Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 20182019
or
 
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from_____________________________to_____________________________
 
Commission File Number: 001-33067
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
New Jersey22-2168890
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
40 Wantage Avenue
Branchville, New Jersey07890
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip

40 Wantage Avenue
Branchville, New Jersey07890
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(973) 973948-3000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $2 per shareSIGINASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes            No
Yes x           No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes   No
Yes x           No o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerx
Accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting companyo
  
Emerging growth companyo
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                                                              Yes o       No x
As of October 15, 2018,18, 2019, there were 58,888,98559,401,565 shares of common stock, par value $2.00 per share, outstanding. 

 SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. 
 Table of Contents 
  Page No.
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 Unaudited   Unaudited  
($ in thousands, except share amounts) September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
ASSETS  
  
  
  
Investments:  
  
  
  
Fixed income securities, held-to-maturity – at carrying value (fair value: $46,240 – 2018; $44,100 – 2017) $44,582
 42,129
Fixed income securities, available-for-sale – at fair value (amortized cost: $5,216,964 – 2018; $5,076,716 – 2017) 5,190,156
 5,162,522
Equity securities – at fair value (cost: $134,530 – 2018; $143,811 – 2017) 157,867
 182,705
Fixed income securities, held-to-maturity – at carrying value (fair value: $28,356 – 2019; $38,317 – 2018) $26,925
 37,110
Fixed income securities, available-for-sale – at fair value (amortized cost: $5,706,656 – 2019; $5,270,798 – 2018) 5,930,237
 5,273,100
Equity securities – at fair value (cost: $77,779 – 2019; $138,144 – 2018) 79,213
 147,639
Short-term investments (at cost which approximates fair value) 304,572
 165,555
 326,121
 323,864
Other investments 163,930
 132,268
 189,243
 178,938
Total investments (Note 4 and 6) 5,861,107

5,685,179
 6,551,739

5,960,651
Cash 446
 534
 516
 505
Restricted cash 12,386
 44,176
 9,647
 16,414
Interest and dividends due or accrued 41,016
 40,897
 42,975
 41,620
Premiums receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of: $10,100 – 2018; $10,000 – 2017 826,923
 747,029
Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of: $4,500 – 2018; $4,600 – 2017 603,827
 594,832
Premiums receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of: $7,800 – 2019; $9,400 – 2018 860,480
 770,518
Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of: $4,400 – 2019; $4,500 – 2018 575,984
 549,172
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 167,108
 153,493
 173,557
 157,723
Current federal income tax 
 3,243
Deferred federal income tax 52,347
 31,990
 5,509
 53,540
Property and equipment – at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of:
$227,639 – 2018; $213,227 – 2017
 64,225
 63,959
Property and equipment – at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of:
$223,518 – 2019; $211,657 – 2018
 76,423
 65,248
Deferred policy acquisition costs 258,033
 235,055
 279,239
 252,612
Goodwill 7,849
 7,849
 7,849
 7,849
Other assets 91,485
 78,195
 135,488
 76,877
Total assets $7,986,752
 7,686,431
 $8,719,406
 7,952,729
        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
  
  
  
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
Reserve for loss and loss expense (Note 8) $3,925,155
 3,771,240
 $4,055,631
 3,893,868
Unearned premiums 1,483,794
 1,349,644
 1,570,226
 1,431,932
Long-term debt 439,436
 439,116
 550,669
 439,540
Current federal income tax 12,133
 
 2,656
 1,302
Accrued salaries and benefits 95,352
 131,850
 100,445
 116,706
Other liabilities 292,362
 281,624
 302,403
 277,579
Total liabilities $6,248,232
 5,973,474
 $6,582,030
 6,160,927
        
Stockholders’ Equity:  
  
  
  
Preferred stock of $0 par value per share: $
 
 $
 
Authorized shares 5,000,000; no shares issued or outstanding        
Common stock of $2 par value per share:        
Authorized shares 360,000,000        
Issued: 102,786,738 – 2018; 102,284,564 – 2017 205,573
 204,569
Issued: 103,421,301 – 2019; 102,848,394 – 2018 206,843
 205,697
Additional paid-in capital 385,451
 367,717
 412,347
 390,315
Retained earnings 1,824,607
 1,698,613
 2,012,499
 1,858,414
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (Note 11) (92,576) 20,170
Treasury stock – at cost
(shares: 43,897,753 – 2018; 43,789,442 – 2017)
 (584,535) (578,112)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 11) 98,426
 (77,956)
Treasury stock – at cost
(shares: 44,021,732 – 2019; 43,899,840 – 2018)
 (592,739) (584,668)
Total stockholders’ equity $1,738,520
 1,712,957
 $2,137,376
 1,791,802
Commitments and contingencies 

 

 


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $7,986,752
 7,686,431
 $8,719,406
 7,952,729


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

SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Revenues:  
  
      
  
    
Net premiums earned $614,277
 572,055
 1,810,941
 1,700,939
 $653,620
 614,277
 1,928,812
 1,810,941
Net investment income earned 52,443
 40,446
 141,227
 119,295
 55,826
 52,443
 164,949
 141,227
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains:  
  
      
  
    
Net realized investment (losses) gains on disposals (751) 6,871
 4,034
 12,252
Net realized investment gains (losses) on disposals 20,425
 (751) 26,752
 4,034
Unrealized losses on equity securities (20,317) (2,610) (8,091) (15,563)
Other-than-temporary impairments (1,426) (43) (5,459) (4,729) (2,291) (1,426) (3,366) (5,459)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed income securities recognized in other comprehensive income 
 (30) 
 (36)
Unrealized losses on equity securities (2,610) 
 (15,563) 
Total net realized and unrealized (losses) gains (4,787) 6,798
 (16,988) 7,487
 (2,183) (4,787) 15,295
 (16,988)
Other income 2,538
 1,994
 7,896
 8,526
 3,162
 2,538
 8,535
 7,896
Total revenues 664,471
 621,293
 1,943,076
 1,836,247
 710,425
 664,471
 2,117,591
 1,943,076
                
Expenses:  
  
      
  
    
Loss and loss expense incurred 379,199
 344,587
 1,130,468
 1,003,618
 398,675
 379,199
 1,166,238
 1,130,468
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 124,511
 118,143
 368,265
 350,071
 136,572
 124,511
 399,647
 368,265
Other insurance expenses 80,108
 78,874
 244,342
 243,799
 90,234
 80,108
 261,975
 244,342
Interest expense 6,073
 6,085
 18,350
 18,272
 7,397
 6,073
 26,289
 18,350
Corporate expenses 7,450
 6,289
 22,065
 26,669
 6,369
 7,450
 28,345
 22,065
Total expenses 597,341
 553,978
 1,783,490
 1,642,429
 639,247
 597,341
 1,882,494
 1,783,490
                
Income before federal income tax 67,130
 67,315
 159,586
 193,818
 71,178
 67,130
 235,097
 159,586
                
Federal income tax expense:  
  
      
  
    
Current 10,314
 16,859
 23,529
 48,917
 13,805
 10,314
 44,344
 23,529
Deferred 1,381
 3,738
 2,878
 6,317
 1,223
 1,381
 989
 2,878
Total federal income tax expense 11,695
 20,597
 26,407
 55,234
 15,028
 11,695
 45,333
 26,407
                
Net income $55,435
 46,718
 133,179
 138,584
 $56,150
 55,435
 189,764
 133,179
                
Earnings per share:  
  
      
  
    
Basic net income $0.94
 0.80
 2.26
 2.37
 $0.94
 0.94
 3.20
 2.26
                
Diluted net income $0.93
 0.79
 2.23
 2.34
 $0.93
 0.93
 3.16
 2.23
                
Dividends to stockholders $0.18
 0.16
 0.54
 0.48
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. 
 



SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net income $55,435
 46,718
 133,179
 138,584
 $56,150
 55,435
 189,764
 133,179
                
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:  
  
    
Unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities:  
  
    
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period (17,036) 10,874
 (103,389) 50,961
Non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in other comprehensive income 
 19
 
 23
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:  
  
    
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:  
  
    
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period 27,168
 (17,036) 174,483
 (103,389)
Amounts reclassified into net income:                
Held-to-maturity securities (6) (35) (22) (95) (2) (6) (26) (22)
Non-credit other-than-temporary impairments 
 25
 
 25
Realized losses (gains) on disposals of available-for-sale securities 8,563
 (4,394) 14,424
 (4,638)
Total unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities (8,479) 6,489
 (88,987) 46,276
Realized losses on disposals and other-than-temporary impairments of available-for-sale securities 2,229
 8,563
 351
 14,424
Total unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities 29,395
 (8,479) 174,808
 (88,987)
                
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
      
  
    
Amounts reclassified into net income:                
Net actuarial loss 420
 329
 1,260
 989
 525
 420
 1,574
 1,260
Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 420
 329
 1,260
 989
 525
 420
 1,574
 1,260
Other comprehensive (loss) income (8,059) 6,818
 (87,727) 47,265
Other comprehensive income (loss) 29,920
 (8,059) 176,382
 (87,727)
Comprehensive income $47,376
 53,536
 45,452
 185,849
 $86,070
 47,376
 366,146
 45,452
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 



SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017
Common stock:  
  
Beginning of year $204,569
 203,241
Dividend reinvestment plan (shares:  17,683 – 2018; 22,278 – 2017) 35
 45
Stock purchase and compensation plans (shares:  484,491 – 2018; 537,588 – 2017) 969
 1,075
End of period 205,573
 204,361
     
Additional paid-in capital:  
  
Beginning of year 367,717
 347,295
Dividend reinvestment plan 1,013
 1,025
Stock purchase and compensation plans 16,721
 14,417
End of period 385,451
 362,737
     
Retained earnings:  
  
Beginning of year, as previously reported 1,698,613
 1,568,881
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of equity security guidance, net of tax (Note 2) 30,726
 
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of stranded deferred tax guidance (Note 2) (5,707) 
Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted 1,723,632
 1,568,881
Net income 133,179
 138,584
Dividends to stockholders ($0.54 per share – 2018; $0.48 per share – 2017) (32,204) (28,424)
End of period 1,824,607
 1,679,041
     
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:  
  
Beginning of year, as previously reported 20,170
 (15,950)
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of equity security guidance, net of tax (Note 2) (30,726) 
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of stranded deferred tax guidance (Note 2) 5,707
 
Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted (4,849) (15,950)
Other comprehensive (loss) income (87,727) 47,265
End of period (92,576) 31,315
     
Treasury stock:  
  
Beginning of year (578,112) (572,097)
Acquisition of treasury stock (shares: 108,311 – 2018; 136,012 – 2017) (6,423) (6,005)
End of period (584,535) (578,102)
Total stockholders’ equity $1,738,520
 1,699,352
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Common stock:      
  
Beginning of period $206,665
 205,460
 205,697
 204,569
Dividend reinvestment plan 9
 10
 31
 35
Stock purchase and compensation plans 169
 103
 1,115
 969
End of period 206,843
 205,573
 206,843
 205,573
         
Additional paid-in capital:      
  
Beginning of period 407,382
 381,641
 390,315
 367,717
Dividend reinvestment plan 366
 327
 1,095
 1,013
Stock purchase and compensation plans 4,599
 3,483
 20,937
 16,721
End of period 412,347
 385,451
 412,347
 385,451
         
Retained earnings:      
  
Beginning of period, as previously reported 1,968,374
 1,779,928
 1,858,414
 1,698,613
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of equity security guidance, net of tax 
 
 
 30,726
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of stranded deferred tax guidance 
 
 
 (5,707)
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of lease guidance, net of tax (Note 2) 
 
 342
 
Balance at beginning of period, as adjusted 1,968,374
 1,779,928
 1,858,756
 1,723,632
Net income 56,150
 55,435
 189,764
 133,179
Dividends to stockholders (12,025) (10,756) (36,021) (32,204)
End of period 2,012,499
 1,824,607
 2,012,499
 1,824,607
         
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):      
  
Beginning of period, as previously reported 68,506
 (84,517) (77,956) 20,170
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of equity security guidance, net of tax 
 
 
 (30,726)
Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of stranded deferred tax guidance 
 
 
 5,707
Balance at beginning of period, as adjusted 68,506
 (84,517) (77,956) (4,849)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 29,920
 (8,059) 176,382
 (87,727)
End of period 98,426
 (92,576) 98,426
 (92,576)
         
Treasury stock:      
  
Beginning of period (591,383) (584,357) (584,668) (578,112)
Acquisition of treasury stock (1,356) (178) (8,071) (6,423)
End of period (592,739) (584,535) (592,739) (584,535)
Total stockholders’ equity $2,137,376
 1,738,520
 2,137,376
 1,738,520
         
Dividends declared per share to stockholders $0.20
 0.18
 0.60
 0.54
         
Common stock, shares outstanding:        
Beginning of period 59,328,108
 58,835,052
 58,948,554
 58,495,122
Dividend reinvestment plan

 4,738
 5,310
 15,650
 17,683
Stock purchase and compensation plan 83,979
 51,482
 557,257
 484,491
Acquisition of treasury stock (17,256) (2,859) (121,892) (108,311)
End of period 59,399,569
 58,888,985
 59,399,569
 58,888,985
 
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. also has authorized, but not issued, 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, of which 300,000 shares have been
designated Series A junior preferred stock, without par value.
  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 



SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017
Operating Activities  
  
Net income $133,179
 138,584
     
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
Depreciation and amortization 34,961
 38,163
Stock-based compensation expense 12,150
 10,139
Undistributed gains of equity method investments (4,243) (4,247)
Distributions in excess of current year income of equity method investments 3,210
 552
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 62
 998
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) 16,988
 (7,487)
     
Changes in assets and liabilities:  
  
Increase in reserve for loss and loss expense, net of reinsurance recoverable 144,920
 104,429
Increase in unearned premiums, net of prepaid reinsurance 120,535
 115,855
Decrease in net federal income taxes 18,339
 15,674
Increase in premiums receivable (79,894) (88,175)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs (22,978) (19,592)
Decrease (increase) in interest and dividends due or accrued 72
 (1,088)
Decrease in accrued salaries and benefits (36,498) (19,804)
Increase in other assets (13,881) (6,304)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities (34,437) 12,621
Net cash provided by operating activities 292,485
 290,318
     
Investing Activities  
  
Purchase of fixed income securities, held-to-maturity (7,150) 
Purchase of fixed income securities, available-for-sale (1,974,253) (1,517,474)
Purchase of equity securities (57,834) (44,480)
Purchase of other investments (47,238) (34,586)
Purchase of short-term investments (2,711,360) (3,025,824)
Sale of fixed income securities, available-for-sale 1,382,677
 811,991
Sale of short-term investments 2,572,399
 3,032,802
Redemption and maturities of fixed income securities, held-to-maturity 3,923
 36,092
Redemption and maturities of fixed income securities, available-for-sale 456,037
 439,616
Sale of equity securities 79,676
 19,007
Sale of other investments 3,497
 
Distributions from other investments 23,420
 17,041
Purchase of property and equipment (11,150) (11,806)
Net cash used in investing activities (287,356) (277,621)
     
Financing Activities  
  
Dividends to stockholders (30,694) (26,915)
Acquisition of treasury stock (6,423) (6,005)
Net proceeds from stock purchase and compensation plans 5,001
 4,744
Proceeds from borrowings 130,000
 64,000
Repayments of borrowings (130,000) (64,000)
Repayments of capital lease obligations (4,891) (3,267)
Net cash used in financing activities (37,007) (31,443)
Net decrease in cash and restricted cash (31,878) (18,746)
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year 44,710
 37,405
Cash and restricted cash, end of period $12,832
 18,659
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018
Operating Activities  
  
Net income $189,764
 133,179
     
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:  
  
Depreciation and amortization 42,346
 34,961
Stock-based compensation expense 15,857
 12,150
Undistributed gains of equity method investments (8,832) (4,243)
Distributions in excess of current year income of equity method investments 2,267
 3,210
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets (21) 62
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses (15,295) 16,988
     
Changes in assets and liabilities:  
  
Increase in reserve for loss and loss expense, net of reinsurance recoverable 134,951
 144,920
Increase in unearned premiums, net of prepaid reinsurance 122,460
 120,535
Decrease in net federal income taxes 2,408
 18,339
Increase in premiums receivable (89,962) (79,894)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs (26,627) (22,978)
(Increase) decrease in interest and dividends due or accrued (1,460) 72
Decrease in accrued salaries and benefits (16,261) (36,498)
Increase in other assets (35,810) (13,881)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities 414
 (34,437)
Net cash provided by operating activities 316,199
 292,485
     
Investing Activities  
  
Purchase of fixed income securities, held-to-maturity 
 (7,150)
Purchase of fixed income securities, available-for-sale (1,330,827) (1,974,253)
Purchase of equity securities (40,233) (57,834)
Purchase of other investments (41,248) (47,238)
Purchase of short-term investments (4,108,414) (2,711,360)
Sale of fixed income securities, available-for-sale 461,825
 1,382,677
Sale of short-term investments 4,106,643
 2,572,399
Redemption and maturities of fixed income securities, held-to-maturity 10,062
 3,923
Redemption and maturities of fixed income securities, available-for-sale 413,220
 456,037
Sale of equity securities 125,302
 79,676
Sale of other investments 18,016
 3,497
Distributions from other investments 19,054
 23,420
Purchase of property and equipment (24,424) (11,150)
Fixed asset disposals 35
 
Net cash used in investing activities (390,989) (287,356)
     
Financing Activities  
  
Dividends to stockholders (34,440) (30,694)
Acquisition of treasury stock (8,071) (6,423)
Net proceeds from stock purchase and compensation plans 5,599
 5,001
Proceeds from borrowings 355,757
 130,000
Repayments of borrowings (250,000) (130,000)
Repayments of finance lease obligations (811) (4,891)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 68,034
 (37,007)
Net decrease in cash and restricted cash (6,756) (31,878)
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year 16,919
 44,710
Cash and restricted cash, end of period $10,163
 12,832

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

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1. Basis of Presentation
As used herein, the "Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (the "Parent"), and its subsidiaries, except as expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements (“Financial Statements”) have been prepared by us in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. The preparation of the Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported financial statement balances, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the Parent and its subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation.


Certain amounts in our prior years' Financial Statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation. Specifically, we reclassified restricted cash balances related to our participation in the National Flood Insurance Program ("NFIP") from other assets in our consolidated balance sheet into a separate line item on the face of that statement. Additionally, refer to Note 2. "Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements" below for a discussion of the retroactive restatements that are included in these financial statements in relation to the adoption of new accounting pronouncements for the treatment of restricted cash and distributions from equity method investments on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Our Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that, in our opinion, are normal, recurring, and necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations and financial condition. Our Financial Statements cover the third quarters ended September 30, 2019 (“Third Quarter 2019”) and September 30, 2018 (“Third Quarter 2018”) and September 30, 2017 (“Third Quarter 2017”) and the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 ("2019 (“Nine Months 2018"2019”) and September 30, 2017 ("2018 (“Nine Months 2017"2018”). TheThese Financial Statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP and the SEC for audited annual financial statements. ResultsAdditionally, results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Consequently, our Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172018 (“20172018 Annual Report”) filed with the SEC.


NOTE 2. Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements 
In January 2016, theThe Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 provides guidance to improve certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Specifically the guidance: (i) requires equity securities held in our investment portfolio to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings; (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; (iii) eliminates the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost; (iv) requires the use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and (v) clarifies that the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to an available-for-sale ("AFS") security should be evaluated with other deferred tax assets.

