Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020
or
☐
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-09518
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio
34-0963169
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6300 Wilson Mills Road,
Mayfield Village,
Ohio
44143
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(440) 461-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $1.00 Par Value
PGR
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Shares, $1.00 par value: 585,597,988 outstanding at September 30, 2020
1
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
The Progressive Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
Three Months
Nine Months
Periods Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
(millions — except per share amounts)
Revenues
Net premiums earned
$
9,973.5
$
9,012.2
$
29,052.8
$
26,296.7
Investment income
230.5
263.0
715.5
777.2
Net realized gains (losses) on securities:
Net realized gains (losses) on security sales
195.9
71.7
771.1
185.3
Net holding period gains (losses) on securities
336.7
31.8
98.7
536.9
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
0
(38.1)
0
(62.4)
Total net realized gains (losses) on securities
532.6
65.4
869.8
659.8
Fees and other revenues
151.8
138.4
434.8
403.4
Service revenues
58.8
51.5
169.4
144.1
Total revenues
10,947.2
9,530.5
31,242.3
28,281.2
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
6,713.1
6,426.3
18,189.7
18,323.4
Policy acquisition costs
835.2
751.5
2,413.5
2,200.7
Other underwriting expenses
1,330.9
1,240.3
4,179.7
3,643.0
Policyholder credit expense
29.0
0
1,062.4
0
Investment expenses
4.7
5.9
14.5
18.3
Service expenses
54.4
48.7
154.7
132.1
Interest expense
56.4
47.5
160.8
142.3
Total expenses
9,023.7
8,520.2
26,175.3
24,459.8
Net Income
Income before income taxes
1,923.5
1,010.3
5,067.0
3,821.4
Provision for income taxes
392.7
166.7
1,046.7
916.0
Net income
1,530.8
843.6
4,020.3
2,905.4
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (NCI)
0
(1.9)
0
(5.9)
Net income attributable to Progressive
1,530.8
841.7
4,020.3
2,899.5
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in:
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed-maturity securities
(24.6)
58.1
605.6
636.6
Net unrealized losses on forecasted transactions
0.2
0.2
0.6
0.6
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(24.4)
58.3
606.2
637.2
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to NCI
0
(0.9)
0
(5.8)
Comprehensive income attributable to Progressive
$
1,506.4
$
899.1
$
4,626.5
$
3,530.9
Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
Net income attributable to Progressive
$
1,530.8
$
841.7
$
4,020.3
$
2,899.5
Less: Preferred share dividends
6.7
6.7
20.1
20.1
Net income available to common shareholders
$
1,524.1
$
835.0
$
4,000.2
$
2,879.4
Average common shares outstanding - Basic
585.1
584.1
584.9
583.7
Net effect of dilutive stock-based compensation
2.7
3.0
2.8
3.6
Total average equivalent common shares - Diluted
587.8
587.1
587.7
587.3
Basic: Earnings per common share
$
2.60
$
1.43
$
6.84
$
4.93
Diluted: Earnings per common share
$
2.59
$
1.42
$
6.81
$
4.90
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
2
The Progressive Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
September 30,
December 31,
(millions — except per share amount)
2020
2019
2019
Assets
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:
Fixed maturities (amortized cost: $35,082.8, $32,134.9, and $32,643.1)
$
36,313.5
$
32,812.7
$
33,110.3
Short-term investments (amortized cost: $4,667.8, $1,467.4, and $1,798.8)
4,667.8
1,467.4
1,798.8
Total available-for-sale securities
40,981.3
34,280.1
34,909.1
Equity securities, at fair value:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks (cost: $1,302.7, $1,054.2, and $971.3)
1,323.2
1,128.5
1,038.9
Common equities (cost: $1,130.0, $1,210.3, and $1,125.5)
3,459.8
3,165.1
3,306.3
Total equity securities
4,783.0
4,293.6
4,345.2
Total investments
45,764.3
38,573.7
39,254.3
Cash and cash equivalents
90.1
45.9
226.2
Restricted cash
1.0
0.3
1.2
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
91.1
46.2
227.4
Accrued investment income
181.5
182.5
181.3
Premiums receivable, net of allowance of $313.2, $258.8, and $283.2
8,574.3
7,687.2
7,507.3
Reinsurance recoverables
3,987.3
3,298.4
3,378.9
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
463.4
458.8
626.5
Deferred acquisition costs
1,265.0
1,093.7
1,056.5
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,264.5, $1,085.3, and $1,138.1
1,181.6
1,214.2
1,213.7
Goodwill
452.7
452.7
452.7
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $312.0, $299.4, and $314.0
185.5
242.9
228.3
Other assets
744.1
757.8
768.4
Total assets
$
62,890.8
$
54,008.1
$
54,895.3
Liabilities
Unearned premiums
$
14,199.3
$
12,526.5
$
12,388.8
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
19,589.2
17,370.0
18,105.4
Net deferred income taxes
213.9
136.0
132.5
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities
5,405.8
5,222.9
5,962.7
Debt1
5,395.4
4,406.5
4,407.1
Total liabilities
44,803.6
39,661.9
40,996.5
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (NCI)2
0
222.9
225.6
Shareholders’ Equity
Serial Preferred Shares (authorized 20.0)
Serial Preferred Shares, Series B, no par value (cumulative, liquidation preference $1,000 per share) (authorized, issued, and outstanding 0.5)
493.9
493.9
493.9
Common shares, $1.00 par value (authorized 900.0; issued 797.5, including treasury shares of 211.9, 212.9, and 212.9)
585.6
584.6
584.6
Paid-in capital
1,629.4
1,539.1
1,573.4
Retained earnings
14,427.7
10,995.2
10,679.6
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed-maturity securities
966.4
531.0
360.8
Net unrealized losses on forecasted transactions
(15.8)
(16.6)
(16.4)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to NCI
0
(3.9)
(2.7)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Progressive
950.6
510.5
341.7
Total shareholders’ equity
18,087.2
14,123.3
13,673.2
Total liabilities, redeemable NCI, and shareholders’ equity
$
62,890.8
$
54,008.1
$
54,895.3
1 Consists of both short-term and long-term debt, including $500 million principal amount of 3.75% Senior Notes due August 2021. See Note 4 – Debt for further discussion.
2See Note 12 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for further discussion.
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
The Progressive Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(unaudited)
Three Months
Nine Months
Periods Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
(millions — except per share amounts)
Serial Preferred Shares, No Par Value
Balance, beginning of period
$
493.9
$
493.9
$
493.9
$
493.9
Balance, end of period
493.9
493.9
493.9
493.9
Common Shares, $1.00 Par Value
Balance, beginning of period
585.4
584.1
584.6
583.2
Treasury shares purchased
(0.5)
(0.7)
(0.9)
(1.2)
Net restricted equity awards issued/vested
0.7
1.2
1.9
2.6
Balance, end of period
585.6
584.6
585.6
584.6
Paid-In Capital
Balance, beginning of period
1,614.5
1,523.3
1,573.4
1,479.0
Amortization of equity-based compensation
16.7
18.6
61.9
64.7
Treasury shares purchased
(1.5)
(2.0)
(2.5)
(3.1)
Net restricted equity awards issued/vested
(0.7)
(1.2)
(1.9)
(2.6)
Reinvested dividends on restricted stock units
0.4
0.4
1.1
1.3
Adjustment to carrying amount of redeemable noncontrolling interest
0
0
(2.6)
(0.2)
Balance, end of period
1,629.4
1,539.1
1,629.4
1,539.1
Retained Earnings
Balance, beginning of period
13,001.8
10,276.4
10,679.6
8,386.6
Net income attributable to Progressive
1,530.8
841.7
4,020.3
2,899.5
Treasury shares purchased
(43.4)
(57.0)
(71.1)
(83.8)
Cash dividends declared on common shares ($0.10, $0.10, $0.30, and $0.30 per share)
(58.5)
(58.4)
(175.3)
(175.0)
Cash dividends declared on Serial Preferred Shares, Series B ($26.875, $26.875, $53.750, and $53.750 per share)
(13.4)
(13.4)
(26.8)
(26.8)
Reinvested dividends on restricted stock units
(0.4)
(0.4)
(1.1)
(1.3)
Other, net
10.8
6.3
2.1
(4.0)
Balance, end of period
14,427.7
10,995.2
14,427.7
10,995.2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Progressive
Balance, beginning of period
975.0
453.1
341.7
(120.9)
Attributable to noncontrolling interest
0
(0.9)
2.7
(5.8)
Other comprehensive income
(24.4)
58.3
606.2
637.2
Balance, end of period
950.6
510.5
950.6
510.5
Total shareholders’ equity
$
18,087.2
$
14,123.3
$
18,087.2
$
14,123.3
There are 5.0 million Voting Preference Shares authorized; no such shares have been issued.
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
The Progressive Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
(millions)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income
$
4,020.3
$
2,905.4
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
201.2
171.0
Amortization of intangible assets
42.8
51.7
Net amortization of fixed-income securities
72.4
14.1
Amortization of equity-based compensation
61.9
64.7
Net realized (gains) losses on securities
(869.8)
(659.8)
Net (gains) losses on disposition of property and equipment
4.8
(0.1)
Changes in:
Premiums receivable
(1,067.0)
(1,190.1)
Reinsurance recoverables
(608.4)
(602.3)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
163.1
(149.1)
Deferred acquisition costs
(208.5)
(142.1)
Income taxes
(78.1)
179.7
Unearned premiums
1,810.5
1,840.0
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
1,483.8
1,969.2
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities
319.7
920.5
Other, net
9.6
(239.4)
Net cash provided by operating activities
5,358.3
5,133.4
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases:
Fixed maturities
(25,974.9)
(20,105.3)
Equity securities
(781.8)
(291.9)
Sales:
Fixed maturities
18,412.9
12,112.9
Equity securities
396.2
175.7
Maturities, paydowns, calls, and other:
Fixed maturities
5,766.8
4,236.7
Equity securities
79.0
22.8
Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments
(2,844.1)
356.8
Net unsettled security transactions
457.3
280.6
Purchases of property and equipment
(176.4)
(281.2)
Sales of property and equipment
13.5
39.9
Net cash used in investing activities
(4,651.5)
(3,453.0)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Dividends paid to common shareholders
(1,492.4)
(1,584.7)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders
(26.8)
(26.8)
Acquisition of treasury shares for restricted stock tax liabilities
(67.0)
(81.2)
Acquisition of treasury shares acquired in open market
(7.5)
(6.9)
Acquisition of additional shares of ARX Holding Corp.
(243.0)
(11.2)
Net proceeds from debt issuances
986.3
0
Proceeds from exercise of equity options
7.3
1.6
Net cash used in financing activities
(843.1)
(1,709.2)
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
(136.3)
(28.8)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – January 1
227.4
75.0
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – September 30
$
91.1
$
46.2
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
The Progressive Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Note 1Basis of Presentation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Progressive Corporation, its wholly owned insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries, and affiliates. On April 1, 2020, The Progressive Corporation acquired the remaining outstanding stock of ARX Holding Corp. (ARX), bringing Progressive’s ownership interest of the outstanding capital stock of ARX to 100.0%, compared to 87.1% at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019. See Note 12 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for further discussion.
The consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, were necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the period ended September 30, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. These consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with Progressive’s audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in Exhibit 13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (“2019 Annual Report to Shareholders”).
We perform analyses to evaluate our premium receivables for expected credit losses. As part of these analyses, we determine historical collectability rates and modify those rates based on current economic assumptions, to establish estimates on default. These rates are applied to the stratified subsets of our consumer receivable balances, based on the age of the receivable, to establish an allowance for credit loss. Progressive’s premiums receivable are short-term in nature and, generally, premiums are collected prior to providing risk coverage, minimizing our exposure to credit risk.
The following table summarizes changes in our allowance for credit loss exposure on our premium receivables:
(millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Allowance for credit loss, beginning of period
$
437.9
$
283.2
Increase (decrease) in allowance1
(3.6)
362.9
Write-offs2
(121.1)
(332.9)
Allowance for credit loss, end of period
$
313.2
$
313.2
1Represents the incremental period increase (decrease) in other underwriting expenses.
2Represents portion of allowance that is reversed when premium receivables are written off.
To measure the amount of potential credit losses on our premiums receivable balances, we analyze our ultimate at-risk exposure of the receivables and apply actuarially determined factors to calculate our estimated credit loss based on historical and current collections experience, taking into account any unusual circumstances, such as moratoriums or other programs that may suspend collections. During the first and second quarters of 2020, we estimated the allowance for credit losses considering the impact from the moratoriums and billing leniency efforts that we put in place from mid-March through mid-May 2020, to help policyholders who may have been experiencing financial hardships as a result of the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and federal, state, and local social distancing and shelter-in-place restrictions (“COVID-19 restrictions”). During the third quarter, we reduced the allowance based on the actual collections that were recognized once the moratoriums and billing leniency efforts were lifted. Premiums receivable balances are written off once we have exhausted our collection efforts.
Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets include certain long-lived assets that are considered “held for sale.” The fair value of these held for sale assets, less the estimated sales costs, was $27.1 million at September 30, 2020, $43.7 million at September 30, 2019, and $32.9 million at December 31, 2019.
Included on our consolidated balance sheets are certain operating leases for office space, computer equipment, and vehicles. The leased assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and are included as a component of other assets, and the lease liabilities, represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the leases and are included as a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities.
6
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts of our operating leased assets and liabilities:
(millions)
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
Operating lease assets
$
174.1
$
190.5
$
188.2
Operating lease liabilities
186.2
204.1
201.5
See Note 13 – Leases in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders for further discussion.
Note 2Investments — The following tables present the composition of our investment portfolio by major security type, consistent with our classification of how we manage, monitor, and measure the portfolio. Our securities are reported in our consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The changes in fair value for our fixed-maturity securities (other than hybrid securities) are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, in our consolidated balance sheets. The net holding period gains (losses) reported below represent the inception-to-date changes in fair value of the securities. The changes in the net holding period gains (losses) between periods for the hybrid securities and equity securities are recorded as a component of net realized gains (losses) on securities in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. During the third quarter 2020, the portfolio’s valuation rose as markets continued to recover from their first quarter declines.
($ in millions)
Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Net Holding Period Gains (Losses)
Fair Value
% of Total Fair Value
September 30, 2020
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
$
9,835.1
$
370.3
$
(1.6)
$
0
$
10,203.8
22.3
%
State and local government obligations
4,382.1
148.2
(0.5)
0
4,529.8
9.9
Corporate debt securities
10,038.7
574.7
(3.6)
2.2
10,612.0
23.2
Residential mortgage-backed securities
525.4
7.0
(1.4)
0
531.0
1.2
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
5,964.4
117.1
(27.9)
0
6,053.6
13.2
Other asset-backed securities
4,155.8
46.8
(2.3)
0
4,200.3
9.2
Redeemable preferred stocks
181.3
2.5
(3.2)
2.4
183.0
0.4
Total fixed maturities
35,082.8
1,266.6
(40.5)
4.6
36,313.5
79.4
Short-term investments
4,667.8
0
0
0
4,667.8
10.2
Total available-for-sale securities
39,750.6
1,266.6
(40.5)
4.6
40,981.3
89.6
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
1,302.7
0
0
20.5
1,323.2
2.9
Common equities
1,130.0
0
0
2,329.8
3,459.8
7.5
Total equity securities
2,432.7
0
0
2,350.3
4,783.0
10.4
Total portfolio1,2
$
42,183.3
$
1,266.6
$
(40.5)
$
2,354.9
$
45,764.3
100.0
%
7
($ in millions)
Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Net Holding Period Gains (Losses)
Fair Value
% of Total Fair Value
September 30, 2019
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
$
13,387.6
$
300.3
$
(9.2)
$
0
$
13,678.7
35.4
%
State and local government obligations
1,652.2
32.6
(1.1)
0
1,683.7
4.4
Corporate debt securities
7,048.9
231.6
(0.4)
1.0
7,281.1
18.9
Residential mortgage-backed securities
677.5
5.5
(1.5)
0
681.5
1.8
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
4,547.9
93.0
(1.9)
0
4,639.0
12.0
Other asset-backed securities
4,601.0
21.5
(0.6)
0
4,621.9
12.0
Redeemable preferred stocks
219.8
4.4
(2.5)
5.1
226.8
0.6
Total fixed maturities
32,134.9
688.9
(17.2)
6.1
32,812.7
85.1
Short-term investments
1,467.4
0
0
0
1,467.4
3.8
Total available-for-sale securities
33,602.3
688.9
(17.2)
6.1
34,280.1
88.9
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
1,054.2
0
0
74.3
1,128.5
2.9
Common equities
1,210.3
0
0
1,954.8
3,165.1
8.2
Total equity securities
2,264.5
0
0
2,029.1
4,293.6
11.1
Total portfolio1,2
$
35,866.8
$
688.9
$
(17.2)
$
2,035.2
$
38,573.7
100.0
%
($ in millions)
Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Net Holding Period Gains (Losses)
Fair Value
% of Total Fair Value
December 31, 2019
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
$
13,100.7
$
194.1
$
(43.7)
$
0
$
13,251.1
33.7
%
State and local government obligations
1,686.0
30.0
(2.7)
0
1,713.3
4.4
Corporate debt securities
6,860.3
206.6
(0.5)
1.3
7,067.7
18.0
Residential mortgage-backed securities
625.0
4.5
(2.0)
0
627.5
1.6
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
5,020.7
61.5
(6.0)
0
5,076.2
12.9
Other asset-backed securities
5,164.7
16.2
(1.4)
0
5,179.5
13.2
Redeemable preferred stocks
185.7
4.1
(1.3)
6.5
195.0
0.5
Total fixed maturities
32,643.1
517.0
(57.6)
7.8
33,110.3
84.3
Short-term investments
1,798.8
0
0
0
1,798.8
4.6
Total available-for-sale securities
34,441.9
517.0
(57.6)
7.8
34,909.1
88.9
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
971.3
0
0
67.6
1,038.9
2.7
Common equities
1,125.5
0
0
2,180.8
3,306.3
8.4
Total equity securities
2,096.8
0
0
2,248.4
4,345.2
11.1
Total portfolio1,2
$
36,538.7
$
517.0
$
(57.6)
$
2,256.2
$
39,254.3
100.0
%
1Our portfolio reflects the effect of net unsettled security transactions; at September 30, 2020, we had $469.2 million in other liabilities, compared to $286.5 million and $11.9 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
2The total fair value of the portfolio at September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, included $2.8 billion, $1.5 billion, and $3.2 billion, respectively, of securities held in a consolidated, non-insurance subsidiary of the holding company, net of any unsettled security transactions.
