EMCI 2013.6.30 10Q
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________to __________________ 
Commission File Number: 0-10956
EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Iowa
 
42-6234555
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
717 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, Iowa
 
50309
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(515) 345-2902
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 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.
ý  Yes    o  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).
ý  Yes    o  No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
ý
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o  Yes    ý  No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at July 31, 2013
Common stock, $1.00 par value
 
13,124,699
 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
PAGE
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 2.
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
June 30, 
 2013
 
December 31, 
 2012
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(As Audited)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $961,013,661 and $920,843,939)
 
$
997,064,563

 
$
999,794,857

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $115,397,494 and $111,851,963)
 
157,577,216

 
140,293,825

Other long-term investments
 
865,384

 
863,257

Short-term investments
 
33,921,749

 
53,418,914

Total investments
 
1,189,428,912

 
1,194,370,853

 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
505,623

 
330,392

Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate
 
32,764,299

 
34,277,728

Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate
 
7,405,927

 
5,195,892

Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $36,603,042 and $34,425,593)
 
36,629,835

 
34,425,593

Prepaid pension benefits due from affiliate
 
921,515

 
1,413,104

Accrued investment income
 
10,033,315

 
9,938,714

Accounts receivable
 
2,251,127

 
2,390,955

Income taxes recoverable
 
3,170,763

 
1,588,089

Deferred income taxes
 
3,596,776

 

Goodwill
 
941,586

 
941,586

Other assets (affiliated $7,064,353 and $5,760,369)
 
12,225,536

 
5,836,200

Total assets
 
$
1,299,875,214

 
$
1,290,709,106

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
June 30, 
 2013
 
December 31, 
 2012
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(As Audited)
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $589,088,254 and $577,476,988)
 
$
596,343,521

 
$
583,096,965

Unearned premiums (affiliated $209,739,584 and $196,215,465)
 
209,859,865

 
196,215,465

Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)
 
6,734,825

 
6,055,111

Surplus notes payable to affiliate
 
25,000,000

 
25,000,000

Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 
2,610,031

 
19,127,010

Pension and postretirement benefits payable to affiliate
 
31,860,634

 
30,714,633

Deferred income taxes
 

 
6,352,690

Other liabilities (affiliated $16,339,440 and $22,794,304)
 
24,192,190

 
22,938,068

Total liabilities
 
896,601,066

 
889,499,942

 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 13,116,098 shares in 2013 and 12,909,457 shares in 2012
 
13,116,098

 
12,909,457

Additional paid-in capital
 
94,300,936

 
89,205,881

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
29,507,587

 
47,752,375

Retained earnings
 
266,349,527

 
251,341,451

Total stockholders' equity
 
403,274,148

 
401,209,164

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,299,875,214

 
$
1,290,709,106

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


4

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned (affiliated $124,619,189 and $108,193,102)
 
$
127,188,280

 
$
110,270,460

Investment income, net
 
11,039,994

 
11,148,695

Net realized investment gains (losses), excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale
 
175,253

 
(1,012,288
)
Total "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on securities available-for-sale
 

 
(126,048
)
Portion of "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)
 

 

Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale
 

 
(126,048
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
175,253

 
(1,138,336
)
Other income (all affiliated)
 
163,417

 
222,751

Total revenues
 
138,566,944

 
120,503,570

 
 
 
 
 
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $85,491,918 and $86,077,833)
 
88,968,680

 
88,399,951

Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)
 
2,333,300

 
2,260,231

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $22,900,486 and $20,069,042)
 
23,564,414

 
20,631,011

Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $15,034,156 and $14,414,233)
 
15,055,667

 
14,330,439

Interest expense (all affiliated)
 
84,375

 
225,000

Other expense (affiliated $334,051 and $530,182)
 
611,853

 
168,742

Total losses and expenses
 
130,618,289

 
126,015,374

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
 
7,948,655

 
(5,511,804
)
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
 
 
 
 
Current
 
2,602,291

 
(1,917,316
)
Deferred
 
(865,872
)
 
(1,018,017
)
Total income tax expense (benefit)
 
1,736,419

 
(2,935,333
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
6,212,236

 
$
(2,576,471
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.48

 
$
(0.20
)
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend per common share
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.20

 
 
 
 
 
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
 
13,055,443

 
12,883,333

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned (affiliated $243,736,274 and $216,937,082)
 
$
247,685,532

 
$
220,030,216

Investment income, net
 
21,483,077

 
22,305,477

Net realized investment gains (losses), excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale
 
2,863,734

 
7,906,041

Total "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on securities available-for-sale
 
(20,608
)
 
(126,048
)
Portion of "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)
 

 

Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale
 
(20,608
)
 
(126,048
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
2,843,126

 
7,779,993

Other income (all affiliated)
 
397,922

 
461,749

Total revenues
 
272,409,657

 
250,577,435

 
 
 
 
 
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $157,970,436 and $151,094,444)
 
161,542,338

 
153,640,240

Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)
 
4,527,032

 
3,911,756

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $44,850,269 and $39,027,903)
 
45,831,852

 
39,845,389

Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $31,055,062 and $29,672,102)
 
31,076,573

 
29,588,308

Interest expense (all affiliated)
 
215,625

 
450,000

Other expense (affiliated $421,123 and $1,002,215)
 
758,618

 
755,259

Total losses and expenses
 
243,952,038

 
228,190,952

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
 
28,457,619

 
22,386,483

 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
 
 
 
 
Current
 
8,098,214

 
5,697,486

Deferred
 
(125,348
)
 
41,733

Total income tax expense (benefit)
 
7,972,866

 
5,739,219

Net income (loss)
 
$
20,484,753

 
$
16,647,264

 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted
 
$
1.58

 
$
1.29

 
 
 
 
 
Dividend per common share
 
$
0.42

 
$
0.40

 
 
 
 
 
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
 
13,000,865

 
12,881,177

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Net income (loss)
 
$
6,212,236

 
$
(2,576,471
)
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of ($12,910,017) and $1,465,263
 
(23,975,748
)
 
2,721,204

Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax (expense) benefit of ($61,339) and $398,418
 
(113,914
)
 
739,918

Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost, net of deferred income tax expense of $193,891 and $233,993:
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
475,166

 
520,616

Prior service credit
 
(115,080
)
 
(86,062
)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans
 
360,086

 
434,554

 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(23,729,576
)
 
3,895,676

 
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(17,517,340
)
 
$
1,319,205

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Net income (loss)
 
$
20,484,753

 
$
16,647,264

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of ($9,211,661) and $7,938,801
 
(17,107,369
)
 
14,743,489

Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax (expense) benefit of ($995,094) and ($2,722,997)
 
(1,848,032
)
 
(5,056,996
)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost, net of deferred income tax expense of $382,637 and $467,984:
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
940,772

 
1,041,233

Prior service credit
 
(230,159
)
 
(172,123
)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans
 
710,613

 
869,110

 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(18,244,788
)
 
10,555,603

 
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
2,239,965

 
$
27,202,867

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


8

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
20,484,753

 
$
16,647,264

 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $11,611,266 and $759,394)
 
13,246,556

 
1,379,275

Unearned premiums (affiliated $13,524,119 and $2,910,048)
 
13,644,400

 
2,981,569

Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate
 
679,714

 
485,415

Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 
(16,516,979
)
 
(13,159,076
)
Net pension and postretirement benefits payable to affiliate
 
2,730,840

 
3,488,670

Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate
 
1,513,429

 
1,786,122

Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate
 
(2,210,035
)
 
3,522,981

Commissions payable (affiliated ($3,511,942) and ($1,684,024))
 
(3,528,226
)
 
(1,733,467
)
Interest payable to affiliate
 
(684,375
)
 
(450,000
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $2,177,449 and ($1,220,806))
 
(2,204,242
)
 
(1,234,955
)
Stock-based compensation payable to affiliate
 
142,203

 
123,239

Accrued investment income
 
(94,601
)
 
222,162

Accrued income tax:
 
 
 
 
Current
 
(1,539,317
)
 
2,281,398

Deferred
 
(125,348
)
 
41,733

Net realized investment gains
 
(2,843,126
)
 
(7,779,993
)
Accounts receivable
 
139,828

 
(69,881
)
Amortization of premium/discount on fixed maturity securities
 
689,276

 
(405,141
)
Other, net (affiliated ($3,605,888) and ($3,221,600))
 
(3,739,117
)
 
(3,307,055
)
Total adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
 
(699,120
)
 
(11,827,004
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
19,785,633

 
$
4,820,260

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

9

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
$
(157,815,372
)
 
$
(98,683,323
)
Disposals of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
118,359,602

 
133,555,413

Purchases of equity securities available-for-sale
 
(23,236,336
)
 
(63,487,572
)
Disposals of equity securities available-for-sale
 
23,926,985

 
52,414,422

Purchases of other long-term investments
 
(177,962
)
 

Disposals of other long-term investments
 
152,700

 
3,248

Net (purchases) disposals of short-term investments
 
19,497,165

 
(23,666,050
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(19,293,218
)
 
136,138

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock through affiliate’s stock plans
 
5,116,136

 
230,612

Excess tax benefit associated with affiliate’s stock plans
 
43,357

 
(2,176
)
Dividends paid to stockholders (affiliated ($3,296,098) and ($3,139,140))
 
(5,476,677
)
 
(5,153,433
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(317,184
)
 
(4,924,997
)
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCREASE IN CASH
 
175,231

 
31,401

Cash at the beginning of the year
 
330,392

 
255,042

 
 
 
 
 
Cash at the end of the quarter
 
$
505,623

 
$
286,443

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

10

Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
EMC Insurance Group Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance.  Both commercial and personal lines of insurance are written, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The term “Company” is used interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements have been included.  The results of operations for the interim periods reported are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.  The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
Certain amounts previously reported in the prior years’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified or adjusted to conform to current year presentation.
In reading these financial statements, reference should be made to the Company’s 2012 Form 10-K or the 2012 Annual Report to Stockholders for more detailed footnote information.

2.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The terms of the excess of loss reinsurance agreement between EMC Reinsurance Company and Employers Mutual have been revised for fiscal year 2013.  Effective January 1, 2013, EMC Reinsurance Company continues to retain the first $4,000,000 of losses per event, but also retains 20.0 percent of any losses between $4,000,000 and $10,000,000 and 10.0 percent of any losses between $10,000,000 and $50,000,000 associated with any event.  In connection with the change in the amount of losses retained per event, the cost of the excess of loss coverage decreased from 10.0 percent of total assumed reinsurance premiums written to 9.0 percent of total assumed reinsurance premiums written.

3.
REINSURANCE
The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 is presented below.  The classification of the assumed and ceded reinsurance amounts between affiliates and nonaffiliates is based on the participants in the underlying reinsurance agreements, and is intended to provide an understanding of the actual source of the reinsurance activities.  This presentation differs from the classifications used in the consolidated financial statements, where all amounts resulting from transactions associated with the pooling, quota share and excess of loss reinsurance agreements with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances.