We adopted ASU 2016-01 in the first quarter of 2018 and recognized a $30.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balances of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") and retained earnings, which represents the after-tax net unrealized gain on our equity portfolio as of December 31, 2017. Additionally, beginning in the first quarter of 2018, changes in unrealized gains or losses on this portfolio are no longer recorded to AOCI, but are instead recognized in income through "Unrealized losses on equity securities" on our Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 4 (j) below for information regarding unrealized equity losses recognized in income in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2018.

There were two accounting updates that we adopted with a retrospective transition in the first quarter of 2018 that related to our statements of cash flows. These accounting updates impacted our categorization of distributions from equity method investees (ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ("ASU 2016-15")) and the presentation of restricted cash (ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash ("ASU 2016-18")). These ASUs are discussed below and the discussions are followed with a table presenting the impact of the prior period restatements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15. As mentioned above, this ASU adds guidance on the categorization of distributions from equity method investees within the statement of cash flows. In accordance with this guidance, we made an accounting policy election to classify these distributions using the cumulative earnings approach. This election resulted in a restatement to operating and investing cash flows as outlined in the table below. ASU 2016-15 also added or clarified guidance on the cash flow classification of certain cash receipts and payments, including, but not limited to: (i) debt prepayment or debt

extinguishment costs; (ii) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; and (iii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The updated guidance for these topics did not impact our statement of cash flows.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18. ASU 2016-18 requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents in the reconciliation of beginning and ending cash on the statements of cash flows. This update also requires a reconciliation of the statement of the cash flows to the balance sheet if the balance sheet includes more than one line item containing cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. We have restricted cash related to our participation in the NFIP, which we had previously reported as part of "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, we are reporting restricted cash in its own line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to aid in the reconciliation of the amounts presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We have also restated prior year balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to conform to the current year presentation.

The adoption of this guidance resulted in a restatement of operating cash flows in Nine Months 2017 to remove the impact of the change in restricted cash from operating activities and include the restricted cash balance in the reconciliation of beginning and ending cash balances on the Statements of Cash Flows. In addition, we have included the required reconciliation in Note 3. "Statements of Cash Flows" below.

ASU 2016-15 and ASU 2016-18 resulted in the following line item restatements within operating and investing cash flows on the Statements of Cash Flows:
  September 30, 2017
($ in thousands) Prior to Adoption After Adoption
Undistributed gains of equity method investments $(5,157) (4,247)
Distributions in excess of current year income of equity method investments 
 552
Decrease (increase) in other assets 12,678
 (6,304)
Net cash provided by operating activities 307,838
 290,318
     
Distributions from other investments 18,503
 17,041
Net cash used in investing activities (276,159) (277,621)

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates the second step of the two part goodwill impairment test, which required entities to determine the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit to measure the goodwill impairment. Under the new guidance, a goodwill impairment is calculated as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendments in this update should be applied on a prospective basis for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We adopted ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of 2018 and it had no impact on us.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2018-02"). ASU 2018-02 allows a one-time reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for the stranded tax assets that were created in AOCI from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Reform"). We adopted ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2018 and recognized a $5.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment for the deferred tax charge to income in the fourth quarter of 2017 that was associated with net unrealized gains on our investment portfolio and pension plan resulting from the enactment of Tax Reform.

Pronouncements to be effective in the future
The FASB has issued new leasing guidance through ASU 2016-02, Leases, which was issued in February 2016, as well as additional implementation guidance that was issued in 2018 and 2019 (collectively referred to as "ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires all lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on their balance sheets for the rights and obligations created by leases with terms longer than 12 months. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, an accounting policy election is allowed to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Under the new lease guidance, we expect an increase in assets and liabilities as we will recognize operating leases for office space, fleet vehicles, and equipment on our balance sheet for the first time. However, these increases will not have a material impact to our financial condition.

ASU 2016-02 allows for certain practical expedients, accounting policy elections, and a transition method election. We currently plan to adoptadopted practical expedients related to reassessing: (i) whether our existing contracts are, or contain, leases; (ii) lease classification for existing leases; and (iii) initial direct costs for existing leases. Additionally, we plan to adoptadopted accounting policy elections to: (i)

aggregate lease and non-lease components of a contract into a single lease component; and (ii) expense short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We will be adoptingadopted ASU 2016-02 oneffective January 1, 2019 with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of that date. We do not anticipate2019. See Note 12. "Leases" in this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding our leases and the impact of this guidance to be material toon our financial condition orand results of operations.


In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2018-07"). The amendments in ASU 2018-07 expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. We adopted ASU 2018-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018,in the first quarter of 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We doit did not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.


Pronouncements to be effective in the future
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, as well as additional implementation guidance issued in 2018 and 2019 (collectively referred to as “ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 will change the way entities recognize impairment of financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial assets, including, among others, held-to-maturity ("HTM") debt securities, trade receivables, and reinsurance recoverables. ASU 2016-13 requires a valuation allowance to be calculated on financial assets, and that they be presented on the financial statements net of the valuation allowance. The valuation allowance is a measurement of expected losses that is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This methodology is referred to as the current expected credit loss model. This ASU also made targeted changes to the impairment accounting model for available-for-sale ("AFS") debt securities. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial condition and results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement: Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The modifications removed the following disclosure requirements: (i) the amount of, and reasons for, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; (ii) the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and (iii) the

valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU added the following disclosure requirements: (i) the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income ("OCI") for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period; and (ii) the range and weighted average of significant observable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. As the requirements of this literature are disclosure only, ASU 2018-13 will not impact our financial condition or results of operations.


In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General: Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”). ASU 2018-14 modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. These modifications include: (i) removing the requirement to disclose the amount in AOCIaccumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year; and (ii) adding the requirement to disclose an explanation of the reasons for significant gains or losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. This update is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. As the requirements of this literature are disclosure only, ASU 2018-14 will not impact our financial condition or results of operations.


In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial condition or results of operations.


NOTE 3. Statements of Cash Flows
Supplemental cash flow information was as follows:
  Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018
Cash paid during the period for:  
  
Interest $19,261
 15,449
Federal income tax 42,000
 7,193
     
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

    
Operating cash flows from operating leases1
 6,062
 
Operating cash flows from financing leases

 12
 
Financing cash flows from finance leases

 811
 4,891
     
Non-cash items:    
Corporate actions related to fixed income securities, AFS2
 29,771
 32,757
Corporate actions related to equity securities2
 14,250
 944
Assets acquired under finance lease arrangements

 824
 4,114
Assets acquired under operating lease arrangements1

 13,648
 
Non-cash purchase of property and equipment 108
 

  Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017
Cash paid during the period for:  
  
Interest $15,449
 15,356
Federal income tax 7,193
 39,000
     
Non-cash items:    
Corporate actions related to fixed income securities, AFS1
 32,757
 6,192
Corporate actions related to equity securities1
 944
 4,725
Assets acquired under capital lease arrangements 4,114
 278
1Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, effective January 1, 2019, we are required to disclose cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities, as well as supplemental non-cash information on operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating lease assets.
2Examples of such corporate actions include exchanges, non-cash acquisitions, and stock splits.


The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that equate to the amount reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
($ in thousands) September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Cash $516
 505
Restricted cash 9,647
 16,414
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statements of Cash Flows $10,163
 16,919

($ in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Cash $446
 534
Restricted cash 12,386
 44,176
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statements of Cash Flows $12,832
 44,710


Amounts included in restricted cash represent cash received from the NFIP,National Flood Insurance Program ("NFIP"), which is restricted to pay flood claims under the Write Your Own Program.program.


NOTE 4. Investments
(a) Information regarding our held-to-maturity ("HTM")Our HTM fixed income securities as of September 30, 2018 and2019 represented less than 1% of our total invested assets, down slightly compared to December 31, 2017 was as follows:2018. The carry value and net unrealized/unrecognized gains were $26.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, at September 30, 2019, and $37.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018. Included in the net unrealized/unrecognized gains were gross unrealized/unrecognized losses of less than $0.1 million at September 30, 2019 and $0.2 million at December 31, 2018.
September 30, 2018            
($ in thousands) 
Amortized
Cost
 
Net
 Unrealized Gains
 (Losses)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Unrecognized
 Holding
Gains
 
Unrecognized Holding
 Losses
 
Fair
Value
Obligations of states and political subdivisions $21,834
 36
 21,870
 526
 
 22,396
Corporate securities 22,798
 (86) 22,712
 1,132
 
 23,844
Total HTM fixed income securities $44,632
 (50) 44,582
 1,658
 
 46,240
December 31, 2017            
($ in thousands) 
Amortized
Cost
 
Net
 Unrealized Gains
 (Losses)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Unrecognized
 Holding
Gains
 
Unrecognized Holding
 Losses
 
Fair
Value
Obligations of states and political subdivisions $25,154
 84
 25,238
 1,023
 
 26,261
Corporate securities 16,996
 (105) 16,891
 1,003
 (55) 17,839
Total HTM fixed income securities $42,150
 (21) 42,129
 2,026
 (55) 44,100

Unrecognized holding gains and losses of HTM securities are not reflected in the Financial Statements, as they represent fair value fluctuations from the date a security is designated as HTM through the date of the balance sheet.


(b) Information regarding our AFS securities as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 was as follows:
September 30, 2019        
($ in thousands) 
Cost/
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
AFS fixed income securities:        
U.S. government and government agencies $116,555
 4,357
 (12) 120,900
Foreign government 20,947
 573
 
 21,520
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1,127,709
 62,910
 (4) 1,190,615
Corporate securities 1,762,981
 78,345
 (2,399) 1,838,927
Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities ("CLO and other ABS") 764,038
 8,998
 (4,653) 768,383
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") 524,441
 31,435
 (145) 555,731
Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) 1,389,985
 44,710
 (534) 1,434,161
Total AFS fixed income securities $5,706,656
 231,328
 (7,747) 5,930,237
September 30, 2018        
December 31, 2018        
($ in thousands) 
Cost/
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Cost/
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
AFS fixed income securities:                
U.S. government and government agencies $97,304
 306
 (1,148) 96,462
 $120,092
 1,810
 (592) 121,310
Foreign government 18,015
 88
 (120) 17,983
 23,202
 36
 (107) 23,131
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1,161,322
 10,848
 (7,261) 1,164,909
 1,121,615
 19,485
 (2,631) 1,138,469
Corporate securities 1,662,613
 6,342
 (19,302) 1,649,653
 1,639,852
 5,521
 (27,965) 1,617,408
Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities ("CLO and other ABS") 772,738
 4,571
 (2,540) 774,769
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") 495,208
 328
 (5,987) 489,549
Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) 1,009,764
 2,670
 (15,603) 996,831
Total AFS securities $5,216,964
 25,153
 (51,961) 5,190,156
CLO and other ABS 720,193
 4,112
 (6,943) 717,362
CMBS 527,409
 3,417
 (3,748) 527,078
RMBS 1,118,435
 12,988
 (3,081) 1,128,342
Total AFS fixed income securities $5,270,798
 47,369
 (45,067) 5,273,100


December 31, 2017        
($ in thousands) 
Cost/
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
AFS fixed income securities:        
U.S. government and government agencies $49,326
 647
 (233) 49,740
Foreign government 18,040
 526
 (11) 18,555
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1,539,307
 44,245
 (582) 1,582,970
Corporate securities 1,588,339
 30,891
 (1,762) 1,617,468
CLO and other ABS 789,152
 6,508
 (202) 795,458
CMBS 382,727
 1,563
 (841) 383,449
RMBS 709,825
 6,487
 (1,430) 714,882
Total AFS fixed income securities 5,076,716
 90,867
 (5,061) 5,162,522
AFS equity securities:        
Common stock 129,696
 38,287
 (226) 167,757
Preferred stock 14,115
 904
 (71) 14,948
Total AFS equity securities 143,811
 39,191
 (297) 182,705
Total AFS securities $5,220,527
 130,058
 (5,358) 5,345,227


Unrealized gains and losses of AFS securities represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as AFS; or (ii) the date that an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charge is recognized on an AFS security, through the date of the balance sheet. These unrealized gains and losses are recorded in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of the first quarter of 2018, equity securities are no longer required to be included in the table above with the adoption of new accounting guidance through which unrealized gains and losses on equity securities are no longer recognized in AOCI, but are instead recognized through income. Refer to Note 2. "Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements" for additional information regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-01.
  
(c) The severity of impairment on AFS securities in an unrealized/unrecognized loss position averaged approximately 2%1% of amortized cost at September 30, 20182019 and approximately 1%2% at December 31, 2017.2018. Quantitative information regarding unrealizedthese losses on our AFS portfolio is provided below. Our HTM portfolio had $0.2 million of unrealized/unrecognized losses at September 30, 2018, and $0.1 million of unrealized/unrecognized losses at December 31, 2017.
September 30, 2018 Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total
September 30, 2019 Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total
($ in thousands) Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses
1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses
1
AFS fixed income securities:  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
    
U.S. government and government agencies $26,414
 (843) 8,497
 (305) 34,911
 (1,148) $5,014
 (11) 498
 (1) 5,512
 (12)
Foreign government 7,281
 (120) 
 
 7,281
 (120)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 411,980
 (7,008) 6,397
 (253) 418,377
 (7,261) 437
 (4) 
 
 437
 (4)
Corporate securities 1,140,349
 (19,052) 6,373
 (250) 1,146,722
 (19,302) 89,919
 (1,862) 15,867
 (537) 105,786
 (2,399)
CLO and other ABS 497,809
 (2,479) 4,335
 (61) 502,144
 (2,540) 176,999
 (2,458) 180,898
 (2,195) 357,897
 (4,653)
CMBS 376,359
 (5,940) 2,340
 (47) 378,699
 (5,987) 59,857
 (126) 7,665
 (19) 67,522
 (145)
RMBS 699,336
 (14,727) 19,183
 (876) 718,519
 (15,603) 84,408
 (503) 9,513
 (31) 93,921
 (534)
Total AFS securities $3,159,528
 (50,169) 47,125
 (1,792) 3,206,653
 (51,961)
Total AFS fixed income securities $416,634
 (4,964) 214,441
 (2,783) 631,075
 (7,747)

December 31, 2017 Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total
December 31, 2018 Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total
($ in thousands) 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses
1
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses1
 Fair Value 
Unrealized
Losses
1
AFS fixed income securities:  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
    
U.S. government and government agencies $23,516
 (233) 250
 
 23,766
 (233) $6,693
 (174) 23,163
 (418) 29,856
 (592)
Foreign government 1,481
 (11) 
 
 1,481
 (11) 12,208
 (93) 1,482
 (14) 13,690
 (107)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 107,514
 (422) 14,139
 (160) 121,653
 (582) 196,798
 (2,074) 42,821
 (557) 239,619
 (2,631)
Corporate securities 238,326
 (1,744) 3,228
 (18) 241,554
 (1,762) 1,041,952
 (23,649) 78,953
 (4,316) 1,120,905
 (27,965)
CLO and other ABS 74,977
 (196) 1,655
 (6) 76,632
 (202) 516,106
 (6,750) 16,800
 (193) 532,906
 (6,943)
CMBS 154,267
 (773) 5,214
 (68) 159,481
 (841) 229,338
 (2,548) 66,294
 (1,200) 295,632
 (3,748)
RMBS 269,485
 (1,285) 11,200
 (145) 280,685
 (1,430) 139,338
 (1,660) 45,661
 (1,421) 184,999
 (3,081)
Total AFS fixed income securities 869,566
 (4,664) 35,686
 (397) 905,252
 (5,061) $2,142,433
 (36,948) 275,174
 (8,119) 2,417,607
 (45,067)
AFS equity securities:            
Common stock 4,727
 (226) 
 
 4,727
 (226)
Preferred stock 3,833
 (71) 
 
 3,833
 (71)
Total AFS equity securities 8,560
 (297) 
 
 8,560
 (297)
Total AFS $878,126
 (4,961) 35,686
 (397) 913,812
 (5,358)
 1 Gross unrealized losses include non-OTTI unrealized amounts and OTTI losses recognized in AOCI. 


The increase$37.3 million decrease in the less than 12 months unrealized loss position was due to higherreflected: (i) lower interest rates, with a 94-basisan 87-basis point increasedecrease in 2-year U.S. Treasury Note yields and a 66-basis102-basis point increasedecrease in 10-year U.S. Treasury Note yields during Nine Months 2019; and (ii) tightening option adjusted corporate credit spreads, with a 38-basis point decrease in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2018.Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Corporate Bond Index during Nine Months 2019. We do not currently intend to sell any of the securities in the tables above, nor will we be required to sell any of these securities. Considering these factors, and in accordance with our review of these securities under our OTTI policy, as described in Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 20172018 Annual Report, we have concluded that they are temporarily impaired as we believe: (i) they will mature at par value; (ii) they have not incurred a credit impairment; and (iii) future values of these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. This conclusion reflects our current judgment as to the financial position and future prospects of the entity that issued the investment security and underlying collateral.
 
(d) Fixed income securities at September 30, 20182019, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Mortgage-backed securities are included in the maturity tables using the estimated average life of each security. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
Listed below are the contractual maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 20182019:
 AFS HTM AFS HTM
($ in thousands) Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
Due in one year or less $176,545
 14,017
 14,150
 $310,387
 4,754
 4,773
Due after one year through five years 2,107,663
 20,518
 21,926
 3,296,126
 16,334
 17,589
Due after five years through 10 years 2,759,167
 10,047
 10,164
 2,191,633
 5,837
 5,994
Due after 10 years 146,781
 
 
 132,091
 
 
Total fixed income securities $5,190,156
 44,582
 46,240
 $5,930,237
 26,925
 28,356
  
(e) The following table summarizes our other investment portfolio by strategy:
Other Investments September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
($ in thousands) Carrying Value Remaining Commitment 
Maximum Exposure to Loss1
 Carrying Value Remaining Commitment 
Maximum Exposure to Loss1
Alternative Investments  
  
        
   Private equity $105,922
 97,552
 203,474
 84,352
 93,688
 178,040
   Private credit 37,710
 109,797
 147,507
 41,682
 81,453
 123,135
   Real assets 21,828
 22,534
 44,362
 27,862
 27,129
 54,991
Total alternative investments 165,460
 229,883
 395,343
 153,896
 202,270
 356,166
Other securities 23,783
 
 23,783
 25,042
 
 25,042
Total other investments $189,243
 229,883
 419,126
 178,938
 202,270
 381,208

Other Investments September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
($ in thousands) Carrying Value Remaining Commitment 
Maximum Exposure to Loss1
 Carrying Value Remaining Commitment 
Maximum Exposure to Loss1
Alternative Investments  
  
        
   Private equity $75,508
 99,346
 174,854
 52,251
 99,026
 151,277
   Private credit 37,525
 85,747
 123,272
 37,743
 94,959
 132,702
   Real assets 25,214
 33,088
 58,302
 25,379
 27,014
 52,393
Total alternative investments 138,247
 218,181
 356,428
 115,373
 220,999
 336,372
Other securities 25,683
 
 25,683
 16,895
 
 16,895
Total other investments $163,930
 218,181
 382,111
 132,268
 220,999
 353,267
1The maximum exposure to loss includes both the carry value of these investments and the related unfundedremaining commitments. In addition, tax credits that have been previously recognized in Other securities are subject to the risk of recapture, which we do not consider significant. 