8
At September 30, 2020, bonds and certificates of deposit in the principal amount of $281.1 million were on deposit to meet state insurance regulatory requirements. We did not hold any securities of any one issuer, excluding U.S. government obligations, with an aggregate cost or fair value exceeding 10% of total shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2020 and 2019, or December 31, 2019. At September 30, 2020, we did not hold any debt securities that were non-income producing during the preceding 12 months.
Short-Term Investments Our short-term investments may include commercial paper and other investments that are expected to mature or are redeemable within one year.
Although we invest in repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions from time to time, we did not have any open positions at September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019, and had $400.0 million in open reverse repurchase positions at September 30, 2019. To the extent we enter into repurchase or reverse repurchase transactions, consistent with past practice, we would elect not to offset these transactions and would report them on a gross basis on our consolidated balance sheets, despite the option to elect to offset these transactions as long as they were with the same counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement.
Hybrid Securities Included in our fixed-maturity securities are hybrid securities, which are reported at fair value:
September 30,
(millions)
2020
2019
December 31, 2019
Fixed maturities:
State and local government obligations
$
0
$
3.5
$
3.5
Corporate debt securities
101.0
91.3
91.2
Other asset-backed securities
18.7
3.0
2.6
Redeemable preferred stocks
122.5
90.7
92.1
Total hybrid securities
$
242.2
$
188.5
$
189.4
Certain securities in our portfolio are accounted for as hybrid securities because they contain embedded derivatives that are not deemed to be clearly and closely related to the host investments. Since the embedded derivatives (e.g., change-in-control put option, debt-to-equity conversion, or any other feature unrelated to the credit quality or risk of default of the issuer that could impact the amount or timing of our expected future cash flows) do not have observable intrinsic values, we have elected to record the changes in fair value of these securities through income as realized gains or losses.
Fixed MaturitiesThe composition of fixed maturities by maturity at September 30, 2020, was:
(millions)
Cost
Fair Value
Less than one year
$
5,794.9
$
5,827.6
One to five years
19,507.0
20,100.9
Five to ten years
9,319.7
9,900.1
Ten years or greater
461.2
484.9
Total
$
35,082.8
$
36,313.5
Asset-backed securities are classified in the maturity distribution table based upon their projected cash flows. All other securities, which do not have a single maturity date, are reported based upon expected average maturity. Contractual maturities may differ from expected maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
9
Gross Unrealized Losses The following tables show the composition of gross unrealized losses by major security type and by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
Total No. of Sec.
Total Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or Greater
($ in millions)
No. of Sec.
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
No. of Sec.
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
September 30, 2020
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
13
$
1,993.8
$
(1.6)
13
$
1,993.8
$
(1.6)
0
$
0
$
0
State and local government obligations
45
320.1
(0.5)
45
320.1
(0.5)
0
0
0
Corporate debt securities
28
537.8
(3.6)
28
537.8
(3.6)
0
0
0
Residential mortgage-backed securities
28
86.7
(1.4)
9
38.7
(1.0)
19
48.0
(0.4)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
77
1,794.8
(27.9)
46
1,170.4
(17.3)
31
624.4
(10.6)
Other asset-backed securities
22
191.5
(2.3)
11
146.5
(2.1)
11
45.0
(0.2)
Redeemable preferred stocks
1
9.3
(3.2)
0
0
0
1
9.3
(3.2)
Total fixed maturities
214
$
4,934.0
$
(40.5)
152
$
4,207.3
$
(26.1)
62
$
726.7
$
(14.4)
Total No. of Sec.
Total Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or Greater
($ in millions)
No. of Sec.
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
No. of Sec.
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
September 30, 2019
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
14
$
2,708.0
$
(9.2)
7
$
2,534.4
$
(8.9)
7
$
173.6
$
(0.3)
State and local government obligations
60
228.3
(1.1)
25
100.4
(0.7)
35
127.9
(0.4)
Corporate debt securities
24
245.5
(0.4)
5
77.2
(0.1)
19
168.3
(0.3)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
39
301.0
(1.5)
5
138.7
(0.1)
34
162.3
(1.4)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
48
743.3
(1.9)
26
361.9
(0.8)
22
381.4
(1.1)
Other asset-backed securities
55
529.4
(0.6)
20
359.1
(0.2)
35
170.3
(0.4)
Redeemable preferred stocks
3
57.2
(2.5)
2
45.9
(1.3)
1
11.3
(1.2)
Total fixed maturities
243
$
4,812.7
$
(17.2)
90
$
3,617.6
$
(12.1)
153
$
1,195.1
$
(5.1)
Total No. of Sec.
Total Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or Greater
($ in millions)
No. of Sec.
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
No. of Sec.
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2019
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
23
$
5,152.4
$
(43.7)
19
$
5,057.2
$
(43.6)
4
$
95.2
$
(0.1)
State and local government obligations
67
314.3
(2.7)
52
287.5
(2.6)
15
26.8
(0.1)
Corporate debt securities
16
247.6
(0.5)
12
191.4
(0.5)
4
56.2
0
Residential mortgage-backed securities
41
292.8
(2.0)
12
163.7
(0.9)
29
129.1
(1.1)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
98
1,742.4
(6.0)
79
1,400.0
(5.3)
19
342.4
(0.7)
Other asset-backed securities
61
1,000.6
(1.4)
43
938.5
(0.9)
18
62.1
(0.5)
Redeemable preferred stocks
1
11.2
(1.3)
0
0
0
1
11.2
(1.3)
Total fixed maturities
307
$
8,761.3
$
(57.6)
217
$
8,038.3
$
(53.8)
90
$
723.0
$
(3.8)
For securities in the table, during the third quarter 2020, we had no securities with credit rating upgrades and four securities that had their credit ratings downgraded, including two state and local government obligations and two commercial mortgage-backed securities, with a combined fair value of $47.5 million and an unrealized loss of $1.5 million as of September 30, 2020. A review of all securities in the table above indicated that the issuers were current with respect to their interest obligations and that there was no evidence of significant deterioration of the current cash flow projections that would indicate we would not receive the remaining principal at maturity.
10
Allowance For Credit and Uncollectible Losses We are required to measure the amount of potential credit losses for all fixed-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position. We did not record any allowances for credit losses or any write-offs for amounts deemed to be uncollectible for the first nine months of 2020 and did not have a credit loss allowance balance as of September 30, 2020. We considered several factors and inputs related to the individual securities as part of our analysis. The methodology and significant inputs used to measure the amount of credit losses in our portfolio included:
•current performance indicators on the business model or underlying assets (e.g., delinquency rates, foreclosure rates, and default rates);
•credit support (via current levels of subordination);
•historical credit ratings; and
•updated cash flow expectations based upon these performance indicators.
In order to determine the amount of credit loss, if any, we initially reviewed securities in a loss position to determine whether it was likely that we would be required, or intended, to sell any of the securities prior to the recovery of their respective cost bases (which could be maturity). If we were likely to, or intended to, sell prior to a potential recovery, we would write off the unrealized loss. For those securities that we determined we were not likely to, or intended to, sell prior to a potential recovery, we calculated the net present value (NPV) of the cash flows expected (i.e., expected recovery value) using the current book yield for each security. The NPV was then compared to the security’s current amortized value to determine if a credit loss existed. In the event that the net present value was below the amortized value, and the amount was determined to be material individually, or in aggregate, a credit loss would be deemed to exist, and either an allowance for credit losses would be created, or if an allowance currently existed, either a recovery of the previous allowance, or an incremental loss, would be recorded to realized gains (losses).
As of September 30, 2020, we believe none of the unrealized losses relate to material credit losses on any specific securities, or in the aggregate, based on our review. We continue to expect all the securities in our portfolio to pay their principal and interest obligations.
In addition, we reviewed our accrued investment income outstanding on those securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2020, to determine if the accrued interest amounts were determined to be uncollectible. Based on our analysis, we believe the issuers have sufficient liquidity and capital reserves to meet their current interest, and future principal, obligations and, therefore, did not write off any accrued income as uncollectible at September 30, 2020.
11
Realized Gains (Losses) The components of net realized gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, were:
Three Months
Nine Months
(millions)
2020
2019
2020
2019
Gross realized gains on security sales
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government obligations
$
90.2
$
41.5
$
565.8
$
113.0
State and local government obligations
43.9
1.8
58.9
4.0
Corporate and other debt securities
58.8
21.3
125.5
68.5
Residential mortgage-backed securities
0
0
0
0.2
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
5.0
2.6
15.4
6.2
Other asset-backed securities
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.8
Total available-for-sale securities
198.1
67.3
765.8
192.7
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
0.3
3.6
20.0
20.2
Common equities
2.0
4.7
77.1
9.4
Total equity securities
2.3
8.3
97.1
29.6
Subtotal gross realized gains on security sales
200.4
75.6
862.9
222.3
Gross realized losses on security sales
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government obligations
(1.5)
(1.5)
(4.8)
(13.9)
State and local government obligations
0
0
0
(0.7)
Corporate and other debt securities
0
(0.2)
(6.5)
(7.7)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
0
0
0
(2.3)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
(2.9)
0
(12.7)
(2.1)
Other asset-backed securities
0
0
0
(0.1)
Redeemable preferred stocks
0
(0.2)
0
(0.3)
Total available-for-sale securities
(4.4)
(1.9)
(24.0)
(27.1)
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
(0.1)
(2.0)
(7.5)
(2.0)
Common equities
0
0
(60.3)
(7.9)
Total equity securities
(0.1)
(2.0)
(67.8)
(9.9)
Subtotal gross realized losses on security sales
(4.5)
(3.9)
(91.8)
(37.0)
Net realized gains (losses) on security sales
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government obligations
88.7
40.0
561.0
99.1
State and local government obligations
43.9
1.8
58.9
3.3
Corporate and other debt securities
58.8
21.1
119.0
60.8
Residential mortgage-backed securities
0
0
0
(2.1)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
2.1
2.6
2.7
4.1
Other asset-backed securities
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.7
Redeemable preferred stocks
0
(0.2)
0
(0.3)
Total available-for-sale securities
193.7
65.4
741.8
165.6
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
0.2
1.6
12.5
18.2
Common equities
2.0
4.7
16.8
1.5
Total equity securities
2.2
6.3
29.3
19.7
Subtotal net realized gains (losses) on security sales
195.9
71.7
771.1
185.3
Net holding period gains (losses)
Hybrid securities
3.2
4.2
(3.2)
16.3
Equity securities
333.5
27.6
101.9
520.6
Subtotal net holding period gains (losses)
336.7
31.8
98.7
536.9
Impairment losses
Other asset impairment
0
(38.1)
0
(62.4)
Subtotal impairment losses
0
(38.1)
0
(62.4)
Total net realized gains (losses) on securities
$
532.6
$
65.4
$
869.8
$
659.8
Realized gains (losses) on securities sold are computed using the first-in-first-out method. During 2020, we sold U.S. Treasury securities in order to selectively increase holdings across the remainder of the portfolio, predominantly in our corporate debt securities. The sales in our common stock portfolio were the result of rebalancing the indexed equity portfolio. In addition, during the third quarter 2020, our common and nonredeemable preferred stocks’ valuations continued to experience a significant recovery.
For 2019, the other asset impairment losses related to federal renewable energy tax credit fund investments, which were reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, based on an analysis that our investments in those funds will not generate the cash flows that we anticipated.
12
The following table reflects our holding period realized gains (losses) on equity securities recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, for equity securities held at the respective quarter end:
Three Months
Nine Months
(millions)
2020
2019
2020
2019
Total net gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities
$
335.7
$
33.9
$
131.2
$
540.3
Less: Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities sold during the period
2.2
6.3
29.3
19.7
Net holding period gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities held at period end
$
333.5
$
27.6
$
101.9
$
520.6
Net Investment Income The components of net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, were:
Three Months
Nine Months
(millions)
2020
2019
2020
2019
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
$
36.7
$
75.8
$
135.0
$
198.7
State and local government obligations
18.5
8.7
44.2
26.9
Corporate debt securities
76.6
65.1
211.2
209.8
Residential mortgage-backed securities
0.8
5.4
8.8
16.6
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
37.3
35.6
114.2
100.7
Other asset-backed securities
22.6
31.4
76.6
85.5
Redeemable preferred stocks
2.5
3.9
12.5
16.1
Total fixed maturities
195.0
225.9
602.5
654.3
Short-term investments
6.2
7.1
26.9
34.3
Total available-for-sale securities
201.2
233.0
629.4
688.6
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
15.8
15.9
44.3
47.3
Common equities
13.5
14.1
41.8
41.3
Total equity securities
29.3
30.0
86.1
88.6
Investment income
230.5
263.0
715.5
777.2
Investment expenses
(4.7)
(5.9)
(14.5)
(18.3)
Net investment income
$
225.8
$
257.1
$
701.0
$
758.9
The amount of investment income (interest and dividends) we earn varies based on the average assets held during the year and the book yields of the securities in our portfolio. On a year-over-year basis, investment income decreased 12% for the third quarter and 8% for the first nine months, compared to the same periods last year, due to a decrease in the portfolio yield, which was partially offset by an increase in average assets. The recurring investment book yield decreased about 25% in the third quarter 2020 and 21% for the first nine months of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, as a result of investing cash from operations and reinvesting cash from sales, maturities, paydowns, and other redemptions at market yields that were significantly lower than the portfolio’s overall yield. The income reduction from the negative yield change was partially offset by an increase in income earned as a result of investing the $1.0 billion of proceeds from the debt issued during March 2020, as well as strong premium growth and underwriting profitability, net of common and preferred stock dividends. The portfolio’s duration at September 30, 2020 was 3.0 years, compared to 2.9 years at September 30, 2019. The decrease in investment expenses for both periods in 2020, compared to 2019, primarily reflects lower expenses incurred due to our decision to no longer maintain an actively managed portfolio, and lower incentive-based compensation recognized.
13
Note 3Fair Value — We have categorized our financial instruments, based on the degree of subjectivity inherent in the method by which they are valued, into a fair value hierarchy of three levels, as follows:
•Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments at the measurement date (e.g., U.S. government obligations, which are continually priced on a daily basis, active exchange-traded equity securities, and certain short-term securities).
•Level 2: Inputs (other than quoted prices included within Level 1) that are observable for the instrument either directly or indirectly (e.g., certain corporate and municipal bonds and certain preferred stocks). This includes: (i) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the instruments, and (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
•Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable. Unobservable inputs reflect our subjective evaluation about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument (e.g., certain structured securities and privately held investments).
Determining the fair value of the investment portfolio is the responsibility of management. As part of the responsibility, we evaluate whether a market is distressed or inactive in determining the fair value for our portfolio. We review certain market level inputs to evaluate whether sufficient activity, volume, and new issuances exist to create an active market. Based on this evaluation, we concluded that there was sufficient activity related to the sectors and securities for which we obtained valuations.
14
The composition of the investment portfolio by major security type and our outstanding debt was:
Fair Value
(millions)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Cost
September 30, 2020
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
$
10,203.8
$
0
$
0
$
10,203.8
$
9,835.1
State and local government obligations
0
4,529.8
0
4,529.8
4,382.1
Corporate debt securities
0
10,612.0
0
10,612.0
10,038.7
Subtotal
10,203.8
15,141.8
0
25,345.6
24,255.9
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed
0
531.0
0
531.0
525.4
Commercial mortgage-backed
0
6,053.6
0
6,053.6
5,964.4
Other asset-backed
0
4,200.3
0
4,200.3
4,155.8
Subtotal asset-backed securities
0
10,784.9
0
10,784.9
10,645.6
Redeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
0
49.2
0
49.2
51.2
Utilities
0
11.3
0
11.3
10.0
Industrials
10.1
112.4
0
122.5
120.1
Subtotal redeemable preferred stocks
10.1
172.9
0
183.0
181.3
Total fixed maturities
10,213.9
26,099.6
0
36,313.5
35,082.8
Short-term investments
4,506.2
161.6
0
4,667.8
4,667.8
Total available-for-sale securities
14,720.1
26,261.2
0
40,981.3
39,750.6
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
112.6
1,096.1
38.1
1,246.8
1,222.7
Utilities
0
40.7
0
40.7
39.9
Industrials
0
20.5
15.2
35.7
40.1
Subtotal nonredeemable preferred stocks
112.6
1,157.3
53.3
1,323.2
1,302.7
Common equities:
Common stocks
3,457.1
0
0
3,457.1
1,127.3
Other risk investments
0
0
2.7
2.7
2.7
Subtotal common equities
3,457.1
0
2.7
3,459.8
1,130.0
Total equity securities
3,569.7
1,157.3
56.0
4,783.0
2,432.7
Total portfolio
$
18,289.8
$
27,418.5
$
56.0
$
45,764.3
$
42,183.3
Debt
$
0
$
6,687.4
$
0
$
6,687.4
$
5,395.4
15
Fair Value
(millions)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Cost
September 30, 2019
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
$
13,678.7
$
0
$
0
$
13,678.7
$
13,387.6
State and local government obligations
0
1,683.7
0
1,683.7
1,652.2
Corporate debt securities
0
7,281.1
0
7,281.1
7,048.9
Subtotal
13,678.7
8,964.8
0
22,643.5
22,088.7
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed
0
681.5
0
681.5
677.5
Commercial mortgage-backed
0
4,639.0
0
4,639.0
4,547.9
Other asset-backed
0
4,621.9
0
4,621.9
4,601.0
Subtotal asset-backed securities
0
9,942.4
0
9,942.4
9,826.4
Redeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
0
51.7
0
51.7
51.7
Utilities
0
10.9
0
10.9
10.0
Industrials
11.2
153.0
0
164.2
158.1
Subtotal redeemable preferred stocks
11.2
215.6
0
226.8
219.8
Total fixed maturities
13,689.9
19,122.8
0
32,812.7
32,134.9
Short-term investments
1,464.9
2.5
0
1,467.4
1,467.4
Total available-for-sale securities
15,154.8
19,125.3
0
34,280.1
33,602.3
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
82.2
967.1
27.1
1,076.4
1,004.3
Utilities
0
42.1
0
42.1
39.9
Industrials
0
5.0
5.0
10.0
10.0
Subtotal nonredeemable preferred stocks
82.2
1,014.2
32.1
1,128.5
1,054.2
Common equities:
Common stocks
3,164.8
0
0
3,164.8
1,210.0
Other risk investments
0
0
0.3
0.3
0.3
Subtotal common equities
3,164.8
0
0.3
3,165.1
1,210.3
Total equity securities
3,247.0
1,014.2
32.4
4,293.6
2,264.5
Total portfolio
$
18,401.8
$
20,139.5
$
32.4
$
38,573.7
$
35,866.8
Debt
$
0
$
5,113.3
$
0
$
5,113.3
$
4,406.5
16
Fair Value
(millions)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Cost
December 31, 2019
Fixed maturities:
U.S. government obligations
$
13,251.1
$
0
$
0
$
13,251.1
$
13,100.7
State and local government obligations
0
1,713.3
0
1,713.3
1,686.0
Corporate debt securities
0
7,067.7
0
7,067.7
6,860.3
Subtotal
13,251.1
8,781.0
0
22,032.1
21,647.0
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed
0
627.5
0
627.5
625.0
Commercial mortgage-backed
0
5,076.2
0
5,076.2
5,020.7
Other asset-backed
0
5,179.5
0
5,179.5
5,164.7
Subtotal asset-backed securities
0
10,883.2
0
10,883.2
10,810.4
Redeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
0
51.7
0
51.7
51.5
Utilities
0
11.1
0
11.1
10.0
Industrials
11.1
121.1
0
132.2
124.2
Subtotal redeemable preferred stocks
11.1
183.9
0
195.0
185.7
Total fixed maturities
13,262.2
19,848.1
0
33,110.3
32,643.1
Short-term investments
1,797.4
1.4
0
1,798.8
1,798.8
Total available-for-sale securities
15,059.6
19,849.5
0
34,909.1
34,441.9
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
77.4
850.7
27.1
955.2
891.3
Utilities
0
42.3
0
42.3
39.9
Industrials
0
25.4
16.0
41.4
40.1
Subtotal nonredeemable preferred stocks
77.4
918.4
43.1
1,038.9
971.3
Common equities:
Common stocks
3,306.0
0
0
3,306.0
1,125.2
Other risk investments
0
0
0.3
0.3
0.3
Subtotal common equities
3,306.0
0
0.3
3,306.3
1,125.5
Total equity securities
3,383.4
918.4
43.4
4,345.2
2,096.8
Total portfolio
$
18,443.0
$
20,767.9
$
43.4
$
39,254.3
$
36,538.7
Debt
$
0
$
5,119.6
$
0
$
5,119.6
$
4,407.1
Our portfolio valuations, excluding short-term investments, classified as either Level 1 or Level 2 in the above tables are priced exclusively by external sources, including: pricing vendors, dealers/market makers, and exchange-quoted prices.
