UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended                                                                                                                                                            Commission file number 0-5534
 For the fiscal year ended Commission file number 0-5534
 December 31, 2010
December 31, 2011
BALDWIN & LYONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)organization
 
35-0160330
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1099 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
(Address of principal executive offices)
46204
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (317) 636-9800
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

(Title of class)
Class A Common Stock, No Par Value
Class B Common Stock, No Par Value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    
 
Yes ­___ No  ü
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
 
Yes ­___ No  ü
 
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 periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ­ ü    No ___
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.10-K._____  ­    ü
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ____    Accelerated filer  ü     Non-accelerated filer ____
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ­___ No  ü
 
The aggregate market value of Class A and Class B Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2010,2011, based on the closing trade prices on that date, was approximately $173,047,000.$199,155,221.
 
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of March 1, 2011:2012:
Common Stock, No Par Value:                                                                      Class A (voting)                                            2,623,109 shares
           Class B (nonvoting)                                     12,201,48212,225,348 shares

The Index to Exhibits is located on pages 80 and 81.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 10, 20118, 2012 are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 
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PART I

Item 1.  BUSINESS

Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana in 1930.  Through its divisions and subsidiaries, Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. (referred to herein as "B&L") engages in marketing and underwriting property and casualty insurance and the assumption of property and casualty reinsurance.  B&L’s principal subsidiaries are: Protective Insurance Company (referred to herein as "Protective"), with licenses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and all Canadian provinces;  Protective Specialty Insurance Company (referred to herein as “Protective Specialty”), which is currently approved for excess and surplus lines business in 40 states;46 states and licensed in Indiana; Sagamore Insurance Company (referred to herein as "Sagamore"), which is licensed in 47 states and approved for excess and surplus lines business in one additional state; B&L Brokerage Services, Inc., (referred to herein as "BLBS"), an Indiana baseddomiciled insurance broker licensed in all 50 states; and B&L Insurance, Ltd. (referred to herein as "BLI"), which is domiciled and licensed in Bermuda.  Protective, Protective Specialty, Sagamore and BLI are collectively referred to herein as the "Insurance Subsidiaries."  The "Company", as used herein, refers to Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and all its subsidiaries unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
 
Approximately 59%71% of the gross direct property and casualty insurance premiums written and assumed by the Insurance Subsidiaries during 20102011 were attributable to business produced directly or indirectly by B&L.  Approximately 16% of gross premium is assumed from several non-affiliated insurance and reinsurance companies through policies of reinsurance and retrocessions.  The remaining 25% consists primarily29% of business which wasthe gross direct property and casualty insurance premiums written by the Insurance Subsidiaries during 2011was originated through an extensive network of independent agents on both a retail and wholesale basis.basis and through a limited number of arrangements with managing general agencies.
 
The Insurance Subsidiaries cede portions of their gross premiums written to several non-affiliated reinsurers under excess of loss and quota-share treaties and by facultative (individual policy-by-policy) placements.  Reinsurance is ceded to spread the risk of loss among several reinsurers.   In addition to the assumption of reinsurance, described below, the Insurance Subsidiaries participate in numerous mandatory government-operated reinsurance pools which require insurance companies to provide coverages on assigned risks.  These assigned risk pools allocate participation to all insurers based upon each insurer's portion of premium writings on a state or national level.   Assigned risk premium typically comprises less than 1% of gross direct premium written and assumed.assumed by the Insurance Subsidiaries.
 
The Insurance Subsidiaries serve a variety of specialty markets as follows:
 
Fleet Transportation

The Insurance Subsidiaries provide coverage for larger companies in the motor carrier industry which retain substantial amounts of self-insurance, for independent contractors utilized by large trucking companies, for medium-sized and small trucking companies on a first dollar or small deductible basis and for public livery concerns, principally covering fleets of commercial buses.  This group of products is collectively referred to as fleet transportation.  Large fleet trucking products are marketed largely by the B&L agency organization directly to fleet transportation clients but also through relationships with non-affiliated brokers and, to a lesser degree, through specialized independent agents.  Broker or agent intermediaries are typically used for smaller accounts.  The principal types of fleet transportation insurance marketed by the Insurance Subsidiaries are:
 
 -Casualty insurance includingCommercial motor vehicle liability, physical damage and other liability insurance.
 -Workers' compensation insurance.
 -Specialized accident (medical and indemnity) insurance for independent contractors.
-Non-trucking motor vehicle liability insurance for independent contractors.
 -Fidelity and surety bonds.
 -Inland Marine consisting principally of cargo insurance.
 -“Captive” insurance company products, which are provided through BLI in Bermuda.

B&L also performs a variety of additional services, primarily for the Company’s insureds, including risk surveys and analyses, safety program design and monitoring, government compliance assistance, loss control and cost studies and research, development, and consultation in connection with new insurance programs including development of computerized systems to assist customers in monitoring their accident data.  Extensive claims handling services are also provided, primarily to clients with self-insurance programs.


 
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Reinsurance Assumptions

The Company accepts cessions and retrocessions from selected insurance and reinsurance companies, principally reinsuring against catastrophicproviding reinsurance coverage for both property and casualty events.

Approximately 64% of current net reinsurance premium earned in 2010 emanated from2011 was related to property coverages, principally reinsuring against catastrophic events.  Approximately two-thirds of this premium was produced through a small number of retrocessions spread worldwide among several geographic regions.  All major retrocessions arewith Lloyds of London syndicates with the balance produced through an exclusive managing general agency partnership.  Property reinsurance is concentrated in upper layers of coverage and contain loss limits so that only major catastrophic events would be expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operations or financial position.

The remaining 36% of net reinsurance assumptions are produced through several non-affiliated reinsurance brokers.  For 2010, approximately 75% of broker produced business related to coverage for weather-related losses which attach at lower levels, primarily covering weather events in the United States, excluding Florida and United States earthquake.  The remaining 25% of broker produced businesspremium earned during 2011 relates to domestic professional liability reinsurancecoverages provided to small and medium sized insurance companies.companies and produced through a network of independent brokers.

Private Passenger Automobile Insurance

The Company markets private passenger automobile liability and physical damage coverages to individuals through a network of independent agents in thirty states.

Commercial Property and Business Owners Liability

The Company markets commercial property and business owners liability coverages on a limited basis through a managing general agent in the state of Florida.

Professional Liability

The Company markets Miscellaneous Professional Liability coverages through wholesale and retail agents on both an admitted and surplus lines basis throughout the United States.


Property/Casualty Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred typically comprise nearly two-thirds of the Company’s operating expenses.  A discussion of this expense category follows.

The consolidated balance sheets include the estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") of the Insurance Subsidiaries.Subsidiaries before the application of reinsurance credits (gross reserves).  The liabilities for losses and LAE are determined using case basis evaluations and statistical projections and represent estimates of the Company’s ultimate net exposure for all unpaid losses and LAE incurred through December 31 of each year.  These estimates are subject to the effects of trends in claim severity and frequency and are continually reviewed and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the liability is adjusted as necessary.  Such adjustments, either positive or negative, are reflected in current operations as recorded.
 
The Company’s reserves for losses and loss expenses (“reserves”) are determined based on evaluations of individual reported claims and by actuarial estimation processes using historical experience, current economic information and, when necessary, available industry statistics.  Reserves are evaluated in three basic categories (1) “case basis”, (2) “incurred but not reported” and (3) “loss adjustment expense” reserves.  Case basis loss reserves, which comprise approximately 65% of total gross reserves at December 31, 2010,2011, are established for specific known loss occurrences at amounts dependent upon criteria such as type of coverage, severity of injury or property damage and the underlying policy limits, as examples.  Case basis reserves are estimated by experienced claims adjusters using established Company guidelines and are monitored by claims management.  Incurred but not reported reserves, which are established for those losses which have occurred, but have not yet been reported to the Company, are computed on a “bulk” basis.basis and comprise approximately 29% of total gross reserves at December 31, 2011.  Common actuarial methods are employed in the establishment of incurred but not reported loss reserves using companyCompany historical loss data, consideration of changes in the Company’s business and study of current economic trends affecting ultimate claims costs.  Loss adjustment expense reserves, or reserves for the costs associated with the investigation and settlement of a claim, are alsoa combination of case basis and bulk reserves representing the Company’s estimate of the costs associated with the claims handling process.process and comprise approximately 6% of total gross reserves at December 31, 2011.  Loss adjustment expense reserves include amounts ultimately allocable to individual claims as well as amounts required for the general overhead of the claims handling operation which are not specifically allocable to individual claims.  Historical analyses of the ratio of loss adjusting expenses to losses paid on prior closed claims and study of current economic trends affecting loss settlement costs are used to estimate the loss adjustment reserve needs related to

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the established loss reserves.  Each of these reserve categories contain elements of uncertainty which assure variability when compared to the ultimate costs to settle the

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underlying claims for which the reserves are established.  For a more detailed discussion of the three categories of reserves, see “Loss and Loss Expense Reserves” under the caption, “Critical Accounting Policies” beginning on page 2829 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

The reserving process requires management to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of claims.  Our claims range from the very routine private passenger automobile “fender bender” to the highly complex and costly claims involving large tractor-trailer rigs and large-scale losses resulting from catastrophic events.  Reserving for each class of claims requires a set of assumptions based upon historical experience, knowledge of current industry trends and seasoned judgment.  The high limits provided by the Company’s fleet transportation liability policies provide for greater volatility in the reserving process for more serious claims.  Court rulings, legislative actions, geographic location of the claim under consideration and trends in jury awards also play a significant role in the estimation process of larger claims.  The Company continuously reviews and evaluates loss developments subsequent to each measurement date and adjusts its reserve estimation assumptions, as necessary, in an effort to achieve the best possible estimate of the ultimate remaining loss costs at any point in time.
 
 
Loss reserves related to certain permanent total disability (PTD) workers' compensation claims have been discounted to present value using tables provided by the National Council on Compensation Insurance which are based upon a pretax interest rate of 3.5% and adjusted for those portions of the losses retained by the insured.  The loss and LAE reserves at December 31, 20102011 have been reduced by approximately $6.5 million as a result of such discounting.  Had the Company not discounted loss and LAE reserves, pretax income would have been approximately $.2 million higherlower for the year ended December 31, 2010.2011.

For policies inforce at December 31, 2010,2011, the maximum amount for which the Company insures a fleet transportation risk is $10 million, less applicable self-insured retentions, although for the majority of policies written, the maximum limits provided by the Company are $5 million.  Any limits above $10 million required by customers are either placed directly by Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. with excess carriers or are written by the Company but 100% reinsured.  Certain coverages, such as workers’ compensation, provide essentially unlimited exposure, although the Company protects itself to the extent believed prudent through the purchase of excess reinsurance for these coverages.  After giving effect to current treaty and facultative reinsurance arrangements the Company’s maximum exposure to loss from a single occurrence ranges from approximately $.25 million to $1.9$1.6 million for the vast majority of risks insured although, for certain losses occurring in current and prior policy years, maximum exposure could be as high as $3.7 million for a single occurrence.  Reinsurance agreements effective since June 3, 2004 include provisions for aggregate deductibles that must be exceeded before the Company can recover under the terms of the treaties.  The Company retains a higher percentage of the direct premium (and, therefore, cedes less premium to reinsurers) in consideration of these deductible provisions.  Net premiums earned and losses incurred by the Company for  2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 each include $28.7 million, $23.4 million $15.8 million and $22.6$15.8 million, respectively, related to such deductible provisions inforce during these years.

The Company has revisedis cedent under numerous reinsurance treaties covering its treaty arrangements several times in prior years in response to changing market conditions.  The current treaty arrangementsvaried product lines.  Treaties are effective until July 2, 2011 and coverwritten on an annual basis, each with its own renewal date throughout the entire policy period for all business written from inception of the treaty on July 3, 2010 through that date.year.  Treaty renewals are expected to occur annually in the foreseeable future.  Because the Company occasionally offers multiple year policies and because losses from fleet transportation businessmany of its products take years to develop, losses reported in the current year may be covered by a number of older reinsurance treaties with higher or lower loss retentions than those provided by current treaty provisions.

The table on page 5 sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss and LAE liability balances, for 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008.2009.  That table is presented net of reinsurance recoverable to correspond with income statement presentation.  However, a reconciliation of these net reserves to those gross of reinsurance recoverable, as presented in the balance sheet, is also shown.  The table on page 11 shows the development of the estimated liability, net of reinsurance recoverable, for the ten years prior to 2010.2011.  The table on page 12 is a summary of the re-estimated liability, before consideration of reinsurance, for the ten years prior to 20102011 as well as the related re-estimated reinsurance ceded for the same periods.







 
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RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENTRECONCILIATION OF LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT 
EXPENSES (GAAP BASIS)EXPENSES (GAAP BASIS) EXPENSES (GAAP BASIS) 
                  
 Year Ended December 31  Year Ended December 31 
 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
NET OF REINSURANCE RECOVERABLE: (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Liability for losses and LAE at the                  
Beginning of the year $203,253  $231,633  $244,500  $218,629  $203,253  $231,633 
                        
Provision for losses and LAE:                        
Claims occurring during the current year  154,775   108,935   132,829   225,251   154,775   108,935 
Claims occurring during prior years  (8,823)  (9,584)  (17,077)  (9,696)  (8,823)  (9,584)
  145,952   99,351   115,752   215,555   145,952   99,351 
Payments of losses and LAE:                        
Claims occurring during the current year  56,394   41,302   51,649   71,699   56,394   41,302 
Claims occurring during prior years  74,182   84,777   76,970   72,393   74,182   84,777 
  130,576   126,079   128,619   144,092   130,576   126,079 
            
Other reserve adjustment  -   (1,652)  -   -   -   (1,652)
            
Liability for losses and LAE at end of year  218,629   203,253   231,633   290,092   218,629   203,253 
                        
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses                        
at end of the year  125,891   155,778   157,925   131,464   125,891   155,778 
            
Liability for losses and LAE, gross of                        
reinsurance recoverable, at end of the year $344,520  $359,031  $389,558  $421,556  $344,520  $359,031 
                        

The reconciliation above shows that a savings of $8.8$9.7 million was developed in the liability for losses and LAE recorded at December 31, 2009,2010, with comparative developments for the two previous calendar years.  The following table is a summary of the $8.8$9.7 million reserve savings by accident year (dollars in thousands):

Years in Which Losses Were Incurred Reserve at December 31, 2009  (Savings) Deficiency Recorded During 2010  % (Savings) Deficiency  Reserve at December 31, 2010  (Savings) Deficiency Recorded During 2011  % (Savings) Deficiency 
      
2010 $98,381  $(12,720)  (12.9%)
2009 $67,633  $1,924   2.8%  32,174   169   .5%
2008  43,760   (1,221)  (2.8%)  27,486   (1,370)  (5.0%)
2007  19,368   (3,292)  (17.0%)  11,522   (1,652)  (14.3%)
2006  10,768   246   2.3%  5,259   1,910   36.3%
2005  14,895   (3,080)  (20.7%)
2004 & prior  46,829   (3,400)  (7.3%)
2005 & prior  43,807   3,967   9.1%
 $203,253  $(8,823)  (4.3%)            
 $218,629  $(9,696)  (4.4%)
            


 
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The (savings) deficiency recorded for these loss years was derived from varied sources, as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
  2004 & Prior  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
                   
Losses and allocated loss expenses developed on cases known to exist at December 31, 2009 $1,129  $424  $1,140  $1,479  $1,969  $3,775 
Losses and allocated loss expenses reported on cases unknown at December 31, 2009  1,059   -   115   2   691   2,704 
Unallocated loss expenses paid  134   401   267   254   587   2,255 
Change in reserves for incurred but not reported losses and allocated and unallocated loss expenses  (5,645)  (3,677)  (1,601)  (3,001)  (3,973)  (7,578)
Net (savings) deficiency on losses from directly-produced business  (3,323)  (2,852)  (79)  (1,266)  (726)  1,156 
(Savings)deficiency reported under reinsurance assumption agreements and residual markets  (77)  (228)  325   (2,026)  (495)  768 
                         
Net savings $(3,400) $(3,080) $246  $(3,292) $(1,221) $1,924 
                         
  2005 &Prior  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
                         
Losses and allocated loss
 expenses developed on
 cases known to exist at
 December 31, 2010
 $3,594  $1,333  $(830) $740  $4,693  $(455)
 
Losses and allocated loss
 expenses reported on
 cases unknown at
 December 31, 2010
  281   10   11   208   516   3,405 
 
Unallocated loss expenses
 paid
  515   112   218   793   478   1,855 
                         
Change in reserves for
 incurred but not reported
 losses and allocated and
 unallocated loss expenses
  (260)  389   (608)  (2,983)  (6,620)  (18,395)
 
Net (savings) deficiency on
 losses from directly-
 produced business
  4,130   1,844   (1,209)  (1,242)  (933)  (13,590)
 
(Savings) deficiency reported
 under voluntary reinsurance
 assumption agreements and
 residual markets
  (163)  66   (443)  (128)  1,102   870 
                         
Net savings $3,967  $1,910  $(1,652) $(1,370) $169  $(12,720)
                         

 
Loss and loss expense developments (savings) deficiency, presented separately by major product line,segment, were as follows for the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 2010  2009  2008 
          2011  2010  2009 
Property and casualty insurance $(7,090) $(14,110) $(16,841) $(7,417) $(6,567) $(13,526)
Involuntary residual markets  523   584   (31)
Reinsurance assumed  (2,256)  3,942   (205)
Reinsurance  (2,279)  (2,256)  3,942 
Totals $(8,823) $(9,584) $(17,077) $(9,696) $(8,823) $(9,584)
                        

In the first table on page 6, the amounts identified as "Net (savings) deficiency on losses from directly-produced business" consist of development on cases known at December 31, 2009,2010, losses reported which were previously unknown at December 31, 20092010 (incurred but not reported), unallocated loss expense paid related to accident years 20092010 and prior and changes in the reserves for incurred but not reported losses and loss expenses.  Bulk loss reserves are established to provide for potential future adverse development on cases known to the Company and for cases unknown at the reserve date.  Changes in the reserves for incurred but not reported losses and loss expenses occur based upon information received on known and newly reported cases during the current year and the effect of that development on the application of standard actuarial methods used by the Company.
 

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Also shown in the table are amounts representing the "(Savings)"(savings) deficiency reported under reinsurance assumption agreements and residual markets".  These amounts relate to the Company's participation in property catastropheboth voluntary reinsurance policies and treaties.treaties and government mandated pools.  The Company records its share of losses from these policies, treaties and treatiespools based on reports from the reinsured companies, retrocessionaires and retrocessionairesresidual market administrators and does not

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directly establish case reserves related to this segmentportion of the Company's business.  The Company does, however, establish additional reserves for property reinsurance losses to supplement case reserves reported by the ceding companies, when considered necessary.  While involuntaryInvoluntary residual market premiums and losses are included in the property and casualty segment, they are shown separately in this presentation because reservessegment. Development on residual market business was $1.1 million, $.5 million and $.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Reserves on this business are established by the regulatory entities and, accordingly, development on these losses is outsidedependent on the controladequacy of the Company.loss reserving by these entities.
 
Directly produced propertyThe Property and casualty insurance segment has historically constituted the largest portion of net reserve development savings.  As shown, the savings from this segment ranged from $7.1$6.6 million in 2010 to $16.8$13.5 million in 2008.2009.  This fluctuation reflects the variability associated with the larger claims covered by the Company, as well as fluctuations in the Company’s net retentions.  The Company continues to incorporate more recent loss development data into its loss reserving formulae; however, the change from excess of loss to quota share treaties beginning in 2005, the widely fluctuating use of facultative reinsurance on larger risks, and the dynamic nature of losses associated with the fleet transportation business as well as the timing of settlement of large claims increases the likelihood of variability in loss developments from period to period.  As discussed elsewhere, the Company has historically experienced savings in its loss developments owing to, among other things, its long-standing policy of reserving for the ultimate value of losses quickly and realistically and a willingness to settle claims based upon a seasoned evaluation of its exposures.  While the Company’s basic assumptions have remained consistent, we continue to update loss data to reflect changing trends which can be expected to result in fluctuations in loss developments over time.

The developmentsdevelopment for reinsurance, assumed and involuntary residual markets, with a $2.3 million savings and a $.5 million deficiency during 2010, respectively, are2011, is heavily dependent on the establishment of case basis and IBNR reserves by other insurance and reinsurance companies and by managers of state run residual market pools.companies.  While the Company evaluates the sufficiency of such reserving, considering the number of different entities involved and the fact that the Company must rely on external sources of information, the savings or deficiency developed from these products will likely fluctuate from year to year.  We have found this to be particularly true during years when large catastrophic events occur near year end, such as was the case in 2008 with the occurrence of Hurricane Ike in September.end.
 
Factors affecting the development of environmental claims are more fully discussed in the following paragraphs.  The Company has little exposure to environmental losses and activity during the three year period ending 20102011 has been insignificant.
 
Our goal is to produce an overall estimate of reserves which is sufficient and as close to expected ultimate losses as possible.  The $8.8$9.7 million in net savings developed during 20102011 represents approximately 48%35% of pre-tax net incomeloss before realized capital gainslosses for 20102011 but only 4.3%4.4% of December 31, 20092010 net loss and LAE reserves, which is well within the acceptable range of variation for the Company’s diverse and complex book of business.  The Company has maintained a consistent, conservative posture in its reserving process and has not significantly altered its assumptions used in the reserving process since the mid - 1980's.  This process has proven to be fully adequate with no overall deficiencies developed since 1985.  There were no significant changes in trends related to the numbers of claims incurred (other than correlative variances with premium volume), average settlement amounts, numbers of claims outstanding at period ends or the averages per claim outstanding during the year ended December 31, 20102011 for most lines of business.  However, the average settlement amounts of severe fleet transportation claims have tended to increase in recent years.
 
As described on page 4, changes have occurred in the Company's net per accident exposure under reinsurance agreements in place during the periods presented in the previous table.  It is much more difficult to reserve for losses where policy limits are as high as $10 million per accident as opposed to those losses related to business which carries lower policy limits, such as private passenger automobile.  ThereThis is because there are fewer policy limit losses in the Company's historical loss database on which to project future loss developments and the larger and more complex the loss, the greater the likelihood that litigation will become involved in the settlement process.  As such,Consequently, the level of uncertainty in the reserving process is much greater when dealing with larger losses and will routinely result in fluctuations among accident year developments.
 

 
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The differences between the liability for losses and LAE reported in the accompanying 20102011 consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and that reported in the annual statements filed with state and provincial insurance departments in the United States and Canada in accordance with statutory accounting practices ("SAP") are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
  Liability reported on a SAP basis - net of reinsurance recoverable                   $ 296,232

  Add differences:
 Liability reported on a SAP basis - net of reinsurance recoverable $223,969 
     
   Add differences:    
     Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE  125,891 
     Additional reserve for residual market losses not    
       reported to the Company at the current year end  360 
     
   Deduct differences:    
     Estimated salvage and subrogation recoveries recorded on    
       a cash basis for SAP and on an accrual basis for GAAP  (5,700)
     
   Liability reported on a GAAP basis $344,520 
     
      Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE                                                                                                 131,464
      Additional reserve for residual market losses not
        reported to the Company at the current year end                                                                                                            360
 
  Deduct differences:
      Estimated salvage and subrogation recoveries recorded on
        a cash basis for SAP and on an accrual basis for GAAP                                                                                            (6,500)

  Liability reported on a GAAP basis                                                                                                             $ 421,556


Ten Year Historical Development Tables:
 
The table on page 11 presents the development of GAAP balance sheet insurance reserves for each year-end 2000from 2001 through 2010, as of December 31, 2011, net of all reinsurance credits.  The top line of the table shows the estimated liability for unpaid losses and LAE recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years.  This liability represents the estimated amount of losses and LAE for claims arising in all prior years that were unpaid at the respective balance sheet date, including losses that had been incurred, but not yet reported, to the Company.
 
The upper portion of the table shows the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded liability based on additional information available to the Company as of the end of each succeeding year.  The estimate is increased or decreased as more information becomes known about the frequency and severity of individual claims and as claims are settled and paid.
 
The "cumulative redundancy" represents the aggregate change in the estimates of each calendar year end reserve through December 31, 2010.2011.  For example, the 20002001 liability has developed an $11.0a $12.9 million redundancy over ten years.  That amount has been reflected in income over those ten years, as shown on the table.  The effect on income of changes in estimates of the liability for losses and LAE during each of the past three years is shown in the table on page 5.
 
Historically, the Company’s loss developments have been favorable.  Reserve developments for all years ended in the period 1986 through 20092010 have produced redundancies as of December 31, 2010.2011.  In addition to refinements in reserving methods, loss reserve developments since 1985 have been favorably affected by several other factors.  Perhaps the most significant single factor has been the improvement in safety programs by the fleet transportation industry in general and by the Company’s insureds specifically.  Statistics produced by the American Trucking Association show that driver quality has improved markedly in the past decade resulting in fewer fatalities and serious accidents.  The Company’s experience also shows that improved safety and hiring programs have a dramatic impact on the frequency and severity of fleet transportation accidents and, more recently, the introduction of numerous safety devices using state-of-the-art technology has reduced rear end and cross over accidents which often produce the most serious injuries.  Significant trucking industry and regulatory initiatives, such as CSA 2010, have provided strong motivation to trucking companies to upgrade their driver roster, increase monitoring of driver behavior and improve equipment maintenance, all resulting in fewer accidents.  Higher self-insured retentions also play a part in reduced insurance losses.  Higher retentions not only raise the excess insurance entry point but also encourage fleet transportation company management to focus even more intensely on safety programs.
 
The establishment of bulk reserves requires the use of historical data where available and generally a minimum of ten years of such data is required to provide statistically valid samples.  As previously mentioned, numerous factors must be considered in reviewing historical data including inflation, legislative actions, new coverages provided and trends noted in the current book of business which are different from those present in the historical data.  Clearly, the Company's book of business in 20102011 is different from that which generated much of the ten-year historical loss data used to establish reserves in recent years.  Management has noted trends toward significantly higher settlements and jury awards associated with the more serious fleet transportation liability claims over the past several years.  The inflationary factors affecting these claims appear to be more subjective in nature and not in line with compensatory equity.  In addition to the factors mentioned above, savings realized in recent years upon the closing of claims, as reflected in the tables on pages 5 and 11, are attributable to the Company’s experience in specializing in long-haul trucking business for over 50 years as well as its long-standing policy
 

 
- 8 -

 

of reserving for losses realistically and a willingness to settle claims based upon a seasoned evaluation of the underlying exposures.  The Company will continue to review the trends noted and, should it appear that such trends are permanent and projectable, they will be reflected in future reserving method refinements.
 
The lower section of the table on page 11 shows the cumulative amount paid with respect to the previously recorded calendar year end liability as of the end of each succeeding year.  For example, as of December 31, 2010,2011, the Company had paid $84.6$92.5 million of losses and LAE that had been incurred, but not paid, as of December 31, 2000;2001; thus an estimated $24.3$32.0 million (22%(26%) of losses incurred through 20002001 remain unpaid as of the current financial statement date ($108.9124.5 million incurred less $84.6$92.5 million paid).  The payment patterns shown in this table demonstrate the “long-tail” nature of much of the Company’s business whereby many claims do not settle for more than ten years.
 
In evaluating this information, it is important to note that the method of presentation causes some development experience to be duplicated.  For example, the amount of any redundancy or deficiency related to losses settled in 2005, but incurred in 2002, will be included in the cumulative development amount for each of the years-end 2002, 2003, and 2004.  As such, this table does not present accident or policy year development data which readers may be more accustomed to analyzing.  Rather, this table is intended to present an evaluation of the Company’s ability to establish its liability for losses and loss expenses at a given balance sheet date.  It is important to note that conditions and trends that have affected development of the liability in the past may not necessarily occur in the future.  Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on this table.
 