We are contractually committed to make additional investments up to the remaining commitments outlined above; however, we do not have a future obligation to fund losses or debts on behalf of the investments above; however, we are contractually committed to make additional investments up to the remaining commitment outlined above.these investments. We have not provided any non-contractual financial support at any time during 20182019 or 2017.2018.

The following table sets forth gross summarized financial information for our other investments portfolio, including the portion not owned by us. The majority of these investments are carried under the equity method of accounting. The last line of the table below reflects our share of the aggregate income or loss, which is the portion included in our Financial Statements. As the majority of these investments report results to us on a one quarter lag, the summarized financial statement information for the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended June 30 is included in our Third Quarter and Nine Months results. This information is as follows:
Income Statement Information Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net investment (loss) income $(14.0)
11.9
 10.1
 (29.9)
Realized gains 121.1

124.8
 370.4
 1,348.3
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 1,739.4

1,434.3
 4,517.4
 695.8
Net income $1,846.5

1,571.0
 4,897.9
 2,014.2
Insurance subsidiaries’ alternative investments income $5.2
 7.1
 13.0
 10.6
Income Statement Information Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net investment income (loss) $11.9

0.6
 (29.9) (61.8)
Realized gains (losses) 124.8

43.3
 1,348.3
 (261.0)
Net change in unrealized appreciation 1,434.3

1,296.3
 695.8
 3,186.3
Net gain $1,571.0

1,340.2
 2,014.2
 2,863.5
Selective’s insurance subsidiaries’ alternative investments gain $7.1
 2.7
 10.6
 9.5

 
(f) We have pledged certain AFS fixed income securities as collateral related to our relationships with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI") and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY"). In addition, certain securities were on deposit with various state and regulatory agencies at September 30, 20182019 to comply with insurance laws. We retain all rights regarding all securities pledged as collateral.


The following table summarizes the market value of these securities at September 30, 2018:2019:
($ in millions) FHLBI Collateral FHLBNY Collateral State and Regulatory Deposits Total
U.S. government and government agencies $
 
 22.9
 22.9
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 
 
 3.9
 3.9
Corporate securities 
 
 0.3
 0.3
CMBS 7.3
 19.6
 
 26.9
RMBS 57.4
 81.1
 
 138.5
Total pledged as collateral $64.7
 100.7
 27.1

192.5
($ in millions) FHLBI Collateral FHLBNY Collateral State and Regulatory Deposits Total
U.S. government and government agencies $
 
 22.2
 22.2
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 
 
 3.8
 3.8
CMBS 7.2
 9.4
 
 16.6
RMBS 57.8
 76.3
 
 134.1
Total pledged as collateral $65.0
 85.7
 26.0

176.7

 
(g) We did not have exposure to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer greater than 10% of our stockholders' equity, other than certain U.S. government-backed investments, as of September 30, 20182019 or December 31, 2017.2018.


(h) The components of pre-tax net investment income earned were as follows:
 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Fixed income securities $45,088

38,865
 130,903
 113,424
 $50,749

45,088
 150,689
 130,903
Equity securities 2,079

1,605
 5,876
 4,492
 1,885

2,079
 5,265
 5,876
Short-term investments 867

396
 2,001
 1,023
 1,410

867
 5,213
 2,001
Other investments 7,211

2,659
 10,868
 9,493
 5,267

7,211
 13,421
 10,868
Investment expenses (2,802)
(3,079) (8,421) (9,137) (3,485)
(2,802) (9,639) (8,421)
Net investment income earned $52,443
 40,446
 141,227
 119,295
 $55,826
 52,443
 164,949
 141,227


(i) OTTI charges were $1.4$2.3 million and $0.1$1.4 million in Third Quarter 20182019 and Third Quarter 2017,2018, respectively, and $5.5$3.4 million and $4.8$5.5 million in Nine Months 20182019 and Nine Months 2017,2018, respectively. All of the OTTIthese charges in 2018 and a majority of the charges in 2017 were related to securities for which we had the intent to sell, with each security type's charge not exceeding 1% of its amortized cost.sell. For a discussion of our evaluation for OTTI, refer to Note 2. "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." of our 20172018 Annual Report.



(j) Net realized and unrealized gains and losses (excluding OTTI charges) for Third Quarter 2019 and Nine Months 2018 and 2017 included the following:
  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net realized gains (losses) on the disposals of securities:        
Fixed income securities $(1,141) (9,413) 2,063
 (13,922)
Equity securities 21,602
 8,665
 24,733
 17,960
Short-term investments (36) 2
 (21) 1
Other investments 
 (5) (23) (5)
Net realized gains (losses) on the disposal of securities 20,425
 (751) 26,752
 4,034
OTTI charges (2,291) (1,426) (3,366) (5,459)
Net realized gains (losses) 18,134
 (2,177) 23,386
 (1,425)
Unrealized (losses) recognized in income on equity securities (20,317) (2,610) (8,091) (15,563)
Total net realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains $(2,183) (4,787) $15,295
 (16,988)

  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net realized (losses) gains on the disposals of securities:        
Fixed income securities $(9,413) 1,996
 (13,922) 6,566
Equity securities 8,665
 4,875
 17,960
 5,225
Short-term investments 2
 
 1
 
Other investments (5) 
 (5) 461
Net realized gains on the disposal of securities (751) 6,871
 4,034
 12,252
OTTI charges (1,426) (73) (5,459) (4,765)
Net realized (losses) gains (2,177) 6,798
 (1,425) 7,487
Unrealized (losses) recognized in income on equity securities1
 (2,610) 
 (15,563) 
Total net realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains $(4,787) 6,798
 $(16,988) 7,487

1Includes unrealized holding gainsUnrealized (losses) of: (i) $5.5 millionrecognized in Third Quarter 2018 and $4.2 million in Nine Months 2018income on equity securities, remainingas reflected in our portfolio as of September 30, 2018; and (ii) $(8.1) million in Third Quarter 2018 and $(19.8) million in Nine Months 2018 on equity securities sold during the respective periods.table above, include the following:

  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized in income on equity securities:        
On securities remaining in our portfolio at September 30, 2019 $1,109
 5,476
 1,805
 4,199
On securities sold in each respective period (21,426) (8,086) (9,896) (19,762)
Total unrealized (losses) recognized in income on equity securities $(20,317) (2,610) $(8,091)
(15,563)


The components of net realized gains on disposals of securities for the periods indicated were as follows:
  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
HTM fixed income securities        
Gains $
 
 1
 2
Losses 
 
 (15) 
AFS fixed income securities  
  
    
Gains 1,078
 462
 5,565
 5,056
Losses (2,219) (9,875) (3,488) (18,980)
Equity securities  
  
    
Gains 21,630
 10,584
 24,868
 20,209
Losses (28) (1,919) (135) (2,249)
Short-term investments        
Gains 2
 3
 18
 6
Losses (38) (1) (39) (5)
Other investments        
Gains 
 
 7
 
      Losses 

(5) (30) (5)
Total net realized gains on disposals of securities $20,425

(751) 26,752
 4,034

  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
HTM fixed income securities        
Gains $
 
 2
 44
Losses 
 
 
 (1)
AFS fixed income securities  
  
    
Gains 462
 2,070
 5,056
 8,337
Losses (9,875) (74) (18,980) (1,814)
Equity securities  
  
    
Gains 10,584
 4,875
 20,209
 5,225
Losses (1,919) 
 (2,249) 
Short-term investments        
Gains 3
 
 6
 2
Losses (1) 
 (5) (2)
Other investments        
Gains 
 
 
 480
      Losses (5)

 (5) (19)
Total net realized gains (losses) on disposals of securities $(751)
6,871
 4,034
 12,252


Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of the cost of the specific investments sold.
Proceeds from the sales of AFS fixed income securities were $444.4$89.7 million and $94.9$444.4 million in Third Quarter 20182019 and Third Quarter 2017,2018, respectively, and $1,382.7$461.8 million and $812.0$1,382.7 million in Nine Months 20182019 and Nine Months 2017,2018, respectively. Proceeds from the sales of equity securities were $36.1$95.2 million and $12.7$36.1 million in Third Quarter 20182019 and Third Quarter 2017,2018, respectively, and $79.7$125.3 million and $19.0$79.7 million in Nine Months 20182019 and Nine Months 2017,2018, respectively.



NOTE 5. Indebtedness
Our long-termThe table below provides a summary of our outstanding debt balance has not changed materially sinceat September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2017. However,2018:
Outstanding Debt Issuance Date Maturity Date Interest Rate Original Amount 2019 Carry Value
($ in thousands)     Debt Discount and Unamortized Issuance Costs September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Description              
Long term              
   Issuance:              
      Senior Notes 3/1/2019 3/1/2049 5.375% $300,000
 9,065
 290,935
 
               
   Redemption:              
      Senior Notes 2/8/2013 2/9/2043 5.875% 185,000
 
 
 180,771
               
   Other Outstanding:              
      FHLBI 12/16/2016 12/16/2026 3.03% 60,000
 
 60,000
 60,000
      FHLBNY 8/15/2016 8/16/2021 1.56% 25,000
 
 25,000
 25,000
      FHLBNY 7/21/2016 7/21/2021 1.61% 25,000
 
 25,000
 25,000
      Senior Notes 11/3/2005 11/1/2035 6.70% 100,000
 889
 99,111
 99,069
      Senior Notes 11/16/2004 11/15/2034 7.25% 50,000
 281
 49,719
 49,700
               
Finance lease obligations1
           904
 
Total long-term debt       
 10,235
 550,669
 439,540
1 Concurrent with the adoption of ASU 2016-02 discussed in Note 2. "Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements," finance lease obligations are now captured in Long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Short-Term Debt Activity
Short-term debt activity included the following in Nine Months 2019:
On March 7, 2019, Selective Insurance Company of America ("SICA"(“SICA”) borrowed the following short-term funds in the first quarter of 2018$50 million from the FHLBNY:
On February 27, 2018, SICA borrowed $75 millionFHLBNY at an interest rate of 1.75%2.64%. This borrowing was repaid on March 20, 2018; and28, 2019.
On March 28, 2018,August 5, 2019, SICA borrowed $55short-term funds of $15 million from the FHLBNY at an interest rate of 1.98%2.29%. This borrowing was repaid on April 18, 2018.August 12, 2019.


Long-Term Debt Activity
In the first quarter of 2019, we issued $300 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2049 at a discount of $5.9 million which, when coupled with debt issuance costs of approximately $3.3 million, resulted in net proceeds from the offering of $290.8 million. The 5.375% Senior Notes pay interest on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The first interest payment was made on September 1, 2019. A portion of the proceeds from this debt issuance was used to fully redeem the $185 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.875% Senior Notes due 2043, with the remaining $106 million being used for general corporate purposes. The 5.875% Senior Notes had pre-tax debt retirement costs of $4.2 million, or $3.3 million after tax, which was recorded in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the first quarter of 2019.

For detailed information on our indebtedness, see Note 10. "Indebtedness" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." of our 20172018 Annual Report.


NOTE 6. Fair Value Measurements
OurThe financial assets in our investment portfolio are primarily measured at fair value as disclosed on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
  September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
($ in thousands) Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
Financial Liabilities        
Long-term debt:        
7.25% Senior Notes 49,909
 65,770
 49,907
 57,032
6.70% Senior Notes 99,476
 125,954
 99,462
 107,075
5.875% Senior Notes 
 
 185,000
 177,230
5.375% Senior Notes 294,136
 352,156
 
 
1.61% borrowings from FHLBNY 25,000
 24,838
 25,000
 24,218
1.56% borrowings from FHLBNY 25,000
 24,808
 25,000
 24,162
3.03% borrowings from FHLBI 60,000
 63,741
 60,000
 58,905
Subtotal long-term debt 553,521
 657,267
 444,369
 448,622
Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,756)   (4,829)  
Finance lease obligations 904
   
  
Total long-term debt 550,669
   439,540
  


For a discussion of our long-term debt are providedactivity in 2019, see Note 5. "Indebtedness" in this footnoteForm 10-Q, and the related carry values have changed by less than 1% during Nine Months 2018. Forfor a discussion of the fair value and hierarchy of theand techniques used to value our financial assets and liabilities, refer to Note 2. "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." of our 20172018 Annual Report.


The following tables provide quantitative disclosures of our financial assets that were measured and recorded at fair value at September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:
September 30, 2019   Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) Assets
Measured at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/
Liabilities (Level 1)1
 
Significant Other
 Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)1
 
Significant Unobservable
 Inputs
 (Level 3)
Description  
  
  
  
Measured on a recurring basis:  
  
  
  
AFS fixed income securities:        
U.S. government and government agencies $120,900
 41,619
 79,281
 
Foreign government 21,520
 
 21,520
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1,190,615
 
 1,190,615
 
Corporate securities 1,838,927
 
 1,822,577
 16,350
CLO and other ABS 768,383
 
 748,504
 19,879
CMBS 555,731
 
 555,731
 
RMBS 1,434,161
 
 1,434,161
 
Total AFS fixed income securities 5,930,237
 41,619
 5,852,389
 36,229
Equity securities:        
Common stock2
 76,179
 42,988
 
 
Preferred stock 3,034
 3,034
 
 
Total equity securities 79,213
 46,022
 
 
Short-term investments 326,121
 319,599
 6,522
 
Total assets measured at fair value $6,335,571
 407,240
 5,858,911

36,229

September 30, 2018   Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) Assets
Measured at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/
Liabilities (Level 1)1
 
Significant Other
 Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)1
 
Significant Unobservable
 Inputs
 (Level 3)
Description  
  
  
  
Measured on a recurring basis:  
  
  
  
AFS fixed income securities:        
U.S. government and government agencies $96,462
 76,760
 19,702
 
Foreign government 17,983
 
 17,983
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1,164,909
 
 1,164,909
 
Corporate securities 1,649,653
 
 1,649,653
 
CLO and other ABS 774,769
 
 770,628
 4,141
CMBS 489,549
 
 489,549
 
RMBS 996,831
 
 996,831
 
Total AFS fixed income securities 5,190,156
 76,760
 5,109,255
 4,141
Equity securities:        
Common stock2
 154,845
 124,445
 
 
Preferred stock 3,022
 3,022
 
 
Total equity securities 157,867
 127,467
 
 
Short-term investments 304,572
 303,572
 1,000
 
Total assets measured at fair value $5,652,595
 507,799
 5,110,255

4,141

December 31, 2018   Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) Assets
Measured at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)1
 
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)1
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
Description  
  
  
  
Measured on a recurring basis:  
  
  
  
AFS fixed income securities:        
U.S. government and government agencies $121,310
 78,381
 42,929
 
Foreign government 23,131
 
 23,131
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1,138,469
 
 1,138,469
 
Corporate securities 1,617,408
 
 1,617,408
 
CLO and other ABS 717,362
 
 709,953
 7,409
CMBS 527,078
 
 527,078
 
RMBS 1,128,342
 
 1,128,342
 
Total AFS fixed income securities 5,273,100
 78,381
 5,187,310
 7,409
Equity securities:        
Common stock2
 144,727
 107,397
 
 
Preferred stock 2,912
 2,912
 
 
Total equity securities 147,639
 110,309
 
 
Short-term investments 323,864
 321,370
 2,494
 
Total assets measured at fair value $5,744,603
 510,060
 5,189,804
 7,409
December 31, 2017   Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) Assets
Measured at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)1
 
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)1
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
Description  
  
  
  
Measured on a recurring basis:  
  
  
  
AFS fixed income securities:        
U.S. government and government agencies $49,740
 24,652
 25,088
 
Foreign government 18,555
 
 18,555
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1,582,970
 
 1,582,970
 
Corporate securities 1,617,468
 
 1,617,468
 
CLO and other ABS 795,458
 
 795,458
 
CMBS 383,449
 
 376,895
 6,554
RMBS 714,882
 
 714,882
 
Total AFS fixed income securities 5,162,522
 24,652
 5,131,316
 6,554
AFS equity securities:        
Common stock2
 167,757
 138,640
 
 5,398
Preferred stock 14,948
 14,948
 
 
Total AFS equity securities 182,705
 153,588
 
 5,398
Total AFS securities 5,345,227
 178,240
 5,131,316
 11,952
Short-term investments 165,555
 165,555
 
 
Total assets measured at fair value $5,510,782
 343,795
 5,131,316
 11,952

1 
There were no transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2.
2 
Investments amounting to $30.4$33.2 million at September 30, 2018,2019, and $23.7$37.3 million at December 31, 2017,2018, were measured at fair value using net asset value per share (or its practical expedient) and have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to total assets measured at fair value.


The following table provides a summary of Level 3 changes in Nine Months 2019:
September 30, 2019      
($ in thousands) Corporate Securities CLO and Other ABS Total
Fair value, December 31, 2018 
 7,409
 7,409
Total net (losses) gains for the period included in:      
OCI (69) (14) (83)
Net income 
 244
 244
Purchases 
 18,404
 18,404
Sales 
 
 
Issuances 
 
 
Settlements 
 (105) (105)
Transfers into Level 3 16,419
 13,603
 30,022
Transfers out of Level 3 
 (19,662) (19,662)
Fair value, September 30, 2019 16,350
 19,879
 36,229


There were no material changes in the fair value of securities measured using Level 3 prices in Nine Months 2017. The following table provides a summary of Level 3 changes in Nine Months 2018:
September 30, 2018     
($ in thousands)CMBS Common Stock CLO and Other ABS
Fair value, December 31, 2017$6,554
 5,398
 
Total net (losses) gains for the period included in:     
OCI
 
 
Net income
 
 
Purchases
 
 4,141
Sales
 
 
Issuances
 
 
Settlements
 
 
Transfers into Level 3
 
 
Transfers out of Level 3(6,554) (5,398) 
Fair value, September 30, 2018$
 
 4,141
2018.