Our short-term investments classified as Level 1 are highly liquid, actively marketed, and have a very short duration, primarily 90 days or less to redemption. These securities are held at their original cost, adjusted for any accretion of discount, since that value very closely approximates what an active market participant would be willing to pay for such securities. The remainder of our short-term investments are classified as Level 2 and are not priced externally since these securities continually trade at par value. These securities are classified as Level 2 since they are primarily longer-dated securities issued by municipalities that contain either liquidity facilities or mandatory put features within one year.
At September 30, 2020, vendor-quoted prices represented 75% of our Level 1 classifications (excluding short-term investments), compared to 81% and 80% at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The securities quoted by vendors in Level 1 primarily represent our holdings in U.S. Treasury Notes, which are frequently traded, and the quotes are considered similar to exchange-traded quotes. The balance of our Level 1 pricing comes from quotes obtained directly from trades made on active exchanges.
17
At September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, vendor-quoted prices comprised 99% of our Level 2 classifications (excluding short-term investments), while dealer-quoted prices represented the remaining 1%. In our process for selecting a source (e.g., dealer or pricing service) to provide pricing for securities in our portfolio, we reviewed documentation from the sources that detailed the pricing techniques and methodologies used by these sources and determined if their policies adequately considered market activity, either based on specific transactions for the particular security type or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield, and structure that were recently transacted. Once a source is chosen, we continue to monitor any changes or modifications to their processes by reviewing their documentation on internal controls for pricing and market reviews. We review quality control measures of our sources as they become available to determine if any significant changes have occurred from period to period that might indicate issues or concerns regarding their evaluation or market coverage.
As part of our pricing procedures, we obtain quotes from more than one source to help us fully evaluate the market price of securities. However, our internal pricing policy is to use a consistent source for individual securities in order to maintain the integrity of our valuation process. Quotes obtained from the sources are not considered binding offers to transact. Under our policy, when a review of the valuation received from our selected source appears to be outside of what is considered market level activity (which is defined as trading at spreads or yields significantly different than those of comparable securities or outside the general sector level movement without a reasonable explanation), we may use an alternate source’s price. To the extent we determine that it may be prudent to substitute one source’s price for another, we will contact the initial source to obtain an understanding of the factors that may be contributing to the significant price variance.
To allow us to determine if our initial source is providing a price that is outside of a reasonable range, we review our portfolio pricing on at least a weekly basis. When necessary, we challenge prices from our sources when a price provided does not match our expectations based on our evaluation of market trends and activity. Initially, we perform a review of our portfolio by sector to identify securities whose prices appear outside of a reasonable range. We then perform a more detailed review of fair values for securities disclosed as Level 2. We review dealer bids and quotes for these and/or similar securities to determine the market level context for our valuations. We then evaluate inputs relevant for each class of securities disclosed in the preceding hierarchy tables.
For our structured debt securities, including commercial, residential, and asset-backed securities, we evaluate available market-related data for these, and similar securities, related to collateral, delinquencies, and defaults for historical trends and reasonably estimable projections, as well as historical prepayment rates and current prepayment assumptions and cash flow estimates. We further stratify each class of our structured debt securities into more finite sectors (e.g., planned amortization class, first pay, second pay, senior, subordinated, etc.) and use duration, credit quality, and coupon to determine if the fair value is appropriate.
For our corporate debt and preferred stock (redeemable and nonredeemable) portfolios, as well as the notes issued by The Progressive Corporation (see Note 4 – Debt), we review securities by duration, coupon, and credit quality, as well as changes in interest rate and credit spread movements within that stratification. The review also includes recent trades, including: volume traded at various levels that establish a market, issuer specific fundamentals, and industry specific economic news as it comes to light.
For our municipal securities (e.g., general obligations, revenue, and housing), we stratify the portfolio to evaluate securities by type, coupon, credit quality, and duration to review price changes relative to credit spread and interest rate changes. Additionally, we look to economic data as it relates to geographic location as an indication of price-to-call or maturity predictors. For municipal housing securities, we look to changes in cash flow projections, both historical and reasonably estimable projections, to understand yield changes and their effect on valuation.
Lastly, for our short-term securities, we look at acquisition price relative to the coupon or yield. Since our short-term securities are typically 90 days or less to maturity, with the majority listed in Level 2 being 30 days or less to redemption, we believe that acquisition price is the best estimate of fair value.
We also review data assumptions as supplied by our sources to determine if that data is relevant to current market conditions. In addition, we independently review each sector for transaction volumes, new issuances, and changes in spreads, as well as the overall movement of interest rates along the yield curve to determine if sufficient activity and liquidity exists to provide a credible source for our market valuations.
18
During each valuation period, we create internal estimations of portfolio valuation (performance returns), based on current market-related activity (i.e., interest rate and credit spread movements and other credit-related factors) within each major sector of our portfolio. We compare our internally generated portfolio results with those generated based on quotes we receive externally and research material valuation differences. We compare our results to index returns for each major sector adjusting for duration and credit quality differences to better understand our portfolio’s results. Additionally, we review on a monthly basis our external sales transactions and compare the actual final market sales prices to previous market valuation prices. This review provides us further validation that our pricing sources are providing market level prices, since we explain significant price changes (i.e., greater than 2%) as known events occur in the marketplace and affect a security’s price at sale.
This analysis provides us with additional comfort regarding the source’s process, the quality of its review, and its willingness to improve its analysis based on feedback from clients. We believe this effort helps ensure that we are reporting the most representative fair values for our securities.
Except as described below, our Level 3 securities are also priced externally; however, due to several factors (e.g., nature of the securities, level of activity, and lack of similar securities trading to obtain observable market level inputs), these valuations are more subjective in nature. Certain private equity investments included in the Level 3 category are valued using external pricing supplemented by internal review and analysis.
After all the valuations are received and our review is complete, if the inputs used by vendors are determined to not contain sufficient observable market information, we will reclassify the affected security valuations to Level 3. At September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, we did not have any securities in our fixed-maturity portfolio listed as Level 3.
At September 30, 2020, we held four private nonredeemable preferred securities that were priced internally or by a pricing firm, compared to two securities at September 30, 2019 and three securities at December 31, 2019. At September 30, 2020, we held two Level 3 other risk investments that were priced using the cost method, compared to one Level 3 other risk investment at both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
To the extent we receive prices from external sources for the Level 3 securities, we would review those prices for reasonableness using internally developed assumptions and then compare our derived prices to the prices we received. During 2020 and 2019, there were no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. During the second quarter 2020, we purchased a new Level 3 nonredeemable preferred security and we determined that the fair value at September 30, 2020 should continue to be the unadjusted purchase price. The remaining Level 3 nonredeemable preferred securities were priced in-house, using a capitalization-based model of similarly structured public company competitors and a weighted average capitalization formula (i.e., guideline public company method) to calculate a valuation change for our securities. We utilized this methodology at March 31, 2020, rather than having our external pricing source update their valuation models, due to the timing of the market decline relative to the end of the first quarter. Based on subsequent market evaluations, we determined the same valuation methodology was still appropriate at both June 30, and September 30, 2020. Based on our review, all prices received from external sources for 2019 remained unadjusted. Due to the relative size of the Level 3 securities’ fair values compared to the total portfolio’s fair value, any changes in pricing methodology would not have a significant change in valuation that would materially impact net or comprehensive income.
The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value associated with Level 3 assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Level 3 Fair Value
(millions)
Fair Value at June 30, 2020
Calls/ Maturities/ Paydowns
Purchases
Sales
Net Realized (Gain)/Loss on Sales
Change in Valuation
Net Transfers In (Out)
Fair Value at September 30, 2020
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
$
38.1
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
38.1
Industrials
15.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
15.2
Common equities:
Other risk investments
0.3
0
2.4
0
0
0
0
2.7
Total Level 3 securities
$
53.6
$
0
$
2.4
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
56.0
19
Level 3 Fair Value
(millions)
Fair Value at June 30, 2019
Calls/ Maturities/ Paydowns
Purchases
Sales
Net Realized (Gain)/Loss on Sales
Change in Valuation
Net Transfers In (Out)
Fair Value at September 30, 2019
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
$
27.1
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
27.1
Industrials
5.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.0
Common equities:
Other risk investments
0.3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.3
Total Level 3 securities
$
32.4
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
32.4
Level 3 Fair Value
(millions)
Fair Value at December 31, 2019
Calls/ Maturities/ Paydowns
Purchases
Sales
Net Realized (Gain)/Loss on Sales
Change in Valuation
Net Transfers In (Out)
Fair Value at September 30, 2020
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
$
27.1
$
0
$
25.0
$
0
$
0
$
(14.0)
$
0
$
38.1
Industrials
16.0
0
0
0
0
(0.8)
0
15.2
Common equities:
Other risk investments
0.3
0
2.4
0
0
0
0
2.7
Total Level 3 securities
$
43.4
$
0
$
27.4
$
0
$
0
$
(14.8)
$
0
$
56.0
Level 3 Fair Value
(millions)
Fair Value at December 31, 2018
Calls/ Maturities/ Paydowns
Purchases
Sales
Net Realized (Gain)/Loss on Sales
Change in Valuation
Net Transfers In (Out)
Fair Value at September 30, 2019
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
$
25.1
$
0
$
2.0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
27.1
Industrials
5.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.0
Common equities:
Other risk investments
0.3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.3
Total Level 3 securities
$
30.4
$
0
$
2.0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
32.4
20
The following tables provide a summary of the quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for our applicable securities at September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019:
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
($ in millions)
Fair Value at September 30, 2020
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Unobservable Input Assumption
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
$
13.1
Guideline public company method
Weighted average capitalization %
(51.5)
Financials1
25.0
Internal price
Unadjusted purchase price per share
3.7
Industrials
15.2
Guideline public company method
Weighted average capitalization %
(19.2)
Subtotal Level 3 securities
53.3
Pricing exemption securities
2.7
Total Level 3 securities
$
56.0
1 The security was purchased in May 2020 and the valuation remained the same at September 30, 2020.
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
($ in millions)
Fair Value at September 30, 2019
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Unobservable Input Assumption
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials1
$
27.1
Internal price
Unadjusted purchase price per share
9.0
Industrials
5.0
Internal price
Price-to-sales ratio
5.5
Subtotal Level 3 securities
32.1
Pricing exemption securities
0.3
Total Level 3 securities
$
32.4
1 The security was purchased in December 2018.
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
($ in millions)
Fair Value at December 31, 2019
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Unobservable Input Assumption
Equity securities:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks:
Financials
$
27.1
Pricing firm
Recent transaction price per share
9.0
Industrials
6.0
Pricing firm
Performance-based transaction price adjustment per share
4.8
Industrials1
10.0
Internal price
Unadjusted purchase price per share
4.9
Subtotal Level 3 securities
43.1
Pricing exemption securities
0.3
Total Level 3 securities
$
43.4
1 The security was purchased in November 2019.
21
Note 4Debt — Debt at each of the balance sheet periods consisted of:
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
(millions)
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
3.75% Senior Notes due 2021
$
499.7
$
515.3
$
499.3
$
516.5
$
499.4
$
515.6
2.45% Senior Notes due 2027
497.2
532.0
496.8
502.1
496.9
501.5
6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2029
296.8
411.4
296.5
392.2
296.6
392.5
4.00% Senior Notes due 2029
545.3
662.5
544.9
617.0
545.0
614.3
3.20% Senior Notes due 2030
496.0
572.4
0
0
0
0
6.25% Senior Notes due 2032
395.9
587.2
395.7
547.2
395.7
552.6
4.35% Senior Notes due 2044
346.7
450.5
346.6
414.7
346.7
417.0
3.70% Senior Notes due 2045
395.5
473.5
395.4
431.8
395.4
434.2
4.125% Senior Notes due 2047
841.7
1,078.5
841.5
987.4
841.6
986.1
4.20% Senior Notes due 2048
590.0
775.3
589.8
704.4
589.8
705.8
3.95% Senior Notes due 2050
490.6
628.8
0
0
0
0
Total
$
5,395.4
$
6,687.4
$
4,406.5
$
5,113.3
$
4,407.1
$
5,119.6
The Progressive Corporation issued $500 million of 3.20% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “3.20% Senior Notes”) and $500 million of 3.95% Senior Notes due 2050 (the “3.95% Senior Notes”) in March 2020, in an underwritten public offering. The net proceeds from the issuances, after deducting underwriters’ discounts, commissions, and other issuance costs, were approximately $986.3 million in aggregate. Consistent with the other senior notes issued by Progressive, interest on the 3.20% and 3.95% Senior Notes is payable semiannually, principal is due at maturity, and the notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time, subject to treasury “make whole” provisions.
During the second quarter 2020, The Progressive Corporation renewed the line of credit with PNC Bank, National Association (PNC), in the maximum principal amount of $250 million, that expired in April 2020. Subject to the terms and conditions of the line of credit documents, advances under the line of credit (if any) will bear interest at a variable rate equal to the higher of PNC’s Prime Rate or the sum of the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 175 basis points. Each advance must be repaid on the 30th day after the advance or, if earlier, on April 30, 2021, the expiration date of the line of credit. Prepayments are permitted without penalty. The line of credit is uncommitted and, as such, all advances are subject to PNC’s discretion. We had no borrowings under either line of credit during the periods presented.
Note 5Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates. We review our deferred tax assets regularly for recoverability. At September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, we determined that we did not need a valuation allowance on our gross deferred tax assets. Although realization of the deferred tax assets is not assured, management believes that it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be realized based on our expectation that we will be able to fully utilize the deductions that are ultimately recognized for tax purposes.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there have been no material changes in our reserve for uncertain tax positions.
The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, was 20.4% and 20.7%, respectively, compared to 16.5% and 24.0% for the same periods last year. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the lower effective rate was due primarily to renewable energy investment tax credits and the vesting of employee stock based compensation awards. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the higher effective rate was due primarily to the reversal of certain tax credits, unrelated to those impacting the quarter, and other tax benefits previously recognized from certain renewable energy investments, where the sponsor pled guilty to fraud through these investments and the tax credits and other benefits related to those investments were not valid. See Note 5 – Income Taxes in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders for further discussion.
22
Note 6Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves — Activity in the loss and loss adjustment expense reserves is summarized as follows:
September 30,
(millions)
2020
2019
Balance at January 1
$
18,105.4
$
15,400.8
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses
3,212.2
2,572.7
Net balance at January 1
14,893.2
12,828.1
Incurred related to:
Current year
18,073.6
18,108.2
Prior years
116.1
215.2
Total incurred
18,189.7
18,323.4
Paid related to:
Current year
10,615.2
10,864.9
Prior years
6,682.8
6,061.7
Total paid
17,298.0
16,926.6
Net balance at September 30
15,784.9
14,224.9
Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses
3,804.3
3,145.1
Balance at September 30
$
19,589.2
$
17,370.0
We experienced unfavorable reserve development of $116.1 million and $215.2 million during the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is reflected as “Incurred related to prior years” in the table above.
Year-to-date September 30, 2020
•Approximately 80% of the unfavorable prior year reserve development was attributable to accident year 2018, with the remainder primarily related to accident year 2017 and prior accident years. During the second and third quarter 2020, we experienced favorable development on accident year 2019, primarily due to higher than anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, which almost fully offset the unfavorable development related to accident year 2019 we experienced during the first quarter 2020.
•Our personal auto products incurred about $47 million of unfavorable loss and loss adjustment expense (LAE) reserve development, with the Agency and Direct auto business each contributing about half. The unfavorable LAE development was primarily attributable to revised estimates of our per claim settlement costs taken during the first quarter. We also experienced higher than anticipated frequency of reopened personal injury protection (PIP) claims, primarily in Florida, and late reported losses occurring toward the end 2019 but not reported until 2020, which was partially offset by higher than anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries.