The table presented on page 12 presents loss development data on a gross (before consideration of reinsurance) basis for the same ten year period December 31, 20002001 through December 31, 2009,2010, as of December 31, 2010,2011, with a reconciliation of the data to the net amounts shown in the table on page 11.  Readers are reminded that the gross data presented on page 12 requires significantly more subjectivity in the estimation of incurred but not reported and loss expense reserves because of the high limits provided by the Company to its fleet transportation customers, much of which has been covered by excess of loss and facultative reinsurance.  This is particularly true of excess of loss treaties where the Company retains risk in only the lower, more predictable, layers of coverage.  Accordingly, one would generally expect more variability in development on a gross basis than on a net basis.  The difference between loss developments before consideration of reinsurance, as presented on page 12, and those net of reinsurance, as shown on page 11 do not impact the Company’s operating results as all such differences are borne by reinsurers.
 
Environmental Matters:
 
Given the Company's principal business is insuring fleet transportation companies, on occasion claims involving a trucking accident which has resulted in the spill of a pollutant are made.  Certain of the Company's policies may cover these situations on the basis that they were caused by an accident that resulted in the immediate and isolated spill of a pollutant.  These claims are typically reported and fully resolved within a short period of time.
 
However, the Company has received a few environmental claims that did not result from a "sudden and accidental" event.  Most of these claims were made under policies issued in the 1970's primarily to one account which was involved in the business of hauling and disposing of hazardous waste.  Although the Company had pollution exclusions in its policies during that period, the courts have, at times, refused to recognize such exclusions in environmental cases.
 
In general, establishing reserves for environmental claims, other than those associated with “sudden and accidental” losses, is subject to uncertainties that are greater than those represented by other types of claims.  Factors contributing to those uncertainties include a lack of historical data, long reporting delays, uncertainty as to the number and identity of insureds with potential exposure, unresolved legal issues regarding policy coverage, and the extent and timing of any such contractual liability.  Courts have reached different and sometimes inconsistent conclusions as to when the loss occurred and what policies provide coverage, what claims are covered, whether there is an insured obligation to defend, how policy limits are determined, how policy exclusions are applied and interpreted, and whether cleanup costs represent insured property damage.
 
However, as previously noted, very few environmental claims have been reported to the Company.  In addition, a review of the businesses of our past and current insureds indicates that exposure to further claims of an environmental nature is limited because the vast majority of the Company's accounts are not currently, and have not in the past been, involved in the hauling of hazardous substances.  Also, the revision of the pollution exclusion in the Company's policies since 1986 has, and is expected to, further limit exposure to claims from that point forward.
 

 
- 9 -

 

The Company has never been presented with an environmental claim relating to asbestos and, based on the types of business the Company has insured over the years, it is not expected that the Company will have any significant asbestos exposure.
 
The Company's reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses at December 31, 20102011 did not include significant amounts for liability related to environmental damage claims.  The Company does not foresee significant future exposure to environmental damage claims and accordingly has established no reserve for incurred but not reported environmental losses at December 31, 2010.2011.
 


























Space intentionally left blank




 
- 10 -

 



ANALYSIS OF LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE DEVELOPMENT--GAAP BASIS 
(Dollars in thousands) 
                                  
                                  
Year Ended December 31 2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011 
                                  
Liability for Unpaid                                 
  Losses and LAE, Net                                 
  of Reinsurance                                 
  Recoverables $137,406  $144,267  $162,424  $207,137  $242,130  $249,495  $244,500  $231,633  $203,253  $218,629  $290,092 
                                             
Liability Reestimated                                            
  as of:                                            
    One Year Later  127,398   130,681   147,468   193,445   225,183   228,211   227,423   222,049   194,430   208,933     
    Two Years Later  118,055   125,731   142,771   180,455   209,774   207,818   216,730   208,702   198,220         
    Three Years Later  118,712   124,693   137,502   171,332   200,955   199,503   206,445   210,562             
    Four Years Later  119,925   124,714   134,661   171,225   198,376   192,678   210,170                 
    Five Years Later  120,757   124,507   135,418   171,005   191,846   198,023                     
    Six Years Later  121,406   124,609   136,623   167,590   195,348                         
    Seven Years Later  121,599   124,606   135,415   170,951                             
    Eight Years Later  121,409   124,809   138,191                                 
    Nine Years Later  122,274   127,462                                     
    Ten Years Later  124,515                                         
                                             
Cumulative Redundancy $12,891  $16,805  $24,233  $36,186  $46,782  $51,472  $34,330  $21,071  $5,033  $9,696     
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
Cumulative Amount of                                            
  Liability Paid Through:                                            
    One Year Later $30,249  $39,956  $38,234  $60,343  $59,581  $58,956  $76,970  $84,777  $74,182  $72,393     
    Two Years Later  55,724   57,522   62,380   84,265   94,947   100,990   124,870   120,628   107,413         
    Three Years Later  64,489   69,959   74,198   102,692   117,522   127,011   145,857   142,731             
    Four Years Later  71,038   76,408   82,479   116,198   136,652   143,612   157,724                 
    Five Years Later  75,878   81,121   91,607   124,176   148,039   151,662                     
    Six Years Later  79,668   85,064   96,009   128,592   154,573                         
    Seven Years Later  83,405   88,239   99,410   132,775                             
    Eight Years Later  86,465   91,379   102,797                                 
    Nine Years Later  89,374   94,460                                     
    Ten Years Later  92,482                                         
ANALYSIS OF LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE DEVELOPMENT--GAAP BASIS 
(Dollars in thousands) 
                                  
                                  
Year Ended December 31 2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
                                  
Liability for Unpaid                                 
  Losses and LAE, Net                                 
  of Reinsurance                                 
  Recoverables $119,905  $137,406  $144,267  $162,424  $207,137  $242,130  $249,495  $244,500  $231,633  $203,253  $218,629 
                                             
Liability Reestimated                                            
  as of:                                            
    One Year Later  119,018   127,398   130,681   147,468   193,445   225,183   228,211   227,423   222,049   194,430     
    Two Years Later  112,558   118,055   125,731   142,771   180,455   209,774   207,818   216,730   208,702         
    Three Years Later  103,251   118,712   124,693   137,502   171,332   200,955   199,503   206,445             
    Four Years Later  105,508   119,925   124,714   134,661   171,225   198,376   192,678                 
    Five Years Later  106,757   120,757   124,507   135,418   171,005   191,846                     
    Six Years Later  107,364   121,406   124,609   136,623   167,590                         
    Seven Years Later  108,040   121,599   124,606   135,415                             
    Eight Years Later  107,921   121,409   124,809                                 
    Nine Years Later  107,893   122,274                                     
    Ten Years Later  108,892                                         
                                             
Cumulative Redundancy $11,013  $15,132  $19,458  $27,009  $39,547  $50,284  $56,817  $38,055  $22,931  $8,823     
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
Cumulative Amount of                                            
  Liability Paid Through:                                            
    One Year Later $31,132  $30,249  $39,956  $38,234  $60,343  $59,581  $58,956  $76,970  $84,777  $74,182     
    Two Years Later  47,060   55,724   57,522   62,380   84,265   94,947   100,990   124,870   120,628         
    Three Years Later  58,618   64,489   69,959   74,198   102,692   117,522   127,011   145,857             
    Four Years Later  64,574   71,038   76,408   82,479   116,198   136,652   143,612                 
    Five Years Later  69,316   75,878   81,121   91,607   124,176   148,039                     
    Six Years Later  72,751   79,668   85,064   96,009   128,592                         
    Seven Years Later  76,126   83,405   88,239   99,410                             
    Eight Years Later  79,408   86,465   91,379                                 
    Nine Years Later  82,431   89,374                                     
    Ten Years Later  84,573                                         












 
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ANALYSIS OF LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE DEVELOPMENT--GAAP BASIS 
(Dollars in thousands) 
                                  
Year Ended December 31 2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011 
                                  
Direct and Assumed:                                 
                                  
Liability for Unpaid Losses                                 
  and Loss Adjustment                                 
  Expenses $246,816  $277,309  $342,449  $440,172  $430,273  $409,412  $378,616  $389,558  $359,030  $344,520  $421,556 
                                             
Liability Reestimated as of                                            
  December 31, 2010  263,418   295,140   317,736   362,213   320,684   294,735   303,673   305,815   305,197   328,515     
                                             
Cumulative (Deficiency) Redundancy  (16,602)  (17,831)  24,713   77,959   109,589   114,677   74,943   83,743   53,833   16,005     
                                             
                                             
Ceded:                                            
                                             
Liability for Unpaid Losses                                            
  and Loss Adjustment                                            
  Expenses  109,410   133,042   180,025   233,035   188,143   159,917   134,116   157,925   155,777   125,891   131,464 
                                             
Liability Reestimated as of                                            
  December 31, 2010  138,903   167,678   179,545   191,262   125,336   96,712   93,503   95,253   106,977   119,582     
                                             
Cumulative (Deficiency) Redundancy  (29,493)  (34,636)  480   41,773   62,807   63,205   40,613   62,672   48,800   6,309     
                                             
                                             
Net:                                            
                                             
Liability for Unpaid Losses                                            
  and Loss Adjustment                                            
  Expenses  137,406   144,267   162,424   207,137   242,130   249,495   244,500   231,633   203,253   218,629   290,092 
                                             
Liability Reestimated as of                                            
  December 31, 2010  124,515   127,462   138,191   170,951   195,348   198,023   210,170   210,562   198,220   208,933     
                                             
Cumulative Redundancy  12,891   16,805   24,233   36,186   46,782   51,472   34,330   21,071   5,033   9,696     

ANALYSIS OF LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE DEVELOPMENT--GAAP BASIS 
(Dollars in thousands) 
                                  
Year Ended December 31 2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
                                  
Direct and Assumed:                                 
                                  
Liability for Unpaid Losses 
and Loss Adjustment
Expenses$182,124  $246,816  $277,309  $342,449  $440,172  $430,273  $409,412  $378,616  $389,558  $359,030  $344,520 
                                             
Liability Reestimated as of                                            
  December 31, 2010  214,125   260,848   291,461   314,229   358,034   319,626   292,149   303,195   308,417   305,437     
                                             
Cumulative (Deficiency) Redundancy  (32,001)  (14,032)  (14,152)  28,220   82,138   110,647   117,263   75,421   81,141   53,593     
                                             
                                             
Ceded:                                            
                                             
Liability for Unpaid Losses                                            
  and Loss Adjustment                                            
  Expenses  62,219   109,410   133,042   180,025   233,035   188,143   159,917   134,116   157,925   155,777   125,891 
                                             
Liability Reestimated as of                                            
  December 31, 2010  105,233   138,574   166,652   178,814   190,444   127,780   99,471   96,750   99,715   111,007     
                                             
Cumulative (Deficiency) Redundancy  (43,014)  (29,164)  (33,610)  1,211   42,591   60,363   60,446   37,366   58,210   44,770     
                                             
                                             
Net:                                            
                                             
Liability for Unpaid Losses                                            
  and Loss Adjustment                                            
  Expenses  119,905   137,406   144,267   162,424   207,137   242,130   249,495   244,500   231,633   203,253   218,629 
                                             
Liability Reestimated as of                                            
  December 31, 2010  108,892   122,274   124,809   135,415   167,590   191,846   192,678   206,445   208,702   194,430     
                                             
Cumulative Redundancy  11,013   15,132   19,458   27,009   39,547   50,284   56,817   38,055   22,931   8,823     
 
 


 
- 12 -

 



Marketing

The Company's primary marketing areas are outlined on pages 2 and 3.
 
Historically, the Company has focused its fleet transportation marketing efforts on large and medium trucking fleets, with its largest market share in the larger trucking fleets (over 150 power units).  These fleets self-insure a significant portion of their risk and self-insurance plans are a specialty of the Company.  The indemnity contract provided to self-insured customers is designed to cover all aspects of fleet transportation liability, including third party liability, property damage, physical damage, cargo and workers' compensation, arising from vehicular accident or other casualty loss.  The self-insured program is supplemented with large deductible workers' compensation policies in states which do not allow for self-insurance of this coverage.  The Company also offers work-related accident insurance, on a group basis, to independent contractors under contract to a fleet sponsor as well as workers’ compensation coverage to employees of independent contractors who are fleet owners.  In addition, the Company offers a program of coverages for "small fleet" trucking concerns (owner-operators generally with one to six power units).  This program is currently being marketed in thirty-one states through independent agents utilizing much of the technology developed in conjunction with marketing private passenger automobile insurance.  More recently, the Company has expanded itsThe Company’s fleet transportation offerings toalso include certain public livery risks, principally large and medium sized operators of bus fleets.  In 2010,2011, fleet transportation products generated approximately 63% of direct premium written and assumed forby the Company.
 
Since 1992, the Company has accepted reinsurance cessions and retrocessions, principally property coverages for catastrophe exposures, from selected insurers and reinsurers.  The Company is committed to participation in this market, although participation levels depend on the adequacy of pricing, which can vary widely from time to time.  In determining the volume of catastrophe reinsurance that it will accept, the Company first determines the exposure that it is willing to accept from a single “probable maximum loss” (PML), generally defined as a 1-in-250 year event (.4% probability of occurrence based on sophisticated modeling programs), within a given geographic area.  As retrocessions are considered, computer models of geographic exposure are evaluated against these maximums and programs are only considered if they do not cause aggregate exposure to exceed the predetermined limits.  As of December 31, 2010,2011, the Company’s modeled estimate of its largest zonal exposure to a PML from a single event is approximately 14%16% of consolidated surplus before state and federal tax credits and reinstatement premiums which would reduce the impact to approximately 8%9% of surplus.  Beginning in 2010, the Company has accepted reinsurance cessions for a limited amount of professional liability coverages from small and medium sized insurance companies.
 
Since 1995, the Company has sold private passenger automobile insurance.  This program is currently being marketed in thirtynine mid-western and southern states through independent agents.  Sagamore utilizes state-of-the-art technology extensively in marketing its private passenger automobile insurance products in order to provide superior service to its agents and insureds.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, the Company began underwriting a limited program of commercial property and business owners’ liability policies in the state of Florida, utilizing its excess and surplus lines authority and the services of a managing general agency.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, the Company began underwriting miscellaneous professional liability coverages through wholesale and retail agents and brokers on both an admitted and surplus lines basis.  The distribution platform for this product was expanded in 2011 to include limited programs with a managing general agent as well as retail agents.


Investments
 
The Company’s investment portfolio is essentially divided between (1) funds which are considered necessary to support insurance underwriting activities and (2) excess capital funds.  In general, fundsFunds invested in fixed maturity and short-term securities are more than sufficient to cover underwriting operations while equity securities and limited partnerships are utilized to invest excess capital funds to achieve higher long-term returns.  The following discussion will concentrate on the different investment strategies for these two major categories.
 

- 13 -


At December 31, 20102011 the financial statement value of the Company's investment portfolio was approximately $635$638 million, including $41$82 million of money market funds classified as cash equivalents.  The adjusted cost of the portfolio was $583$597 million with the $52$41 million difference representing unrealized appreciation.
 

- 13 -


A comparison of the allocation of assets within the Company's investment portfolio, using adjusted cost as a basis, is as follows as of December 31:
 
 2010  2009 2011 2010
           
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  33.0%  31.9%
State and municipal obligations 31.7% 33.0%
Corporate securities  14.3   12.4  15.4   14.3 
U.S. government obligations  10.8   9.5  12.2   10.8 
Short-term and money markets  7.8   15.1  14.3   7.8 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  6.3   8.4  3.6   6.3 
Foreign government obligations  3.4   1.3  3.6   3.4 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  2.5   1.0  1.9   2.5 
Government sponsored entities  0.5   1.0  0.1   0.5 
Total fixed maturities  78.6   80.6  82.8   78.6 
Equity securities  8.1   7.3  8.0   8.1 
Limited partnerships (equity basis)  13.3   12.1  9.2   13.3 
  100.0%  100.0% 100.0%  100.0%

 
Fixed Maturity and Short-Term Investments

Fixed maturity and short-term securities comprised 72.6%77.6% of the market value of the Company’s total invested assets at December 31, 2010.2011.  Excluding U.S. government obligations, the fixed maturity portfolio is widely diversified with no concentrations in any single industry, geographic location or municipality.  The largest amount invested in any single issuer (non-index fund) was $5.7$5.5 million (1.0% of total invested assets) although most individual investments, other than municipal bonds, are less than $750,000.  The Company’s fixed maturity portfolio has a very short duration and, accordingly, the Company does not actively trade fixed maturity securities but typically holds such investments until maturity.  Exceptions exist in the rare instances where the underlying credit for a specific issue is deemed to be diminished.  In such cases, the security will be considered for disposal prior to maturity.  In addition, fixed maturity securities may be sold when realignment of the portfolio is considered beneficial (i.e. moving from taxable to non-taxable issues) or when valuations are considered excessive compared to alternative investments.

The Investment Committee has determined that the Company’s insurance subsidiaries will, at all times, hold high grade fixed maturity securities and short-term investments with a market value equal to at least 100% of reserves for losses and loss expenses and unearned premiums, net of applicable reinsurance credits.  At December 31, 2010,2011, investment grade bonds and short-term instruments held by insurance subsidiaries equaled 169%142% of designated underwriting liabilities, thus providing a substantial margin above this conservative guideline.

The Company's concentration of fixed maturity funds in relatively short-term investments provides it with a level of liquidity which is more than adequate to provide for its anticipated cash flow needs.  The structure of the investment portfolio also provides the Company with the ability to restrict premium writings during periods of intense competition, which typically result in inadequate premium rates, and allows the Company to respond to new opportunities in the marketplace as they arise.

The following comparison of the Company's fixed maturity and short-term investment portfolios, using par value as a basis, shows the changes in contractual maturities in the portfolio during 2010.2011.  Note that the expected average maturity of the portfolio is less than the contractual maturity average life shown below because the Company has, in some cases, the right to put obligations and borrowers have, in some cases, the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
  2010  2009 
Less than one year  41.2%  55.6%
1 to 5 years  41.6   29.4 
5 to 10 years  4.2   3.4 
More than 10 years  13.0   11.6 
   100.0%  100.0%
         
Average life of portfolio (years)  4.5   3.8 


 
- 14 -

 
 2011 2010
Less than one year 48.8% 41.2%
1 to 5 years 41.4   41.6 
5 to 10 years 2.8   4.2 
More than 10 years 7.0   13.0 
  100.0%  100.0%
      
Average life of portfolio (years) 3.1   4.5 

Approximately $36.2$35.6 million of fixed maturity investments (5.7%(5.6% of total invested assets) consists of bonds rated as less than investment grade at year end.  These investments include a diversified portfolio of over 57nearly 100 investments, including catastrophe bonds.insurance linked securities.
 
The market value of the consolidated fixed maturity portfolio was $3.0$.5 million greater than cost at December 31, 2010,2011, before income taxes, which compares to a $4.7$3.0 million unrealized gain at December 31, 2009.  Each individual issue with a market value less than cost at year end was determined to result from interest rate increases and not from credit quality.2010.  The Company analyzes fixed maturity securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) OTTI guidance issued in April 2009. As has been the Company’s consistent policy, other-than-temporary impairment is considered for any individual issue which has sustained a decline in current market value of at least 20% below original or adjusted cost, and the decline is ongoing for more than 6 months, regardless of the evaluation of the creditworthiness of the issuer or the specific issue.  Additionally, the Company takes into account any known subjective information in evaluating for impairment without consideration to the Company’s 20% threshold.  There was noIn 2011, the net effect of other-than-temporary impairmentOTTI adjustments to fixed maturity securities for the year.was $.6 million with securities owned at year end having a $.1 million non credit related loss treated as unrealized.  In 2009, the net effect of other-than-temporary impairment2010, there were no OTTI adjustments to fixed maturity securities, including recovery of prior write downs upon sale or disposal, which added to investment gains, was $3.9 million.securities.  The current net unrealized gain consists of $4.7$3.7 million of gross unrealized gains and $1.7$3.2 million of gross unrealized losses.
 
 
Equity Securities
Because of the large amount of high quality fixed maturity investments owned, relative to the Company’s loss and loss expense reserves and other liabilities, amounts invested in equity securities are not needed to fund current operations and, accordingly, can be committed for long periods of time.  Equity securities comprise 15.1%13.8% of the market value of the consolidated investment portfolio at December 31, 2010,2011, but only 8.1%8.0% of the related adjusted cost basis, as long-term holdings have appreciated significantly.  The Company’s equity securities portfolio consists of over 100140 separate issues with diversification from large to small capitalization issuers and among several industries.  The largest single equity issue owned has a market value of $3.6$3.3 million at December 31, 20102011 (.6% of total investments)invested assets).
 
In general, the Company maintains a buy-and-hold philosophy with respect to equity securities.  Many current holdings have been continuously owned for more than ten years, accounting for the fact that the portfolio, in total, carries a $41.6$32.8 million pre-tax unrealized gain at the current year end using original cost and over $49.2$40.4 million in unrealized gains using cost adjusted for other-than-temporary impairment.  An individual equity security will be disposed of when it is determined by investment managers or the Investment Committee that there is little potential for future appreciation.  All equity securities are considered to be available for sale although portfolio turnover ishas historically been very low.  Securities are not sold to meet any quarterly or annual earnings quotas but, rather, are disposed of only when market conditions are deemed to dictate, regardless of the impact, positively or negatively, on current period earnings.  In addition, equity securities may be sold when realignment of the portfolio is considered beneficial or when valuations are considered excessive compared to alternative investments.  During 2010, the Company disposedSales of equity securities which were considered to have less than average near term potential for improvement.  These salesduring 2011 generated both gains and losses but netted to a realized gain of $5.5$5.0 million before taxes.
 
The net effect of other-than-temporary impairment adjustments, including recovery of prior year write downs upon sale or disposal, increaseddecreased investment gains from equity securities by $1.6less than $.1 million for the year before taxes.  The reclassification of unrealized losses to realized losses occurred on each individual issue where the current market value was at least 20% below original or adjusted cost, and the decline was ongoing for more than 6 months at the date of write-down, regardless of the evaluation of the issuer or the potential for recovery.  Additionally, the Company takes into account any known subjective information in evaluating for impairment without consideration to the Company’s 20% threshold.  Net unrealized gains on the equity security portfolio increased to $49.2were $40.4 million, before tax at December 31, 2010 from $44.32011 compared to $49.2 million last year end reflecting a continued recovery of equity markets inat December 31, 2010.  The current net unrealized gain consists of $49.5$41.7 million of gross unrealized gains and $.3$1.3 million of gross unrealized losses.
 

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Limited Partnerships
For several years, the Company has invested in various limited partnerships engaged in securities trading activities, real estate development andor small venture capital funding, as an alternative to direct equity investments.  The funds used for these investments are part of the Company’s excess capital strategy.  At December 31, 2010,2011, the aggregate original investment in the limited partnerships was $30.7$30.0 million and the aggregate marketcarrying value was $77.4$54.7 million.

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As a group, these investments experienced fairdecreases in value increases during 2010,2011, with the aggregate of the Company’s share of such gainslosses reported by the limited partnerships totaling approximately $8.2$21.9 million.  The current year limited partnershipdecrease in value increase is composed of estimated realized incomelosses of $6.8$1.3 million and an increasedecreases in estimated unrealized gains of $1.4$20.6 million.  On an inception-to-date basis, active limited partnerships have produced estimated realized income of $30.3$28.9 million and estimated unrealized gainslosses of $16.4$4.2 million.
 
The Company follows the equity method of accounting for theseits limited partnership investments and, accordingly, records the total change in value as a component of net gains or losses on investments.  However, readers are cautioned that, to the extent that reported increases in equity value are unrealized, they can be reduced or eliminated quickly by volatile market conditions.  Further, assets purchased with reinvested realized gains can also diminish in value.  In addition, a significant minority of the investments included in the limited partnerships do not have readily ascertainable fair market values and, accordingly, values assigned by the general partners may not be realizable upon the sale or disposal of the related assets, which may not occur for several years.  Limited partnerships also are highly illiquid investments and the Company’s ability to withdraw funds is generally subject to significant restrictions.
 
 
Investment Yields
The interest rate environment
Interest rates, particularly those on the short end of the yield curve where the vast majority of the Company’s fixed maturity investments are maintained, continued to declineat historically low levels during 2010, particularly for bonds and short term investments.2011.  As a result, pre-tax net investment income decreased $2.6$.6 million, or 19%5% and after tax income decreased $3.1$.5 million, or 26%6% during 2010.2011.  A comparison of consolidated investment yields, before consideration of investment management expenses, is as follows:
 
 2010  2009 2011 2010
Before federal tax:           
Investment income  2.6%  3.3% 2.4% 2.6%
Investment income plus investment gains (losses)  5.8   9.6  (0.9)   5.8 
             
After federal tax:             
Investment income  2.0   2.7  1.8   2.0 
Investment income plus investment gains (losses)  4.0   6.8  (0.4)   4.0 


Readers are also directed to the Results of Operations beginning on page 24 of this document for additional details of investment operations.
 
 
Regulatory Framework
The Company’s businesses are currently subject to insurance industry regulation by each of the fifty states in which the Company’s subsidiaries are licensed.  In addition, minor portions of the Company’s business are subject to regulation by Bermudian and Canadian federal and provincial authorities.  There can be no assurance that in response to current economic conditions, laws and regulations will not be changed by one or more of these regulatory bodies in ways that will require the Company to modify its business models and objectives.  In particular, the United States federal government has undertaken a substantial review and revision of the regulation and supervision of financial institutions, including insurance companies as well as tax laws and regulation, which could impact the Company’s operations and performance.  While it is currently expected that federal government regulation will be focused on the largest financial companies, additional regulations are expectedlikely to increase the cost of compliance to the Company.  Further, while management is not aware of any significant pending changes, the Company is also subject to regulatory risks from changes to state and federal tax laws that may affect the treatment of insurance related deductions or income recognition.
 
Additionally, changes in laws and regulations governing the insurance industry could have an impact on the Company’s ability to generate income from its insurance company operations.  The Company is obliged to comply with numerous complex and varied governmental regulations in order to maintain its authority to write insurance business.  While the Company has

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consistently maintained each of its licenses without exception, failure to maintain compliance could result in governmental regulators temporarily preventing the Company from writing new business and therefore having a detrimental effect on the Company.  Also, the ability for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to increase insurance rates is heavily regulated for significant portions of the Company’s business and such rate increases can be denied or delayed for substantial periods by regulators.
 

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Employees
As of December 31, 2010,2011, the Company had 299330 employees, representing a decreasean increase of 231 employees from the prior year end.
 
 
Competition
The insurance brokerage and agency business is highly competitive.  B&L competes with a large number of insurance brokerage and agency firms and individual brokers and agents throughout the country, many of which are considerably larger than B&L.  B&L also competes with insurance companies which write insurance directly with their customers.
 
Insurance underwriting is also highly competitive.  The Insurance Subsidiaries compete with other stock and mutual companies and inter-insurance exchanges (reciprocals).  There are numerous insurance companies offering the lines of insurance which are currently written or may in the future be written by the Insurance Subsidiaries.  Many of these companies have been in business for longer periods of time, have significantly larger volumes of business, offer more diversified lines of insurance coverage and have significantly greater financial resources than the Company.  In many cases, competitors are willing to provide coverage for rates lower than those charged by the Insurance Subsidiaries.  Many potential clients self-insure workers' compensation and other risks for which the Company offers coverage, and some concerns have organized "captive" insurance companies as subsidiaries through which they insure their own operations.  Some states have workers' compensation funds that preclude private companies from writing this business in those states.  Federal law also authorizes the creation of "Risk Retention Groups" which may write insurance coverages similar to those offered by the Company.
 