11

Table of Contents

 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2013
 
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Total
Premiums written
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
89,858,633

 
$

 
$
89,858,633

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
881,471

 
38,996,771

 
39,878,242

Assumed from affiliates
 
110,140,434

 

 
110,140,434

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(5,762,930
)
 
(5,090,151
)
 
(10,853,081
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(89,858,633
)
 
(3,051,596
)
 
(92,910,229
)
Net premiums written
 
$
105,258,975

 
$
30,855,024

 
$
136,113,999

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
90,492,083

 
$

 
$
90,492,083

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
762,811

 
36,951,395

 
37,714,206

Assumed from affiliates
 
102,769,917

 

 
102,769,917

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(5,715,841
)
 
(4,528,406
)
 
(10,244,247
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(90,492,083
)
 
(3,051,596
)
 
(93,543,679
)
Net premiums earned
 
$
97,816,887

 
$
29,371,393

 
$
127,188,280

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
71,466,885

 
$

 
$
71,466,885

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
34,672

 
16,691,552

 
16,726,224

Assumed from affiliates
 
76,772,044

 
211,016

 
76,983,060

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(2,725,773
)
 
(2,179,090
)
 
(4,904,863
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(71,466,885
)
 
164,259

 
(71,302,626
)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
$
74,080,943

 
$
14,887,737

 
$
88,968,680


12

Table of Contents

 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2012
 
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Total
Premiums written
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
85,475,102

 
$

 
$
85,475,102

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
629,166

 
24,330,820

 
24,959,986

Assumed from affiliates
 
100,988,467

 

 
100,988,467

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(5,106,734
)
 
(101,057
)
 
(5,207,791
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(85,475,102
)
 
(2,422,976
)
 
(87,898,078
)
Net premiums written
 
$
96,510,899

 
$
21,806,787

 
$
118,317,686

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
80,728,225

 
$

 
$
80,728,225

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
566,213

 
25,963,256

 
26,529,469

Assumed from affiliates
 
92,648,120

 

 
92,648,120

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(5,389,048
)
 
(1,095,105
)
 
(6,484,153
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(80,728,225
)
 
(2,422,976
)
 
(83,151,201
)
Net premiums earned
 
$
87,825,285

 
$
22,445,175

 
$
110,270,460

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
60,175,887

 
$

 
$
60,175,887

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
422,298

 
18,769,976

 
19,192,274

Assumed from affiliates
 
72,306,985

 
246,580

 
72,553,565

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(2,108,899
)
 
(1,651,925
)
 
(3,760,824
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(60,175,887
)
 
414,936

 
(59,760,951
)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
$
70,620,384

 
$
17,779,567

 
$
88,399,951



13

Table of Contents

 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2013
 
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Total
Premiums written
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
178,746,396

 
$

 
$
178,746,396

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
1,494,815

 
73,709,518

 
75,204,333

Assumed from affiliates
 
209,541,500

 

 
209,541,500

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(10,996,153
)
 
(9,748,876
)
 
(20,745,029
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(178,746,396
)
 
(5,756,458
)
 
(184,502,854
)
Net premiums written
 
$
200,040,162

 
$
58,204,184

 
$
258,244,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
175,634,513

 
$

 
$
175,634,513

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
1,424,139

 
70,187,140

 
71,611,279

Assumed from affiliates
 
200,365,704

 

 
200,365,704

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(11,267,938
)
 
(7,267,055
)
 
(18,534,993
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(175,634,513
)
 
(5,756,458
)
 
(181,390,971
)
Net premiums earned
 
$
190,521,905

 
$
57,163,627

 
$
247,685,532

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
121,070,474

 
$

 
$
121,070,474

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
427,293

 
35,698,772

 
36,126,065

Assumed from affiliates
 
133,357,438

 
435,111

 
133,792,549

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(3,736,414
)
 
(3,627,027
)
 
(7,363,441
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(121,070,474
)
 
(1,012,835
)
 
(122,083,309
)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
$
130,048,317

 
$
31,494,021

 
$
161,542,338


14

Table of Contents

 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2012
 
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Total
Premiums written
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
165,243,694

 
$

 
$
165,243,694

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
987,792

 
49,645,507

 
50,633,299

Assumed from affiliates
 
191,533,210

 

 
191,533,210

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(10,115,007
)
 
(886,118
)
 
(11,001,125
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(165,243,694
)
 
(4,875,939
)
 
(170,119,633
)
Net premiums written
 
$
182,405,995

 
$
43,883,450

 
$
226,289,445

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
158,255,916

 
$

 
$
158,255,916

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
959,009

 
55,361,326

 
56,320,335

Assumed from affiliates
 
183,109,927

 

 
183,109,927

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(11,212,261
)
 
(3,311,846
)
 
(14,524,107
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(158,255,916
)
 
(4,875,939
)
 
(163,131,855
)
Net premiums earned
 
$
172,856,675

 
$
47,173,541

 
$
220,030,216

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
101,198,850

 
$

 
$
101,198,850

Assumed from nonaffiliates
 
706,357

 
33,836,168

 
34,542,525

Assumed from affiliates
 
125,650,482

 
420,184

 
126,070,666

Ceded to nonaffiliates
 
(3,718,202
)
 
(3,605,544
)
 
(7,323,746
)
Ceded to affiliates
 
(101,198,850
)
 
350,795

 
(100,848,055
)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred
 
$
122,638,637

 
$
31,001,603

 
$
153,640,240


Individual lines in the above tables are defined as follows:
“Direct” represents business produced by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries.
“Assumed from nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of involuntary business assumed by the pool participants pursuant to state law.  For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line represents the reinsurance business assumed through the quota share agreement (including “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual) and the business assumed outside the quota share agreement.
“Assumed from affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of all the pool members’ direct business.  The amounts reported under the caption “Losses and settlement expenses incurred” also include claim-related services provided by Employers Mutual that are allocated to the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the reinsurance subsidiary.
“Ceded to nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of the amounts ceded to nonaffiliated reinsurance companies in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements providing protection to the pool and each of its participants.  For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line includes reinsurance business that is ceded to other insurance companies in connection with “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual.
“Ceded to affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents the cession of their direct business to Employers Mutual under the terms of the pooling agreement.  For the reinsurance subsidiary this line represents amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the excess of loss reinsurance agreement.


15

Table of Contents

4.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company’s operations consist of a property and casualty insurance segment and a reinsurance segment.  The property and casualty insurance segment writes both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The reinsurance segment provides reinsurance for other insurers and reinsurers.  The segments are managed separately due to differences in the insurance products sold and the business environments in which they operate.
Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows:
Three months ended June 30, 2013
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent
company
 
Consolidated
Premiums earned
 
$
97,816,887

 
$
29,371,393

 
$

 
$
127,188,280

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting profit (loss)
 
(10,424,914
)
 
7,691,133

 

 
(2,733,781
)
Net investment income (loss)
 
8,095,885

 
2,946,180

 
(2,071
)
 
11,039,994

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
392,319

 
(217,066
)
 

 
175,253

Other income
 
163,417

 

 

 
163,417

Interest expense
 
84,375

 

 

 
84,375

Other expenses
 
185,593

 
101,062

 
325,198

 
611,853

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
(2,043,261
)
 
$
10,319,185

 
$
(327,269
)
 
$
7,948,655


Three months ended June 30, 2012
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent
company
 
Consolidated
Premiums earned
 
$
87,825,285

 
$
22,445,175

 
$

 
$
110,270,460

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting profit (loss)
 
(15,391,481
)
 
40,309

 

 
(15,351,172
)
Net investment income (loss)
 
8,139,202

 
3,011,279

 
(1,786
)
 
11,148,695

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
(752,888
)
 
(385,448
)
 

 
(1,138,336
)
Other income
 
222,751

 

 

 
222,751

Interest expense
 
225,000

 

 

 
225,000

Other expenses
 
178,276

 
(392,315
)
 
382,781

 
168,742

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
(8,185,692
)
 
$
3,058,455

 
$
(384,567
)
 
$
(5,511,804
)


16

Table of Contents

Six months ended June 30, 2013
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent
company
 
Consolidated
Premiums earned
 
$
190,521,905

 
$
57,163,627

 
$

 
$
247,685,532

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting profit (loss)
 
(7,808,109
)
 
12,515,846

 

 
4,707,737

Net investment income (loss)
 
15,745,815

 
5,742,704

 
(5,442
)
 
21,483,077

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
2,349,103

 
494,023

 

 
2,843,126

Other income
 
397,922

 

 

 
397,922

Interest expense
 
215,625

 

 

 
215,625

Other expenses
 
391,199

 
(340,287
)
 
707,706

 
758,618

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
10,077,907

 
$
19,092,860

 
$
(713,148
)
 
$
28,457,619

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
$
936,707,300

 
$
357,488,107

 
$
403,829,978

 
$
1,698,025,385

Eliminations
 

 

 
(391,491,544
)
 
(391,491,544
)
Reclassifications
 

 
(6,658,627
)
 

 
(6,658,627
)
Net assets
 
$
936,707,300

 
$
350,829,480

 
$
12,338,434

 
$
1,299,875,214


Six months ended June 30, 2012
 
Property and
casualty
insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent
company
 
Consolidated
Premiums earned
 
$
172,856,675

 
$
47,173,541

 
$

 
$
220,030,216

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting profit (loss)
 
(13,491,459
)
 
6,535,982

 

 
(6,955,477
)
Net investment income (loss)
 
16,314,329

 
5,995,204

 
(4,056
)
 
22,305,477

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
7,151,901

 
628,092

 

 
7,779,993

Other income
 
461,749

 

 

 
461,749

Interest expense
 
450,000

 

 

 
450,000

Other expenses
 
397,440

 
(372,550
)
 
730,369

 
755,259

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
9,589,080

 
$
13,531,828

 
$
(734,425
)
 
$
22,386,483

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
$
934,876,596

 
$
350,867,500

 
$
401,319,530

 
$
1,687,063,626

Eliminations
 

 

 
(396,288,097
)
 
(396,288,097
)
Reclassifications
 

 

 
(66,423
)
 
(66,423
)
Net assets
 
$
934,876,596

 
$
350,867,500

 
$
4,965,010

 
$
1,290,709,106


17

Table of Contents

The following table displays the net premiums earned of the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, by line of insurance.
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Property and casualty insurance segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
$
21,097,112

 
$
19,053,727

 
$
41,220,711

 
$
36,909,397

Property
 
21,425,210

 
18,749,310

 
41,810,519

 
37,087,621

Workers' compensation
 
21,026,607

 
18,564,240

 
40,553,754

 
36,725,157

Liability
 
19,601,730

 
16,786,689

 
37,634,575

 
32,970,176

Other
 
1,843,564

 
1,873,690

 
3,706,500

 
3,765,469

Total commercial lines
 
84,994,223

 
75,027,656

 
164,926,059

 
147,457,820

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
6,917,799

 
7,119,459

 
13,839,379

 
14,094,368

Property
 
5,728,302

 
5,524,351

 
11,415,785

 
11,002,952

Liability
 
176,563

 
153,819

 
340,682

 
301,535

Total personal lines
 
12,822,664

 
12,797,629

 
25,595,846

 
25,398,855

Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
97,816,887

 
$
87,825,285

 
$
190,521,905

 
$
172,856,675

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and liability
 
$
2,483,413

 
$
2,115,547

 
$
3,512,470

 
$
3,562,142

Property
 
3,644,882

 
4,308,272

 
8,271,643

 
6,767,632

Crop
 
506,046

 
195,609

 
946,407

 
472,559

Liability
 
1,125,276

 
295,324

 
1,517,955

 
639,376

Marine/Aviation
 
2,545,396

 
(1,459,630
)
 
5,956,677

 
2,402,316

Total pro rata reinsurance
 
10,305,013

 
5,455,122

 
20,205,152

 
13,844,025

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess of loss reinsurance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property
 
16,227,759

 
13,770,698

 
31,448,516

 
27,314,458

Liability
 
2,838,621

 
3,218,590

 
5,509,903

 
6,006,901

Surety
 

 
765

 
56

 
8,157

Total excess of loss reinsurance
 
19,066,380

 
16,990,053

 
36,958,475

 
33,329,516

Total reinsurance
 
$
29,371,393

 
$
22,445,175

 
$
57,163,627

 
$
47,173,541

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
127,188,280

 
$
110,270,460

 
$
247,685,532

 
$
220,030,216









18

Table of Contents

5.
INCOME TAXES
The actual income tax expense (benefit) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 differed from the “expected” income tax expense (benefit) for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent to income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)) as follows:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Computed "expected" income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
2,782,030

 
$
(1,929,132
)
 
$
9,960,167

 
$
7,835,268

Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-exempt interest income
 
(993,175
)
 
(1,126,316
)
 
(1,936,150
)
 
(2,281,477
)
Dividends received deduction
 
(222,468
)
 
(158,109
)
 
(417,040
)
 
(286,445
)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction
 
182,347

 
192,663

 
352,979

 
385,188

Other, net
 
(12,315
)
 
85,561

 
12,910

 
86,685

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
1,736,419

 
$
(2,935,333
)
 
$
7,972,866

 
$
5,739,219


The Company had no provision for uncertain income tax positions at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.  The Company did not recognize any interest or other penalties related to U.S. federal or state income taxes during the three or six months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012.  It is the Company’s accounting policy to reflect income tax penalties as other expense, and interest as interest expense.
The Company files a U.S. federal income tax return, along with various state income tax returns.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.  The Company’s 2011 income tax return has been audited and no changes were proposed.