•Our Commercial Lines business experienced about $104 million of unfavorable development, primarily due to increased injury severity and the emergence of large injury claims at rates higher than originally anticipated.
•Our special lines and Property businesses experienced about $22 million and $13 million, respectively, of favorable development.
Year-to-date September 30, 2019
•About 50% of the unfavorable prior year reserve development was attributable to accident year 2018, 30% to accident year 2017, and the remainder to accident years 2016 and prior.
•Our personal auto products incurred about $108 million of unfavorable loss and LAE reserve development, with the Agency and Direct auto businesses each contributing about half. The unfavorable development was primarily attributable to increased injury severity, a higher than anticipated frequency of reopened PIP claims, primarily in Florida, and late reported losses occurring late 2018 but not reported until 2019.
•Our Commercial Lines business experienced about $71 million of unfavorable development, primarily due to increased injury severity and more emergence of large injury claims than originally anticipated.
•Our Property business experienced about $19 million of unfavorable development, primarily due to higher than originally anticipated homeowner and dwelling costs and fire liability costs.
•Our special lines business experienced about $17 million of unfavorable development, primarily due to less salvage and subrogation recoveries than originally anticipated.
23
Note 7Supplemental Cash Flow Information — Cash and cash equivalents include bank demand deposits and daily overnight reverse repurchase commitments used to safeguard funds held in those bank demand deposit accounts, and are not considered part of the investment portfolio. The amount of these reverse repurchase commitments held at September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, were $77.2 million, $62.8 million, and $46.3 million, respectively.
Restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets represents cash that is restricted to pay flood claims under the National Flood Insurance Program’s “Write Your Own” program, for which subsidiaries of our Property business are administrators.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, non-cash activity includes declared but unpaid common share dividends of $58.6 million (see Note 9 – Dividends for further discussion) and changes in operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets of $48.5 million.
We paid the following in the respective periods:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(millions)
2020
2019
Income taxes
$
1,079.2
$
738.7
Interest
168.4
147.3
Operating lease liabilities
66.6
61.2
Our consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, was revised to correct the classification of our acquisition of additional shares of ARX from an investing activity to a financing activity; there was no overall impact on the increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash that was reported for September 30, 2019.
Note 8Segment Information — Our Personal Lines segment writes insurance for personal autos and recreational vehicles (our special lines products). Our Commercial Lines segment writes auto-related primary liability and physical damage insurance, general liability, and property insurance, predominately for small businesses. Our Property segment writes residential property insurance for homeowners, other property owners, and renters. Our service businesses provide insurance-related services, including processing Commercial Automobile Insurance Procedures/Plans (CAIP) business and serving as an agent for homeowners, general liability, and workers’ compensation insurance, among other products, through our programs with unaffiliated insurance companies. All segment revenues are generated from external customers; all intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Following are the operating results for the respective periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
(millions)
Revenues
Pretax Profit (Loss)
Revenues
Pretax Profit (Loss)
Revenues
Pretax Profit (Loss)
Revenues
Pretax Profit (Loss)
Personal Lines
Agency
$
4,001.6
$
596.5
$
3,703.4
$
380.2
$
11,749.3
$
1,748.7
$
10,851.5
$
1,267.9
Direct
4,309.8
517.6
3,804.0
291.7
12,470.1
1,637.8
11,113.7
940.2
Total Personal Lines1
8,311.4
1,114.1
7,507.4
671.9
24,219.4
3,386.5
21,965.2
2,208.1
Commercial Lines
1,214.8
155.9
1,106.9
69.7
3,532.8
448.2
3,190.4
360.7
Property2
447.3
(52.9)
397.9
(9.1)
1,300.6
(192.4)
1,141.1
(35.8)
Total underwriting operations
9,973.5
1,217.1
9,012.2
732.5
29,052.8
3,642.3
26,296.7
2,533.0
Fees and other revenues3
151.8
NA
138.4
NA
434.8
NA
403.4
NA
Service businesses
58.8
4.4
51.5
2.8
169.4
14.7
144.1
12.0
Investments4
763.1
758.4
328.4
322.5
1,585.3
1,570.8
1,437.0
1,418.7
Interest expense
NA
(56.4)
NA
(47.5)
NA
(160.8)
NA
(142.3)
Consolidated total
$
10,947.2
$
1,923.5
$
9,530.5
$
1,010.3
$
31,242.3
$
5,067.0
$
28,281.2
$
3,821.4
NA = Not applicable
1 Personal auto insurance accounted for 94% of the total Personal Lines segment net premiums earned during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019; insurance for our special lines products (e.g., motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, watercraft, and snowmobiles) accounted for the balance of the Personal Lines net premiums earned.
2 For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, pretax profit (loss) includes $14.2 million and $42.8 million, respectively, of amortization expense predominately associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in ARX and $15.8 million and $51.7 million for the same periods in 2019. See Note 13 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets for further discussion.
3 Pretax profit (loss) for fees and other revenues is allocated to operating segments.
4 Revenues represent recurring investment income and total net realized gains (losses) on securities; pretax profit is net of investment expense.
24
Our management uses underwriting margin and combined ratio as primary measures of underwriting profitability. Underwriting profitability is calculated by subtracting losses and loss adjustment expenses, policy acquisition costs, other underwriting expenses, and policyholder credits from the total of net premiums earned and fees and other revenues. The underwriting margin is the pretax underwriting profit (loss) expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned (i.e., revenues from underwriting operations). Combined ratio is the complement of the underwriting margin. Following are the underwriting margins and combined ratios for our underwriting operations for the respective periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Under-writing Margin
Combined Ratio
Under-writing Margin
Combined Ratio
Under-writing Margin
Combined Ratio
Under-writing Margin
Combined Ratio
Personal Lines
Agency
14.9
%
85.1
10.3
%
89.7
14.9
%
85.1
11.7
%
88.3
Direct
12.0
88.0
7.7
92.3
13.1
86.9
8.5
91.5
Total Personal Lines
13.4
86.6
9.0
91.0
14.0
86.0
10.1
89.9
Commercial Lines
12.8
87.2
6.3
93.7
12.7
87.3
11.3
88.7
Property1
(11.8)
111.8
(2.3)
102.3
(14.8)
114.8
(3.1)
103.1
Total underwriting operations
12.2
87.8
8.1
91.9
12.5
87.5
9.6
90.4
1 Included in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, is 3.2 points and3.3 points, respectively, of amortization expense predominately associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in ARX and 4.0 points and 4.5 points, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Note 9Dividends — Following is a summary of our common and preferred share dividends that were declared and/or paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
(millions, except per share amounts)
Amount
Declared
Payable
Per Share
Accrued1
Common - Quarterly Dividends:
August 2020
October 2020
$
0.10
$
58.6
May 2020
July 2020
0.10
58.5
February 2020
April 2020
0.10
58.5
December 2019
January 2020
0.10
58.5
August 2019
October 2019
0.10
58.5
May 2019
July 2019
0.10
58.4
February 2019
April 2019
0.10
58.4
Common - Annual Variable Dividends:
December 2019
January 2020
2.25
1,316.9
December 2018
February 2019
2.5140
1,467.9
Preferred Dividends:
August 2020
September 2020
26.875
13.4
February 2020
March 2020
26.875
13.4
August 2019
September 2019
26.875
13.4
February 2019
March 2019
26.875
13.4
1 The accrual is based on an estimate of shares outstanding as of the record date and is recorded as a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
See Note 14 – Dividends in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders for a discussion of our common and preferred share dividend policies.
25
Note 10Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) — The components of other comprehensive income (loss), including reclassification adjustments by income statement line item, were as follows:
Components of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (after tax)
(millions)
Pretax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total tax (provision) benefit
After tax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
Net unrealized gains (losses) on forecasted transactions
(Income) loss attributable to NCI
Balance at June 30, 2020
$
1,237.3
$
(262.3)
$
975.0
$
991.0
$
(16.0)
$
0
Reclassification of disproportionate amounts
0
0
0
0
0
0
Adjusted balance at June 30, 2020
1,237.3
(262.3)
975.0
991.0
(16.0)
0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Investment securities
163.3
(34.4)
128.9
128.9
0
0
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (NCI)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
163.3
(34.4)
128.9
128.9
0
0
Less: Reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income by income statement line item:
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
194.3
(40.8)
153.5
153.5
0
0
Interest expense
(0.3)
0.1
(0.2)
0
(0.2)
0
Total reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income
194.0
(40.7)
153.3
153.5
(0.2)
0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(30.7)
6.3
(24.4)
(24.6)
0.2
0
Balance at September 30, 2020
$
1,206.6
$
(256.0)
$
950.6
$
966.4
$
(15.8)
$
0
Components of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (after tax)
(millions)
Pretax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total tax (provision) benefit
After tax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
Net unrealized gains (losses) on forecasted transactions
(Income) loss attributable to NCI
Balance at June 30, 2019
$
573.6
$
(120.5)
$
453.1
$
472.9
$
(16.8)
$
(3.0)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Investment securities
134.3
(28.2)
106.1
106.1
0
0
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (NCI)
(1.2)
0.3
(0.9)
0
0
(0.9)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
133.1
(27.9)
105.2
106.1
0
(0.9)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income by income statement line item:
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
60.7
(12.7)
48.0
48.0
0
0
Interest expense
(0.3)
0.1
(0.2)
0
(0.2)
0
Total reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income
60.4
(12.6)
47.8
48.0
(0.2)
0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
72.7
(15.3)
57.4
58.1
0.2
(0.9)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
646.3
$
(135.8)
$
510.5
$
531.0
$
(16.6)
$
(3.9)
26
Components of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (after tax)
(millions)
Pretax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total tax (provision) benefit
After tax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
Net unrealized gains (losses) on forecasted transactions
(Income) loss attributable to NCI
Balance at December 31, 2019
$
435.7
$
(94.0)
$
341.7
$
360.8
$
(16.4)
$
(2.7)
Reclassification of disproportionate amounts1
3.4
(0.7)
2.7
0
0
2.7
Adjusted balance at December 31, 2019
439.1
(94.7)
344.4
360.8
(16.4)
0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Investment securities
1,447.7
(304.1)
1,143.6
1,143.6
0
0
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (NCI)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
1,447.7
(304.1)
1,143.6
1,143.6
0
0
Less: Reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income by income statement line item:
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
681.0
(143.0)
538.0
538.0
0
0
Interest expense
(0.8)
0.2
(0.6)
0
(0.6)
0
Total reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income
680.2
(142.8)
537.4
538.0
(0.6)
0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
767.5
(161.3)
606.2
605.6
0.6
0
Balance at September 30, 2020
$
1,206.6
$
(256.0)
$
950.6
$
966.4
$
(15.8)
$
0
1Adjustment to reflect the change in value on (income) loss attributable to NCI in conjunction with the purchase transaction (See Note 12 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for additional information).
Components of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (after tax)
(millions)
Pretax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total tax (provision) benefit
After tax total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
Net unrealized gains (losses) on forecasted transactions
(Income) loss attributable to NCI
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
(153.0)
$
32.1
$
(120.9)
$
(105.6)
$
(17.2)
$
1.9
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Investment securities
953.5
(200.2)
753.3
753.3
0
0
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (NCI)
(7.4)
1.6
(5.8)
0
0
(5.8)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
946.1
(198.6)
747.5
753.3
0
(5.8)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income by income statement line item:
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
147.6
(30.9)
116.7
116.7
0
0
Interest expense
(0.8)
0.2
(0.6)
0
(0.6)
0
Total reclassification adjustment for amounts realized in net income
146.8
(30.7)
116.1
116.7
(0.6)
0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
799.3
(167.9)
631.4
636.6
0.6
(5.8)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
646.3
$
(135.8)
$
510.5
$
531.0
$
(16.6)
$
(3.9)
In an effort to manage interest rate risk, we entered into forecasted transactions on Progressive’s debt issuances prior to 2018. We expect to reclassify $1.0 million (pretax) into interest expense during the next 12 months, related to net unrealized losses on forecasted transactions (see Note 4 – Debt in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders for further discussion).
27
Note 11Litigation — The Progressive Corporation and/or its insurance subsidiaries are named as defendants in various lawsuits arising out of claims made under insurance policies written by our insurance subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. We consider all legal actions relating to such claims in establishing our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. In addition, The Progressive Corporation and/or its subsidiaries are named as defendants in a number of class action or individual lawsuits that challenge certain of the operations of the subsidiaries. Other insurance companies face many of these same issues.
These cases include those alleging damages as a result of our subsidiaries’ practices in evaluating or paying medical or injury claims or benefits, including, but not limited to, personal injury protection, medical payments, and bodily injury benefits; the utilization, content, or appearance of policy documents; labor rates paid to auto body repair shops; wage and hour issues; and cases challenging other aspects of our subsidiaries’ claims, marketing, or sales practices, or other business operations. Other insurance companies face many of these same issues.
The nature and volume of litigation to which The Progressive Corporation is subject is similar to that which was disclosed in Note 12 – Litigation in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders.
We plan to contest the pending lawsuits vigorously, but may pursue settlement negotiations in some cases, as we deem appropriate. The outcomes of pending cases are uncertain at this time. We establish accruals for these lawsuits when it is probable that a loss has been or will be incurred and we can reasonably estimate potential loss exposure, which may include a range of loss. As to lawsuits for which the loss is considered neither probable or estimable, or is considered probable but not estimable, we do not establish an accrual. Nevertheless, we continue to evaluate this pending litigation to determine if any losses not deemed probable and estimable become so, at which point we would establish an accrual at our best estimate of the loss or range of loss.
With respect to our pending lawsuits that are not related to claims under insurance policies, the accruals that we have established, if any, were not material at September 30, 2020 or 2019, and there were no material settlements during 2019 or the first nine months of 2020. For most of these lawsuits, we do not consider any losses to be both probable and estimable, and we are unable to estimate a meaningful range of loss, if any, at this time, due to the factors discussed in Note 12 – Litigation in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders.In the event that any one or more of these lawsuits results in a substantial judgment against or settlement by us, or if our accruals (if any) prove to be inadequate by a significant amount, the resulting liability could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, cash flows, and/or results of operations. For a further discussion on our pending litigation and related reserving policies, see Note 12 – Litigation in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders.
Note 12 Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest — In connection with the April 2015 acquisition of a controlling interest in ARX, The Progressive Corporation entered into a stockholders’ agreement with the other ARX stockholders. On April 1, 2020, Progressive purchased all remaining outstanding stock, including shares from exercised stock options, of ARX under a separately negotiated purchase agreement at a total cost of $243.0 million.
The changes in the components of redeemable NCI were:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Year Ended
(millions)
2020
2019
December 31, 2019
Balance, beginning of period
$
225.6
$
214.5
$
214.5
Net income attributable to NCI
0
5.9
9.7
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NCI1
0
5.8
4.6
Exercise of employee stock options
16.0
7.7
7.7
Purchase/change of ARX minority shares
(241.6)
(11.2)
(11.2)
Change in redemption value of NCI
0
0.2
0.3
Balance, end of period
$
0
$
222.9
$
225.6
1 Amount represents the other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NCI, as reflected on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income; changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NCI due to a change in the minority ownership percentage does not impact the amount of redeemable NCI.
28
Note 13Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill. No accumulated goodwill impairment losses exist.
Intangible Assets
The following table is a summary of the net carrying amount of other intangible assets:
(millions)
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
Intangible assets subject to amortization
$
173.1
$
230.5
$
215.9
Indefinite-lived intangible assets1
12.4
12.4
12.4
Total
$
185.5
$
242.9
$
228.3
1 Indefinite-lived intangible assets are comprised of state insurance and agent licenses. State insurance licenses were previously subject to amortization under superseded accounting guidance and have $0.6 million of accumulated amortization for all periods presented.
Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:
(millions)
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
Category
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
Policies in force
$
256.2
$
201.3
$
54.9
$
256.2
$
164.7
$
91.5
$
256.2
$
173.9
$
82.3
Agency relationships
159.2
62.6
96.6
159.2
51.2
108.0
159.2
54.0
105.2
Software rights
69.1
47.5
21.6
79.1
48.1
31.0
79.1
50.7
28.4
Trade name
0
0
0
34.8
34.8
0
34.8
34.8
0
Total
$
484.5
$
311.4
$
173.1
$
529.3
$
298.8
$
230.5
$
529.3
$
313.4
$
215.9
Amortization expense was $14.2 million and $42.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $15.8 million and $51.7 million during the same periods last year. During the first quarter 2020, one software rights intangible asset, with a gross carrying value of $10.0 million, was fully amortized.
Note 14 New Accounting Standards— On January 1, 2020, we adopted the Accounting Standards Update (ASU), on a prospective basis, which provides guidance on the requirements for capitalizing and amortizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that does not include a software license. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we capitalized $21.7 million of cloud computing arrangement implementation costs, which is included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.
On January 1, 2020, we adopted the ASU which amends the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The ASU requires companies to disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU also removes current disclosure requirements for the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. As permitted by the ASU, we elected to partially early adopt the removal of the then current disclosure requirements in 2018 and adopted the remaining disclosure requirements as of January 1, 2020. As this only affects disclosure requirements, there was no impact on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
On January 1, 2020, we adopted the ASU which eliminates the requirement to determine the implied fair value of goodwill in measuring an impairment loss. The standard requires the measurement of a goodwill impairment to represent the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over fair value, limited to the carrying value of goodwill. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
29
On January 1, 2020, we adopted the ASU intended to improve the timing, and enhance the accounting and disclosure, of credit losses on financial assets. This update modified the existing accounting guidance related to the impairment evaluation for available-for-sale debt securities and resulted in the creation of an allowance for credit losses as a contra asset account. The ASU requires prospective changes to previously recorded impairments. To determine the existence of any credit-related impairment losses on our available-for-sale debt securities, we reviewed all such securities by applying estimates of future cash flows and performance of those securities in a loss position and identifying market-related versus performance-related losses. For our reinsurance recoverables, we assessed the current credit quality and credit outlook for reinsurers with at-risk uncollateralized recoverables. Based on these analyses, we determined that our allowance for credit losses was not material relative to our available-for-sale debt securities and reinsurance recoverables upon adoption of the ASU. In assessing premium receivables, which are short-term in nature, we assessed customer balances leveraging our current process for analyzing the collectibility of premium receivables. Based on our analysis, no adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings was required upon adoption. See Note 1 – Basis of Presentation for changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts related to the premiums receivable balance.