The Company believes it has a competitive advantage in its major lines of business as the result of the extensive experience of its long-tenured management and staff, its superior service and products, its willingness to custom build insurance programs for its customers and the extensive use of technology with respect to its insureds and independent agent force.  However, the Company is not “top-line” oriented and will readily sacrifice premium volume during periods of unrealistic rate competition.  Accordingly, should competitors determine to “buy” market share with unprofitable rates, the Company’s Insurance Subsidiaries will generally experience a decline in business until pricing returns to profitable levels.
 
 
Availability of Documents
This Form 10-K as well as the Company’s Audit Committee Charter and Code of Conduct will be sent to shareholders without charge upon written request to the Company’s Investor Contact at the corporate address.  These documents, along with all other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available for review, download or printing from the Company’s web site at www.baldwinandlyons.com.
 

 
Item 101(b), (c)(1)(i) and (vii), and (d) of Regulation S-K:
Reference is made to Note J to the consolidated financial statements which providesprovide information concerning industry segments and is filed herewith under Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 


 
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Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
 ·The Company operates in the Property and Casualty insurance industry where many of its competitors are larger with far greater resources.  Further, this industry is heavily regulated.  Changes in laws and regulations governing the insurance industry could have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to generate income from its insurance company operations.  The Company’s principal subsidiaries are regulated and licensed in all 50 of the United States, the District of Columbia, all Canadian provinces and Bermuda.  The Company is obliged to comply with numerous complex and varied governmental regulations in order to maintain its authority to write insurance business.  Failure to maintain compliance could result in various governmental regulators preventing the Company from writing new business and therefore having a material impact on the Company.  Further, the ability for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to adjust insurance rates is regulated for significant portions of the Company’s business and such rate adjustments can be denied or delayed for substantial periods by regulators.
 
 ·The Company has two classes of common stock with unequal voting rights.  The Company is effectively controlled by its principal stockholders and management, which limits other stockholders’ ability to influence operations.  The Company’s executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and their affiliates control nearly 70%63% of the outstanding shares of voting Class A common stock and 39%33% of the outstanding shares of non-voting Class B common stock.  These parties effectively control the Company;Company, direct its affairs, exert significant influence in the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions.  The interests of these stockholders may conflict with those of other stockholders, limit marketability of the stock and this concentration of voting power has the potential to delay, defer or prevent a change in control.
 
 ·The Company limits its risk of loss from policies of insurance issued by its Insurance Subsidiaries through the purchase of reinsurance coverage from other insurance companies.  Such reinsurance does not relieve the Company from its responsibility to policyholders should the reinsurers be unable to meet their obligations to the Company under the terms of the underlying reinsurance agreements. As a result, we are subject to credit risk relating to our ability to recover amounts due from reinsurers. While the companyCompany has not experienced any significant reinsurance losses for almostover twenty five years, certain of our historical reinsurance carriers have experienced deteriorating financial conditions or have been downgraded by rating agencies.  If we are not able to collect the amounts due to us from reinsurers, the resultant credit losses could materially adversely affect our results of operations, equity, business and insurer financial strength.
 
 ·Operating in the Property and Casualty insurance industry, the Company is exposed to loss from policies of insurance issued to its policyholders.  A large portion of losses recorded by the Company are estimates of future loss payments to be made.  Such estimates of future loss payments may prove to be inadequate.  Reserves represent our best estimate at a given point in time. Insurance reserves are not an exact calculation of liability but instead are complex estimates derived by us, generally utilizing a variety of reserve estimation techniques from numerous assumptions and expectations about future events, many of which are highly uncertain, such as estimates of claims severity, frequency of claims, inflation, claims handling, case reserving policies and procedures, underwriting and pricing policies, changes in the legal and regulatory environment and the lag time between the occurrence of an insured event and the time of its ultimate settlement. Many of these uncertainties are not precisely quantifiable and require significant judgment on our part.  As trends in underlying claims develop, particularly in so-called “long tail” or long duration coverages,, we are sometimes required to revise our reserves. This results in a charge to our earnings in the amount of the adjusted reserves, recorded in the period the change in estimate is made.  These charges can be substantial and can potentially have a material effect,impact, either positively or negatively, on our calendar year results of operations and shareholders’ equity.
 
 ·A significant portion of the risk underwritten by the insurance subsidiaries covers property losses resulting from catastrophic events on a worldwide basis.  The occurrence and valuation of loss events for this business is highly unpredictable and a single catastrophic event could result in a materially significant loss to the Company. Catastrophe losses are an inevitable part of our business. Various events can cause catastrophe losses, including hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, explosions, severe winter weather, and fires, and their frequency and severity are inherently unpredictable.  In addition, longer-term natural catastrophe trends may be changing and new types of catastrophe losses may be developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, and includes effects on global weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain, and snow.  The extent of our losses from catastrophes is a function of both the total amount of our insured exposures in the affected areas and the severity of the events themselves. In addition, as in the case of catastrophic losses generally, it can take many months, or even years, for the ultimate cost to us to be finally determined.  As our claim experience develops on a particular
 

 
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 catastrophe, we may be required to adjust our reserves to reflect our revised estimates of the total cost of claims.  While the eventual occurrence of catastrophic losses is expected, we are prohibited by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles from establishing reserves for the expected future occurrence of these losses (such as is done in the life insurance industry).  Accordingly, upon the occurrence of such a loss, it will likely have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations in the quarter in which it occurs.
 
 ·The Company derives a significant percentage of its direct premium volume from FedEx Ground Systems, Inc (“FedEx Ground”) and certain of its subsidiaries and related entities, and from insurance coverage provided to independent service providers under contract with FedEx Ground.  While the loss of this major customer could severely reduce the Company’s revenue and earnings potential, insurance programs provided to FedEx Ground and programs provided to the independent service providers under contract with FedEx Ground are not necessarily dependent upon to one another and, therefore, could be viewed as separate entities.
 
 ·The Company, through its Insurance Subsidiaries, requires collateral from its insureds covering the insureds’ obligations for self-insured retentions or deductibles related to policies of insurance provided.  Should the Company, as surety, become responsible for such insured obligations, the collateral held may prove to be insufficient.  In this regard, FedEx Ground and certain of its subsidiaries and related entities, utilizes significant self-insured retentions and deductibles under policies of insurance provided by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries. In the case of FedEx Ground, the Company has determined that the financial strength of the customer is sufficient to allow for holding only partial collateral at this time.  Should the Company become responsible for this customer’s self-insured retention and deductible obligations, the collateral held could be insufficient and the Company could sustain a significant operating loss.
 
 ·Given the Company’s significant interest-bearing investment portfolio, a drop in interest rates would likely have an adverse impact on the Company’s earnings and financial position.  Conversely, an increase in interest rates could have a significant temporary impact on the market value of the Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio.  The functioning of the fixed income markets, the values of the investments the Company holds and the Company’s ability to liquidate them may be adversely affected if those markets are disrupted by a change in interest rates or otherwise affected by significant negative factors, including, without limitation: local, national, or international events, such as regulatory changes, wars, or terrorist attacks; a recession, depression, or other adverse developments in either the U.S. or other economies that adversely affects the value of securities held in the Company’s portfolio; financial weakness or failure of one or more financial institutions that play a prominent role in securities markets or act as a counterparty for various financial instruments, which could further disrupt the markets; inactive markets for specific kinds of securities, or for the securities of certain issuers or in certain sectors, which could result in decreased valuations and impact the Company’s ability to sell a specific security or a group of securities at a reasonable price when desired; a significant change in inflation expectations, or the onset of deflation or stagflation.  If the fixed-income portfolio were to suffer a decrease in value to a substantial degree, the Company’s liquidity, financial position, and financial results could be materially adversely affected.  Under these circumstances, the Company’s income from these investments could be materially reduced, and declines in the value of certain securities could further reduce the Company’s results of operations, equity, business and insurer financial strength.
 
 ·The Company has a large portfolio of equity securities and limited partnership investments which can fluctuate in value with a wide variety of market conditions.  A decline in the aggregate value of the equity securities and limited partnership investments would be expected to result in a commensurate decline both in the value of the Company’s equity securities and limited partnership investments and in the Company’s shareholders equity.equity, either through the income statement or directly to surplus.  The resultant decline could, at least temporarily, materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, equity, business and insurer financial strength.
 

 
Item 2.  PROPERTIES

The Company leases office space at 1099 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.  This building is located approximately one mile from downtown Indianapolis.  The lease, renewed in August, 2008, covers approximately 81,000 square feet and expires in August, 2013, with an option to renew for an additional five years.

The Company owns two buildings and the adjacent real estate approximately two miles and eleven miles from its main office.  The buildings contain approximately 3,300 and 15,000 square feet of usable space respectively, and are used primarily as off-site data storage and as a contingent back up and disaster recovery site.

 
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The Company's entire operations are conducted from these facilities.  The current facilities are expected to be adequate for the Company's operations for the foreseeable future.


Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary, regular and routine course of their business, the Company and its Insurance Subsidiaries are frequently involved in various matters of litigation relating principally to claims for insurance coverage provided.  No currently pending matter is deemed by management to be material to the Company.


Item 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Nothing to report.


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PART II


Item 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The Company’s Class A and Class B common stocks are traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the symbols BWINA and BWINB, respectively.
The Class A and Class B common shares have identical rights and privileges except that Class B shares have no voting rights other than on matters for which Indiana law requires class voting.
As of December 31, 2010,2011, there were approximately 400 record holders of Class A Common Stock and approximately 1,000 record holders of Class B Common Stock.
 
The table below sets forth the range of high and low sale prices for the Class A and Class B Common Stock for 20102011 and 2009,2010, as reported by NASDAQ and published in the financial press.  The quotations reflect interdealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commission and do not necessarily represent actual transactions.

             Cash              Cash 
 Class A  Class B  Dividends  Class A  Class B  Dividends 
 High  Low  High  Low  Declared  High  Low  High  Low  Declared 
               
2011:               
Fourth Quarter $25.43  $21.41  $24.40  $20.22  $.25 
Third Quarter  26.50   23.00   25.58   20.02   .25 
Second Quarter  27.00   20.72   24.46   21.51   .25 
First Quarter  22.39   19.99   24.54   21.22   .25 
                                   
2010:                                   
Fourth Quarter $23.96  $20.11  $25.68  $22.80  $1.25   23.96   20.11   25.68   22.80   1.25 
Third Quarter  24.49   20.00   25.65   20.63   .25   24.49   20.00   25.65   20.63   .25 
Second Quarter  25.75   19.71   26.35   20.00   .25   25.75   19.71   26.35   20.00   .25 
First Quarter  26.52   20.88   26.64   22.42   .50   26.52   20.88   26.64   22.42   .50 
                    
2009:                    
Fourth Quarter  24.38   21.10   24.98   21.38   .25 
Third Quarter  22.70   17.32   24.39   19.19   .25 
Second Quarter  20.69   17.25   21.52   17.76   .25 
First Quarter  18.00   15.40   20.76   14.28   .25 


The Company has paid quarterly cash dividends continuously since 1974.  The current regular quarterly dividend rate is $.25 per share.  The Company expects to continue its policy of paying regular cash dividends although there is no assurance as to future dividends because they are dependent on future earnings, capital requirements and financial conditions and are subject to regulatory restrictions.  At times, the Company has paid an extra cash dividend in recognition of the Company’s more than adequate capitalization and favorable earnings.  The Board intends to address the subject of dividends at each of its future meetings considering the Company’s earnings, returns on investments and its capital needs; however, shareholders should not expect extra dividends, if any, in the future to follow any predetermined pattern.
 








 
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Corporate Performance

The following graph shows a five year comparison of cumulative total return for the Corporation’s Class B common shares, the NASDAQ Insurance Stock Index and the Russell 2000 Index.  The basis of comparison is a $100 investment at December 31, 2005,2006, in each of (i) Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., (ii) Nasdaq Insurance Stocks, and (iii) the Russell 2000 Index.  All dividends are assumed to be reinvested.



   Period Ending 
Index 12/31/05  12/31/06  12/31/07  12/31/08  12/31/09  12/31/10 
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.  100.00   116.15   132.61   92.13   131.20   137.37 
NASDAQ Insurance Index  100.00   113.85   114.83   103.81   107.23   126.67 
Russell 2000  100.00   118.37   116.51   77.15   98.11   124.46 



  Period Ending 
Index12/31/0612/31/0712/31/0812/31/0912/31/1012/31/11
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.100.00114.1879.33112.96118.27114.49
NASDAQ Insurance Index100.00100.8691.1894.19111.26117.53
Russell 2000100.0098.4365.1882.89105.14100.75



 
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Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 
 Year Ended December 31  Year Ended December 31 
 2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007 
 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
                              
Direct and assumed premiums written $295,802  $250,159  $221,942  $207,367  $197,064  $334,526  $295,802  $250,159  $221,942  $207,367 
                                        
Net premiums earned  214,738   181,300   182,299   179,065   169,766   244,570   214,738   181,300   182,299   179,065 
                                        
Net investment income  11,335   13,971   17,063   19,595   19,548   10,729   11,335   13,971   17,063   19,595 
                                        
Net gains (losses) on investments  16,485   30,816   (47,750)  40,096   17,064   (17,803)  16,485   30,816   (47,750)  40,096 
                                        
Losses and loss expenses incurred  145,952   99,351   115,752   107,781   112,604   215,555   145,952   99,351   115,752   107,781 
                                        
Net income (loss)  25,015   44,802   (7,713)  55,131   38,185   (28,175)  25,015   44,802   (7,713)  55,131 
                                        
Earnings per share -- net income (loss) 1
  1.69   3.04   (.51)  3.63   2.54   (1.90)  1.69   3.04   (.51)  3.63 
                                        
Cash dividends per share 2
  2.25   1.00   1.00   1.65   2.55   1.00   2.25   1.00   1.00   1.65 
                                        
Investment portfolio 3
  635,174   622,085   545,491   650,538   626,753   637,681   635,174   622,085   545,491   650,538 
                                        
Total assets  837,946   851,315   777,743   842,833   853,719   887,031   837,946   851,315   777,743   842,833 
                                        
Shareholders' equity  368,735   372,943   330,067   380,718   357,627   319,061   368,735   372,943   330,067   380,718 
                                        
Cost of treasury shares purchased  -   880   8,908   -   401   -   -   880   8,908   - 
                                        
Book value per share 1
  24.90   25.31   22.32   24.98   23.60   21.49   24.90   25.31   22.32   24.98 
                                        
Underwriting ratios 4
                                        
                                        
Losses and loss expenses  68.0%  54.8%  63.5%  60.2%  66.3%  88.1%  68.0%  54.8%  63.5%  60.2%
                                        
Underwriting expenses  31.0%  35.8%  30.9%  30.9%  26.6%  30.2%  31.0%  35.8%  30.9%  30.9%
                                        
Combined  99.0%  90.6%  94.4%  91.1%  92.9%  118.3%  99.0%  90.6%  94.4%  91.1%

 

 
1   Earnings and book value per share are adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding.
2   Inclues extra dividends of $1.25, $.65, and $1.70 for 2010, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
3   Inclues money market instruments classified with cash in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 2Includes extra dividends of $1.25 and $.65 for 2010 and 2007, respectively.
4   Data is for all coverages combined, does not include fee income and is presented based upon U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


 3  Includes money market instruments classified with cash in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 4   Data is for all coverages combined, does not include fee income and is presented based upon U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 
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Item 7.                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The primary sources of the Company’s liquidity are (1) funds generated from insurance operations including net investment income, (2) proceeds from the sale of investments and (3) proceeds from maturing investments.  The Company generally experiences positive cash flow from operations resulting from the fact that premiums are collected on insurance policies in advance of the disbursement of funds in payment of claims.  Operating costs of the insurance subsidiaries, other than loss and loss expense payments, generally average less than 30% of net premiums earned on a consolidated basis and the remaining amount is available for investment for varying periods of time depending on the type of insurance coverage provided.  Because losses are often settled in periods subsequent to when they are incurred, operating cash flows may, at times, become negative as loss settlements on claim reserves established in prior years exceed current revenues.  During 2010,2011, cash flow from operations totaled $49.5$54.3 million compared to $30.7$49.5 million in 2009.2010.  This comparative increase in operating cash flow resulted from increases in grossnet premiums collected and to a lesser extent, decreaseslower federal tax payments largely offset by corresponding increases in losses paid in 2010, as well as the timing of premiums ceded to reinsurers.2011.  
 
For several years, the Company’s investment philosophy has emphasized the purchase of short-term bonds with maximum quality and liquidity.  As flat yield curves have not provided a strong incentive to lengthen maturities in recent years, the Company has continued to maintain its fixed maturity portfolio at short-term levels.  The average contractual life of the Company’s bond and short-term investment portfolio increaseddecreased from 3.84.5 to 4.53.1 years during 2010.2011.  The average duration of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio is shorter than the contractual maturity average and much shorter than the duration of the Company’s liabilities.  The Company also remains an active participant in the equity securities market using capital which is in excess of amounts considered necessary to fund current operations.  The long-term horizon for the Company’s equity investments allows it to invest in positions where ultimate value, and not short-term market fluctuation, is the primary focus.  Investments made by the Company’s domestic insurance subsidiaries are regulated by guidelines promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners which are designed to provide protection for both policyholders and shareholders.
 
The Company’s assets at December 31, 20102011 included $45.6$85.4 million in short-term and cash equivalent investments which are readily convertible to cash without market penalty and an additional $140.0$152.0 million of fixed maturity investments (at par) maturing in less than one year.  The Company believes that these liquid investments, plus the expected cash flow from current operations, are more than sufficient to provide for projected claim payments and operating cost demands.  In the event competitive conditions produce inadequate premium rates and the Company chooses to further restrict volume, the liquidity of its investment portfolio would permit management to continue to pay claims as settlements are reached without requiring the disposal of investments at a loss, regardless of interest rates in effect at the time.  In addition, the Company’s reinsurance program is structured to avoid significant cash outlays that accompany large losses.
 
Net premiums written by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries for 20102011 equaled approximately 46%56% of the combined statutory surplus of these subsidiaries.  Premium writings of 100% to 200% of surplus are generally considered acceptable by regulatory authorities.  Further, the statutory capital of each of the insurance subsidiaries substantially exceeds minimum risk based capital requirements set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.  Accordingly, the Company has the ability to significantly increase its business without seeking additional capital to meet regulatory guidelines.
 
At December 31, 2010, $74.82011, $84.7 million, or 20%27% of shareholders’ equity, represented net assets of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries which, at that time, could not be transferred in the form of dividends, loans or advances to the parent company because of minimum statutory capital requirements.  However, management believes that these restrictions pose no material liquidity concerns for the Company.  The financial strength and stability of the subsidiaries permit ready access by the parent company to short-term and long-term sources of credit.  The Company maintains a $20$30 million unsecured line of credit and has $15.0$10.0 million of drawings outstanding on this line at December 31, 2010,2011, the proceeds of which were used principally for treasury stock repurchases, dividend payments and extra dividend payments.other corporate expenditures.
 

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Results of Operations

2011 Compared to 2010

Direct premiums written for 2011 totaled $274.1 million, an increase of $24.4 million (10%) from 2010.  The increase is primarily attributable to $23.7 million (13%) in premiums generated by fleet transportation products and $9.5 million in premiums generated by professional liability business.  Premiums ceded to reinsurers on direct business increased $8.2 million (11%) during 2011 to $84.1 million, as the consolidated percentage of premiums ceded to direct premiums written remained relatively level at 30.7% for 2011 compared to 30.4 % for 2010.
Written premiums assumed from other insurers and reinsurers totaled $60.4 million during 2011, an increase of $14.3 million (31%) from 2010.  The increase is related almost entirely to the expansion of the Company’s professional liability reinsurance business which was launched in 2010.  Premium ceded related to the reinsurance assumed business remained level with the 3% average rate from 2010.
After giving effect to changes in unearned premiums, net premiums earned totaled $244.6 million for 2011 compared to $214.7 million for 2010, an increase of 13.9%.  These changes are in line with expectations and result from product expansion and continuing marketing efforts in the Property and Casualty Insurance segment and from the continued growth of professional liability reinsurance within the Reinsurance segment.
Pre-tax investment income of $10.7 million during 2011 was 5% lower than the 2010 total as pre-tax yields were down nearly 8% on average, reflecting continuing depressed worldwide available rates, principally on short-term investments.  After tax investment income decreased by a similar 6% during 2011, compared to the prior year.
Net losses on investments, before taxes, totaled $17.8 million in 2011 compared to net gains on investments of $16.5 million during 2010.  The net losses in 2011 are attributable to $21.9 million in limited partnerships net losses partially offset by $4.1 million in fixed maturity and equity security net direct trading gains.  Limited partnership ventures utilized by the Company are primarily engaged in the trading of public and private securities, including foreign securities and, to a lesser extent, small venture capital activities and real estate development.  The aggregate of the Company’s share of losses in these entities represented a 29% decline in value for 2011 compared to an appreciation in value of 12% for 2010.  To the extent that accounting rules require the limited partnerships to include realized and unrealized gains or losses in their net income, the Company’s proportionate share of net income will include the results as reported to the Company by the various general partners.  During 2011, approximately $20.6 million (94%) of the net loss was attributable to a reduction in unrealized gains and only 6% resulted from realized transactions.  Recoveries of $1.3 million on previously impaired available-for-sale securities that were sold in 2011 are included in the fixed maturity and equity security net gains stated above.
Losses and loss expenses incurred during 2011 increased $69.6 million (48%) to $215.6 million with virtually all of the increase attributable to catastrophe losses of $66.6 million with the remainder attributable to increased premium volume.  The 2011 consolidated loss and loss expense ratio was 88.1% compared to 68.0% for 2010.  The Company's loss and loss expense ratios for major product lines are summarized in the following table.

  2011  2010 
Fleet transportation  68.8%  58.8%
Private passenger automobile  72.2   85.0 
Commercial multi-peril  50.8   47.0 
Professional liability  68.6   N/M 
Property reinsurance  202.9   94.9 
Casualty reinsurance  60.6   68.0 
Residual market and all other  144.3   127.7 
All lines  88.1   68.0 

The fleet transportation loss ratio was impacted by factors such as fluctuations in premium volume, the levels of self-insured retentions and the high policy limits which allow for more volatility in losses.  The property reinsurance loss ratio was higher in 2011 as the result of a historically unprecedented number of significant world-wide catastrophe losses.  Losses from large catastrophic events during 2011 totaled $66.6 million compared to $25.2 million during 2010, itself a historically severe year for international catastrophic events.

 
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Results
The Company produced an overall savings on the handling of Operationsprior year claims during 2011 of $9.7 million.  This net savings is included in the computation of loss ratios shown in the previous table, as is the $8.8 million savings produced during 2010 on prior year claims. The $7.4 million net savings attributable to the property and casualty insurance business was distributed among all of the Company’s products, with the majority attributable to the Company's fleet transportation and personal automobile businesses, and is generally consistent with recent prior years.  Because of the high limits provided by the Company to its fleet transportation insureds, the length of time necessary to settle larger, more complex claims and the volatility of the fleet transportation liability insurance business, the Company believes it is important to take a conservative posture in its reserving process.  As claims are settled in years subsequent to their occurrence, the Company's claim handling process has, historically, tended to produce savings from the reserves provided.  Changes in both gross premium volumes and the Company's reinsurance structure for its fleet transportation business can have a significant impact on future loss developments and, as a result, loss and loss expense ratios and prior year reserve development may not be consistent year to year.

Other operating expenses for 2011, before credits for allowances from reinsurers, increased $6.0 million (8%) to $84.8 million.  This increase is due primarily to a $6.2 million increase in commission expense partially offset by decreases in salary related expenses and taxes, licenses and fees.  The higher commissions reflect expansion of the Company’s distribution channels to additional non-affiliated agents.

Reinsurance ceded credits were $1.4 million (14%) higher in 2011, resulting from increased gross premiums written on business ceded to other companies under quota share reinsurance treaties which provide commissions to the Insurance Subsidiaries.  After consideration of these expense offsets, operating expenses increased $4.6 million, or 7% from the prior year, well below the increase in net premiums earned, as noted above.

A portion of the Company’s fleet transportation business is produced by the direct sales efforts of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. employees and, accordingly, this business does not incur commission expense on a consolidated basis.  Rather, the expenses of the agency operations, including salaries and bonuses of salesmen, travel expenses, etc. are included in operating expenses.  In general, commissions paid by the insurance subsidiaries to the parent company exceed related acquisition costs incurred in the production of the property and casualty insurance business.  The ratio of net operating expenses of the insurance subsidiaries to net premiums earned was 30.2% in 2011 and 31.0% in 2010.  Including the agency operations and corporate expenses, and after elimination of inter-company commissions, the ratio of operating expenses to operating revenue (defined as total revenue less gains (losses) on investments) was 28.1% for 2011 compared with 29.5% for 2010 with the decreases in both cases attributable to the fact that expenses grew at a slower pace than premium volume.

The effective federal tax rate on the consolidated pre-tax loss for 2011 was 37.8%.  The effective rate differs from the normal statutory rate primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income.

Due to an unprecedented amount of significant catastrophic losses coupled with significant net investment losses, the Company experienced net loss for 2011 of $28.2 million compared to net income of $25.0 million for 2010.  Diluted earnings per share loss of $1.90 were recorded in 2011 compared to per share income of $1.69 in 2010.

2010 Compared to 2009

Direct premiums written for 2010 totaled $249.7 million, an increase of $40.6 million (19%) from 2009.  The increase is primarily attributable to $25.2 million (16%) in premiums generated by fleet transportation products and $12.7 million (67%) in premiums generated by new product lines including commercial property and business owners’ liability business.  Premiums ceded to reinsurers on direct business increased $17.3 million (29%) during 2010 to $75.9 million as the consolidated percentage of premiums ceded to direct premiums written increased to 30.4% for 2010 from 28.0 % for 2009.  This increase is reflective of overall product expansion within fleet transportation business, increased use of reinsurance for certain products and the Company's expansion into commercial property and business owners’ liability business.
 
Written premiums assumed from other insurers and reinsurers totaled $46.1 million during 2010, an increase of $5.1 million (12%) from 2009.  The increase reflects the Company’s launch of a professional liability assumed business.  Premium ceded related to the reinsurance assumed business declined from 4% in 2009 to 3% in 2010 reflecting slightly better pricing for the coverage.
 
After giving effect to changes in unearned premiums, net premiums earned totaled $214.7 million for 2010 compared to $181.3 million for 2009.  These changes are in line with expectations and result from product expansion and continuing

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marketing efforts in the Property and Casualty Insurance segment and from program changes, effective January 1, 2010, in the Reinsurance segment including the introduction of professional liability reinsurance.
 
Pre-tax investment income of $11.3 million reflects a decrease during 2010 compared to 2009 as pre-tax yields were down 21% on average reflecting continuing depressed worldwide available rates, principally on short-term investments.  After tax investment income decreased by 26% during 2010, compared to the prior year.
 
Net gains on investments, before taxes, totaled $16.5 million in 2010 compared to net gains on investments of $30.8 million last year.  The gains in 2010 are attributable to $8.3 million in fixed maturity and equity security net direct trading gains and $8.2 million in limited partnerships net gains.  Limited partnership ventures utilized by the Company are primarily engaged in the trading of public and private securities, including foreign securities and, to a lesser extent, small venture capital activities and real estate development.  The aggregate of the Company’s share of earnings in these entities represented a return of 12% for 2010 compared to a return of 57% for 2009. To the extent that accounting rules require the limited partnerships to include realized and unrealized gains or losses in their net income, the Company’s proportionate share of net income will include the results as reported to the Company by the various general partners.  Recoveries of $1.6 million on previously impaired available-for-sale securities that were sold in 2010 are included in the fixed maturity and equity security net gains stated above.
 
Losses and loss expenses incurred during 2010 increased $46.6 million (47%) to $146.0 million with the majority of the increase attributable to increases in catastrophe losses, including major earthquakes and windstorms, of $25.2 million with the remainder attributable to increased premium volume.  The 2010 consolidated loss and loss expense ratio was 68.0% compared to 54.8% for 2009.  The Company's loss and loss expense ratios for major product lines are summarized in the following table.
 
