Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016

 

OR

 

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)

 

Not Applicable

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

 

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   No 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes    No 

 

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 

 

Accelerated filer 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer   

 

Smaller reporting company 

 

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

Yes    No 

 

As of August 1, 2016 there were 15,158,074 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.

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

3

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

4

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

5

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

6

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

7

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

8

Item 2.  

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

24  

Item 3.  

Quantitative and Qualitative Information about Market Risk

43

Item 4.  

Controls and Procedures

43

Part II.     Other Information

Item 1A.  

Risk Factors

45

Item 2.  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

45

Item 3.  

Defaults upon Senior Securities

45

Item 4.  

Mine Safety Disclosures

45

Item 5.  

Other Information

45

Item 6.  

Exhibits  

45

SIGNATURE  

46

EXHIBIT INDEX  

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2


 

Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet s

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

June 30, 

    

December 31, 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,068,806 and $1,063,971)

 

$

1,112,277

 

$

1,081,637

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $103,898 and $102,541 )

 

 

116,961

 

 

110,204

Other invested assets

 

 

19,304

 

 

17,602

Total investments

 

 

1,248,542

 

 

1,209,443

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

44,053

 

 

47,494

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

195,509

 

 

178,567

Receivable for securities sold

 

 

518

 

 

260

Accrued investment income

 

 

8,469

 

 

8,922

Taxes recoverable

 

 

17,037

 

 

15,497

Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

26,444

 

 

40,972

Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

78,043

 

 

68,261

Ceded unearned premiums

 

 

28,886

 

 

23,222

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

72,386

 

 

68,937

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 —

 

 

4,430

Equity and deposits in pools

 

 

27,695

 

 

23,558

Other assets

 

 

16,917

 

 

14,306

Total assets

 

$

1,764,499

 

$

1,703,869

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

$

544,082

 

$

553,977

Unearned premium reserves

 

 

428,135

 

 

401,961

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

51,762

 

 

53,722

Payable for securities purchased

 

 

7,093

 

 

8,607

Payable to reinsurers

 

 

23,177

 

 

11,547

Deferred income taxes

 

 

7,117

 

 

 —

Other liabilities

 

 

23,098

 

 

29,556

Total liabilities

 

 

1,084,464

 

 

1,059,370

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock:  $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 17,437,644 and 17,373,643 shares issued

 

 

174

 

 

174

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

182,278

 

 

179,896

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

 

 

36,746

 

 

16,464

Retained earnings

 

 

544,672

 

 

531,800

Treasury stock, at cost: 2,279,570 shares

 

 

(83,835)

 

 

(83,835)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

680,035

 

 

644,499

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,764,499

 

$

1,703,869

 

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

3


 

Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operation s

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

    

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

    

2016

    

2015

 

2016

    

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

$

187,393

 

$

182,447

 

$

373,047

 

$

365,011

Net investment income

 

 

9,641

 

 

10,317

 

 

19,268

 

 

20,874

Earnings from partnership investments

 

 

1,409

 

 

577

 

 

2,287

 

 

577

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

360

 

 

(173)

 

 

37

 

 

238

Net impairment losses on investments (a)

 

 

(137)

 

 

 —

 

 

(429)

 

 

 —

Finance and other service income

 

 

4,284

 

 

4,434

 

 

8,569

 

 

8,941

Total revenue

 

 

202,950

 

 

197,602

 

 

402,779

 

 

395,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

115,144

 

 

147,026

 

 

241,123

 

 

355,350

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

 

 

57,513

 

 

52,198

 

 

113,470

 

 

104,295

Interest expense

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

 

45

 

 

45

Total expenses

 

 

172,680

 

 

199,247

 

 

354,638

 

 

459,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

30,270

 

 

(1,645)

 

 

48,141

 

 

(64,049)

Income tax expense (credit)

 

 

8,905

 

 

(592)

 

 

14,106

 

 

(27,925)

Net income (loss)

 

$

21,365

 

$

(1,053)

 

$

34,035

 

$

(36,124)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per weighted average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.42

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.26

 

$

(2.43)

Diluted

 

$

1.41

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.25

 

$

(2.43)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.70

 

$

1.40

 

$

1.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

14,960,516

 

 

14,879,047

 

 

14,932,237

 

 

14,851,742

Diluted

 

 

15,041,077

 

 

14,879,047

 

 

14,988,546

 

 

14,851,742

 

(a)

No portion of the other-than-temporary impairments recognized in the period indicated were included in comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

4


 

Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Incom e (Loss)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

 

2016

    

2015

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

21,365

 

$

(1,053)

 

$

34,035

 

$

(36,124)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains or losses during the period, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $5,426, ($5,508), $10,934 and ($3,616).

 

 

10,077

 

 

(10,230)

 

 

20,306

 

 

(6,715)

 

Reclassification adjustment for losses or gains included in net income, net of income tax (expense) benefit of ($126), $60, ($13) and ($83).

 

 

(234)

 

 

112

 

 

(24)

 

 

(155)

 

Unrealized gains on securities available for sale

 

 

9,843

 

 

(10,118)

 

 

20,282

 

 

(6,870)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

31,208

 

$

(11,171)

 

$

54,317

 

$

(42,994)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

5


 

Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equit y

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

Accumulated

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Income,

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Shareholders’

 

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

Net of Taxes

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Equity

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

$

173

 

$

175,583

 

$

28,715

 

$

587,647

 

$

(83,835)

 

$

708,283

Net loss, January 1 to June 30, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,124)

 

 

 

 

 

(36,124)

Unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,870)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,870)

Restricted share awards issued

 

 

1

 

 

246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247

Recognition of employee share-based compensation, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

1,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,584

Exercise of options, net of federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

152

Dividends paid and accrued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,930)

 

 

 

 

 

(20,930)

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Balance at June 30, 2015

 

$

174

 

$

177,565

 

$

21,845

 

$

530,593

 

$

(83,835)

 

$

646,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

Accumulated

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Income,

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Shareholders’

 

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

Net of Taxes

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Equity

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

$

174

 

$

179,896

 

$

16,464

 

$

531,800

 

$

(83,835)

 

$

644,499

Net income, January 1 to June 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,035

 

 

 

 

 

34,035

Unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,282

Restricted share awards issued

 

 

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

280

Recognition of employee share-based compensation, net of deferred federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

1,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,851

Exercise of options, net of federal income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

251

Dividends paid and accrued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21,163)

 

 

 

 

 

(21,163)

Balance at June 30, 2016

 

$

174

 

$

182,278

 

$

36,746

 

$

544,672

 

$

(83,835)

 

$

680,035

 

 

 

 

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 Flow s

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

    

2016

    

2015

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

34,035

 

$

(36,124)

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization, net

 

 

6,356

 

 

5,635

 

Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes

 

 

626

 

 

(2,171)

 

Net realized gains on investments

 

 

(37)

 

 

(238)

 

Net impairment losses on investments

 

 

429

 

 

 —

 

Earnings from partnership investments

 

 

(2,287)

 

 

(577)

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(16,942)

 

 

(16,522)

 

Accrued investment income

 

 

453

 

 

960

 

Receivable from reinsurers

 

 

4,746

 

 

(59,149)

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

 

(5,664)

 

 

(1,564)

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

(3,449)

 

 

(3,944)

 

Taxes recoverable

 

 

(1,540)

 

 

(29,129)

 

Other assets

 

 

(6,328)

 

 

(4,542)

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

 

(9,895)

 

 

78,423

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

 

26,174

 

 

26,020

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

(1,936)

 

 

(21,285)

 

Payable to reinsurers

 

 

11,630

 

 

9,574

 

Other liabilities

 

 

(6,458)

 

 

19,194

 

Net cash  provided by (used for) operating activities

 

 

29,913

 

 

(35,439)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities purchased

 

 

(117,678)

 

 

(95,378)

 

Equity securities purchased

 

 

(10,705)

 

 

(20,102)

 

Other invested assets purchased

 

 

(2,013)

 

 

(3,404)

 

Proceeds from sales and paydowns of fixed maturities

 

 

43,085

 

 

70,432

 

Proceeds from maturities, redemptions, and calls of fixed maturities

 

 

64,462

 

 

67,028

 

Proceed from sales of equity securities

 

 

10,150

 

 

18,674

 

Proceeds from other invested assets redeemed

 

 

2,656

 

 

 —

 

Fixed assets purchased

 

 

(2,375)

 

 

(2,139)

 

Net cash (used for)  provided by investing activities

 

 

(12,418)

 

 

35,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock options exercised

 

 

257

 

 

150

 

Excess tax (expense) benefit from stock options exercised

 

 

(6)

 

 

2

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

(21,187)

 

 

(20,986)

 

Net cash used for financing activities

 

 

(20,936)

 

 

(20,834)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(3,441)

 

 

(21,162)

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

47,494

 

 

42,455

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

44,053

 

$

21,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  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, Safety Asset Management Corporation (“SAMC”), and Safety Management Corporation, which is SAMC’s holding company.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

 

The financial information for the quarter and year ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 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, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods.  The financial information as of December 31, 2015 is derived from the audited financial statements included in the Company's 2015 annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016.

 

These unaudited interim 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 February 26, 2016. 

 

The Company is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance focused primarily on the Massachusetts market.  The Company’s principal product line is automobile insurance.  The Company operates through its insurance company subsidiaries, Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company (together referred to as the “Insurance Subsidiaries”).

 

  The Insurance Subsidiaries began writing private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance in New Hampshire during 2008, personal umbrella insurance in New Hampshire during 2009, and commercial automobile insurance in New Hampshire during 2011. The Insurance Subsidiaries began writing all of these lines of business in Maine during 2016.

 

 

2.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( FASB ) issued Accounting Standards Update ( ASU”)  2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326):   Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements , which amends the guidance for the impairment of financial instruments and is expected to result in more timely recognition of impairment losses. The update introduces an impairment model referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model. The impairment model is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses. The ASU is also intended to reduce the complexity of the current guidance by decreasing the number of credit impairment models that entities use to account for debt instruments. For public business entities that are SEC filers, the amendments in ASU No. 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities may adopt the amendments in this update earlier as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is assessing the impact that adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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)

 

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( FASB ) issued Accounting Standards Update ( ASU ) 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting .   This ASC update requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement, and be treated as discreet items in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, excess tax benefits will be classified with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will be classified as a financing activity. Awards that are used to settle employee tax liabilities will be allowed to qualify for equity classification for withholdings up to the maximum statutory tax rates in applicable jurisdictions. Regarding forfeitures, a company can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either continue estimating the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 to the Company’s financial position and results of operations is currently being evaluated.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments in this ASU update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01: (1) requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in the consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized in net income; (2) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; (3) requires the use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and (4) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the notes to the financial statements. These amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 to the Company’s financial position and results of operations is currently being evaluated.

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts (“ASU 2015-09”) . ASU 2015-09 requires companies that issue short duration contracts to disclose additional information, including: (i) incurred and paid claims development tables; (ii) frequency and severity of claims; and (iii) information about material changes in judgments made in calculating the liability for unpaid claim adjustment expenses, including reasons for the change and the effects on the financial statements. ASU 2015-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments in ASU 2015-09 should be applied retrospectively by providing comparative disclosures for each period presented, except for those requirements that apply only to the current period. As the requirements of this literature are disclosure only, the application of this guidance will not impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (“ASU 2015-07”).  ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient.  The reporting entity should continue to disclose information on investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient to help users understand the nature and risks of the investments and whether the investments, if sold, are probable of being sold at amounts different from net asset value.  ASU 2015-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2015. The Company adopted the updated accounting guidance retrospectively.  The Company adjusted its previously reported financial information included herein to reflect the change in accounting guidance for assets measured using the net asset value.  The impact of adopting the new accounting standard resulted in excluding a real estate investment trust of $19,481 and $19,097 from the fair value level disclosures as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Imputation of Interest (“ASU 2015-03”) .  ASU 2015-03 simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs as the amendments in this update require that debt issuance costs be

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)

 

presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The standard requires a retrospective approach where the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The standard also requires compliance with applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2015-03 had no impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “ Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”) .   ASU 2014-15 provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going concern uncertainties in the financial statements, and requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-15 to have any impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period" ("ASU 2014-12”), which revises the accounting treatment for stock compensation tied to performance targets. ASU 2014-12 is effective for calendar years beginning after December 15, 2015. The impact of adoption was not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

  In May 2014, the FASB issued as final, ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” which supersedes virtually all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The update's core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and allows early adoption. ASU 2014-09 allows for the use of either the retrospective or modified retrospective approach of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

3.  Earnings (loss) per Weighted Average Common Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per weighted average common share (“EPS”) are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares including non-vested performance stock grants and the net effect of potentially dilutive common stock options.

 

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)

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

2015

Earnings attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

21,365

 

$

(1,053)

 

$

34,035

 

$

(36,124)

 

Allocation of income for participating shares

 

 

(138)

 

 

 —

 

 

(319)

 

 

 —

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributed to common shareholders

 

$

21,227

 

$

(1,053)

 

$

33,716

 

$

(36,124)

 

Earnings per share denominator - basis and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating shares

 

 

15,057,436

 

 

14,991,232

 

 

15,073,479

 

 

14,977,378

 

Less: weighted average participating shares

 

 

(96,920)

 

 

(112,185)

 

 

(141,242)

 

 

(125,636)

 

Basic earnings per share denominator

 

 

14,960,516

 

 

14,879,047

 

 

14,932,237

 

 

14,851,742

 

Common equivalent shares- stock options

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

(1)

 

269

 

 

 —

(3)

Common equivalent shares- non-vested performance stock grants

 

 

80,561

 

 

 —

(2)

 

56,040

 

 

 —

(4)

Diluted earnings per share denominator

 

 

15,041,077

 

 

14,879,047

 

 

14,988,546

 

 

14,851,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

1.42

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.26

 

$

(2.43)

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

1.41

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.25

 

$

(2.43)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undistributed earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders -Basic

 

$

1.42

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.26

 

$

(2.43)

 

Dividends declared

 

 

(0.70)

 

 

(0.70)

 

 

(1.40)

 

 

(1.40)

 

Undistributed earnings (loss)

 

$

0.72

 

$

(0.77)

 

$

0.86

 

$

(3.83)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders -Diluted

 

$

1.41

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.25

 

$

(2.43)

 

Dividends declared

 

 

(0.70)

 

 

(0.70)

 

 

(1.40)

 

 

(1.40)

 

Undistributed earnings (loss)

 

$

0.71

 

$

(0.77)

 

$

0.85

 

$

(3.83)

 


(1)

Excludes 1,713 of common equivalent shares related to stock options because their inclusion would be anti dilutive due to the net loss of the Company.

(2)

Excludes 45,976 of common equivalent shares related to non-vested performance stock grants because their inclusion would be anti dilutive due to the net loss of the Company

(3)

Excludes 1,971 of common equivalent shares related to stock options because their inclusion would be anti dilutive due to the net loss of the Company.

(4)

Excludes 71,327 of common equivalent shares related to non-vested performance stock grants because their inclusion would be anti dilutive due to the net loss of the Company

 

 

  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 53 and 1,271 anti-dilutive shares related to non vested performance stock grants for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, 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)

 

 

4.  Share-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 share-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.  The Incentive Plan was amended in March of 2013 to remove "share recycling" plan provisions.  Hence, shares of stock covered by an award under the Incentive Plan that are forfeited are no longer available for issuance in connection with 2013 and future grants of awards.  At June 30, 2016, there were 279,067 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.

 

Accounting and Reporting for Stock-Based Awards

 

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Compensation —Stock Compensation 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 ASC 718, 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).

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Incentive Plan for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

    

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

Under

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Intrinsic

 

 

Option

 

Exercise Price

 

Contractual Term

 

Value

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

6,200

 

$

42.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(6,000)

 

$

42.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeitures

 

(200)

 

$

42.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

none

 

$

 —

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

none

 

$

 —

 

 

As of June 30, 2016, all stock option awards have expired and all compensation expense related to stock option awards has been recognized. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $85 and $74, respectively.  Cash received from stock options exercised was $257 and $150 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

Restricted Stock

 

Service-based restricted stock awarded 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 compensation expense over the requisite service period.  Service-based restricted stock awards generally vest over a three-year period and vest 30% on the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and 40% on the third anniversary of the grant date, except for non-executive employees’ restricted stock awards which vest ratably over a five-year service period and independent directors’ stock awards which vest immediately.  Our independent directors are subject to stock ownership guidelines, which require them to have a value four times their annual cash retainer.