30
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
I. OVERVIEW
The Progressive Corporation’s insurance subsidiaries recognized strong growth in both premiums and policies in force in the third quarter 2020, compared to the same period last year. During the quarter, we generated $11.0 billion of net premiums written, which is an increase of $1.4 billion, or 14%, compared to the third quarter 2019. We had 24.4 million companywide policies in force at September 30, 2020, which is 2.4 million more policies than were in force at September 30, 2019. Our underwriting profit margin of 12.2% for the third quarter 2020 was 4.1 points better than the same period last year.
On a year-over-year basis, net income increased 82% for the third quarter and 39% for the first nine months of 2020, and comprehensive income increased 68% and 31%, respectively. Underwriting profit increased 66% for the quarter and 44% for the first nine months of 2020, compared to the same periods last year. The increased underwriting profitability primarily reflected a decrease in the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio due to lower auto accident frequency on a year-over-year basis. Through the third quarter 2020, we continued to experience driving patterns that differ from levels historically experienced, which began in March 2020, when federal, state, and local social distancing and shelter-in-place restrictions were put in place to stop or slow the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 (“COVID-19 restrictions”). In addition to strong underwriting results, we recognized significant realized gains in our fixed-income and equity portfolios during the third quarter. We saw large realized gains in our treasury, corporate, and municipal portfolios and equity valuations continued to rebound following the decline experienced at the end of the first quarter 2020 when the COVID-19 restrictions were first put in place.
During the third quarter 2020, our total capital (debt plus shareholders’ equity) increased $1.4 billion, to $23.5 billion, primarily reflecting comprehensive income earned during the quarter.
A. Insurance Operations
We evaluate growth in terms of both net premiums written and policy in force growth. All three of our operating segments contributed to our solid premium and policy in force growth during the third quarter on a year-over-year basis. Our companywide net premiums written grew 14%, with Personal Lines growing 12%, Commercial Lines 34%, and Property 13%, primarily reflecting an increase in volume. The substantial Commercial Lines premiums growth was driven by growth in our for-hire transportation business market target, reflecting greater demand for shipping services in light of the pandemic. In addition, Commercial Lines generated $185.1 million of net premiums written on new and renewal transportation network company (TNC) policies in the third quarter 2020, compared to $87.4 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by state expansion. At September 30, 2020, on a year-over-year basis, policies in force grew 11% companywide, with Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property growing 11%, 7%, and 13%, respectively.
During the third quarter 2020, new applications (i.e., issued policies) increased 11%, 19%, and 17% in our Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property segments, respectively. During the third quarter, total new personal auto applications increased 9% on a year-over-year basis, with Agency new applications increasing 4% and Direct increasing 13%. New applications for our special lines products were up 21% during the third quarter 2020, primarily due to overall growth in the RV and boat industries.
On a year-over-year basis for the third quarter 2020, our Personal Lines renewal applications increased 12%, Commercial Lines increased 9%, and Property increased 14%. Total personal auto renewal applications increased 14% over the third quarter last year.
We realize the importance of retaining customers to grow policies in force and this remains one of our most important priorities. We remain focused on increasing our share of multi-product households and will continue to make investments to improve the customer experience to continue to support that goal. We also will continue to monitor policy life expectancy, which is our actuarial estimate of the average length of time that a policy will remain in force before cancellation or lapse in coverage, and report it as our primary measure of customer retention. Due to insurance market volatility brought on by the COVID-19 virus, it may be difficult to assess the progress we are making against our retention goals. As of the end of the third quarter 2020, our trailing 12-month total personal auto policy life expectancy increased 9% compared to last year, as a portion of policy cancellations were suppressed by the billing leniency and state moratoriums put in place between mid-March and mid-May 2020. Our Agency auto trailing 12-month policy life expectancy was up 10% and Direct auto was up 7%. Our Commercial Lines trailing 12-month policy life expectancy increased 4% year over year and special lines was up 5%.
Our companywide underwriting margin for the third quarter 2020 was strong at 12.2%, which was 4.1 points better than the same period last year. Vehicle accidents were significantly lower than the prior year as vehicle miles driven are down and driving patterns have not returned to their historical levels since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. Our personal auto incurred accident frequency was down about 19% for the third quarter 2020, as compared to the prior year, while severity was up about 8%. In response to the decline in frequency, we continue to adjust premiums to reflect the underlying risk and lowered countrywide personal auto rates on average 1% during the third quarter 2020 and 3% from April through September 2020.
31
Our Personal and Commercial Lines operating segments were profitable during the third quarter 2020, while our Property business generated an underwriting loss, primarily due to catastrophe losses incurred during the quarter. Our Personal Lines segment generated an underwriting profit margin of 13.4% for the third quarter 2020. Our special lines products had a 1.5 point unfavorable impact on our Personal Lines combined ratio, due to the seasonal nature of these products. Our Commercial Lines underwriting profit margin for the second quarter was 12.8%. Our Property segment had an underwriting loss margin of 11.8% for the third quarter. On a net basis (i.e., after reinsurance), our Property business incurred catastrophe losses during the third quarter of $115.1 million, or 25.7 points on their combined ratio. During the third quarter 2020, we exceeded the $375 million annual retention threshold under our catastrophe aggregate excess of loss reinsurance program and recorded a reinsurance recoverable of $135.3 million.
B. Investments
The fair value of our investment portfolio was $45.8 billion at September 30, 2020, compared to $39.3 billion at December 31, 2019. The increase from year-end 2019, primarily reflected comprehensive income of $4.6 billion, the $1.0 billion of proceeds from the debt issued during March, and a change in net unsettled purchased securities of $0.5 billion, offset by $1.8 billion related to the payment of shareholder dividends and the purchase of the remaining equity interest in ARX Holding Corp. (ARX) during the period.
Our asset allocation strategy is to maintain 0%-25% of our portfolio in Group I securities, with the balance (75%-100%) of our portfolio in Group II securities (the securities allocated to Group I and II are defined below under Results of Operations – Investments). At both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 12% of our portfolio was allocated to Group I securities and 88% to Group II securities.
The valuations of our non-U.S. Treasury fixed-income and equity investment portfolios continued to rebound throughout the third quarter 2020. The combination of strong fiscal and monetary stimulus provided a positive backdrop to the financial markets throughout the quarter. Nevertheless, we currently view the market environment as very uncertain and believe the relatively conservative position of our investment portfolio continues to remain appropriate.
Our recurring investment income generated a pretax book yield of 2.3% for the third quarter 2020, compared to 3.0% for the same period in 2019, primarily due to investing new cash at lower interest rates. Our investment portfolio produced a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) total return of 1.7% and 1.2% for the third quarter 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our fixed-income and common stock portfolios had FTE total returns of 1.1% and 9.6%, respectively, for the third quarter 2020, compared to 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively, last year. A significant reduction in interest rates and narrowing of credit spreads during the first nine months of 2020 resulted in a 5.8% FTE total return on our fixed-income securities. Our indexed common stock portfolio’s FTE total return was 5.8% for the first nine months of 2020, showing an improvement from earlier in the year.
At September 30, 2020, the fixed-income portfolio had a weighted average credit quality of AA- and a duration of 3.0 years, compared to AA and 2.9 years and AA and 3.0 years at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, respectively. While we have slightly lengthened our portfolio duration over the previous twelve months, it remains slightly below the midpoint of our 1.5-year to 5-year range, which we believe provides some protection against an increase in interest rates.
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II. FINANCIAL CONDITION
A. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Progressive’s insurance operations create liquidity by collecting and investing premiums from new and renewal business in advance of paying claims. Operations generated positive cash flows of $5.4 billion and $5.1 billion for the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
We did not experience a significant change in our liquidity needs during the third quarter 2020. During the third quarter 2020, we saw premium growth in all three of our operating segments. Beginning in March, when COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, we experienced a significant decrease in accident claim frequency and, as a result, the amount of cash required to pay claims also decreased. In response to the reduction in auto accident frequency, during the second and third quarters of 2020, we issued a total of $1.1 billion of credits to our personal auto policyholders and began taking rate decreases countrywide. We continue to believe that we have sufficient liquidity from our current operations and in our investment portfolio to meet all of our near-term operating cash needs.
Our total capital (debt plus shareholders’ equity) was $23.5 billion, at book value, at September 30, 2020, compared to $18.5 billion at September 30, 2019, and $18.1 billion at December 31, 2019. The increase since year end primarily reflects comprehensive income during that period, as well as the issuance of $500 million of 3.20% Senior Notes due 2030 and $500 million of 3.95% Senior Notes due 2050, in underwritten public offerings during the first quarter 2020.
Our debt-to-total capital ratio remained below 30% during all reported periods, consistent with our financial policy. This ratio, which reflects debt as a percent of debt plus shareholders’ equity and excludes redeemable noncontrolling interest, if any, was 23.0% at September 30, 2020, 23.8% at September 30, 2019, and 24.4% at December 31, 2019. None of our outstanding senior notes have restrictive financial covenants or credit rating triggers.
We seek to deploy capital in a prudent manner and use multiple data sources and modeling tools to estimate the frequency, severity, and correlation of identified exposures, including, but not limited to, catastrophic and other insured losses, natural disasters, and other significant business interruptions, to estimate our potential capital needs.
During the first nine months of 2020, we returned capital to shareholders primarily through dividends. Our Board of Directors declared a $0.10 per common share dividend in the first, second, and third quarters of 2020. These dividends, which were $58.5 million, $58.5 million, and $58.6 million, respectively, in the aggregate, were paid in April 2020, July 2020, and October 2020. In addition to the common share dividends, in March 2020 and September 2020, we paid Series B Preferred Share dividends in the aggregate amount of $26.8 million. In January 2020, we also paid common share dividends in the aggregate amount of $1.4 billion, or $2.35 per share (see Note 9 – Dividends for further discussion). During the third quarter 2020, we resumed repurchasing common shares in the open market. To neutralize dilution from equity-based compensation in the year of issuance, through September 2020, we repurchased 0.9 million common shares, at a total cost of $74.5 million, either in the open market or to satisfy tax withholding obligations as permitted under our equity compensation plans. We will continue to make decisions on returning capital to shareholders based on the strength of our capital position and the potential capital needs to expand our business operations.
In April 2020, The Progressive Corporation acquired the remaining outstanding stock of ARX, for an aggregate cost of $243.0 million, which included shares from exercised stock options, making ARX a wholly owned subsidiary of Progressive. While this acquisition was originally expected to occur in April 2021, we believe that completing it a year earlier will benefit our continued efforts to expand our reach and grow our bundled home and auto customers.
During the first nine months of 2020 and at all times during 2019, our total capital exceeded the sum of our regulatory capital layer plus our self-constructed extreme contingency layer, as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Based upon our capital planning and forecasting efforts, we believe that we have sufficient capital resources and cash flows from operations to support our current business, scheduled principal and interest payments on our debt, dividends on common shares and Series B Preferred Shares, our contractual obligations, and other expected capital requirements for the foreseeable future.
In April 2020, we renewed the unsecured discretionary line of credit (the “Line of Credit”) with PNC Bank, National Association, in the maximum principal amount of $250 million, that expired in April 2020. We did not engage in short-term borrowings, including any borrowings under our discretionary Line of Credit, to fund our operations or for liquidity purposes during the reported periods.
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B. Commitments and Contingencies
Contractual Obligations
During the first nine months of 2020, our contractual obligations have not changed materially from those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. We are not aware of any significant changes to our contractual obligations that are likely to occur as a result of COVID-19.
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
Our off-balance-sheet leverage includes purchase obligations and catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance contracts. There have not been any material changes in off-balance-sheet items from those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
III. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – UNDERWRITING
A. Segment Overview
We report our underwriting operations in three segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property. As a component of our Personal Lines segment, we report our Agency and Direct business results to provide further understanding of our products by distribution channel.
The following table shows the composition of our companywide net premiums written, by segment, for the respective periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Personal Lines
Agency
39
%
40
%
40
%
41
%
Direct
42
43
43
42
Total Personal Lines1
81
83
83
83
Commercial Lines
14
12
13
13
Property
5
5
4
4
Total underwriting operations
100
%
100
%
100
%
100
%
1 Personal auto insurance accounted for 94% of the total Personal Lines segment net premiums written during the three months and 93% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019; insurance for our special lines products accounted for the balance.
Our Personal Lines business writes insurance for personal autos and special lines products (e.g., motorcycles, watercraft, and RVs). We currently write our Personal Lines products in all 50 states. We also offer our personal auto product (not special lines products) in the District of Columbia. Our personal auto policies are primarily written for 6-month terms, although we write 12-month personal auto policies mainly through our Platinum agents who are focused on selling bundled auto and home policies. At September 30, 2020, 11% of our Agency auto policies in force were 12-month policies, compared to 9% a year earlier. Our special lines products are written for 12-month terms.
Our Commercial Lines business writes auto-related primary liability and physical damage insurance, and general liability and property insurance, predominately for small businesses. The majority of our Commercial Lines business is written through the independent agency channel. The amount of commercial auto business written through the direct channel represented 9% of premiums written for the third quarter 2020, excluding our TNC business, compared to 8% for the same period last year. We write Commercial Lines business in all 50 states and our policies are primarily written for 12-month terms.
Our Property business writes residential property insurance for single family homes, condominium unit owners, renters, etc. We write the majority of our Property business through the independent agency channel; however, we continue to expand the distribution of our Property product offerings in the direct channel, which represented about 19% of premiums written for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 17% for the same period last year. Property policies are written for 12-month terms. We write residential property and flood insurance in 45 states and renters insurance in 46 states; we also write all of these products in the District of Columbia. Our flood insurance is written primarily through the National Flood Insurance Program and is 100% reinsured.
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B. Profitability
Profitability for our underwriting operations is defined by pretax underwriting profit, which is calculated as net premiums earned plus fees and other revenues less losses and loss adjustment expenses, policy acquisition costs, other underwriting expenses, and policyholder credits. We also use underwriting margin, which is underwriting profit or loss expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned, to analyze our results. For the respective periods, our underwriting profitability results were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Underwriting Profit (Loss)
Underwriting Profit (Loss)
Underwriting Profit (Loss)
Underwriting Profit (Loss)
($ in millions)
$
Margin
$
Margin
$
Margin
$
Margin
Personal Lines
Agency
$
596.5
14.9
%
$
380.2
10.3
%
$
1,748.7
14.9
%
$
1,267.9
11.7
%
Direct
517.6
12.0
291.7
7.7
1,637.8
13.1
940.2
8.5
Total Personal Lines
1,114.1
13.4
671.9
9.0
3,386.5
14.0
2,208.1
10.1
Commercial Lines
155.9
12.8
69.7
6.3
448.2
12.7
360.7
11.3
Property1
(52.9)
(11.8)
(9.1)
(2.3)
(192.4)
(14.8)
(35.8)
(3.1)
Total underwriting operations
$
1,217.1
12.2
%
$
732.5
8.1
%
$
3,642.3
12.5
%
$
2,533.0
9.6
%
1 For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, pretax profit (loss) includes $14.2 million and $42.8 million, respectively, of amortization expense predominately associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in ARX, and $15.8 million and $51.7 million for the respective periods last year; the decrease in amortization expense reflects intangible assets that were fully amortized.
The increases in the companywide underwriting profit margins during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same periods last year, were driven by lower accident frequency experienced during the periods, partially offset by policyholder credits issued to personal auto customers and an increase in advertising spend.
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Further underwriting results for our Personal Lines business, including results by distribution channel, the Commercial Lines business, the Property business, and our underwriting operations in total, were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Underwriting Performance1
2020
2019
Change
2020
2019
Change
Personal Lines—Agency
Loss & loss adjustment expense ratio
67.0
71.0
(4.0)
61.6
69.2
(7.6)
Underwriting expense ratio
18.1
18.7
(0.6)
23.5
19.1
4.4
Combined ratio
85.1
89.7
(4.6)
85.1
88.3
(3.2)
Personal Lines—Direct
Loss & loss adjustment expense ratio
66.4
71.3
(4.9)
60.8
70.4
(9.6)
Underwriting expense ratio
21.6
21.0
0.6
26.1
21.1
5.0
Combined ratio
88.0
92.3
(4.3)
86.9
91.5
(4.6)
Total Personal Lines
Loss & loss adjustment expense ratio
66.7
71.1
(4.4)
61.2
69.8
(8.6)
Underwriting expense ratio
19.9
19.9
0
24.8
20.1
4.7
Combined ratio
86.6
91.0
(4.4)
86.0
89.9
(3.9)
Commercial Lines
Loss & loss adjustment expense ratio
66.6
72.2
(5.6)
64.1
67.5
(3.4)
Underwriting expense ratio
20.6
21.5
(0.9)
23.2
21.2
2.0
Combined ratio
87.2
93.7
(6.5)
87.3
88.7
(1.4)
Property
Loss & loss adjustment expense ratio
81.2
71.4
9.8
84.7
72.4
12.3
Underwriting expense ratio2
30.6
30.9
(0.3)
30.1
30.7
(0.6)
Combined ratio2
111.8
102.3
9.5
114.8
103.1
11.7
Total Underwriting Operations
Loss & loss adjustment expense ratio
67.3
71.3
(4.0)
62.6
69.7
(7.1)
Underwriting expense ratio
20.5
20.6
(0.1)
24.9
20.7
4.2
Combined ratio
87.8
91.9
(4.1)
87.5
90.4
(2.9)
Accident year — Loss & loss adjustment expense ratio3
67.3
71.2
(3.9)
62.2
68.9
(6.7)
1 Ratios are expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned; fees and other revenues are netted with underwriting expenses in the ratio calculations.
2 Included in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, are 3.2 points and 3.3 points, respectively, of amortization expense predominately associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in ARX, and 4.0 points and 4.5 points for the respective periods last year. Excluding these additional expenses, for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Property business would have reported expense ratios of 27.4 and 26.9, respectively, and a combined ratio of 108.6 and 98.3. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, excluding these additional expenses, the Property business would have reported expense ratios of 26.8 and 26.2, respectively, and combined ratios of 111.5 and 98.6.
