings of stockholders and directors in a book kept for that purpose. The Corporation may also have such other principal officers, including one or more Controllers, as the Board may in its discretion appoint. One person may hold the offices and perform the duties of any two or more of said offices, except that no one person shall hold the offices and perform the duties of President and Secretary.

Section 4.02. Election, Term of Office and Remuneration . The principal officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting thereof. Each such officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. The remuneration of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by or at the direction of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in any office shall be filled in such manner as the Board of Directors shall determine.

Section 4.03. Subordinate Officers . In addition to the principal officers enumerated in Section 4.01 herein, the Corporation may have one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Controllers and such other subordinate officers, agents and employees as the Board of Directors may deem necessary, each of whom shall hold office for such period as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Any Vice President (whether a principal officer or a subordinate officer) may be designated Executive, Senior or Corporate, or may be given such other designation or combination of designations as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may determine. The Board of Directors may delegate to any principal officer the power to appoint and to remove any such subordinate officers, agents or employees.

Section 4.04. Removal . Except as otherwise permitted with respect to subordinate officers, the Chief Executive Officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time, by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors and any other officers may be removed at any time, with or without cause by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer upon authority delegated by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.05. Resignations . Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors (or to a principal officer if the Board of Directors has delegated to such principal officer the power to appoint and to remove such officer). The resignation of any officer shall take effect upon receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall be specified in such notice; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 4.06. Powers and Duties . The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and perform such duties incident to each of their respective offices and such other duties as may from time to time be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 5

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 5.01. Certificates For Stock; Uncertificated Shares . The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of shares represented by certificates of the same class and series shall be identical. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an assistant Secretary of such Corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The Corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.


Section 5.02. Transfer Of Shares . Shares of the stock of the Corporation may be transferred on the record of stockholders of the Corporation by the holder thereof or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney upon surrender of a certificate therefor properly endorsed or upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of uncertificated shares or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form, unless waived by the Corporation.

Section 5.03. Authority for Additional Rules Regarding Transfer . The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificated or uncertificated shares of the stock of the Corporation, as well as for the issuance of new certificates in lieu of those which may be lost or destroyed, and may require of any stockholder requesting replacement of lost or destroyed certificates, bond in such amount and in such form as they may deem expedient to indemnify the Corporation, and/or the transfer agents, and/or the registrars of its stock against any claims arising in connection therewith.

ARTICLE 6

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 6.01. Fixing the Record Date . (a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 6.02. Dividends . Subject to limitations contained in Delaware Law and the certificate of incorporation, the Board of Directors may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the Corporation, which dividends may be paid either in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock of the Corporation.

Section 6.03. Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year.

Section 6.04. Corporate Seal . The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

Section 6.05. Voting of Stock Owned by the Corporation . The Board of Directors may authorize any person, on behalf of the Corporation, to attend, vote at and grant proxies to be used at any meeting of stockholders of any corporation (except this Corporation) in which the Corporation may hold stock. Absent such direction by the Board of Directors, any principal officer of the Corporation may attend, vote at and grant proxies to be used at any meeting of stockholders of any corporation (except this Corporation) in which the Corporation may hold stock.

Section 6.06. Amendments . These bylaws or any of them, may be altered, amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be made, by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at any annual or special meeting thereof or by the Board of Directors.