6.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS
The components of net periodic benefit cost for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
 
$
3,180,920

 
$
2,849,900

 
$
6,606,398

 
$
6,219,484

Interest cost
 
1,917,778

 
2,213,713

 
3,828,019

 
4,413,838

Expected return on plan assets
 
(4,287,615
)
 
(3,731,361
)
 
(8,575,231
)
 
(7,462,722
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
 
1,515,096

 
1,745,644

 
2,981,181

 
3,414,404

Amortization of prior service cost
 
12,583

 
72,788

 
25,165

 
145,576

Net periodic pension benefit cost
 
$
2,338,762

 
$
3,150,684

 
$
4,865,532

 
$
6,730,580

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
 
$
1,574,979

 
$
1,537,530

 
$
3,149,958

 
$
3,075,060

Interest cost
 
1,542,971

 
1,634,210

 
3,085,942

 
3,268,420

Expected return on plan assets
 
(907,750
)
 
(804,794
)
 
(1,815,500
)
 
(1,609,588
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
 
923,505

 
1,002,154

 
1,847,010

 
2,004,308

Amortization of prior service credit
 
(622,781
)
 
(532,814
)
 
(1,245,562
)
 
(1,065,628
)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
 
$
2,510,924

 
$
2,836,286

 
$
5,021,848

 
$
5,672,572



19

Table of Contents

Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $725,127 and $970,632 for the three months and $1,506,658 and $2,070,030 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $727,946 and $821,798 for the three months and $1,455,892 and $1,643,594 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s 2013 planned contributions to the pension plan and the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust, if made, will be approximately $4,500,000 and $1,200,000, respectively.

7.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has no stock-based compensation plans of its own; however, Employers Mutual has several stock plans which utilize the common stock of the Company.  Employers Mutual can provide the common stock required under its plans by: 1) using shares of common stock that it currently owns; 2) purchasing common stock on the open market; or 3) directly purchasing common stock from the Company at the current fair value.  Employers Mutual has historically purchased common stock from the Company for use in its stock plans and its non-employee director stock plans.  Employers Mutual generally purchases common stock on the open market to fulfill its obligations under its employee stock purchase plan.
Stock Plans
Employers Mutual currently maintains two separate stock plans for the benefit of officers and key employees of Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries.  A total of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2003 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Incentive Stock Option Plan (2003 Plan) and a total of 2,000,000 shares have been reserved for issuance under the 2007 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Stock Incentive Plan (2007 Plan).  A third stock plan, the 1993 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Incentive Stock Option Plan (1993 Plan), is no longer active.  The time period for exercising options granted under the 1993 Plan expired during 2012.  A total of 105,120 shares reserved for issuance under the 1993 Plan were deregistered on April 26, 2013.
The 2003 Plan permits the issuance of incentive stock options only, while the 2007 Plan permits the issuance of performance shares, performance units, and other stock-based awards, in addition to qualified (incentive) and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units.  Both plans provide for a ten-year time limit for granting awards.  No additional options will be granted under the 2003 Plan now that Employers Mutual is utilizing the 2007 Plan.  Options granted under the plans generally have a vesting period of five years, with options becoming exercisable in equal annual cumulative increments commencing on the first anniversary of the option grant.  Option prices cannot be less than the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant.
The Senior Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Committee”) of Employers Mutual’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) grants the awards and is the administrator of the plans.  The Company’s Compensation Committee must consider and approve all awards granted to the Company’s executive officers.
The Company recognized compensation expense from these plans of $78,223 ($50,845 net of tax) and $45,952 ($40,322 net of tax) for the three months and $142,203 ($94,039 net of tax) and $123,239 ($93,017 net of tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  During the first six months of 2013, 57,720 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2007 Plan to eligible participants, and 244,906 options were exercised under the plans at a weighted average exercise price of $20.85.

Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) agreement
No compensation expense was recognized during the three or six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 related to a separate stock appreciation rights agreement that is accounted for as a liability-classified award because the fair value of the award did not exceed the floor amount contained in the agreement.


20

Table of Contents

Non-Employee Director Stock Purchase Plan
On March 14, 2013, the Company registered 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for issuance under the 2013 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Non-Employee Director Stock Purchase Plan.  All non-employee directors of Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to participate in the plan.  Each eligible director can purchase shares of common stock at 75 percent of the fair value of the stock on the option exercise date in an amount equal to a minimum of 25 percent and a maximum of 100 percent of their annual cash retainer.  The plan will continue through the option period for options granted at the 2022 annual meetings.  The plan is administered by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Employers Mutual.  The Board may amend or terminate the plan at any time; however, no such amendment or termination shall adversely affect the rights and privileges of participants with unexercised options.  The 2003 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan is no longer active.   All outstanding options granted under this plan expired in May, 2013, and no further options can be granted due to the expiration of the term of the plan.  On April 26, 2013, a total of 148,204 shares reserved for issuance under the 2003 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan were deregistered.

8.
DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is summarized below.
 
 
Carrying
amount
 
Estimated
fair value
June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
9,612,047

 
$
9,612,047

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
137,427,115

 
137,427,115

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
373,573,415

 
373,573,415

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
68,270,393

 
68,270,393

Residential mortgage-backed
 
88,006,679

 
88,006,679

Other asset-backed
 
10,379,266

 
10,379,266

Corporate
 
309,795,648

 
309,795,648

Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
997,064,563

 
997,064,563

 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
25,808,286

 
25,808,286

Information technology
 
16,119,834

 
16,119,834

Healthcare
 
21,458,416

 
21,458,416

Consumer staples
 
13,225,367

 
13,225,367

Consumer discretionary
 
20,762,526

 
20,762,526

Energy
 
21,560,010

 
21,560,010

Industrials
 
10,249,748

 
10,249,748

Other
 
19,693,809

 
19,693,809

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
8,699,220

 
8,699,220

Total equity securities available-for-sale
 
157,577,216

 
157,577,216

 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
 
33,921,749

 
33,921,749

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Surplus notes
 
25,000,000

 
10,222,310


21

Table of Contents

 
 
Carrying
amount
 
Estimated
fair value
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
4,984,902

 
$
4,984,902

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
162,442,630

 
162,442,630

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
370,962,114

 
370,962,114

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
80,349,182

 
80,349,182

Residential mortgage-backed
 
47,789,604

 
47,789,604

Other asset-backed
 
11,286,848

 
11,286,848

Corporate
 
321,979,577

 
321,979,577

Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
999,794,857

 
999,794,857

 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
18,093,388

 
18,093,388

Information technology
 
16,925,764

 
16,925,764

Healthcare
 
19,023,849

 
19,023,849

Consumer staples
 
13,609,527

 
13,609,527

Consumer discretionary
 
17,090,547

 
17,090,547

Energy
 
19,430,330

 
19,430,330

Industrials
 
8,574,816

 
8,574,816

Other
 
18,681,440

 
18,681,440

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
8,864,164

 
8,864,164

Total equity securities available-for-sale
 
140,293,825

 
140,293,825

 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
 
53,418,914

 
53,418,914

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Surplus notes
 
25,000,000

 
18,835,954


The estimated fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities is based on quoted market prices, where available.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.
Short-term investments generally include money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills and commercial paper.  Short-term investments are carried at fair value, which approximates cost, due to the highly liquid nature of the securities.   Short-term securities are classified as Level 1 fair value measurements when the fair value can be validated by recent trades.  When recent trades are not available, fair value is deemed to be the cost basis and the securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.
The estimated fair value of the surplus notes is derived by discounting future expected cash flows at a rate deemed appropriate.  The discount rate was set at the average of current yields-to-maturity on several insurance company surplus notes that are traded in observable markets, adjusted upward by 50 basis points to reflect illiquidity and perceived risk premium differences. Other assumptions include a 25-year term for the surplus notes (the surplus notes have no stated maturity date) and an interest rate that continues at the current 1.35 percent interest rate (the rate is typically adjusted every five years and is based upon the then-current Federal Home Loan Bank borrowing rate for 5-year funds available to Employers Mutual).

22

Table of Contents

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 at the measurement date.  The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value:
 
Level 1 -
Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
 
 
 
 
Level 2 -
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
 
 
 
 
Level 3 -
Prices or valuation techniques that require significant unobservable inputs because observable inputs are not available.  The unobservable inputs may reflect the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use.
The Company uses an independent pricing source to obtain the estimated fair value of a majority of its securities, subject to an internal validation.  The fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available.  This is typically the case for equity securities and money market funds, which are accordingly classified as Level 1 fair value measurements.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.  Fixed maturity securities and various short-term investments in the Company’s portfolio may not trade on a daily basis; however, observable inputs are utilized in their valuations, and these securities are therefore classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  Following is a brief description of the various pricing techniques used by the independent pricing source for different asset classes.
U.S. Treasury securities (including bonds, notes, and bills) are priced according to a number of live data sources, including active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.  Prices from these sources are reviewed based on the sources’ historical accuracy for individual issues and maturity ranges.
U.S. government-sponsored agencies and corporate securities (including fixed-rate corporate bonds and medium-term notes) are priced by determining a bullet (non-call) spread scale for each issuer for maturities going out to forty years.  These spreads represent credit risk and are obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading, and dealer quotes.  An option adjusted spread model is incorporated to adjust spreads of issues that have early redemption features.  The final spread is then added to the U.S. Treasury curve.
Obligations of states and political subdivisions are priced by tracking and analyzing actively quoted issues and reported trades, material event notices and benchmark yields.  Municipal bonds with similar characteristics are grouped together into market sectors, and internal yield curves are constructed daily for these sectors.  Individual bond evaluations are extrapolated from these sectors, with the ability to make individual spread adjustments for attributes such as discounts, premiums, alternative minimum tax, and/or whether or not the bond is callable.
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are first reviewed for the appropriate pricing speed (if prepayable), spread, yield and volatility.  The securities are priced with models using spreads and other information solicited from Wall Street buy- and sell-side sources, including primary and secondary dealers, portfolio managers, and research analysts.  To determine a tranche’s price, first the benchmark yield is determined and adjusted for collateral performance, tranche level attributes and market conditions.  Then the cash flow for each tranche is generated (using consensus prepayment speed assumptions including, as appropriate, a prepayment projection based on historical statistics of the underlying collateral).  The tranche-level yield is used to discount the cash flows and generate the price.  Depending on the characteristics of the tranche, a volatility-driven, multi-dimensional single cash flow stream model or an option-adjusted spread model may be used.  When cash flows or other security structure or market information is not available, broker quotes may be used.