3 The accident year ratios include only the losses that occurred during the period noted. As a result, accident period results will change over time, either favorably or unfavorably, as we revise our estimates of loss costs when payments are made or reserves for that accident period are reviewed.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (LAE)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(millions)
2020
2019
2020
2019
Increase (decrease) in net loss and LAE reserves
$
775.6
$
571.3
$
891.7
$
1,396.8
Paid losses and LAE
5,937.5
5,855.0
17,298.0
16,926.6
Total incurred losses and LAE
$
6,713.1
$
6,426.3
$
18,189.7
$
18,323.4
Claims costs, our most significant expense, represent payments made and estimated future payments to be made, to or on behalf of our policyholders, including expenses related to the adjustment or settlement of claims. Claims costs are a function of loss severity and frequency and, for our vehicle businesses, are influenced by inflation and driving patterns, among other factors, some of which are discussed below. In our Property business, severity is primarily a function of construction costs and the age of the structure. Accordingly, anticipated changes in these factors are taken into account when we establish premium rates and loss reserves. Loss reserves are estimates of future costs and our reserves are adjusted as underlying assumptions change and information develops.
Our total loss and LAE ratio decreased 4.0 points for the third quarter 2020, compared to the same period last year, and 7.1 points on a year-to-date basis, primarily due to lower auto frequency, partially offset by higher accident severity and catastrophe losses, as discussed below.
The following table shows our consolidated catastrophe losses, excluding loss adjustment expenses, incurred during the periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)
2020
2019
2020
2019
Personal Lines
$
163.1
$
122.0
$
365.0
$
291.8
Commercial Lines
3.4
3.4
11.0
9.7
Property
Property business, net of reinsurance (excluding ASL)
117.8
65.0
407.5
258.0
Reinsurance recoverable on ASL1
(2.7)
(31.6)
(15.7)
(117.1)
Property business, net
115.1
33.4
391.8
140.9
Total net catastrophe losses incurred
$
281.6
$
158.8
$
767.8
$
442.4
Combined ratio effect
2.8
pts.
1.8
pts.
2.6
pts.
1.7
pts.
1 Represents the reinsurance recoverable recorded on the losses from accident years 2017 to 2019 under our aggregate stop-loss agreements (ASL); see table below for further information.
During the third quarter 2020, the majority of catastrophe losses were due to hurricanes, west coast wildfires, and wind, hail, and tornadoes throughout the United States. We have responded, and plan to continue to respond, promptly to catastrophic events when they occur in order to provide high-quality claims service to our customers.
We do not have catastrophe-specific reinsurance for our Personal Lines or Commercial Lines businesses, but we reinsure portions of our Property business against various risks, including, but not limited to, catastrophic losses through excess of loss reinsurance.
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We have aggregate stop-loss reinsurance agreements (ASL) in place, which are in effect for accident years from 2017 to 2019. The following table shows the total reinsurance recoverables activity under the ASL agreements by accident year, for the respective periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)
2020
2019
2020
2019
Reinsurance recoverable on ASL, beginning of period
$
84.3
$
105.9
$
69.7
$
12.5
Reinsurance recoverables recognized on losses
Accident year:
2019
1.9
40.5
12.8
113.9
2018
0
0
0
0
2017
0.8
(8.9)
2.9
3.2
Total
2.7
31.6
15.7
117.1
Reinsurance recoverables recognized on ALAE
Accident year:
2019
0.2
4.2
1.6
12.3
2018
0
0
0
0
2017
0.1
(1.2)
0.3
(1.4)
Total
0.3
3.0
1.9
10.9
Total reinsurance recoverables recognized
Accident year:
2019
2.1
44.7
14.4
126.2
2018
0
0
0
0
2017
0.9
(10.1)
3.2
1.8
Total
3.0
34.6
17.6
128.0
Reinsurance recoverable on ASL, end of period
$
87.3
$
140.5
$
87.3
$
140.5
We did not renew our ASL program for accident year 2020. Instead, we entered into a property catastrophe aggregate excess of loss (XOL) program in January 2020. Both the ASL and XOL programs cover accident year Property catastrophe losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses (ALAE). See Item 1 – Description of Business-Reinsurance in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for further discussion. During the third quarter 2020, we exceeded the $375 million annual retention threshold under our catastrophe aggregate XOL program and recorded a reinsurance recoverable of $135.3 million.
In addition to the aggregate XOL program, during the second quarter 2020, our Property business renewed its catastrophe reinsurance program with a continuation of multi-year contracts and new single-year contracts. The renewed insurance policies carry retention thresholds for losses and ALAE from a single catastrophic event of $80 million, an increase from the retention threshold on the prior contracts of $60 million, as well as $200 million of additional coverage, due to the growth of the Property business (see Item 1 – Description of Business-Reinsurance in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for further discussion). During the third quarter 2020, we recorded a $10 million reinsurance recoverable under our catastrophe reinsurance program as the Property losses and ALAE incurred from Hurricane Laura exceeded the $80 million single storm retention threshold under this program.
During the first quarter 2020, relative to our Property business, we closed a $200 million catastrophe bond transaction. This bond replaced a similar $200 million bond that expired on December 31, 2019. The bond will provide reinsurance coverage in the event that a single catastrophe event exceeds the $1.6 billion in coverage provided by our traditional catastrophe reinsurance program.
The following discussion of our severity and frequency trends in our personal auto businesses excludes comprehensive coverage because of its inherent volatility, as it is typically linked to catastrophic losses generally resulting from adverse weather. For our commercial auto products, the reported frequency and severity trends include comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage insures against damage to a customer’s vehicle due to various causes other than collision, such as windstorm, hail, theft, falling objects, and glass breakage.
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Total personal auto incurred severity (i.e., average cost per claim, including both paid losses and the change in case reserves) on a calendar-year basis increased about 8% and 9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. These increases partly reflect a reduction in new claims, which led to an older aged mix of inventory, which increases incurred losses. In addition, during 2020 we saw an increase in the number of claims that were reopened, and required an additional payment. These supplemental payments are related to prior accident periods and were not impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
Following are the changes we experienced in severity in our auto coverages on a year-over-year basis:
•Primarily due to a shift in the mix of claims inventory and an increase in the number of claims reopened, personal injury protection (PIP) increased about 12% and 17% during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, and auto property damage increased about 4% and 10%.
•Bodily injury increased about 12% for the third quarter 2020, due in part to a shift in the mix to more severe accidents compared to last year, and 11% for the first nine months of 2020, due in part to an older mix of claims inventory and more severe accidents compared to last year.
•Collision increased about 6% and 2% during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, in part due to a mix in the timing of salvage and subrogation collections.
It is a challenge to estimate future severity, especially for bodily injury and PIP claims, and we continue to monitor changes in the underlying costs, such as medical costs, health care reform, and jury verdicts, along with regulatory changes and other factors that may affect severity.
Our personal auto incurred frequency, on a calendar-year basis, decreased about 19% and 25% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. Following are the frequency changes we experienced by coverage on a year-over-year basis:
•Auto property damage decreased about 24% for the third quarter and 28% for the first nine months of 2020, respectively.
•PIP decreased about 19% and 28% for the quarter and first nine months.
•Bodily injury decreased about 22% for the quarter and 26% for the first nine months.
•Collision decreased about 15% for the quarter and 25% for the first nine months.
We closely monitor the changes in frequency, but the degree or direction of near-term frequency change is not something that we are able to predict with any degree of confidence, given the uncertainty of the current environment. We saw the number of vehicle miles driven decrease dramatically when the COVID-19 restrictions were first put in place. Once the restrictions began to be lifted, we saw vehicle miles traveled increase, however, they remained lower than during the third quarter last year. We will continue to analyze trends to distinguish changes in our experience from other external factors, such as changes in the number of vehicles per household, gasoline prices, advances in vehicle safety, and unemployment rates, versus those resulting from shifts in the mix of our business or changes in driving patterns, to allow us to reserve more accurately for our loss exposures.
The changes we are disclosing in the paragraph below for our commercial auto products severity and frequency use a trailing 12-month period and exclude our TNC business. Using a trailing 12-month period addresses inherent seasonality trends in the commercial auto products and mitigates the effects of month-to-month variability, which includes the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. Since the loss patterns in the TNC business are not indicative of our other commercial auto products, disclosing severity and frequency trends excluding that business is more indicative of our overall experience for the majority of our commercial auto products.
On a year-over-year basis, incurred severity in our commercial auto products increased 15% and frequency decreased 14%. In addition to general trends in the marketplace, the increase in severity reflected increased medical costs and actuarially determined reserves due to accelerating paid loss trends and shifts in the mix of business to for-hire transportation, which has higher average severity than the business auto and contractor business market targets. The frequency decrease was in part due to COVID-19 restrictions and continued product segmentation and underwriting, which created a mix shift toward more preferred, lower-frequency, business.
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The table below presents the actuarial adjustments implemented and the loss reserve development experienced in the following periods on a companywide basis:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)
2020
2019
2020
2019
ACTUARIAL ADJUSTMENTS
Reserve decrease (increase)
Prior accident years
$
10.0
$
5.1
$
(2.2)
$
(57.4)
Current accident year
20.0
(61.0)
50.2
(64.0)
Calendar year actuarial adjustment
$
30.0
$
(55.9)
$
48.0
$
(121.4)
PRIOR ACCIDENT YEARS DEVELOPMENT
Favorable (unfavorable)
Actuarial adjustment
$
10.0
$
5.1
$
(2.2)
$
(57.4)
All other development
(10.0)
(10.3)
(113.9)
(157.8)
Total development
$
0
$
(5.2)
$
(116.1)
$
(215.2)
(Increase) decrease to calendar year combined ratio
0
pts.
(0.1)
pts.
(0.4)
pts.
(0.8)
pts.
Total development consists of both actuarial adjustments and “all other development.” The actuarial adjustments represent the net changes made by our actuarial staff to both current and prior accident year reserves based on regularly scheduled reviews. Through these reviews, our actuaries identify and measure variances in the projected frequency and severity trends, which allow them to adjust the reserves to reflect the current cost trends. For our Property business, 100% of catastrophe losses are reviewed monthly, and any development on catastrophe reserves are included as part of the actuarial adjustments. For the Personal Lines and Commercial Lines businesses, development for catastrophe losses for the vehicle businesses would be reflected in “all other development,” discussed below, to the extent they relate to prior year reserves. We report these actuarial adjustments separately for the current and prior accident years to reflect these adjustments as part of the total prior accident years development.
“All other development” represents claims settling for more or less than reserved, emergence of unrecorded claims at rates different than anticipated in our incurred but not recorded (IBNR) reserves, and changes in reserve estimates on specific claims. Although we believe the development from both the actuarial adjustments and “all other development” generally results from the same factors, excluding the impact from COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to quantify the portion of the reserve development that might be applicable to any one or more of those underlying factors.
Our objective is to establish case and IBNR reserves that are adequate to cover all loss costs, while incurring minimal variation from the date the reserves are initially established until losses are fully developed. See Note 6 – Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves, for a more detailed discussion of our prior accident years development. We continue to focus on our loss reserve analysis, attempting to enhance accuracy and to further our understanding of our loss costs.
Underwriting Expenses
The companywide underwriting expense ratio (i.e., policy acquisition costs, other underwriting expenses and policyholder credits, net of fees and other revenues, expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned) decreased 0.1 points and increased 4.2 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, we incurred 0.3 points and 3.7 points, respectively, of policyholder credits issued to personal auto customers. In addition to the credits issued to personal auto customers, our Commercial Lines business worked directly with their policyholders and agents to provide premium and billing credits during the year, which contributed to a 0.9 point increase in the Commercial Lines expense ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Progressive’s other underwriting expenses, which excludes the policyholder credits, increased 7% for the third quarter and 15% for the first nine months of 2020, compared to the same periods last year, primarily reflecting increased advertising spend in both periods. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, our advertising expenditures increased 29% and 20%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. We will continue to invest in advertising as long as we generate sales at a cost below the maximum amount we are willing to spend to acquire a new customer.
40
C. Growth
For our underwriting operations, we analyze growth in terms of both premiums and policies. Net premiums written represent the premiums from policies written during the period, less any premiums ceded to reinsurers. Net premiums earned, which are a function of the premiums written in the current and prior periods, are earned as revenue over the life of the policy using a daily earnings convention. Policies in force, our preferred measure of growth since it removes the variability due to rate changes or mix shifts, represents all policies under which coverage was in effect as of the end of the period specified.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)
2020
2019
% Growth
2020
2019
% Growth
NET PREMIUMS WRITTEN
Personal Lines
Agency
$
4,251.7
$
3,876.3
10
%
$
12,382.9
$
11,418.2
8
%
Direct
4,633.0
4,080.2
14
13,257.2
11,746.1
13
Total Personal Lines
8,884.7
7,956.5
12
25,640.1
23,164.3
11
Commercial Lines
1,609.9
1,204.6
34
3,949.1
3,552.5
11
Property
520.5
460.1
13
1,437.2
1,270.8
13
Total underwriting operations
$
11,015.1
$
9,621.2
14
%
$
31,026.4
$
27,987.6
11
%
NET PREMIUMS EARNED
Personal Lines
Agency
$
4,001.6
$
3,703.4
8
%
$
11,749.3
$
10,851.5
8
%
Direct
4,309.8
3,804.0
13
12,470.1
11,113.7
12
Total Personal Lines
8,311.4
7,507.4
11
24,219.4
21,965.2
10
Commercial Lines
1,214.8
1,106.9
10
3,532.8
3,190.4
11
Property
447.3
397.9
12
1,300.6
1,141.1
14
Total underwriting operations
$
9,973.5
$
9,012.2
11
%
$
29,052.8
$
26,296.7
10
%
September 30,
(thousands)
2020
2019
% Growth
POLICIES IN FORCE
Agency auto
7,527.1
6,903.8
9%
Direct auto
8,774.3
7,716.0
14
Total auto
16,301.4
14,619.8
12
Special lines1
4,905.8
4,567.6
7
Personal Lines — total
21,207.2
19,187.4
11
Commercial Lines
803.9
748.7
7
Property
2,421.0
2,144.3
13
Companywide total
24,432.1
22,080.4
11%
1 Includes insurance for motorcycles, watercraft, RVs, and similar items.
Although new policies are necessary to maintain a growing book of business, we recognize the importance of retaining our current customers as a critical component of our continued growth. As shown in the tables below, we measure retention by policy life expectancy. We review our customer retention for our personal auto products using both a trailing 3-month and a trailing 12-month period. Although using a trailing 3-month measure does not address seasonality and can reflect more volatility, this measure is more responsive to current experience and generally can be an indicator of how our retention rates are moving.
As of September 30, 2020, the growth in our auto trailing 12-month policy life expectancy is artificially high due to suspending cancellations of policies for nonpayment, which impacted renewal activity during the second quarter 2020. We continue to disclose our changes in policy life expectancy using both a trailing 3-month and 12-month period; however, we believe that the trailing 12-month measure will be positively impacted by the factor discussed above through the second quarter 2021.
To analyze growth, we review new policies, rate levels, and the retention characteristics of our segments.
41
D. Personal Lines
The following table shows our year-over-year changes for our Personal Lines business:
Growth Over Prior Year
Quarter
Year-to-date
2020
2019
2020
2019
Applications
New
11
%
5
%
5
%
6
%
Renewal
12
11
11
11
Written premium per policy - Auto
(2)
2
0
2
Policy life expectancy - Auto
Trailing 3-months
7
1
Trailing 12-months
9
(1)
In our Personal Lines business, the increase in both new and renewal applications during both periods in 2020 resulted from increases in both our personal auto and special lines products. In the auto businesses, the increase in new applications was primarily attributable to our competitive product offerings and position in the marketplace, as well as our increase in advertising spend and rate decreases taken on auto business policies during 2020. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, our personal auto new application growth was up 9% and 2%, respectively. Our special lines products saw new applications increase 21% and 19% during the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, driven by high demand due to the overall growth in the RV and boat industries. During both periods, we continued to see strong renewal personal auto application growth, which may have been aided, in part, by our countrywide billing leniency efforts and the moratoriums that were put in place from mid-March through mid-May 2020, which suspended cancellations of policies for non-payment.
We report our Agency and Direct business results separately as components of our Personal Lines segment to provide further understanding of our products by distribution channel.
The Agency Business
Growth Over Prior Year
Quarter
Year-to-date
2020
2019
2020
2019
Applications - Auto
New
4
%
4
%
(4)
%
6
%
Renewal
12
10
10
11
Written premium per policy - Auto
(1)
2
0
3
Policy life expectancy - Auto
Trailing 3-months
6
5
Trailing 12-months
10
2
The Agency business includes business written by more than 35,000 independent insurance agencies that represent Progressive, as well as brokerages in New York and California. During the third quarter 2020, the Agency auto business experienced an increase in new application growth, following a 13% decrease in new applications during the second quarter 2020. During the third quarter, we generated new auto application growth in 23 states, including seven of our top 10 largest Agency states. While new application growth during the third quarter 2020 was driven by our competitive product offerings and position in the marketplace, year-to-date new application growth is down compared to last year, as COVID-19 restrictions significantly impacted agents and their ability to get their operations back to pre-COVID levels.
During both the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we experienced a decrease in Agency auto quote volume of 1% and 2%, respectively. The rate of conversion (i.e., converting a quote to a sale) increased 5% for the quarter and decreased 2% year-to-date, compared to the same periods last year.
We analyze growth in each of our four consumers segments (e.g., inconsistently insured, consistently insured and maybe a renter, homeowners who do not bundle auto and home, and homeowners who bundle auto and home). During the third quarter 2020, each of our segments experienced positive new application and policy in force growth, with the largest percentage of new application growth from our non-bundled homeowner consumer segment (i.e., Wrights).
42
During the trailing 12-month period, we experienced an increase in the percentage of bundled Agency auto policies written for 12-month terms, which have about twice the amount of net premiums written compared to 6-month policies. At the end of the third quarter 2020, 11% of our Agency auto policies in force were 12-month policies, compared to about 9% a year earlier.
The Direct Business
Growth Over Prior Year
Quarter
Year-to-date
2020
2019
2020
2019
Applications - Auto
New
13
%
6
%
8
%
6
%
Renewal
15
14
14
15
Written premium per policy - Auto
(2)
1
(1)
2
Policy life expectancy - Auto
Trailing 3-months
8
(2)
Trailing 12-months
7
(3)
The Direct business includes business written directly by Progressive on the Internet, through mobile devices, and over the phone. The Direct business experienced solid new and renewal application growth during the third quarter and the first nine months of 2020. During the year, we generated new auto application growth in 32 states, including nine of our top 10 largest Direct states. During the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we experienced an increase in Direct auto quote volume of 8% and 6%, respectively, and our rate of conversion increased 5% and 1%, compared to the same periods last year.