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)

 

 

In addition to service-based awards, the Company grants performance-based restricted shares to certain employees.  These performance shares cliff vest after a three-year performance period provided certain performance measures are attained.  A portion of these awards, which contain a market condition, vest according to the level of total shareholder return achieved by the Company compared to its property-casualty insurance peers over a three-year period.  The remainders, which contain a performance condition, vest according to the level of Company’s combined ratio results compared to a target based on its property-casualty insurance peers.

 

Actual payouts can range from 0% to 200% of target shares awarded depending upon the level of achievement of the respective market and performance conditions during a three calendar-year performance period.  Compensation expense for share awards with a performance condition is based on the probable number of awards expected to vest using the performance level most likely to be achieved at the end of the performance period.

 

Performance-based awards with market conditions are accounted for and measured differently from awards that have a performance or service condition.  The effect of a market condition is reflected in the award’s fair value on the grant date.  That fair value is recognized as compensation cost over the requisite service period regardless of whether the market-based performance objective has been satisfied.

 

All of the Company’s restricted stock awards are issued as incentive compensation and are equity classified.

 

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity under the Incentive Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2016, assuming a target payout for the 2016 performance-based shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Shares 

    

Weighted

 

Performance-based

    

Weighted

 

 

 

Under

 

Average

 

Shares Under

 

Average

 

 

 

Restriction

 

Fair Value

 

Restriction

 

Fair Value

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

112,024

 

$

54.44

 

99,101

 

$

55.55

 

Granted

 

46,556

 

 

56.09

 

44,626

 

 

60.87

 

Vested and unrestricted

 

(56,279)

 

 

53.43

 

(15,289)

 

 

47.42

 

Forfeited

 

(5,520)

 

 

48.86

 

(27,661)

 

 

49.93

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

96,781

 

$

55.85

 

100,777

 

$

57.85

 

 

  As of June 30, 2016, there was $8,562 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.  The total fair value of the shares that were vested and unrestricted during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $3,732 and $2,897, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded compensation expense related to restricted stock of $1,321 and $990, net of income tax benefits of $711 and $533, respectively.

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)

 

 

5.  Investments

 

The gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed maturity securities, including redeemable preferred stocks that have characteristics of fixed maturities, and equity securities, including interests in mutual funds, and other invested assets were as follows for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized Losses (3)

 

 

 

 

    

Cost or

    

Gross

    

Non-OTTI

    

OTTI

    

Estimated

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Losses (4)

 

Value

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$

6,875

 

$

91

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

6,966

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

365,367

 

 

28,489

 

 

(175)

 

 

 —

 

 

393,681

Residential mortgage-backed securities (1)

 

 

258,996

 

 

7,809

 

 

(75)

 

 

 —

 

 

266,730

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

34,623

 

 

1,250

 

 

(12)

 

 

 —

 

 

35,861

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

30,551

 

 

351

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

30,902

Corporate and other securities

 

 

372,394

 

 

9,935

 

 

(4,192)

 

 

 —

 

 

378,137

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities 

 

 

1,068,806

 

 

47,925

 

 

(4,454)

 

 

 —

 

 

1,112,277

Equity securities (2)

 

 

103,898

 

 

16,874

 

 

(3,811)

 

 

 —

 

 

116,961

Other invested assets (5)

 

 

19,304

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

19,304

Totals

 

$

1,192,008

 

$

64,799

 

$

(8,265)

 

$

 —

 

$

1,248,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized Losses (3)

 

 

 

 

 

    

Cost or

    

Gross

    

Non-OTTI

    

OTTI

    

Estimated

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Losses (4)

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$

1,805

 

$

 —

 

$

(4)

 

$

 —

 

$

1,801

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

377,188

 

 

21,160

 

 

(426)

 

 

 —

 

 

397,922

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities (1)

 

 

237,896

 

 

5,188

 

 

(1,628)

 

 

 —

 

 

241,456

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

28,851

 

 

30

 

 

(218)

 

 

 —

 

 

28,663

 

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

24,037

 

 

39

 

 

(145)

 

 

 —

 

 

23,931

 

Corporate and other securities

 

 

394,194

 

 

4,191

 

 

(10,521)

 

 

 —

 

 

387,864

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities 

 

 

1,063,971

 

 

30,608

 

 

(12,942)

 

 

 —

 

 

1,081,637

 

Equity securities (2)

 

 

102,541

 

 

13,498

 

 

(5,835)

 

 

 —

 

 

110,204

 

Other invested assets (5)

 

 

17,602

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

17,602

 

Totals

 

$

1,184,114

 

$

44,106

 

$

(18,777)

 

$

 —

 

$

1,209,443

 


(1)

Residential mortgage-backed securities consists primarily of obligations of U.S. Government agencies including 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 the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).

(2)

Equity securities included interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan.

(3)

Our investment portfolio included 259 and 514 securities in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(4)

Amounts in this column represent other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

(5)

Other invested assets are accounted for under the equity method which approximated fair value.

 

 

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 amortized cost and the estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by maturity, are shown below for the period indicated.  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 June 30, 2016

 

    

Amortized

    

Estimated

 

 

Cost

 

Fair Value

Due in one year or less

 

$

30,606

 

$

30,764

Due after one year through five years

 

 

254,828

 

 

258,737

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

171,530

 

 

176,936

Due after ten years through twenty years

 

 

283,751

 

 

308,136

Due after twenty years

 

 

3,922

 

 

4,212

Asset-backed securities

 

 

324,169

 

 

333,492

Totals

 

$

1,068,806

 

$

1,112,277

The gross realized losses and gains on sales of investments were as follows for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

    

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

    

2016

    

2015

 

2016

    

2015

Gross realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

$

172

 

$

82

 

$

224

 

$

265

Equity securities

 

 

685

 

 

506

 

 

1,111

 

 

1,443

Gross realized losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

 

(409)

 

 

(727)

 

 

(991)

 

 

(1,218)

Equity securities

 

 

(88)

 

 

(34)

 

 

(307)

 

 

(252)

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

$

360

 

$

(173)

 

$

37

 

$

238

 

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into transactions involving various types of financial instruments, including investments in fixed maturities and equity securities.  Investment transactions have credit exposure to the extent that a counter party may default on an obligation to the Company.  Credit risk is a consequence of carrying, trading and investing in securities.  To manage credit risk, the Company focuses on higher quality fixed income securities, reviews the credit strength of all companies in which it invests, limits its exposure in any one investment and monitors the portfolio quality, taking into account credit ratings assigned by recognized statistical rating organizations.

 

The following tables as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 present the gross unrealized losses included in the Company’s investment portfolio and the fair value of those securities aggregated by investment category.  The tables also present the length of time that they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of  June 30, 2016

 

 

 

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

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

14,643

 

 

175

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

14,643

 

 

175

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

6,361

 

 

37

 

 

5,918

 

 

38

 

 

12,279

 

 

75

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

1,597

 

 

12

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,597

 

 

12

 

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Corporate and other securities

 

 

34,152

 

 

1,001

 

 

32,495

 

 

3,191

 

 

66,647

 

 

4,192

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

 

 

56,753

 

 

1,225

 

 

38,413

 

 

3,229

 

 

95,166

 

 

4,454

 

Equity securities

 

 

8,188

 

 

656

 

 

18,306

 

 

3,155

 

 

26,494

 

 

3,811

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

$

64,941

 

$

1,881

 

$

56,719

 

$

6,384

 

$

121,660

 

$

8,265

 

 

 

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015

 

 

 

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

 

$

1,801

 

$

4

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

1,801

 

$

4

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

34,837

 

 

342

 

 

4,777

 

 

84

 

 

39,614

 

 

426

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

85,561

 

 

860

 

 

32,845

 

 

768

 

 

118,406

 

 

1,628

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

26,113

 

 

218

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

26,113

 

 

218

 

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

14,454

 

 

145

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

14,454

 

 

145

 

Corporate and other securities

 

 

173,493

 

 

5,528

 

 

33,522

 

 

4,993

 

 

207,015

 

 

10,521

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

 

 

336,259

 

 

7,097

 

 

71,144

 

 

5,845

 

 

407,403

 

 

12,942

 

Equity securities

 

 

19,409

 

 

1,739

 

 

12,054

 

 

4,096

 

 

31,463

 

 

5,835

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

$

355,668

 

$

8,836

 

$

83,198

 

$

9,941

 

$

438,866

 

$

18,777

 

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

 

ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  Under ASC 320, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).  In instances where no credit loss exists but it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings.  In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings.  For debt securities for which OTTI was recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income.

 

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 investment grade by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s.

 

The unrealized losses in the Company’s fixed income and equity portfolio as of June 30, 2016 were reviewed for potential other-than-temporary asset impairments.  The Company held four debt securities at December 31, 2015 with a material (20% or greater) unrealized loss for four or more consecutive quarters that additionally had certain qualitative factors that led to an impairment charge. As a result of our analysis, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized OTTI of $137 and $429, respectively, which consisted entirely of credit losses related to fixed maturity securities.  There was no OTTI related to fixed maturity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Specific qualitative analysis was also performed for any additional securities appearing on the Company’s “Watch List,” if any.  Qualitative analysis considered such factors as the financial condition and the near term prospects of the issuer, whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments, changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and the historical volatility of the fair value of the security.

 

The qualitative analysis performed by the Company concluded that outside of the securities that were recognized through OTTI, the unrealized losses recorded on the investment portfolio at June 30, 2016 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.  Therefore, decreases in fair values of the Company’s securities are viewed as being temporary.

 

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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 summarizes the credit loss recognized in earnings related to fixed maturity securities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

Credit losses on fixed maturity securities, beginning of period

 

$

918

 

$

 -

 

 

 

$

796

 

$

 -

 

Add: credit losses on OTTI not previously recognized

 

 

137

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

429

 

 

 -

 

Less: credit losses on securities sold

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

(170)

 

 

 -

 

Less: credit losses on securities impaired due to intent to sell

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Add: credit losses on previously impaired securities

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Less: increases in cash flows expected on previously impaired securities

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Credit losses on fixed maturity securities, end of period

 

$

1,055

 

$

 -

 

 

 

$

1,055

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were no amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to securities which were considered by the Company to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

Based upon the qualitative analysis performed, the Company’s decision to hold these securities, the Company’s current level of liquidity and our history of positive operating cash flows, management believes it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell any of its securities before the anticipated recovery in the fair value to its amortized cost basis.

 

Net Investment Income

 

The components of net investment income were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2016

    

2015

Interest on fixed maturity securities

 

$

9,260

 

$

9,971

 

$

18,529

 

$

20,157

Dividends on equity securities

 

 

753

 

 

729

 

 

1,560

 

 

1,422

Equity in earnings of other invested assets

 

 

257

 

 

258

 

 

416

 

 

591

Interest on other assets

 

 

16

 

 

22

 

 

32

 

 

40

Interest on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

32

 

 

1

 

 

43

 

 

2

Total investment income 

 

 

10,318

 

 

10,981

 

 

20,580

 

 

22,212

Investment expenses

 

 

677

 

 

664

 

 

1,312

 

 

1,338

Net investment income 

 

$

9,641

 

$

10,317

 

$

19,268

 

$

20,874

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure 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 ASC 820, 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).  ASC 820  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 ASC 820 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.

 

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Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

Fair values for the Company’s fixed maturity securities are based on prices provided by its custodian bank and its investment managers.  Both the Company’s custodian bank and investment managers use a variety of independent, nationally recognized pricing services to determine market valuations.  If the pricing service cannot provide fair value determinations, the Company obtains non-binding price quotes from broker-dealers.  A minimum of two quoted prices is obtained for the majority of the Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in its investment portfolio.  The Company’s custodian bank is its primary provider of quoted prices from third-party pricing services and broker-dealers.  To provide reasonable assurance of the validity of each price or quote, a secondary third-party pricing service or broker-dealer quote is obtained from the Company’s investment managers.  An examination of the pricing data is then performed for each security.  If the variance between the primary and secondary price quotes for a security is within an accepted tolerance level, the quoted price obtained from the Company’s custodian bank is used in the financial statements for the security.  If the variance between the primary and secondary price quotes exceeds an accepted tolerance level, the Company obtains a quote from an alternative source, if possible, and documents and resolves any differences between the pricing sources.  In addition, the Company may request that its investment managers and its traders provide input as to which vendor is providing prices that its traders believe are reflective of fair value for the security.  Following this process, the Company may decide to value the security in its financial statements using the secondary or alternative source if it believes that pricing is more reflective of the security’s value than the primary pricing provided by its custodian bank.  The Company analyzes market valuations received to verify reasonableness, to understand the key assumptions used and their sources, and to determine an appropriate ASC 820 fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs.  Based on this evaluation and investment class analysis, each price is classified into Level 1, 2 or 3.

 

Fair values of instruments are based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), (ii) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets (Level 2) or (iii) valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in the marketplace (Level 3).

 

The Company’s Level 1 securities consist of equity securities whose values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.  The Company’s Level 2 securities are comprised of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities whose fair value was determined using observable market inputs.  The Company’s Level 3 security consists of an investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston related to Safety Insurance Company’s membership stock, which is not redeemable in a short-term time frame.  Fair values for securities for which quoted market prices were unavailable were estimated based upon reference to observable inputs such as benchmark interest rates, market comparables, and other relevant inputs.  Investments valued using these inputs include U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate and other securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities.  Inputs into the fair value application that are utilized by asset class include but are not limited to:

 

·

Obligations of states and political subdivisions :  overall credit quality, including assessments of market sectors and the level and variability of sources of payment such as general obligation, revenue or lease; credit support such as insurance, state or local economic and political base, prefunded and escrowed to maturity covenants.

·

Corporate and other securities : overall credit quality, the establishment of a risk adjusted credit spread over the applicable risk-free yield curve for discounted cash flow valuations; assessments of the level of industry economic sensitivity, company financial policies, indenture restrictive covenants, and/or security and collateral.

·

Residential mortgage-backed securities , U.S. agency pass-throughs, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), non U.S. agency CMOs :  estimates of prepayment speeds based upon historical prepayment rate trends, underlying collateral interest rates, original weighted average maturity, vintage year, borrower credit quality characteristics, interest rate and yield curve forecasts, U.S. government support programs, tax policies, and delinquency/default trends.

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Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

·

Commercial mortgage-backed securities :    overall credit quality, including assessments of the level and variability of credit support and collateral type such as office, retail, or lodging, predictability of cash flows for the deal structure, prevailing economic market conditions.

·

Other asset-backed securities :  overall credit quality, estimates of prepayment speeds based upon historical trends and characteristics of underlying loans, including assessments of the level and variability of collateral, revenue generating agreements, area licenses agreements, product sourcing agreements and equipment and property leases.

·

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB-Boston”): value is equal to the cost of the member stock purchased.

 

In order to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price (consistent with ASC 820), the Company’s procedures for validating quotes or prices obtained from third parties include, but are not limited to, obtaining a minimum of two price quotes for each fixed maturity security if possible, as discussed above, the periodic testing of sales activity to determine if there are any significant differences between the market price used to value the security as of the balance sheet date and the sales price of the security for sales that occurred around the balance sheet date, and the periodic review of reports provided by its investment manager regarding those securities with ratings changes and securities placed on its “Watch List.” In addition, valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by the Company’s external investment manager, whose investment professionals are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade, to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price (consistent with ASC 820).

 

All unadjusted estimates of fair value for our fixed maturities priced by the pricing services as described above are included in the amounts disclosed in Level 2.  With the exception of the FHLB-Boston security, which are categorized as a Level 3 security, the Company’s entire available-for-sale portfolio was priced based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs as of June 30, 2016. There were no significant changes to the valuation process during the six months ended June 30, 2016. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, no quotes or prices obtained were adjusted by management. All broker quotes obtained were non-binding.

 

At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, investments in fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale had a fair value which equaled carrying value of $1,229,238 and $1,191,841, respectively.  We have no short-term investments.  The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents and investment income accrued approximated fair value.