23

Table of Contents

On a quarterly basis, the Company receives from its independent pricing service a list of fixed maturity securities, if any, that were priced solely from broker quotes.  For these securities, fair value may be determined using the broker quotes, or by the Company using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.  Depending on the level of observable inputs, these securities would be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements.   At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company did not hold any fixed maturity securities that were priced solely from broker quotes.
A small number of the Company’s securities are not priced by the independent pricing service.  One is an equity security that is reported as a Level 3 fair value measurement at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, since no reliable observable inputs are used in its valuation.  This equity security continues to be reported at the fair value obtained from the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  The SVO establishes a per share price for this security based on an annual review of that company’s financial statements.  This review is typically performed during the second quarter, and resulted in a fair value for the shares held by the Company of $2,607 and $2,401 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  The other securities not priced by the Company’s independent pricing service at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 include three fixed maturity securities.  One of these fixed maturity securities is a corporate security that is not publicly traded and is classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement. The fair value for this security was estimated using cash flow analysis that utilizes a credit spread relative to the U. S. Treasury curve. The other fixed maturity securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  The fair values for these fixed maturity securities were obtained from the Company’s investment custodian using independent pricing services which utilize similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.

24

Table of Contents

Presented in the table below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using
June 30, 2013
 
Total
 
Quoted
prices in
active markets
for identical
assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
9,612,047

 
$

 
$
9,612,047

 
$

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
137,427,115

 

 
137,427,115

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
373,573,415

 

 
373,573,415

 

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
68,270,393

 

 
68,270,393

 

Residential mortgage-backed
 
88,006,679

 

 
88,006,679

 

Other asset-backed
 
10,379,266

 

 
10,379,266

 

Corporate
 
309,795,648

 

 
308,847,358

 
948,290

Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
997,064,563

 

 
996,116,273

 
948,290

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
25,808,286

 
25,805,679

 

 
2,607

Information technology
 
16,119,834

 
16,119,834

 

 

Healthcare
 
21,458,416

 
21,458,416

 

 

Consumer staples
 
13,225,367

 
13,225,367

 

 

Consumer discretionary
 
20,762,526

 
20,762,526

 

 

Energy
 
21,560,010

 
21,560,010

 

 

Industrials
 
10,249,748

 
10,249,748

 

 

Other
 
19,693,809

 
19,693,809

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
8,699,220

 
8,699,220

 

 

Total equity securities available-for-sale
 
157,577,216

 
157,574,609

 

 
2,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
 
33,921,749

 
33,921,749

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surplus notes
 
10,222,310

 

 

 
10,222,310


25

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using
December 31, 2012
 
Total
 
Quoted
prices in
active markets
for identical
assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
4,984,902

 
$

 
$
4,984,902

 
$

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
162,442,630

 

 
162,442,630

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
370,962,114

 

 
370,962,114

 

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
80,349,182

 

 
80,349,182

 

Residential mortgage-backed
 
47,789,604

 

 
47,789,604

 

Other asset-backed
 
11,286,848

 

 
11,286,848

 

Corporate
 
321,979,577

 

 
321,979,577

 

Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
999,794,857

 

 
999,794,857

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
18,093,388

 
18,090,987

 

 
2,401

Information technology
 
16,925,764

 
16,925,764

 

 

Healthcare
 
19,023,849

 
19,023,849

 

 

Consumer staples
 
13,609,527

 
13,609,527

 

 

Consumer discretionary
 
17,090,547

 
17,090,547

 

 

Energy
 
19,430,330

 
19,430,330

 

 

Industrials
 
8,574,816

 
8,574,816

 

 

Other
 
18,681,440

 
18,681,440

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
8,864,164

 
8,864,164

 

 

Total equity securities available-for-sale
 
140,293,825

 
140,291,424

 

 
2,401

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
 
53,418,914

 
42,062,664

 
11,356,250

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surplus notes
 
18,835,954

 

 

 
18,835,954


26

Table of Contents

Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.  Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income.  Any gains or losses from disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income.
 
 
Fair value measurements using significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Three months ended June 30, 2013
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate
 
Equity securities
available-for-sale,
financial services
 
Total
Beginning balance
 
$

 
$
2,401

 
$
2,401

Purchases
 
948,290

 

 
948,290

Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income
 

 
206

 
206

Balance at June 30, 2013
 
$
948,290

 
$
2,607

 
$
950,897

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$

 
$
2,401

 
$
2,401

Purchases
 
948,290

 

 
948,290

Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income
 

 
206

 
206

Balance at June 30, 2013
 
$
948,290

 
$
2,607

 
$
950,897


 
 
Fair value measurements using significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Three months ended June 30, 2012
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate
 
Equity securities
available-for-sale,
financial services
 
Total
Beginning balance
 
$

 
$
2,250

 
$
2,250

Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income
 

 
151

 
151

Balance at June 30, 2012
 
$

 
$
2,401

 
$
2,401

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$

 
$
2,250

 
$
2,250

Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income
 

 
151

 
151

Balance at June 30, 2012
 
$

 
$
2,401

 
$
2,401


There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 or 2 during the three or six months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012.  It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

9.
INVESTMENTS
Investments of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the insurance laws of the state of their incorporation.  These laws prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments that may be made by insurance companies.  In general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks and real estate mortgages.  The Company believes that it is in compliance with these laws.

27

Table of Contents

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows.  All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
June 30, 2013
 
Amortized
cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
9,522,918

 
$
223,279

 
$
134,150

 
$
9,612,047

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
142,088,929

 
1,802,645

 
6,464,459

 
137,427,115

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
355,773,565

 
21,735,855

 
3,936,005

 
373,573,415

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
61,484,434

 
6,792,466

 
6,507

 
68,270,393

Residential mortgage-backed
 
88,193,277

 
1,293,620

 
1,480,218

 
88,006,679

Other asset-backed
 
9,109,718

 
1,269,548

 

 
10,379,266

Corporate
 
294,840,820

 
17,227,227

 
2,272,399

 
309,795,648

Total fixed maturity securities
 
961,013,661

 
50,344,640

 
14,293,738

 
997,064,563

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
19,148,813

 
6,659,473

 

 
25,808,286

Information technology
 
11,109,733

 
5,044,696

 
34,595

 
16,119,834

Healthcare
 
14,625,188

 
6,833,228

 

 
21,458,416

Consumer staples
 
10,249,239

 
2,976,155

 
27

 
13,225,367

Consumer discretionary
 
11,919,702

 
8,842,824

 

 
20,762,526

Energy
 
15,584,575

 
6,151,610

 
176,175

 
21,560,010

Industrials
 
7,776,577

 
2,473,171

 

 
10,249,748

Other
 
16,651,229

 
3,205,873

 
163,293

 
19,693,809

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
8,332,438

 
450,862

 
84,080

 
8,699,220

Total equity securities
 
115,397,494

 
42,637,892

 
458,170

 
157,577,216

Total securities available-for-sale
 
$
1,076,411,155

 
$
92,982,532

 
$
14,751,908

 
$
1,154,641,779


28

Table of Contents

December 31, 2012
 
Amortized
cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
4,697,762

 
$
287,140

 
$

 
$
4,984,902

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
159,548,303

 
3,228,302

 
333,975

 
162,442,630

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
335,188,220

 
35,776,373

 
2,479

 
370,962,114

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
69,952,036

 
10,412,989

 
15,843

 
80,349,182

Residential mortgage-backed
 
46,286,598

 
1,777,113

 
274,107

 
47,789,604

Other asset-backed
 
9,720,662

 
1,566,186

 

 
11,286,848

Corporate
 
295,450,358

 
26,774,604

 
245,385

 
321,979,577

Total fixed maturity securities
 
920,843,939

 
79,822,707

 
871,789

 
999,794,857

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
14,496,766

 
3,630,544

 
33,922

 
18,093,388

Information technology
 
12,331,378

 
4,722,076

 
127,690

 
16,925,764

Healthcare
 
14,823,967

 
4,199,882

 

 
19,023,849

Consumer staples
 
12,019,892

 
1,593,039

 
3,404

 
13,609,527

Consumer discretionary
 
10,829,547

 
6,261,000

 

 
17,090,547

Energy
 
14,629,926

 
4,800,404

 

 
19,430,330

Industrials
 
7,638,633

 
936,183

 

 
8,574,816

Other
 
16,749,417

 
2,215,172

 
283,149

 
18,681,440

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
8,332,437

 
647,727

 
116,000

 
8,864,164

Total equity securities
 
111,851,963

 
29,006,027

 
564,165

 
140,293,825

Total securities available-for-sale
 
$
1,032,695,902

 
$
108,828,734

 
$
1,435,954

 
$
1,140,088,682


29

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, listed by length of time the securities were in an unrealized loss position.
June 30, 2013
 
Less than twelve months
 
Twelve months or longer
 
Total
 
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
4,682,810

 
$
134,150

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,682,810

 
$
134,150

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
95,885,094

 
6,032,242

 
5,555,418

 
432,217

 
101,440,512

 
6,464,459

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
68,612,301

 
3,936,005

 

 

 
68,612,301

 
3,936,005

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
3,775,449

 
5,865

 
101,493

 
642

 
3,876,942

 
6,507

Residential mortgage-backed
 
43,516,137

 
1,480,218

 

 

 
43,516,137

 
1,480,218

Corporate
 
58,516,418

 
1,888,887

 
5,049,022

 
383,512

 
63,565,440

 
2,272,399

Total, fixed maturity securities
 
274,988,209

 
13,477,367

 
10,705,933

 
816,371

 
285,694,142

 
14,293,738

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information technology
 
1,254,591

 
34,595

 

 

 
1,254,591

 
34,595

Consumer staples
 
29,711

 
27

 

 

 
29,711

 
27

Energy
 
3,164,811

 
176,175

 

 

 
3,164,811

 
176,175

Other
 
4,147,049

 
163,293

 

 

 
4,147,049

 
163,293

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 

 

 
1,915,920

 
84,080

 
1,915,920

 
84,080

Total, equity securities
 
8,596,162

 
374,090

 
1,915,920

 
84,080

 
10,512,082

 
458,170

Total temporarily impaired securities
 
$
283,584,371

 
$
13,851,457

 
$
12,621,853

 
$
900,451

 
$
296,206,224

 
$
14,751,908


30

Table of Contents

December 31, 2012
 
Less than twelve months
 
Twelve months or longer
 
Total
 
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
$
33,950,271

 
$
333,975

 
$

 
$

 
$
33,950,271

 
$
333,975

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
3,234,180

 
2,479

 

 

 
3,234,180

 
2,479

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
3,773,043

 
15,843

 

 

 
3,773,043

 
15,843

Residential mortgage-backed
 
5,303,741

 
274,107

 

 

 
5,303,741

 
274,107

Corporate
 
17,567,579

 
245,385

 

 

 
17,567,579

 
245,385

Total, fixed maturity securities
 
63,828,814

 
871,789

 

 

 
63,828,814

 
871,789

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
881,580

 
33,922

 

 

 
881,580

 
33,922

Information technology
 
1,435,122

 
127,690

 

 

 
1,435,122

 
127,690

Consumer staples
 
90,080

 
3,404

 

 

 
90,080

 
3,404

Other
 
2,403,683

 
283,149

 

 

 
2,403,683

 
283,149

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 

 

 
1,884,000

 
116,000

 
1,884,000

 
116,000

Total, equity securities
 
4,810,465

 
448,165

 
1,884,000

 
116,000

 
6,694,465

 
564,165

Total temporarily impaired securities
 
$
68,639,279

 
$
1,319,954

 
$
1,884,000

 
$
116,000

 
$
70,523,279

 
$
1,435,954


Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities increased in nearly every type of issue at June 30, 2013 due to the rise in interest rates during the second quarter of 2013.  Most of these securities are considered investment grade by credit rating agencies.  Because management does not intend to sell these securities, does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery, and believes it will collect the amounts due on these securities, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2013.
The unrealized losses on common stocks at June 30, 2013 are not concentrated in a particular sector or an individual security.  The Company believes the unrealized losses on common stocks are primarily due to general fluctuations in the equity markets.  Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities for a reasonable amount of time to allow for recovery, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2013.
All of the Company’s preferred stock holdings are perpetual preferred stocks.  The Company evaluates perpetual preferred stocks with unrealized losses for “other-than-temporary” impairment similar to fixed maturity securities since they have debt-like characteristics such as periodic cash flows in the form of dividends and call features, are rated by rating agencies and are priced like other long-term callable fixed maturity securities.  There was no evidence of any credit deterioration in the issuers of the preferred stocks and the Company does not intend to sell these securities before recovery, nor does it believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery; therefore, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2013.