During the third quarter, we grew our new Direct auto applications and policies in force across all consumer segments, with the largest percentage of new application growth generated from our bundled auto and home consumer segment (i.e., Robinsons).
E. Commercial Lines
Growth Over Prior Year
Quarter
Year-to-date
2020
2019
2020
2019
Applications - Auto
New
18
%
8
%
4
%
10
%
Renewal
9
7
8
8
Written premium per policy - Auto
4
4
2
9
Policy life expectancy - Auto - trailing 12-months
4
(5)
Note: Table excludes our TNC and business owners policy products.
Our Commercial Lines business operates in five traditional business markets, which include business auto, for-hire transportation, contractor, for-hire specialty, and tow markets, and is primarily written through the agency channel.
Commercial Lines experienced solid year-over-year new application growth in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, reflecting continued improvement in the economy and our competitiveness in the marketplace. The significant new application growth during the third quarter was primarily driven by growth in our for-hire transportation business market target, due to greater demand for shipping services in light of the pandemic.
During the third quarter 2020, we experienced improvement in new consumer shopping, reflecting a 10% increase in quote volume, compared to the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we experienced a 2% decrease in quote volume due to the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place during March 2020 through the first half of the second quarter 2020, which influenced the demands and general consumer habits for goods and services provided by our Commercial Lines customers and required that certain businesses undergo temporary closure. During the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we experienced an 8% and 6% rate of conversion increase, compared to the same periods last year.
43
Volume in our TNC business more than doubled with net premiums written increasing 112%, compared to the third quarter last year, due to renewing our existing TNC policies and state expansion. On a year-to-date basis, TNC premiums are 4% lower than the same period last year due to a reduction in the miles driven under these policies as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions that were put in place in mid-March 2020, and the social distancing guidelines that remain; partially offset by state expansion. Changes in actual and estimated miles driven will continue to impact our net premiums written under these policies.
F. Property
Growth Over Prior Year
Quarter
Year-to-date
2020
2019
2020
2019
Applications
New
17
%
(1)
%
10
%
(1)
%
Renewal
14
22
15
23
Written premium per policy
(1)
2
0
2
Our Property business writes residential property insurance for homeowners, other property owners, and renters, in the agency and direct channels. During the third quarter 2020, our Property business experienced an increase in new applications, primarily driven by growth in our direct channel and our Robinsons consumer segment, as discussed above, and a continued rebound in the housing market for new home sales. During 2020, our written premium per policy increased for our homeowners’ policies, on a year-over-year basis, but was offset by a larger share of renters policies, which have lower written premiums per policy.
Our Property segment was not significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions during the year.
G. Income Taxes
A deferred tax asset or liability is a tax benefit or expense that is expected to be realized in a future period. At September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, we reported net deferred tax liabilities. At September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, we had net current income taxes payable of $197.1 million, $186.6 million, and $195.5 million, respectively, which were reported as part of other liabilities.
Our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, were 20.4% and 20.7%, respectively, compared to 16.5% and 24.0% for the same periods last year. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the lower effective rate was due primarily to renewable energy investment tax credits and the vesting of employee stock based compensation awards. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the higher effective rate was due primarily to the reversal of certain tax credits, unrelated to those impacting the quarter, and other tax benefits previously recognized from certain renewable energy investments, where the sponsor pled guilty to fraud through these investments and the tax credits and other benefits related to those investments were not valid. See Note 5 – Income Taxes in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders for further discussion.
44
IV. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – INVESTMENTS
A. Investment Results
Our management philosophy governing the portfolio is to evaluate investment results on a total return basis. The fully taxable equivalent (FTE) total return includes recurring investment income, adjusted to a fully taxable amount for certain securities that receive preferential tax treatment (e.g., municipal securities), and total net realized, and changes in total net unrealized, gains (losses) on securities.
The following table summarizes investment results for the periods ended September 30:
Three Months
Nine Months
2020
2019
2020
2019
Pretax recurring investment book yield (annualized)
2.3
%
3.0
%
2.5
%
3.1
%
Weighted average FTE book yield (annualized)
2.3
3.1
2.5
3.2
FTE total return:
Fixed-income securities
1.1
1.2
5.8
5.6
Common stocks
9.6
1.4
5.8
19.5
Total portfolio
1.7
1.2
5.7
6.7
Third quarter results were strong as the economy continued to improve as re-openings started late spring and continued throughout most of the summer. Our fixed-income portfolio duration was 3.0 years and 2.9 years at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Both the fixed-income and indexed equity portfolios generated positive returns for the quarter as supportive monetary policy encouraged investors to increase their allocation to risk assets.
A further break-down of our FTE total returns for our portfolio for the periods ended September 30, follows:
Three Months
Nine Months
2020
2019
2020
2019
Fixed-income securities:
U.S. Treasury Notes
0.3
%
1.1
%
7.4
%
5.1
%
Municipal bonds
1.6
1.2
8.3
4.9
Corporate bonds
1.3
1.5
6.9
7.9
Residential mortgage-backed securities
0.8
0.7
2.3
2.7
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1.6
1.0
2.7
5.8
Other asset-backed securities
0.6
0.7
2.5
2.9
Preferred stocks
4.9
2.3
0.6
11.1
Short-term investments
0.1
0.6
1.0
1.9
Common stocks:
Indexed
9.6
1.6
5.8
19.8
Actively managed
NA
(2.7)
NA
14.5
NA= Not applicable since we no longer maintain an actively managed portfolio.
45
B. Portfolio Allocation
The composition of the investment portfolio was:
($ in millions)
Fair Value
% of Total Portfolio
Duration (years)
Rating1
September 30, 2020
U.S. government obligations
$
10,203.8
22.3
%
3.5
AAA
State and local government obligations
4,529.8
9.9
4.6
AA
Corporate debt securities
10,612.0
23.2
3.9
BBB
Residential mortgage-backed securities
531.0
1.2
0.9
AA
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
6,053.6
13.2
2.9
AA
Other asset-backed securities
4,200.3
9.2
1.0
AA+
Preferred stocks
1,506.2
3.3
3.4
BBB-
Short-term investments
4,667.8
10.2
0.1
AA+
Total fixed-income securities
42,304.5
92.5
3.0
AA-
Common equities
3,459.8
7.5
na
na
Total portfolio2,3
$
45,764.3
100.0
%
3.0
AA-
September 30, 2019
U.S. government obligations
$
13,678.7
35.4
%
4.1
AAA
State and local government obligations
1,683.7
4.4
3.1
AA+
Corporate debt securities
7,281.1
18.9
2.9
BBB
Residential mortgage-backed securities
681.5
1.8
0.9
AA
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
4,639.0
12.0
2.2
AA
Other asset-backed securities
4,621.9
12.0
0.9
AAA-
Preferred stocks
1,355.3
3.5
2.5
BBB-
Short-term investments
1,467.4
3.8
<0.1
AA
Total fixed-income securities
35,408.6
91.8
2.9
AA
Common equities
3,165.1
8.2
na
na
Total portfolio2,3
$
38,573.7
100.0
%
2.9
AA
December 31, 2019
U.S. government obligations
$
13,251.1
33.7
%
4.9
AAA
State and local government obligations
1,713.3
4.4
3.1
AA+
Corporate debt securities
7,067.7
18.0
2.7
BBB
Residential mortgage-backed securities
627.5
1.6
0.9
AA
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
5,076.2
12.9
2.0
AA
Other asset-backed securities
5,179.5
13.2
0.8
AAA-
Preferred stocks
1,233.9
3.2
2.6
BBB-
Short-term investments
1,798.8
4.6
0.1
AA-
Total fixed-income securities
35,948.0
91.6
3.0
AA
Common equities
3,306.3
8.4
na
na
Total portfolio2,3
$
39,254.3
100.0
%
3.0
AA
na = not applicable
1Represents ratings at period end. Credit quality ratings are assigned by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. To calculate the weighted average credit quality ratings, we weight individual securities based on fair value and assign a numeric score of 0-5, with non-investment-grade and non-rated securities assigned a score of 0-1. To the extent the weighted average of the ratings falls between AAA and AA+, we assign an internal rating of AAA-.
2Our portfolio reflects the effect of net unsettled security transactions; at September 30, 2020, we had $469.2 million in other liabilities, compared to $286.5 million and $11.9 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
3The total fair value of the portfolio at September 30, 2020 and 2019, and December 31, 2019, included $2.8 billion, $1.5 billion, and $3.2 billion, respectively, of securities held in a consolidated, non-insurance subsidiary of the holding company, net of any unsettled security transactions.
46
Our asset allocation strategy is to maintain 0%-25% of our portfolio in Group I securities, with the balance (75%-100%) of our portfolio in Group II securities.
We define Group I securities to include:
•common equities
•nonredeemable preferred stocks
•redeemable preferred stocks, except for 50% of investment-grade redeemable preferred stocks with cumulative dividends, which are included in Group II, and
•all other non-investment-grade fixed-maturity securities.
Group II securities include:
•short-term securities, and
•all other fixed-maturity securities, including 50% of the investment-grade redeemable preferred stocks with cumulative dividends.
We believe this asset allocation strategy allows us to appropriately assess the risks associated with these securities for capital purposes and is in line with the treatment by our regulators.
The following table shows the composition of our Group I and Group II securities:
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
($ in millions)
Fair Value
% of Total Portfolio
Fair Value
% of Total Portfolio
Fair Value
% of Total Portfolio
Group I securities:
Non-investment-grade fixed maturities
$
617.8
1.4
%
$
334.8
0.9
%
$
327.2
0.8
%
Redeemable preferred stocks1
91.5
0.2
132.1
0.3
117.6
0.3
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
1,323.2
2.9
1,128.5
2.9
1,038.9
2.7
Common equities
3,459.8
7.5
3,165.1
8.2
3,306.3
8.4
Total Group I securities
5,492.3
12.0
4,760.5
12.3
4,790.0
12.2
Group II securities:
Other fixed maturities
35,604.2
77.8
32,345.8
83.9
32,665.5
83.2
Short-term investments
4,667.8
10.2
1,467.4
3.8
1,798.8
4.6
Total Group II securities
40,272.0
88.0
33,813.2
87.7
34,464.3
87.8
Total portfolio
$
45,764.3
100.0
%
$
38,573.7
100.0
%
$
39,254.3
100.0
%
1Includes non-investment-grade redeemable preferred stocks of $37.4 million and $40.2 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, respectively; we held no non-investment-grade redeemable preferred stocks at September 30, 2020.
To determine the allocation between Group I and Group II, we use the credit ratings from models provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for classifying our residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, excluding interest-only securities, and the credit ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSRO) for all other debt securities. NAIC ratings are based on a model that considers the book price of our securities when assessing the probability of future losses in assigning a credit rating. As a result, NAIC ratings can vary from credit ratings issued by NRSROs. Management believes NAIC ratings more accurately reflect our risk profile when determining the asset allocation between Group I and Group II securities.
Unrealized Gains and Losses
As of September 30, 2020, our fixed-maturity portfolio had pretax net unrealized gains, recorded as part of accumulated other comprehensive income, of $1,226.1 million, compared to $671.7 million and $459.4 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The changes from both September and December 2019, reflect decreasing interest rates, which resulted in valuation increases in all fixed-maturity sectors, most prominently in the U.S. Government, Municipal, and Corporate portfolios.
See Note 2 – Investments for a further break-out of our gross unrealized gains and losses.
47
Holding Period Gains and Losses
The following table provides the gross and net holding period gain (loss) balance and activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2020:
(millions)
Gross Holding Period Gains
Gross Holding Period Losses
Net Holding Period Gains (Losses)
Beginning of period
Hybrid fixed-maturity securities
$
7.8
$
0
$
7.8
Equity securities
2,263.9
(15.5)
2,248.4
Balance at December 31, 2019
2,271.7
(15.5)
2,256.2
Year-to-date change in fair value
Hybrid fixed-maturity securities
(1.7)
(1.5)
(3.2)
Equity securities
129.4
(27.5)
101.9
Total holding period gains (losses) during the period
127.7
(29.0)
98.7
End of period
Hybrid fixed-maturity securities
6.1
(1.5)
4.6
Equity securities
2,393.3
(43.0)
2,350.3
Balance at September 30, 2020
$
2,399.4
$
(44.5)
$
2,354.9
Changes in holding period gains (losses), similar to unrealized gains (losses) in our fixed-maturity portfolio, are the result of changes in market performance as well as sales of securities based on various portfolio management decisions.
Credit Allowance and Uncollectible Losses
Valuations in all fixed-maturity sectors have continued to improve following the heightened volatility at the end of the first quarter. At the end of the third quarter, we continued to expect that all securities in our portfolio will pay their principal and interest obligations. In determining not to record any allowance or write-off, we considered our expectation as well as how the market has improved since the end of the first quarter. See Critical Accounting Policies for additional discussion.
Fixed-Income Securities
The fixed-income portfolio is managed internally and includes fixed-maturity securities, short-term investments, and nonredeemable preferred stocks.
Following are the primary exposures for our fixed-income portfolio. Details of our policies related to these exposures can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders.
•Interest rate risk - our duration of 3.0 years at September 30, 2020, fell within our acceptable range of 1.5 to 5 years. The duration distribution of our fixed-income portfolio, excluding short-term investments, represented by the interest rate sensitivity of the comparable benchmark U.S. Treasury Notes, was:
Duration Distribution
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
1 year
26.5
%
24.3
%
23.9
%
2 years
15.1
16.9
11.8
3 years
21.4
21.1
20.6
5 years
18.4
21.4
23.1
7 years
10.8
12.3
15.1
10 years
7.8
4.0
5.5
Total fixed-income portfolio
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
48
•Credit risk - our credit quality rating of AA- was above our minimum threshold during the third quarter 2020. The credit quality distribution of the fixed-income portfolio was:
Rating
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
AAA
53.3
%
60.9
%
60.8
%
AA
10.4
9.2
9.9
A
11.8
7.7
7.9
BBB
22.4
20.1
19.5
Non-investment grade/non-rated1
BB
1.6
1.5
1.4
B
0.3
0.4
0.3
CCC and lower
0
0
0
Non-rated
0.2
0.2
0.2
Total fixed-income portfolio
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
1The ratings in the table above are assigned by NRSROs. The non-investment-grade fixed-income securities based upon our Group I classification represented 2.1% of the total fixed-income portfolio at September 30, 2020, compared to 1.8% at September 30, 2019 and 1.7% at December 31, 2019.
•Concentration risk - we did not have any investments in a single issuer, either overall or in the context of individual assets classes and sectors, that exceeded our thresholds during the third quarter 2020.
•Prepayment and extension risk - we did not experience significant adverse prepayment or extension of principal relative to our cash flow expectations in the portfolio during the third quarter 2020.
•Liquidity risk - our overall portfolio remains very liquid and we believe that it is sufficient to meet expected near-term liquidity requirements.
◦The short-to-intermediate duration of our portfolio provides a source of liquidity, as we expect approximately $6.4 billion, or 23.5%, of principal repayment from our fixed-income portfolio, excluding U.S. Treasury Notes and short-term investments, during the remainder of 2020 and all of 2021. Cash from interest and dividend payments provides an additional source of recurring liquidity.
◦The duration of our U.S. government obligations, which are included in the fixed-income portfolio, was comprised of the following at September 30, 2020:
($ in millions)
Fair Value
Duration (years)
U.S. Treasury Notes
Less than one year
$
721.6
0.6
One to two years
2,228.8
1.7
Two to three years
2,570.6
2.6
Three to five years
2,579.7
4.1
Five to seven years
1,264.3
5.6
Seven to ten years
838.8
8.4
Total U.S. Treasury Notes
$
10,203.8
3.5
We currently view the market environment as very uncertain and believe the relatively conservative position of our investment portfolio continued to be appropriate.
49
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
Included in the fixed-income portfolio are asset-backed securities (ABS), which were comprised of the following at the balance sheet dates listed:
($ in millions)
Fair Value
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses)
% of Asset- Backed Securities
Duration (years)
Rating (at period end)1
September 30, 2020
Residential mortgage-backed securities
$
531.0
$
5.6
4.9
%
0.9
AA
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
6,053.6
89.2
56.1
2.9
AA
Other asset-backed securities
4,200.3
44.5
39.0
1.0
AA+
Total asset-backed securities
$
10,784.9
$
139.3
100.0
%
2.1
AA
September 30, 2019
Residential mortgage-backed securities
$
681.5
$
4.0
6.8
%
0.9
AA
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
4,639.0
91.1
46.7
2.2
AA
Other asset-backed securities
4,621.9
20.9
46.5
0.9
AAA-
Total asset-backed securities
$
9,942.4
$
116.0
100.0
%
1.5
AA+
December 31, 2019
Residential mortgage-backed securities
$
627.5
$
2.5
5.8
%
0.9
AA
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
5,076.2
55.5
46.6
2.0
AA
Other asset-backed securities
5,179.5
14.8
47.6
0.8
AAA-
Total asset-backed securities
$
10,883.2
$
72.8
100.0
%
1.4
AA+
1 The credit quality ratings in the table above are assigned by NRSROs.
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) The following table details the credit quality rating and fair value of our RMBSs, along with the loan classification and a comparison of the fair value at September 30, 2020, to our original investment value (adjusted for returns of principal, amortization, and write-downs):
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (at September 30, 2020)
($ in millions) Rating1
Non-Agency
Government/GSE2
Total
% of Total
AAA
$
362.2
$
1.9
$
364.1
68.6
%
AA
67.9
0.6
68.5
12.9
A
32.0
0
32.0
6.0
BBB
11.6
0
11.6
2.2
Non-investment grade/non-rated:
BB
1.2
0
1.2
0.2
B
14.6
0
14.6
2.7
CCC and lower
10.9
0
10.9
2.1
Non-rated
28.1
0
28.1
5.3
Total fair value
$
528.5
$
2.5
$
531.0
100.0
%
Increase (decrease) in value
1.0%
8.2%
1.1%
1The credit quality ratings in the table above are assigned by NRSROs; when we assign the NAIC ratings for our RMBSs, $48.2 million of our non-investment-grade securities are rated investment-grade and classified as Group II, and $6.6 million, or 1.2% of our total RMBSs, are not rated by the NAIC and are classified as Group I.