The following tables provide quantitative information regarding our financial assets and liabilities that were disclosed at fair value at September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
September 30, 2018   Fair Value Measurements Using
September 30, 2019   Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) Assets/
Liabilities
Disclosed at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets for
 Identical Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Assets/
Liabilities
Disclosed at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets for
 Identical Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial Assets  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
HTM:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions $22,396
 
 22,396
 
 $9,426
 
 9,426
 
Corporate securities 23,844
 
 11,583
 12,261
 18,930
 
 18,930
 
Total HTM fixed income securities $46,240
 
 33,979
 12,261
 $28,356
 
 28,356
 
                
Financial Liabilities  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Long-term debt:                
7.25% Senior Notes $57,733
 
 57,733
 
 $65,770
 
 65,770
 
6.70% Senior Notes 106,760
 
 106,760
 
 125,954
 
 125,954
 
5.875% Senior Notes 184,778
 184,778
 
 
5.375% Senior Notes 352,156
 
 352,156
 
1.61% borrowings from FHLBNY 23,936
 
 23,936
 
 24,838
 
 24,838
 
1.56% borrowings from FHLBNY 23,871
 
 23,871
 
 24,808
 
 24,808
 
3.03% borrowings from FHLBI 57,795
 
 57,795
 
 63,741
 
 63,741
 
Total long-term debt $454,873
 184,778
 270,095
 
 $657,267
 
 657,267
 

December 31, 2018   Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) Assets/
Liabilities
Disclosed at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets for
 Identical Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial Assets  
  
  
  
HTM:  
  
  
  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions $17,969
 
 17,969
 
Corporate securities 20,348
 
 20,348
 
Total HTM fixed income securities $38,317
 
 38,317
 
         
Financial Liabilities  
      
Long-term debt:        
7.25% Senior Notes $57,032
 
 57,032
 
6.70% Senior Notes 107,075
 
 107,075
 
5.875% Senior Notes 177,230
 177,230
 
 
1.61% borrowings from FHLBNY 24,218
 
 24,218
 
1.56% borrowings from FHLBNY 24,162
 
 24,162
 
3.03% borrowings from FHLBI 58,905
 
 58,905
 
Total long-term debt $448,622
 177,230
 271,392
 




December 31, 2017   Fair Value Measurements Using
($ in thousands) Assets/
Liabilities
Disclosed at
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets for
 Identical Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial Assets  
  
  
  
HTM:  
  
  
  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions $26,261
 
 26,261
 
Corporate securities 17,839
 
 12,306
 5,533
Total HTM fixed income securities $44,100
 
 38,567
 5,533
         
Financial Liabilities  
      
Long-term debt:        
7.25% Senior Notes $61,391
 
 61,391
 
6.70% Senior Notes 116,597
 
 116,597
 
5.875% Senior Notes 186,332
 186,332
 
 
1.61% borrowings from FHLBNY 24,270
 
 24,270
 
1.56% borrowings from FHLBNY 24,210
 
 24,210
 
3.03% borrowings from FHLBI 60,334
 
 60,334
 
Total long-term debt $473,134
 186,332
 286,802
 

NOTE 7. Reinsurance
The following table contains a listing of direct, assumed, and ceded reinsurance amounts for premiums written, premiums earned, and loss and loss expenses incurred for the periods indicated. For more information concerning reinsurance, refer to
Note 8. “Reinsurance” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 20172018 Annual Report.
 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Premiums written:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Direct $752,834
 706,918
 $2,220,431
 2,097,146
 $785,680
 752,834
 $2,359,441
 2,220,431
Assumed 7,084
 8,506
 19,891
 20,685
 6,882
 7,084
 18,770
 19,891
Ceded (108,250) (111,147) (308,846) (301,036) (115,634) (108,250) (326,939) (308,846)
Net $651,668
 604,277
 $1,931,476
 1,816,795
 $676,928
 651,668
 $2,051,272
 1,931,476
Premiums earned:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Direct $706,497
 666,048
 $2,086,953
 1,967,364
 $752,872
 706,497
 $2,221,257
 2,086,953
Assumed 6,484
 7,623
 19,220
 19,465
 6,356
 6,484
 18,660
 19,220
Ceded (98,704) (101,616) (295,232) (285,890) (105,608) (98,704) (311,105) (295,232)
Net $614,277
 572,055
 $1,810,941
 1,700,939
 $653,620
 614,277
 $1,928,812
 1,810,941
Loss and loss expenses incurred:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Direct $477,427
 455,728
 $1,289,357
 1,187,400
 $437,618
 477,427
 $1,297,975
 1,289,357
Assumed 6,529
 5,420
 16,897
 17,623
 4,362
 6,529
 13,975
 16,897
Ceded (104,757) (116,561) (175,786) (201,405) (43,305) (104,757) (145,712) (175,786)
Net $379,199
 344,587
 $1,130,468
 1,003,618
 $398,675
 379,199
 $1,166,238
 1,130,468


Ceded premiums and losses related to our participation in the NFIP, under which 100% of our flood premiums, losses, and loss expenses are ceded to the NFIP, are as follows:
Ceded to NFIP Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Ceded premiums written $(74,864) (70,100) $(206,451) (193,110)
Ceded premiums earned (65,847) (61,448) (191,914) (180,582)
Ceded loss and loss expenses incurred (27,459) (89,396) (62,208) (115,376)

Ceded to NFIP Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Ceded premiums written $(70,100) (68,132) $(193,110) (188,274)
Ceded premiums earned (61,448) (59,847) (180,582) (174,779)
Ceded loss and loss expenses incurred (89,396) (112,994) (115,376) (134,675)


Excluding the impact of our participation in the NFIP, ceded loss and loss expenses incurred increased in Nine Months 2019 compared to the respective prior year, due to one significant fire loss in the second quarter of 2019, which added $17.4 million to ceded loss and loss expenses. The elevated ceded loss and loss expenses incurred related to our participation in the NFIP in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2018 were due to Hurricane Florence, which impacted our footprint in September 2018.

NOTE 8. Reserve for Loss and Loss Expense
The table below provides a roll forward of reserve for loss and loss expense balances:
  Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018
Gross reserve for loss and loss expense, at beginning of year $3,893,868
 3,771,240
Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and loss expense, at beginning of year 537,388
 585,855
Net reserve for loss and loss expense, at beginning of year 3,356,480
 3,185,385
Incurred loss and loss expense for claims occurring in the:  
  
Current year 1,200,878
 1,148,032
Prior years (34,640) (17,564)
Total incurred loss and loss expense 1,166,238
 1,130,468
Paid loss and loss expense for claims occurring in the:  
  
Current year 384,436
 369,036
Prior years 631,589
 610,734
Total paid loss and loss expense 1,016,025
 979,770
Net reserve for loss and loss expense, at end of period 3,506,693
 3,336,083
Add: Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and loss expense, at end of period 548,938
 589,072
Gross reserve for loss and loss expense at end of period $4,055,631
 3,925,155

  Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017
Gross reserve for loss and loss expense, at beginning of year $3,771,240
 3,691,719
Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and loss expense, at beginning of year 585,855
 611,200
Net reserve for loss and loss expense, at beginning of year 3,185,385
 3,080,519
Incurred loss and loss expense for claims occurring in the:  
  
Current year 1,148,032
 1,037,079
Prior years (17,564) (33,461)
Total incurred loss and loss expense 1,130,468
 1,003,618
Paid loss and loss expense for claims occurring in the:  
  
Current year 369,036
 314,686
Prior years 610,734
 581,186
Total paid loss and loss expense 979,770
 895,872
Net reserve for loss and loss expense, at end of period 3,336,083
 3,188,265
Add: Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and loss expense, at end of period 589,072
 647,535
Gross reserve for loss and loss expense at end of period $3,925,155
 3,835,800

Prior year reserve development in Nine Months 2019 of $34.6 million included $41.0 million of favorable casualty reserve development, partially offset by $6.4 million of unfavorable property reserve development. The favorable casualty reserve development included $33.0 million in our workers compensation line of business and $10.0 million in our general liability line

The $111.0of business, partially offset by $2.0 million increaseof unfavorable casualty reserve development in current year loss and loss expense incurred illustrated in the table above was primarily driven by: (i) non-catastrophe property losses; (ii) an increase in current year loss costs on our commercialpersonal automobile line of business; and (iii) an increase in exposure due to premium growth. Non-catastrophe property losses, which increased $61.9 million, to $278.5 million, in Nine Months 2018, were partially related to the early January 2018 deep freeze in our footprint states and a relatively large number of fire losses over the course of the year.business.


Prior year reserve development in Nine Months 2018 of $17.6 million included $24.0 million of favorable casualty reserve development, partially offset by $6.4 million of unfavorable property reserve development. The favorable casualty reserve development included $53.0 million of development in our workers compensation line of business and $8.0 million in our general liability line of business, partially offset by unfavorable development of $25.0 million of unfavorable casualty reserve development in our commercial automobile line of business and $12.0 million in our excess and surplus ("E&S") casualty lines.

Prior year development in Nine Months 2017 of $33.5 million was primarily driven by favorable prior year casualty reserve development of $48.3 million in our general liability line of business and $29.3 million in our workers compensation line of business. This was partially offset by unfavorable development of $26.0 million in our commercial automobile line of business, $10.0 million in our E&S segment, and $4.0 million in our personal automobile line of business.

For a discussion of the trends and recent developments impacting these lines, refer to the "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" section of Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." in our 2017 Annual Report.


NOTE 9. Segment Information
The disaggregated results of our four reportable segments are used by senior management to manage our operations. These4 reportable segments are evaluated as follows:


Our Standard Commercial Lines, Standard Personal Lines, and E&S Lines are evaluated based on before and after-tax underwriting results (net premiums earned, incurred loss and loss expense, policyholder dividends, policy acquisition costs, and other underwriting expenses), return on equity ("ROE") contribution, and combined ratios.


Our Investments segment is primarily evaluated based on after-tax net investment income and its ROE contribution. Also included in Investment segment results are after-tax net realized and unrealized gains and losses.losses, which are not included in non-GAAP operating income.


In computing the results of each segment, we do not make adjustments for interest expense or corporate expenses. We do not maintain separate investment portfolios for the segments and therefore, do not allocate assets to the segments.



The following summaries present revenues (net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains on investments in the case of the Investments segment) and pre-tax income for the individual segments:
Revenue by Segment Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Standard Commercial Lines:  
  
    
Net premiums earned:  
  
    
Commercial automobile $141,182
 124,862
 408,706
 365,197
Workers compensation 75,478
 78,784
 232,657
 237,628
General liability 169,084
 154,974
 495,402
 457,805
Commercial property 89,215
 83,056
 262,418
 245,544
Businessowners’ policies 26,371
 25,994
 78,624
 77,414
Bonds 8,990
 8,778
 26,861
 25,247
Other 4,841
 4,608
 14,326
 13,597
Miscellaneous income 2,782
 2,228
 7,544
 6,936
Total Standard Commercial Lines revenue 517,943
 483,284
 1,526,538
 1,429,368
Standard Personal Lines:        
Net premiums earned:        
Personal automobile 43,226
 42,772
 129,777
 125,024
Homeowners 31,529
 32,293
 95,672
 96,717
Other 1,983
 2,092
 5,709
 5,349
Miscellaneous income 380
 310
 991
 959
Total Standard Personal Lines revenue 77,118
 77,467
 232,149
 228,049
E&S Lines:        
Net premiums earned:        
Casualty lines 47,171
 42,179
 136,455
 120,098
Property lines 14,550
 13,885
 42,205
 41,321
Miscellaneous income 
 
 
 1
Total E&S Lines revenue 61,721
 56,064
 178,660
 161,420
Investments:  
  
  
  
Net investment income 55,826
 52,443
 164,949
 141,227
Net realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains (2,183) (4,787) 15,295
 (16,988)
Total Investments revenue 53,643
 47,656
 180,244
 124,239
Total revenues $710,425
 664,471
 2,117,591
 1,943,076
Revenue by Segment Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Standard Commercial Lines:  
  
    
Net premiums earned:  
  
    
Commercial automobile $124,862
 111,711
 365,197
 327,156
Workers compensation 78,784
 77,580
 237,628
 236,366
General liability 154,974
 141,059
 457,805
 422,546
Commercial property 83,056
 78,151
 245,544
 232,594
Businessowners’ policies 25,994
 25,019
 77,414
 74,853
Bonds 8,778
 7,420
 25,247
 20,904
Other 4,608
 4,310
 13,597
 12,839
Miscellaneous income 2,228
 1,712
 6,936
 7,588
Total Standard Commercial Lines revenue 483,284
 446,962
 1,429,368
 1,334,846
Standard Personal Lines:        
Net premiums earned:        
Personal automobile 42,772
 38,612
 125,024
 113,225
Homeowners 32,293
 32,215
 96,717
 97,382
Other 2,092
 1,774
 5,349
 4,867
Miscellaneous income 310
 282
 959
 938
Total Standard Personal Lines revenue 77,467
 72,883
 228,049
 216,412
E&S Lines:        
Net premiums earned:        
Casualty lines 42,179
 40,090
 120,098
 117,056
Property lines 13,885
 14,114
 41,321
 41,151
Miscellaneous income 
 
 1
 
Total E&S Lines revenue 56,064
 54,204
 161,420
 158,207
Investments:  
  
  
  
Net investment income 52,443
 40,446
 141,227
 119,295
Net realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains (4,787) 6,798
 (16,988) 7,487
Total Investments revenue 47,656
 47,244
 124,239
 126,782
Total revenues $664,471
 621,293
 1,943,076
 1,836,247
Income Before and After Federal Income Tax Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Standard Commercial Lines:  
  
    
Underwriting gain, before federal income tax $26,333
 35,329
 74,153
 112,634
Underwriting gain, after federal income tax 20,803
 22,964
 58,581
 73,212
Combined ratio 94.5% 92.1
 94.8
 91.5
    

 

 

Standard Personal Lines:        
Underwriting gain, before federal income tax $3,158
 8,179
 6,457
 7,517
Underwriting gain, after federal income tax 2,495
 5,316
 5,101
 4,886
Combined ratio 95.9% 88.7
 97.2
 96.5
         
E&S Lines:        
Underwriting gain (loss), before federal income tax $3,506
 (11,063) (4,848) (8,174)
Underwriting gain (loss), after federal income tax 2,770
 (7,191) (3,830) (5,313)
Combined ratio 93.7% 120.4
 103.0
 105.2
         
Investments:  
  
    
Net investment income $52,443
 40,446
 141,227
 119,295
Net realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains (4,787) 6,798
 (16,988) 7,487
Total investment income, before federal income tax 47,656
 47,244
 124,239
 126,782
Tax on investment income 8,562
 13,236
 21,405
 34,572
      Total investment income, after federal income tax
$39,094

34,008
 102,834
 92,210


Income Before and After Federal Income Tax Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Standard Commercial Lines:  
  
    
Underwriting gain, before federal income tax $30,016
 26,333
 92,974
 74,153
Underwriting gain, after federal income tax 23,713
 20,803
 73,450
 58,581
Combined ratio 94.2 % 94.5
 93.9
 94.8
ROE contribution 4.5
 4.9
 5.0
 4.5
         
Standard Personal Lines:        
Underwriting (loss) gain, before federal income tax $(631) 3,158
 7,074
 6,457
Underwriting (loss) gain, after federal income tax (499) 2,495
 5,588
 5,101
Combined ratio 100.8 % 95.9
 96.9
 97.2
ROE contribution (0.1) 0.6
 0.4
 0.4
         
E&S Lines:        
Underwriting gain (loss), before federal income tax $1,916
 3,506
 9,439
 (4,848)
Underwriting gain (loss), after federal income tax 1,514
 2,770
 7,457
 (3,830)
Combined ratio 96.9 % 93.7
 94.7
 103.0
ROE contribution 0.3
 0.6
 0.5
 (0.3)
         
Investments:  
  
    
Net investment income $55,826
 52,443
 164,949
 141,227
Net realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains (2,183) (4,787) 15,295
 (16,988)
Total investment segment income, before federal income tax 53,643
 47,656
 180,244
 124,239
Tax on investment segment income 10,884
 8,562
 34,733
 21,405
      Total investment segment income, after federal income tax
$42,759

39,094
 145,511
 102,834
ROE contribution of after-tax net investment income 8.6
 10.0
 9.1
 9.0

Reconciliation of Segment Results to Income Before Federal Income Tax Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Underwriting gain (loss)                
Standard Commercial Lines $26,333
 35,329
 74,153
 112,634
 $30,016
 26,333
 92,974
 74,153
Standard Personal Lines 3,158
 8,179
 6,457
 7,517
 (631) 3,158
 7,074
 6,457
E&S Lines 3,506
 (11,063) (4,848) (8,174) 1,916
 3,506
 9,439
 (4,848)
Investment income 47,656
 47,244
 124,239
 126,782
 53,643
 47,656
 180,244
 124,239
Total all segments 80,653
 79,689
 200,001
 238,759
 84,944
 80,653
 289,731
 200,001
Interest expense (6,073) (6,085) (18,350) (18,272) (7,397) (6,073) (26,289) (18,350)
Corporate expenses (7,450) (6,289) (22,065) (26,669) (6,369) (7,450) (28,345) (22,065)
Income, before federal income tax $67,130
 67,315

159,586
 193,818
 $71,178
 67,130

235,097
 159,586



NOTE 10. Retirement Plans
SICA's primary pension plan is the Retirement Income Plan for Selective Insurance Company of America (the “Pension Plan”). SICA also sponsors the Supplemental Excess Retirement Plan (the “Excess Plan”) and a life insurance benefit plan. All plans are closed to new entrants and benefits ceased accruing under the Pension Plan and the Excess Plan after March 31, 2016. For more information concerning SICA's retirement plans, refer to Note 14. “Retirement Plans” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 20172018 Annual Report.


The following tables provide information regarding the Pension Plan:
  Pension Plan Pension Plan
  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net Periodic Pension Cost (Benefit):        
Interest cost $3,376
 3,095
 10,129
 9,285
Expected return on plan assets (5,278) (5,681) (15,835) (17,044)
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss 644
 494
 1,931
 1,481
Total net periodic pension cost (benefit)1
 $(1,258) (2,092) (3,775) (6,278)

  Pension Plan Pension Plan
  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:        
Interest cost $3,095
 3,111
 9,285
 9,332
Expected return on plan assets (5,681) (4,854) (17,044) (14,563)
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss 494
 481
 1,481
 1,444
Total net periodic benefit cost1
 $(2,092) (1,262) (6,278) (3,787)
1 The components of net periodic benefitpension cost (benefit) are included within "Loss and loss expense incurred" and "Other insurance expenses" on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

  Pension Plan
  Nine Months ended September 30,
  2019 2018
Weighted-Average Expense Assumptions:    
Discount rate 4.46% 3.78%
Effective interest rate for calculation of interest cost 4.12
 3.46
Expected return on plan assets 6.50
 6.36

  Pension Plan
  Nine Months ended September 30,
  2018 2017
Weighted-Average Expense Assumptions:    
Discount rate 3.78% 4.41%
Effective interest rate for calculation of interest cost 3.46
 3.83
Expected return on plan assets 6.36
 6.24



NOTE 11. Comprehensive Income
The components of comprehensive income, both gross and net of tax, for Third Quarter and Nine Months 2019 and Third Quarter and Nine Months 2018 and 2017 arewere as follows:
Third Quarter 2019      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $71,178
 15,028
 56,150
Components of OCI:  
  
  
Unrealized gains on investment securities:
  
  
  
Unrealized holding gains during the period 34,392
 7,224
 27,168
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (3) (1) (2)
Realized losses on disposals and OTTI of AFS securities 2,821
 592
 2,229
    Total unrealized gains on investment securities 37,210
 7,815
 29,395
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
  
  
Net actuarial loss 665
 140
 525
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 665
 140
 525
Other comprehensive income 37,875
 7,955
 29,920
Comprehensive income $109,053
 22,983
 86,070
       
       
Third Quarter 2018      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $67,130
 11,695
 55,435
Components of other comprehensive loss:  
  
  
Unrealized losses on investment securities:
  
  
  
Unrealized holding losses during the period (21,565) (4,529) (17,036)
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (8) (2) (6)
Realized losses on disposals and OTTI of AFS securities 10,839
 2,276
 8,563
    Total unrealized losses on investment securities (10,734) (2,255) (8,479)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
  
  
Net actuarial loss 532
 112
 420
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 532
 112
 420
Other comprehensive loss (10,202) (2,143) (8,059)
Comprehensive income $56,928
 9,552
 47,376

Third Quarter 2018      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $67,130
 11,695
 55,435
Components of other comprehensive loss:  
  
  
Unrealized losses on investment securities:
  
  
  
Unrealized holding losses during period (21,565) (4,529) (17,036)
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (8) (2) (6)
Realized losses on disposals of AFS securities 10,839
 2,276
 8,563
    Total unrealized losses on investment securities (10,734) (2,255) (8,479)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
  