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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
 
Amortized
cost
 
Estimated
fair value
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
$
9,155,165

 
$
9,258,884

Due after one year through five years
 
170,883,036

 
180,032,167

Due after five years through ten years
 
147,061,947

 
155,425,963

Due after ten years
 
484,235,802

 
496,070,477

Mortgage-backed securities
 
149,677,711

 
156,277,072

Totals
 
$
961,013,661

 
$
997,064,563


A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross realized investment gains
 
$
131,000

 
$
108,016

 
$
817,573

 
$
508,507

Gross realized investment losses
 
(725,062
)
 

 
(725,062
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross realized investment gains
 
1,233,603

 
348,743

 
3,324,210

 
8,954,418

Gross realized investment losses
 
(464,288
)
 
(1,469,047
)
 
(552,987
)
 
(1,556,884
)
"Other-than-temporary" impairments
 

 
(126,048
)
 
(20,608
)
 
(126,048
)
Totals
 
$
175,253

 
$
(1,138,336
)
 
$
2,843,126

 
$
7,779,993


Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are included in net income.  The cost of investments sold is determined on the specific identification method using the highest cost basis first.  The amount reported as “other-than-temporary” impairments for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 does not include any individually significant items.
The Company did not have any outstanding cumulative credit losses on fixed maturity securities that have been recognized in earnings from “other-than-temporary” impairments during any of the reported periods.

10.
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The Company and Employers Mutual and its other subsidiaries are parties to numerous lawsuits arising in the normal course of the insurance business.  The Company believes that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or its results of operations.  The companies involved have established reserves which are believed adequate to cover any potential liabilities arising out of all such pending or threatened proceedings.
The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions.  The Company’s share of case loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of those annuities was $165,362 at December 31, 2012.  The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $239,486 at December 31, 2012 should the issuers of those annuities fail to perform.  Although management is not able to verify the amount, the Company would likely have a similar contingent liability at June 30, 2013.  The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote.



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Table of Contents

11.
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15,000,000 stock repurchase program.  This program became effective immediately and does not have an expiration date.  The timing and terms of the purchases are determined by management based on market conditions and are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Common stock repurchased under this program will be retired by the Company.  No purchases have been made under this program.

12.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The Company has available-for-sale securities and receives an allocation of the actuarial losses and net prior service credits associated with Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans, both of which generate accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) amounts.  The following table reconciles, by component, the beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income by component (1)
 
 
Unrealized
gains (losses) on
available-for-
sale securities
 
Unrecognized
pension and
postretirement
benefit obligations
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
69,805,305

 
$
(22,052,930
)
 
$
47,752,375

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
(17,107,369
)
 

 
(17,107,369
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
(1,848,032
)
 
710,613

 
(1,137,419
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(18,955,401
)
 
710,613

 
(18,244,788
)
Balance at June 30, 2013
 
$
50,849,904

 
$
(21,342,317
)
 
$
29,507,587

(1)
All amounts are net of tax.  Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

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The following table displays amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.
 
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1)
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) components
 
Three months ended 
 June 30, 2013
 
Six months ended 
 June 30, 2013
 
Affected line item in the
consolidated statements
of income
Unrealized gains on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income
 
$
175,253

 
$
2,843,126

 
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Deferred income tax expense
 
(61,339
)
 
(995,094
)
 
Income tax expense (benefit), current
Net reclassification adjustment
 
113,914

 
1,848,032

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
(731,022
)
 
(1,447,340
)
 
(2)
Prior service credit
 
177,045

 
354,090

 
(2)
Total before tax
 
(553,977
)
 
(1,093,250
)
 
 
Deferred income tax expense
 
193,891

 
382,637

 
Income tax expense (benefit), current
Net reclassification adjustment
 
(360,086
)
 
(710,613
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassification adjustment
 
$
(246,172
)
 
$
1,137,419

 
 
(1)
Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to net income
(2)
These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs (see Note 6, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

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Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

The term “Company” is used below interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.  The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company’s 2012 Form 10-K.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking all information currently available into account.  These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as the result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management.  If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:
catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions;
the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves;
state and federal legislation and regulations;
changes in the property and casualty insurance industry, interest rates or the performance of financial markets and the general economy;
rating agency actions;
“other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses; and
other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project” or similar expressions.  Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Company, a majority owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance.
Property and casualty insurance operations are conducted through three subsidiaries and represent the most significant segment of the Company’s business, totaling 77 percent of consolidated premiums earned during the first six months of 2013.  The property and casualty insurance operations are integrated with the property and casualty insurance operations of Employers Mutual through participation in a reinsurance pooling agreement.  Because the Company conducts its property and casualty insurance operations together with Employers Mutual through the reinsurance pooling agreement, the Company shares the same business philosophy, management, employees and facilities as Employers Mutual and offers the same types of insurance products.
Reinsurance operations are conducted through EMC Reinsurance Company and accounted for 23 percent of consolidated premiums earned during the first six months of 2013.  The principal business activity of EMC Reinsurance Company is to assume, through a quota share reinsurance agreement, 100 percent of Employers Mutual’s assumed reinsurance business, subject to certain exceptions.

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Table of Contents

The terms of the excess of loss reinsurance agreement have been revised for fiscal year 2013.  Effective January 1, 2013, EMC Reinsurance Company continues to retain the first $4,000,000 of losses per event, but also retains 20.0 percent of any losses between $4,000,000 and $10,000,000 and 10.0 percent of any losses between $10,000,000 and $50,000,000 associated with any event.  In connection with the change in the amount of losses retained per event, the cost of the excess of loss coverage decreased from 10.0 percent of total assumed reinsurance premiums written to 9.0 percent of total assumed reinsurance premiums written.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies considered by management to be critically important in the preparation and understanding of the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures are presented in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company’s 2012 Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of operations by segment and on a consolidated basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Property and casualty insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
97,817

 
$
87,825

 
$
190,522

 
$
172,857

Losses and settlement expenses
 
74,080

 
70,621

 
130,048

 
122,639

Acquisition and other expenses
 
34,160

 
32,597

 
68,281

 
63,710

Underwriting loss
 
$
(10,423
)
 
$
(15,393
)
 
$
(7,807
)
 
$
(13,492
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
75.7
%
 
80.4
%
 
68.3
%
 
70.9
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
35.0
%
 
37.1
%
 
35.8
%
 
36.9
%
Combined ratio
 
110.7
%
 
117.5
%
 
104.1
%
 
107.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insured events of current year
 
$
73,325

 
$
75,080

 
$
131,831

 
$
137,603

Increase (decrease) in provision for insured events of prior years
 
755

 
(4,459
)
 
(1,783
)
 
(14,964
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total losses and settlement expenses
 
$
74,080

 
$
70,621

 
$
130,048

 
$
122,639

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
18,489

 
$
19,773

 
$
23,354

 
$
25,327


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Table of Contents

 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
29,372

 
$
22,445

 
$
57,164

 
$
47,173

Losses and settlement expenses
 
14,888

 
17,779

 
31,494

 
31,001

Acquisition and other expenses
 
6,793

 
4,625

 
13,154

 
9,636

Underwriting profit
 
$
7,691

 
$
41

 
$
12,516

 
$
6,536

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
50.7
%
 
79.2
%
 
55.1
%
 
65.7
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
23.1
%
 
20.6
%
 
23.0
%
 
20.4
%
Combined ratio
 
73.8
%
 
99.8
%
 
78.1
%
 
86.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insured events of current year
 
$
17,706

 
$
14,719

 
$
36,030

 
$
33,699

Increase (decrease) in provision for insured events of prior years
 
(2,818
)
 
3,060

 
(4,536
)
 
(2,698
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total losses and settlement expenses
 
$
14,888

 
$
17,779

 
$
31,494

 
$
31,001

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
2,860

 
$
5,074

 
$
3,392

 
$
9,223


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Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
127,189

 
$
110,270

 
$
247,686

 
$
220,030

Net investment income
 
11,040

 
11,148

 
21,483

 
22,305

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
175

 
(1,138
)
 
2,843

 
7,780

Other income
 
163

 
223

 
398

 
462

 
 
138,567

 
120,503

 
272,410

 
250,577

LOSSES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
88,968

 
88,400

 
161,542

 
153,640

Acquisition and other expenses
 
40,953

 
37,222

 
81,435

 
73,346

Interest expense
 
85

 
225

 
216

 
450

Other expense
 
612

 
168

 
759

 
755

 
 
130,618

 
126,015

 
243,952

 
228,191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
 
7,949

 
(5,512
)
 
28,458

 
22,386

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
1,737

 
(2,935
)
 
7,973

 
5,739

Net income (loss)
 
$
6,212

 
$
(2,577
)
 
$
20,485

 
$
16,647

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share
 
$
0.48

 
$
(0.20
)
 
$
1.58

 
$
1.29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
70.0
%
 
80.2
%
 
65.2
%
 
69.8
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
32.2
%
 
33.7
%
 
32.9
%
 
33.4
%
Combined ratio
 
102.2
%
 
113.9
%
 
98.1
%
 
103.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insured events of current year
 
$
91,031

 
$
89,799

 
$
167,861

 
$
171,302

Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years
 
(2,063
)
 
(1,399
)
 
(6,319
)
 
(17,662
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total losses and settlement expenses
 
$
88,968

 
$
88,400

 
$
161,542

 
$
153,640

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
21,349

 
$
24,847

 
$
26,746

 
$
34,550


The Company reported net income of $6,212,000 ($0.48 per share) during the three months ended June 30, 2013 compared to a net loss of $2,577,000 ($0.20 per share) during the same period in 2012.  For the six months ended June 30, 2013, net income totaled $20,485,000 ($1.58 per share) compared to $16,647,000 ($1.29 per share) during the same period in 2012. The increases in net income are primarily attributed to improved underwriting results in both of the Company's operating segments during the second quarter. The positive pricing momentum experienced in 2012 has continued into the first half of 2013 as the market for property and casualty insurance continues to support premium rate level increases.  The increase in premium rate levels continues to outpace the increase in loss costs. Net realized investment gains increased in the second quarter, but declined year-to-date due to the unusually large amount of gains recognized during the first quarter of 2012 when securities in the core equity portfolio were sold to fund a new equity portfolio with an emphasis on dividend income.  On a consolidated basis, 2013 is progressing as expected; however, there have been some variations by segment.