2The securities in this category are insured by a Government Sponsored Entity (GSE) and/or collateralized by mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
In the residential mortgage-backed sector, our portfolio consists of deals that are backed by high credit quality borrowers or have strong structural protections through underlying loan collateralization. In our view, the risk/reward potential is currently lower in this portfolio relative to other comparable investments. We made some relatively small additions in the residential mortgage-backed sector in the third quarter of 2020.
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Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) The following table details the credit quality rating and fair value of our CMBSs, along with a comparison of the fair value at September 30, 2020, to our original investment value (adjusted for returns of principal, amortization, and write-downs):
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (at September 30, 2020)
($ in millions)
Rating1
Multi-Borrower
Single-Borrower
Total
% of Total
AAA
$
433.4
$
2,502.7
$
2,936.1
48.5
%
AA
27.7
1,548.4
1,576.1
26.0
A
32.1
814.4
846.5
14.0
BBB
33.9
630.5
664.4
11.0
Non-investment grade/non-rated:
BB
0
30.1
30.1
0.5
B
0.4
0
0.4
0
Total fair value
$
527.5
$
5,526.1
$
6,053.6
100.0
%
Increase (decrease) in value
2.8%
1.4%
1.5%
1The credit quality ratings in the table above are assigned by NRSROs; when we assign the NAIC ratings for our CMBSs, $1.2 million of our non-investment-grade securities are rated investment-grade and classified as Group II, and $29.3 million, or 0.5% of our total CMBSs are rated non-investment-grade and classified as Group I.
During the third quarter 2020, we were active in purchasing Single Asset/Single Borrower securities in both new issue and secondary markets, with a focus on new issue in the second half of the quarter as that market opened back up. Spreads generally tightened during the quarter, and we sold some of our AAA-rated floating securities into this market strength. Dispositions of assets were primarily composed of securities with lower coupons at par or near-par prices in contrast with the second quarter 2020, in which we focused on reviewing and disposing of securities that we believed had unique credits risks that were exacerbated during the pandemic and related downturn. We focused on adding assets in the high-quality office, industrial, and life sciences industries during the third quarter 2020.
Other Asset-Backed Securities (OABS) The following table details the credit quality rating and fair value of our OABSs, along with a comparison of the fair value at September 30, 2020, to our original investment value (adjusted for returns of principal, amortization, and write-downs):
Other Asset-Backed Securities (at September 30, 2020)
($ in millions) Rating
Automobile
Credit Card
Student Loan
Whole Business Securitizations
Equipment
Other
Total
% of Total
AAA
$
1,606.0
$
364.3
$
247.9
$
0
$
927.7
$
207.8
$
3,353.7
79.8
%
AA
132.1
0
29.7
0
101.4
10.0
273.2
6.5
A
37.8
0
10.2
0
118.4
54.7
221.1
5.3
BBB
2.5
0
0
349.8
0
0
352.3
8.4
Total fair value
$
1,778.4
$
364.3
$
287.8
$
349.8
$
1,147.5
$
272.5
$
4,200.3
100.0
%
Increase (decrease) in value
0.7%
0.8%
1.4%
1.7%
1.5%
0.8%
1.1%
As valuations across other asset classes were more attractive in the third quarter of 2020, our OABS portfolio offered less relative value. Due to amortization and scheduled paydowns, our OABS portfolio decreased throughout the quarter. We selectively added across the spectrum to our OABS portfolio, but we primarily focused on auto, equipment, credit card backed, and student loans.
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MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
The following table details the credit quality rating of our municipal securities at September 30, 2020, without the benefit of credit or bond insurance:
Municipal Securities (at September 30, 2020)
(millions) Rating
General Obligations
Revenue Bonds
Total
AAA
$
948.3
$
575.4
$
1,523.7
AA
653.4
1,667.2
2,320.6
A
0
683.9
683.9
BBB
0
1.6
1.6
Total
$
1,601.7
$
2,928.1
$
4,529.8
Included in revenue bonds were $569.7 million of single-family housing revenue bonds issued by state housing finance agencies, of which $404.8 million were supported by individual mortgages held by the state housing finance agencies and $164.9 million were supported by mortgage-backed securities. Of the programs supported by mortgage-backed securities, approximately 25% were collateralized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages; the remaining 75% were collateralized by Ginnie Mae mortgages, which are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Of the programs supported by individual mortgages held by the state housing finance agencies, the overall credit quality rating was AA+. Most of these mortgages were supported by the Federal Housing Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or private mortgage insurance providers.
During the third quarter 2020, we continued to add high credit quality rated state general obligations, water and sewer, airport, and higher education revenue bonds. We also increased our focus on the taxable portion of the municipal market, based on our view that this sector would provide attractive returns to us, on a relative basis.
CORPORATE SECURITIES
The following table details the credit quality rating of our corporate securities at September 30, 2020:
Corporate Securities (at September 30, 2020)
(millions) Rating
Consumer
Industrial
Communication
Financial Services
Technology
Basic Materials
Energy
Total
AAA
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
30.1
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
30.1
AA
217.6
0
0
203.1
26.2
0
8.2
455.1
A
830.6
169.0
233.2
1,081.4
286.5
102.5
67.3
2,770.5
BBB
2,534.5
1,612.9
173.5
1,282.2
364.0
44.0
763.3
6,774.4
Non-investment grade/non-rated:
BB
96.6
137.6
78.5
7.0
124.8
0
35.9
480.4
B
101.5
0
0
0
0
0
0
101.5
Total fair value
$
3,780.8
$
1,919.5
$
485.2
$
2,603.8
$
801.5
$
146.5
$
874.7
$
10,612.0
During the third quarter 2020, credit spreads became less attractive and we slightly decreased our allocation to corporate bonds. We sold some investment grade securities trading at high valuations and at the same time slightly increased our allocation to high yield bonds with relatively attractive risk/reward profiles. While our high yield allocation increased, it remained relatively small.
Overall, our corporate securities are a larger percentage of the fixed-income portfolio, compared to the end of 2019. At September 30, 2020, the portfolio was approximately 25% of our fixed-income portfolio, compared to approximately 20% at December 31, 2019. In addition, we lengthened duration during 2020, and ended the third quarter 2020 at 3.9 years, compared to 2.7 years at the end of 2019. This duration extension is primarily the result of our assessment that more attractive opportunities and wider spread levels existed in the corporate sector.
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PREFERRED STOCKS – REDEEMABLE AND NONREDEEMABLE
The table below shows the exposure break-down by sector and rating at September 30, 2020:
Preferred Stocks (at September 30, 2020)
Financial Services
(millions) Rating
U.S. Banks
Foreign Banks
Insurance
Other
Industrials
Utilities
Total
A
$
50.0
$
0
$
0
$
9.4
$
0
$
0
$
59.4
BBB
872.9
0
175.1
25.0
122.5
11.3
1,206.8
Non-investment grade/non-rated:
BB
21.0
99.5
0
0
20.6
40.7
181.8
B
0
0
0
5.0
0
0
5.0
Non-rated
0
0
0
38.1
15.1
0
53.2
Total fair value
$
943.9
$
99.5
$
175.1
$
77.5
$
158.2
$
52.0
$
1,506.2
The majority of our preferred securities have fixed-rate dividends until a call date and then, if not called, generally convert to floating-rate dividends. The interest rate duration of our preferred securities is calculated to reflect the call, floor, and floating-rate features. Although a preferred security will remain outstanding if not called, its interest rate duration will reflect the variable nature of the dividend. Our non-investment-grade preferred stocks were primarily with issuers that maintain investment-grade senior debt ratings.
We also face the risk that dividend payments on our preferred stock holdings could be deferred for one or more periods or skipped entirely. As of September 30, 2020, all of our preferred securities continued to pay their dividends in full and on time. Approximately 80% of our preferred stock securities pay dividends that have tax preferential characteristics, while the balance pay dividends that are fully taxable.
Our preferred stock portfolio continued to produce positive returns during third quarter 2020 due to high levels of income and continued credit spread tightening.
Common Equities
Common equities, as reported on the balance sheets, were comprised of the following:
($ in millions)
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
Indexed common stocks
$
3,457.1
99.9
%
$
2,993.3
94.6
%
$
3,306.0
100.0
%
Managed common stocks
0
0
171.5
5.4
0
0
Total common stocks
3,457.1
99.9
3,164.8
100.0
3,306.0
100.0
Other risk investments
2.7
0.1
0.3
0
0.3
0
Total common equities
$
3,459.8
100.0
%
$
3,165.1
100.0
%
$
3,306.3
100.0
%
In our indexed common stock portfolio, our individual holdings are selected based on their contribution to the correlation with the Russell 1000 Index. We held 924 out of 1,015, or 91%, of the common stocks comprising the index at September 30, 2020, which made up 96% of the total market capitalization of the index. At September 30, 2020, the year-to-date total return, based on GAAP income, was not within our targeted tracking error, which is +/- 50 basis points. The portfolio was rebalanced during the second quarter 2020, in an effort to reduce the variance to the targeted tracking error.
The common equity markets continued to be volatile during the third quarter, and our common stock portfolio reflected that market volatility. During the third quarter 2020, stock valuations increased and we ended the quarter with a year-to-date FTE total return on our common equity portfolio of 5.8%, which was an improvement from the (3.4)% return at June 30, 2020.
The other risk investments are limited partnership interests. During the third quarter 2020, we funded $2.4 million on a partnership investment and have an open funding commitment of $7.6 million at September 30, 2020, on this investment.
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V. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Progressive is required to make certain estimates and assumptions when preparing its financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from those estimates in a variety of areas. The two areas we view as most critical with respect to the application of estimates and assumptions is the establishment of our loss reserves and the methods for measuring expected credit losses on financial instruments. Below is a discussion of the expected credit losses on financial instruments. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis; Critical Accounting Policies in our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders for further information on the estimates and assumptions related to the establishment of our loss reserves.
A. Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
An allowance for credit losses is established when the ultimate realization of a financial instrument is determined to be impaired due to a credit event. Measurement of expected credit losses is based on judgment when considering relevant information about past events, including historical loss experience, current conditions, and forecasts of the collectability of the reported financial instrument. The allowance for expected credit losses is measured and recorded at the point ultimate recoverability of the financial instrument is expected to be impaired, including upon the initial recognition of the financial instrument, where warranted. We evaluate financial instrument credit losses related to our available-for-sale securities, reinsurance recoverables, and premiums receivables.
Available-For-Sale Securities
We routinely monitor our fixed-maturity portfolio for pricing changes that might indicate potential losses exist and perform detailed reviews of securities with unrealized losses to determine if an allowance for credit losses, a change to an existing allowance (recovery or additional loss), or a write-off for an amount deemed uncollectible needs to be recorded. In such cases, changes in fair value are evaluated to determine the extent to which such changes are attributable to: (i) credit related losses, which are specific to the issuer (e.g., financial conditions, business prospects) where the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is lower than the amortized cost basis of the security or (ii) market related factors, such as interest rates or credit spreads.
If we do not expect to hold the security to allow for a potential recovery of those expected losses, we will write-off the security to fair value and recognize a realized loss in the comprehensive income statement.
For securities whose losses are credit related losses, and for which we do not intend to sell in the near term, we will review the non-market components to determine if a potential future credit loss exists, based on existing financial data available related to the fixed-maturity securities. If we anticipate that a credit loss exists, we will record an allowance for the credit loss and recognize a realized loss in the comprehensive income statement. For all securities for which an allowance for credit losses has been established, we will re-evaluate the securities, at least quarterly, to determine if further deterioration has occurred or if we project a subsequent recovery in the expected losses, which would require an adjustment to the allowance for credit losses. If subsequent to establishing an allowance for credit losses we determine that the security is likely to be sold prior to the recovery of the credit loss or if the loss is deemed uncollectible, we will reverse the allowance for credit losses and write-off the security to its fair value.
For an unrealized loss that is determined to be related to current market conditions, we will not record an allowance for credit losses or a write-off of the fair value. We will continue to monitor these securities to determine if underlying factors other than the current market conditions are contributing to the loss in value.
Based on an analysis of our fixed-maturity portfolio, we have determined our allowance for credit losses related to available-for-sale securities was not material to our financial condition or results of operations for the period ending September 30, 2020.
Reinsurance Recoverables
We routinely monitor changes in the credit quality and concentration risks of the reinsurers who are counter parties to our reinsurance recoverables. At September 30, 2020, approximately 75% of our reinsurance recoverables were held in several mandatory state pools, including the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and North Carolina Reinsurance Facility, and in plans where we act as a servicing agent to state-mandated involuntary plans for commercial vehicles (Commercial Automobile Insurance Procedures/Plans) and as a participant in the “Write Your Own” program for federally regulated plans for flood (National Flood Insurance Program). All of these programs are governed by insurance regulations. The remaining balance of our recoverables are composed of voluntary external contractual arrangements that primarily relate to the Property business and to our transportation network company (TNC) business written by our Commercial Lines business. For these privately placed reinsurance arrangements, we regularly monitor reinsurer credit strength and analyze our reinsurance recoverable balances for expected credit losses at least quarterly, or more frequently if indicators of reinsurer credit deterioration, either individually or in aggregate, exists. For at-risk uncollateralized recoverable balances, we evaluate a number of reinsurer specific factors, including reinsurer credit quality rating, credit rating outlook, historical experience, reinsurer surplus, recoverable duration, and collateralization composition in respect to our net exposure (i.e., the
54
reinsurance recoverable amount less premiums payable to the reinsurer, where the right to offset exists). Based on this assessment, reinsurers with credit risks will be individually subject to a credit default model, and an allowance for credit loss will be established, where warranted.
Based on the analysis of reinsurers, we have determined our allowance for credit losses related to our reinsurance recoverables was not material to our financial condition or results of operations for the period ending September 30, 2020.
Premium Receivables
We routinely monitor historical premium collections data for our premiums receivable balances, through actuarial analyses, to project the future recoverability of currently recorded receivables. See Note 1 – Basis of Presentation for a description of our process and a rollforward in the allowance account during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
55
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Investors are cautioned that certain statements in this report not based upon historical fact are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements often use words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning, or are tied to future periods, in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events, and are subject to certain risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainties related to:
•our ability to underwrite and price risks accurately and to charge adequate rates to policyholders;
•our ability to establish accurate loss reserves;
•the impact of severe weather, other catastrophe events and climate change;
•the effectiveness of our reinsurance programs;
•the highly competitive nature of property-casualty insurance markets;
•whether we innovate effectively and respond to our competitors’ initiatives;
•whether we effectively manage complexity as we develop and deliver products and customer experiences;
•how intellectual property rights could affect our competitiveness and our business operations;
•whether we adjust claims accurately;
•our ability to maintain a recognized and trusted brand;
•our ability to attract, develop and retain talent and maintain appropriate staffing levels;
•compliance with complex laws and regulations;
•litigation challenging our business practices, and those of our competitors and other companies;
•the impacts of a security breach or other attack involving our computer systems or the systems of one or more of our vendors;
•the secure and uninterrupted operation of the facilities, systems, and business functions that are critical to our business;
•the success of our efforts to develop new products or enter into new areas of business and navigate related risks;
•our continued ability to send and accept electronic payments;
•the possible impairment of our goodwill or intangible assets;
•the performance of our fixed-income and equity investment portfolios;
•the potential elimination of, or change in, the London Interbank Offered Rate;
•our continued ability to access our cash accounts and/or convert securities into cash on favorable terms;
•the impact if one or more parties with which we enter into significant contracts or transact business fail to perform;
•legal restrictions on our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to The Progressive Corporation;
•limitations on our ability to pay dividends on our common shares under the terms of our outstanding preferred shares;
•our ability to obtain capital when necessary to support our business and potential growth;
•evaluations by credit rating and other rating agencies;
•the variable nature of our common share dividend policy;
•whether our investments in certain tax-advantaged projects generate the anticipated returns;
•the impact from not managing to short-term earnings expectations in light of our goal to maximize the long-term value of the enterprise;
•impacts from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the restrictions put in place to help slow and/or stop the spread of the virus; and
•other matters described from time to time in our releases and publications, and in our periodic reports and other documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2019, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2020.
In addition, investors should be aware that generally accepted accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when we establish reserves for one or more contingencies. Also, our regular reserve reviews may result in adjustments of varying magnitude as additional information regarding claims activity becomes known. Reported results, therefore, may be volatile in certain accounting periods.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The duration of the financial instruments held in our portfolio that are subject to interest rate risk was 3.0 years at September 30, 2020, 2.9 years at September 30, 2019, and 3.0 years at December 31, 2019. The weighted average beta of the equity portfolio was 1.02 at September 30, 2020 and 1.00 at both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019. We have not experienced a material impact when compared to the tabular presentations of our interest rate and market risk sensitive instruments in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
We, under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, have established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. The disclosure controls and procedures are also intended to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer reviewed and evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, including consideration of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions and the company’s current work-from-home environment on the execution of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting. Based on that review and evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effectively serving the stated purposes as of the end of the period covered by this report.
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes in the risk factors from those discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors included in both our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2020.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
(c) Share Repurchases
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
2020
Calendar
Month
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July
427,495
$
87.87
1,600,514
23,399,486
August
2,272
90.44
1,602,786
23,397,214
September
80,733
93.99
1,683,519
23,316,481
Total
510,500
$
88.85
In May 2019, the Board of Directors approved an authorization for the Company to repurchase up to 25 million of its common shares. This authorization does not have an expiration date. Share repurchases under this authorization may be accomplished through open market purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to our equity compensation awards, or otherwise, and may include trading plans entered into with one or more brokerage firms in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. During the third quarter 2020, all repurchases were accomplished in conjunction with our incentive compensation awards or through the open market at the then-current market prices. Progressive’s financial policies state that we will repurchase shares to neutralize dilution from equity-based compensation in the year of issuance and as an option to effectively use underleveraged capital.
Item 5. Other Information.
President and CEO Susan Patricia Griffith’s quarterly letter to shareholders is included as Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The letter is also posted on Progressive’s website at progressive.com/annualreport.
Item 6. Exhibits.
See exhibit index beginning on page 60.
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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.
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date:
November 3, 2020
By: /s/ John P. Sauerland
John P. Sauerland
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Under Reg. S-K, Item 601
Form 10-Q Exhibit Number
Description of Exhibit
If Incorporated by Reference, Documents with Which Exhibit was Previously Filed with SEC
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