  
Net actuarial loss 532
 112
 420
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 532
 112
 420
Other comprehensive loss (10,202) (2,143) (8,059)
Comprehensive income $56,928
 9,552
 47,376
       
       
Third Quarter 2017      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $67,315
 20,597
 46,718
Components of OCI:  
  
  
Unrealized gains on investment securities:
  
  
  
Unrealized holding gains during period 16,729
 5,855
 10,874
Non-credit portion of OTTI recognized in OCI 30
 11
 19
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (54) (19) (35)
Non-credit OTTI 38
 13
 25
Realized gains on disposals of AFS securities (6,760) (2,366) (4,394)
    Total unrealized gains on investment securities 9,983
 3,494
 6,489
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
  
  
Net actuarial loss 507
 178
 329
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 507
 178
 329
Other comprehensive income 10,490
 3,672
 6,818
Comprehensive income $77,805
 24,269
 53,536


Nine Months 2019      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $235,097
 45,333
 189,764
Components of OCI:  
    
Unrealized gains on investment securities:  
    
Unrealized holding gains during the period 220,864
 46,381
 174,483
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (33) (7) (26)
Realized losses on disposals and OTTI of AFS securities 444
 93
 351
    Total unrealized gains on investment securities 221,275
 46,467
 174,808
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
    
Net actuarial loss 1,993
 419
 1,574
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 1,993
 419
 1,574
Other comprehensive income 223,268
 46,886
 176,382
Comprehensive income $458,365
 92,219
 366,146
       
       
Nine Months 2018      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $159,586
 26,407
 133,179
Components of other comprehensive loss:  
    
Unrealized losses on investment securities:  
    
Unrealized holding losses during the period (130,873) (27,484) (103,389)
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (28) (6) (22)
Realized losses on disposals and OTTI of AFS securities 18,258
 3,834
 14,424
    Total unrealized losses on investment securities (112,643) (23,656) (88,987)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
    
Net actuarial loss 1,595
 335
 1,260
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 1,595
 335
 1,260
Other comprehensive loss (111,048) (23,321) (87,727)
Comprehensive income $48,538
 3,086
 45,452
       

Nine Months 2018      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $159,586
 26,407
 133,179
Components of other comprehensive loss:  
  
  
Unrealized losses on investment securities:
  
  
  
Unrealized holding losses during period (130,873) (27,484) (103,389)
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (28) (6) (22)
Realized losses on disposals of AFS securities 18,258
 3,834
 14,424
    Total unrealized losses on investment securities (112,643) (23,656) (88,987)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
    
Net actuarial loss 1,595
 335
 1,260
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 1,595
 335
 1,260
Other comprehensive loss (111,048) (23,321) (87,727)
Comprehensive income $48,538
 3,086
 45,452
       
       
Nine Months 2017      
($ in thousands) Gross Tax Net
Net income $193,818
 55,234
 138,584
Components of OCI:  
    
Unrealized gains on investment securities:
  
    
Unrealized holding gains during period 78,401
 27,440
 50,961
Non-credit portion of OTTI recognized in OCI 36
 13
 23
Amounts reclassified into net income:      
HTM securities (146) (51) (95)
Non-credit OTTI 38
 13
 25
Realized gains on disposals of AFS securities (7,135) (2,497) (4,638)
    Total unrealized gains on investment securities 71,194
 24,918
 46,276
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Amounts reclassified into net income:  
    
Net actuarial loss 1,522
 533
 989
    Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans 1,522
 533
 989
Other comprehensive income 72,716
 25,451
 47,265
Comprehensive income $266,534
 80,685
 185,849


The balances of, and changes in, each component of AOCI (net of taxes) as of September 30, 20182019 were as follows:
September 30, 2019   
Defined Benefit
Pension and Post-Retirement Plans
  
  Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities  Total AOCI
($ in thousands) 
OTTI
Related
 
HTM
Related
 
All
Other
 
Investments
Subtotal
  
Balance, December 31, 2018 $(71) 71
 1,888
 1,888
 (79,844) (77,956)
OCI before reclassifications 
 
 174,483
 174,483
 
 174,483
Amounts reclassified from AOCI 
 (26) 351
 325
 1,574
 1,899
Net current period OCI 
 (26) 174,834
 174,808
 1,574
 176,382
Balance, September 30, 2019 $(71) 45
 176,722
 176,696
 (78,270) 98,426

September 30, 2018   
Defined Benefit
Pension and Post-Retirement Plans
  
  Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities  Total AOCI
($ in thousands) 
OTTI
Related
 
HTM
Related
 
All
Other
 
Investments
Subtotal
  
Balance, December 31, 2017 $(59) (14) 80,648
 80,575
 (60,405) 20,170
Cumulative effect adjustments (12) (2) (12,792) (12,806) (12,213) (25,019)
Balance, December 31, 2017 as adjusted (71) (16) 67,856
 67,769
 (72,618) (4,849)
OCI before reclassifications 
 
 (103,389) (103,389) 
 (103,389)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI 
 (22) 14,424
 14,402
 1,260
 15,662
Net current period OCI 
 (22) (88,965) (88,987) 1,260
 (87,727)
Balance, September 30, 2018 $(71) (38) (21,109) (21,218) (71,358) (92,576)



The reclassifications out of AOCI were as follows:
 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
($ in thousands)2019 2018 2019 2018
HTM related        
Unrealized (gains) losses on HTM disposals$(3) 11
 (12) 5
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains
Amortization of net unrealized gains on HTM securities
 (19) (21) (33)Net investment income earned
 (3) (8) (33) (28)Income before federal income tax
 1
 2
 7
 6
Total federal income tax expense
 (2) (6) (26) (22)Net income
Realized losses on AFS and OTTI        
Realized losses on AFS disposals and OTTI2,821
 10,839
 444
 18,258
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains
 2,821
 10,839
 444
 18,258
Income before federal income tax
 (592) (2,276) (93) (3,834)Total federal income tax expense
 2,229
 8,563
 351
 14,424
Net income
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement life plans        
Net actuarial loss146
 112
 436
 337
Loss and loss expense incurred
 519
 420
 1,557
 1,258
Other insurance expenses
Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement life665
 532
 1,993
 1,595
Income before federal income tax
 (140) (112) (419) (335)Total federal income tax expense
 525
 420
 1,574
 1,260
Net income
         
Total reclassifications for the period$2,752
 8,977
 1,899
 15,662
Net income

 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
($ in thousands)2018 2017 2018 2017
OTTI related        
Non-credit OTTI on disposed securities$
 38
 
 38
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains
 
 38
 
 38
Income before federal income tax
 
 (13) 
 (13)Total federal income tax expense
 
 25
 
 25
Net income
HTM related        
Unrealized losses on HTM disposals$11
 11
 5
 41
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains
Amortization of net unrealized gains on HTM securities(19) (65) (33) (187)Net investment income earned
 (8) (54) (28) (146)Income before federal income tax
 2
 19
 6
 51
Total federal income tax expense
 (6) (35) (22) (95)Net income
Realized losses (gains) on AFS and OTTI        
Realized losses (gains) on AFS disposals and OTTI10,839
 (6,760) 18,258
 (7,135)Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains
 10,839
 (6,760) 18,258
 (7,135)Income before federal income tax
 (2,276) 2,366
 (3,834) 2,497
Total federal income tax expense
 8,563
 (4,394) 14,424
 (4,638)Net income
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement life plans        
Net actuarial loss112
 110
 337
 331
Loss and loss expense incurred
 420
 397
 1,258
 1,191
Other insurance expenses
Total defined benefit pension and post-retirement life532
 507
 1,595
 1,522
Income before federal income tax
 (112) (178) (335) (533)Total federal income tax expense
 420
 329
 1,260
 989
Net income
         
Total reclassifications for the period$8,977
 (4,075) 15,662
 (3,719)Net income


NOTE 12. Federal Income TaxesLeases
(a) On December 22, 2017, Tax ReformWe have various operating leases for office space, equipment, and fleet vehicles. In addition, we have various finance leases for computer hardware. Such lease agreements, which expire at various dates through 2030, are generally renewed or replaced by similar leases.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease on the commencement date of the contract. Lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The lease asset and liability are measured by the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. Our fleet vehicle leases include a residual value guarantee; however, it is not probable of being owed. Therefore, there is no impact to the lease liability or lease asset. To measure the present value, the discount rate available in the contract is used. If the discount rate is not readily determinable, our incremental borrowing rate is used. The lease asset is then adjusted to exclude lease incentives. We recognize variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense is calculated using the straight-line method.

Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, we recorded operating lease right-of-use assets of $20.7 million with related lease liabilities of $21.0 million. The differential of $0.3 million was signed into law, which among other implications, reduced our statutory corporate tax rate from 35%recognized, on an after-tax basis, as a cumulative-effect adjustment to 21% beginning with our 2018 tax year.the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2019. Financing lease right-of-use assets and the related lease liabilities were $0.9 million as of January 1, 2019. See Note 2. "Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements" in this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding ASU 2016-02 and accounting policy elections made.


We continue to provide provisional amounts for loss reserve discounting because the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has not yet issued guidance with regard to the discount rates to be used under Tax Reform. For additional information, refer to Note 13. "Federal Income Taxes"The components of lease expense in Item 8. "Financial StatementsThird Quarter and Supplementary Data." of our 2017 Annual Report.
We will continue to monitor IRS guidance to complete the analysis of loss reserve discounting.

(b) A reconciliation of federal income tax on income at the corporate rate to the effective tax rate isNine Months 2019 were as follows:
($ in thousands) 
Quarter ended
September 30, 2019
Nine Months ended
September 30, 2019
Operating lease cost, included in Other insurance expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income $2,234
6,631
Finance lease cost:   
Amortization of assets, included in Other insurance expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income 217
816
Interest on lease liabilities, included in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income 5
12
Total finance lease cost 222
828
    
Variable lease cost, included in Other insurance expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income (548)120
    
Short-term lease cost, included in Other insurance expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income 502
1,677


The following table provides supplemental information regarding our operating and finance leases.
  Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Statutory tax rate 21% 35
 21
 35
Tax at statutory rate $14,097
 23,560
 33,513
 67,836
Tax-advantaged interest (1,338) (2,915) (4,242) (8,479)
Dividends received deduction (107) (382) (443) (1,338)
Stock-based compensation (415) (86) (2,963) (3,409)
Other (542) 420
 542
 624
Federal income tax expense $11,695
 20,597
 26,407
 55,234
September 30, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term
Operating leases6years
Finance leases2
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases3.4%
Finance leases1
2.0
1Prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02, our historical capital lease liability and asset were measured using an un-discounted cash flow stream due to immateriality of the capital lease population.

Operating and finance lease asset and liability balances are included within the following line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
($ in thousands)September 30, 2019
Operating leases 
Other assets$28,348
Other liabilities29,218
Finance leases 
Property and equipment - at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization899
Long-term debt904


At September 30, 2019, the maturities of our lease liabilities were as follows:
($ in thousands) Finance LeasesOperating LeasesTotal
Year ended December 31,    
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019) $171
2,071
2,242
2020 451
8,164
8,615
2021 248
6,033
6,281
2022 54
4,443
4,497
2023 
3,232
3,232
Thereafter 
11,446
11,446
Total lease payments 924
35,389
36,313
Less: imputed interest 20
3,230
3,250
Less: leases that have not yet commenced 
2,941
2,941
Total lease liabilities $904
29,218
30,122










At December 31, 2018, the maturities of our lease liabilities for capital and operating leases were as follows:

($ in thousands) Capital LeasesOperating LeasesTotal
2019 $728
7,762
8,490
2020 141
7,355
7,496
2021 22
5,083
5,105
2022 
3,641
3,641
2023 
2,900
2,900
Thereafter 
9,698
9,698
Total minimum payment required $891
36,439
37,330


Refer to Note. 3 "Statements of Cash Flows" in this Form 10-Q for supplemental cash and non-cash transactions included in the measurement of operating and finance lease liabilities.

NOTE 13. Litigation
In the ordinary course of conducting business, we arecan be named as defendants in various legal proceedings.actions. Most of these proceedings are claims litigation involving our ten insurance subsidiaries ("Insurance Subsidiaries")Subsidiaries as either: (i) liability insurers defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against our customers; or (ii) insurers defending first-party coverage claims brought against them. We account for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. WeIn ordinary course claims litigation, we expect that any potential ultimate liability, in such ordinary course claims litigationafter consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense.flows.
 
From time to time, our Insurance Subsidiaries also are named as defendants in other legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. ThesePlaintiffs may style these actions include, among others,as putative class actions seekingand seek judicial certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example,allegations such as improper reimbursement of medical providers paid under workers compensation and personal and commercial automobile insurance policies.policies or improper reimbursement for automobile parts. Similarly, our Insurance Subsidiaries are alsocan be named from time-to-time in individual actions seeking extra-contractual damages, punitive damages, or penalties, some of which allegeoften alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. We believe that we have valid defenses to these cases. Weallegations and we account for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. In these other legal actions, we expect that any potential ultimate liability, in any such lawsuitafter consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses.condition. Nonetheless, givenlitigation outcomes are inherently unpredictable and, because the inherent unpredictability of litigation and the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions anare large or indeterminate, it is possible that any adverse outcome in certain mattersoutcomes could possibly have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.


As of September 30, 2018,2019, we do not believe the Company waswe are involved in any legal action that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.


NOTE 14. Subsequent Events
Hurricane Michael made landfall on October 10, 2018 in the Florida Panhandle as a powerful Category 4 hurricane and continued into Georgia and other southeastern states. While relatively early given the complexity of losses involved, we currently estimate our losses from this event to be approximately $10 million.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.


Forward-Looking Statements
As used herein, the "Company," "we," "us," or "our" refers to Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (the "Parent"), and its subsidiaries, except as expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we discuss and make statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, current expectations, and projections regarding our company’s future operations and performance. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” and “intends” and their negatives. We caution prospective investors that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Risks and uncertainties are inherent in our future performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” below in Part II. “Other Information.” These risk factors may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment and new risk factors emerge from time to time. We can neither predict such new risk factors nor can we assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this report. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur. We make forward-looking statements based on currently available information and assume no obligation to update these statements due to changes in underlying factors, new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Introduction
The Parent, through its ten insurance subsidiaries, collectively referred to as the "Insurance Subsidiaries," offers property and casualty insurance products in the standard and excess and surplus ("E&S") marketplaces. We classify our business into four reportable segments, which are as follows:


Standard Commercial Lines;
Standard Personal Lines;
E&S Lines; and
Investments.



For further details regarding these segments, refer to Note 9. "Segment Information" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q and Note 11. "Segment Information" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172018 ("20172018 Annual Report").


Our Standard Commercial and Standard Personal Lines products and services are written through nine of our Insurance Subsidiaries, some of which write flood business through the Write Your Own ("WYO") program of the National Flood Insurance Program ("NFIP"). Our E&S products and services are written through one subsidiary, Mesa Underwriters Specialty Insurance Company ("MUSIC").Company. This subsidiary provides us with a nationally-authorized non-admitted platform to offer insurance products and services to customers who have not obtained coverage in the standard marketplace.
The following is Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition, as well as known trends and uncertainties, that may have a material impact in future periods. Consequently, investors should read the MD&A in conjunction with Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements in our 20172018 Annual Report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Within this MD&A, all prior year amounts for non-catastrophe property losses, and the related ratios, have been adjusted to include the related loss expenses, which is consistent with the current year presentation.
In the MD&A, we will discuss and analyze the following:
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates;
Financial Highlights of Results for the third quarters ended September 30, 2018 (“Third Quarter 2018”) and September 30, 2017 (“Third Quarter 2017”) and the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 ("Nine Months 2018") and September 30, 2017 ("Nine Months 2017");
Financial Highlights of Results for the third quarters ended September 30, 2019 (“Third Quarter 2019”) and September 30, 2018 (“Third Quarter 2018”) and the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 (“Nine Months 2019”) and September 30, 2018 (“Nine Months 2018”);
Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment;
Federal Income Taxes;
Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources;
Ratings;
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; and
Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities, and Commitments.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include amounts based on our informed estimates and judgments for those transactions that are not yet complete. Such estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Those estimates and judgments that were most critical to the preparation of the consolidated financial statements involved the following: (i) reserves for loss and loss expense; (ii) pension and post-retirement benefit plan actuarial assumptions; (iii) investment valuation and other-than-temporary-impairments ("OTTI"); and (iv) reinsurance. These estimates and judgments require the use of assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and, therefore, are subject to change as facts and circumstances develop. If different estimates and judgments had been applied, materially different amounts might have been reported in the financial statements. For additional information regarding our critical accounting policies, refer to pages 3637 through 4446 of our 20172018 Annual Report.
 

Financial Highlights of Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019 and Third Quarter and Nine Months2017 20181
($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts) Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or Points
 Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or Points
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or Points
 Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or Points
 
2018 2017   2018 2017  2019 2018   2019 2018 
Revenues $664,471
 621,293
 7
% $1,943,076
 1,836,247
 6
% $710,425
 664,471
 7
% $2,117,591
 1,943,076
 9
%
After-tax net investment income 42,875
 29,590
 45
  116,254
 87,344
 33
  45,374
 42,875
 6
  134,319
 116,254
 16
 
After-tax underwriting income 26,068
 21,089
 24
 59,852
 72,785
 (18)  24,728
 26,068
 (5) 86,495
 59,852
 45
 
Net income before federal income tax 67,130
 67,315
 
 159,586
 193,818
 (18)  71,178
 67,130
 6
 235,097
 159,586
 47
 
Net income 55,435
 46,718
 19
 133,179
 138,584
 (4)  56,150
 55,435
 1
 189,764
 133,179
 42
 
Diluted net income per share 0.93
 0.79
 18
 2.23
 2.34
 (5)  0.93
 0.93
 
 3.16
 2.23
 42
 
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares 59,711
 59,323
 1
  59,626
 59,232
 1
  60,057
 59,711
 1
  59,960
 59,626
 1
 
Combined ratio 94.6% 94.3
 0.3
pts  95.8% 93.4
 2.4
pts  95.2% 94.6
 0.6
pts  94.3% 95.8
 (1.5)pts 
Invested assets per dollar of stockholders' equity $3.37
 3.36
 
% $3.37
 3.36
 
% $3.07
 3.37
 (9)% $3.07
 3.37
 (9)%
After-tax yield on investments 3.0% 2.1
 0.9
pts 2.7% 2.1
 0.6
pts 2.8% 3.0
 (0.2)pts 2.9% 2.7
 0.2
pts
Annualized return on average equity ("ROE") 12.9
 11.2
 1.7
 10.3
 11.4
 (1.1) 
Book value per share $35.98
 29.52
 22
% $35.98
 29.52
 22
%
Dividends declared per share to stockholders 0.20
 0.18
 11
 0.60
 0.54
 11
 
Annualized return on equity ("ROE") 10.7
 12.9
 (2.2)pts 12.9
 10.3
 2.6
pts
                            
Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") operating income2
 $59,216
 42,300
 40
% $146,599
 133,718
 10
% $58,765
 59,216
 (1)% $181,870
 146,599
 24
%
Diluted non-GAAP operating income per share2
 0.99
 0.72
 38
 2.46
 2.26
 9
  0.97
 0.99
 (2) 3.02
 2.46
 23
 
Annualized non-GAAP operating ROE2
 13.8% 10.1
 3.7
pts  11.3% 11.0
 0.3
pts  11.2% 13.8
 (2.6)pts  12.3% 11.3
 1.0
pts 
1 
Refer to the Glossary of Terms attached to our 20172018 Annual Report as Exhibit 99.1 for definitions of terms used in this Form 10-Q.
2 
Non-GAAP operating income is used as an important financial measure by us, analysts, and investors, because the realization of net investment gains and losses on sales of securities in any given period is largely discretionary as to timing. In addition, these net realized investment gains and losses, as well as OTTI that are charged to earnings, and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities, and the debt retirement costs could distort the analysis of trends.