  2010  2009 
Fleet transportation  58.8%  56.0%
Private passenger automobile  85.0   70.6 
Commercial multiple peril  47.0   63.9 
Property reinsurance  94.9   40.9 
All lines  68.0   54.8 

  2010  2009 
Fleet transportation  58.8%  56.0%
Private passenger automobile  85.0   70.6 
Commercial multi-peril  47.0   63.9 
Reinsurance  94.9   40.9 
All lines  68.0   54.8 

 
The fleet transportation loss ratio was impacted by factors such as fluctuations in premium volume, the levels of self-insured retentions and the Company’s higher net retention under reinsurance treaties in recent years allow for more volatility in losses. The increase in the private passenger automobile loss ratio is due primarily to higher current year losses.  The Reinsurance loss ratio was higher in 2010 as the result of increases in catastrophe losses, including major earthquakes and windstorms.
 

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The Company produced an overall savings on the handling of prior year claims during 2010 of $8.8 million.  This net savings is included in the computation of loss ratios shown in the previous table, as is the $9.6 million savings produced during 2009 on prior year claims. The $6.6 million net savings attributable to direct business was distributed among all of the Company’s products, with the majority attributable to the Company's fleet transportation businesses, and is generally consistent with recent prior years.  Because of the high limits provided by the Company to its fleet transportation insureds, the length of time necessary to settle larger, more complex claims and the volatility of the fleet transportation liability insurance business, the Company believes it is important to take a conservative posture in its reserving process.  As claims are settled in years subsequent to their occurrence, the Company's claim handling process has, historically, tended to produce savings from the reserves provided.  Changes in both gross premium volumes and the Company's reinsurance structure for its fleet transportation business can have a significant impact on future loss developments and, as a result, loss and loss expense ratios and prior year reserve development may not be consistent year to year.

Other operating expenses for 2010, before credits for allowances from reinsurers, increased $4.4 million (6%) to $78.8 million.  This increase is due primarily to a $3.9 million increase in commission expense.  The higher commissions reflect expansion of the Company’s distribution channels to additional non-affiliated agents.  Other increases related primarily to investments in the Company’s IT structure in support of existing, new and potential product lines.

Reinsurance ceded credits were $4.7 million (88%) higher in 2010, resulting from the Company ceding a higher percentage of the gross premium to other companies under reinsurance treaties, principally for workers’ compensation coverages.  After
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consideration of these expense offsets, operating expenses remained flat decreasing $.3 million, or less than 1% from the prior year.

A portion of the Company’s fleet transportation business is produced by direct sales efforts of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. employees and, accordingly, this business does not incur commission expense on a consolidated basis.  Instead, the expenses of the agency operations, including salaries and bonuses of salesmen, travel expenses, etc. are included in operating expenses.  In general, commissions paid by the insurance subsidiaries to the parent company exceed related acquisition costs incurred in the production of the property and casualty insurance business.  The ratio of net operating expenses of the insurance subsidiaries to net premiums earned was 31.0% in 2010 and 35.8% in 2009.  Including the agency operations and corporate expenses, and after elimination of inter-company commissions, the ratio of operating expenses to operating revenue (defined as total revenue less gains (losses) on investments) was 29.5% for 2010 compared with 34.2% for 2009.

The effective federal tax rate on consolidated income for 2010 was 28.1%.  The effective rate differs from the normal statutory rate primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income.

As a result of the factors mentioned above, and primarily the increase in catastrophic losses and a decline in realized investment gains, the Company experienced net income for 2010 of $25.0 million compared to net income of $44.8 million for 2009.  Diluted earnings per share income of $1.69 were recorded in 2010 compared to $3.04 in 2009.

2009 Compared to 2008

Direct premiums written for 2009 totaled $209.1 million, an increase of $26.3 million (14%) from 2008.  The increase is primarily attributable to $19.0 million in premiums generated by new product lines and a $6.1 million (30%) increase in the Company's private passenger automobile business.  New product premiums are derived from commercial property and business owners’ liability business.  Premiums ceded to reinsurers on direct business increased $18.8 million (47%) during 2009 to $58.6 million as the consolidated percentage of premiums ceded to direct premiums written increased to 28.0% for 2009 from 21.8% for 2008.  This increase is reflective of expansion of the workers’ compensation component of fleet transportation business, increased use of facultative reinsurance and the Company's expansion into commercial property and business owners’ liability business.
Premiums assumed from other insurers and reinsurers totaled $41.0 million during 2009, an increase of $1.9 million (5%) from 2008.  The small increase reflects an overall slight decline in exposures and single to low double digit rate increases.  Premium ceded related to the reinsurance assumed business declined from 14% in 2008 to 4% in 2009 as reductions in exposures in the Company’s book of United States business resulted in a decline in the need for reinsurance protection.  
After giving effect to changes in unearned premiums, net premiums earned remained relatively flat at $181.3 million for 2009 compared to $182.3 million for 2008.  Increases in net premiums earned were recorded on the Company’s reinsurance
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business ($5.1 million or 14.4%) and private passenger automobile business ($1.8 million or 8.2%).  The new commercial property and business owners’ liability business generated $2.8 million in net premium earned.  These increases were offset by a $10.7 million (8.6%) decrease in net premium earned on fleet transportation products as higher reinsurance ceded reduced level gross premium writings within the fleet transportation products, as noted above.
Pre-tax investment income of $14.0 million reflects a decrease during 2009 compared to 2008 as pre-tax yields were down 11% on average reflecting worldwide lower available rates, principally on short-term investments.  After tax investment income decreased by 20% during 2009, compared to the prior year.
Net gains on investments, before taxes, totaled $30.8 million in 2009 compared to a net loss on investments of $47.7 million in 2008.  The gains in 2009 are attributable to $5.2 million in fixed maturity and equity security net direct trading gains and $25.6 million in limited partnerships net gains.  Limited partnership ventures utilized by the Company are primarily engaged in the trading of public and private securities, including foreign securities and, to a lesser extent, small venture capital activities and real estate development.  The aggregate of the Company’s share of earnings in these entities represented a positive return of 57% for 2009 versus a negative return of 43% for 2008. To the extent that accounting rules require the limited partnerships to include realized and unrealized gains or losses in their net income, the Company’s proportionate share of net income will include the results as reported to the Company by the various general partners.  Adjustments attributable to "other-than-temporary impairment" of $2.5 million in recoveries during 2009 increased fixed maturity and equity security net gains as stated above.
Losses and loss expenses incurred during 2009 decreased $16.4 million (14%) to $99.4 million.  The decrease in losses incurred is due primarily to lower current year loss activity from directly-produced business and lower losses from reinsurance, including a $4.0 million drop in hurricane losses from 2008.  Partially offsetting these decreases was a $2.5 million increase in losses from the Company’s private passenger automobile product.  The 2009 consolidated loss and loss expense ratio was 54.8% compared to 63.5% for 2008.  The Company's loss and loss expense ratios for major product lines are summarized in the following table.
  2009  2008 
Fleet Transportation  56.0%  63.6%
Private Passenger Automobile  70.6   64.5 
Reinsurance  40.9   63.7 
All lines  54.8   63.5 

The fleet transportation loss ratio for 2009 was impacted by lower current year losses primarily from the independent contractor product.  Factors such as fluctuations in premium volume, the levels of self-insured retentions and the Company’s higher net retention under reinsurance treaties in recent years allow for more volatility in losses. The increase in the private passenger automobile loss ratio is due primarily to higher current year losses and also reflects the higher premium volume in 2009.  The Reinsurance loss ratio was lower in 2009 as the result of a lack of 2009 hurricane losses as well as a drop in United States tornado and hail losses experienced compared to 2008.
The Company produced an overall savings on the handling of prior year claims during 2009 of $9.6 million.  This net savings is included in the computation of loss ratios shown in the previous table, as is the $17.1 million savings produced during 2008 on prior year claims. This net savings included a $4.6 million deficiency attributable to reinsurance, principally resulting from increases to Hurricane Ike losses not reported to the Company until 2009.  The $14.2 million net savings attributable to direct business was distributed among all of the Company’s products, with the majority attributable to the Company's independent contractor and large fleet transportation businesses, and is generally consistent with recent prior years.  Because of the high limits provided by the Company to its fleet transportation insureds, the length of time necessary to settle larger, more complex claims and the volatility of the fleet transportation liability insurance business, the Company believes it is important to take a conservative posture in its reserving process.  As claims are settled in years subsequent to their occurrence, the Company's claim handling process has, historically, tended to produce savings from the reserves provided.  Changes in both gross premium volumes and the Company's reinsurance structure for its fleet transportation business can have a significant impact on future loss developments and, as a result, loss and loss expense ratios and prior year reserve development may not be consistent year to year.

Other operating expenses for 2009, before credits for allowances from reinsurers, increased $12.7 million (21%) to $74.4 million.  This increase is due primarily to a $5.3 million increase in commission expense and a $4.3 million increase in salary and salary-related expenses.  The higher commissions reflect expansion of the Company’s distribution channels to
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include non-affiliated agents and the higher salary expense relates primarily to employees hired in support of both existing and new product lines, including the formation of an in-house actuarial department.  Other increases related primarily to investments in the Company’s IT structure in support of existing, new and potential product lines.

Reinsurance ceded credits were $2.3 million (74%) higher in 2009, resulting from the Company ceding a higher percentage of the gross premium to other companies under reinsurance treaties, principally for workers’ compensation coverages.  After consideration of these expense offsets, operating expenses increased $10.5 million, or 18% from the prior year.

A portion of the Company’s fleet transportation business is produced by direct sales efforts of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. employees and, accordingly, this business does not incur commission expense on a consolidated basis.  Instead, the expenses of the agency operations, including salaries and bonuses of salesmen, travel expenses, etc. are included in operating expenses.  In general, commissions paid by the insurance subsidiaries to the parent company exceed related acquisition costs incurred in the production of the property and casualty insurance business.  The ratio of net operating expenses of the insurance subsidiaries to net premiums earned was 35.8% in 2009 and 30.9% in 2008.  Including the agency operations and corporate expenses, and after elimination of inter-company commissions, the ratio of operating expenses to operating revenue (defined as total revenue less gains (losses) on investments) was 34.2% for 2009 compared with 28.6% for 2008.

The effective federal tax rate on consolidated income for 2009 was 30.3%.  The effective rate differs from the normal statutory rate primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income.

As a result of the factors mentioned above, and primarily the change in net gains and losses on investments, the Company experienced net income for 2009 of $44.8 million compared to a net loss of $7.7 million for 2008.  Diluted earnings per share income of $3.04 were recorded in 2009 compared to a net loss of $.51 in 2008.  Earnings per share from operations, defined as income before gains or losses on investments, were $1.68 compared to $1.55 in 2008.

 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The Company’s significant accounting policies which are material and/or subject to significant degrees of judgment are highlighted below.
 
Investment Valuation

All marketable securities are included in the Company’s balance sheet at current fair market value.

Approximately 76%72% of the Company’s assets are composed of investments at December 31, 2010.2011.  Approximately 88%91% of these investments are publicly-traded, owned directly and have readily-ascertainable market values.  The remaining 12%9% of investments are composed primarily of minority interests in several limited partnerships.  These limited partnerships are engaged in the trading of public and non-public equity securities and debt, hedging transactions, real estate development and venture capital investment.  These partnerships, themselves, do not have readily-determinable market values.  Rather, the fair values recorded are those provided to the Company by the respective partnerships based on the underlying assets of the partnerships.  While the majority of the underlying assets at December 31, 20102011 are publicly-traded securities, somethose which are not publically traded have been valued by the respective partnerships using their experience and judgment.

Under FASB guidance, if a fixed maturity security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company has the intent to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the decline in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary and is recorded to net realized losses on investments in the consolidated statements of operations.   For impaired fixed maturity securities that the Company does not intend to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell such securities, but the Company expects that it will not fully recover the amortized cost basis, the credit component of the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in net realized losses on investments in the consolidated statements of operations and the non-credit component of the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized directly in shareholder’s equity (accumulated other comprehensive income).

In determining if and when an equity security’s decline in market value below cost is other-than-temporary, we first make an objective analysis of each individual equity security where current market value is less than cost.  For any equity security where the unrealized loss exceeds 20% of original or adjusted cost, and where that decline has existed for a period of at least six months, the decline is treated as an other-than-temporary impairment, without any subjective evaluation as to
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possible future recovery.  For individual issues where the decline in value is less than 20% but the amount of the decline is considered significant, we will also evaluate the market conditions, trends of earnings, price multiples and other key measures for the securities to determine if it appears that the decline is other-than-temporary.  In those instances, the Company also considers its intent and ability to hold equity investments until recovery.recovery can be reasonably expected.  For any decline which is considered to be other-than-temporary, we recognize an impairment loss in the current period earnings as an investment loss.  Declines which are considered to be temporary are recorded as a reduction in shareholders’ equity, net of related federal income tax credits.

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It is important to note that all investmentsavailable for sale securities included in the Company’s financial statements are valued at current fair market values.  The evaluation process for determination of other-than-temporary decline in value of investments, as described above, does not change these valuations but, rather, determines when a decline in value will be recognized in the income statement (other-than-temporary decline) as opposed to a charge to shareholders’ equity (temporary decline).  Subsequent recoveriesAnother aspect of this accounting policy which is important to understand is that any subsequent recovery in value of investments which have incurred other-than-temporary impairment adjustments are accounted for as unrealized gains until the security is actually disposed of or sold.  At December 31, 2010,2011, unrealized gains include $9.5$6.8 million of appreciation on investments previously adjusted for other-than-temporary impairment, compared to $7.6$8.2 million of impairment write-downs at that date.  This evaluation process is subject to risks and uncertainties since it is not always clear what has caused a decline in value of an individual security or since some declines may be associated with general market conditions or economic factors which relate to an industry, in general, but not necessarily to an individual issue.  The Company has attempted to minimize many of these uncertainties by adopting a largely objective evaluation process as described above.  However, to the extent that certain declines in value are reported as unrealized at December 31, 2010,2011, it is possible that future earnings charges will result should the declines in value increase or persist or should the security actually be disposed of while market values are less than cost.  At December 31, 2010,2011, the total gross unrealized loss included in the Company’s investment portfolio was approximately $2.1$4.5 million.  No individual issue constituted a material amount of this total.  Had this entire amount been considered other-than-temporary at December 31, 2010,2011, there would have been no impact on total shareholders’ equity or book value since the decline in value of these securities was already recognized as a reduction to shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2010.2011.


Reinsurance Recoverable

Reinsurance ceded transactions were as follows for the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
 
 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
Premium ceded (reduction to premium earned) $73,119  $60,818  $46,514  $85,493  $73,119  $60,818 
Losses ceded (reduction to losses incurred)  17,581   22,025   53,398   56,600   17,581   22,025 
Commissions from reinsurers (reduction to operating expenses)  10,081     5,352     3,084   11,503   10,081   5,352 

A discussion of the Company’s reinsurance strategies is presented in Item 1, Business, on page 2.3.

Amounts recoverable under the terms of reinsurance contracts comprise approximately 15%16% of total Company assets as of December 31, 2010.2011.  In order to be able to provide the high limits required by the Company’s fleet transportation company insureds, we share a significant amount of the insurance risk of the underlying contracts with various insurance entities through the use of reinsurance contracts.  Some reinsurance contracts provide that a loss be shared among the Company and its reinsurers on a predetermined pro-rata basis (“quota-share”) while other contracts provide that the Company keep a fixed amount of the loss, similar to a deductible, with reinsurers taking all losses above this fixed amount (“excess of loss”).  Some risks are covered by a combination of quota-share and excess of loss contracts.  The computation of amounts due from reinsurers is based upon the terms of the various contracts and follows the underlying estimation process for loss and loss expense reserves, as described below.  Accordingly, the uncertainties inherent in the loss and loss expense reserving process also affect the amounts recorded as recoverable from reinsurers.  Estimation uncertainties are greatest for claims which have occurred but which have not yet been reported to the Company.  Further, the high limits provided by the Company’s insurance policies for fleet transportation liability, and workers’ compensation and professional liability risks provide more variability in the estimation process than lines of business with lower coverage limits.

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It should be noted, however, that a change in the estimate of amounts due from reinsurers on unpaid claims will not, in itself, result in charges or credits to losses incurred.  This is because any change in estimated recovery follows the estimate of the underlying loss.  Thus, it is the computation of the gross underlying loss that is critical.

As with any receivable, credit risk exists in the recoverability of reinsurance.  This ismay be even more pronounced than in normal receivable situations since recoverable amounts are not generally due until the loss is settled which, in some cases, may be many years after the contract was written.  If a reinsurer is unable, in the future, to meet its financial commitments under the terms of the contracts, the Company would be responsible forto satisfy the reinsurer's portion of the loss.  The

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financial condition of each of the Company’s reinsurers is initially determined upon the execution of a given treaty and only reinsurers with the superior credit ratings available are utilized.  However, as noted above, reinsurers are often not called upon to satisfy their obligations for several years and changes in credit worthiness can occur in the interim period.  Reviews of the current financial strength of each reinsurer are made continuallyfrequently and, should impairment in the ability of a reinsurer be determined to exist, current year operations would be charged in amounts sufficient to provide for the Company’s additional liability.  Such charges are included in other operating expenses, rather than losses and loss expenses incurred, since the inability of the Company to collect from reinsurers is a credit loss rather than a deficiency associated with the loss reserving process.

 
Loss and Loss Expense Reserves
 
The Company’s loss and loss expense reserves for each segment are shown in the following table on both a gross (before consideration of reinsurance) and on a net of reinsurance basis at December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 (dollars in thousands).
 
 Direct and Assumed  Net  Direct and Assumed  Net 
Line of Business (Segment) 2010  2009  2010  2009  2011  2010  2011  2010 
                        
Property and casualty insurance $291,532  $319,531  $165,640  $163,753  $330,683  $296,367  $199,219  $170,476 
Reinsurance assumed  48,153   34,814   48,153   34,814 
Involuntary residual markets  4,836   4,686   4,836   4,686 
Reinsurance  90,873   48,153   90,873   48,153 
                                
 $344,520  $359,031  $218,629  $203,253  $421,556  $344,520  $290,092  $218,629 
                                
 
The Company’s reserves for losses and loss expenses (“reserves”) are determined based on complex estimation processes using historical experience, current economic information and, when necessary, available industry statistics.  Reserves are evaluated in three basic categories (1) “case basis”, (2) “incurred but not reported” and (3) “loss adjustment expense” reserves.  Case basis reserves are established for specific known loss occurrences at amounts dependent upon various criteria such as type of coverage, severity and the underlying policy limits, as examples.  Case basis reserves are generally estimated by experienced claims adjusters using established Company guidelines and are subject to review by claims management.  Incurred but not reported reserves, which are established for those losses which have occurred, but have not yet been reported to the Company, are not linked to specific claims but are computed on a “bulk” basis.  Common actuarial methods are employed in the establishment of incurred but not reported loss reserves using company historical loss data, consideration of changes in the Company’s business and study of current economic trends affecting ultimate claims costs.  Loss adjustment expense reserves, or reserves for the costs associated with the investigation and settlement of a claim, are also bulk reserves representing the Company’s estimate of the costs associated with the claims handling process.  Loss adjustment expense reserves include amounts ultimately allocable to individual claims as well as amounts required for the general overhead of the claims handling operation that are not specifically allocable to individual claims.  Historical analyses of the ratio of loss adjusting expenses to losses paid on prior closed claims and review of current economic trends affecting loss settlement costs are used to estimate the loss adjustment reserve needs related to the established loss reserves.  Each of these reserve categories contain elements of uncertainty which assure variability when compared to the ultimate costs to settle the underlying claims for which the reserves are established.  The reserving process requires management to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of claims based on the class of business and the nature of claims.  The Company’s claims range from the very routine private passenger automobile “fender bender” to the highly complex and costly third party bodily injury claim involving large tractor-trailer rigs.  Reserving for each class of claims requires a set of assumptions based upon historical experience, knowledge of current industry trends and seasoned judgment.  The high limits provided in many of the Company’s fleet transportation liability policies provide for greater volatility in the reserving process for more serious claims.  Court rulings, legislative actions and trends in jury awards also play a significant role in the estimation process of larger claims.  The Company continuously reviews and evaluates loss developments subsequent to
- 30 -

each measurement date and adjusts its reserve estimation assumptions, as necessary, in an effort to achieve the best possible estimate of the ultimate remaining loss costs at any point in time.  Changes to previously established reserve amounts are charged or credited to losses and loss expenses incurred in the accounting periods in which they are determined.  Note C to the consolidated financial statements includes additional information relating to loss and loss adjustment expense reserve development.
 
 
The Company’s methods for determining loss and loss expense reserves are essentially identical for interim and annual reporting.reporting periods.
 

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A detailed analysis and discussion for each of the above basic reserve categories follows.
 
Reserves for known losses (Case reserves)
The Company’s reserves for known claims are determined on an individual case basis and can range from the routine private passenger “fender bender” valued at a few hundred dollars to the very complex long-haul trucking claim involving multiple vehicles, severe injuries and extensive property damage costing several millions of dollars to settle.  Each known claim, regardless of complexity, is handled by a claims adjuster experienced with claims of this nature and a “case” reserve, appropriate for the individual loss occurrence, is established.  For very routine “short-tail” claims such as private passenger physical damage, the Company records an initial reserve that is based upon historical loss settlements adjusted for current trends.  As information regarding the loss occurrence is gathered in the claim handling process, the initial reserve is adjusted to reflect the anticipated ultimate cost to settle the claim.  For more complex claims which can tend toward being “long-tail” in nature, an experienced claims adjuster will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the loss occurrence to make a determination of the reserve to be established.  Many of the more complex claims involve litigation and necessitate an evaluation of potential jury awards in addition to the factual information to determine the value of each claim.  Each claim is continuallyfrequently monitored and the recorded reserve is increased or decreased relative to information gathered during the settlement life cycle.
 
Reserves for incurred but not reported losses
The Company uses both standard actuarial techniques common to most insurance companies as well as techniques developed by the Company in consideration of its specialty business products.  For its short-tail lines of business, the Company uses predominantly the incurred or paid loss development factor methods.  The Company has found that the use of accident quarter loss development triangles, rather than those based upon accident year, are most responsive to claim settlement trends and fluctuations in premium exposures for its short-tail lines.  A minimum of 12 running accident quarters is used to project the reserve necessary for incurred but not reported losses for its short-tail lines.
 
The Company also uses the loss development factor approach for its long-tail lines of business.  A minimum of 15 accident years is included in the loss development triangles used to calculate link ratios and the selected loss development factors used to determine the reserves for incurred but not reported losses.  A minimum of 20 accident years is used for long-tail workers’ compensation reserve projections.  MoreSignificant emphasis is placed on the use of tail factors for the Company’s long-tail lines of business.
 
For the Company’s fleet transportation risks, which are covered by annually-changingfrequently changing reinsurance agreements and which contain wide-ranging self-insured retentions (“SIR”) as low as $25,000 per loss occurrence and as high as several million dollars per occurrence, traditional actuarial methods are supplemented by other methods in consideration of the Company’s exposures to loss.  In situations where the Company’s reinsurance structure, the insured’s SIR selections, policy volume, and other factors are changing, current accident period loss exposures may not be homogenous with historical loss data to allow for reliable projection of future developed losses.  Therefore, the Company supplements the above-described actuarial methods with loss ratio reserving techniques developed from our databases to arrive at the reserve for losses incurred but not reported for the calendar/accident period under review.  Management relies on its extensive historical pricing and loss history databases to produce reserve factors unique to this specialty business.  As losses for a given calendar/accident period develop with the passage of time, management evaluates such development on a quarterly basis and adjusts reserve factors, as necessary, to reflect current judgment with regard to the anticipated ultimate incurred losses.  This process continues until all losses are settled for each period subject to this method.
 
Reserves for loss adjustment expenses
While certain of the Company’s products involve case basis reserving for allocated loss adjustment expenses, the majority of such reserves are determined on a bulk basis.  The Company uses historical analysis of the ratios of allocated loss adjustment expenses paid to losses paid on closed claims to arrive at the expected ultimate incurred loss adjustment expense factors forapplicable to each of its major products.affected product.  Once
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developed, the factors are applied to the expected ultimate incurred losses, including IBNR, on all open claims.  The resulting ultimate incurred allocated loss adjustment expense is then reduced by amounts paid to date on all open claims to arrive at the reserve for allocated loss adjustment expenses to be incurred in the future for the handling of specific claims.
 
For those loss adjustment expenses not specific to individual claims (general claims handling expenses referred to as unallocated LAE)loss adjustment expenses) the Company uses standard industry loss adjustment expenses paid to losses paid (net of reinsurance) ratio analysis to establish the necessary reserves.  The selected factors are applied to 100% of IBNR reserves

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and to case reserves with consideration given for that portion of loss adjustment expense already paid at the reserve measurement date.  Such factors are monitored and revised, as necessary, on a quarterly basis.
 
The reserving process requires management to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of claims based on the class of business and the nature of claims.  As previously noted, our claims rangevary widely in scope and complexity.  Reserving for each class of claims requires a set of assumptions based upon historical experience, knowledge of current industry trends and seasoned judgment.  The high limits provided in the Company’s fleet transportation liability policies provide for greater volatility in the reserving process for more serious claims.  Court rulings, legislative actions and trends in jury awards also play a significant role in the estimation process of larger claims.  The Company continuously reviews and evaluates loss developments subsequent to each measurement date and adjusts its reserve estimations, as necessary, in an effort to achieve the best possible estimate of the ultimate remaining loss costs at any point in time.
 
Sensitivity Analysis - Potential impact on reserve volatility from changes in key assumptions
 
Management is aware of the potential for variation from the reserves established at any particular point in time.  Redundancies or deficiencies could develop in future valuations of the currently established loss and loss expense reserve estimates under a variety of reasonably possible scenarios.  The Company’s reserve selections are developed to be a “best estimate” of unpaid loss at a point in time and, due to the unique nature of our exposures, particularly in the large fleet transportation excess product where insured’s policies of insurance combine large self-insured retentions with high policy limits, ranges of reserve estimates are not established during the reserving process.  However, basic assumptions that could potentially impact future volatility of our valuations of current loss and loss expense reserve estimates include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
 ·Consistency in the individual case reserving processes
 
 ·The selection of loss development factors in the establishment of bulk reserves for incurred but reported losses and loss expenses
 
 ·Projected future loss trend
 
 ·Expected loss ratios for the current book of business, particularly the Company’s fleet transportation products, where the number of accounts insured, selected self-insured retentions, policy limits and reinsurance structure may vary widely period to period
 
Under reasonably possible scenarios, it is conceivable that the Company’s selected loss reserve estimates could be 10%, or more, redundant or deficient.  The majority of the Company’s reserves for losses and loss expenses, on either a gross or a net of reinsurance basis, relates to theits fleet transportation product.products.  Perhaps the most significant example of sensitivity to variation in the key assumptions is the loss ratio selection for the Company’s fleet transportation products for policies subject to certain recent major reinsurance treaties (approximately $80.7$103.8 million, or approximately 28%32% of carried direct reserves for directly produced property and casualty business).
 
A 10 percentage point increase or decrease in the loss factors actually utilized in the Company’s reserve determination at December 31, 20102011 would increase orgross loss reserves by approximately $33.8 million whereas a 10 percentage point decrease would decrease gross loss reserves by approximately $25.9$32.3 million.  On a net basis, a 10 percentage point increase in loss ratio would increase net loss reserves by approximately $11.5$16.0 million whereas a 10 percentage point decrease would decrease net loss reserves by approximately $13.0$18.2 million.  Similarly, a 20 percentage point increase would increase gross loss reserves by approximately $51.8$69.3 million whereas a decrease would decrease gross loss reserves by approximately $48.1$57.2 million.  On a net basis, a 20 percentage point increase in loss ratio would increase net loss reserves by approximately $21.2$31.5 million whereas a 20 percentage point decrease would decrease net loss reserves by approximately $24.6$27.1 million with the lower impact from loss ratio increases attributable to minimum and maximum premium rate factors included in the various reinsurance contracts.