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Table of Contents

Premium income
Premiums earned increased 15.3 percent and 12.6 percent to $127,189,000 and $247,686,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from $110,270,000 and $220,030,000 for the same periods in 2012.  In the property and casualty insurance segment, the majority of the increase is attributable to rate level increases, growth in insured exposures on existing accounts and an increase in retained policies.  In the reinsurance segment, the increase is attributable to a significant increase in the amount of premiums earned on policies written in the prior contract year, moderate rate level increases and the addition of some new business.  Premium rates in the property and casualty insurance market are expected to continue at approximately the current level during the remainder of the year. Premium rates in the reinsurance market have declined somewhat during the second quarter of 2013; however, it is too early to predict what premium rate levels will be in January, 2014, when the majority of the reinsurance segment's contracts renew.
Premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment increased 11.4 percent and 10.2 percent to $97,817,000 and $190,522,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from $87,825,000 and $172,857,000 for the same periods in 2012.  The increase in premiums earned is primarily associated with renewal business, which increased 11 percent, and reflects a combination of rate level increases, growth in insured exposures and an increase in retained policies.  Renewal rates on the six major lines of commercial business were up approximately 7.5 percent during the first half of 2013, and are expected to continue at approximately the same level through the remainder of 2013.  The Company has not implemented broad-based rate level increases across the entire book of business, but has instead implemented rate level increases based on the loss history and risk exposures associated with each renewing policy, in order to achieve a more adequate overall rate level.  This approach has allowed the Company to retain its core book of business while improving underwriting margins.  Renewal rates for personal lines of business also increased, but did not have a significant impact on premiums earned due to an intentional reduction in policy count.  Due to the decrease in personal lines policy count, overall policy retention declined slightly during the first half of 2013, but remained strong at 86 percent.  New business continues to account for a relatively small portion (just 14 percent) of the pool participants’ direct written premiums.  New business premium increased five percent in the commercial lines of business (policy count decreased  two percent), but total new business premium only increased one percent due to a significant decline in personal lines new business premium.
Premiums earned for the reinsurance segment increased 30.9 percent and 21.2 percent to $29,372,000 and $57,164,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from $22,445,000 and $47,173,000 for the same periods in 2012.  These increases are primarily attributed to a significant increase in the amount of contract year 2012 written premiums earned in the first half of 2013 relative to the amount of contract year 2011 written premiums earned during the first half of 2012, moderate rate level increases implemented during the January 1 renewal season and the addition of some new business.  It is important to note that the large increase in premiums earned reported for the three months ended June 30, 2013 reflects a negative $2,686,000 earned but not reported (EBNR) premium adjustment that was recorded in the second quarter of 2012 in connection with a new offshore energy and liability proportional account that Employers Mutual began participating in effective January 1, 2012. This negative EBNR premium adjustment was recorded after the completion of a more refined actuarial analysis of this new account during the second quarter of 2012. Corresponding decreases in incurred but not reported (IBNR) loss reserves and commission expense reserves were also recorded, resulting in an after-tax impact of less than $100,000.  If the EBNR premium estimate resulting from the more refined actuarial analysis had been utilized at March 31, 2012, premiums earned during the three months ended June 30, 2012 would have been approximately $3,131,000 higher, and the percentage increase reported for the three months ended June 30, 2013 would have been approximately 16.1 percentage points lower.  The increase in premiums earned reported for the six months ended June 30, 2013 is not impacted by the negative EBNR premium adjustment recorded during the second quarter of 2012. Premiums earned for the first half of 2013 reflect a reduction in the cost of the excess of loss coverage provided by Employers Mutual from 10.0 percent of total assumed reinsurance premiums written in 2012 to 9.0 percent in 2013; however, the total amount of premiums ceded to Employers Mutual for this coverage increased due to a large increase in assumed reinsurance premiums written.
Effective January 1, 2013, Church Mutual Insurance Company (Church Mutual) became a member of the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau (MRB) underwriting association.  As a result, Employers Mutual became a one-fifth participant in MRB, down from its previous one-fourth participation.  In connection with Employers Mutual’s decreased participation in MRB, the reinsurance segment recorded a $585,000 portfolio adjustment decrease in premiums written in the first quarter of 2013. This portfolio adjustment did not affect earned premium since there was a corresponding decrease in unearned premiums.  Nine percent of this amount ($53,000) was recorded as a reduction in the cost of the excess of loss coverage provided by Employers Mutual, and the reinsurance segment recognized $223,000 of negative commission allowance (commission income) to compensate for the acquisition costs incurred to generate the business ceded to Church Mutual. For the first six months of 2013, premiums earned from MRB declined 19.6 percent.

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Table of Contents

Effective January 1, 2012, MRB canceled a large pro rata account with poor experience.  As a result, the reinsurance segment recorded a $3,406,000 portfolio adjustment decrease in premiums written in the first quarter of 2012 that offset a corresponding decrease in unearned premiums.  Ten percent of this amount ($341,000) was recorded as a reduction in the cost of the excess of loss coverage provided by Employers Mutual, and the reinsurance segment recognized $1,362,000 of negative commission allowance (commission income) to compensate for the acquisition costs incurred to generate this business.

Losses and settlement expenses
Losses and settlement expenses increased 0.6 percent and 5.1 percent to $88,968,000 and $161,542,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from $88,400,000 and $153,640,000 for the same periods in 2012.  The loss and settlement expense ratios decreased to 70.0 percent and 65.2 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from 80.2 percent and 69.8 percent for the same periods in 2012.  The decrease in the loss and settlement expense ratios is attributed to improved rate adequacy, a moderate decline in catastrophe and storm losses, and better than expected second quarter results in the reinsurance segment. The Company continued to experience favorable development on prior years' reserves; however, the amount reported for the for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was lower than the amount reported in 2012 due to a large adverse jury decision, an increase in reserves associated with a large construction defect loss, and a reallocation of bulk reserves by accident year at year-end 2012.  The actuarial analysis of the Company’s carried reserves as of March 31, 2013 indicated that the level of reserve adequacy is consistent with other recent evaluations.  From management’s perspective, this measure is more relevant to an understanding of the Company’s results of operations than the composition of the underwriting results between the current and prior accident years.
The loss and settlement expense ratios for the property and casualty insurance segment decreased to 75.7 percent and 68.3 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from 80.4 percent and 70.9 percent for the same periods in 2012.  These decreases are primarily attributed to the increase in premium income, but also reflect a decline in catastrophe and storm losses and, for the first six months of 2013, large losses.  Catastrophe and storm losses accounted for 18.9 and 22.5 percentage points of the loss and settlement expense ratios for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, compared to the most recent 10-year average for this period of 17.9 percentage points. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, catastrophe and storm losses accounted for 12.3 and 14.7 percentage points, respectively, of the loss and settlement expense ratios, compared to the most recent 10-year average for this period of 11.1 percentage points.  Large losses (which the Company defines as losses greater than $500,000 for the EMC Insurance Companies’ pool, excluding catastrophe losses) accounted for 6.7 and 5.0 percentage points of the loss and settlement expense ratios for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to 7.0 and 7.2 percentage points for the same periods in 2012.  Development on prior years’ reserves declined sharply for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013 from the amounts reported for the same periods in 2012.  These declines are primarily attributed to a large adverse jury decision that occurred during the second quarter as well as a reallocation of bulk reserves by accident year at year-end 2012. In addition, the six months ended June 30, 2013 also reflects an increase in reserves associated with a large construction defect loss. It is important to note that development amounts can vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year depending on a number of factors, including the number of claims settled and the settlement terms.
The loss and settlement expense ratios for the reinsurance segment decreased to 50.7 percent and 55.1 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from 79.2 percent and 65.7 percent for the same periods in 2012.  The reinsurance segment benefited from a decline in catastrophe and storm losses and an increase in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves.  The increase in favorable development is largely attributed to the adverse development experienced during the second quarter of 2012 on the 2011 accident year.  It should be noted that the reported amount of losses and settlement expenses incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2012 includes a negative $2,239,000 IBNR loss reserve adjustment made in conjunction with the negative EBNR premium adjustment that was established for the new offshore energy and liability proportional account.  If the EBNR premium estimate resulting from the more refined actuarial analysis had been utilized at March 31, 2012, the loss and settlement expense ratio would have been approximately 0.9 percentage points lower.

Acquisition and other expenses
Acquisition and other expenses increased 10.0 percent and 11.0 percent to $40,953,000 and $81,435,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from $37,222,000 and $73,346,000 for the same periods in 2012.  However, the acquisition expense ratios decreased to 32.2 percent and 32.9 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from 33.7 percent and 33.4 percent for the same periods in 2012.  The decreases in the acquisition expense ratios are attributed to the increases in premium income, but were limited by higher acquisitions costs in the reinsurance segment due to a large negative commission adjustment recorded during the first quarter of 2012 in connection with the cancellation of a large MRB account.  Increases in both contingent commission and policyholder dividend expenses, both of which are reflective of the good underwriting results reported, limited the decline in the acquisition and other expense ratio for the six month period.

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For the property and casualty insurance segment, the acquisition expense ratios decreased to 35.0 percent and 35.8 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from 37.1 percent and 36.9 percent for the same periods in 2012.  These decreases are primarily attributed to the increase in premium income. However, the decrease for the six month period was somewhat limited by higher policyholder dividend expense resulting from the good underwriting results reported.
For the reinsurance segment, the acquisition expense ratios increased to 23.1 percent and 23.0 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from 20.6 percent and 20.4 percent for the same periods in 2012.  These increases are primarily attributed to the combination of higher contingent commission expense and a $1,362,000 negative commission allowance recorded in the first quarter of 2012 in connection with the cancellation of a large MRB account.  However, a portion of this negative commission allowance was offset by the amortization of the related deferred policy acquisition cost asset, resulting in an immediate expense reduction of approximately $654,000 during the first quarter of 2012.  During the first quarter of 2013, the reinsurance segment recognized a $223,000 negative commission allowance in conjunction with the addition of Church Mutual to MRB.  A portion of this negative commission allowance was offset by the amortization of the related deferred policy acquisition cost asset, resulting in an immediate expense reduction of approximately $105,000 during the first quarter of 2013.  The increase in premium income helped limit the impact the increased expenses had on the acquisition expense ratio.  It should be noted that the reported amount of acquisition and other expenses incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2012 includes a negative $597,000 commission reserve adjustment made in conjunction with the negative EBNR premium adjustment that was established for the new energy and liability proportional account.  If the EBNR premium estimate resulting from the more refined actuarial analysis had been utilized at March 31, 2012, acquisition and other expenses incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2012 would have been higher, but the acquisition expense ratio would not have materially changed.