 

The following tables summarize the Company’s total fair value measurements for available-for-sale investments for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

 

 

    

Total

    

Level 1 Inputs

    

Level 2 Inputs

    

Level 3 Inputs

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$

6,966

 

$

 

$

6,966

 

$

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

393,681

 

 

 

 

393,681

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

266,730

 

 

 

 

266,730

 

 

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

35,861

 

 

 

 

35,861

 

 

 

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

30,902

 

 

 

 

30,902

 

 

 

Corporate and other securities

 

 

378,137

 

 

 

 

378,137

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

97,480

 

 

96,802

 

 

 —

 

 

678

 

Total investment securities

 

$

1,209,757

 

$

96,802

 

$

1,112,277

 

$

678

 

 

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Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015

 

 

    

Total

    

Level 1 Inputs

    

Level 2 Inputs

    

Level 3 Inputs

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$

1,801

 

$

 

$

1,801

 

$

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

397,922

 

 

 

 

397,922

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

241,456

 

 

 

 

241,456

 

 

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

28,663

 

 

 

 

28,663

 

 

 

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

23,931

 

 

 

 

23,931

 

 

 

Corporate and other securities

 

 

387,864

 

 

 

 

387,864

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

91,107

 

 

90,560

 

 

 —

 

 

547

 

Total investment securities

 

$

1,172,744

 

$

90,560

 

$

1,081,637

 

$

547

 

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 fair value securities for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2016

    

2015

 

 

Level 3

 

Level 3

 

Level 3

 

Level 3

 

 

Fair Value

 

Fair Value

 

Fair Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

Securities

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

547

 

 

505

 

$

547

 

$

505

Net gains and losses included in earnings

 

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 —

Net gains included in other comprehensive income

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Purchases

 

 

131

 

 

42

 

 

131

 

 

42

Sales

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

678

 

$

547

 

$

678

 

$

547

Amount of total losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses related to assets still held at end of period

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Transfers in and out of Level 3 are 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 during 2016 and 2015. The Company held one Level 3 security at June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015.

 

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were approximately $19,481 and $19,097 in a real estate investment trust (“REIT”).  The REIT is excluded from the fair value hierarchy because the fair value is recorded using the net asset value per share practical expedient.  The net asset value per share of this REIT is derived from member ownership in the capital venture to which a proportionate share of independently appraised net assets is attributed.  The fair value was determined using the trust’s net asset value obtained from its audited financial statements.  The Company is required to submit a request 45 days before a quarter end to dispose of the security.

 

 

20


 

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 Reserves

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”), as shown in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

    

2016

    

2015

 

Reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

 

$

553,977

 

$

482,012

 

Less receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid losses and LAE

 

 

(68,261)

 

 

(61,245)

 

Net reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

 

 

485,716

 

 

420,767

 

Incurred losses and LAE, related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

 

262,990

 

 

367,361

 

Prior years

 

 

(21,867)

 

 

(12,011)

 

Total incurred losses and LAE

 

 

241,123

 

 

355,350

 

Paid losses and LAE related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

 

138,530

 

 

214,397

 

Prior years

 

 

122,270

 

 

88,681

 

Total paid losses and LAE

 

 

260,800

 

 

303,078

 

Net reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

 

 

466,039

 

 

473,039

 

Plus receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid losses and LAE

 

 

78,043

 

 

87,396

 

Reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

 

$

544,082

 

$

560,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of each period, the reserves were re-estimated for all prior accident years.  The Company’s prior year reserves decreased by $21,867 and $12,011 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and resulted from re-estimations of prior years ultimate loss and LAE liabilities.  The decreases in prior years reserves during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, periods are primarily composed of reductions in our retained automobile and retained homeowners reserves.

 

  The Company's automobile lines of business reserves decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, primarily due to fewer incurred but not yet reported claims than previously estimated and better than previously estimated severity on the Company’s established bodily injury and property damage case 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

 

On December 15, 2015, the Company filed for arbitration with a reinsurer in regards to the reinsurance recoverable resulting from the 2015 winter storm losses that are admissible under our contract.  The total amount of recoverable in dispute, which is based on our total incurred loss, is $22,838.  No provision for collectability has been recorded in the financial statements as we believe the recoverable is valid and will be recovered.

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.  It is anticipated that there will be additional assessments from time to time relating to various insolvencies.  Although the

21


 

Table of Contents

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

timing and amounts of any future assessments are not known, based upon existing knowledge, management’s opinion is that such future assessments are not expected to have a material effect upon the financial position of the Company.

 

8.  Debt

 

The Company has a Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Citizens Bank, N.A. (formerly known as RBS Citizens, N.A. (“Citizens Bank”).  The Credit Agreement 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 Citizens Bank prime rate or 0.5% above the federal funds rate plus 1.25% per annum.  Interest only is payable prior to maturity.  The Credit Agreement has a maturity date of August 14, 2018.

 

The Company’s obligations under the credit facility are secured by pledges of its assets and the capital stock of its operating subsidiaries.  The credit facility is guaranteed by the Company’s 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, and other matters.  As of June 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.  In addition, the credit facility includes customary events of default, including a cross-default provision permitting the lenders to accelerate the facility if the Company (i) defaults in any payment obligation under debt having a principal amount in excess of $10,000 or (ii) fails to perform any other covenant permitting acceleration of all such debt.

 

The Company had no amounts outstanding on its credit facility at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expense was computed at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the $30,000 commitment at June 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

  Safety Insurance Company is a member of the FHLB-Boston. Membership in the FHLB-Boston allows the Company to borrow money at competitive interest rates provided the loan is collateralized by specific U.S Government residential mortgage backed securities.  At June 30, 2016, the Company has the ability to borrow $197,337 using eligible invested assets that would be used as collateral.  The Company has no amounts outstanding from the FHLB-Boston at June 30, 2016 and at December 31, 2015.

 

9.  Income Taxes

 

Federal income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 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 effec tive rate in 2016 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to adjustments for tax-exempt investment income. The 2015 effective rate is the result of the expected tax benefit related to net losses incurred by the Company during the year end December 31, 2015, calculated under ASC 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740-270-55), and adjustments for tax-exempt investment income. 

 

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 (“IRS”).  Therefore, the Company has not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions under ASC 740,  Income Taxes .

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, there were no material changes to the amount of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits or to any assumptions regarding the amount of its ASC 740 liability.

 

  The Company’s U.S. federal tax return for the year ended December 31, 2011 was examined by the IRS with no findings.  In the Company’s opinion, adequate tax liabilities have been established for all open years. However, the

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

amount of these tax liabilities could be revised in the near term if estimates of the Company’s ultimate liability are revised. Tax years prior to 2012 are closed.

 

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.  As of June 30, 2016, the Board of Directors had cumulatively authorized increases to the existing share repurchase program of up to $150,000 of its 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.  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 the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

 

               No share purchases were made by the Company under the program during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.  As of June 30, 2016, the Company has purchased 2,279,570 shares at a cost of $83,835.

 

11.  Related Party Transactions

 

  Mr. A. Richard Caputo, Jr., a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Chairman of its Investment Committee, is a principal of The Jordan Company, LP (“Jordan”).  In 2012, the Company participated as a lender in two loans made by syndicates of lenders to a portfolio company in which funds managed by Jordan are controlling or a significant investor. The first loan, made to Vantage Specialties, Inc., currently bears interest at a rate of 5.00% per annum and matures in February 2019.  The Company’s participation in the loan was $1,415 and $1,405 at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The loan amortizes in equal quarterly installments of 0.25% of the principal amount per quarter. The second loan, made to ARCAS Automotive (formerly known as Sequa Auto), was disposed of in 2015.  The Company made the loans on the same terms as the other lenders participating in the syndicate.  The loans were subject to the approval of the Company’s full Investment Committee.

 

12.  Subsequent Events

 

  The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements filed on Form 10-Q with the SEC and no events have occurred that require recognition or disclosure.

 

 

 

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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”), Safety Asset Management Corporation (“SAMC”), and Safety Management Corporation, which is SAMC’s holding company.

 

We are a leading provider of private passenger and commercial automobile insurance in Massachusetts. In addition to private passenger automobile insurance (which represented 59.6% of our direct written premiums in 2015), we offer a portfolio of other insurance products, including commercial automobile (13.8% of 2015 direct written premiums), homeowners (21.7% of 2015 direct written premiums) and dwelling fire, umbrella and business owner policies (totaling 4.9% of 2015 direct written premiums).  Operating exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine 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 independent insurance agents, who numbered 924 in 1,102 locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire during 2015.  We have used these relationships and our extensive knowledge of the Massachusetts market to become the third largest private passenger automobile and the third largest commercial automobile insurance carrier in Massachusetts, capturing an approximate 10.2% and 14.1% share, respectively, of the Massachusetts private passenger and commercial automobile markets in 2015 according to statistics compiled by the Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (“CAR”) based on automobile exposures. We are also the fourth largest homeowners insurance carrier in Massachusetts with a 7.2% share of the Massachusetts homeowners insurance market.

 

The Insurance Subsidiaries began writing private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance in New Hampshire during 2008, personal umbrella insurance in New Hampshire during 2009, and commercial automobile insurance in New Hampshire during 2011.  During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, we wrote $12,230 and $10,500, respectively, in direct written premiums in New Hampshire.

 

On February 9, 2015, the Insurance Subsidiaries each received a license to begin writing our property and casualty insurance products in the state of Maine.  We began writing new business in Maine in 2016.

 

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Recent Trends and Events

 

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, loss and loss adjustment expense incurred decreased by $31,882, or 21.7%, to $115,144 from $147,026 for the comparable 2015 period. The decrease is primarily due to the winter snowfall catastrophe losses experienced in 2015.

 

The following rate changes have been filed and approved by the insurance regulators of Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2016 and 2015. Our Massachusetts private passenger automobile rates include a 13% commission rate for agents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line of Business

    

Effective Date

    

Rate Change

New Hampshire Homeowner

 

December 1, 2016

 

4.4%

New Hampshire Private Passenger Automobile

 

December 1, 2016

 

4.1%

Massachusetts Private Passenger Automobile

 

July 15, 2016

 

5.8%

Massachusetts Commercial Automobile

 

March 15, 2016

 

5.5%

Massachusetts Homeowner

 

November 1, 2015

 

9.1%

New Hampshire Private Passenger Automobile

 

November 1, 2015

 

5.0%

New Hampshire Homeowner

 

November 1, 2015

 

7.9%

New Hampshire Commercial Auto

 

August 1, 2015

 

7.9%

Massachusetts Private Passenger Automobile

 

June 1, 2015

 

3.8%

Massachusetts Commercial Automobile

 

February 1, 2015

 

3.5%

 

Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Market

 

Private passenger automobile insurance, which represented 59.6% of our direct written premiums in 2015, is generally considered to be more heavily regulated in Massachusetts than in other states, under what the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance calls Managed Competition.  Since 2008, Massachusetts automobile insurance premium rates are strictly regulated under a prior approval rate review process, governed by regulations that set certain terms and conditions that insurers must comply with in establishing their rates.    Certain historically unique factors in Massachusetts exist, including compulsory insurance, affinity group marketing, and the prominence of independent agents.

 

CAR runs a reinsurance pool for ceded commercial automobile policies through a Limited Servicing Carrier Program ("LSC"). CAR has approved Safety and three other servicing carriers to process ceded commercial automobile insurance.  Approximately $140,000 of ceded premium is spread equitably among the four servicing carriers under a five year term ending December 31, 2016.  CAR has reappointed Safety for an additional five year term ending December 31, 2021. Subject to the Commissioner's 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").  CAR approved Safety as one of the two servicing carriers for a five year term for this program ending December 31, 2016.  CAR has reappointed Safety for an additional five year term ending December 31, 2021.  Approximately $10,000 of ceded premium was spread equitably between the two servicing carriers.

 

We are assigned independent agents by CAR who can submit commercial business to us in the LSC and Taxi/Limo Program, and we classify those agents as commercial LSC producers. 

 

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 and other expenses as a percent of net earned premiums, calculated on a GAAP basis).  The combined ratio reflects only underwriting results and does not include income from

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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 GAAP insurance ratios are outlined in the following table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

  

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

GAAP ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

61.4

%  

80.6

%  

64.6

%  

97.4

%  

Expense ratio

 

30.7

 

28.6

 

30.4

 

28.6

 

Combined ratio

 

92.1

%  

109.2

%  

95.0

%  

126.0

%  

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

Long-term incentive compensation is provided under the Company’s 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan (“the Incentive Plan”) which provides for a variety of share-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.  The Incentive Plan was amended in March of 2013 to remove “share recycling” plan provisions.  Hence, shares of stock covered by an award under the Incentive Plan that are forfeited are no longer available for issuance in connection with 2013 and future grants of awards.  At June 30, 2016, there were 279,067 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 share based awards granted under the Incentive Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2016 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Type of

    

    

    

Number of

    

 

Fair

    

    

Equity

 

 

 

Awards

 

 

Value per

 

 

Awarded

    

Effective Date

    

Granted

    

 

Share

 

Vesting Terms

RS

 

February 23, 2016

 

4,000

 

$

56.07

(1)

No vesting period (3)

RS

 

March 31, 2016

 

1,000

 

$

57.06

(1)

No vesting period (3)

RS - Service

 

February 23, 2016

 

24,479

 

$

56.07

(1)

3 years, 30%-30%-40%

RS - Service

 

February 23, 2016

 

17,077

 

$

56.07

(1)

5 years, 20% annually (5)

RS - Performance

 

February 23, 2016

 

34,626

 

$

60.72

(2)

3 years, cliff vesting (4)

RS - Performance

 

April 1, 2016

 

10,000

 

$

61.38

(2)

3 years, cliff vesting (4)


(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 fair value per share of the restricted stock grant is equal to the performance-based restricted stock award calculation.

(3)

Board of Director members must maintain stock ownership equal to at least four times their annual retainer. This requirement must be met within five years of becoming a director.

(4)

The shares represent performance-based restricted shares award.  Vesting of these shares is dependent upon the    attainment of pre-established performance objectives, and any difference between shares granted and shares earned at the end of the performance period will be reported at the conclusion of the performance period.

(5)

The shares represent awards granted to non-executive employees and vest ratable over a five-year service period.

 

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”).  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

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surge in the periods following a significant event.  We continue to manage and model our exposure and adjust our reinsurance programs as a result of the changes to the models.  As of January 1, 2016, we have purchased four layers of excess catastrophe reinsurance providing $615,000 of coverage for property losses in excess of $50,000 up to a maximum of $665,000.  Our reinsurers’ co-participation is 65.0% of $100,000 for the 1st layer, 80.0% of $280,000 for the 2nd layer, 80.0% of $135,000 for the 3rd layer and 80.0% of $100,000 for the 4th layer. As a result of the changes to the models, and our revised reinsurance program, our catastrophe reinsurance in 2016 protects us in the event of a “133-year storm” (that is, a storm of a severity expected to occur once in a 133-year period).  Swiss Re, our primary reinsurer, maintains an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent).  Most of our other reinsurers have an A.M. Best rating of “A+” (Excellent) or “A” (Excellent).

 

We are a participant in CAR, a state-established body that runs the residual market reinsurance programs for 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 buys reinsurance to reduce their exposure to catastrophe losses.  On July 1, 2015, the FAIR Plan purchased $1,325,000 of catastrophe reinsurance for property losses with retention of $100,000. 

 

At June 30, 2016, our total expected reinsurance recovery from reinsurers under our catastrophe reinsurance program related to the 2015 snow event is $67,934.  Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are billed to the reinsurer as claims are paid by the Company.  At June 30, 2016, the reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense related to the 2015 snow event is $33,353. 

 

On December 15, 2015, the Company filed for arbitration with a reinsurer in regards to the reinsurance recoverable resulting from the 2015 winter storm losses that are admissible under our contract.  The total amount of recoverable in dispute, which is based on our total incurred loss, is $22,838.  No provision for collectability has been recorded in the financial statements as we believe the recoverable is valid and will be recovered.

 

We also had $66,959 recoverable from CAR comprising of loss adjustment expense reserves, unearned premiums and reinsurance recoverable.