 
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Federal Income Tax Considerations

The liability method is used in accounting for federal income taxes.  Using this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.  The provision for deferred federal income tax was based on items of income and expense that were reported in different years in the financial statements and tax returns and were measured at the tax rate in effect in the year the difference originated.  Net deferred tax liabilities reported at December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 consisted of (dollars in thousands):

 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Total deferred tax liabilities $29,466  $27,249  $21,068  $29,466 
Total deferred tax assets  22,694   22,205   28,187   22,694 
Net deferred tax liabilities $(6,772) $(5,044)
        
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $7,119  $(6,772)


Deferred tax assets at December 31, 2010,2011, include approximately $14.8$18.4 million related to the timing of deductibility of loss and loss expense reserves, the majority of which $8.8 million relates to policy liability discounts required by the Internal Revenue Code which are perpetual in nature and, in the absence of the termination of business, will not, in the aggregate, reverse to a material degree in the foreseeable future.  An additional $2.7$2.9 million relates to impairment adjustments made to investments, as required by accounting regulations.  The sizable unrealized gains in the Company’s investment portfolios would allow for the recovery of this deferred tax at any time.  Unearned premiums discount and deferred ceding commissions represent $2.3$2.4 and $1.3$2.0 million of deferred tax assets, respectively.  The balance of deferred tax assets, approximately $1.6$2.5 million, consists of various normal operating expense accruals and is not considered to be material.  As a result of its analysis, management has determined that no valuation allowance is necessary at December 31, 2010.2011.
 
FASB provides guidance for recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions and prescribes a threshold condition that a tax position must meet for any of the benefit of the uncertain tax position to be recognized in the financial statements. Based on this guidance, we regularly analyze tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return based on the threshold condition prescribed.  Tax positions that do not meet or exceed this threshold condition are considered uncertain tax positions.  We accrue interest related to these uncertain tax positions which is recognized in income tax expense.  Penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions would be recorded in income tax expenses.  

 
Forward-Looking Information
 
Any forward-looking statements in this report including, without limitation, statements relating to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the following:  (i) the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Company;  (ii) the Company’s business is highly competitive and the entrance of new competitors into or the expansion of the operations by existing competitors in the Company’s markets and other changes in the market for insurance products could adversely affect the Company’s plans and results of operations; and (iii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
Impact of Inflation
 
To the extent possible, the Company attempts to recover the costsimpact of inflation to loss costs and operating expenses by increasing the premiums it charges.  Within the fleet transportation business, a majority of the Company’s premiums are charged as a percentage of an insured’s gross revenue or payroll.  As these charging bases increase with inflation, premium revenues are immediately increased.  The remaining premium rates charged are adjustable only at periodic intervals and often require state regulatory approval.  Such periodic increases in premium rates may lag far behind cost increases.

To the extent inflation influences yields on investments, the Company is also affected.  The Company’s short-term and fixed investment portfolios are structured in direct response to available interest rates over the yield curve.  As available market interest rates fluctuate in response to the presence or absence of inflation, the yields on the Company’s investments are

 
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impacted.  Further, as inflation affects current market rates of return, previously committed investments might increase or decline in value depending on the type and maturity of investment (see additional comments under Market Risk, following).

Inflation must also be considered by the Company in the creation and review of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves since portions of these reserves are expected to be paid over extended periods of time.  The anticipated effect of inflation is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses.
 
 
Market Risk
 
The Company operates within the property and casualty insurance industry and, accordingly, has significant invested assets which are exposed to various market risks.  These market risks relate to interest rate fluctuations, equitiesequity security market prices and, to a far lesser extent, foreign currency rate fluctuations.  All of the Company's invested assets, with the exception of investments in limited partnerships, are classified as available for sale.

TheBased on the structure of the Company’s investment portfolio, the most potentially significant of the three identified market risks relates to prices in the equitiesequity security market.  Though not the largest category of the Company's invested assets, equity securities have a high potential for short-term price fluctuation.  The market value of the Company's equity positions at December 31, 20102011 was $96.7$88.1 million or approximately 15%14% of invested assets.  This market valuation includes $49.2$40.4 million of appreciation over the adjusted cost basis of the equity security investments.  Funds invested in the equities market are not considered to be assets necessary for the Company to conduct its daily operations and, therefore, can be committed for extended periods of time.  The long-term nature of the Company's equity investments allows it to invest in positions where ultimate value, and not short-term market fluctuations, is the primary focus.

Reference is made to the discussion of limited partnership investments in the Critical Accounting Policies portionpresented on page 27 of this report.  All of the market risks, attendant to equity securities, apply to the underlying assets in these partnerships, and to a greater degree because of the generally more aggressive investment philosophies utilized by the partnerships.  In addition, these investments are illiquid.  There is no primary or secondary market on which these limited partnerships trade and, in most cases, the Company is prohibited from disposing of its limited partnership interests for some period of time and must seek approval from the general partner for any such disposal.  Distributions of earnings from these partnerships are largely at the sole discretion of the general partners and distributions are generally not received by the Company for many years after the earnings have been reported.   Finally, through the application of the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of net income reported by the limited partnerships may include significant amounts of unrealized appreciation on the underlying investments.  As such, the likelihood that reported income from limited partnership investments will be ultimately returned to the Company in the form of cash is markedly lower than the Company’s other investments, where incomeappreciation is reported only when a security is actually sold.

The Company's fixed maturity portfolio totaled $415.6$409.5 million at December 31, 2010.2011.  Approximately 62%68% of this portfolio is made up of U.S. Government and government agency obligations and state and municipal debt securities;  83%90% of the portfolio matures within 5 years; and the average lifecontractual maturity of the Company's fixed maturity investments is approximately 4.53.1 years.  Although the Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its fixed maturity investments, given the anticipated duration of the Company's liabilities (principally insurance loss and loss expense reserves) relative to investment maturities, even a 100 to 200 basis point increase in interest rates would not have even a moderate impact on the Company's ability to conduct daily operations or to meet its obligations.obligations and would, in fact, result in significantly higher investment income in a relatively short period of time as short term investments and maturing bonds could be reinvested in the higher yielding securities very quickly.

There is an inverse relationship between interest rate fluctuations and the fair value of the Company's fixed maturity investments.  Additionally, the fair value of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected by the financial strength of the issuer, prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, liquidity of the investment and other general market conditions.  The Company monitors its sensitivity to interest rate risk by measuring the change in fair value of its fixed maturity investments relative to hypothetical changes in interest rates.

The following tables present the estimated effects on the fair value of financial instruments at December 31 due to an instantaneous change in yield rates of varying magnitudes on a static balance sheet to determine the effect such a change in rates would have on current fair value. The analysis presents the sensitivity of the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices. The range of change chosen reflects the Company’s view of

- 33 -


changes that the Company believes are reasonably possible over a one-year period.  The Company’s selection of the range of values chosen to represent changes in interest rates should not be construed as the Company’s prediction of future market

- 34 -


events, but rather an illustration of the impact of such events.  The equity portfolio was compared to the S&P 500 index due to its correlation with the vast majority of the Company’s current equity portfolio.   The limited partnership portfolio was compared to the S&P 500 and Indian BSE 500 indices due to their significant correlation with the vast majority of our limited partnership portfolio.  As previously indicated, several other factors can impact the fair values of fixed maturity investments and, therefore, significant variations in market interest rates could produce quite different results from the hypothetical estimates presented below.

The following tables present the estimated effects on the fair value of financial instruments at December 31 due to an instantaneous change in yield rates of 100 basis points and a 10% decline in the S&P 500 and Indian BSE 500 indices (dollars in thousands).

    Increase (Decrease)     Increase (Decrease) 
 Fair  Interest  Equity  Fair  Interest  Equity 
 Value  Rate Risk  Risk  Value  Rate Risk  Risk 
2010:         
2011:         
U.S. government obligations $62,998  $(911) $-  $73,137  $(1,000) $- 
Government sponsored entities  3,324   (55)  -   349   (3)  - 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  37,101   (855)  -   21,872   (542)  - 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  14,714   (339)  -   11,300   (280)  - 
Obligations of states and            
political subdivisions  192,706   (3,563)  - 
State and municipal obligations  190,035   (2,983)  - 
Corporate securities  84,417   (1,889)  -   91,646   (1,785)  - 
Foreign government obligations  20,294   (603)  -   21,121   (652)  - 
Total fixed maturities  415,554   (8,215)  -   409,460   (7,245)  - 
Equity securities:                        
Financial institutions  11,477   -   (1,148)  9,428   -   (943)
Industrial & Miscellaneous  85,180   -   (8,518)  78,657   -   (7,866)
Total equity securities  96,657   -   (9,666)  88,085   -   (8,809)
Limited partnerships  77,352   -   (9,621)  54,705   -   (3,747)
Short-term  4,225   -   -   3,675   -   - 
Total fixed maturities and other investments $593,788  $(8,215) $(19,287) $555,925  $(7,245) $(12,556)
                        
                        
2009:            
2010:            
U.S. government obligations $54,632  $(929) $-  $62,998  $(911) $- 
Government sponsored entities  5,883   (113)  -   3,324   (55)  - 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  48,377   (1,135)      37,101   (855)  - 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  5,652   (133)  -   14,714   (339)  - 
Obligations of states and            
political subdivisions  185,469   (2,848)  - 
State and municipal obligations  192,706   (3,563)  - 
Corporate securities  72,185   (1,804)  -   84,417   (1,889)  - 
Foreign government obligations  7,724   (131)  -   20,294   (603)  - 
Total fixed maturities  379,922   (7,093)  -   415,554   (8,215)  - 
Equity securities:      -                 
Financial institutions  10,584   -   (1,059)  11,477   -   (1,148)
Industrial & Miscellaneous  75,302   -   (7,531)  85,180   -   (8,518)
Total equity securities  85,886   -   (8,590)  96,657   -   (9,666)
Limited partnerships  69,436   -   (9,040)  77,352   -   (9,621)
Short-term  3,703   -   -   4,225   -   - 
Total fixed maturities and other investments $538,947  $(7,093) $(17,630) $593,788  $(8,215) $(19,287)


 
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The following tables present the estimated effects on the fair value of financial instruments at December 31 due to an instantaneous change in yield rates of 150 basis points and a 15% decline in the S&P 500 and Indian BSE 500 indices (dollars in thousands).


    Increase (Decrease)     Increase (Decrease) 
 Fair  Interest  Equity  Fair  Interest  Equity 
 Value  Rate Risk  Risk  Value  Rate Risk  Risk 
2010:         
2011:         
U.S. government obligations $62,998  $(1,358) $-  $73,137  $(1,491) $- 
Government sponsored entities  3,324   (82)  -   349   (5)  - 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  37,101   (1,259)  -   21,872   (891)  - 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  14,714   (499)  -   11,300   (461)  - 
Obligations of states and            
political subdivisions  192,706   (5,228)  - 
State and municipal obligations  190,035   (4,356)  - 
Corporate securities  84,417   (2,825)  -   91,646   (2,657)  - 
Foreign government obligations  20,294   (894)  -   21,121   (931)  - 
Total fixed maturities  415,554   (12,145)  -   409,460   (10,792)  - 
Equity securities:                        
Financial institutions  11,477   -   (1,722)  9,428   -   (1,414)
Industrial & Miscellaneous  85,180   -   (12,777)  78,657   -   (11,799)
Total equity securities  96,657   -   (14,499)  88,085   -   (13,213)
Limited partnerships  77,352   -   (14,431)  54,705   -   (5,620)
Short-term  4,225   -   -   3,675   -   - 
Total fixed maturities and other investments $593,788  $(12,145) $(28,930) $555,925  $(10,792) $(18,833)
                        
                        
2009:            
2010:            
U.S. government obligations $54,632  $(1,384) $-  $62,998  $(1,358) $- 
Government sponsored entities  5,883   (168)  -   3,324   (82)  - 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  48,377   (1,680)  -   37,101   (1,259)  - 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  5,652   (196)  -   14,714   (499)  - 
Obligations of states and            
political subdivisions  185,469   (3,948)  - 
State and municipal obligations  192,706   (5,228)  - 
Corporate securities  72,185   (2,670)  -   84,417   (2,825)  - 
Foreign government obligations  7,724   (195)  -   20,294   (894)  - 
Total fixed maturities  379,922   (10,241)  -   415,554   (12,145)  - 
Equity securities:                        
Financial institutions  10,584   -   (1,588)  11,477   -   (1,722)
Industrial & Miscellaneous  75,302   -   (11,296)  85,180   -   (12,777)
Total equity securities  85,886   -   (12,884)  96,657   -   (14,499)
Limited partnerships  69,436   -   (13,560)  77,352   -   (14,431)
Short-term  3,703   -   -   4,225   -   - 
Total fixed maturities and other investments $538,947  $(10,241) $(26,444) $593,788  $(12,145) $(28,930)


 
The Company's exposure to foreign currency risk is not material.
 

 
- 3635 -

 

 
Contractual Obligations
 
The table below sets forth the amounts of the Company's contractual obligations at December 31, 2010.2011.

 Payments Due by Period  Payments Due by Period 
 Total  Less than 1 year  1 - 3 Years  3 - 5 Years  More Than 5 Years  Total  Less than 1 year  1 - 3 Years  3 - 5 Years  More Than 5 Years 
 (dollars in millions)  (dollars in millions) 
Loss and loss expense reserves $344.5  $112.7  $97.8  $41.0  $93.0  $421.6  $138.3  $118.9  $49.3  $115.1 
                                        
Investment commitments  1.2   1.2   -   -   -   10.0   10.0   -   -   - 
                                        
Operating leases  4.1   1.5   2.6   -   -   2.5   1.5   1.0   -   - 
                                        
Borrowings  15.0   15.0   -   -   -   10.0   10.0   -   -   - 
                                        
Total $364.8  $130.4  $100.4  $41.0  $93.0  $444.1  $159.8  $119.9  $49.3  $115.1 


The Company’s loss and loss expense reserves do not have contractual maturity dates and the exact timing of the payment of claims cannot be predicted with certainty.  However, based upon historical payment patterns, we have included an estimate of when we might expect our direct loss and loss expense reserves (without the benefit of reinsurance recoveries) to be paid in the preceding table.  Timing of the collection of the related reinsurance recoverable, estimated to be $127.2$138.4 million at December 31, 2010,2011, would approximate that of the above projected direct reserve payout.

The investment commitments in the above table relate to maximum unfunded capital obligations for limited partnership investments at December 31, 2010.2011.

Borrowings are made under a line of credit with a current expiration of JuneSeptember 23, 2011;2014; however, it is expected that this line of credit will be renewed for a multiple year period prior to maturity.




 
- 3736 -

 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K





ITEM 8--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
 








YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20102011

BALDWIN & LYONS, INC.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA












 
 

 
- 3837 -

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010.2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a).  These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010,2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010,2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 11, 201113, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.



/s/
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ��                                                              /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Indianapolis, Indiana
March 11, 201114, 2012

















- 38 -



Consolidated Balance Sheets
      
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries      
       
  December 31 
  2011  2010 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Assets      
Investments:      
    Fixed maturities $409,460  $415,554 
    Equity securities  88,085   96,657 
    Limited partnerships  54,705   77,352 
    Short-term and other  3,675   4,225 
   555,925   593,788 
         
Cash and cash equivalents  89,726   38,223 
Accounts receivable--less allowance (2011, $659; 2010, $621)  74,094   42,953 
Accrued investment income  4,337   4,046 
Reinsurance recoverable  138,404   127,228 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums  3,059   3,199 
Deferred policy acquisition costs  4,578   4,826 
Property and equipment--less accumulated depreciation        
   (2011, $13,486; 2010, $11,685)  12,991   13,869 
Notes receivable from employees  1,302   1,414 
Other assets  10,405   8,400 
Current federal income taxes recoverable  3,354   - 
Deferred federal income taxes  7,119   - 
  $905,294  $837,946 
         
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity        
Reserves:        
    Losses and loss expenses $421,556  $344,520 
    Unearned premiums  39,919   29,819 
   461,475   374,339 
         
Reinsurance payable  28,330   28,986 
Short-term borrowings  10,000   15,000 
Accounts payable and other liabilities  86,428   37,455 
Current federal income taxes payable  -   6,659 
Deferred federal income taxes  -   6,772 
   586,233   469,211 
Shareholders' equity:        
    Common stock, no par value:        
       Class A voting -- authorized 3,000,000 shares;        
            outstanding -- 2011 - 2,623,109; 2010 - 2,623,109 shares  112   112 
       Class B non-voting -- authorized 20,000,000 shares;        
            outstanding -- 2011 - 12,225,348; 2010 - 12,187,009 shares  522   520 
    Additional paid-in capital  48,751   47,874 
    Unrealized net gains on investments  26,592   33,894 
    Retained earnings  243,084   286,335 
   319,061   368,735 
  $905,294  $837,946 



 
- 39 -

 


Consolidated Statements of Operations         
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries         
          
          
  Year Ended December 31 
  2011  2010  2009 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
Revenue:         
Net premiums earned $244,570  $214,738  $181,300 
Net investment income  10,729   11,335   13,971 
Commissions and other income  6,098   6,911   6,562 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding            
    impairment losses  (15,897)  16,527   33,662 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments  (1,987)  (42)  (2,846)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses            
recognized in other comprehensive income  81   -   - 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments  (17,803)  16,485   30,816 
   243,594   249,469   232,649 
Expenses:            
Losses and loss expenses incurred  215,555   145,952   99,351 
Other operating expenses  73,328   68,704   69,032 
   288,883   214,656   168,383 
Income (loss) before federal income taxes  (45,289)  34,813   64,266 
             
Federal income taxes (benefits)  (17,114)  9,798   19,464 
Net income (loss) $(28,175) $25,015  $44,802 
             
Per share data:            
Diluted earnings (losses) $(1.90) $1.69  $3.04 
             
Basic earnings (losses) $(1.90) $1.69  $3.04 
             
Cash dividends paid $1.00  $2.25  $1.00 







Consolidated Balance Sheets
       
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries       
        
   December 31 
   2010  2009 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Assets       
Investments:       
   Fixed maturities  $415,554  $379,922 
   Equity securities   96,657   85,886 
   Limited partnerships   77,352   69,436 
   Short-term and other   4,225   3,703 
    593,788   538,947 
          
Cash and cash equivalents   38,223   79,504 
Accounts receivable--less allowance (2010, $621; 2009, $566)   42,953   32,535 
Accrued investment income   4,046   3,786 
Reinsurance recoverable   127,228   155,451 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums   3,199   10,651 
Deferred policy acquisition costs   4,826   4,905 
Property and equipment--less accumulated depreciation         
   (2010, 11,685; 2009, $9,551   13,869   13,332 
Notes receivable from employees   1,414   2,054 
Other assets   8,400   10,150 
    $837,946  $851,315 
           
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity         
Reserves:         
   Losses and loss expenses  $344,520  $359,031 
   Unearned premiums   29,819   25,912 
     374,339   384,943 
           
Reinsurance payable   28,986   21,705 
Short-term borrowings   15,000   10,000 
Accounts payable and other liabilities   37,455   50,173 
Current federal income taxes   6,659   6,507 
Deferred federal income taxes   6,772   5,044 
     469,211   478,372 
Shareholders' equity:         
   Common stock, no par value:         
      Class A voting -- authorized 3,000,000 shares;         
          outstanding -- 2010, 2,623,109; 2009, 2,623,109 shares   112   112 
      Class B non-voting -- authorized 20,000,000 shares;         
          outstanding -- 2010, 12,187,009; 2009, 12,109,878 shares   520   517 
   Additional paid-in capital   47,874   46,337 
   Unrealized net gains on investments   33,894   31,886 
   Retained earnings   286,335   294,091 
     368,735   372,943 
    $837,946  $851,315 


 
- 40 -

 


Consolidated Statements of Operations         
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries         
          
          
  Year Ended December 31 
  2010  2009  2008 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
Revenue:         
Net premiums earned $214,738  $181,300  $182,299 
Net investment income  11,335   13,971   17,063 
Commissions and other income  6,911   6,562   5,317 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding            
    impairment losses  16,527   33,662   (35,868)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments  (42)  (2,846)  (11,881)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments  16,485   30,816   (47,749)
   249,469   232,649   156,930 
Expenses:            
Losses and loss expenses incurred  145,952   99,351   115,752 
Other operating expenses  68,704   69,032   58,577 
   214,656   168,383   174,329 
Income (loss) before federal income taxes  34,813   64,266   (17,399)
             
Federal income taxes (benefits)  9,798   19,464   (9,686)
Net income (loss) $25,015  $44,802  $(7,713)
             
Per share data:            
Diluted earnings $1.69  $3.04  $( .51)
             
Basic earnings $1.69  $3.04  $( .51)
             
Cash dividends paid $2.25  $1.00  $1.00 


Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity         
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries         
          
          
          
  2011  2010  2009 
  (dollars in thousands) 
          
Shareholders' equity at beginning of year $368,735  $372,943  $330,067 
Comprehensive income:            
    Net income (loss)  (28,175)  25,015   44,802 
    Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments  (7,302)  2,008   12,476 
    Foreign exchange adjustment  (230)  441   1,001 
Total comprehensive income (loss)  (35,707)  27,464   58,279 
             
Other changes affecting shareholders' equity:            
    Cash dividends paid to shareholders  (14,846)  (33,212)  (14,744)
    Issuance of common stock  879   1,540   221 
    Cost of treasury shares in excess of original issue proceeds  -   -   (880)
Total other changes  (13,967)  (31,672)  (15,403)
Total changes  (49,674)  (4,208)  42,876 
             
Shareholders' equity at end of year: $319,061  $368,735  $372,943 



 




 
- 41 -

 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
         
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries         
          
          
          
  2010  2009  2008 
  (dollars in thousands) 
          
Shareholders' equity at beginning of year $372,943  $330,067  $380,718 
Comprehensive income:            
    Net income (loss)  25,015   44,802   (7,713)
    Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments  2,008   12,476   (17,466)
    Foreign exchange adjustment  441   1,001   (1,468)
Total comprehensive income (loss)  27,464   58,279   (26,647)
             
Other changes affecting shareholders' equity:            
    Cash dividends paid to shareholders  (33,212)  (14,744)  (15,096)
    Issuance of common stock  1,540   221   - 
    Cost of treasury shares in excess of original issue proceeds  -   (880)  (8,908)
Total other changes  (31,672)  (15,403)  (24,004)
Total changes  (4,208)  42,876   (50,651)
             
Shareholders' equity at end of year: $368,735  $372,943  $330,067 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
         
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries         
          
  2011  2010  2009 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Operating activities         
   Net income (loss) $(28,175) $25,015  $44,802 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash            
      provided by operating activities:            
         Change in accounts receivable and unearned premium  (27,227)  (6,511)  5,066 
         Change in accrued investment income  (291)  (260)  1,233 
         Change in reinsurance recoverable on paid losses  698   (1,787)  2,577 
         Change in losses and loss expenses reserves net of reinsurance  71,348   15,499   (28,569)
         Change in other assets, other liabilities and current income taxes  18,430   24,984   21,324 
         Amortization of net policy acquisition costs  29,209   23,967   23,475 
         Net policy acquisition costs deferred  (28,961)  (23,888)  (26,054)
         Provision for deferred income taxes  (9,340)  46   9,561 
         Bond amortization  5,673   4,211   3,643 
         (Gain) loss on sale of property  (36)  5   14 
         Depreciation  4,274   4,013   3,355 
         Net realized (gains) losses on investments  17,803   (16,485)  (30,816)
         Compensation expense related to restricted stock  879   674   1,085 
Net cash provided by operating activities  54,284   49,483   30,696 
             
Investing activities            
   Purchases of fixed maturities and equity securities  (270,696)  (346,435)  (220,769)
   Purchases of limited partnership interests  -   (7)  (7)
   Distributions from limited partnerships  757   297   1,022 
   Proceeds from maturities  144,745   166,307   105,336 
   Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities  128,018   105,206   121,722 
   Proceeds from sales of equity securities  16,883   15,743   13,328 
   Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments  841   (160)  30,118 
   Decrease in principal of notes receivable from employees  106   611   143 
   Purchases of property and equipment  (3,488)  (4,767)  (5,307)
   Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment  129   212   188 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  17,295   (62,993)  45,774 
             
Financing activities            
   Dividends paid to shareholders  (14,846)  (33,212)  (14,744)
   Drawings on line of credit  -   8,000   11,000 
   Repayment on line of credit  (5,000)  (3,000)  (10,000)
   Cost of treasury shares  -   -   (880)
Net cash used in financing activities  (19,846)  (28,212)  (14,624)
             
   Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  (230)  441   1,001 
             
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  51,503   (41,281)  62,847 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  38,223   79,504   16,657 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $89,726  $38,223  $79,504 






 
- 42 -

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
         
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries         
          
  2010  2009  2008 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Operating activities         
   Net income (loss) $25,015  $44,802  $(7,713)
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash            
      provided by operating activities:            
         Change in accounts receivable and unearned premium  (6,511)  5,066   (165)
         Change in accrued investment income  (260)  1,233   (257)
         Change in reinsurance recoverable on paid losses  (1,787)  2,577   (3,453)
         Change in losses and loss expenses reserves net of reinsurance  15,499   (28,569)  (12,786)
         Change in other assets, other liabilities and current income taxes  24,984   21,324   (18,543)
         Amortization of net policy acquisition costs  23,967   23,475   20,353 
         Net policy acquisition costs deferred  (23,888)  (26,054)  (19,485)
         Provision for deferred income taxes  46   9,561   (14,129)
         Bond amortization  4,211   3,643   3,427 
         (Gain) loss on sale of property  5   14   (17)
         Depreciation  4,013   3,355   2,976 
         Net realized (gains) losses on investments  (16,485)  (30,816)  47,749 
         Compensation expense related to restrict stock  674   1,085   - 
Net cash provided by operating activities  49,483   30,696   (2,043)
             
Investing activities            
   Purchases of fixed maturities and equity securities  (346,435)  (220,769)  (276,737)
   Purchases of limited partnership interests  (7)  (7)  (16,199)
   Distributions from limited partnerships  297   1,022   3,657 
   Proceeds from maturities  166,307   105,336   31,623 
   Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities  105,206   121,722   161,814 
   Proceeds from sales of equity securities  15,743   13,328   45,813 
   Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments  (160)  30,118   10,972 
   Purchase of subsidiary  -   -   (2,661)
   Decrease in principal of notes receivable from employees  611   143   29 
   Purchases of property and equipment  (4,767)  (5,307)  (5,348)
   Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment  212   188   72 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (62,993)  45,774   (46,965)
             
Financing activities            
   Dividends paid to shareholders  (33,212)  (14,744)  (15,096)
   Drawings on line of credit  8,000   11,000   9,000 
   Repayment on line of credit  (3,000)  (10,000)  - 
   Cost of treasury shares  -   (880)  (8,908)
Net cash used in financing activities  (28,212)  (14,624)  (15,004)
             
   Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  441   1,001   (1,468)
             
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (41,281)  62,847   (65,480)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  79,504   16,657   82,137 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $38,223  $79,504  $16,657 







- 43 -


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollars in thousands, except share and  per share data)

Note A - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation:  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company").  All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Use of Estimates:  Preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results will differ from those estimates.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents:  The Company considers investments in money market funds to be cash equivalents.  Carrying amounts for these instruments approximate their fair values.
 