Investment results
Net investment income decreased 1.0 percent and 3.7 percent to $11,040,000 and $21,483,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from $11,148,000 and $22,305,000 for the same periods in 2012.  These decreases are primarily attributed to the low interest rate environment that has persisted for the past several years. During this time period, available cash flow has been invested in fixed maturity securities with progressively lower yields, resulting in a decline in the annualized yield of the fixed maturity portfolio.  It should be noted that the declines in investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 reflect a $170,000 increase in the amount of funds received from the settlement of securities litigation.  Excluding this amount, the decrease in investment income would have been 2.5 percent and 4.4 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. The average coupon on the fixed maturity portfolio (excluding interest-only securities) was 4.26 percent at June 30, 2013, compared to 4.23 percent at December 31, 2012 and 4.43 percent at June 30, 2012.  Management is actively pursuing ways to minimize the decline in investment income without increasing overall risk, such as the implementation of the new equity strategy in 2012 that emphasizes dividend income (see discussion below).  The effective duration of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio was 5.55 at June 30, 2013, compared to 4.20 at December 31, 2012. The recent rise in interest rates increased the duration of the portfolio by approximately 0.5 due to the expected impact on callable securities, while the remaining 0.9 increase was due to the investment of cash primarily into municipal securities.
At the end of the first quarter of 2012, management reinvested approximately $35,000,000 from the core equity portfolio and $10,000,000 of cash into a new equity portfolio with an emphasis on dividend income.  In addition to a higher dividend return, this new equity strategy is expected to carry less market volatility.  The Company’s equity security holdings produced dividend income of $1,153,000 and $2,249,000 for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $954,000 and $1,692,000 for the same periods in 2012.
The Company had realized investment gains of $175,000 and $2,843,000 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to losses of $1,138,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and gains of $7,780,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.  The Company experienced an unusually large amount of realized investment gains in the first quarter of 2012, primarily from the sale of securities from the core equity portfolio to fund the new equity portfolio that emphasizes dividend income.  “Other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses of $0 and $126,000 were recognized in the second quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The impairment losses in the second quarter of 2012 were recognized on two equity securities. During the first six months of 2013, "other-than-temporary" impairment losses totaled $21,000, compared to $126,000 in the same period of 2012. The impairment losses in 2013 were recognized on one equity security, while the impairment losses in 2012 were recognized on two equity securities.


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Interest and other expense
The decline in interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 is due to a reduction in the interest rate on the Company’s outstanding surplus notes from 3.60 percent to 1.35 percent that became effective February 1, 2013.  The fluctuations in other expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the same periods of 2012 are primarily attributed to changes in the foreign currency exchange gains and losses recognized on the reinsurance segment’s foreign currency denominated reinsurance business.  The reinsurance segment had a foreign currency exchange loss of $101,000 and a gain of $340,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to gains of $393,000 and $373,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

Income tax
Income tax expense increased 159.2 percent and 38.9 percent to $1,737,000 and $7,973,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 from a benefit of $2,935,000 and an expense of $5,739,000 for the same periods in 2012.  The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was 21.9 percent and 28.0 percent compared to 53.2 percent and 25.6 percent for the same periods in 2012. It is important to note that the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2012 reflects the amount of tax benefit received relative to the amount of pre-tax loss incurred, thus an effective tax rate greater than the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent is indicative of a favorable or "low" effective tax rate.  The primary contributor to the differences between these effective tax rates and the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent is tax-exempt interest income earned.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet cash obligations.  The Company had positive cash flows from operations of $19,786,000 and $4,820,000 during the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The Company typically generates substantial positive cash flows from operations because cash from premium payments is generally received in advance of cash payments made to settle claims.  These positive cash flows provide the foundation of the Company’s asset/liability management program and are the primary drivers of the Company’s liquidity.  The Company invests in high quality, liquid securities to match the anticipated payments of losses and settlement expenses of the underlying insurance policies.  Because the timing of the losses is uncertain, the majority of the portfolio is maintained in short to intermediate maturity securities that can be easily liquidated or that generate adequate cash flow to meet liabilities.
The Company is a holding company whose principal asset is its investment in its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and its reinsurance subsidiary (“insurance subsidiaries”).  As a holding company, the Company is dependent upon cash dividends from its insurance subsidiaries to meet all its obligations, including cash dividends to stockholders and the funding of the Company’s stock repurchase programs.  State insurance regulations restrict the maximum amount of dividends insurance companies can pay without prior regulatory approval.  The maximum amount of dividends that the insurance subsidiaries can pay to the Company in 2013 without prior regulatory approval is approximately $38,839,000.  The Company received $7,500,000 and $8,500,000 of dividends from its insurance subsidiaries and paid cash dividends to its stockholders totaling $5,477,000 and $5,153,000 during the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries must maintain adequate liquidity to ensure that their cash obligations are met; however, because of the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ participation in the pooling agreement and the reinsurance subsidiary’s participation in the quota share agreement, they do not have the daily liquidity concerns normally associated with an insurance company.  This is because under the terms of the pooling and quota share agreements, Employers Mutual receives all premiums and pays all losses and expenses associated with the insurance business produced by the pool participants and the assumed reinsurance business ceded to the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary, and then settles inter-company balances generated by these transactions with the participating companies on a monthly (pool participants) or quarterly (reinsurance subsidiary) basis.

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At the insurance subsidiary level, the primary sources of cash are premium income, investment income and proceeds from called or matured investments.  The principal outflows of cash are payments of claims, commissions, premium taxes, operating expenses, income taxes, dividends, interest and principal payments on debt, and investment purchases.  Cash outflows vary because of uncertainties regarding settlement dates for unpaid losses and the potential for large losses, either individually or in the aggregate.  Accordingly, the insurance subsidiaries maintain investment and reinsurance programs intended to provide adequate funds to pay claims without forced sales of investments.  In addition, the insurance subsidiaries have access to a line of credit maintained by Employers Mutual with the Federal Home Loan Bank to provide additional liquidity if needed.  The insurance subsidiaries also have the ability to borrow funds on a short-term basis (180 days) from Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries and affiliate under an Inter-Company Loan agreement.
The Company maintains a portion of its investment portfolio in relatively short-term and highly liquid investments to ensure the availability of funds to pay claims and expenses.  A variety of maturities are maintained in the Company’s investment portfolio to assure adequate liquidity.  The maturity structure of the fixed maturity portfolio is also established by the relative attractiveness of yields on short, intermediate and long-term securities.  The Company does not invest in high-yield, non-investment grade debt securities.  Any non-investment grade securities held by the Company are the result of rating downgrades subsequent to their purchase.
The Company invests for the long term and generally purchases fixed maturity securities with the intent to hold them to maturity.  Despite this intent, the Company currently classifies fixed maturity securities as available-for-sale to provide flexibility in the management of its investment portfolio.  At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had net unrealized holding gains, net of deferred taxes, on its fixed maturity securities available-for-sale of $23,433,000 and $51,318,000, respectively.  The fluctuation in the fair value of these investments is primarily due to changes in the interest rate environment during this time period, but also reflects fluctuations in risk premium spreads over U.S. Treasuries.  Since the Company does not actively trade in the bond market, such fluctuations in the fair value of these investments are not expected to have a material impact on the operations of the Company, as forced liquidations of investments are not anticipated.  The Company closely monitors the bond market and makes appropriate adjustments in its portfolio as conditions warrant.
The majority of the Company’s assets are invested in fixed maturity securities.  These investments provide a substantial amount of investment income that supplements underwriting results and contributes to net earnings.  As these investments mature, or are called, the proceeds are reinvested at current interest rates, which may be higher or lower than those now being earned; therefore, more or less investment income may be available to contribute to net earnings.  Due to the prolonged low interest rate environment, proceeds from calls and maturities in recent years have been reinvested at lower yields, which has had a negative impact on investment income.
The Company held $865,000 and $863,000 in minority ownership interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  The Company does not hold any other unregistered securities.
The Company’s cash balance was $506,000 and $330,000 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
During the first six months of 2013, Employers Mutual made no contributions to its qualified pension plan or postretirement benefit plans.  The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s 2013 planned contributions to its pension plan and the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust, if made, will be approximately $4,500,000 and $1,200,000, respectively.
During the first six months of 2012, Employers Mutual contributed $1,000,000 to its qualified pension plan (the Company's share of the contribution was $306,000), and made no contribution to the postretirement benefit plans.  The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual $4,589,000 for its share of the total 2012 qualified pension plan contribution and $434,000 for its share of the total 2012 postretirement benefit plans contribution.

Capital Resources
Capital resources consist of stockholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations.  For the Company’s insurance subsidiaries, capital resources are required to support premium writings.  Regulatory guidelines suggest that the ratio of a property and casualty insurer’s annual net premiums written to its statutory surplus should not exceed three to one.  On an annualized basis, all of the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries were well under this guideline at June 30, 2013.

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The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain a certain minimum level of surplus on a statutory basis, and are subject to regulations under which the payment of dividends from statutory surplus is restricted and may require prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities.  The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are also subject to annual Risk Based Capital (RBC) requirements that may further impact their ability to pay dividends.  RBC requirements attempt to measure minimum statutory capital needs based upon the risks in a company’s mix of products and investment portfolio.  At December 31, 2012, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had total adjusted statutory capital well in excess of the minimum RBC requirement.
The Company’s total cash and invested assets at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized as follows:
 
 
June 30, 2013
($ in thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
 
Fair
value
 
Percent of total
fair value
 
Carrying
value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
$
961,014

 
$
997,065

 
83.8
%
 
$
997,065

Equity securities available-for-sale
 
115,397

 
157,577

 
13.2

 
157,577

Cash
 
506

 
506

 

 
506

Short-term investments
 
33,922

 
33,922

 
2.9

 
33,922

Other long-term investments
 
865

 
865

 
0.1

 
865

 
 
$
1,111,704

 
$
1,189,935

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,189,935


 
 
December 31, 2012
($ in thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
 
Fair
value
 
Percent of total
fair value
 
Carrying
value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
$
920,844

 
$
999,795

 
83.7
%
 
$
999,795

Equity securities available-for-sale
 
111,852

 
140,294

 
11.7

 
140,294

Cash
 
330

 
330

 

 
330

Short-term investments
 
53,419

 
53,419

 
4.5

 
53,419

Other long-term investments
 
863

 
863

 
0.1

 
863

 
 
$
1,087,308

 
$
1,194,701

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,194,701



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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities at June 30, 2013 were as follows:
($ in thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
9,523

 
$
223

 
$
134

 
$
9,612

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
142,089

 
1,803

 
6,464

 
137,428

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
355,774

 
21,735

 
3,936

 
373,573

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
61,484

 
6,792

 
7

 
68,269

Residential mortgage-backed
 
88,193

 
1,294

 
1,480

 
88,007

Other asset-backed
 
9,110

 
1,270

 

 
10,380

Corporate
 
294,841

 
17,227

 
2,272

 
309,796

Total fixed maturity securities
 
961,014

 
50,344

 
14,293

 
997,065

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial services
 
19,149

 
6,659

 

 
25,808

Information technology
 
11,110

 
5,045

 
35

 
16,120

Healthcare
 
14,625

 
6,833

 

 
21,458

Consumer staples
 
10,249

 
2,976

 

 
13,225

Consumer discretionary
 
11,920

 
8,843

 

 
20,763

Energy
 
15,584

 
6,152

 
176

 
21,560

Industrials
 
7,777

 
2,473

 

 
10,250

Other
 
16,651

 
3,206

 
163

 
19,694

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
8,332

 
451

 
84

 
8,699

Total equity securities
 
115,397

 
42,638

 
458

 
157,577

Total securities available-for-sale
 
$
1,076,411

 
$
92,982

 
$
14,751

 
$
1,154,642


The Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have $25,000,000 of surplus notes issued to Employers Mutual.  Effective February 1, 2013, the interest rate on the surplus notes was reduced to 1.35 percent from the previous rate of 3.60 percent.  Reviews of the interest rate are conducted by the Inter-Company Committees of the boards of directors of the Company and Employers Mutual every five years, with the next review due in 2018.  Payments of interest and repayments of principal can only be made out of the applicable subsidiary’s statutory surplus and is subject to prior approval by the insurance commissioner of the respective states of domicile.  The surplus notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all obligations or liabilities of the applicable insurance subsidiaries.  Total interest expense incurred on these surplus notes was $216,000 and $450,000 during the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.  During the first quarter of 2013, the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries paid Employers Mutual for the interest that had been accrued on the surplus notes during 2012.
As of June 30, 2013, the Company had no material commitments for capital expenditures.