 

 

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.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016   Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

 

The following table shows certain of our selected financial results.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

    

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2016

    

2015

 

Direct written premiums

 

$

221,359

 

$

213,246

 

$

417,311

 

$

407,979

 

Net written premiums

 

$

207,906

 

$

204,177

 

$

393,558

 

$

389,467

 

Net earned premiums

 

$

187,393

 

$

182,447

 

$

373,047

 

$

365,011

 

Net investment income

 

 

9,641

 

 

10,317

 

 

19,268

 

 

20,874

 

Earnings from partnership investments

 

 

1,409

 

 

577

 

 

2,287

 

 

577

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

360

 

 

(173)

 

 

37

 

 

238

 

Net impairment losses on investments (a)

 

 

(137)

 

 

 —

 

 

(429)

 

 

 —

 

Finance and other service income

 

 

4,284

 

 

4,434

 

 

8,569

 

 

8,941

 

Total revenue

 

 

202,950

 

 

197,602

 

 

402,779

 

 

395,641

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

115,144

 

 

147,026

 

 

241,123

 

 

355,350

 

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

 

 

57,513

 

 

52,198

 

 

113,470

 

 

104,295

 

Interest expense

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

 

45

 

 

45

 

Total expenses

 

 

172,680

 

 

199,247

 

 

354,638

 

 

459,690

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

30,270

 

 

(1,645)

 

 

48,141

 

 

(64,049)

 

Income tax expense (credit)

 

 

8,905

 

 

(592)

 

 

14,106

 

 

(27,925)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

21,365

 

$

(1,053)

 

$

34,035

 

$

(36,124)

 

Earnings (loss) per weighted average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.42

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.26

 

$

(2.43)

 

Diluted

 

$

1.41

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

2.25

 

$

2.43

 

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.70

 

$

1.40

 

$

1.40

 

 

Direct Written Premiums.   Direct written premiums for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 increased by $8,113, or 3.8%, to $221,359 from $213,246 for the comparable 2015 period. Direct written premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2016 increased by $9,332, or 2.3%, to $417,311 from $407,979 for the comparable 2015 period. The 2016 increase occurred primarily in our homeowners and commercial automobile lines of business, which experienced increases in average written premium per exposure of 8.4% and 7.4%, respectively.

 

Net Written Premiums.   Net written premiums for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 increased by $3,729, or 1.8%, to $207,906 from $204,177 for the comparable 2015 period. Net written premiums for the six months ended  June 30, 2016 increased by $4,091, or 1.1%, to $393,558 from $389,467 for the comparable 2015 period.

 

Net Earned Premiums.   Net earned premiums for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 increased by $4,946, or 2.7%, to $187,393 from $182,447 for the comparable 2015 period.  Net earned premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2016 increased by $8,036, or 2.2%, to $373,047 from $365,011 for the comparable 2015 period.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  June 30, 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2016

    

2015

 

Written Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

221,359

 

$

213,246

 

$

417,311

 

$

407,979

 

Assumed

 

 

8,414

 

 

6,640

 

 

15,554

 

 

13,932

 

Ceded

 

 

(21,867)

 

 

(15,709)

 

 

(39,307)

 

 

(32,444)

 

Net written premiums

 

$

207,906

 

$

204,177

 

$

393,558

 

$

389,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

197,090

 

$

192,574

 

$

391,385

 

$

383,285

 

Assumed

 

 

7,631

 

 

5,762

 

 

15,306

 

 

12,600

 

Ceded

 

 

(17,328)

 

 

(15,889)

 

 

(33,644)

 

 

(30,874)

 

Net earned premiums

 

$

187,393

 

$

182,447

 

$

373,047

 

$

365,011

 

 

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Net Investment Income.   Net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $676, or 6.6%, to $9,641 from $10,317 for the comparable 2015 period.  Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $1,606, or 7.7%, to $19,268 from $20,874 for the comparable 2015 period. The decrease is a result of changes in the average invested asset balance as a result of investment proceeds used in the payment of claims resulting from the 2015 winter events.   Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 3.2% for both the quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2016. The investment portfolio’s duration was 4.0 years at June 30, 2016 compared to 4.1 years at December 31, 2015.

 

  Earnings from Partnership Investments. Earnings from partnership investments was $1,409 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to earnings from partnership investment of $577 for the comparable 2015 period. Earnings from partnership investments was $2,287 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $577 for the comparable 2015 period.

 

            Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments.   Net realized gains on investments was $360 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to net realized losses of $173 for the comparable 2015 period. Net realized gains on investments was $37 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to net realized gains of $238 for the comparable 2015 period.

 

The gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed maturity securities, equity securities, including interests in mutual funds, and other invested assets were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized Losses (3)

 

 

 

 

    

Cost or

    

Gross

    

Non-OTTI

    

OTTI

    

Estimated

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Losses (4)

 

Value

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$

6,875

 

$

91

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

6,966

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

365,367

 

 

28,489

 

 

(175)

 

 

 —

 

 

393,681

Residential mortgage-backed securities (1)

 

 

258,996

 

 

7,809

 

 

(75)

 

 

 —

 

 

266,730

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

34,623

 

 

1,250

 

 

(12)

 

 

 —

 

 

35,861

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

30,551

 

 

351

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

30,902

Corporate and other securities

 

 

372,394

 

 

9,935

 

 

(4,192)

 

 

 —

 

 

378,137

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities 

 

 

1,068,806

 

 

47,925

 

 

(4,454)

 

 

 —

 

 

1,112,277

Equity securities (2)

 

 

103,898

 

 

16,874

 

 

(3,811)

 

 

 —

 

 

116,961

Other invested assets (5)

 

 

19,304

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

19,304

Totals

 

$

1,192,008

 

$

64,799

 

$

(8,265)

 

$

 —

 

$

1,248,542

(1)

Residential mortgage-backed securities consists primarily of obligations of U.S. Government agencies including 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 the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).

(2)

Equity securities include interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan.

(3)

Our investment portfolio included 259 securities in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2016.

(4)

Amounts in this column represent other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

(5)

Other invested assets are accounted for under the equity method which approximated fair value.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

 

    

 

Estimated

    

    

 

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Percent

 

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

 

$

273,764

 

24.7

%

Aaa/Aa

 

 

389,602

 

35.0

 

A

 

 

211,835

 

19.0

 

Baa

 

 

105,560

 

9.5

 

Ba

 

 

48,675

 

4.4

 

B

 

 

65,867

 

5.9

 

Caa

 

 

8,264

 

0.7

 

CA

 

 

276

 

 -

 

D

 

 

793

 

0.1

 

Not rated

 

 

7,641

 

0.7

 

Total 

 

$

1,112,277

 

100.0

%

 

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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.

 

As of June 30, 2016, our portfolio of fixed maturity investments was comprised principally of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. government and agency securities, and asset-backed securities.  The portion of our non-investment grade portfolio of fixed maturity investments is primarily comprised of variable rate secured and senior bank loans and high yield bonds.

 

The following table illustrates the gross unrealized losses included in our 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 June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

 

 

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

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

14,643

 

 

175

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

14,643

 

 

175

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

6,361

 

 

37

 

 

5,918

 

 

38

 

 

12,279

 

 

75

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

1,597

 

 

12

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,597

 

 

12

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Corporate and other securities

 

 

34,152

 

 

1,001

 

 

32,495

 

 

3,191

 

 

66,647

 

 

4,192

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

 

 

56,753

 

 

1,225

 

 

38,413

 

 

3,229

 

 

95,166

 

 

4,454

Equity securities

 

 

8,188

 

 

656

 

 

18,306

 

 

3,155

 

 

26,494

 

 

3,811

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

$

64,941

 

$

1,881

 

$

56,719

 

$

6,384

 

$

121,660

 

$

8,265

 

As of June 30, 2016, we held insured investment securities of approximately $9,187, which represented approximately 0.7% of our total investments.  Approximately $4,675 of these securities is pre-refunded, meaning that funds have been set aside in escrow to satisfy the future interest and principal obligations of the bond.

 

The following table shows our insured investment securities that are backed by financial guarantors including pre-refunded securities as of June 30, 2016.  We do not have any direct investment holdings in a financial guarantee insurance company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

 

 

    

    

 

    

                       

    

  Exposure Net  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-refunded

 

of Pre-refunded

 

 

 

Total

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

Municipal bonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ambac Assurance Corporation

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

 

 

241

 

 

241

 

 

 -

 

Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

National Public Finance Guaranty Corporation

 

 

8,946

 

 

4,434

 

 

4,512

 

Total

 

$

9,187

 

$

4,675

 

$

4,512

 

 

The Moody’s ratings of the Company’s insured investments held at June 30, 2016 are essentially the same with or without the investment guarantees.

 

We reviewed the unrealized losses in our fixed income and equity portfolio as of June 30, 2016 for potential other-than-temporary asset impairments.  The Company held three debt securities at June 30, 2016 with a material (20% or greater) unrealized loss for four or more consecutive quarters.  As a result of our analysis, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized OTTI of $137 and $429, respectively, which consisted entirely of credit losses related to fixed maturity securities. There was no OTTI related to fixed maturity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Specific qualitative analysis was also performed for securities appearing on our “Watch List,” if any.  Qualitative analysis considered such factors as the financial condition and the near term prospects of the issuer, whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments, changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and the historical volatility of the fair value of the security.

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The majority of these unrealized losses recorded on the investment portfolio at June 30, 2016 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, the fact that we do not intend to sell these securities, and that it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the cost basis of these securities, these decreases in values are viewed as being temporary.

 

  For information regarding fair value measurements of our investment portfolio, refer to Item 1-Financial Statements, Note 5, Investments, of this Form 10-Q.

 

Net Impairment Losses on Investments .   Net impairment losses on investments were $137 and $429 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 and for the six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.  There were no impairment losses on investments for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Finance and Other Service Income.   Finance and other service income include revenues from premium installment charges, which we recognize when earned, and other miscellaneous income and fees.  Finance and other service income decreased by $150, or 3.4%, to $4,284 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 from $4,434 for the comparable 2015 period. Finance and other service income decreased by $372, or 4.2%, to $8,569 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $8,941 for the comparable 2015 period.

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.   Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $31,882, or 21.7%, to $115,144 from $147,026 for the comparable 2015 period. Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $114,227, or 32.1%, to $241,123 from $355,350 for the comparable 2015 period. These decreases are primarily due to the winter snowfall catastrophe losses experienced in 2015

 

Our GAAP loss ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 decreased to 61.4% from 80.6% for the comparable 2015 period.  Our GAAP loss ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased to 64.6% from 97.4% for the comparable 2015 period. Our GAAP loss ratio excluding loss adjustment expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 decreased to 53.2% from 72.0% for the comparable 2015 period.  Our GAAP loss ratio excluding loss adjustment expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased to 55.9% from 85.7% for the comparable 2015 period. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $11,818 and $21,867, respectively.   Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2015 was $7,924 and $12,011, respectively.  

 

Underwriting, Operating and Related Expenses.   Underwriting, operating and related expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 increased by $5,315, or 10.2%, to $57,513 from $52,198 for the comparable 2015 period. Underwriting, operating and related expenses for the six months ended  June 30, 2016 increased by $9,175, or 8.8%, to $113,470 from $104,295 for the comparable 2015 period. Our GAAP expense ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 increased to 30.7% from 28.6% for the comparable 2015 period. Our GAAP expense ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2016 increased to 30.4% from 28.6% for the comparable 2015 period. The increase in underwriting, operating, and related expenses and the expense ratio is attributable to increases in contingent commissions and bonus compensation.

 

Interest Expense.   Interest expense was $23 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. Interest expense was $45 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expense was $37 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

Income Tax Expense (Credit).   Our effective tax rate was 29.4% and 36.0% for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 29.3% and 43.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effec tive rate in 2016 was lower than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to adjustments for tax-exempt investment income.  The effective rate in 2015 is the result of the expected tax benefit related to the net loss of the Company, which is increased by the adjustments for tax-exempt investment income. 

 

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  Net Income (Loss).   Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was $21,365 compared to a net loss of $1,053 for the comparable 2015 period. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $34,035 compared to a net loss of $36,124 for the comparable 2016 period. The increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015 was attributable primarily to catastrophic losses related to record snowfalls in 2015.

 

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 facility.

 

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 the payment of dividends to Safety.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $29,913 during the six months ended 2016. Net cash used for operating activities was $35,439 during the six months ended June 30, 2015. Our operations typically generate positive cash flows from operations as most premiums are received in advance of the time when claim and benefit payments are required.  The net cash used by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was the result of claims paid related to the increase in loss expense due to the significant snowfall totals experienced.  Positive operating cash flows are expected to continue in the future to meet our liquidity requirements.

 

Net cash used for investing activities was $12,418 during the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $35,111 during the six months ended June 30, 2015.  Proceeds from maturities, redemptions, calls and sales, of securities were $120,353 during the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $156,134 for the comparable prior year period.

 

Net cash used for financing activities was $20,936 and $20,834 during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Net cash used for financing activities is primarily comprised of dividend payments to shareholders.

 

The Insurance Subsidiaries maintain a high degree of liquidity within their respective investment portfolios in fixed maturity and equity securities. We do not anticipate the need to sell these securities to meet the Insurance Subsidiaries cash requirements. We expect the Insurance Subsidiaries to generate sufficient operating cash to meet all short-term and long-term cash requirements.  However, there can be no assurance that unforeseen business needs or other items will not occur causing us to have to sell securities before their values fully recover; thereby causing us to recognize additional impairment charges in that time period.

 

Credit Facility

 

For information regarding our Credit Facility, please refer to Item 1- Financial Statements, Note 8, Debt, of this Form 10-Q.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

For information regarding Recent Accounting Pronouncements, please refer to Item 1- Financial Statements, Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of this Form 10-Q.

 

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,

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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 year-end December 31, 2015, the statutory surplus of Safety Insurance was $571,038, and its statutory net loss for 2015 was $12,209.  As a result, a maximum of $57,104 is available in 2016 for such dividends without prior approval of the Commissioner.  As result of this Massachusetts statute, the Insurance Subsidiaries had restricted net assets in the amount of $533,785 at December 31, 2015. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, Safety Insurance paid dividends to Safety of $19,851.

 

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.

 

Since the initial public offering of its common stock in November 2002, the Company has paid regular quarterly dividends to shareholders of its common stock.  Quarterly dividends paid during 2016 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

    

    

    

 

    

Total

Declaration

 

Record

 

Payment

 

Dividend per

 

Dividends Paid

Date

 

Date

 

Date

 

Common Share

 

and Accrued

February 16, 2016

 

March 1, 2016

 

March 15, 2016

 

$

0.70

 

$

10,554

May 3, 2016

 

June 1, 2016

 

June 15, 2016

 

$

0.70

 

 

10,609

 

On August 3, 2016, our Board approved and declared a dividend of $0.70 per share which will be paid on September 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on September 1, 2016. We plan to continue to declare and pay quarterly cash dividends in 2016, depending on our financial position and the regularity of our cash flows.

 

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.  As of June 30, 2016, the Board of Directors had cumulatively authorized increases to the existing share repurchase program of up to $150,000 of its 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.  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 us to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.  As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had purchased 2,279,570 shares of common stock at a cost of $83,835.

 

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.

 

Risk-Based Capital Requirements

 

The NAIC has adopted a formula and model law to implement risk-based capital requirements for most property and casualty insurance companies, which are designed to determine minimum capital requirements and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides for policyholder obligations.  Under Massachusetts law, insurers

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having less total adjusted capital than that required by the risk-based capital calculation will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of capital inadequacy.  The risk-based capital law provides for four levels of regulatory action.  The extent of regulatory intervention and action increases as the level of total adjusted capital to risk-based capital falls.  As of December 31, 2015, the Insurance Subsidiaries had total adjusted capital of $571,038, which is in excess of amounts requiring company or regulatory action at any prescribed risk-based capital action level.  Minimum statutory capital and surplus, or company action level risk-based capital, was $101,243 at December 31, 2015.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

  We have no material obligations under a guarantee contract meeting the characteristics identified in ASC 460, Guarantees.  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 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.

 

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 estimated losses incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”) 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.

 

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.  When a claim is closed with or without a payment, the difference between the case reserve and the settlement amount creates a reserve deficiency if the payment exceeds the case reserve or a reserve redundancy if the payment is less than the case reserve.

 

In accordance with industry practice, we also maintain reserves for 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.  In addition, IBNR reserves can also be expressed as the total loss reserves required less the case reserves on reported claims.

 

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.

In estimating all our loss reserves, we follow the guidance prescribed by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 944, Financial Services – Insurance.

 

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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, is 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 $421,019 to $476,460 as of June 30, 2016.  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. Our selected point estimate of net loss and LAE reserves based upon the analysis of our actuaries was $466,039 as of June 30, 2016.