Reconciliations of net income, net income per diluted share, and annualized ROE to non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating income per diluted share, and annualized non-GAAP operating ROE, respectively, are provided in the tables below:
Reconciliation of net income to non-GAAP operating income Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net income $55,435
 46,718
 133,179
 138,584
 $56,150
 55,435
 189,764
 133,179
        
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains), before tax 4,787
 (6,798) 16,988
 (7,487) 2,183
 4,787
 (15,295) 16,988
Tax on net realized and unrealized losses (gains) (1,006) 2,380
 (3,568) 2,621
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) 3,781
 (4,418) 13,420
 (4,866)
        
Debt retirement costs, before tax 
 
 4,175
 
Tax on reconciling items 432
 (1,006) 3,226
 (3,568)
Non-GAAP operating income $59,216
 42,300
 146,599
 133,718
 $58,765
 59,216
 181,870
 146,599
Reconciliation of net income per share to non-GAAP operating income per share Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Diluted net income per share $0.93
 0.79
 2.23
 2.34
         
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains), before tax 0.08
 (0.11) 0.28
 (0.13)
Tax on net realized and unrealized losses (gains) (0.02) 0.04
 (0.05) 0.05
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) 0.06
 (0.07) 0.23
 (0.08)
         
Diluted non-GAAP operating income per share $0.99
 0.72
 2.46
 2.26
Reconciliation of net income per diluted share to non-GAAP operating income per diluted share Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Net income per diluted share

 $0.93
 0.93
 3.16
 2.23
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains), before tax 0.04
 0.08
 (0.26) 0.28
Debt retirement costs, before tax

 
 
 0.07
 
Tax on reconciling items

 
 (0.02) 0.05
 (0.05)
Non-GAAP operating income per diluted share

 $0.97
 0.99
 3.02
 2.46
Reconciliation of annualized ROE to annualized non-GAAP operating ROE Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Annualized ROE 12.9 % 11.2
 10.3
 11.4
 10.7% 12.9
 12.9
 10.3
        
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains), before tax 1.1
 (1.6) 1.3
 (0.6) 0.4
 1.1
 (1.0) 1.3
Tax on net realized and unrealized losses (gains) (0.2) 0.5
 (0.3) 0.2
Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) 0.9
 (1.1) 1.0
 (0.4)
        
Debt retirement costs, before tax
 
 
 0.3
 
Tax on reconciling items 0.1
 (0.2) 0.1
 (0.3)
Annualized non-GAAP operating ROE 13.8 % 10.1
 11.3
 11.0
 11.2% 13.8
 12.3
 11.3



The components of our annualized ROE are as follows:
Annualized ROE Components Quarter ended September 30, Change Points Nine Months ended September 30, Change Points Quarter ended September 30, Change Points Nine Months ended September 30, Change Points
 2018 2017 2018 2017  2019 2018 2019 2018 
Standard Commercial Lines Segment 4.9 % 5.4
 (0.5) 4.5
 6.0
 (1.5) 4.5 % 4.9
 (0.4) 5.0
 4.5
 0.5
Standard Personal Lines Segment 0.6
 1.3
 (0.7) 0.4
 0.4
 
 (0.1) 0.6
 (0.7) 0.4
 0.4
 
E&S Lines Segment 0.6
 (1.7) 2.3
 (0.3) (0.4) 0.1
 0.3
 0.6
 (0.3) 0.5
 (0.3) 0.8
Total Insurance operations 6.1
 5.0
 1.1
 4.6
 6.0
 (1.4)
Total insurance operations 4.7
 6.1
 (1.4) 5.9
 4.6
 1.3
                        
Investment income 10.0
 7.1
 2.9
 9.0
 7.2
 1.8
 8.6
 10.0
 (1.4) 9.1
 9.0
 0.1
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains (0.9) 1.1
 (2.0) (1.0) 0.4
 (1.4) (0.5) (0.9) 0.4
 0.8
 (1.0) 1.8
Total Investments segment 9.1
 8.2
 0.9
 8.0
 7.6
 0.4
Total investments segment 8.1
 9.1
 (1.0) 9.9
 8.0
 1.9
                        
Other (2.3) (2.0) (0.3) (2.3) (2.2) (0.1) (2.1) (2.3) 0.2
 (2.9) (2.3) (0.6)
                        
Annualized ROE 12.9 % 11.2
 1.7
 10.3
 11.4
 (1.1) 10.7 % 12.9
 (2.2) 12.9
 10.3
 2.6
                
In Third Quarter 2019, we generated net income per diluted share of $0.93, in line with the same quarter a year ago. Non-GAAP operating income per diluted share was $0.97, compared to $0.99 a year ago. The Third Quarter 2019 results were impacted by: (i) higher than expected levels of non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses of $5 million, after-tax, or $0.09 per diluted share; and (ii) $3 million of after-tax employee severance-related expenses, split between underwriting and corporate expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income, that accounted for $0.05 per diluted share. On a year-to-date basis, non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses were generally in line with expected levels.
We generated 18% growth in book value per share through Nine Months 2019. The strong growth in book value per share was driven by net income and appreciation in the value of our fixed income securities portfolio, which experienced net unrealized after-tax gains of approximately $29 million during Third Quarter 2019 and $175 million during Nine Months 2019. This growth was partially offset by dividends paid to shareholders.

In addition to strong growth in book value per share, the financial results this year continue to build on our five-year track record of consistently generating double-digit non-GAAP operating ROEs on an annual basis. Our annualized non-GAAP operating ROE of 12.3% in Nine Months 2019 was 30 basis points above our 2019 target of 12% and 100 basis points higher than the annualized non-GAAP operating ROE in Nine Months 2018.

Despite exceeding our target, our annualized non-GAAP operating ROE was negatively impacted by net unrealized after-tax gains of $175 million on our fixed income securities portfolio, which decreased our annualized non-GAAP operating ROE by 60 basis points. We currently expect interest rates to remain low, which will likely put pressure on our ROE and non-GAAP operating ROE in 2020.
Insurance Operations
Our insurance operations' ROE improved by 1.1 points for the quarter, primarily reflecting the lower corporate tax rate provided under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”). Our pre-tax profitability in our overall insurance operations remained consistent with last year, with a combined ratio of 94.6%segments delivered profitable results in Third Quarter 2018and Nine Months 2019, contributing to a combined annualized ROE in the quarter of 4.7% and in the year-to-date period of 5.9%. The Third Quarter 2019 annualized ROE decreased 1.4 points compared to 94.3% in Third Quarter 2017. Despite the benefits from Tax Reform, the insurance operations' non-GAAP operating ROE declined 1.4 points for Nine Months 2018, compared to Nine Months 2017, reflecting an increase in our combined ratio of 0.6 points. The increase was principally driven by higher non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses and a higher expense ratio. The higher expense ratio of 1.6 points reflected the following: (i) a 0.5-point increase in employee-related expenses, including 0.3 points for employee severance-related expenses noted above; and (ii) a 0.6-point increase in profit-based compensation to 95.8%our distribution partners and employees.

The annualized ROE in Nine Months 2018,2019 increased 1.3 points compared to 93.4% in Nine Months 2017,2018, because of the improvement in the combined ratio of 1.5 points. The combined ratio improvement was principally driven by a higher levelby: (i) lower levels of non-catastrophe property lossesloss and a lower levelloss expenses; and (ii) higher levels of favorable prior year casualty reserve development. These improvements were partially offset by the increase in the expense ratio of 0.6 points, which reflected a 0.4-point increase in profit-based compensation to our distribution partners and employees.


The following table provides quantitative information for analyzing the combined ratio:
All Lines Quarter ended September 30, Change % or Points Nine Months ended September 30, Change % or Points  Quarter ended September 30, Change % or Points Nine Months ended September 30, Change % or Points 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017   2018 2017  2019 2018   2019 2018 
Insurance Operations Results:Insurance Operations Results:            Insurance Operations Results:            
Net premiums written ("NPW") $651,668
 604,277
 8
% $1,931,476
 1,816,795
 6
% $676,928
 651,668
 4
% $2,051,272
 1,931,476
 6
%
Net premiums earned (“NPE”) 614,277
 572,055
 7
  1,810,941
 1,700,939
 6
  653,620
 614,277
 6
  1,928,812
 1,810,941
 7
 
Less:    
              
          
Loss and loss expense incurred 379,199
 344,587
 10
  1,130,468
 1,003,618
 13
  398,675
 379,199
 5
  1,166,238
 1,130,468
 3
 
Net underwriting expenses incurred 199,791
 193,975
 3
 598,437
 582,469
 3
  222,599
 199,791
 11
 648,693
 598,437
 8
 
Dividends to policyholders 2,290
 1,048
 119
  6,274
 2,875
 118
  1,045
 2,290
 (54)  4,394
 6,274
 (30) 
Underwriting income $32,997
 32,445
 2
% $75,762
 111,977
 (32)% $31,301
 32,997
 (5)% $109,487
 75,762
 45
%
Combined Ratios:    
              
          
Loss and loss expense ratio 61.7
%60.2
 1.5
pts  62.5
%59.0
 3.5
pts  60.9
%61.7
 (0.8)pts  60.5
%62.5
 (2.0)pts 
Underwriting expense ratio 32.5
 33.9
 (1.4) 33.0
 34.2
 (1.2)  34.1
 32.5
 1.6
 33.6
 33.0
 0.6
 
Dividends to policyholders ratio 0.4
 0.2
 0.2
  0.3
 0.2
 0.1
  0.2
 0.4
 (0.2)  0.2
 0.3
 (0.1) 
Combined ratio 94.6
 94.3
 0.3
  95.8
 93.4
 2.4
  95.2
 94.6
 0.6
  94.3
 95.8
 (1.5) 


Our Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019 results continue to reflect our efforts to: (i) achieve meaningful overall renewal rate levelpure price increases at levels that we believe exceedare in line with expected loss cost inflation;trend; (ii) generate new business; and (iii) improve the underlying profitability of our business through various underwriting and claims initiatives. OurWe continue to execute on our strategy for disciplined NPW growth, of 8% forwith 4% growth in Third Quarter 20182019 and 6% forgrowth in Nine Months 2018,2019 compared to the same prior year periods,periods. This growth was primarily due to renewal pure price increases and new business growth in our Standard Commercial Lines. Our growth was aided by the net appointment of 7657 retail agents, in Nine Months 2018 and 109 retail agents in 2017, excluding agency consolidations. Included in these net appointments were 38 agents appointed in our new states of Arizona, New Hampshire, and Colorado.



Loss and Loss Expenses
The decreases in the loss and loss expense ratio increased 1.5 points in Third Quarter 2018 and 3.5 points in Nine Months 2018 compared to the same prior yearduring both periods presented above were driven by the following:
Third Quarter 2018 Third Quarter 2017  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Catastrophe losses1
$28.1
4.6
pts $23.7
4.1
pts0.5
pts
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development(12.0)(2.0) (9.9)(1.7) (0.3) 
Non-catastrophe property losses89.8
14.6
 71.8
12.6
 2.0
 
Total105.9
17.2
 85.6
15.0
 2.2
 
1Included in these catastrophe losses were $15.0 million, or 2.4 combined ratio points, in Third Quarter 2018 related to Hurricane Florence and $14.4 million, or 2.5 combined ratio points, in Third Quarter 2017 related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
        
Nine Months 2018 Nine Months 2017  Third Quarter 2019 Third Quarter 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Catastrophe losses$72.9
4.0
pts $65.3
3.8
pts0.2
pts$24.2
3.7
pts $28.1
4.6
pts(0.9)pts
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development(24.0)(1.3) (38.6)(2.3) 1.0
 (14.0)(2.1) (12.0)(2.0) (0.1) 
Non-catastrophe property losses278.5
15.4
 216.5
12.7
 2.7
 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses108.8
16.7
 100.8
16.4
 0.3
 
Total327.4
18.1
 243.2
14.2
 3.9
 119.0
18.3
 116.9
19.0
 (0.7) 
        
Nine Months 2019 Nine Months 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Catastrophe losses$74.5
3.9
pts $72.9
4.0
pts(0.1)pts
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development(41.0)(2.1) (24.0)(1.3) (0.8) 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses309.6
16.1
 310.9
17.2
 (1.1) 
Total343.1
17.9
 359.8
19.9
 (2.0) 

Details of the prior year casualty reserve development were as follows:
(Favorable)/Unfavorable Prior Year Casualty Reserve DevelopmentQuarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, 
($ in millions)2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018 
General liability$(8.0) (10.9) (8.0) (48.3)$(3.0) (8.0) (10.0) (8.0) 
Commercial automobile10.0
 5.0
 25.0
 26.0

 10.0
 
 25.0
 
Workers compensation(20.0) (14.0) (53.0) (29.3)(13.0) (20.0) (33.0) (53.0) 
Bonds
 
 
 (2.0)
Total Standard Commercial Lines(18.0) (19.9) (36.0) (53.6)(16.0) (18.0) (43.0) (36.0) 
               
Homeowners
 
 
 1.0

 
 
 
 
Personal automobile
 
 
 4.0
2.0
 
 2.0
 
 
Total Standard Personal Lines
 
 
 5.0
2.0
 
 2.0
 
 
               
E&S6.0
 10.0
 12.0
 10.0

 6.0
 
 12.0
 
               
Total (favorable) prior year casualty reserve development$(12.0) (9.9) (24.0) (38.6)$(14.0) (12.0) (41.0) (24.0) 
               
(Favorable) impact on loss ratio(2.0)pts(1.7) (1.3) (2.3)(2.1)pts(2.0) (2.1) (1.3) 

As illustrated in the table above, we have seen the most significant favorable prior year casualty reserve development in our workers compensation and general liability lines of business and the most significant unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development in our commercial automobile and E&S lines of business. The following provides some qualitative discussion around the actions we have taken regarding these lines of business:

Workers Compensation
We continue to execute on various claims process enhancements and underwriting initiatives to improve our mix of business based on expected profitability. Our workers compensation book of business, which represents approximately 16% of our Standard Commercial Lines business, continues to benefit from: (i) claims initiatives, such as reducing workers compensation medical costs through more favorable Preferred Provider Organization ("PPO") contracts and greater PPO penetration; (ii) better outcomes driven by our workers compensation strategic case unit; and (iii) an improved mix of business in this line that shifts towards lower hazard and smaller accounts from higher hazard and larger accounts. In addition, this line has benefited in recent years from lower than anticipated medical inflation. For a full discussion of the claims initiatives we have deployed, refer to the “Reserves for Loss and Loss Expense” section within Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” of our 2017 Annual Report.

Commercial Automobile
Our commercial automobile line of business has been unprofitable in recent years and remains a significant area of focus for both the industry and us, as we continue to drive various initiatives to improve profitability in this line of business. For Third Quarter and Nine Months 2018, we recorded unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development of $10 million and $25 million, respectively, on this line, mainly for accident years 2016 and 2017. The industry-wide statutory combined ratio for 2018 is expected to average approximately 114%, and our combined ratio was 118.2% for Third Quarter 2018 and 112.8% for Nine Months 2018. We achieved renewal pure price increases on this line of 7.5% in Third Quarter 2018 and 7.4% in Nine Months 2018. We expect on-going industry-wide profitability issues to drive new and renewal pricing higher for this line of business. We have also been managing our commercial automobile in-force book of business in targeted industry segments, and reducing our relative exposure in higher hazard classes to improve the underlying profitability of this business.

General Liability
Our general liability line continues to be a profitable book of business for us. This business includes a diverse set of exposures, and therefore can be influenced by a variety of factors. In recent years, we have been favorably impacted by decreasing frequencies and relatively benign severity trends within this line, although this favorable development has moderated in Nine Months 2018, with the $8 million of development being reflective of favorable development on loss adjustment expenses.

E&S
Our E&S segment continues to perform below our target level and remains an area of focus for us as we continue to experience unfavorable development on prior accident years. We have been taking steps to address profitability in this segment through targeted price increases, shifts in business mix, and improved underwriting standards. We believe our current in-force book of business is priced adequately and is positioned well for future profitability.


For additional qualitative discussions regarding reserve development, please refer to the insurance segment sections below in "Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment."


Underwriting ExpensesInvestments Segment
The underwriting expense ratio decreased 1.4 pointsNet investment income, after tax, grew 6% in Third Quarter 20182019 and 1.2 points16% in Nine Months 2018 compared to the respective prior year periods due to the following:

A 0.5-point and 0.6-point decrease in employee-related expenses in Third Quarter 2018 and Nine Months 2018, respectively, reflecting reductions in both periods of 0.2 points for profit-based compensation to employees, driven by the higher combined ratio resulting in a reduced level of underwriting income for both periods, and 0.2-points for pension and medical benefit costs.

A 0.4-point and 0.3-point decrease in supplemental commissions to our distribution partners in Third Quarter 2018 and Nine Months 2018, respectively, compared to Third Quarter 2017 and Nine Months 2017, driven by the higher combined ratio resulting in a reduced level of underwriting income for both periods.

Investments Segment
In total, our Investments segment contributed 9.1 points to our overall annualized ROE in Third Quarter 2018, compared to 8.2 points in Third Quarter 2017, and 8.0 points in Nine Months 2018, compared to 7.6 points in Nine Months 2017. Excluding the impact of net realized and unrealized losses, the Investment segment's contribution to non-GAAP operating ROE improved by 2.9 points in the quarter and 1.8 points in the year-to-date period compared to the respective prior year periods.

The investment income improvement included 1.4 points of benefit from Tax Reform in Third Quarter 2018 and 1.2 points in Nine Months 2018. The remaining improvement in both periods reflected pre-tax net investment income growth of 30% in Third Quarter 2018 and 18% in Nine Months 20182019, compared to the same prior year periods, principally driven by: (i) cash flows from operations that were 22% of NPW in the quarter and 15% of NPW in the year-to-date period; (ii) $106 million in net proceeds from our 5.375% Senior Notes issuance earlier in 2019; and (iii) alternative investment income that, for Nine Months 2019, was $2.4 million higher than the comparable prior year period. Net investment income, after tax, contributed 8.6 points to ROE in Third Quarter 2019 and 9.1 points in Nine Months 2019, compared to 10.0 points in Third Quarter 2018 and 9.0 points in Nine Months 2018.

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses reduced ROE by 0.5 points in Third Quarter 2019, compared to a reduction of 0.9 points in Third Quarter 2018. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses increased ROE by 0.8 points in Nine Months 2019, compared to a reduction of 1.0 point in Nine Months 2018. The improvement in both periods was primarily driven by higher yieldsa reduction in realized losses on our fixed income securities portfolio, duringwhich was driven by less opportunistic sales. During Third Quarter 2019, we sold a significant portion of our public equity securities and generated $21.6 million of realized gains on the yearsale, which was principally offset by a $21.4 million reversal of previously-recorded unrealized gains on these securities.