Investments:  Carrying amounts for fixed maturity securities represent fair value and are based on quoted market prices, where available, or broker/dealer quotes for specific securities where quoted market prices are not available.  Equity securities are carried at quoted market prices (fair value).  The Company accounts for investments in limited partnerships using the equity method of accounting, which requires an investor in a limited partnership to record its proportionate share of the limited partnership’s net income.  To the extent that the limited partnership investees include both realized and unrealized investment gains or losses in the determination of net income or loss, then the Company would also recognize, through its statement of operations, its proportionate share of the investee’s unrealized as well as realized investment gains or losses.

Other investments, if any, are carried at either market value or cost, depending on the nature of the investment.  Short-term investments are carried at cost which approximates their fair values.

Realized gains and losses on disposals of investments are determined by specific identification of cost of investments sold and are included in income.  All fixed maturity and equity securities are considered to be available for sale; the related unrealized net gains or losses (net of applicable tax effect) are reflected directly in shareholders’ equity.

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) guidance, if a fixed maturity security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company has the intent to sell the fixed maturity security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the fixed maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the decline in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary and is recorded to net realized losses on investments in the consolidated statements of operations.   For impaired fixed maturity securities that the Company does not intend to sell or in cases where it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell such securities, but the Company expects that it will not fully recover the amortized cost basis, the credit component of the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in net realized losses on investments in the consolidated statements of operations and the non-credit component of the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized directly in shareholder’s equity (accumulated other comprehensive income).  Furthermore, unrealized losses caused by non-credit related factors related to fixed maturity securities for which the Company expects to fully recover the amortized cost basis continue to be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment is determined by comparing the net present value of projected future cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security.  The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the appropriate effective interest rate.

The unrealized net gains or losses (net of applicable tax effect) related to equity securities are reflected directly in shareholders’ equity, unless a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, in which case the loss is charged to income.  In determining if and when a decline in market value below cost is other-than-temporary, an objective analysis is made of each individual security where current market value is less than cost.   For any equity security where the unrealized loss exceeds 20% of original or adjusted cost, and where that decline has existed for a period of at least six months, the decline is treated as an other-than-temporary impairment, subject to an evaluation as to possible future recovery, and the
 

 
- 4443 -

 

Note A - Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
Company’s intent and ability to retain the equity security for a period of time sufficient to allow for such recovery in fair value.    Additionally, the Company takes into account any known subjective information in evaluating for impairment without consideration to the Company’s quantitative criteria defined above.

 
Property and Equipment:  Property and equipment is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:  Goodwill is not amortized.  It is instead tested for impairment in accordance with FASB guidance, at the reporting-unit level.  Goodwill is tested annually (during the fourth quarter) or more often if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business climate, indicate there may be impairment. Intangible assets determined to have indefinite lives are not amortized but instead are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  Other acquired intangible assets determined to have finite lives, such as customer relationships and employment agreements, are amortized over their estimated useful lives in a manner that best reflects the economic benefits of the intangible asset.  In addition, impairment testing is performed on these amortizing intangible assets if impairment indicators are noted.
 
Reserves for Losses and Loss Expenses:  The reserves for losses and loss expenses, minor portions of which are discounted, are determined using case basis evaluations and statistical analyses and represent estimates of the ultimate cost of all reported and unreported losses which are unpaid at year end.  These reserves include estimates of future trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors which could vary as the losses are ultimately settled.  Although it is not possible to measure the degree of variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the reserves for losses and loss expenses are adequate.  The estimates are continually reviewed and as adjustments to these reserves become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in current operations.
 
Recognition of Revenue and Costs:  Premiums are earned over the period for which insurance protection is provided.  A reserve for unearned premiums, computed by the daily pro-rata method, is established to reflect amounts applicable to subsequent accounting periods.  Commissions to unaffiliated companies and premium taxes applicable to unearned premiums are deferred and expensed as the related premiums are earned.  The Company does not defer acquisition costs which are not directly variable with the production of premium.  If it is determined that expected losses and deferred expenses will likely exceed the related unearned premiums, the asset representing deferred policy acquisition costs is reduced and an expense is charged against current operations to reflect any such premium deficiency.  In the event that the expected premium deficiency exceeds deferred policy acquisition costs, an additional liability would be recorded with a corresponding expense to current operations for the amount of the excess premium deficiency.  Anticipated investment income is considered in determining recoverability of deferred acquisition costs.
 
Reinsurance:  Reinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements and reserves related to reinsured business are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts.  Premiums ceded to other insurers have been reported as a reduction of premium earned.  Amounts applicable to reinsurance ceded for unearned premium and claim loss reserves have been reported as reinsurance recoverable assets.  Certain reinsurance contracts provide for additional or return premiums and commissions based upon profits or losses to the reinsurer over prescribed periods.  Estimates of additional or return premiums and commissions are adjusted quarterly to recognize actual loss experience to date as well as projected loss experience applicable to the various contract periods.  Estimates of reinstatement premiums on reinsurance contracts covering catastrophic events are, to the extent reasonably determinable, recorded concurrently with the related loss.
 
Should impairment in the ability of a reinsurer to satisfy its obligations to the Company be determined to exist, current year operations would be charged in amounts sufficient to provide for the Company’s additional liability.  Such charges, when incurred, are included in other operating expenses, rather than losses and loss expenses incurred, since the inability of the Company to collect from reinsurers is a credit risk rather than a deficiency associated with the loss reserving process.
 
The Company accounts for foreign and domestic reinsurance using the periodic method.  Under the periodic method, premiums are recognized as revenue ratably over the contract term, and claims, including an estimate of claims incurred but not reported, are recognized as they occur.
 

 
- 4544 -

 

Note A - Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
Federal Income Taxes:  A consolidated federal income tax return is filed by the Company and includes all wholly owned subsidiaries.
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return bases of assets and liabilities based on enacted tax rates and laws.  The deferred tax benefits of the deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent realization of such benefits is more likely than not.  Deferred income tax expense or benefit generally represents the net change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year.  Current income tax expense represents the tax liability associated with revenues and expenses currently taxable or deductible on various income tax returns for the year reported.
 
Restricted Stock:  Restricted shares vest ratably over the vesting period from the date of grant and are accelerated for retirement eligible recipients due to the non-substantive post-grant date vesting clause per ASCAccounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits.  Restricted stock is valued based on the closing price of the stock on the day the award is granted. Non-vested restricted shares will be forfeited should an executive’s employment terminate for any reason other than death, disability, or retirement as defined by the Compensation Committee.
 
Earnings Per Share:  Diluted earnings per share of common stock are based on the average number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the year, adjusted for the dilutive effect, if any, of restricted stock awards outstanding.  Basic earnings per share are presented exclusive of the effect of share-based awards outstanding.
 
Comprehensive Income: The Company records accumulated other comprehensive income from unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.  Foreign exchange adjustments are generally not material and the Company has no defined benefit pension plan. A reclassification adjustment to other comprehensive income is made for gains during the period included in net income.
 
Fair Value Measurements: In January 2010, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance that clarifies and provides additional disclosure requirements related to recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements. The guidance requires separate disclosures for the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, along with an explanation for the transfers. Additionally, a separate disclosure is required for purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance also provides additional clarification for both the level of disaggregation reported for each class of assets or liabilities and disclosures of inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements for assets and liabilities categorized as Level 2 or Level 3. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures arewere effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which arewere effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the guidance, effective January 1, 2011, will have any impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Pending Accounting Standards: In October 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance to address the diversity in practice for the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. This guidance modifies the definition of acquisition costs to specify that a cost must be directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred. If application of this guidance would result in the capitalization of acquisition costs that had not previously been capitalized by a reporting entity, the entity may elect not to capitalize those costs. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the guidance, effective January 1, 2012, will have on the consolidated financial statements.  We expect no adjustments.
In May 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance that changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.  The guidance also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs.  We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the guidance effective January 1, 2012, will have on our consolidated financial statements.  We expect no significant adjustments.



- 45 -


In June 2011, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance that eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders' equity. Instead, comprehensive income must be reported in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements.  The guidance will be effective for public companies during the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  This new guidance is to be applied retrospectively.    We expect no significant adjustments.
 
Reclassification:  Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
 


 
- 46 -

 


 
Note B - InvestmentsNote B - Investments               
The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at December 31:       
               
The following is a summary of available for sale securities at December 31:The following is a summary of available for sale securities at December 31:       
                              
             Net              Net 
    Cost or  Gross  Gross  Unrealized     Cost or  Gross  Gross  Unrealized 
 Fair  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Gains  Fair  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Gains 
 Value  Cost  Gains  Losses  (Losses)  Value  Cost  Gains  Losses  (Losses) 
2010:               
2011:               
U.S. government obligations $62,998  $62,882  $150  $(34) $116  $73,137  $73,009  $139  $(11) $128 
Government sponsored entities  3,324   3,325   7   (8)  (1)  349   345   4   -   4 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  37,101   36,513   847   (259)  588   21,872   21,778   619   (525)  94 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  14,714   14,417   405   (108)  297   11,300   11,388   116   (204)  (88)
Obligations of states and                    
political subdivisions  192,706   192,236   1,006   (536)  470 
State and municipal obligations  190,035   188,991   1,275   (231)  1,044 
Corporate securities  84,417   83,121   1,931   (635)  1,296   91,646   91,949   1,429   (1,732)  (303)
Foreign government obligations  20,294   20,095   354   (155)  199   21,121   21,483   168   (530)  (362)
Total fixed maturities  415,554   412,589   4,700   (1,735)  2,965   409,460   408,943   3,750   (3,233)  517 
Equity securities:                                        
Financial institutions  11,477   4,945   6,559   (27)  6,532   9,428   4,955   4,778   (305)  4,473 
Industrial & Miscellaneous  85,180   42,532   42,947   (299)  42,648   78,657   42,736   36,921   (1,000)  35,921 
Total equity securities  96,657   47,477   49,506   (326)  49,180   88,085   47,691   41,699   (1,305)  40,394 
Total available-for-sale securities $512,211  $460,066  $54,206  $(2,061)  52,145  $497,545  $456,634  $45,449  $(4,538)  40,911 
                                        
           Applicable federal income taxes   (18,251)             Applicable federal income taxes   (14,319)
                                        
           Net unrealized gains - net of tax  $33,894              Net unrealized gains - net of tax  $26,592 
                                        
2009:                    
2010:                    
U.S. government obligations $54,632  $54,615  $86  $(69) $17  $62,998  $62,882  $150  $(34) $116 
Government sponsored entities  5,883   5,825   72   (14)  58   3,324   3,325   7   (8)  (1)
Residential mortgage-backed securities  48,377   48,068   572   (263)  309   37,101   36,513   847   (259)  588 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  5,652   5,655   -   (3)  (3)  14,714   14,417   405   (108)  297 
Obligations of states and                    
political subdivisions  185,469   182,536   2,940   (7)  2,933 
State and municipal obligations  192,706   192,236   1,006   (536)  470 
Corporate securities  72,185   70,791   1,572   (178)  1,394   84,417   83,121   1,931   (635)  1,296 
Foreign government obligations  7,724   7,695   29   -   29   20,294   20,095   354   (155)  199 
Total fixed maturities  379,922   375,185   5,271   (534)  4,737   415,554   412,589   4,700   (1,735)  2,965 
Equity securities:                                        
Financial institutions  10,584   4,919   5,787   (122)  5,665   11,477   4,945   6,559   (27)  6,532 
Industrial & Miscellaneous  75,302   36,649   38,849   (196)  38,653   85,180   42,532   42,947   (299)  42,648 
Total equity securities  85,886   41,568   44,636   (318)  44,318   96,657   47,477   49,506   (326)  49,180 
Total available-for-sale securities $465,808  $416,753  $49,907  $(852)  49,055  $512,211  $460,066  $54,206  $(2,061)  52,145 
                                        
           Applicable federal income taxes   (17,169)             Applicable federal income taxes   (18,251)
                                        
           Net unrealized gains - net of tax  $31,886              Net unrealized gains - net of tax  $33,894 
                    


 

 
- 47 -

 

Note B – Investments (continued)

The following table summarizes, for fixed maturity and equity security investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss categorized by the duration those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position.


 2010  2009  2011  2010 
 Number of Securities  Fair Value  Gross Unrealized Loss  Number of Securities  Fair Value  Gross Unrealized Loss  Number of Securities  Fair Value  Gross Unrealized Loss  Number of Securities  Fair Value  Gross Unrealized Loss 
Fixed maturity securities:                                    
12 months or less  214  $152,505  $(1,525)  109  $70,568  $(411)  206  $86,470  $(2,303)  214  $152,505  $(1,525)
Greater than 12 months  16   5,460   (210)  4   6,220   (123)  44   11,930   (930)  16   5,460   (210)
Total fixed maturities  230   157,965   (1,735)  113   76,788   (534)  250   98,400   (3,233)  230   157,965   (1,735)
Equity securities:                                                
12 months or less  3   1,676   (66)  21   2,032   (147)  35   8,317   (1,275)  3   1,676   (66)
Greater than 12 months  7 �� 2,394   (260)  8   2,913   (171)  4   216   (30)  7   2,394   (260)
Total equity securities  10   4,070   (326)  29   4,945   (318)  39   8,533   (1,305)  10   4,070   (326)
Total  240  $162,035  $(2,061)  142  $81,733  $(852)  289  $106,933  $(4,538)  240  $162,035  $(2,061)


Unrealized losses in the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio are generally the result of interest rate fluctuations as well as the disruption of credit markets occasioned by recent financial market turmoil.  The average unrealized loss for all fixed maturity securities in a loss position at December 31, 20102011 is approximately 1%3% of original or adjusted cost.  The Company does not intend to sell any fixed maturity securities and it is not more likely than not that the Company will have to sell any fixed maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.  For equity securities, the Company has evaluated the near-term prospects of the investment in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment and based on that evaluation the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value.  Therefore, the Company does not believe the unrealized losses represent an other-than-temporary impairment as of December 31, 2010.2011.

The fair value and the cost or amortized cost of fixed maturity investments, at December 31, 2010,2011, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have, in some cases, the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Pre-refunded municipal bonds are classified based on their pre-refunded call dates.

 Fair Value     Cost or Amortized Cost     Fair Value  Cost or Amortized Cost 
                        
One year or less $141,965   34.2% $141,752   34.4% $154,646   37.8% $154,472   37.8%
Excess of one year to five years  192,242   46.3   190,592   46.2   205,224   50.1   204,552   50.0 
Excess of five years to ten years  17,354   4.2   16,978   4.1   7,731   1.9   7,836   1.9 
Excess of ten years  12,178   2.8   12,337   2.9   3,240   0.8   3,255   0.7 
Total maturities  363,739   87.5   361,659   87.6   370,841   90.6   370,115   90.4 
Mortgage-backed securities  51,815   12.5   50,930   12.4 
Asset-backed securities  38,619   9.4   38,828   9.6 
 $415,554   100.0% $412,589   100.0% $409,460   100.0% $408,943   100.0%



- 48 -


Note B – Investments (continued)

Major categories of investment income for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
   2011  2010  2009 
Fixed maturities  $11,016  $11,838  $14,151 
Equity securities   1,738   1,433   1,327 
Money market funds   36   39   162 
Short-term and other   24   32   328 
    12,814   13,342   15,968 
Investment expenses   (2,085)  (2,007)  (1,997)
 Net investment income $10,729  $11,335  $13,971 

   2010  2009  2008 
Fixed maturities  $11,838  $14,151  $14,417 
Equity securities   1,433   1,327   1,712 
Money market funds   39   162   1,332 
Short-term and other   32   328   1,649 
    13,342   15,968   19,110 
Investment expenses   (2,007)  (1,997)  (2,047)
 Net investment income $11,335  $13,971  $17,063 

- 48 -


Note B – Investments (continued)

Gains and losses on investments, including equity method earnings from limited partnerships, for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:

 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
Fixed maturities:                  
Gross gains $4,005  $8,646  $3,333  $6,443  $4,005  $8,646 
Gross losses  (1,215)  (1,505)  (6,806)  (6,805)  (1,215)  (1,505)
Net gains (losses)  2,790   7,141   (3,473)  (362)  2,790   7,141 
                        
Equity securities:                        
Gross gains  7,447   1,533   4,463   7,409   7,447   1,533 
Gross losses  (1,958)  (3,426)  (12,943)  (2,960)  (1,958)  (3,426)
Net gains (losses)  5,489   (1,893)  (8,480)  4,449   5,489   (1,893)
                        
Limited partnerships - net gain (loss)  8,206   25,568   (33,562)  (21,890)  8,206   25,568 
                        
Other - net gain (loss)  -   -   (2,234)
                        
Total net gains (losses) $16,485  $30,816  $(47,749) $(17,803) $16,485  $30,816 

Shareholders' equity includes approximately $30,000,$15,600, net of deferred federal income taxes, of undistributed earnings yet undistributed byfrom limited partnerships as of December 31, 2010.2011.
 
Gain and loss activity for fixed maturity and equity security investments, as shown in the previous table, include adjustments for other-than-temporary impairment for the years ended December 31 and is summarized as follows:
 

 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
                  
Cumulative charges to income at beginning of year $9,235  $11,698  $2,734  $7,604  $9,235  $11,698 
            
Writedowns based on objective and subjective criteria  42   2,846   11,881   1,906   42   2,846 
Recovery of prior writedowns upon sale or disposal  (1,673)  (5,309)  (2,917)  (1,332)  (1,673)  (5,309)
Net pre-tax realized gain (loss)  (574)  1,631   2,463 
            
Cumulative charges to income at end of year $7,604  $9,235  $11,698  $8,178  $7,604  $9,235 
            
Net pre-tax realized gain (loss) $1,631  $2,463  $(8,964)
                        
Addition (reduction) to earnings per share from net                        
after-tax realized gain (loss) $.07  $.11  $(.39) $(.03) $.07  $.11 
                        
Unrealized gain on investments previously                        
written down at end of the year - see note below $9,535  $9,379  $7,211  $6,782  $9,535  $9,379 


Note:  Recovery in market value of an investment which has previously been adjusted for other-than-temporary impairment is treated as an unrealized gain until the investment matures or is sold.

- 49 -


Note B – Investments (continued)
 
There is no primary or secondary market for the Company’s investments in limited partnerships and, in most cases, the Company is prohibited from disposing of its limited partnership interests for some period of time and generally must seek approval from the general partner for any such disposal.  Distributions of earnings from these partnerships are largely at the sole discretion of the general partners and distributions are generally not received by the Company for many years after the earnings have been reported.  The Company has commitments to contribute an additional $1,200$10,024 to various limited partnerships as of December 31, 2010.

- 49 -


Note B – Investments (continued)2011.
 
The Company has invested a total of $24,000 in three limited partnerships, with an aggregate estimated market value of $55,933$37,260 at December 31, 2010,2011, that are managed by organizations in which two directors of the Company are executive officers, directors and owners.  The Company’s ownership interest in these limited partnerships ranges from 3% to 25%16%.  These limited partnerships added ($18,673), $7,464 $18,591 and ($25,502),$18,591, net of fees, to investment gains (losses) in 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively.  During 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, the Company has recorded management fees of $793, $820 $632 and $781,$632, respectively, and performance-based fees of $0, $687 $1,247 and $0,$1,247, respectively, to these organizations for management of these limited partnerships.  The Company has been informed that the fee rates applied to its investments in these limited partnerships are the same as, or lower than, the fee rates charged to unaffiliated customers for similar investments.
 
The Company utilized the services of a broker-dealer firm of which two directors of the Company are executive officers and owners.  This broker-dealer serves as agent for purchases and sales of securities and manages an equity securities portfolio and fixed maturity portfolio with market values of approximately $1,887$1,684 and $19,378,$19,026, respectively, at December 31, 2010.2011.  The Company has been informed that commission and management rates charged by this broker-dealer to the Company are commensurate with rates charged to non-affiliated customers for similar investments.  Total commissions and net fees earned by the broker-dealer and affiliates on these transactions and for advice and consulting were approximately $174, $155 and $173 during 2011, 2010 and $171 during 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company’s limited partnerships include one significant investment which invests in public and private equity markets in India.  This limited partnership investment’s value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $23,465 and 2009 was $33,197, and $29,676, respectively.  At December 31, 2010,2011, the Company’s estimated ownership interest in this limited partnership investment was less than 4%.  The Company's share of earnings from this limited partnership investment was ($9,732), $3,521 and $10,915 in 2011, 2010 and ($25,955) in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
The summarized financial information of the significant limited partnership investment as of and for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 
 2010  2009  2011  2010  2009 
Total assets $963,207  $914,927  $633,165  $963,207  $914,927 
Total partners' capital  895,207   843,633   579,568   895,207   843,633 
Net increase in partners' capital resulting from operations  98,279   333,120   (266,314)  98,279   333,120 

 
The fair value of regulatory deposits with various insurance departments in the United States and Canada totaled $41,758 and $34,338 at December 31, 2010.2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Short-term investments at December 31, 20102011 include $4,021$2,982 in foreign time certificates of deposit.deposit by a Bermuda bank.
 
The Company’s fixed maturities are over 91% invested in investment grade fixed maturity investments.  The Company has a total of $24,300 (par value),$36,500, representing 1116 different investments, of fixed maturity investments which were originally issued with guarantees by three different third party insurance companies, with the largest exposure to a single investment being $4,000.$5,500.  The average S&P credit rating of such investments, with consideration of the guarantee, is AA.  The average S&P underlying credit rating of such investments, without consideration of the guarantee, is AA.  The Company does not have any direct exposure to any guarantor.

Approximately $36,200$35,600 of fixed maturity investments (5.7%(5.6% of total invested assets) consists of bonds rated as less than investment grade at year end.  These investments include a diversified portfolio of over 40 investments including catastrophe bonds and have a $784$1,297 net unrealized gainloss position at December 31, 2010.2011.

 
- 50 -

 

Note C - Loss and Loss Expense Reserves
 
Activity in the reserves for losses and loss expenses is summarized as follows.  All amounts are shown net of reinsurance, unless otherwise indicated.

 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
Reserves at the beginning of the year $203,253  $231,633  $244,500  $218,629  $203,253  $231,633 
                        
Provision for losses and loss expenses:                        
Claims occurring during the current year  154,775   108,935   132,829   225,251   154,775   108,935 
Claims occurring during prior years  (8,823)  (9,584)  (17,077)  (9,696)  (8,823)  (9,584)
Total incurred  145,952   99,351   115,752   215,555   145,952   99,351 
                        
Loss and loss expense payments:                        
Claims occurring during the current year  56,394   41,302   51,649   71,699   56,394   41,302 
Claims occurring during prior years  74,182   84,777   76,970   72,393   74,182   84,777 
Total paid  130,576   126,079   128,619   144,092   130,576   126,079 
                        
Other reserve adjustment  -   (1,652)  -   -   -   (1,652)
                        
Reserves at the end of the year  218,629   203,253   231,633   290,092   218,629   203,253 
                        
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses at the end of the year  125,891   155,778   157,925   131,464   125,891   155,778 
Reserves, gross of reinsurance            
recoverable, at the end of the year $344,520  $359,031  $389,558 
Reserves, gross of reinsurance recoverable,            
at the end of the year $421,556  $344,520  $359,031 
                        

The table above shows that a savings of $8,823$9,696 was developed during 20102011 in the settlement of claims occurring on or before December 31, 20092010 with comparative developments for the two previous calendar years.  The net savings for each year are composed of individual claim savings and deficiencies which, in the aggregate have resulted from the settlement of claims at amounts lower than previously reserved and from changes in estimates of losses incurred but not reported as part of the normal reserving process.

The major components of the developments shown above are as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
          
  2010  2009  2008 
          
Directly produced property and casualty insurance $(6,567) $(13,526) $(16,872)
Reinsurance assumed  (2,256)  3,942   (205)
      Totals $(8,823) $(9,584) $(17,077)
             
The major components of the developments shown above are as follows for the years ended December 31 (savings) deficiency:

  2011  2010  2009 
          
Property and casualty insurance $(7,417) $(6,567) $(13,526)
Reinsurance  (2,279)  (2,256)  3,942 
      Total $(9,696) $(8,823) $(9,584)
             
 
Favorable loss development is influenced by the Company’s long-standing policy of reserving for losses realistically and a willingness to settle claims based upon a seasoned evaluation of its exposures.  Loss reserves pertaining to the Company’s property reinsurance business are established largely by the ceding reinsurers although the Company may adjust such reserves if management determines that additional reserves arecould be necessary.  Accordingly, the fluctuation in loss developments related to reinsurance assumed will tend to be more pronounced than those experienced on directly produced business which is reserved entirely by Company personnel.  In addition, changes in the Company’s net retention under reinsurance treaties will impact developments as more or less business is retained.  These trends were considered in the establishment of the Company’s reserves at December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010.
 

 
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Note C - Loss and Loss Expense Reserves (continued)
The Company has not changed its original estimate for the loss sustained as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Therefore, there is no impact on the loss developments shown in the above table except for payments against the original established reserves.  The Company has paid $11,800 to date and carries a remaining reserve of $8,200 at December 31, 2010.
The Company participates in mandatory residual market pools in various states.  The Company records the results from participation in these pools as the information is reported to the Company and also records an additional provision in the financial statements for operating periods unreported by the pools.
 
 
Loss reserves on certain permanent total disability workers’ compensation reserves have been discounted to present value at pre-tax rates not exceeding 3.5%.  At December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, loss reserves have been reduced by approximately $6,463$6,642 and $6,656,$6,463, respectively.  Discounting is applied to these claims since the amount of periodic payments to be made during the lifetime of claimants is fixed and determinable.
 
Loss reserves have been reduced by estimated salvage and subrogation recoverable of approximately $6,370$7,158 and $5,724$6,370 at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.
 
Note D – Reinsurance
 
The insurance subsidiaries cede portions of their gross premiums written to certain other insurers under excess of loss and quota share treaties and by facultative placements.  Reinsurance treaties with other companies permit the recovery of a portion of related direct losses.  Management determines the amount of net exposure it is willing to accept generally on a product line basis.  Certain treaties covering most fleet transportation risks include annual deductibles which must be exceeded before the Company can recover under the terms of the treaty.  The Company retains a higher percentage of the direct premium in consideration of these deductible provisions.  The Company remains liable to the extent the reinsuring companies are unable to meet their obligations under reinsurance contracts.
 
The Company also serves as an assuming reinsurer on treaties with direct writing insurance companies for catastrophic property coverages as well as under retrocessions from other reinsurers.  The retrocessions are comprised primarily of catastrophe treaties.reinsurers for catastrophic property coverages.  Accordingly, the occurrence of catastrophic events can have a significant impact on the Company's operations.  The Company also assumes reinsurance from direct writing insurance companies for casualty insurance coverages.  In addition, the insurance subsidiaries participate in certain mandatory residual market pools which require insurance companies to provide coverages on assigned risks.  The assigned risk pools allocate participation to all insurers based upon each insurer’s portion of premium writings on a state or national level.  Historically, the operation of these assigned risk pools have resulted in net losses allocated to the Company although such losses have not been material in relation to the Company’s operations.
 
The following table summarizes the impact of reinsurance ceded and assumed on the Company’s net premium written and earned for the most recent three years:
 

 Premiums Written  Premiums Earned  Premiums Written  Premiums Earned 
 2010  2009  2008  2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009  2011  2010  2009 
Direct $249,699  $209,129  $182,810  $245,912  $200,341  $188,285  $274,101  $249,699  $209,129  $270,002  $245,912  $200,341 
Ceded on direct  (75,907)  (58,643)  (39,828)  (71,869)  (59,330)  (41,214)  (84,130)  (75,907)  (58,643)  (83,580)  (71,869)  (59,330)
Net direct  173,792   150,486   142,982   174,043   141,011   147,071   189,971   173,792   150,486   186,422   174,043   141,011 
                                                
Assumed  46,103   41,030   39,132   41,945   41,777   40,528   60,425   46,103   41,030   60,061   41,945   41,777 
Ceded on assumed  (1,250)  (1,488)  (5,300)  (1,250)  (1,488)  (5,300)  (1,913)  (1,250)  (1,488)  (1,913)  (1,250)  (1,488)
Net assumed  44,853   39,542   33,832   40,695   40,289   35,228   58,512   44,853   39,542   58,148   40,695   40,289 
                                                
Net $218,645  $190,028  $176,814  $214,738  $181,300  $182,299  $248,483  $218,645  $190,028  $244,570  $214,738  $181,300 
 

 
Net losses and loss expenses incurred for 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 have been reduced by ceded reinsurance recoveries of approximately $56,600, $17,581, $22,025, and $53,398,$22,025, respectively.  Ceded reinsurance premiums and loss recoveries for the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance coverage on the Company’s net direct business were not material.
 