 

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 June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

Line of Business

    

Low

    

Recorded

    

High

Private passenger automobile

 

$

221,860

 

$

238,333

 

$

238,863

Commercial automobile

 

 

65,676

 

 

74,052

 

 

74,872

Homeowners

 

 

70,710

 

 

80,748

 

 

86,352

All other

 

 

62,773

 

 

72,906

 

 

76,373

Total

 

$

421,019

 

$

466,039

 

$

476,460

 

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The following table presents our total net reserves and the corresponding case reserves and IBNR reserves for each line of business as of June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

Line of Business

    

Case

    

IBNR

    

Total

Private passenger automobile

 

$

260,922

 

$

(22,952)

 

$

237,970

CAR assumed private passenger auto

 

 

108

 

 

255

 

 

363

Commercial automobile

 

 

44,782

 

 

10,179

 

 

54,961

CAR assumed commercial automobile

 

 

9,368

 

 

9,723

 

 

19,091

Homeowners

 

 

62,830

 

 

7,394

 

 

70,224

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

 

 

4,118

 

 

6,406

 

 

10,524

All other

 

 

37,962

 

 

34,944

 

 

72,906

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

 

$

420,090

 

$

45,949

 

$

466,039

 

At June 30, 2016, our total IBNR reserves for our private passenger automobile line of business was comprised of ($43,652) related to estimated ultimate decreases in the case reserves, including anticipated recoveries (i.e. salvage and subrogation), and $20,700 related to our estimation for not yet reported losses.

 

Our IBNR reserves consist of our estimate of the total loss reserves required less our case reserves.  The IBNR reserves for CAR assumed commercial automobile business are 50.9% of our total reserves for CAR assumed commercial automobile business as of June 30, 2016, due to the reporting delays in the information we receive from CAR, as described further in the section on Residual Market Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves.  Our IBNR reserves for FAIR Plan assumed homeowners are 60.9% of our total reserves for FAIR Plan assumed homeowners at June 30, 2016, due to similar reporting delays in the information we receive from FAIR Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016

Line of Business

    

 

Retained

    

 

Assumed

    

 

Net

Private passenger automobile

 

$

237,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAR assumed private passenger automobile

 

 

 

 

$

363

 

 

 

Net private passenger automobile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

238,333

Commercial automobile

 

 

54,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAR assumed commercial automobile

 

 

 

 

 

19,091

 

 

 

Net commercial automobile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

74,052

Homeowners

 

 

70,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

 

 

 

 

 

10,524

 

 

 

Net homeowners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80,748

All other

 

 

72,906

 

 

 -

 

 

72,906

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

 

$

436,061

 

$

29,978

 

$

466,039

 

 

Residual Market Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

 

We are a participant in CAR, the FAIR Plan and other various residual markets and assume a portion of losses and LAE on business ceded by the industry participants to the residual markets.  We estimate reserves for assumed losses and LAE that have not yet been reported to us by the residual markets.  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.

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Residual market deficits, consists of premium ceded to the various residual markets less losses and LAE, and is allocated among insurance companies based on a various formulas (the “Participation Ratio”) that takes into consideration a company’s voluntary market share.

 

Because of the lag in the various residual market estimations, and in order to try to validate to the extent possible the information provided, we must try to estimate the effects of the actions of our competitors in order to establish our Participation Ratio.

 

Although we rely to a significant extent in setting our reserves on the information the various residual markets provide, we are cautious in our use of that information, because of the delays in receiving data from the various residual markets.  As a result, 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 six months ended June 30, 2016, a 1 percentage-point change in the loss and LAE ratio would result in a change in reserves of $3,730.  Each 1 percentage-point change in the loss and loss expense ratio would have had a $2,424 effect on net income, or $0.16 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 have on our retained (i.e., direct minus ceded) loss and LAE reserves and net income for the six months ended June 30, 2016.  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

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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

 

$

(4,759)

 

$

(2,380)

 

$

 —

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

 

3,094

 

 

1,547

 

 

 —

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

 

(2,380)

 

 

 —

 

 

2,380

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

 

1,547

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,547)

 

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

 —

 

 

2,380

 

 

4,760

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,547)

 

 

(3,094)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial automobile retained loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated decrease in reserves

 

 

(1,099)

 

 

(550)

 

 

 —

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

 

714

 

 

357

 

 

 —

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

 

(550)

 

 

 —

 

 

550

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

 

357

 

 

 —

 

 

(358)

 

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

 —

 

 

550

 

 

1,099

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

 —

 

 

(357)

 

 

(714)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homeowners retained loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated decrease in reserves

 

 

(1,404)

 

 

(702)

 

 

 —

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

 

913

 

 

456

 

 

 —

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

 

(702)

 

 

 —

 

 

702

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

 

456

 

 

 —

 

 

(456)

 

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

 —

 

 

702

 

 

1,404

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

 —

 

 

(456)

 

 

(913)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All other retained loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated decrease in reserves

 

 

(1,458)

 

 

(729)

 

 

 —

 

Estimated increase in net income

 

 

948

 

 

474

 

 

 —

 

No Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

 

(729)

 

 

 —

 

 

729

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

 

474

 

 

 —

 

 

(474)

 

+1 Percent Change in Severity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated increase in reserves

 

 

 —

 

 

729

 

 

1,458

 

Estimated decrease in net income

 

 

 —

 

 

(474)

 

 

(948)

 

 

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, is 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 six months ended June 30, 2016.  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.

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-1 Percent

    

+1 Percent

 

 

 

Change in

 

Change in

 

 

 

Estimation

 

Estimation

 

CAR assumed private passenger automobile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

$

(4)

 

$

 4

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

 

 2

 

 

(2)

 

CAR assumed commercial automobile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

 

(191)

 

 

191

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

 

124

 

 

(124)

 

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

 

 

(105)

 

 

105

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

 

 

68

 

 

(68)

 

 

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 $21,867 and $12,011 during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

The following table presents a comparison of prior year development of our net reserves for losses and LAE for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.  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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

Accident Year

    

2016

    

2015

2006  & prior

 

$

(272)

 

$

(1,002)

2007 

 

 

(266)

 

 

(230)

2008 

 

 

(1,164)

 

 

(386)

2009 

 

 

(544)

 

 

(777)

2010 

 

 

(1,486)

 

 

(2,191)

2011 

 

 

(2,980)

 

 

(2,270)

2012 

 

 

(4,220)

 

 

(4,117)

2013 

 

 

(7,493)

 

 

(2,456)

2014

 

 

(3,280)

 

 

1,418

2015

 

 

(162)

 

 

 —

All prior years

 

$

(21,867)

 

$

(12,011)

 

The decreases in prior years’ reserves during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 resulted from re-estimations of prior year ultimate loss and LAE liabilities.  The 2016 decrease is primarily composed of reductions of $9,015 in our retained private passenger automobile reserves, $2,605 in our retained commercial automobile reserves, $7,382 in our retained homeowners reserves and $2,110 in our retained other lines reserves.  The 2015 decrease is primarily composed of reductions of $6,185 in our retained private passenger automobile reserves, $2,241 in our retained commercial automobile reserves, $3,287 in our retained homeowners reserves and $1,165 in our retained other lines reserves.

 

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The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of our net reserves for losses June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Private Passenger

    

Commercial

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

 

Accident Year

 

Automobile

 

Automobile

 

Homeowners

 

All Other

 

Total

 

2006  & prior

 

$

(106)

 

$

(2)

 

$

(40)

 

$

(124)

 

$

(272)

 

2007 

 

 

20

 

 

 -

 

 

(188)

 

 

(98)

 

 

(266)

 

2008 

 

 

(738)

 

 

(287)

 

 

(138)

 

 

(1)

 

 

(1,164)

 

2009 

 

 

(512)

 

 

(32)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(544)

 

2010 

 

 

(917)

 

 

(174)

 

 

(395)

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,486)

 

2011 

 

 

(846)

 

 

(263)

 

 

(1,084)

 

 

(787)

 

 

(2,980)

 

2012 

 

 

(2,066)

 

 

(222)

 

 

(1,454)

 

 

(478)

 

 

(4,220)

 

2013 

 

 

(1,954)

 

 

(1,120)

 

 

(3,647)

 

 

(772)

 

 

(7,493)

 

2014

 

 

(1,489)

 

 

(879)

 

 

(939)

 

 

27

 

 

(3,280)

 

2015

 

 

(407)

 

 

(41)

 

 

163

 

 

123

 

 

(162)

 

All prior years

 

$

(9,015)

 

$

(3,020)

 

$

(7,722)

 

$

(2,110)

 

$

(21,867)

 

 

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 six months ended June 30, 2016 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

 

2006  & prior

 

$

(106)

 

$

(2)

 

$

(40)

 

$

(124)

 

$

(272)

 

2007 

 

 

20

 

 

 -

 

 

(188)

 

 

(98)

 

 

(266)

 

2008 

 

 

(738)

 

 

(309)

 

 

(138)

 

 

(1)

 

 

(1,186)

 

2009 

 

 

(512)

 

 

(37)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(549)

 

2010 

 

 

(917)

 

 

(153)

 

 

(391)

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,461)

 

2011 

 

 

(846)

 

 

(190)

 

 

(1,041)

 

 

(787)

 

 

(2,864)

 

2012 

 

 

(2,066)

 

 

(121)

 

 

(1,377)

 

 

(478)

 

 

(4,042)

 

2013 

 

 

(1,954)

 

 

(1,133)

 

 

(3,530)

 

 

(772)

 

 

(7,389)

 

2014

 

 

(1,489)

 

 

(912)

 

 

(851)

 

 

27

 

 

(3,225)

 

2015

 

 

(407)

 

 

252

 

 

174

 

 

123

 

 

142

 

All prior years

 

$

(9,015)

 

$

(2,605)

 

$

(7,382)

 

$

(2,110)

 

$

(21,112)

 

 

The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of reserves assumed from residual markets for losses and LAE for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

CAR Assumed

    

 

CAR Assumed

    

 

    

    

 

    

 

 

 

 

Private Passenger

 

 

Commercial

 

 

FAIR Plan

 

 

 

 

Accident Year

 

 

Automobile

 

 

Automobile

 

 

Homeowners

 

 

Total

 

2006  & prior

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

2007 

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

2008 

 

 

 —

 

 

22

 

 

 —

 

 

22

 

2009 

 

 

 —

 

 

5

 

 

 —

 

 

5

 

2010 

 

 

 —

 

 

(22)

 

 

(4)

 

 

(26)

 

2011 

 

 

 —

 

 

(73)

 

 

(43)

 

 

(116)

 

2012 

 

 

 —

 

 

(101)

 

 

(78)

 

 

(179)

 

2013 

 

 

 —

 

 

13

 

 

(117)

 

 

(104)

 

2014

 

 

 —

 

 

34

 

 

(88)

 

 

(54)

 

2015

 

 

 —

 

 

(293)

 

 

(10)

 

 

(303)

 

All prior years

 

$

 —

 

$

(415)

 

$

(340)

 

$

(755)

 

 

Our private passenger automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased by $9,015 for the six months ended June 30, 2016.  The decrease was primarily due to improved retained private passenger results of $5,509 for the accident years 2012 through 2014.  The improved retained private passenger results were primarily due to fewer IBNR

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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 $3,020 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to improved retained commercial results of $2,045 for the accident years 2013 and 2014. 

 

Our retained homeowners and our retained other lines of business prior year reserves decreased by $7,382 and $2,110 respectively for the six months ended June 30, 2016 due primarily to fewer IBNR claims than previously estimated.

 

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

 

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  OTTI, 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 nine months or longer) in which the fair value of an issuer’s securities remains below our amortized cost, and any other factors that may raise doubt about the issuer’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

ASC 320,  Investments — Debt and Equity Securities requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  Under ASC 320, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).  In instances where no credit loss exists but it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings.  In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings.  For debt securities for which OTTI was recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income.

 

  For further information, see “Results of Operations: Net Impairment Losses on Investments.”

 

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,”

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“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, the possibility that existing insurance-related laws and regulations will become further restrictive in the future, 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.  Refer to Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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.

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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.

 

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, 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 June 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated fair value

 

$

1,148,385

 

$

1,112,277

 

$

1,072,727

 

Estimated increase (decrease) in fair value

 

$

36,108

 

$

 

$

(39,550)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With respect to floating rate debt, we are exposed to the effects of changes in prevailing interest rates.  At June 30, 2016, 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 2016, 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.  Our exposure to changes in equity prices results from our holdings of common stock and mutual funds held to fund the executive deferred compensation plan.  We continuously evaluate market conditions and we expect in the future to purchase additional equity securities.  We principally manage 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 (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), 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 by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded,

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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 CEO and CFO, as appropriate, 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.

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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 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds (Dollars in thousands)

 

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.  As of September 30, 2014, the Board of Directors had cumulatively authorized increases to the existing share repurchase program of up to $150,000 of its 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.  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 the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.  No share repurchases were made by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities - None.

 

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures — None.

 

Item 5.  Other Information - None.

 

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

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SIGNATUR E

 

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.

 

 

 

 

August 5, 2016

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.   (Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ WILLIAM J. BEGLEY, JR.

 

 

William J. Begley, Jr.

 

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer

 

 

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SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

 

EXHIBIT INDE X

 

 

 

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description

 

10.1

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and George M. Murphy as of

April 1, 2016 (2) (3)

 

Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and John P. Drago as of April 1, 2016 (2) (3)

  11.0

 

Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings (loss) (1)

 

 

 

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)

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document(2)

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema(2)

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase(2)

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase(2)

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase(2)

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase(2)


(1)

Not included herein as the information is included as part of this Form 10-Q, Item 1 - Financial Statements, Note 3, earnings (loss) per Weighted Average Common Share.

(2)

Included herein.

(3)

Denotes management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

 

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Exhibit 10 .1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2016 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and between George M. Murphy (the “ Executive ”) and Safety Insurance Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”);

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H :

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to obtain the future services of the Executive for and on behalf of the Companies (as defined in Section 11 );

 

WHEREAS, the Executive is willing upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, to provide services to the Companies hereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to secure the Executive’s non-interference with the Companies’ business, upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.   Nature of Employment

 

Subject to Section 3 , the Company employ Executive, and Executive shall serve the Company, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, during the Term of Employment (as defined in Section 3(a) ), as President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Company with such duties and responsibilities as are customarily assigned to an executive in such position and such other duties and responsibilities not inconsistent therewith as may from time to time reasonably be assigned to the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company.  The Executive also agrees to serve without additional compensation in such capacities (including, without limitation, as an officer or director) with Company affiliates as the Board of Directors of the Company may prescribe.  Upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive’s employment, board membership or other service relationship with any Company affiliate shall automatically terminate unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

 

2. Extent of Employment

 

(a) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall perform his or her obligations hereunder faithfully and to the best of his or her ability at the principal executive offices of the Company, under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company, and shall abide by the rules, customs and usages from time to time established by the Companies.

 

(b) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall devote all of his or her business time, energy and skill as may be reasonably necessary for the performance of his or her duties, responsibilities and obligations hereunder (except for vacation periods and reasonable


 

periods of illness or other incapacity), consistent with past practices and norms in similar positions.

 

(c) Nothing contained herein shall require Executive to follow any directive or to perform any act which would violate any laws, ordinances, regulations or rules of any governmental, regulatory or administrative body, agent or authority, any court or judicial authority, or any public, private or industry regulatory authority (collectively, the “ Regulations ”).  Executive shall act in good faith in accordance with all Regulations.

 

3. Term of Employment; Termination

 

(a) The “ Term of Employment ” shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue until December 31, 2016; provided, that, should the Executive’s employment by the Company be earlier terminated pursuant to Section 3(b) or by the Executive pursuant to Section 3(c), the Term of Employment shall end on the date of such earlier termination.  The Company may extend the Term of Employment by an additional twelve months (“Additional Term”) pursuant to formal action by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at least 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the Term of Employment, unless the Executive notifies the Company of his or her decision to decline any additional term before at least 120 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the Term of Employment.

 

 

(b) Subject to the payments contemplated by Sections 3(f) through 3(i) , the Term of Employment may be terminated at any time by the Company:

 

(i) upon the death of Executive;

 

(ii) in the event that because of physical or mental disability Executive is unable to perform, and does not perform, in the view of the Company and as certified in writing by a competent medical physician, his or her duties hereunder for a continuous period of three consecutive months or any sixty working days out of any consecutive six month period;

 

(iii) for Cause (as defined in Section 3(d) ) or Material Breach (as defined in Section 3(e) );

 

(iv) upon the continuous poor or unacceptable performance of the Executive’s duties to the Companies (other than due to a physical or mental disability), which has remained uncured for a period of 90 days after delivery of notice by the Company to the Executive of such dissatisfaction with Executive’s performance, which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the areas of dissatisfaction; or

 

(v) for any other reason or no reason, it being understood that no reason is required.