Other
Our interest and improved returns oncorporate expenses, which are primarily comprised of stock compensation expense at the holding company
level, reduced ROE by 2.1 points and 2.9 points in Third Quarter and Nine Months 2019, respectively, compared to 2.3 points in both Third Quarter and Nine Months 2018. The quarter-to-date variance was driven primarily by a 0.6-point decrease in stock compensation expense related to our alternative investment portfolio inliability-based awards, as the quarter. Yields on our fixed income portfolio improved due to active investment management and security selection, coupled with the year-to-datestock price increase in Third Quarter 2019 was less than the 90-day LIBORincrease in Third Quarter 2018, partially offset by a 0.3-point increase in stock compensation expense associated with employee severance-related expenses.

In addition, on March 1, 2019, Selective issued 5.375% Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately 70$300 million, the proceeds of which were used, in part, to redeem our 5.875% Senior Notes with an aggregate principal balance of $185 million that became callable last year. As a result of this redemption, we incurred after-tax debt retirement costs of $3.3 million, which reduced our ROE by 0.2 points as 17% of our fixed income portfolio is invested in floating rate securities that reset based principally on this rate.Nine Months 2019. These costs have been excluded from non-GAAP operating income.


Outlook
DespiteWe ended 2018 with record levels of capital and liquidity and our strong Nine Months 2019 results have continued to improve our financial performanceposition. In the first quarter of 2019, we executed our first institutional public debt offering with the issuance of $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes.

For 2019, we have established a non-GAAP operating ROE target of 12%, which is an appropriate return for our shareholders based on our current estimated weighted average cost of capital, the current interest rate environment, and property and casualty insurance market conditions, and have exceeded our target with 12.3% annualized non-GAAP operating ROE through Nine Months 2019.

As we head into the closing months of 2019, our focus will be on the following areas:

Achieving written renewal pure price increases that are in 2017line with expected loss trend. We achieved renewal pure price increases on our overall insurance operations of 3.6% in Nine Months 2019.

Delivering on our strategy for continued disciplined growth, which will be driven by the addition of new agents,
greater "share of wallet" in our existing agents’ offices, and expectations for 2018,geographic expansion. Our longer-term Standard Commercial Lines target is to attain a 3% market share in the states in which we operate, by appointing distribution partner relationships approximating 25% of their markets and seeking an average "share of wallet" of 12% across the relationships. This goal represents an additional premium opportunity in excess of $2.7 billion in our 27 state footprint. In Nine Months 2019, we achieved NPW growth of 6%. Our current agency market share stands at over 20%, and our average "share of wallet" is approximately 8% in our legacy states.

Continuing to enhance the customer experience strategy that we have been highlighting over the past few years, including value-added technologies and services such as: (i) our “Selective® Drive” program, which was first introduced to certain commercial automobile policyholders through our distribution partners in the fourth quarter of 2018; (ii) proactive communications in relation to product recalls, possible loss activity, policy changes, and risk management activities; (iii) Security Mentor, a product provided to our customers to better understand and manage cybersecurity risks; (iv) technology usage to reduce claim cycle time, such as SWIFTClaim® fast tracking; and (v) digital self-service capabilities for our customers.

Improving profitability in our lines of business by: (i) generating overall renewal pure price increases that are in line with expected loss trend; (ii) actively managing new and renewal books of business in targeted industry segments, which we expect will have a positive impact on profitability through business mix; (iii) deploying sophisticated claims tools, including enhanced modeling and segmentation strategies, which we expect will improve loss experience; and (iv) within our E&S segment, exiting some underperforming classes, while entering into new distribution relationships.

Actively managing the investment portfolio to enhance after-tax yields while managing credit, duration, and liquidity
risk. There was a significant decline in interest rates in Nine Months 2019, which demonstrates the need to maintain a strong focus on underwriting discipline to generate adequate returns on invested capital.

Our agile approach to driving underwriting, pricing and claims improvements is best demonstrated by our combined ratio that has averaged 94.0% since 2014, well ahead of the U.S. property and casualty insurance industry continues to be characterized by an abundance of capital, intense competition, and low overall premium growth. According to A.M. Best Company's ("A.M. Best") "US Property/Casualty: 2018 Review & Preview," for 2018, rate increases are expected to remain in the low single digits for most lines of business. A.M. Best is estimating an overall statutoryaverage combined ratio for the industry for 2018 of 100.0%, and an estimated after-tax return on surplus of 5.8%. Industry results through six-months 2018, as reported by A.M. Best in an August 2018 report, reflected an industry combined ratio of 96.4%, including 4.2-points of catastrophe losses. In their Review & Preview, A.M. Best also estimated that property and casualty insurance industry loss and loss expense reserve adequacy peaked several years ago, and has been declining since that time. In addition, changes in economic conditions, including changes in U.S. trade policies and the imposition of tariffs on imports, may lead to higher inflation and increased loss costs above expected trends, which would negatively impact our profitability and the property and casualty insurance industry profitability as a whole. Unanticipated inflation would impact both claim payments madeaveraged 99.6% during the current year, assame period. Our strong technical and underwriting capabilities, underwriting leverage of 1.4x, and proven track record of effectively managing renewal pricing and retention, position us well as estimatesfor continued success in this low interest rate environment. As we look to the remainder of loss2019, we remain pleased with our financial and loss expense reserves for claims to be paid instrategic position. Our steadfast focus on underwriting discipline, combined with the future. For a further discussion, please refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our 2017 Annual Report, under the subsection entitled, "Risks Related to Our Insurance Operations."

Our long-term growth plans include: (i) building our "ivy league" distribution partnerships to be representative of at least 25% of the available market share in each of our Standard Commercial Lines states; (ii) increasing our share of the business within these distribution partners, which we refer to as our "share of wallet," to 12%, which translates into a 3% market share in each state in which we write Standard Commercial Lines business; and (iii) geographic expansion. To date, we write Standard Commercial Lines business in 27 states and the District of Columbia, which, at a 3% market share, would create a corporate Standard Commercial Lines profile of approximately $5 billion of NPW.

Effective July 1, 2017, we opened Arizona and New Hampshire for Standard Commercial Lines business. Effective January 1, 2018, we started writing Standard Commercial Lines business in Colorado, and on October 1, 2018, we began writing Standard Commercial Lines business in New Mexico and Utah. We have appointed an aggregate of 52 agents in these states, with appointments controlling approximately 10-20% of these states' available Standard Commercial Lines premium. We expect to open Arizona and Utah for Standard Personal Lines business in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Investing in the development and implementation of leading technologies to enhance our underwriting is integral to our overall strategy. The ability to segment our business and present specific account-level pricing guidance to our underwriters based on expected future profitability has positioned us to achieve strong renewal pure price without negatively impacting retention. We deployed our newest underwriting tool that provides real-time insights into how each prospective new business account compares with similar accounts already in our portfolio. We believe this tool positions us better to profitably grow the business regardless of overall market dynamics.

As an organization,investments we are making significant investments focused on enhancing thetoday in our franchise distribution model, sophisticated underwriting tools and technology, and overall customer experience in an omni-channel environment, including efforts to obtain: (i) stronger customer engagement through multiple communication touch points, such as mobile notificationswill position us for continued long-term success.

For 2019, Conning, Inc.'s ("Conning") third quarter 2019 "Property-Casualty Forecast & Analysis" forecasts a property and billing alerts; (ii) a 360-degree viewcasualty insurance industry statutory combined ratio of our customers to provide a more integrated service experience; (iii) increased capabilities to allow customers to interact with us in a 24x7 environment in a manner of their choosing; and (iv) deeper insight into metrics regarding customer satisfaction. To that end, we have recently deployed a new customer experience desktop to our contact center employees, and are working closely with our distribution partners and their primary agency management system vendors to ensure we present our customers96.7%, with a seamless experience.return on equity of 8.5%. This suggests an operating return on equity of approximately 7.5%, after excluding Conning's forecasted after-tax realized gains. We recognize thatfeel positive about the overall environment, and believe our customers' expectations on how they engage with us and our agents are rapidly evolving, and we continue to strive towards providing "best-in-class" customer service in a 24-hour, 365-day environment. Our goals in this area are centered around leveraging technology to improve customer retention rates, which should, over time, enhancemajor initiatives highlighted above set the quality of our business.stage for continued financial outperformance.

Our investment portfolio generated pre-tax net investment income of $141.2 million in Nine Months 2018, which was an 18% increase over the same period in 2017. We have generated strong investment returns, while maintaining a similar level of credit quality and duration risk on the portfolio, as a result of: (i) active investment management and security selection, principally in our core fixed income portfolio; and (ii) the 70-point increase in 90-day LIBOR in 2018, as 17% of our fixed income portfolio is invested in floating rate securities that reset based principally on this rate. Additionally, risk assets, which principally include high-yield fixed income securities, equities, and our alternative investments portfolio, were 7.3% of our overall portfolio as of September 30, 2018, which was slightly down from year-end 2017. During 2018, we have been actively managing our risk asset portfolio and trimmed our exposure to public equities and high-yield fixed income securities as a result of market conditions during the year. Overall, we have been gradually diversifying our portfolio, and will work towards modestly increasing our risk asset allocation over time, up to approximately 10% of our invested assets, depending on market conditions.


After three quarters of results, we are increasing our full-year 2018 after-tax net investment income guidance by $6 million, to $156 million, as well as increasing catastrophe losses by 0.5 points, to 4.0 points. All other assumptions remain the same. Our full-year expectations are as follows:

A GAAP combined ratio, excluding catastrophe losses, of 92.0%, which is unchanged from prior guidance.91.0%. This assumes no fourth quarter 2018 prior yearprior-year casualty reserve development;

Catastrophe losses of 4.0 points reflecting two hurricanes;3.5 points;

After-tax net investment income of $156 million;$180 million, which includes $14 million after-tax net investment income from our alternative investments;


An overall effective tax rate of approximately 18%19%, which includes an effective tax rate of 17%18.5% for net investment income, reflecting a tax rate of 5.25% for tax-advantaged municipal bonds and a tax rate of 21% for all other investments;items; and

Weighted average shares of 59.6 million.60 million on a diluted basis.


Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment


Standard Commercial Lines Segment
 Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017   2018 2017  2019 2018   2019 2018 
Insurance Segments Results:  
  
  
          
  
  
        
NPW $502,312
 472,051
 6
% $1,526,318
 1,434,516
 6
% $532,921
 502,312
 6
% $1,636,983
 1,526,318
 7
%
NPE 481,056
 445,250
 8
  1,422,432
 1,327,258
 7
  515,161
 481,056
 7
  1,518,994
 1,422,432
 7
 
Less:     
  
              
  
         
Loss and loss expense incurred 291,110
 254,870
 14
  858,550
 749,310
 15
  304,038
 291,110
 4
  895,999
 858,550
 4
 
Net underwriting expenses incurred 161,323
 154,003
 5
  483,455
 462,439
 5
  180,062
 161,323
 12
  525,627
 483,455
 9
 
Dividends to policyholders 2,290
 1,048
 119
  6,274
 2,875
 118
  1,045
 2,290
 (54)  4,394
 6,274
 (30) 
Underwriting income $26,333
 35,329
 (25)% $74,153
 112,634
 (34)% $30,016
 26,333
 14
% $92,974
 74,153
 25
%
Combined Ratios:  
  
  
          
  
  
        
Loss and loss expense ratio 60.5
%57.3
 3.2
pts 60.4
%56.5
 3.9
pts 59.0
%60.5
 (1.5)pts 59.0
%60.4
 (1.4)pts
Underwriting expense ratio 33.5
 34.6
 (1.1)  34.0
 34.8
 (0.8)  35.0
 33.5
 1.5
  34.6
 34.0
 0.6
 
Dividends to policyholders ratio 0.5
 0.2
 0.3
  0.4
 0.2
 0.2
  0.2
 0.5
 (0.3)  0.3
 0.4
 (0.1) 
Combined ratio 94.5
 92.1
 2.4
  94.8
 91.5
 3.3
  94.2
 94.5
 (0.3)  93.9
 94.8
 (0.9) 


The increases in NPW in this segment of our business increased 6% in both the current quarter and year-to-date periods reflected in the table above were driven byby: (i) direct new business; and (ii) renewal pure price increases and strong retention. However, we are experiencing heightened competition in this segment, particularly related to new business, which decreased 7% in Third Quarter 2018 compared to Third Quarter 2017, as illustrated in the table below.increases.
 Quarter ended September 30, Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
  Quarter ended September 30, Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
 
($ in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Direct new business $96.5
 90.4
 7
% 316.2
 289.5
9
%
Renewal pure price increases 3.5
 3.7
 (0.2) 3.3
 3.5
(0.2) 
Retention 84
%85
 (1)pts 83% 84
(1)pts 84
%84
 
pts 83% 83

pts
Renewal pure price increases 3.7
 2.7
 1.0
 3.5
 2.9
0.6
 
Direct new business $90.4
 96.9
 (7)% $289.5
 284.4
2
%


The loss and loss expense ratio increased 3.2decreased 1.5 points in Third Quarter 20182019 compared to Third Quarter 2017,2018, and 3.9decreased 1.4 points in Nine Months 20182019 compared to Nine Months 2017. These increases2018, and were driven by the following:
Third Quarter 2018 Third Quarter 2017 Third Quarter 2019 Third Quarter 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Catastrophe losses$22.1
4.6
pts $14.3
3.2
pts1.4pts$14.8
2.9
pts $22.1
4.6
pts(1.7)pts
Non-catastrophe property losses60.1
12.5
 49.1
11.0
 1.5 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses76.7
14.9
 67.1
13.9
 1.0
 
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development(18.0)(3.7) (19.9)(4.5) 0.8 (16.0)(3.1) (18.0)(3.7) 0.6
 
Total64.2
13.4
 43.5
9.7
 3.7 75.5
14.7
 71.2
14.8
 (0.1) 
              
      Nine Months 2019 Nine Months 2018  
Nine Months 2018 Nine Months 2017 
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
  Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Catastrophe losses$52.0
3.7
pts $38.1
2.9
pts0.8pts$52.1
3.4
pts $52.0
3.7
pts(0.3)pts
Non-catastrophe property losses187.9
13.2
 147.0
11.1
 2.1 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses213.8
14.1
 208.3
14.6
 (0.5) 
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development(36.0)(2.5) (53.6)(4.0) 1.5 (43.0)(2.8) (36.0)(2.5) (0.3) 
Total203.9
14.4
 131.5
10.0
 4.4 222.9
14.7
 224.3
15.8
 (1.1) 

In addition to the items described above, during the quarter there was a 1.1-point improvement in current year loss costs. This improvement reflects the impact of elevated frequencies we experienced during Third Quarter 2018 related to the then current accident year.

For additional information regarding the favorable prior year casualty reserve development by line of business, see the "Financial Highlights of Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019 and Third Quarter and Nine Months 2017"2018" section above and the line of business discussions below.


There was a 1.1-point decrease1.5-point increase in the underwriting expense ratio in Third Quarter 20182019 compared to Third Quarter 2017,2018, and a 0.8-point decrease0.6-point increase in the underwriting expense ratio in Nine Months 20182019 compared to Nine Months 2017.2018. The significant driversprimary driver was increased profit-based expenses to our distribution partners and employees of these variances were as follows:

A reduction in employee-related expenses of 0.40.6 points in the quarter and 0.5 points year to date. These decreases included: (i) lower profit-based compensation to our employees of 0.20.4 points in the quarter and year to date, driven by the higher combined ratio resulting in a reduced level of underwriting income for both periods; and (ii) lower pension and medical benefit costs of 0.2 points in the quarter and year to date.year-to-date period.


A reduction in profit-based compensation to our distribution partners of 0.3 points in the quarter and 0.2 points year to date, driven by the higher combined ratio resulting in a reduced level of underwriting income for both periods.


The following is a discussion of our most significant Standard Commercial Lines of business:
General LiabilityGeneral Liability       General Liability       
 Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017  2019 2018 2019 2018 
NPW $160,105
 147,858
 8
% $494,984
 461,716
 7
% $172,471
 160,105
 8
% $536,448
 494,984
 8
%
Direct new business 26,768
 28,067
 (100) 86,210
 84,986
 1
  27,788
 26,768
 4
 92,288
 86,210
 7
 
Retention 85
%85
 
pts 84
%83
 1
pts 85
%85
 
pts 83
%84
 (1)pts
Renewal pure price increases 2.9
 2.4
 0.5
 2.7
 2.5
 0.2
  3.3
 2.9
 0.4
 2.7
 2.7
 
 
NPE $154,974
 141,059
 10
% $457,805
 422,546
 8
% $169,084
 154,974
 9
% $495,402
 457,805
 8
%
Underwriting income 24,374
 24,003
 2
 54,074
 85,326
 (37)  22,399
 24,374
 (8) 62,232
 54,074
 15
 
Combined ratio 84.3
%83.0
 1.3
pts 88.2
%79.8% 8.4
pts 86.8
%84.3
 2.5
pts 87.4
%88.2% (0.8)pts
% of total Standard Commercial Lines NPW 32
 31
  
 32
 32
 

  32
 32
  
 33
 32
 

 
The fluctuations in the combined ratio increases in Third Quarter 2018 compared to Third Quarter 2017, and Nine Months 2018 compared to Nine Months 2017, were driven primarily by lower favorable prior year casualty reserve development, asratios illustrated in the table below.above included the following:

Third Quarter 2018Third Quarter 2017
Third Quarter 2019Third Quarter 2018

($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Change
Points

Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Change
Points

(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development$(8.0)(5.2)pts$(10.9)(7.7)pts2.5pts$(3.0)(1.8)pts$(8.0)(5.2)pts3.4
pts
              
      Nine Months 2019Nine Months 2018  
Nine Months 2018Nine Months 2017 
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Change
Points
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Change
Points
 
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development$(8.0)(1.7)pts$(48.3)(11.4)pts9.7pts$(10.0)(2.0)pts$(8.0)(1.7)pts(0.3)pts


The Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019 reserve development was primarily attributable to favorable reserve development on loss severities in accident years 2015 through 2017. The Third Quarter and Nine Months 2018 reserve development was primarily attributable to favorable reserve development on loss adjustment expenses in accident years 2014 through 2017.

Commercial Automobile       
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2019 2018   2019 2018  
NPW $150,765
 135,579
 11
% $453,201
 399,506
 13
%
  Direct new business 24,096
 23,363
 3
  80,840
 70,668
 14
 
  Retention 85
%82
 3
pts 82
%83
 (1)pts
  Renewal pure price increases 7.5
 7.5
 
  7.4
 7.4
 
 
NPE $141,182
 124,862
 13
% $408,706
 365,197
 12
%
Underwriting loss (11,398) (22,785) 50
  (28,919) (46,922) 38
 
Combined ratio 108.1
%118.2
 (10.1)pts 107.1
%112.8
 (5.7)pts
% of total Standard Commercial Lines NPW 28
 27
  
  28
 26
  
 


The Third Quarter and Nine Months 2017 development was primarily attributable to lower claims frequencies and severities primarilyincreases in accident years 2015 and prior, particularlyNPW shown in the products liability and excess liability segments.