 
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Note D – Reinsurance (continued)
 
Net losses and loss expenses incurred for 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 include approximately $88,934, $38,318, $17,070, and $22,003,$17,070, respectively, relating to reinsurance assumed from non-affiliated insurance or reinsurance companies, including involuntary residual market pools.companies.
 
Components of reinsurance recoverable at December 31 are as follows:
 

  2011  2010 
Case unpaid losses, net of valuation allowance $72,914  $59,520 
Incurred but not reported unpaid losses and loss expenses  56,262   63,967 
Paid losses and loss expenses  3,043   3,741 
Unearned premiums  6,185   - 
  $138,404  $127,228 
  2010  2009 
Case unpaid losses, net of valuation allowance $59,520  $87,467 
Incurred but not reported unpaid losses and loss expenses  63,967   66,030 
Paid losses and loss expenses  3,741   1,954 
  $127,228  $155,451 
         
 
Note E - Income Taxes
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:

 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Deferred tax liabilities:            
Unrealized gain on fixed income and equity security investments $18,251  $17,169  $14,319  $18,251 
Limited partnership investments  5,737   5,252   -   5,737 
Deferred acquisition costs  3,034   2,748   3,576   3,034 
Salvage and subrogation  1,995   1,785   2,275   1,995 
Other  449   295   898   449 
Total deferred tax liabilities  29,466   27,249   21,068   29,466 
                
Deferred tax assets:                
Loss and loss expense reserves  14,781   15,274   18,377   14,781 
Limited partnership investments  1,459   - 
Unearned premiums discount  2,331   1,814   2,361   2,331 
Other-than-temporary investment declines  2,661   3,232   2,902   2,661 
Deferred compensation  1,344   637   845   1,344 
Deferred ceding commission  1,345   1,032   1,974   1,345 
Other  232   216   269   232 
Total deferred tax assets  22,694   22,205   28,187   22,694 
                
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $(6,772) $(5,044) $7,119  $(6,772)
        


A summary of the difference between federal income tax expense computed at the statutory rate and that reported in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
                  
Statutory federal income rate applied to pretax income (loss)Statutory federal income rate applied to pretax income (loss)$12,185  $22,493  $(6,090)  $(15,851) $12,185  $22,493 
Tax effect of (deduction):                     
Tax-exempt investment income  (1,296)  (2,682)  (3,649)  (1,145)  (1,296)  (2,682)
Net addition to (reduction of) tax positions  (826)  (405)  (192)  (174)  (826)  (405)
Other  (265)  58   245   56   (265)  58 
Federal income tax expense (benefit) $9,798  $19,464  $(9,686) $(17,114) $9,798  $19,464 


 
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Note E - Income Taxes (continued)
 

Federal income tax expense consists of the following:
                  
 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
Taxes (credits) on pre-tax income (loss):                  
Current $9,752  $9,903  $4,443  $(8,205) $9,752  $9,903 
Deferred  46   9,561   (14,129)  (8,909)  46   9,561 
 $9,798  $19,464  $(9,686) $(17,114) $9,798  $19,464 



The components of the provision for deferred federal income taxes (credits) are as follows:The components of the provision for deferred federal income taxes (credits) are as follows:    The components of the provision for deferred federal income taxes (credits) are as follows:    
                  
  2010  2009  2008   2011  2010  2009 
Limited partnerships  $485  $7,671  $(13,052)  $(7,196) $485  $7,671 
Discounts of loss and loss expense reserves   (107)  946   354    (2,546)  (107)  946 
Unearned premium discount   (517)  (611)  384    (30)  (517)  (611)
Deferred compensation   (735)  (410)  1,313    499   (735)  (410)
Other-than-temporary investment declines   571   862   (3,137)   (240)  571   862 
Deferred acquisitions costs and ceding commission   (27)  903   (304)   (87)  (27)  903 
Other   376   200   313    691   376   200 
   Provision for deferred federal income tax $46  $9,561  $(14,129)   Provision for deferred federal income tax $(8,909) $46  $9,561 


Cash flows related to federal income taxes paid, net of refunds received, for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $2,859, $9,000, and 2008 were $9,000, $6,037 and $11,186, respectively.

The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of the gross deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized.  Management has determined that no such valuation allowance is necessary at December 31, 20102011 or 2009.2010.  As of December 31, 2010,2011, the Internal Revenue Service had completed examinations and settled all audits through the Company’s 2004 tax year.

The Company follows the FASB guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes for recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The Company’s tax positions are uncertain only as to the timing of deductibility and therefore, if recognized would have no impact on the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense and changes in such accruals would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.  Amounts accrued for the payment of interest at December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 were not material.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized federal income taxes (credits), which would have no impact on the Company’s effective tax rate, excludes interest, which is treated as income tax expense under the Company’s accounting policy, is as follows:


      
 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Balance at January 1 $6,600  $5,955  $6,000  $6,600 
Reductions for tax positions of the current year  (271)  (850)  -   (271)
Additions for tax positions of prior years  -   1,833 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years  (329)  -   -   (329)
Settlements with tax authorities  -   (338)
Balance at December 31 $6,000  $6,600  $6,000  $6,000 


As of December 31, 2011, certain tax years remain open to examination by the IRS and various state and local authorities.  While it is difficult to determine when other tax settlements will actually occur, it is reasonably possible that one could occur in the next year and the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits could change within a range of approximately $0 to $6,000.


 
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Note F - Shareholders' Equity
Note F - Shareholders' Equity
               
               
Changes in common stock outstanding and additional paid-in capital are as follows:Changes in common stock outstanding and additional paid-in capital are as follows:  Changes in common stock outstanding and additional paid-in capital are as follows:    
             Additional               Additional 
 Class A   Class B  Paid-in    Class A   Class B  Paid-in 
 Shares  Amount  Shares   Amount Capital  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital 
Balance at January 1, 2008  2,650,059  $113   12,592,555  $537  $47,899 
Treasury shares purchased  (26,950)  (1)  (429,304)  (18)  (1,587)
Balance at December 31, 2008  2,623,109   112   12,163,251   519   46,312 
Balance at January 1, 2009  2,623,109   $112   12,163,251   $519  $46,312 
Treasury shares purchased  -   -   (53,373)  (2)  (195)  -    -   (53,373)   (2)  (195)
Restricted stock grant  -   -   -   -   220   -    -   -    -   220 
Balance at December 31, 2009  2,623,109   112   12,109,878   517   46,337   2,623,109    112   12,109,878    517   46,337 
Restricted stock grant  -   -   77,131   3   1,537   -    -   77,131    3   1,537 
Balance at December 31, 2010  2,623,109  $112   12,187,009  $520  $47,874   2,623,109    112   12,187,009    520   47,874 
Restricted stock grant  -    -   38,339    2   877 
Balance at December 31, 2011  2,623,109   $112   12,225,348   $522  $48,751 

The Company's Class A and Class B common stock has a stated value of approximately $.04 per share.
 

 
Note G - Other Operating Expenses
                  
                  
Details of other operating expenses for the years ended December 31:         Details of other operating expenses for the years ended December 31:       
         
  2010  2009  2008   2011  2010  2009 
Amortization of gross deferred policy acquisition costs  $34,048  $28,827  $23,437   $40,712  $34,048  $28,827 
Other underwriting expenses   23,894   23,794   19,745    25,290   23,894   23,794 
Expense allowances from reinsurers   (10,081)  (5,352)  (3,084)   (11,503)  (10,081)  (5,352)
Total underwriting expenses  47,861   47,269   40,098 Total underwriting expenses  54,499   47,861   47,269 
                          
Operating expenses of non-insurance companies   20,843   21,763   18,479    18,829   20,843   21,763 
Total other operating expenses $68,704  $69,032  $58,577 Total other operating expenses $73,328  $68,704  $69,032 

 
Note H - Employee Benefit Plans
 
The Company maintains a defined contribution 401(k) Employee Savings and Profit Sharing Plan ("the Plan"(the “Plan”) which covers nearly all employees who have completed one year of service.  The Company's contributions to the Plan for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $1,452, $1,497 and 2008 were $1,497, $1,292, and $1,183, respectively.

Note I - Stock Purchase and Option Plans

In accordance with the terms of the 1981 Stock Purchase Plan (1981 Plan), the Company is obligated to repurchase shares issued under the 1981 Plan, at a price equal to 90% of the book value of the shares at the end of the quarter immediately preceding the date of repurchase.  No shares have ever been repurchased under the 1981 Plan.  At December 31, 2010,2011, there were 124,099 shares (Class A) and 380,458 shares (Class B) outstanding which areremain eligible for repurchase by the Company.
 
The Company maintains two stock option plans and one restricted stock unit plan which are described below.
 
Director Option Plan:
 
Under the Director Option Plan (the Director Plan)“Director Plan”), which is shareholder approved, the Company has reserved 300,000 shares of Class B common stock for the granting of discounted and market value options to non-employee directors.  Approximately 146,000167,000 shares of Class B common stock are available for future grants.  No options were granted to directors during the three year period ended December 31, 2010.2011.  Additionally, no discounted options were outstanding or

 
- 55 -

 

Note I - Stock Purchase and Option Plans (continued)

exercised at any time during this three year period.  Accordingly, no compensation cost was charged against income for the Director Plan for 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008.2009.
 
Employee Option Plan:
 
Under the Employee Option Plan (the Employee Plan)“Employee Plan”), which is shareholder approved, the Company has reserved 1,125,000 shares of Class B common stock for the granting of discounted and market value options to employees.  Approximately 259,000 shares of Class B common stock are available for future grants.  No options were granted to employees during the three year period ended December 31, 2010.2011.  Additionally, no options were outstanding or exercised at any time during this period.  Accordingly, no compensation cost was charged against income for the Employee Plan for 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008.2009.
 
The Company's policy is to issue new shares to satisfy share option exercises.
 
Restricted Stock:
 
Effective June 11, 2009, the Company issued 20,900 shares of class B restricted stock to the Company’s outside directors.  The restricted shares became fully vested on May 5, 2010 and were distributed to directors on that date.  The shares represent the annual retainer compensation for outside directors for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.  Each share was valued at $21.05 per share representing a total value of $440.  Compensation expense related to the above stock grant was recognized over the period in which the directors rendered the services.

Effective May 4, 2010, the Company issued 17,754 shares of class B restricted stock to the Company’s outside directors.  TheseThe restricted shares became fully vested on May 4, 2011 and were distributed to directors on that date.  The shares represent the annual retainer compensation for outside directors for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.  Each share was valued at $24.78 per share representing a total value of $440.  Compensation expense related to the above stock grant was recognized over the period in which the directors rendered the services.

Effective May 10, 2011, the Company issued 19,558 shares of class B restricted stock to the Company’s outside directors.  These restricted shares represent the annual retainer compensation for outside directors for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 and will vest on May 4, 2011.10, 2012.  Vesting will be accelerated only on the condition of death, disability, or change in control of the Company.  Each restricted share is valued at $24.78$22.50 per share representing a total value of $440.  Compensation expense related to the above stock grant is to be recognized over the period in which the directors render the services which will also coincide with the vesting period.

Director compensation cost associated with restricted stock grants of $440, $440 and $220 was charged against income for the restricted stock units for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Effective February 9, 2010, the Company issued 40,061 shares of class B restricted stock to certain of the Company’s executives.  The restricted shares will be paid solely in the Company’s class B stock.  The restricted shares represent compensation to certain executives under the Company’s 2009 Executive Incentive Bonus Plan and additional stock awards approved by the Board of Directors.  The restricted shares will vest ratably over a three year period from the date of grant and are accelerated for retirement eligible recipients due to the non-substantive post-grant date vesting clause per ASC 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits.  Restricted stock was valued based on the closing price of the stock on the day the award was granted. Each share was valued at $23.08 per share representing a total value of $925.  Non-vested restricted shares will be forfeited should an executive’s employment terminate for any reason other than death, disability, or retirement as defined by the Compensation Committee.

Effective February 9, 2011, the Company issued 14,473 shares of class B restricted stock to certain of the Company’s executives.  The restricted shares will be paid solely in the Company’s class B stock.  The restricted shares represent compensation to certain executives under the Company’s 2010 Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.  The restricted shares will vest ratably over a three year period from the date of grant and are accelerated for retirement eligible recipients due to the non-substantive post-grant date vesting clause per ASC 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits.  Restricted stock was valued based on the closing price of the stock on the day the award was granted. Each share was valued at $23.39 per share representing a total value of $339.  Non-vested restricted shares will be forfeited should an executive’s employment terminate for any reason other than death, disability, or retirement as defined by the Compensation Committee.


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Note I - Stock Purchase and Option Plans (continued)

During 2002 and 2001, the Company offered loans to certain employees for the sole purpose of purchasing the Company's Class B common stock in the open market.  Principal and interest totaling $1,414$1,302 and $2,054$1,414 relating to such loans was outstanding at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.  Loans carry interest rates ranging from 4.75% to 6%, payable annually.  The underlying securities, with value in excess of the related debt, serve as collateral for these full-recourse loans, which must be repaid no later than 10 years from the date of issue.  This loan program was terminated in 2002.
 

 
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Note J - Reportable Segments
 
The Company has two reportable business segments in its operations:  property and casualty insurance and reinsurance.  The property and casualty insurance segment provides multiple line insurance coverage primarily to fleet transportation companies and to independent contractors who contract with fleet transportation companies.  In addition,Additionally, the Company offers individual personal automobile coverage, professional liability coverages and business owners’ policies and commercial property business.policies.  The reinsurance segment accepts cessions from other insurance companies as well as retrocessions from selected reinsurance companies, principally reinsuring against catastrophes.providing property catastrophe and casualty reinsurance coverages.
 
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on past or expected results from insurance underwriting operations before income taxes.  Underwriting gain or loss does not include net investment income or gains or losses on the Company's investment portfolio.  All investment-related revenues are managed at the corporate level.  Underwriting gain or loss for the property and casualty insurance segment includes revenue and expense from the Company's agency operations since the agency operations serve as a primary direct marketing facility for this segment.  Management does not identify or allocate assets to reportable segments when evaluating segment performance and depreciation expense is not material for any of the reportable segments.  The accounting policies of each reportable segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
 
The following table provides certain profit and loss information for each reportable segment for the years ended December 31:
 
 
  2010  2009  2008   2011  2010  2009 
Direct and assumed premium written:                   
Property and casualty insurance  $249,699  $209,129  $182,810   $274,101  $249,699  $209,129 
Property reinsurance   46,103   41,030   39,132 
Reinsurance   60,425   46,103   41,030 
Totals $295,802  $250,159  $221,942 Totals $334,526  $295,802  $250,159 
                          
Net premium earned:                          
Property and casualty insurance  $174,043  $141,011  $147,071   $186,422  $174,043  $141,011 
Property reinsurance   40,695   40,289   35,228 
Reinsurance   58,148   40,695   40,289 
Totals $214,738  $181,300  $182,299 Totals $244,570  $214,738  $181,300 
                          
Underwriting gain (loss):                          
Property and casualty insurance  $26,308  $22,190  $20,022   $19,646  $26,308  $22,190 
Property reinsurance   (6,725)  12,065   6,718 
Reinsurance   (45,113)  (6,725)  12,065 
Totals $19,583  $34,255  $26,740 Totals $(25,467) $19,583  $34,255 
 


- 57 -


Note J - Reportable Segments (continued)
 
The following table reconciles reportable segment profits to the Company’s consolidated income (loss) before federal income taxes:
 
 

  2010  2009  2008   2011  2010  2009 
Profit:                   
Underwriting gain  $19,583  $34,255  $26,740 
Underwriting gain (loss)  $(25,467) $19,583  $34,255 
Net investment income   11,335   13,971   17,063    10,729   11,335   13,971 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments   16,485   30,816   (47,749)   (17,803)  16,485   30,816 
Corporate expenses   (12,590)  (14,776)  (13,453)   (12,748)  (12,590)  (14,776)
Income (loss) before federal income taxes $34,813  $64,266  $(17,399)Income (loss) before federal income taxes $(45,289) $34,813  $64,266 



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Note J - Reportable Segments (continued)
The Company, through its subsidiaries, is licensed to do business in all 50 states of the United States, all Canadian provinces and Bermuda.  Canadian and Bermuda operations are currently not significant.
 
One customer of the property and casualty insurance segment, FedEx Ground Systems, Inc (“FedEx Ground”) and certain of its subsidiaries and related entities represents approximately $23,347, $20,187 $14,822 and $13,773$14,822 of the Company’s consolidated direct and assumed premium written in 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively.  An additional $129,508, $115,625 and $107,724 for 2011, 2010 and $99,589 for 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, is placed with the Company by a non-affiliated broker on behalf of independent contractors of this same customer.
 
Note K - Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of the denominators used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31:

 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
                  
Average share outstanding for basic earnings per share  14,782,624   14,741,487   15,080,149   14,818,354   14,782,624   14,741,487 
                        
Dilutive effect of share equivalents  16,078   11,992   -   -   16,078   11,992 
                        
Average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share  14,798,702   14,753,479   15,080,149   14,818,354   14,798,702   14,753,479 


During 2011 the Company sustained a net loss.  Accordingly, the anti-dilutive effect of 19,983 shares was excluded from the calculation of the average shares outstanding.

Note L - Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company writes policies of excess insurance attaching above a self-insured retention ("SIR") and also writes policies that contain large, per-claim deductibles.  Those losses and claims that fall within the SIR or deductible limits are obligations of the insured; however, the Company writes surety bonds in favor of various regulatory agencies guaranteeing the insureds’ payment of claims within the SIR.  Further, losses and claims under large deductible policies are payable by the Company with reimbursement due the Company from the insureds.  The Company requires collateral from its insureds to serve as a source of reimbursement if the Company is obligated to pay claims within the SIR by reason of an insured’s default or if the insured fails to reimburse the Company for deductible amounts paid by the Company.
 
Acceptable collateral may be provided in the form of letters of credit on Company approved banks, Company approved marketable securities or cash.  At December 31, 2010,2011, the Company held collateral in the aggregate amount of $210,637.$241,466.
 

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Note L - Concentrations of Credit Risk (continued)

The amount of collateral required of an insured is determined by the financial condition of the insured, the type of obligations guaranteed by the Company, estimated reserves for incurred losses within the SIR or deductible that have been reported to the insured or the Company, estimated incurred but not reported losses, and estimates for losses that are expected to occur, within the SIR or deductible, prior to the next collateral adjustment date.  In general, the Company attempts to hold collateral equal to 100% of the ultimate losses that would be paid by or due the Company in the event of an insured’s default.  Periodic audits are conducted by the Company to evaluate its exposure and the collateral required.  If a deficiency in collateral is noted as the result of an audit, additional collateral is requested immediately.  Because collateral amounts contain numerous estimates of the Company’s exposure, are adjusted only periodically and are sometimes reduced based on the financial condition of the insured, the amount of collateral held by the Company at a given point in time may not be sufficient to fully reimburse the Company for all of its guarantees or amounts due in the event of an insured’s default.  Further, the Company is not fully collateralized for the guarantees made for, or the deductible amounts that may be due from FedEx Ground and certain of its subsidiaries and related entities, and in the event of their default, such default may have a material adverse impact on the Company.  The Company estimates its uncollateralized exposure related to this customer to be as much as 31%32% of shareholders' equity at December 31, 2010.2011.
 

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Note L - Concentrations of Credit Risk (continued)

In addition, the Company's balance sheet includes paid and estimated unpaid amounts recoverable from reinsurers under various agreements totaling $127,228$138,404 at December 31, 2010,2011, as more fully discussed in Note D - Reinsurance.  These recoverables are largely uncollateralized.  The three largest estimated amounts due from individual reinsurers were $24,789, $18,894,$40,562, $15,722, and $13,839$13,436 at December 31, 2010.2011.

Investments in limited partnerships include an aggregate of $55,933$37,260 invested in three limited partnerships, New Vernon India Fund, New Vernon Global Opportunity Fund and New Vernon Aegir Fund which are managed by organizations in which three directors of the Company are executive officers, directors and owners.
 
Note M – Acquisition and related Goodwill and Intangibles
 
On October 31, 2008, the Company purchased Transportation Specialty Insurance Agency, Inc., (“TIA”) of Toledo, Ohio for a cash purchase price of $3,500.  TIA is a commercial lines specialty insurance agency primarily focusing on the needs of the transportation industry including trucking independent contractors as well as fleet trucking companies.  TIA is part of the Company’s property and casualty insurance segment.  As part of the purchase, the Company recorded goodwill of $3,152 and intangible assets related to customer relationships and employment agreements of $179 which are included in Other Assets in the consolidated balance sheet.  Related to this acquisition, the Company hadsheet and has recorded amortization of intangible assets of $35, $41 and $47 during 2011, 2010 and $8 during 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
 
Note N – Debt
 
The Company hasmaintains a revolving line of credit with a $30,000 limit, with an expiration date of September 23, 2014.  Interest on this line of credit is referenced to LIBOR and can be fixed for periods of up to one year at the Company’s option.  Outstanding drawings on this line of credit were $10,000 and $15,000 and $10,000 outstanding as of December 31, 20102011 and December 31, 2009, respectively under the Company’s revolving line of credit which expires on June 23, 2011.  Borrowing under the line carry variable interest rates which ranged from .76% to .80%, and averaged .79%, at2010, respectively.  At December 31, 2010.2011, the effective interest rate was 1.19%.  The Company has $5,000$20,000 remaining unused under the revolving line of credit.credit at December 31, 2011.  The current outstanding borrowings were used principally for treasury stock repurchases and extra dividend payments.


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Note O – Fair Value
 
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. The following tables summarize fair value measurements by level for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
As of December 31, 2010:2011
 
Description Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
                        
U.S. government obligations $62,998  $62,998  $-  $-  $73,137  $73,137  $-  $- 
Government sponsored entities  3,324   -   3,324   -   349   -   349   - 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  37,101   -   37,101   -   21,872   -   21,872   - 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  14,714   -   14,714   -   11,300   -   11,300   - 
Obligations of states and                
political subdivisions  192,706   -   192,706   - 
State and municipal obligations  190,035   -   190,035   - 
Corporate securities  84,417   -   67,175   17,242   90,141   -   73,091   17,050 
Options embedded in convertible securities  1,505   -   1,505   - 
Foreign government obligations  20,294   -   20,294   -   21,121   -   21,121   - 
Total fixed maturities  415,554   62,998   335,314   17,242   409,460   73,137   319,273   17,050 
Equity securities  96,657   96,657   -   -   88,085   88,085   -   - 
Short term  4,225   4,021   204       3,675   2,982   693     
Cash equivalents  41,385   -   41,385   -   81,756   -   81,756   - 
 $557,821  $163,676  $376,903  $17,242  $582,976  $164,204  $401,722  $17,050 


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Note O – Fair Value (continued)
 
As of December 31, 2009:2010:
 
Description Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
                        
U.S. government obligations $54,632  $54,632  $-  $-  $62,998  $62,998  $-  $- 
Government sponsored entities  5,883   -   5,883   -   3,324   -   3,324   - 
Residential mortgage-backed securities  48,377   -   48,377   -   37,101   -   37,101   - 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  5,652   -   5,652   -   14,714   -   14,714   - 
Obligations of states and                
political subdivisions  185,469   -   185,469   - 
State and municipal obligations  192,706   -   192,706   - 
Corporate securities  72,185   -   57,298   14,887   84,417   -   67,175   17,242 
Foreign government obligations  7,724   -   7,724   -   20,294   -   20,294   - 
Total fixed maturities  379,922   54,632   310,403   14,887   415,554   62,998   335,314   17,242 
Equity securities  85,886   85,886   -   -   96,657   96,657   -   - 
Short term  3,703   3,600   103   -   4,225   4,021   204     
Cash equivalents  83,138   -   83,138   -   41,385   -   41,385   - 
 $552,649  $144,118  $393,644  $14,887  $557,821  $163,676  $376,903  $17,242 


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Note O – Fair Value (continued)
 
Level inputs, as defined by the FASB guidance, are as follows:
 
Level Input:  Input Definition:
Level 1  Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.
Level 2  Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.
Level 3  Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

The Level 3 assets consist of an investment portfolio of insurance-linked securities.  The insurance-linked securities are valued using the average of estimated market quotes from multiple insurance-linked securities brokers.  The broker quotes include Level 3 inputs which are significant to the valuation of the insurance-linked securities. There were no Level 3 sales, no transfers in to Level 3 and no transfers out of Level 3 during 2011 or 2010.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs is as follows for the years ended December 31:


 
 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Beginning of period balance $14,887  $14,981  $17,242  $14,887 
Total gain or losses (realized or unrealized)        
Total gains or losses (realized or unrealized)        
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)  1,938   231   387   1,938 
Included in other comprehensive income  (397)  268   -   (397)
Purchases, issuances, and settlements  814   (593)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3  -   - 
Purchases  6,522   9,136 
Settlements  (7,101)  (8,322)
End of period balance $17,242  $14,887  $17,050  $17,242 


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Note O – Fair Value (continued)
 
Quoted market prices are obtained for these disclosures whenever possible.  Where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are estimated using present value or other valuation techniques.  These techniques are significantly affected by our assumptions, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows.  Potential taxes and other transaction costs have not been considered in estimating fair values.
 
Non-financial instruments such as real estate, property and equipment, other assets, deferred income taxes and intangible assets, and certain financial instruments such as policy reserve liabilities are excluded from the fair value disclosures.  Therefore, the fair value amounts cannot be aggregated to determine the underlying economic value to the Company.
 
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivables, reinsurance recoverable, notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, income taxes payable, short term borrowings and unearned income approximate fair value because of the short term nature of these items.
 
There were no significant transfers of assets between levelLevel 1 and levelLevel 2 during 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period.
 


Note P - Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
                   
                         
Quarterly results of operations are as follows:                      
  Results by Quarter 
   2010   2009 
  1st  2nd  3rd  4th  1st  2nd  3rd  4th 
                         
Net premiums earned $51,166  $53,523  $52,588  $57,461  $44,164  $41,042  $45,077  $51,017 
Net investment income  3,024   2,944   2,865   2,502   3,259   3,478   3,256   3,978 
Net gains (losses) on investments  3,189   (2,858)  10,271   5,882   (1,232)  12,494   15,441   4,113 
Losses and loss expenses incurred  43,032   31,152   36,084   35,684   23,888   22,087   26,714   26,662 
                                 
Net income  545   4,986   9,234   10,250   5,441   14,125   14,340   10,896 
                                 
   Net income per share - diluted $.04  $.33  $.62  $.69  $.37  $.96  $.97  $.74 



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Note P - Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
                    
                          
Quarterly results of operations are as follows:                       
   Results by Quarter 
   2011    2010 
  1st  2nd  3rd  4th   1st  2nd  3rd  4th 
                          
Net premiums earned $57,601  $62,344  $60,429  $64,196   $51,166  $53,523  $52,588  $57,461 
Net investment income  2,653   2,644   2,779   2,652    3,024   2,944   2,865   2,502 
Net gains (losses) on investments  (1,469)  (1,963)  (17,460)  3,088    3,189   (2,858)  10,271   5,882 
Losses and loss expenses incurred  65,673   55,166   48,637   46,079    43,032   31,152   36,084   35,684 
                                  
Net income (loss)  (15,198)  (5,504)  (12,971)  5,498    545   4,986   9,234   10,250 
                                  
   Net income (loss) per share - diluted $(1.02) $(.38) $(.87) $.37   $.04  $.33  $.62  $.69 

 
Note Q - Statutory (Unaudited)

Net income (loss) of the insurance subsidiaries, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices, was ($19,120), $12,542 and $22,855 for 2011, 2010 and $19,064 for 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.  Consolidated statutory surplus for these subsidiaries was $366,461$313,705 and $356,658$366,461 at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively, of which $55,935$51,025 may be transferred by dividend or loan to the parent company during calendar year 20112012 with proper notification to, but without approval from, regulatory authorities.  An additional $234,373$176,580 of shareholders’ equity of such insurance subsidiaries could, under existing regulations, be advanced or loaned to the parent company with prior notification to and approval from regulatory authorities.authorities, although it is unlikely that transfers of this size would be practical.
 