 


 

Executive acknowledges that no representations or promises have been made concerning the grounds for termination or the future operation of the Companies’ business, and that nothing contained herein or otherwise stated by or on behalf of any of the Companies modifies or amends the right of the Company to terminate Executive at any time, with or without Material Breach or Cause.  Termination shall become effective upon the delivery by the Company to the Executive of notice specifying such termination and the reasons therefor (i.e., Section 3 (b)(i)-(v) ), subject to the requirements for advance notice and an opportunity to cure provided in this Agreement, if and to the extent applicable.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for purposes of this Agreement, any reference to “termination,” as it relates to a termination of the Executive’s employment, shall refer to a termination of employment which constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations promulgated thereunder (“ Section 409A ”).

 

(c) Subject to the payments contemplated by Section 3(f) and 3(i) , the Term of Employment may be terminated at any time by the Executive:

 

(i) upon the death of Executive;

 

(ii) as a result of a material reduction in Executive’s authority, perquisites, position or responsibilities (other than such a reduction in perquisites which affects all of the Company’s senior executives on a substantially equal or proportionate basis), the relocation of the Company’s primary place of business or the relocation of Executive by any of the Companies to another office more than 75 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, or the Company’s willful, material violation of its obligations under this Agreement, in each case, after 60 days’ prior written notice to the Company and its Board of Directors and the Company’s failure thereafter to cure such reduction or violation; or

 

(iii) as a result of the Company’s willful and material violation of this Agreement, the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Incentive Plan ”), or any agreement between Executive and any of the Companies pertaining to awards made pursuant to the Incentive Plan or the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, in each case as such agreements or plans may be amended from time to time.

 

(d) For the purposes of this Section 3 , “ Cause ” shall mean any of the following:

 

(i) Executive’s commission or conviction of any crime or criminal offense involving monies or other property or any felony;

 

(ii) Executive’s commission or conviction of fraud or embezzlement;

 

(iii) Executive’s material and knowing violation of any obligations imposed upon Executive, personally, as opposed to upon the Company, whether as a stockholder or otherwise, under this Agreement, the Incentive Plan or any other agreement between the Executive, on the one hand, and any of the Companies, on the other hand, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or the By-Laws of the Company, in each case as may be amended from time to time; provided , that the Executive has been


 

given written notice describing any such violation in reasonable detail and fails to cure the violation within 90 days from such notice; or

 

(iv) Executive engages in egregious misconduct involving serious moral turpitude to the extent that Executive’s credibility and reputation no longer conform to the standard of the Company’s executives.

 

(e) For the purposes of this Section 3 , “ Material Breach ” shall mean any of the following:

 

(i) Executive’s breach of any of his or her fiduciary duties to the Companies or their stockholders or making of a willful misrepresentation or omission which breach, misrepresentation or omission would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the business, properties, assets, condition (financial or other) or prospects of the Companies;

 

(ii) Executive’s willful, continual and material neglect or failure to discharge his or her duties, responsibilities or obligations prescribed by this Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive and any of the Companies (other than arising solely due to physical or mental disability);

 

(iii) Executive’s habitual drunkenness or substance abuse which materially interferes with Executive’s ability to discharge his or her duties, responsibilities or obligations prescribed by this Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive and any of the Companies; and

 

(iv) Executive’s willful and material violation of any non-competition, non-disparagement, or confidentiality agreement with any of the Companies, including without limitation, those set forth in Sections 7 ,   8 and 9 of this Agreement, or any other agreements with any of the Companies;

 

in each case, for purposes of clauses (i) through (iv), after the Company or the Board of Directors of the Company has provided Executive with 60 days’ written notice describing such circumstances and the possibility of a Material Breach in reasonable detail, and Executive fails to cure such circumstances and Material Breach within those 60 days.  No act or omission shall be deemed willful if done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by the Executive based upon a resolution duly adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(f) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under any circumstances described in Section 3(b)(v) or by Executive under the circumstances described in Section 3(c)(ii) or (iii) ,

 

(i) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, (A) within five business days after the date of termination, any earned but unpaid base salary and, subject to the provisions of Section 5, any expense reimbursement payments owed to the Executive, and (B) any earned but unpaid annual bonus payments relating to the prior


 

year to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Annual Performance Incentive Plan, or any successor plan thereto (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”);

 

(ii) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to the annual base salary (in effect immediately prior to the date of termination) the Executive would have received (a) over the remaining Term of Employment or (b) in the event that Executive receives notification that the Term of Employment is extended by an Additional Term, the annual base salary Executive would have received through the end of the Additional Term.  “Severance Period” shall mean the period from the date of termination through the remaining current Term of Employment, or, in the event that Executive receives notification of an Additional Term, the period from the date of termination to the end of the Additional Term; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , during the Severance Period, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(f)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 

(g) In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated within three years after a Change of Control (provided the Term of Employment has not already expired) under any circumstances described in Section 3(b)(v) or by Executive under the circumstances described in Section 3(c)(ii) or (iii) ,

 

(i) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive any Accrued Obligations in accordance with Section 3(f)(i );

 

(ii) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to three (3) times the sum of (A) the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and (B) the most recent annual bonus paid to the Executive prior to the Change in Control; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , for a three (3) year period after the date of termination, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(g)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 


 

(h) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under the circumstances described in Section 3(b)(iv) ,

 

(i) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive any Accrued Obligations in accordance with Section 3(f)(i) ;

 

(ii) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to three (3) months base salary, based on the Executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , for a three (3) month period after the date of termination, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(h)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 

(i) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under the circumstances described in Section 3(b)(i) or (ii) or by the Executive under Section 3(c)(i) ,

 

(i) the Company will pay or cause to be paid to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or representative, as the case may be) any Accrued Obligations in accordance with Section 3(f)(i) ;

 

(ii) the Company will pay or cause to be paid to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or representative, as the case may be), within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to 100% of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , for a one (1) year period after the date of termination, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(i)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 

(j) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under any circumstances described in Section 3(b)(iii) or by Executive as a result of resignation or voluntary termination due to any circumstance other than the material reductions, relocation or violations described in Section 3(c)(ii) above, there will be no amounts owed to the Executive


 

under Section 4 or any other part of this Agreement, from and after the effectiveness of termination.

 

(k) The payments and benefits required by Section 3(f), 3(g), 3(h) or 3(i) , as applicable, constitute severance and liquidated damages, and, except for payments that may be required pursuant to Section 10 , the Company will be obligated to pay or cause to be paid any further amounts to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise be liable to Executive in connection with any termination.

 

(l) All determinations pursuant to this Section 3 shall be made by the Company’s Board of Directors (not including Executive) in good faith.

 

(m) Termination of the Term of Employment will not terminate Sections 7 through 10 and 12 through 23 , or any other provisions not associated specifically with the Term of Employment.

 

(n) In the event the Term of Employment is terminated and the Company is obligated to make or cause to be made payments pursuant to Section 3(f) , the Executive will use his or her reasonable efforts to seek and obtain alternative employment; provided ,   however , that the Executive shall not be required to accept a position or positions of a substantially different character than the position(s) held by him or her under this Agreement; and provided   further , if the Executive shall become physically or mentally disabled, he or she will not be under such duty.  Moreover, in the event that after the Restricted Period pursuant to Section 8(a) , Executive is employed by or engaged in a Competitive Business as contemplated by Section 8(a)(i) , then the payments under Section 3(f) will thereupon cease.

 

(o) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, as a condition to payment of any amounts or provision of any benefits pursuant to Sections 3(f) through 3(i) or 10 of this Agreement (other than due to the Executive’s death), the Executive shall be required to have executed a complete release of the Companies and related parties in such form as is reasonably required by the Company.  Subject to Section 3(p) , all payments and benefits under this Section 3 shall be paid or commenced on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of termination of the Executive’s employment, provided that the release described in the preceding sentence becomes irrevocable prior to such sixtieth (60th) day.

 

(p) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of a termination, any portion of the payments under this Section 3 due hereunder during the first six months following the date of the Executive’s termination, to extent that such payments constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, shall not be paid during such six-month period and instead shall be paid on the first business day following the expiration of such six-month period.  The remaining portion of the payments due hereunder shall be paid as provided in the applicable provisions of this Section 3.

 

4. Compensation

 

The Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive the following compensation:


 

 

(a) During the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive as base compensation for his or her services hereunder, in monthly installments, a base salary at a rate of $600,000 per annum, as increased on an annual basis to reflect the increase in the United States Cost of Living Index for All Urban Consumer (CPI-U) for the Boston, Massachusetts area (the “ CPI-U Index ”).  The January 2004 CPI-U Index shall provide the basis for calculations of such increases.  Notwithstanding the minimum increase set forth above, the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof may establish a higher compensation level.

 

(b) During the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive an annual bonus based on Executive’s performance, as determined and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof under the Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Annual Performance Incentive Plan, or any successor thereto.  Such bonus will be at the full discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof, and may not be paid at all.  Executive acknowledges that no bonus has been agreed upon or promised. 

 

5. Reimbursement of Expenses

 

During the Term of Employment, the Company shall reimburse or cause Executive to be reimbursed for documented travel, entertainment and other expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of his or her duties hereunder and, in each case, in accordance with applicable rules, customs and usages promulgated by the Companies from time to time in effect .  All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement, shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (a) any reimbursement shall be for expenses incurred during a specified period, (b) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (c) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred (or such earlier date if specified in this Agreement), and (d) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

6. Benefits

 

(a) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to perquisites, paid vacations and benefits (including health, short and long term disability, pension and life insurance benefits consistent with past practice, or as increased from time to time) established from time to time, by the Board of Directors of the Company for executives of the Companies, subject to the policies and procedures in effect regarding participation in such benefits.

 

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 5 , in recognition of the use of an automobile for the efficient and expeditious performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations on behalf of the Company, the Company, at its cost, shall supply to the Executive for such use an automobile of such make and model and upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time.


 

 

7. Confidential Information

 

During and after the Term of Employment, Executive will not, directly or indirectly in one or a series of transactions, disclose to any person, or use or otherwise exploit for the Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of anyone other than the Companies, any Confidential Information, whether prepared by Executive or not; provided ,   however , that any Confidential Information may be disclosed to officers, representatives, employees and agents of the Companies who need to know such Confidential Information in order to perform the services or conduct the operations required or expected of them in the Business (as defined in Section 11 ).  Executive shall use his or her best efforts to prevent the removal of any Confidential Information from the premises of the Companies, except as required in his or her normal course of employment by the Company.  Executive shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all persons or entities to whom any Confidential Information shall be disclosed by him or her hereunder to observe the terms and conditions set forth herein as though each such person or entity was bound hereby. Executive shall have no obligation hereunder to keep confidential any Confidential Information if and to the extent disclosure of any thereof is specifically required by law;  provided ,   however , that in the event disclosure is required by applicable law, the Executive shall provide the Companies with prompt notice of such requirement, prior to making any disclosure, so that the Companies may seek an appropriate protective order.  At the request of the Companies, Executive agrees to deliver to the Companies, at any time during the Term of Employment, or thereafter, all Confidential Information which he or she may possess or control.  Executive agrees that all Confidential Information of the Companies (whether now or hereafter existing) conceived, discovered or made by him or her during the Term of Employment exclusively belongs to the Companies (and not to Executive).  Executive will promptly disclose such Confidential Information to the Companies and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Companies to establish and confirm such exclusive ownership.

 

8. Non-Interference

 

(a) Executive acknowledges that the services to be provided give him or her the opportunity to have special knowledge of the Companies and their Confidential Information and the capabilities of individuals employed by or affiliated with the Companies and that interference in these relationships would cause irreparable injury to the Companies.  In consideration of this Agreement, Executive covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) During the Restricted Period (which shall not be reduced by any period of violation of this Agreement by Executive or period which is required for litigation to enforce the rights hereunder), Executive will not, without the express written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, anywhere in the Market, directly or indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, own, manage, operate, control, invest or acquire an interest in, or otherwise engage or participate in, whether as a proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, joint venturer, investor, lessor, supplier, customer, agent, representative or other participant, in any business which competes, directly or indirectly, with the Business in the Market (“ Competitive Business ”) without regard to (A) whether the Competitive Business has its office, manufacturing or other


 

business facilities within or without the Market, (B) whether any of the activities of the Executive referred to above occur or are performed within or without the Market or (C) whether the Executive resides, or reports to an office, within or without the Market; provided ,   however , that (x) the Executive may, anywhere in the Market, directly or indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, own, invest or acquire an interest in up to five percent (5%) of the capital stock of a corporation whose capital stock is traded publicly, or that (y) Executive may accept employment with a successor company to the Company.

 

(ii) During the Restricted Period (which shall not be reduced by any period of violation of this Agreement by Executive or period which is required for litigation to enforce the rights hereunder), Executive will not without the express prior written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (A) directly or indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, recruit, solicit or otherwise induce or influence any proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, sales agent, joint venturer, investor, lessor, supplier, customer, agent, representative or any other person which has a business relationship with the Companies or had a business relationship with the Companies within the 24 month period preceding the date of the incident in question, to discontinue, reduce or modify such employment, agency or business relationship with the Companies, or (B) employ or seek to employ or cause any Competitive Business to employ or seek to employ any person or agent who is then (or was at any time within 24 months prior to the date the Executive or the Competitive Business employs or seeks to employ such person) employed or retained by the Companies.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from providing a letter of recommendation to an employee with respect to a future employment opportunity.

 

(iii) The scope and term of this Section 8 would not preclude Executive from earning a living with an entity that is not a Competitive Business.

 

(b) In the event that Executive breaches his or her obligations in any material respect under Section 7 , this Section 8 or Section 9 , the Company, in addition to pursuing all available remedies under this Agreement, at law or otherwise, and without limiting its right to pursue the same shall cease or cause to be ceased all payments to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement.

 

9. Non-Disparagement

 

During and after the Term of Employment, the Executive agrees that he or she shall not make any false, defamatory or disparaging statements about the Companies or the officers or directors of the Companies.  During and after the Term of Employment, the Company agrees, on behalf of the Companies that neither the officers nor the directors of the Companies shall make any false, defamatory or disparaging statements about the Executive.

 

 

 

 


 

10. Code Section 280G Cutback

 

(a) If any payments or benefits paid or provided or to be paid or provided to the Executive or for his or her benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with, or arising out of, his or her employment with the Company or the termination thereof (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary to prevent any portion of the Payments from becoming nondeductible by the Company under Section 280G of the Code or subject to the Excise Tax, but only if, by reason of that reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by the Executive exceeds the net after-tax benefit the Executive would receive if no reduction was made. For this purpose, “net after-tax benefit” means (i) the total of all Payments that would constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, less (ii) the amount of all federal, state, and local income taxes payable with respect to the Payments calculated at the maximum marginal income tax rate for each year in which the Payments shall be paid to the Executive (based on the rate in effect for that year as set forth in the Code as in effect at the time of the first payment of the Payments), less (iii) the amount of the Excise Tax imposed on the Payments described in clause (i) above. If a reduction in Payments is necessary under this Section 10(a), the reduction shall be made in a manner set forth in (b).

 

(b) Any reduction of the Payments required under Section 10(a) shall be made in the following order: (i) first, any cash amounts payable to the Executive as a severance benefit as provided in Section 3(f)(ii), (g)(ii), (h)(ii), or (i)(ii) or otherwise; (ii) second, any amounts payable on behalf of the Executive for continued health insurance coverage under Section 3(f)(iii), g(iii), h(iii), or i(iii) or otherwise; (iii) third, any other cash amounts payable to or on behalf of the Executive under the terms of this Agreement or otherwise; (iv) fourth, any outstanding performance-based equity grants; and (v) finally, any time-vesting equity grants; in each case, the Payments shall be reduced beginning with Payments that would be made last in time.

 

(c) All determinations required to be made under this Section 10 shall be made by the public accounting firm that is retained by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”).  The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Company or Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.  All fees, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, the costs of retaining experts) of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company.  The determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.

 

11. Definitions

 

Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

Business ” means any business conducted, or engaged in, by the Companies prior to the date hereof or at any time during the Term of Employment.


 

 

Cause ” is defined in Section 3(c) .

 

Change of Control ” means any of the following: (i) the closing of any merger, combination, consolidation or similar business transaction involving the Company in which the holders of Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not the holders, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of the surviving person in such transaction immediately after such closing, (ii) the closing of any sale or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets to an acquiring person in which the holders of Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not the holders of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of the acquiring person immediately after such closings, or (iii) the closing of any sale by the holders of Company Common Stock of an amount of Company Common Stock that equals or exceeds a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing to a person in which the holders of the Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not the holders of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of such person immediately after such closing.