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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Employers Mutual collects from agents, policyholders and ceding companies all premiums associated with the insurance business produced by the pool participants and the assumed reinsurance business ceded to the reinsurance subsidiary. Employers Mutual settles with the pool participants (monthly) and the reinsurance subsidiary (quarterly) the premiums written from these insurance policies and reinsurance contracts, providing full credit for the premiums written during the period (not just the collected portion).  Due to this arrangement, and since a significant portion of these premium balances are collected over the course of the coverage period, Employers Mutual carries a substantial receivable balance for insurance and reinsurance premiums in process of collection.  Any of these receivable amounts that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible are charged-off by Employers Mutual and the expense is charged to the reinsurance subsidiary or allocated to the pool members on the basis of pool participation.  As a result, the Company has an off-balance sheet arrangement with an unconsolidated entity that results in a credit-risk exposure (Employers Mutual’s insurance and reinsurance premium receivable balances) that is not reflected in the Company’s financial statements.  The average annual expense for such charge-offs allocated to the Company over the past ten years is $325,000.  Based on this historical data, this credit-risk exposure is not considered to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position, and accordingly, no loss contingency liability has been recorded.

Investment Impairments and Considerations
The Company recorded no “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses during the second quarter of 2013, compared to $126,000 on two equity securities during the second quarter of 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company recognized "other-than-temporary" investment impairment losses totaling $21,000 on one equity security, compared to $126,000 on two equity securities during the same period of 2012.
The Company has no direct exposure to sub-prime residential lending, and holds no sub-prime residential collateralized debt obligations or sub-prime collateralized mortgage obligations.  The Company does have indirect exposure to sub-prime residential lending markets as it has significant holdings of government agency securities, prime and Alt-A collateralized mortgage obligations, as well as fixed maturity and equity securities in both the banking and financial services sectors.  While these holdings do not include companies engaged in originating residential lending as their primary business, they do include companies that may be indirectly engaged in this type of lending.
At June 30, 2013, the Company had unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities as presented in the table below.  The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.  None of these securities are considered to be in concentrations by either security type or industry.  The Company uses several factors to determine whether the carrying value of an individual security has been “other-than-temporarily” impaired.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the security’s value and performance in the context of the overall markets, length of time and extent the security’s fair value has been below carrying value, key corporate events and collateralization of fixed maturity securities.  Based on these factors, the absence of management’s intent to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity, and the fact that management does not anticipate that it will be forced to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity, it was determined that the carrying value of these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2013.  Risks and uncertainties inherent in the methodology utilized in this evaluation process include interest rate risk, equity price risk, and the overall performance of the economy, all of which have the potential to adversely affect the value of the Company’s investments.  Should a determination be made at some point in the future that these unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary”, the Company’s earnings would be reduced by approximately $9,588,000, net of tax; however, the Company’s financial position would not be affected because unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities are reflected in the Company’s financial statements as a component of stockholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes.

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Following is a schedule of the length of time securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2013.
 
 
Less than twelve months
 
Twelve months or longer
 
Total
($ in thousands)
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury
 
$
4,683

 
$
134

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,683

 
$
134

U.S. government-sponsored agencies
 
95,885

 
6,032

 
5,555

 
432

 
101,440

 
6,464

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
68,612

 
3,936

 

 

 
68,612

 
3,936

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
3,775

 
6

 
101

 
1

 
3,876

 
7

Residential mortgage-backed
 
43,516

 
1,480

 

 

 
43,516

 
1,480

Corporate
 
58,516

 
1,889

 
5,049

 
383

 
63,565

 
2,272

Total, fixed maturity securities
 
274,987

 
13,477

 
10,705

 
816

 
285,692

 
14,293

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information technology
 
1,255

 
35

 

 

 
1,255

 
35

Consumer Staples
 
30

 

 

 

 
30

 

Energy
 
3,165

 
176

 

 

 
3,165

 
176

Other
 
4,147

 
163

 

 

 
4,147

 
163

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 

 

 
1,916

 
84

 
1,916

 
84

Total, equity securities
 
8,597

 
374

 
1,916

 
84

 
10,513

 
458

Total temporarily impaired securities
 
$
283,584

 
$
13,851

 
$
12,621

 
$
900

 
$
296,205

 
$
14,751


The Company does not purchase non-investment grade fixed maturity securities.  Any non-investment grade fixed maturity securities held are the result of rating downgrades that occurred subsequent to their purchase.  At June 30, 2013, non-investment grade fixed maturity securities held by the Company included ten securities, all of which were residential mortgage-backed securities.  All of these securities were in an unrealized gain position at June 30, 2013 except one, which had a small amount of unrealized loss.
Following is a schedule of gross realized losses recognized in the first six months of 2013 from the sale of securities and from “other-than-temporary” investment impairments.  The schedule is aged according to the length of time the underlying securities were in an unrealized loss position.  This schedule does not include realized losses stemming from corporate actions such as calls, pay-downs, redemptions, etc.

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Realized losses from sales
 
"Other-than-
temporary"
impairment
losses
 
Total
gross
realized
losses
($ in thousands)
 
Book
value
 
Sales
price
 
Gross
realized
losses
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months or less
 
$
3,990

 
$
3,687

 
$
303

 
$

 
$
303

Over three months to six months
 
4,985

 
4,563

 
422

 

 
422

Over six months to nine months
 

 

 

 

 

Over nine months to twelve months
 

 

 

 

 

Over twelve months
 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities
 
8,975

 
8,250

 
725

 

 
725

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months or less
 
7,794

 
7,296

 
498

 
21

 
519

Over three months to six months
 

 

 

 

 

Over six months to nine months
 

 

 

 

 

Over nine months to twelve months
 
385

 
330

 
55

 

 
55

Over twelve months
 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal, equity securities
 
8,179

 
7,626

 
553

 
21

 
574

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total realized losses in earnings
 
$
17,154

 
$
15,876

 
$
1,278

 
$
21

 
$
1,299


LEASES, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
One of the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries leases office facilities in Bismarck, North Dakota with lease terms expiring in 2014.  Employers Mutual has entered into various leases for branch and service office facilities with lease terms expiring through 2021.  All of these lease costs are included as expenses under the pooling agreement.  The Company’s contractual obligations as of June 30, 2013 did not change materially from those presented in the Company’s 2012 Form 10-K.
The participants in the pooling agreement are subject to guaranty fund assessments by states in which they write business.  Guaranty fund assessments are used by states to pay policyholder liabilities of insolvent insurers domiciled in those states.  Many states allow assessments to be recovered through premium tax offsets.  Estimated guaranty fund assessments of $998,000 and $1,016,000 have been accrued as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  Premium tax offsets of $872,000 and $996,000, which are related to prior guarantee fund payments and current assessments, have been accrued as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  The guaranty fund assessments are expected to be paid over the next two years and the premium tax offsets are expected to be realized within ten years of the payments.  The participants in the pooling agreement are also subject to second-injury fund assessments, which are designed to encourage employers to employ workers with pre-existing disabilities.  Estimated second-injury fund assessments of $1,560,000 and $1,579,000 have been accrued as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  The second-injury fund assessment accruals are based on projected loss payments.  The periods over which the assessments will be paid is not known.
The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions.  Based on information provided by the life insurance companies on an annual basis, the Company’s share of case loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of those annuities was $165,000 at December 31, 2012.  The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $239,000 at December 31, 2012 should the issuers of those annuities fail to perform.  Although management is not able to verify the amount, the Company would likely have a similar contingent liability at June 30, 2013.  The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote.


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ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The main objectives in managing the Company’s investment portfolios are to maximize after-tax investment return while minimizing risk, in order to provide maximum support for the underwriting operations.  Investment strategies are developed based upon many factors including underwriting results, regulatory requirements, fluctuations in interest rates and consideration of other market risks.  Investment decisions are centrally managed by investment professionals and are supervised by the investment committees of the respective boards of directors for each of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments, and is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying assets are traded.  The market risks of the financial instruments of the Company relate to the investment portfolio, which exposes the Company to interest rate (inclusive of credit spreads) and equity price risk and, to a lesser extent, credit quality and prepayment risk.  Monitoring systems and analytical tools are in place to assess each of these elements of market risk; however, there can be no assurance that future changes in interest rates, creditworthiness of issuers, prepayment activity, liquidity available in the market and other general market conditions will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial position.
Two categories of influences on market risk exist as it relates to financial instruments.  First are systematic aspects, which relate to the investing environment and are out of the control of the investment manager.  Second are non-systematic aspects, which relate to the construction of the investment portfolio through investment policies and decisions, and are under the direct control of the investment manager.  The Company is committed to controlling non-systematic risk through sound investment policies and diversification.
Further analysis of the components of the Company’s market risk (including interest rate risk, equity price risk, credit quality risk, and prepayment risk) can be found in the Company’s 2012 Form 10-K.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely making known to them material information relating to the Company and the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second quarter ended June 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table sets forth information regarding purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers for the three months ended June 30, 2013:
Period
 
(a) Total
number of
shares
(or units)
purchased (1)
 
(b) Average
price
paid
per share
(or unit)
 
(c) Total number
of shares (or
units) purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans
or programs (2)
 
(d) Maximum number
(or approximate dollar
value) of shares
(or units) that may yet
be purchased under the
plans or programs (2 & 3)
4/1/2013 - 4/30/0213
 

 
$

 

 
$
19,490,561

5/1/2013 - 5/31/2013
 

 

 

 
19,490,561

6/1/2013 - 6/30/2013
 
7,820

 
26.49

 

 
19,490,561

Total
 
7,820

 
$
26.49

 

 
 

(1)
This represents shares that were purchased in the open market during the month of June under Employers Mutual Casualty Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Effective March 14, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors temporarily suspended the issuance of shares of common stock under the Company’s Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”).  As a result, dividend reinvestments and optional cash purchases are not currently permitted under the Plan.  On March 29, 2013, the Company filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering 661,185 shares of common stock for use in the Plan, which will be available for the third quarter dividend payment.
(2)
On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15,000,000 stock repurchase program.  This program became effective immediately and does not have an expiration date.  No purchases have been made under this program.
(3)
On May 12, 2005, the Company announced that its parent company, Employers Mutual Casualty Company, had initiated a $15,000,000 stock purchase program under which Employers Mutual would purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market.  This purchase program became effective immediately and does not have an expiration date; however, this program has been dormant while the Company’s repurchase programs have been in effect.  A total of $4,490,561 remains in this program.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
31.1
 
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on August 8, 2013.

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.
Registrant
 
/s/ Bruce G. Kelley
Bruce G. Kelley
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Mark E. Reese
Mark E. Reese
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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Table of Contents

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit number
Item
 
 
31.1*
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
31.2*
Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32.1*
Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32.2*
Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
101.INS**
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
*
Filed herewith
**
Furnished, not filed

53