Minimum statutory surplus necessary for the insurance subsidiaries to satisfy statutory risk based capital requirements was $74,786$84,732 at December 31, 2010.2011.


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Note R - Leases
 
The Company leases office space and certain computer and related equipment using noncancelable operating leases.  Lease expense for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1,483, $1,386 and 2008 was $1,386, $1,465, and $1,325, respectively. At December 31, 2010,2011, future lease payments for operating leases with initial or remaining noncancelable terms of one year or more consisted of the following:

2012 $1,502 
2013  1,015 
2014  49 
2015  10 
2016  - 
Thereafter  - 
Total minimum payments required $2,576 

 
2011 $1,489 
2012  1,508 
2013  1,024 
2014  36 
2015  - 
Thereafter  - 
Total minimum payments required $4,057 

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Note S – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
A reconciliation of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31 is as follows:
 
  2010  2009 
Investments:      
    Total unrealized gain before federal income taxes $52,145  $49,055 
    Deferred tax liability  (18,251)  (17,169)
Net unrealized gains on investments  33,894   31,886 
         
Foreign exchange adjustment:        
    Gross unrealized gains  678   1,541 
    Deferred tax liability  (237)  (540)
Net unrealized gains on foreign exchange adjustment  441   1,001 
         
Accumulated other comprehensive income $34,335  $32,887 

  2011  2010 
Investments:      
    Total unrealized gain before federal income taxes $40,911  $52,145 
    Deferred tax liability  (14,319)  (18,251)
Net unrealized gains on investments  26,592   33,894 
         
Foreign exchange adjustment:        
    Gross unrealized gains  1,759   1,988 
    Deferred tax liability  (616)  (696)
Net unrealized gains on foreign exchange adjustment  1,143   1,292 
         
Accumulated other comprehensive income $27,735  $35,186 

 
Other comprehensive income (loss) reclassification adjustments for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
 
 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
Investments:                  
Pre-tax holding gains (losses) on debt and equity                  
securities arising during period $11,369  $24,442  $(41,058) $(7,146) $11,369  $24,442 
Applicable federal income taxes (credits)  3,979   8,555   (14,370)  (2,501)  3,979   8,555 
  7,390   15,887   (26,688)  (4,645)  7,390   15,887 
                        
Pre-tax gains (losses) on debt and equity securities                        
included in net income (loss) during period  8,280   5,248   (14,188)  4,088   8,280   5,248 
Applicable federal income taxes (credits)  2,898   1,837   (4,966)  1,431   2,898   1,837 
  5,382   3,411   (9,222)  2,657   5,382   3,411 
                        
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments $2,008  $12,476  $(17,466) $(7,302) $2,008  $12,476 

 

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Note T - Subsequent Events
 
We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements filed on Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and  no events have occurred during this period which require recognition or disclosure in this document.
 

 
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Item 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No response to this item is required.

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has performed an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined by Exchange Act rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on this evaluation, the Company's CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the company is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.  In addition, there have not been any significant changes in internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of the Company's most recent evaluation.

Management's Responsibility For Financial Statements
 
Management is responsible for the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related information appearing in this report.  Management believes that the consolidated financial statements fairly reflect the form and substance of transactions and that the financial statements reasonably present the Company’s financial position and results of operations in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Management has included in the Company’s financial statements amounts that are based upon estimates and judgments which it believes are reasonable under the circumstances.
 
Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, audits the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and provides an objective, independent review of the fairness of reported operating results and financial position.
 
The Board of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee composed of three non-management Directors.  The committee meets periodically with financial management, the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm to review accounting, control, auditing and financial reporting matters.

 
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).  Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on our evaluation under this framework, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010.2011.  The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20102011 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
 












 
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.
 
We have audited Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.’s and subsidiaries (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010,2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.’sThe Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010,2011, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, , and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010,2011, and our report dated March 11, 201113, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 11, 201114, 2012




 
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PART III


Item 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information with respect to the directors of the Registrant to be provided under this item is omitted from this Report because the Registrant will file with the Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A involving the election of directors not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year.

The information required by Item 10 of this Report with respect to directors which will appear in the definitive proxy statement is incorporated by reference herein.

The executive officers of the Company will serve until the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.  Except as otherwise indicated, the occupation of each officer during the past five years has been in his current position with the Company.

The following summary sets forth certain information concerning the Company's executive officers:officers as of December 31, 2011:

 
Name
 
Age
 
Title
Served in
Such Capacity Since
 
Gary W. Miller
 
7071
 
Executive Chairman
 
1997 (1)
Joseph J. DeVito5960CEO, President and COO2007 (2)
G. Patrick Corydon6263Executive Vice President and CFO1979 (3)
Mark L. Bonini5152Executive Vice President2001 (4)
Craig C. Morfas5152Senior Vice President and Secretary2008 (5)

 (1)  Mr. Miller was elected Executive Chairman in December, 2010.  He was elected Chairman and CEO in 1997 and has served in various capacities since 1965.
 
 (2)  Mr. DeVito was elected Chief Executive Officer in December, 2010.  He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer in 2007, Executive Vice President in 2001 and has served in various capacities since 1981.
 
 (3)  Mr. Corydon was elected Executive Vice President in 2008 and previously served as Senior Vice President from 1997 and has been CFO since 1979.
 
 (4)  Mr. Bonini was elected Executive Vice President in February, 2011.  He was elected Vice President of the Company in 2001.
 
 (5)  Mr. Morfas was elected Senior Vice President in February, 2011.  He was elected Vice President of the Company in 2007 and Secretary of the Company in 2008.  In February, 2012, he was elected Executive Vice President.
 



Item 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION *


Item 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT *


Item 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE *


Item 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES *
*  The information to be provided under Items 11, 12, 13 and 14 is omitted from this Report because the Registrant will file with the Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A involving the election of directors not later than
     120 days after the close of its fiscal year.  The information required by these items of this Report which will appear in the definitive proxy statement is incorporated by reference herein.
 
*   The information to be provided under Items 11, 12, 13 and 14 is omitted from this Report because the Registrant will file with the Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A involving the election of directors not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year.  The information required by these items of this Report which will appear in the definitive proxy statement is incorporated by reference herein.

 
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PART IV


 Item 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


 (a)1.(a)
1.  List of Financial Statements--The following consolidated financial statements of the registrant and its subsidiaries (including the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) are submitted in Item 8 of this report.
 

 
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 20102011 and 2009
2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008
2009
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity - Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008
2009
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008
2009
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 2.
List of Financial Statement Schedules--The following consolidated financial statement schedules of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and subsidiaries are included in Item 15(d):
 
 
Pursuant to Article 7:
Schedule I--Summary of Investments--Other than Investments in Related Parties
Schedule II--Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
Schedule III--Supplementary Insurance Information
Schedule IV--Reinsurance
Schedule VI--Supplemental Information Concerning Property/Casualty Insurance Operations

 
 
 
 All other schedules to the consolidated financial statements required by Article 7 and Article 5 of Regulation S-X are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
















 
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                Listing of Exhibits:

3.Listing of Exhibits:


Number & Caption from
Exhibit Table of
Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
 
 
Exhibit Number and Description


(3) (Articles of Incorporation & By Laws)
EXHIBIT 3(i) –
Articles of Incorporation of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., as amended (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1986)
 
 
EXHIBIT 3(ii)--
By-Laws of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., as restated (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2004)
 
(10) (Material Contracts)
EXHIBIT 10(a)-- 1981 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting held May 5, 1981)
 
 
EXHIBIT 10(b)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Employee Discounted Stock Option Plan  (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting held May 2, 1989)
 
 
EXHIBIT 10(c)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Deferred Directors Fee Option Plan (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989)
 
 
EXHIBIT 10(d)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Amended Employee Discounted Stock Option
Plan (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992)
 
 
EXHIBIT 10(e)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Restated Employee Discounted Stock Option Plan.  (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997)
 
 
EXHIBIT 10(f)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting held May 5, 2009)
 
 
EXHIBIT 10(g)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Managing General Agency Agreement with Paladin Catastrophe Management LLC
 

 
- 68 -

 



 
 
 
Number & Caption from
Exhibit Table of
Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit Number and Description


 
(14) (Code of ethics)
 
EXHIBIT 14--
Code of Business Conduct of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.  (Incorporated as
an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005)
 
(21) (Subsidiaries of the registrant)
 
EXHIBIT 21­­--
Subsidiaries of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.

(23) (Consents of experts and counsel)
EXHIBIT 23--
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 
(24) (Powers of Attorney)
EXHIBIT 24--
Powers of Attorney for certain Officers and Directors
 
(31) (Certification)
EXHIBIT 31.1--
Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.2--
Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
(32) (Certification)
EXHIBIT 32.1--32--
Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act and 18 U.S.C. 1350
EXHIBIT 32.2--
Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and 18 U.S.C. 1350
 



(b)A report on Form 8-K was filed by the Company in the fourth quarter of 20102011 to announce its third quarter earnings press release.

(c)Exhibits.  The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this report.

(d)Financial Statement Schedules.  The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted on pages 70 through 76 of this report.








 
- 69 -

 


 
 
SCHEDULE I -- SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS-SCHEDULE I -- SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS- SCHEDULE I -- SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS- 
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIESOTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES 
                  
Form 10-K - Year Ended December 31, 2010 
Form 10-K - Year Ended December 31, 2011Form 10-K - Year Ended December 31, 2011 
                  
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and SubsidiariesBaldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) 
                  
                  
Column A Column B  Column C  Column D  Column B  Column C  Column D 
                  
       Amount At        Amount At 
       Which Shown        Which Shown 
    Fair  In The Balance     Fair  In The Balance 
Type of Investment Cost  Value  Sheet (A)  Cost  Value  Sheet (A) 
                  
Fixed Maturities:                  
Bonds:                  
U.S. government obligations  $62,882   $62,998   $62,998   73,009   73,137   73,137 
Government sponsored entities  3,325   3,324   3,324   345   349   349 
Mortgage-backed securities  50,930   51,815   51,815   33,166   33,172   33,172 
Obligations of states and            
political subdivisions  192,236   192,706   192,706 
State and municipal obligations  188,991   190,035   190,035 
Foreign governments  20,095   20,294   20,294   21,483   21,121   21,121 
All other corporate bonds  83,121   84,417   84,417 
Corporate securities  91,949   91,646   91,646 
Total fixed maturities  412,589   415,554   415,554   408,943   409,460   409,460 
                        
Equity Securities:                        
Common Stocks:                        
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other  47,477   96,657   96,657   47,691   88,085   88,085 
Total equity securities  47,477   96,657   96,657   47,691   88,085   88,085 
                        
Limited partnerships  77,352   77,352   77,352   54,705   54,705   54,705 
                        
Short-term:                        
Certificates of deposit  4,021   4,021   4,021   2,982   2,982   2,982 
Commercial paper  204   204   204   693   693   693 
Total short-term and other  4,225   4,225   4,225   3,675   3,675   3,675 
                        
Total investments $541,643  $593,788  $593,788  $515,014  $555,925  $555,925 
                        
(A) Investments presented above do not include $41,385 of money market funds classified with cash and            
(A) Investments presented above do not include $81,756 of money market funds classified with cash and            
cash equivalents in the balance sheet.                        
 
 
 
- 70 -

 
 
 
SCHEDULE IISCHEDULE II SCHEDULE II 
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANTCONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
            
Form 10-KForm 10-K Form 10-K 
            
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. 
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) 
            
Condensed Balance Sheets            
 December 31  December 31 
 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Assets            
Investment in subsidiaries $386,433  $376,447  $334,328  $386,433 
Due from affiliates  3,866   4,260   5,282   3,866 
Investments other than subsidiaries:                
Fixed maturities  11,265   10,679   11,353   11,265 
Limited partnerships  704   809   291   704 
  11,969   11,488   11,644   11,969 
Cash and cash equivalents  12,546   8,182   5,690   12,546 
Accounts receivable  5,986   5,744   5,890   5,986 
Notes receivable from employees  1,414   2,054   1,302   1,414 
Other assets  5,747   5,894   6,392   5,747 
        
Total assets $427,961  $414,069  $370,528  $427,961 
        
Liabilities and shareholders' equity                
                
Liabilities:                
Premiums payable $27,147  $15,019  $26,367  $27,147 
Deposits from insureds  15,196   12,863   13,682   15,196 
Notes payable to bank  15,000   10,000   10,000   15,000 
Current payable federal income taxes  335   693   368   335 
Other liabilities  1,548   2,551   1,050   1,548 
  59,226   41,126 
          51,467   59,226 
Shareholders' equity:                
Common stock:                
Class A  112   112   112   112 
Class B  520   517   522   520 
Additional paid-in capital  47,874   46,337   48,751   47,874 
Unrealized net gains on investments  33,894   31,886   26,592   33,894 
Retained earnings  286,335   294,091   243,084   286,335 
  368,735   372,943   319,061   368,735 
                
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $427,961  $414,069  $370,528  $427,961 
                
                
                
                
See notes to condensed financial statements                

 

 
- 71 -

 


 
SCHEDULE IISCHEDULE II SCHEDULE II 
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANTCONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
                  
Form 10-KForm 10-K Form 10-K 
                  
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. 
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) 
                  
Condensed Statements of Operations                  
 Year Ended December 31  Year Ended December 31 
 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
Revenue:                  
Commissions and service fees $21,913  $19,182  $18,539  $20,974  $21,913  $19,182 
Dividends from subsidiaries  15,000   15,000   13,000   14,000   15,000   15,000 
Net investment income  135   506   476   100   135   506 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments  (100)  37   543   67   (100)  37 
Other  284   92   657   98   284   92 
  37,232   34,817   33,215   35,239   37,232   34,817 
            
Expenses:                        
Salary and related items  12,869   14,145   12,946   12,281   12,869   14,145 
Other  5,615   5,274   5,120   5,550   5,615   5,274 
  18,484   19,419   18,066   17,831   18,484   19,419 
Income before federal income taxes                        
and equity in undistributed                        
income of subsidiaries  18,748   15,398   15,149   17,408   18,748   15,398 
Federal income tax (benefit)  1,195   (496)  671   1,004   1,195   (496)
  17,553   15,894   14,478   16,404   17,553   15,894 
Equity in undistributed income (loss)                        
of subsidiaries  7,462   28,908   (22,191)  (44,579)  7,462   28,908 
                        
Net income (loss) $25,015  $44,802  $(7,713) $(28,175) $25,015  $44,802 
            
            
            
            
            
            
See notes to condensed financial statements            

 
 
- 72 -

 
 

 
SCHEDULE IISCHEDULE II SCHEDULE II 
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANTCONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
                  
Form 10-KForm 10-K Form 10-K 
                  
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. 
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) 
                  
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows                  
 Year Ended December 31  Year Ended December 31 
 2010  2009  2008  2011  2010  2009 
                  
Net cash provided by operating activities $32,296  $18,309  $15,072  $13,255  $32,296  $18,309 
                        
Investing activities:                        
Purchases of long-term investments  (10,889)  (6,803)  (8,747)  (10,025)  (10,889)  (6,803)
Sales or maturities of long-term investments  9,910   7,343   7,552   9,704   9,910   7,343 
Decrease in notes receivable from employees  611   143   29   106   611   143 
Distributions from limited partnerships  23   23   833   444   23   23 
Net disposals (purchases) of property and equipment  413   (2,124)  (751)  (622)  413   (2,124)
Purchase of Transport Insurance Agency  -   -   (3,500)
Other  212   188   73   128   212   188 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  280   (1,230)  (4,511)  (265)  280   (1,230)
                        
Financing activities:                        
Dividends paid to shareholders  (33,212)  (14,744)  (15,096)  (14,846)  (33,212)  (14,744)
Drawing on line of credit  8,000   11,000   9,000   -   8,000   11,000 
Repayment on line of credit  (3,000)  (10,000)  -   (5,000)  (3,000)  (10,000)
Cost of treasury shares  -   (880)  (8,908)  -   -   (880)
Capitalization of subsidiary  -   -   (1,344)
Net cash used in financing activities  (28,212)  (14,624)  (16,348)  (19,846)  (28,212)  (14,624)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  4,364   2,455   (5,787)  (6,856)  4,364   2,455 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  8,182   5,727   11,514   12,546   8,182   5,727 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $12,546  $8,182  $5,727  $5,690  $12,546  $8,182 
                        
                        
See notes to condensed financial statements                        
            

 
See notes to condensed financial statements

Note to Condensed Financial Statements--Basis of Presentation
The Company's investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in the undistributed earnings of subsidiaries since the date of acquisition.  The Company's share of net income of its subsidiaries is included in income using the equity method.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements.


 
- 73 -

 

SCHEDULE III -- SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION 
                               
           Form 10-K                   
                               
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
                               
(Dollars in thousands) 
                               
                               
Column A Column B  Column C  Column D  Column E  Column F  Column G  Column H  Column I  Column J  Column K 
                               
                               
  
As of December 31
  Year Ended December 31 
     Reserves                         
     for Unpaid     Other        Benefits,  Amortization       
  Deferred  Claims     Policy        Claims,  of Deferred       
  Policy  and Claim     Claims and  Net  Net  Losses and  Policy  Other  Net 
  Acquisition  Acquisition  Unearned  Benefits  Premium  Investment  Settlement  Acquisition  Operating  Premiums 
Segment Costs  Expenses  Premiums  Payable  Earned  Income  Expenses  Costs  Expenses  Written 
                 (A)  (A)     (A) (B)    
Property/Casualty                              
 Insurance                              
                               
2011 $4,578  $421,556  $39,919   $---  $244,570  $10,729  $215,555  $40,712  $13,786  $248,483 
                                         
2010  4,826   344,520   29,819   ---   214,738   11,335   145,952   34,048   13,813   218,645 
                                         
2009  4,905   359,031   25,912   ---   181,300   13,971   99,351   28,827   18,442   190,028 
                                         




                               
 SCHEDULE III -- SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION 
                               
Form 10-K 
                               
   Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
                               
 (Dollars in thousands) 
                               
Column A Column B  Column C  Column D  Column E  Column F  Column G  Column H  Column I  Column J  Column K 
                               
                               
  
As of December 31
  Year Ended December 31 
     Reserves                         
     for Unpaid     Other        Benefits,  Amortization       
  Deferred  Claims     Policy        Claims,  of Deferred       
  Policy  and Claim     Claims and  Net  Net  Losses and  Policy  Other  Net 
  Acquisition  Adjustment  Unearned  Benefits  Premium  Investment  Settlement  Acquisition  Operating  Premiums 
Segment Costs  Expenses  Premiums  Payable  Earned  Income  Expenses  Costs  Expenses  Written 
                 (A)  (A)     (A) (B)    
Property/Casualty                              
 Insurance                              
                               
    2010 $4,826  $344,520  $29,819   ---  $214,738  $11,335  $145,952  $34,048  $13,813  $218,645 
                                         
    2009  4,905   359,031   25,912   ---   181,300   13,971   99,351   28,827   18,442   190,028 
                                         
    2008  2,326   389,558   17,183   ---   182,299   17,063   115,752   23,437   16,661   176,814 





(A)  Allocations of certain expenses have been made to investment income, settlement expenses and other operating expenses and are based on a number of assumptions and estimates.  Results among these catagoriescategories would change if different methods were applied.

(B)  Commissions paid to the Parent Company have been eliminated for this presentation.  Commission allowances relating to reinsurance ceded are offset against other operating expenses.






 
- 74 -

 


 
 
SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCESCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE 
                              
Form 10-KForm 10-K Form 10-K 
                              
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and SubsidiariesBaldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
                              
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)  (Dollars in thousands) 
                              
Column A Column B  Column C  Column D  Column E  Column F  Column B  Column C  Column D  Column E  Column F 
                              
             % of              % of 
    Ceded  Assumed     Amount     Ceded  Assumed     Amount 
 Direct  to Other  from Other  Net  Assumed to  Direct  to Other  from Other  Net  Assumed to 
 Premiums  Companies  Companies  Amount  Net  Premiums  Companies  Companies  Amount  Net 
                              
Premiums Earned -                              
Property/casualty insurance:                              
                              
Years Ended December 31:                              
                              
2011 $270,002  $85,493  $60,061  $244,570   23.8 
                    
2010 $245,912  $73,119  $41,945  $214,738   19.0   245,912   73,119   41,945   214,738   19.0 
                                        
2009  200,341   60,818   41,777   181,300   22.2   200,341   60,818   41,777   181,300   22.2 
                    
2008  188,285   46,514   40,528   182,299   19.3 

 

Note:  Included in Ceded to Other Companies is $1,913, $1,250 and $1,488 for 2011, 2010 and $5,300 for 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, relating to retrocessions associated with premiums assumed from other companies.  Amount Assumed to Net percentage above considers the impact of this retrocession.
 



 
- 75 -

 

SCHEDULE VI--SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
CONCERNING PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
             
Form 10-K
             
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
             
        (Dollars in thousands)
             
Column AColumn BColumn CColumn DColumn E Column FColumn GColumn HColumn IColumn JColumn K
             
 As of December 31 Year Ended December 31
             
  Reserves     Claims and ClaimAmortiza-  
  for UnpaidDiscount,    Adjustment Expensestion of  
 DeferredClaimsif any    Incurred Related toDeferredPaid Claims 
AFFILIATIONPolicyand ClaimDeducted   Net (1) (2)Policyand ClaimNet
WITHAcquisi-AdjustmentinUnearned EarnedInvestmentCurrentPriorAcquisitionAdjustmentPremiums
REGISTRANTtion CostsExpensesColumn CPremiums PremiumsIncomeYearYearsCostsExpensesWritten
               
Consolidated Property/Casualty Subsidiaries:(A)           
2011$4,578$421,556$6,642$39,919 $244,570$10,729$225,251$(9,696)$40,712$144,092$248,483
20104,826344,5206,46329,819 214,73811,335 154,775 (8,823)34,048130,576218,645
20094,905359,0316,65625,912 181,30013,971 108,935 (9,584)28,827126,079190,028

 
 
 

SCHEDULE VI--SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
CONCERNING PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
                       
Form 10-K
                       
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                       
        (Dollars in thousands)
                       
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F Column G Column H   Column I Column J Column K
                       
  As of December 31 Year Ended December 31
                       
    Reserves         Claims and Claim Amortiza-    
    for Unpaid Discount,       Adjustment Expenses tion of    
  Deferred Claims if any       Incurred Related to Deferred Paid Claims  
AFFILIATION Policy and Claim Deducted     Net  (1)  (2) Policy and Claim Net
WITH Acquisi- Adjustment in Unearned Earned Investment Current Prior Acquisition Adjustment Premiums
REGISTRANT tion Costs Expenses Column C Premiums Premiums Income Year Years Costs Expenses Written
                         
Consolidated Property/Casualty Subsidiaries: (A)                  
2010 $4,826 $344,520 $6,463 $29,819 $214,738 $11,335  $154,775  $(8,823)$34,048 $130,576 $218,645
2009 4,905 359,031 6,656 25,912 181,300 13,971  108,935  (9,584)28,827 126,079 190,028
2008 2,326 389,558 5,342 17,183 182,299 17,063  132,829  (17,077)23,437 128,619 176,814


 (A) Loss reserves on certain reinsurance assumed and permanent total disability worker's compensation claims have been discounted to present value using pretax interest rates not exceeding 3.5%.

 
- 76 -

 

SIGNATURES
 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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.

BALDWIN & LYONS, INC.

March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Joseph DeVito                                        
 
Joseph DeVito,
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Gary W. Miller                                         
 
Gary W. Miller,
Director and Executive Chairman



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ G. Patrick Corydon
 
G. Patrick Corydon,
Executive Vice President and CFO
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Joseph DeVito
 
Joseph DeVito,
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Stuart D. Bilton                                           (*)
 
Stuart D. Bilton,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Otto N. Frenzel IV                                       (*)
 
Otto N. Frenzel IV,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/John M. O'MaraO’Mara                                           (*)
 
John M. O'Mara,
Director





 
- 77 -

 


SIGNATURES (CONTINUED)



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Thomas H. Patrick                                       (*)
 
Thomas H. Patrick,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ John Pigott                                                   (*)
 
John Pigott,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Kenneth D. Sacks                                        (*)
 
Kenneth D. Sacks,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Nathan Shapiro                                            (*)
 
Nathan Shapiro,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Norton Shapiro                                            (*)
 
Norton Shapiro,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Robert Shapiro                                             (*)
 
Robert Shapiro,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ Steven A. Shapiro                                        (*)
 
Steven A. Shapiro,
Director



March 11, 201114, 2012
By /s/ John D. Weil                                                 (*)
 
John D. Weil,
Director




(*) By Craig C. Morfas, Attorney-in-Fact


 
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ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K





ITEM 15(c)--CERTAIN EXHIBITS



YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20102011

BALDWIN & LYONS, INC.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

















 
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BALDWIN & LYONS, INC.
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 20102011


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 
Exhibit No.
Begins on sequential page number of Form 10-K
EXHIBIT 3(i)--
Articles of Incorporation of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. as amended (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1986)
 
 
 
N/A
 
EXHIBIT 3(ii)--
By-Laws of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., as restated (Incorporated as an exhibit by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2004)
 
 
 
N/A
 
EXHIBIT 10(a)--
1981 Employees Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated as an exhibit by  reference to Exhibit A to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting
held May 5, 1981)
 
 
 
 
N/A
EXHIBIT 10(b)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Employee Discounted Stock Option Plan (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to Appendix A to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting held May 2, 1989)
 
 
 
 
N/A
EXHIBIT 10(c)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Deferred Directors Fee Option Plan (Incorporated as an  exhibit by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1989)
 
 
 
N/A
 
EXHIBIT 10(d)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Amended Employee Discounted Stock Option Plan (Incorporated  as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989)
 
 
 
N/A
 
EXHIBIT 10(e)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Restated Employee Discounted Stock Option Plan (Incorporated  as an exhibit by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997)
 
 
 
N/A
 
EXHIBIT 10(f)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (Incorporated as an exhibit by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting held May 5, 2009)
 
 
 
N/A
 
EXHIBIT 10(g)--
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Managing General Agency Agreement with Paladin Catastrophe Management LLC
 
 
N/A
 

 
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS (CONTINUED)
 
Exhibit No.
Begins on sequential page number of Form 10-K
 
EXHIBIT 14--
Code of Business Conduct, as amended May 3, 2005 (Incorporated as an exhibit by
reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2005)
 
 
 
N/A
 
EXHIBIT 21--
Subsidiaries of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc.
 
 
p. 82
EXHIBIT 23--
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 
p. 83

EXHIBIT 24--
Powers of Attorney for certain Officers and Directors
 
 
p. 85 and 86
EXHIBIT 31.1--
Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
p. 87 and 88
EXHIBIT 31.2--
Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
p. 89 and 90
EXHIBIT 32.1--
Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
p. 91
EXHIBIT 32.2--
Certification ofand CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
p. 9291
























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