 

Companies ” means the Company and its successors or any of its direct or indirect parents or direct or indirect subsidiaries, now or hereafter existing.

 

Company ” is defined in the introduction.

 

Competitive Business ” is defined in Section 8(a)(i) .

 

Confidential Information ” means any confidential information including, without limitation, any study, data, calculations, software storage media or other compilation of information, patent, patent application, copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, service name, “know-how”, trade secrets, customer lists, details of client or consultant contracts, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans or any portion or phase of any scientific or technical information, ideas, discoveries, designs, computer programs (including source of object codes), processes, procedures, formulas, improvements or other proprietary or intellectual property of the Companies, whether or not in written or tangible form, and whether or not registered, and including all files, records, manuals, books, catalogues, memoranda, notes, summaries, plans, reports, records, documents and other evidence thereof.  The term “ Confidential Information ” does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Executive not permissible hereunder.

 

Executive ” means George M. Murphy or his estate, if deceased.

 

Market ” means any state in the United States of America and each similar jurisdiction in any other country in which the Business was conducted by or engaged in by the Companies prior to the date hereof or is conducted or engaged in, or in which the Companies are seeking authorization to conduct Business at any time during the Term of Employment.

 


 

Regulations ” is defined in Section 2(c) .

 

Restricted Period ” means the date commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the later of (x) the date of termination of the Term of Employment or (y) the end of the applicable severance period provided under Section 3(f) ;   provided ,   however , that the “Restricted Period” may be extended, in the sole discretion of the Company, for an additional period of up to twenty-four (24) months if the Company continues to pay or to cause to be paid to the Executive (i) the full amounts to which he or she would be entitled as base compensation under Section 4(a) and (ii) customary benefits, in each case during such extended period.

 

 

Term of Employment ” is defined in Section 3(a) .

 

12. Notice

 

Any notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and if delivered personally, or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, as follows (or to such other addressee or address as shall be set forth in a notice given in the same manner):

 

If to Executive:

George M. Murphy

 

c/o Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

 

20 Custom House Street

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

 

If to Company:

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

 

20 Custom House Street

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

Attention:   Compensation Committee Chairman

 

Any such notices shall be deemed to be given on the date personally delivered or such return receipt is issued.

 

13. Executive’s Representation

 

Executive hereby warrants and represents to the Company that Executive has carefully reviewed this Agreement and has consulted with such advisors as Executive considers appropriate in connection with this Agreement, and is not subject to any covenants, agreements or restrictions, including without limitation any covenants, agreements or restrictions arising out of Executive’s prior employment which would be breached or violated by Executive’s execution of this Agreement or by Executive’s performance of his or her duties hereunder.

 

14. Other Matters

 

(a) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the obligations owed to Executive under this Agreement are solely the obligations of the Company, and that none of the Companies’


 

stockholders, directors, officers, affiliates, representatives, agents or lenders will have any obligations or liabilities in respect of this Agreement and the subject matter hereof.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Companies may withhold from any amounts payable under, or benefits provided pursuant to, this Agreement all federal, state, local, and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by applicable laws or regulations.

 

(c) In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

 

15. Validity

 

If, for any reason, any provision hereof shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity and effect of the other provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

 

16. Severability

 

Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.  If any court determines that any provision of Section 8 or any other provision hereof is unenforceable and therefore acts to reduce the scope or duration of such provision, the provision in its reduced form shall then be enforceable.

 

17. Waiver of Breach; Specific Performance

 

The waiver by the Company or Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other breach of such other party.  Each of the parties (and third party beneficiaries) to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its respective rights under this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its favor.  The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of Sections 7,   8 and 9 of this Agreement and that any party (and third party beneficiaries) may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement.  In the event either party takes legal action to enforce any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, the nonprevailing party shall pay the successful party’s costs and expenses, including but not limited to, attorneys’ fees,


 

incurred in such action.  If the Executive prevails, the Company will reimburse the Executive’s legal fees no later than 60 days after the end of the taxable year following the year in which the Executive incurs such the costs and expenses.

 

 

18. Assignment; Third Parties

 

Neither the Executive nor the Company may assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of this Agreement or any of his or her or its respective rights or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other.  The parties agree and acknowledge that each of the Companies and the stockholders and investors therein are intended to be third party beneficiaries of, and have rights and interests in respect of, Executive’s agreements set forth in Sections 7 ,   8 and 9.

19. Amendment; Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in writing agreed to by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, understandings and commitments with respect to such subject matter, including, without limitation, the Prior Employment Agreement and that certain Employment Agreement, dated October 16, 2001, between Executive and Safety Insurance Company.

 

20.   Litigation

 

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED, APPLIED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXCEPT THAT NO DOCTRINE OF CHOICE OF LAW SHALL BE USED TO APPLY ANY LAW OTHER THAN THAT OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND NO DEFENSE, COUNTERCLAIM OR RIGHT OF SET-OFF GIVEN OR ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION, OR ARISING OUT OF THE ENACTMENT, MODIFICATION OR REPEAL OF ANY LAW, REGULATION, ORDINANCE OR DECREE OF ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION, BE INTERPOSED IN ANY ACTION HEREON.  EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE COMMENCED IN THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS LOCATED IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.  EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY CONSENT TO SUCH JURISDICTION, AGREE THAT VENUE WILL BE PROPER IN SUCH COURTS AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTIONS BASED UPON FORUM NON CONVENIENS .  THE CHOICE OF FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 20 SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO PRECLUDE THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN SUCH FORUM OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE SAME IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

 


 

 

 

21. Further Action

 

Executive and the Company agree to perform any further acts and to execute and deliver any documents which may be reasonable to carry out the provisions hereof.

 

22. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

 

23. Section 409A

 

To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan comply with, and should be interpreted consistent with, the requirements of Section 409A.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name :

George M. Murphy

 

 

 

 

 

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name :

 David K. McKown

 

Title :

Compensation Committee Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2016 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and between John P. Drago (the “ Executive ”) and Safety Insurance Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”);

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H :

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to obtain the future services of the Executive for and on behalf of the Companies (as defined in Section 11 );

 

WHEREAS, the Executive is willing upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, to provide services to the Companies hereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to secure the Executive’s non-interference with the Companies’ business, upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.   Nature of Employment

 

Subject to Section 3 , the Company employ Executive, and Executive shall serve the Company, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, during the Term of Employment (as defined in Section 3(a) ), as Vice President of the Company with such duties and responsibilities as are customarily assigned to an executive in such position and such other duties and responsibilities not inconsistent therewith as may from time to time reasonably be assigned to the Executive by the Board of Directors and/or Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  The Executive also agrees to serve without additional compensation in such capacities (including, without limitation, as an officer or director) with Company affiliates as the Board of Directors and/or Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company may prescribe.  Upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive’s employment, board membership or other service relationship with any Company affiliate shall automatically terminate unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

 

2. Extent of Employment

 

(a) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall perform his or her obligations hereunder faithfully and to the best of his or her ability at the principal executive offices of the Company, under the direction of the Board of Directors and/or Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall abide by the rules, customs and usages from time to time established by the Companies.

 


 

(b) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall devote all of his or her business time, energy and skill as may be reasonably necessary for the performance of his or her duties, responsibilities and obligations hereunder (except for vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity), consistent with past practices and norms in similar positions.

 

(c) Nothing contained herein shall require Executive to follow any directive or to perform any act which would violate any laws, ordinances, regulations or rules of any governmental, regulatory or administrative body, agent or authority, any court or judicial authority, or any public, private or industry regulatory authority (collectively, the “ Regulations ”).  Executive shall act in good faith in accordance with all Regulations.

 

3. Term of Employment; Termination

 

(a) The “ Term of Employment ” shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue until December 31, 2016; provided, that, should the Executive’s employment by the Company be earlier terminated pursuant to Section 3(b) or by the Executive pursuant to Section 3(c), the Term of Employment shall end on the date of such earlier termination.  The Company may extend the Term of Employment by an additional twelve months (“Additional Term”) pursuant to formal action by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at least 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the Term of Employment, unless the Executive notifies the Company of his or her decision to decline any additional term before at least 120 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the Term of Employment.

 

 

(b) Subject to the payments contemplated by Sections 3(f) through 3(i) , the Term of Employment may be terminated at any time by the Company:

 

(i) upon the death of Executive;

 

(ii) in the event that because of physical or mental disability Executive is unable to perform, and does not perform, in the view of the Company and as certified in writing by a competent medical physician, his or her duties hereunder for a continuous period of three consecutive months or any sixty working days out of any consecutive six month period;

 

(iii) for Cause (as defined in Section 3(d) ) or Material Breach (as defined in Section 3(e) );

 

(iv) upon the continuous poor or unacceptable performance of the Executive’s duties to the Companies (other than due to a physical or mental disability), which has remained uncured for a period of 90 days after delivery of notice by the Company to the Executive of such dissatisfaction with Executive’s performance, which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the areas of dissatisfaction; or

 


 

(v) for any other reason or no reason, it being understood that no reason is required.

 

Executive acknowledges that no representations or promises have been made concerning the grounds for termination or the future operation of the Companies’ business, and that nothing contained herein or otherwise stated by or on behalf of any of the Companies modifies or amends the right of the Company to terminate Executive at any time, with or without Material Breach or Cause.  Termination shall become effective upon the delivery by the Company to the Executive of notice specifying such termination and the reasons therefor (i.e., Section 3 (b)(i)-(v) ), subject to the requirements for advance notice and an opportunity to cure provided in this Agreement, if and to the extent applicable.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for purposes of this Agreement, any reference to “termination,” as it relates to a termination of the Executive’s employment, shall refer to a termination of employment which constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations promulgated thereunder (“ Section 409A ”).

 

(c) Subject to the payments contemplated by Section 3(f) and 3(i) , the Term of Employment may be terminated at any time by the Executive:

 

(i) upon the death of Executive;

 

(ii) as a result of a material reduction in Executive’s authority, perquisites, position or responsibilities (other than such a reduction in perquisites which affects all of the Company’s senior executives on a substantially equal or proportionate basis), the relocation of the Company’s primary place of business or the relocation of Executive by any of the Companies to another office more than 75 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, or the Company’s willful, material violation of its obligations under this Agreement, in each case, after 60 days’ prior written notice to the Company and its Board of Directors and the Company’s failure thereafter to cure such reduction or violation; or

 

(iii) as a result of the Company’s willful and material violation of this Agreement, the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Incentive Plan ”), or any agreement between Executive and any of the Companies pertaining to awards made pursuant to the Incentive Plan or the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, in each case as such agreements or plans may be amended from time to time.

 

(d) For the purposes of this Section 3 , “ Cause ” shall mean any of the following:

 

(i) Executive’s commission or conviction of any crime or criminal offense involving monies or other property or any felony;

 

(ii) Executive’s commission or conviction of fraud or embezzlement;

 

(iii) Executive’s material and knowing violation of any obligations imposed upon Executive, personally, as opposed to upon the Company, whether as a stockholder or otherwise, under this Agreement, the Incentive Plan or any other agreement between


 

the Executive, on the one hand, and any of the Companies, on the other hand, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or the By-Laws of the Company, in each case as may be amended from time to time; provided , that the Executive has been given written notice describing any such violation in reasonable detail and fails to cure the violation within 90 days from such notice; or

 

(iv) Executive engages in egregious misconduct involving serious moral turpitude to the extent that Executive’s credibility and reputation no longer conform to the standard of the Company’s executives.

 

(e) For the purposes of this Section 3 , “ Material Breach ” shall mean any of the following:

 

(i) Executive’s breach of any of his or her fiduciary duties to the Companies or their stockholders or making of a willful misrepresentation or omission which breach, misrepresentation or omission would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the business, properties, assets, condition (financial or other) or prospects of the Companies;

 

(ii) Executive’s willful, continual and material neglect or failure to discharge his or her duties, responsibilities or obligations prescribed by this Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive and any of the Companies (other than arising solely due to physical or mental disability);

 

(iii) Executive’s habitual drunkenness or substance abuse which materially interferes with Executive’s ability to discharge his or her duties, responsibilities or obligations prescribed by this Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive and any of the Companies; and

 

(iv) Executive’s willful and material violation of any non-competition, non-disparagement, or confidentiality agreement with any of the Companies, including without limitation, those set forth in Sections 7 ,   8 and 9 of this Agreement, or any other agreements with any of the Companies;

 

in each case, for purposes of clauses (i) through (iv), after the Company or the Board of Directors of the Company has provided Executive with 60 days’ written notice describing such circumstances and the possibility of a Material Breach in reasonable detail, and Executive fails to cure such circumstances and Material Breach within those 60 days.  No act or omission shall be deemed willful if done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by the Executive based upon a resolution duly adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(f) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under any circumstances described in Section 3(b)(v) or by Executive under the circumstances described in Section 3(c)(ii) or (iii) ,

 


 

(i) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, (A) within five business days after the date of termination, any earned but unpaid base salary and, subject to the provisions of Section 5, any expense reimbursement payments owed to the Executive, and (B) any earned but unpaid annual bonus payments relating to the prior year to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Annual Performance Incentive Plan, or any successor plan thereto (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”);

 

(ii) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to the annual base salary (in effect immediately prior to the date of termination) the Executive would have received (a) over the remaining Term of Employment or (b) in the event that Executive receives notification that the Term of Employment is extended by an Additional Term, the annual base salary Executive would have received through the end of the Additional Term.  “Severance Period” shall mean the period from the date of termination through the remaining current Term of Employment, or, in the event that Executive receives notification of an Additional Term, the period from the date of termination to the end of the Additional Term; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , during the Severance Period, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(f)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 

(g) In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated within three years after a Change of Control (provided the Term of Employment has not already expired) under any circumstances described in Section 3(b)(v) or by Executive under the circumstances described in Section 3(c)(ii) or (iii) ,

 

(i) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive any Accrued Obligations in accordance with Section 3(f)(i );

 

(ii) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to two (2) times the sum of (A) the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and (B) the most recent annual bonus paid to the Executive prior to the Change in Control; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , for a two (2) year period after the date of termination, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same


 

dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(g)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 

(h) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under the circumstances described in Section 3(b)(iv) ,

 

(i) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive any Accrued Obligations in accordance with Section 3(f)(i) ;

 

(ii) the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to three (3) months base salary, based on the Executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , for a three (3) month period after the date of termination, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(h)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 

(i) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under the circumstances described in Section 3(b)(i) or (ii) or by the Executive under Section 3(c)(i) ,

 

(i) the Company will pay or cause to be paid to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or representative, as the case may be) any Accrued Obligations in accordance with Section 3(f)(i) ;

 

(ii) the Company will pay or cause to be paid to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or representative, as the case may be), within thirty business days after the date of termination, a lump-sum payment equal to 100% of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; and

 

(iii) subject to the provisions of Section 5 , for a one (1) year period after the date of termination, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Executive (and any covered dependents), with life and health insurance benefits (but not disability insurance benefits) substantially similar to those the Executive and any covered dependents were receiving immediately prior to the date of termination and at the same dollar cost to the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment.  Nothing in this Section 3(i)(iii) will extend the COBRA continuation coverage period.

 


 

(j) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under any circumstances described in Section 3(b)(iii) or by Executive as a result of resignation or voluntary termination due to any circumstance other than the material reductions, relocation or violations described in Section 3(c)(ii) above, there will be no amounts owed to the Executive under Section 4 or any other part of this Agreement, from and after the effectiveness of termination.

 

(k) The payments and benefits required by Section 3(f), 3(g), 3(h) or 3(i) , as applicable, constitute severance and liquidated damages, and, except for payments that may be required pursuant to Section 10 , the Company will be obligated to pay or cause to be paid any further amounts to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise be liable to Executive in connection with any termination.

 

(l) All determinations pursuant to this Section 3 shall be made by the Company’s Board of Directors (not including Executive) in good faith.

 

(m) Termination of the Term of Employment will not terminate Sections 7 through 10 and 12 through 23 , or any other provisions not associated specifically with the Term of Employment.

 

(n) In the event the Term of Employment is terminated and the Company is obligated to make or cause to be made payments pursuant to Section 3(f) , the Executive will use his or her reasonable efforts to seek and obtain alternative employment; provided ,   however , that the Executive shall not be required to accept a position or positions of a substantially different character than the position(s) held by him or her under this Agreement; and provided   further , if the Executive shall become physically or mentally disabled, he or she will not be under such duty.  Moreover, in the event that after the Restricted Period pursuant to Section 8(a) , Executive is employed by or engaged in a Competitive Business as contemplated by Section 8(a)(i) , then the payments under Section 3(f) will thereupon cease.

 

(o) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, as a condition to payment of any amounts or provision of any benefits pursuant to Sections 3(f) through 3(i) or 10 of this Agreement (other than due to the Executive’s death), the Executive shall be required to have executed a complete release of the Companies and related parties in such form as is reasonably required by the Company.  Subject to Section 3(p) , all payments and benefits under this Section 3 shall be paid or commenced on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of termination of the Executive’s employment, provided that the release described in the preceding sentence becomes irrevocable prior to such sixtieth (60th) day.

 

(p) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of a termination, any portion of the payments under this Section 3 due hereunder during the first six months following the date of the Executive’s termination, to extent that such payments constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, shall not be paid during such six-month period and instead shall be paid on the first business day following the expiration of such six-month period.  The remaining portion of the payments due hereunder shall be paid as provided in the applicable provisions of this Section 3.


 

 

4. Compensation

 

The Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive the following compensation:

 

(a) During the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive as base compensation for his or her services hereunder, in monthly installments, a base salary at a rate of $200,000 per annum, as increased on an annual basis to reflect the increase in the United States Cost of Living Index for All Urban Consumer (CPI-U) for the Boston, Massachusetts area (the “ CPI-U Index ”).  The January 2004 CPI-U Index shall provide the basis for calculations of such increases.  Notwithstanding the minimum increase set forth above, the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof may establish a higher compensation level.

 

(b) During the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive an annual bonus based on Executive’s performance, as determined and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof under the Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Annual Performance Incentive Plan, or any successor thereto.  Such bonus will be at the full discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof, and may not be paid at all.  Executive acknowledges that no bonus has been agreed upon or promised. 

 

5. Reimbursement of Expenses

 

During the Term of Employment, the Company shall reimburse or cause Executive to be reimbursed for documented travel, entertainment and other expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of his or her duties hereunder and, in each case, in accordance with applicable rules, customs and usages promulgated by the Companies from time to time in effect .  All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement, shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (a) any reimbursement shall be for expenses incurred during a specified period, (b) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (c) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred (or such earlier date if specified in this Agreement), and (d) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

6. Benefits

 

(a) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to perquisites, paid vacations and benefits (including health, short and long term disability, pension and life insurance benefits consistent with past practice, or as increased from time to time) established from time to time, by the Board of Directors of the Company for executives of the Companies, subject to the policies and procedures in effect regarding participation in such benefits.

 


 

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 5 , in recognition of the use of an automobile for the efficient and expeditious performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations on behalf of the Company, the Company, at its cost, shall supply to the Executive for such use an automobile of such make and model and upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time.

 

7. Confidential Information

 

During and after the Term of Employment, Executive will not, directly or indirectly in one or a series of transactions, disclose to any person, or use or otherwise exploit for the Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of anyone other than the Companies, any Confidential Information, whether prepared by Executive or not; provided ,   however , that any Confidential Information may be disclosed to officers, representatives, employees and agents of the Companies who need to know such Confidential Information in order to perform the services or conduct the operations required or expected of them in the Business (as defined in Section 11 ).  Executive shall use his or her best efforts to prevent the removal of any Confidential Information from the premises of the Companies, except as required in his or her normal course of employment by the Company.  Executive shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all persons or entities to whom any Confidential Information shall be disclosed by him or her hereunder to observe the terms and conditions set forth herein as though each such person or entity was bound hereby. Executive shall have no obligation hereunder to keep confidential any Confidential Information if and to the extent disclosure of any thereof is specifically required by law;  provided ,   however , that in the event disclosure is required by applicable law, the Executive shall provide the Companies with prompt notice of such requirement, prior to making any disclosure, so that the Companies may seek an appropriate protective order.  At the request of the Companies, Executive agrees to deliver to the Companies, at any time during the Term of Employment, or thereafter, all Confidential Information which he or she may possess or control.  Executive agrees that all Confidential Information of the Companies (whether now or hereafter existing) conceived, discovered or made by him or her during the Term of Employment exclusively belongs to the Companies (and not to Executive).  Executive will promptly disclose such Confidential Information to the Companies and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Companies to establish and confirm such exclusive ownership.

 

8. Non-Interference

 

(a) Executive acknowledges that the services to be provided give him or her the opportunity to have special knowledge of the Companies and their Confidential Information and the capabilities of individuals employed by or affiliated with the Companies and that interference in these relationships would cause irreparable injury to the Companies.  In consideration of this Agreement, Executive covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) During the Restricted Period (which shall not be reduced by any period of violation of this Agreement by Executive or period which is required for litigation to enforce the rights hereunder), Executive will not, without the express written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, anywhere in the Market, directly or indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, own, manage, operate, control, invest or acquire an


 

interest in, or otherwise engage or participate in, whether as a proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, joint venturer, investor, lessor, supplier, customer, agent, representative or other participant, in any business which competes, directly or indirectly, with the Business in the Market (“ Competitive Business ”) without regard to (A) whether the Competitive Business has its office, manufacturing or other business facilities within or without the Market, (B) whether any of the activities of the Executive referred to above occur or are performed within or without the Market or (C) whether the Executive resides, or reports to an office, within or without the Market; provided ,   however , that (x) the Executive may, anywhere in the Market, directly or indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, own, invest or acquire an interest in up to five percent (5%) of the capital stock of a corporation whose capital stock is traded publicly, or that (y) Executive may accept employment with a successor company to the Company.

 

(ii) During the Restricted Period (which shall not be reduced by any period of violation of this Agreement by Executive or period which is required for litigation to enforce the rights hereunder), Executive will not without the express prior written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (A) directly or indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, recruit, solicit or otherwise induce or influence any proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, sales agent, joint venturer, investor, lessor, supplier, customer, agent, representative or any other person which has a business relationship with the Companies or had a business relationship with the Companies within the 24 month period preceding the date of the incident in question, to discontinue, reduce or modify such employment, agency or business relationship with the Companies, or (B) employ or seek to employ or cause any Competitive Business to employ or seek to employ any person or agent who is then (or was at any time within 24 months prior to the date the Executive or the Competitive Business employs or seeks to employ such person) employed or retained by the Companies.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from providing a letter of recommendation to an employee with respect to a future employment opportunity.

 

(iii) The scope and term of this Section 8 would not preclude Executive from earning a living with an entity that is not a Competitive Business.

 

(b) In the event that Executive breaches his or her obligations in any material respect under Section 7 , this Section 8 or Section 9 , the Company, in addition to pursuing all available remedies under this Agreement, at law or otherwise, and without limiting its right to pursue the same shall cease or cause to be ceased all payments to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement.

 

9. Non-Disparagement

 

During and after the Term of Employment, the Executive agrees that he or she shall not make any false, defamatory or disparaging statements about the Companies or the officers or directors of the Companies.  During and after the Term of Employment, the Company agrees, on


 

behalf of the Companies that neither the officers nor the directors of the Companies shall make any false, defamatory or disparaging statements about the Executive.

 

10. Code Section 280G Cutback

 

(a) If any payments or benefits paid or provided or to be paid or provided to the Executive or for his or her benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with, or arising out of, his or her employment with the Company or the termination thereof (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary to prevent any portion of the Payments from becoming nondeductible by the Company under Section 280G of the Code or subject to the Excise Tax, but only if, by reason of that reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by the Executive exceeds the net after-tax benefit the Executive would receive if no reduction was made. For this purpose, “net after-tax benefit” means (i) the total of all Payments that would constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, less (ii) the amount of all federal, state, and local income taxes payable with respect to the Payments calculated at the maximum marginal income tax rate for each year in which the Payments shall be paid to the Executive (based on the rate in effect for that year as set forth in the Code as in effect at the time of the first payment of the Payments), less (iii) the amount of the Excise Tax imposed on the Payments described in clause (i) above. If a reduction in Payments is necessary under this Section 10(a), the reduction shall be made in a manner set forth in (b).

 

(b) Any reduction of the Payments required under Section 10(a) shall be made in the following order: (i) first, any cash amounts payable to the Executive as a severance benefit as provided in Section 3(f)(ii), (g)(ii), (h)(ii), or (i)(ii) or otherwise; (ii) second, any amounts payable on behalf of the Executive for continued health insurance coverage under Section 3(f)(iii), g(iii), h(iii), or i(iii) or otherwise; (iii) third, any other cash amounts payable to or on behalf of the Executive under the terms of this Agreement or otherwise; (iv) fourth, any outstanding performance-based equity grants; and (v) finally, any time-vesting equity grants; in each case, the Payments shall be reduced beginning with Payments that would be made last in time.

 

(c) All determinations required to be made under this Section 10 shall be made by the public accounting firm that is retained by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”).  The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Company or Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.  All fees, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, the costs of retaining experts) of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company.  The determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.

 

11. Definitions

 

Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth below:


 

 

Business ” means any business conducted, or engaged in, by the Companies prior to the date hereof or at any time during the Term of Employment.

 

Cause ” is defined in Section 3(c) .

 

Change of Control ” means any of the following: (i) the closing of any merger, combination, consolidation or similar business transaction involving the Company in which the holders of Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not the holders, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of the surviving person in such transaction immediately after such closing, (ii) the closing of any sale or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets to an acquiring person in which the holders of Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not the holders of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of the acquiring person immediately after such closings, or (iii) the closing of any sale by the holders of Company Common Stock of an amount of Company Common Stock that equals or exceeds a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing to a person in which the holders of the Company Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not the holders of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of such person immediately after such closing.

 

Companies ” means the Company and its successors or any of its direct or indirect parents or direct or indirect subsidiaries, now or hereafter existing.

 

Company ” is defined in the introduction.

 

Competitive Business ” is defined in Section 8(a)(i) .

 

Confidential Information ” means any confidential information including, without limitation, any study, data, calculations, software storage media or other compilation of information, patent, patent application, copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, service name, “know-how”, trade secrets, customer lists, details of client or consultant contracts, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans or any portion or phase of any scientific or technical information, ideas, discoveries, designs, computer programs (including source of object codes), processes, procedures, formulas, improvements or other proprietary or intellectual property of the Companies, whether or not in written or tangible form, and whether or not registered, and including all files, records, manuals, books, catalogues, memoranda, notes, summaries, plans, reports, records, documents and other evidence thereof.  The term “ Confidential Information ” does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Executive not permissible hereunder.

 

Executive ” means John P. Drago or his estate, if deceased.

 

Market ” means any state in the United States of America and each similar jurisdiction in any other country in which the Business was conducted by or engaged in by the Companies prior


 

to the date hereof or is conducted or engaged in, or in which the Companies are seeking authorization to conduct Business at any time during the Term of Employment.

 

Regulations ” is defined in Section 2(c) .

 

Restricted Period ” means the date commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the later of (x) the date of termination of the Term of Employment or (y) the end of the applicable severance period provided under Section 3(f) ;   provided ,   however , that the “Restricted Period” may be extended, in the sole discretion of the Company, for an additional period of up to twenty-four (24) months if the Company continues to pay or to cause to be paid to the Executive (i) the full amounts to which he or she would be entitled as base compensation under Section 4(a) and (ii) customary benefits, in each case during such extended period.

 

 

Term of Employment ” is defined in Section 3(a) .

 

12. Notice

 

Any notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and if delivered personally, or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, as follows (or to such other addressee or address as shall be set forth in a notice given in the same manner):

 

If to Executive:

John P. Drago

 

c/o Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

 

20 Custom House Street

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

 

If to Company:

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

 

20 Custom House Street

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

Attention:   George M. Murphy

 

Any such notices shall be deemed to be given on the date personally delivered or such return receipt is issued.

 

13. Executive’s Representation

 

Executive hereby warrants and represents to the Company that Executive has carefully reviewed this Agreement and has consulted with such advisors as Executive considers appropriate in connection with this Agreement, and is not subject to any covenants, agreements or restrictions, including without limitation any covenants, agreements or restrictions arising out of Executive’s prior employment which would be breached or violated by Executive’s execution of this Agreement or by Executive’s performance of his or her duties hereunder.

 

 


 

14. Other Matters

 

(a) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the obligations owed to Executive under this Agreement are solely the obligations of the Company, and that none of the Companies’ stockholders, directors, officers, affiliates, representatives, agents or lenders will have any obligations or liabilities in respect of this Agreement and the subject matter hereof.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Companies may withhold from any amounts payable under, or benefits provided pursuant to, this Agreement all federal, state, local, and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by applicable laws or regulations.

 

(c) In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

 

15. Validity

 

If, for any reason, any provision hereof shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity and effect of the other provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

 

16. Severability

 

Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.  If any court determines that any provision of Section 8 or any other provision hereof is unenforceable and therefore acts to reduce the scope or duration of such provision, the provision in its reduced form shall then be enforceable.

 

17. Waiver of Breach; Specific Performance

 

The waiver by the Company or Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other breach of such other party.  Each of the parties (and third party beneficiaries) to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its respective rights under this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its favor.  The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of Sections 7,   8 and 9 of this Agreement and that any party (and third party beneficiaries) may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive relief, including temporary


 

restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement.  In the event either party takes legal action to enforce any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, the nonprevailing party shall pay the successful party’s costs and expenses, including but not limited to, attorneys’ fees, incurred in such action.  If the Executive prevails, the Company will reimburse the Executive’s legal fees no later than 60 days after the end of the taxable year following the year in which the Executive incurs such the costs and expenses.

 

 

18. Assignment; Third Parties

 

Neither the Executive nor the Company may assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of this Agreement or any of his or her or its respective rights or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other.  The parties agree and acknowledge that each of the Companies and the stockholders and investors therein are intended to be third party beneficiaries of, and have rights and interests in respect of, Executive’s agreements set forth in Sections 7 ,   8 and 9.

19. Amendment; Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in writing agreed to by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements, understandings and commitments with respect to such subject matter, including, without limitation, the Prior Employment Agreement and that certain Employment Agreement, dated October 16, 2001, between Executive and Safety Insurance Company.

 

20.   Litigation

 

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED, APPLIED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXCEPT THAT NO DOCTRINE OF CHOICE OF LAW SHALL BE USED TO APPLY ANY LAW OTHER THAN THAT OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND NO DEFENSE, COUNTERCLAIM OR RIGHT OF SET-OFF GIVEN OR ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION, OR ARISING OUT OF THE ENACTMENT, MODIFICATION OR REPEAL OF ANY LAW, REGULATION, ORDINANCE OR DECREE OF ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION, BE INTERPOSED IN ANY ACTION HEREON.  EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE COMMENCED IN THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS LOCATED IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.  EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY CONSENT TO SUCH JURISDICTION, AGREE THAT VENUE WILL BE PROPER IN SUCH COURTS AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTIONS BASED UPON FORUM NON CONVENIENS .  THE CHOICE OF FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 20 SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO PRECLUDE THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT


 

OBTAINED IN SUCH FORUM OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE SAME IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

 

21. Further Action

 

Executive and the Company agree to perform any further acts and to execute and deliver any documents which may be reasonable to carry out the provisions hereof.

 

22. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

23. Section 409A

 

To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan comply with, and should be interpreted consistent with, the requirements of Section 409A.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name :

John P. Drago

 

 

 

 

 

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name :

 George M. Murphy

 

Title :

President, CEO and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Exhibit   31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, George M. Murphy , Chief Executive Officer of Safety Insurance Group ,   I nc. certify that:

 

1.

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

 

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.

 

/s/ GEORGE M. MURPHY

George M. Murphy

President, Chief Executive O fficer and Director  

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

August 5, 2016

 


Exhibit   31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

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

 

1.

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

 

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.

 

/s/ WILLIAM J. BEGLEY, JR

William J. Begley, Jr.

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

August 5, 2016

 


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 ,   I nc. (the Company ) on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30 ,   2016 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report ) ,   I ,   George M. Murphy , President, Chief Executive O fficer and Director 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.

 

 

/ s/ GEORGE M. MURPHY

George M. Murphy

President, Chief Executive O fficer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

August 5, 2016

 


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 , I nc. (the Company ) on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30,   2016 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.

 

 

/s/ WILLIAM J. BEGLEY, JR.

William J. Begley, Jr.

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

August 5, 2016