In addition, the lower combined ratio benefited from a lower underwriting expense ratio, which decreased by 0.3 pointstable above reflect renewal pure price increases on this line, coupled with an increase in Third Quarter 2018 comparednew business as we continue to Third Quarter 2017, and by 1.1 pointswrite commercial automobile policies as part of our overall customer accounts. The growth in NPW of 13% in Nine Months 20182019 compared to Nine Months 2017, primarily attributable2018 reflects an 8% growth in vehicle counts and a 7.4% renewal pure price increase, reflecting our efforts to the aforementioned items discussedimprove profitability on this line by actively implementing price increases in the overall Commercial Lines Segment above.recent years.

Commercial Automobile       
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017   2018 2017  
NPW $135,579
 121,749
 11
% $399,506
 358,198
 12
%
  Direct new business 23,363
 21,906
 7
  70,668
 61,456
 15
 
  Retention 82
%86
 (4)pts 83
%84
 (1)pts
  Renewal pure price increases 7.5
 6.5
 1.0
  7.4
 6.7
 0.7
 
NPE $124,862
 111,711
 12
% $365,197
 327,156
 12
%
Underwriting loss (22,785) (16,098) 42
  (46,922) (41,621) 13
 
Combined ratio 118.2
%114.4
 3.8
pts 112.8
%112.7
 0.1
pts
% of total Standard Commercial Lines NPW 27
 26
  
  26
 25
  
 


The increase in the combined ratio of 3.8 points in Third Quarter 2018 compared to Third Quarter 2017, and 0.1 points in Nine Months 2018 compared to Nine Months 2017, wasimprovements outlined above were driven by the following:
Third Quarter 2018 Third Quarter 2017  Third Quarter 2019 Third Quarter 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Non-catastrophe property losses$20.5
16.4
pts $18.5
16.6
pts(0.2)pts
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses$26.5
18.8
pts $21.9
17.6
pts1.2
pts
Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development10.0
8.0
 5.0
4.5
 3.5
 

 10.0
8.0
 (8.0) 
Catastrophe losses0.4
0.3
 0.5
0.5
 (0.2) 1.2
0.9
 0.4
0.3
 0.6
 
Total30.9
24.7
 24.0
21.6
 3.1
 27.7
19.7
 32.3
25.9
 (6.2) 
Nine Months 2018 Nine Months 2017  Nine Months 2019 Nine Months 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Non-catastrophe property losses$61.4
16.8
pts $48.9
14.9
pts1.9
pts
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses$75.5
18.5
pts $65.6
18.0
pts0.5
pts
Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development25.0
6.8
 26.0
7.9
 (1.1) 

 25.0
6.8
 (6.8) 
Catastrophe losses1.9
0.5
 1.6
0.5
 
 2.3
0.6
 1.9
0.5
 0.1
 
Total88.3
24.1
 76.5
23.3
 0.8
 77.8
19.1
 92.5
25.3
 (6.2) 


Our commercial automobile line of business has not experienced prior year casualty reserve development in 2019. The significant drivers of theunfavorable development were as follows:

in Third Quarter 2018 and Nine Months 2018: Development2018 was primarily due to higher casualty claims frequencies, as well as increases in claim severities, primarily in accident years 2016 and 2017.

Third Quarter and Nine Months 2017: Development was mainly due to higher casualty claim frequencies, and to some increases in claimextent severities, in accident years 2015 through 2017.

This line of business remains an area of focus for both us and 2016.

the industry, as profitability challenges continue to generate combined ratios that are higher than target levels. To address profitability in this line, we have been actively implementing price increases, which averaged 7.4% for Nine Months 2019. In addition to price increases, we have also been actively managing our new and renewal business, which we expect will have a positive impact on profitability through business mix improvement. Over the items described above,longer term, we expect accounts that adopt our recently introduced Selective® Drive program will have greater insight to their commercial auto risks and have the combined ratio in this line of business was adversely impacted by higher current yearpotential to reduce their loss costs of 4.4 points for the quarter, and 2.2 points for the year-to-date period, driven by continued elevated frequencies and to some extent severities.experience.


Workers CompensationWorkers Compensation       Workers Compensation       
 Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30, Change
% or
Points
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30, Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017  2019 2018 2019 2018 
NPW $77,827
 80,252
 (3)% $248,728
 253,446
 (2)% $71,534
 77,827
 (8)% $238,037
 248,728
 (4)%
Direct new business 12,582
 18,617
 (32) 46,000
 52,923
 (13)  12,025
 12,582
 (4) 46,765
 46,000
 2
 
Retention 84
%85
 (1)pts 84
%84
 
pts 84
%84
 
pts 83
%84
 (1)pts
Renewal pure price (decreases) increases 
 (0.4) 0.4
 0.1
 0.3
 (0.2)  (2.7) 
 (2.7) (2.8) 0.1
 (2.9) 
NPE $78,784
 77,580
 2
% $237,628
 236,366
 1
% $75,478
 78,784
 (4)% $232,657
 237,628
 (2)%
Underwriting income 23,380
 14,661
 59
 61,601
 32,553
 89
  17,333
 23,380
 (26) 42,566
 61,601
 (31) 
Combined ratio 70.3
%81.1
 (10.8)pts 74.1
%86.2
 (12.1)pts 77.0
%70.3
 6.7
pts 81.7
%74.1
 7.6
pts
% of total Standard Commercial Lines NPW 16
 17
  
 16
 18
    13
 16
  
 15
 16
   


The decreasesincreases in the combined ratio in Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019 compared to the same prior year periods were driven by less favorable prior year casualty reserve development, as well as a 1.5-point reduction in current year loss costsfollows:
 Third Quarter 2019Third Quarter 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 
Change
Points
 
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development$(13.0)(17.2)pts$(20.0)(25.4)pts8.2pts
         
 Nine Months 2019Nine Months 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 
Change
Points
 
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development$(33.0)(14.2)pts$(53.0)(22.3)pts8.1pts

The development in both Third Quarter and Nine Months 2019 was primarily due to lower severities in accident years 2017 and prior, and the quarterdevelopment in both Third Quarter and year-to-date periods. Favorable prior year development, whichNine Months 2018 was primarily due to lower severities in accident years 2016 and prior.

While reported profitability on this line remains strong due to favorable emergence on prior was as follows:year reserves, current accident year margins do not support the continued negative pricing levels that are being set by the National Council on Compensation Insurance and independent state rating bureaus. A reduction or reversal in the trend of favorable frequencies and severities has the potential to significantly increase this line's combined ratio, which we are monitoring closely.

 Third Quarter 2018Third Quarter 2017  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 
Change
Points
 
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development$(20.0)(25.4)pts$(14.0)(18.0)pts(7.4)pts
         
         
 Nine Months 2018Nine Months 2017  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 
Change
Points
 
(Favorable) prior year casualty reserve development$(53.0)(22.3)pts$(29.3)(12.4)pts(9.9)pts
Commercial Property              
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2019 2018   2019 2018  
NPW $97,393
 89,737
 9
% $284,861
 263,318
 8
%
  Direct new business 22,527
 18,073
 25
  64,960
 57,485
 13
 
  Retention 83
%83
 
pts 82
%82
 
pts
Renewal pure price increases 2.8
 3.3
 (0.5)  3.3
 3.1
 0.2
 
NPE $89,215
 83,056
 7
% $262,418
 245,544
 7
%
Underwriting (loss) income (409) (6,768) (94)  2,866
 (9,266) 131
 
Combined ratio 100.5
%108.1
 (7.6)pts 98.9
%103.8
 (4.9)pts
% of total Standard Commercial Lines NPW 18
 18
  
  17
 17
   




Commercial Property              
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017   2018 2017  
NPW $89,737
 84,664
 6
% $263,318
 247,138
 7
%
  Direct new business 18,073
 18,451
 (2)  57,485
 55,614
 3
 
  Retention 83
%83
 
pts 82
%82
 
pts
Renewal pure price increases 3.3
 1.4
 1.9
  3.1
 1.7
 1.4
 
NPE $83,056
 78,151
 6
% $245,544
 232,594
 6
%
Underwriting (loss) income (6,768) 7,824
 (187)  (9,266) 16,917
 (155) 
Combined ratio 108.1
%90.0
 18.1
pts 103.8
%92.7
 11.1
pts
% of total Standard Commercial Lines NPW 18
 18
  
  17
 17
   


The increasedecrease in the combined ratio in Third Quarter 20182019 compared to Third Quarter 2017,2018, and the increasedecrease in the combined ratio in Nine Months 20182019 compared to Nine Months 2017,2018, were driven by the following:

Third Quarter 2018
Third Quarter 2017
Third Quarter 2019
Third Quarter 2018

($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Change
% or
Points

Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio

Change
% or
Points

Catastrophe losses$20.1
24.2pts
$12.6
16.1pts8.1pts$12.4
13.9pts
$20.1
24.2pts(10.3)pts
Non-catastrophe property losses33.9
40.8
24.1
30.9
9.9
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses41.5
46.5
38.1
45.9
0.6

Total54.0
65.0 36.7
47.0 18.0 53.9
60.4 58.2
70.1 (9.7) 
    
          
Nine Months 2018 Nine Months 2017 Nine Months 2019 Nine Months 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 
Change
% or
Points
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Combined Ratio
 
Change
% or
Points
 
Catastrophe losses$42.6
17.4pts $33.1
14.2pts3.2pts$43.6
16.6pts $42.6
17.4pts(0.8)pts
Non-catastrophe property losses106.3
43.3 82.2
35.3 8.0 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses114.6
43.7 118.7
48.3 (4.6) 
Total148.9
60.7 115.3
49.5 11.2 158.2
60.3 161.3
65.7 (5.4) 


HigherLower catastrophe losses in Third Quarter 20182019 compared to Third Quarter 2017 included2018 was driven by the impact of Hurricane Florence in the current quarter, while the increase inSeptember 2018. On a year-to-date basis, non-catastrophe property losses reflected a higher number of fire lossesloss and loss expenses were lower in Nine Month 2019 compared to last year. On a year-to-date-basis, the increase inNine Months 2018, as non-catastrophe property losses continued to reflect the higher property losses fromloss and loss expenses in the first quarter of 2018 which were principally related to theelevated by a January deep freeze in our footprint states coupled withand an increase in the relatively large number of severe fire losses during the year.losses.

Standard Personal Lines Segment
 Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
   Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
   Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017   2018 2017  2019 2018   2019 2018 
Insurance Segments Results:  
  
  
           
  
  
         
NPW $84,735
 81,195
 4
 % $236,530
 223,998
 6
% $81,639
 84,735
 (4) % $233,717
 236,530
 (1)%
NPE 77,157
 72,601
 6
   227,090
 215,474
 5
  76,738
 77,157
 (1)   231,158
 227,090
 2
 
Less:    
        
       
        
   
Loss and loss expense incurred 52,631
 42,120
 25
   157,330
 141,135
 11
  54,843
 52,631
 4
   158,467
 157,330
 1
 
Net underwriting expenses incurred 21,368
 22,302
 (4) 63,303
 66,822
 (5)  22,526
 21,368
 5
 65,617
 63,303
 4
 
Underwriting income $3,158
 8,179
 (61) % $6,457
 7,517
 (14)%
Underwriting (loss) income $(631) 3,158
 (120) % $7,074
 6,457
 10
%
Combined Ratios:    
        
       
        
   
Loss and loss expense ratio 68.2
%58.0
 10.2
 pts 69.3
%65.5
 3.8
pts 71.4
%68.2
 3.2
 pts 68.5
%69.3
 (0.8)pts
Underwriting expense ratio 27.7
 30.7
 (3.0) 27.9
 31.0
 (3.1)  29.4
 27.7
 1.7
 28.4
 27.9
 0.5
 
Combined ratio 95.9
 88.7
 7.2
   97.2
 96.5
 0.7
  100.8
 95.9
 4.9
   96.9
 97.2
 (0.3) 



NPW was down in both Third Quarter and Nine Months 2019 compared to the same prior year periods, reflecting the impact of a decrease in direct new business as a result of a competitive marketplace. Retention has decreased in both Third Quarter and Nine Months 2019 compared to the same periods last year, as we continue to achieve renewal pure price increases on our personal automobile line of business in excess of loss trends, while the industry has seen a softening in rate activity.  Additionally, the deteriorating competitive position on our automobile business has led to lower new homeowners business, as we typically write policies at the account level, which include both automobile and homeowners coverage.
The increases in NPW reflected in the table above were driven by the following:
 Quarter ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
  Quarter ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
 
($ in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017  2019 2018 2019 2018 
New business $13.1
 13.6
(4)% $40.8
 38.2
7%
Direct new business $10.2
 13.1
(22)% $31.1
 40.8
(24)%
Retention 85
%84
1
pts 85
%84
1pts 83
%85
(2)pts 83
%85
(2)pts
Renewal pure price increases 3.8
 3.1
0.7
 3.6
 2.8
0.8
 5.0
 3.8
1.2
 5.3
 3.6
1.7



The loss and loss expense ratio increased 10.23.2 points in Third Quarter 20182019 compared to Third Quarter 2017,2018, and 3.8decreased 0.8 points in Nine Months 20182019 compared to Nine Months 2017. Quantitative information on the2018. The drivers of these fluctuations isare as follows:
Third Quarter 2018 Third Quarter 2017  Third Quarter 2019 Third Quarter 2018  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 
Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 
Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Non-catastrophe property losses$24.7
32.1
pts $19.1
26.3
pts5.8
pts
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses$25.2
32.8
pts $28.2
36.5
pts(3.7)pts
Catastrophe losses5.4
7.1
 2.2
3.0
 4.1
 7.9
10.3
 5.4
7.1
 3.2
 
Unfavorable prior year development2.0
2.6
 

 2.6
 
Flood claims handling fees(1.1)(1.4) (2.1)(2.7) 1.3
 
Total30.1
39.2
 21.3
29.3
 9.9
 34.0
44.3
 31.5
40.9
 3.4
 
                
        Nine Months 2019 Nine Months 2018  
Nine Months 2018 Nine Months 2017  
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 
Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 
Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses$78.7
34.1
pts $80.4
35.4
pts(1.3)pts
Catastrophe losses$18.1
8.0
pts $15.4
7.2
pts0.8
pts18.1
7.8
 18.1
8.0
 (0.2) 
Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development

 5.0
2.3
 (2.3) 2.0
0.9
 

 0.9
 
Non-catastrophe property losses70.2
30.9
 55.4
25.7
 5.2
 
Flood claims handling fees(2.7)(1.2) (3.6)(1.6) 0.4
 
Total88.3
38.9
 75.8
35.2
 3.7
 96.1
41.6
 94.9
41.8
 (0.2) 

Non-catastrophe property losses increased in Third Quarter 2018 compared to Third Quarter 2017 driven primarily by an increase in the number of fire and weather-related losses. Additionally, on a year-to-date basis, the increase in non-catastrophe property losses was partially related to the January 2018 deep freeze in our footprint states.

Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development in Nine Months 2017 was primarily driven by increased frequency and severity in the personal automobile liability line for accident 2016.


The underwriting expense ratio decreased 3.0increased 1.7 points in the Third Quarter 20182019 compared to Third Quarter 2017,2018, and 3.1
0.5 points in Nine Months 20182019 compared to Nine Months 2017.2018. The significantprimary drivers of these varianceschanges were as follows:increased profit-based expenses to our distribution partners and employees.

A reductionE&S Lines Segment
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2019 2018   2019 2018  
Insurance Segments Results:  
  
  
        
NPW $62,368
 64,621
 (3)% $180,572
 168,628
 7
%
NPE 61,721
 56,064
 10
  178,660
 161,419
 11
 
Less:  
  
  
   
  
  
 
Loss and loss expense incurred 39,794
 35,458
 12
  111,772
 114,588
 (2) 
Net underwriting expenses incurred 20,011
 17,100
 17
  57,449
 51,679
 11
 
Underwriting income (loss) $1,916
 3,506
 (45)% $9,439
 (4,848) 295
%
Combined Ratios:  
  
  
   
  
  
 
Loss and loss expense ratio 64.5
%63.2
 1.3
pts 62.5
%71.0
 (8.5)pts
Underwriting expense ratio 32.4
 30.5
 1.9
  32.2
 32.0
 0.2
 
Combined ratio 96.9
 93.7
 3.2
  94.7
 103.0
 (8.3) 

NPW decreased 3% in costs of 1.3 pointsThird Quarter 2019 and increased 7% in the quarter and 1.1 points year to date associated with the internally-developed software platform used in this segment of our business, which was fully amortized in the fourth quarter of 2017.

A reduction in employee-related expenses of 0.7 points in the quarter and 0.8 points year to date. Similar to our Standard Commercial Lines Segment these decreases included: (i) lower profit-based compensation to our employees; and (ii) lower pension and medical benefit costs.

A reduction in profit-based commissions of 0.3 points in both the quarter and year-to-date periods this yearNine Months 2019 compared to the respective prior year periods.

E&S Lines Segment
  Quarter ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
  Nine Months ended September 30, 
Change
% or
Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017   2018 2017  
Insurance Segments Results:  
  
  
        
NPW $64,621
 51,031
 27
% $168,628
 158,281
 7
%
NPE 56,064
 54,204
 3
  161,419
 158,207
 2
 
Less:  
  
  
   
  
  
 
Loss and loss expense incurred 35,458
 47,597
 (26)  114,588
 113,173
 1
 
Net underwriting expenses incurred 17,100
 17,670
 (3)  51,679
 53,208
 (3) 
Underwriting (loss) income $3,506
 (11,063) 132
% $(4,848) (8,174) 41
%
Combined Ratios:  
  
  
   
  
  
 
Loss and loss expense ratio 63.2
%87.8
 (24.6)pts 71.0
%71.6
 (0.6)pts
Underwriting expense ratio 30.5
 32.6
 (2.1)  32.0
 33.6
 (1.6) 
Combined ratio 93.7
 120.4
 (26.7)  103.0
 105.2
 (2.2) 

While this segment experienced an improved third quarter, partially driven by better than expected property losses, we continue to address profitability through targeted price increases, business mix shifts, and improved underwriting standards. Pricing on our in-force book of business is essentially at our targeted levels and our strategy in this segment is to pursue growth opportunistically if market conditions allow. Over the past year,two-year period, we have taken steps to exit somecertain underperforming classes of E&S business, while entering into new distribution relationships. The NPWpremium growth in Third Quarter 2018 reflectson a year-to-date basis continues to reflect the impact of one particularly large relationship that we establishedreestablished in the second quarter of 2018. We do not anticipate the same level of year-over-year growth going forward from this relationship, as it has now been in place for a full year, which is in part the reason for the decline during the quarter compared to the same period last year.

Quantitative information regarding new business and price increaseson the premium in this segment is as follows:
 Quarter ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
  Quarter ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
 Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or
Points
 
($ in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017  2019 2018 2019 2018 
Direct new business $32.2
 20.6
56% $70.8
 69.3
2
% $23.1
 32.2
(28)% $73.8
 70.8
4
%
Overall new/renewal price increases1
 3.9
%3.2
0.7pts 5.2
%5.5
(0.3)pts
Renewal pure price increases1
 3.7
%4.9
(1.2)pts 4.4
%5.3
(0.9)pts
1The E&S casualty new/renewal price increases were 2.9% and 5.4% in3.0% for Third Quarter 2019, compared to 5.2% for Third Quarter 2018, and Third Quarter 2017, respectively, and 5.4% and 8.0% in4.0% for Nine Months 2018 and2019, compared to 6.2% for Nine Months 2017, respectively.2018.

The NPE increasescombined ratio increased 3.2 points in Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019 compared to Third Quarter and Nine Months 2017 were consistent with the fluctuation in NPW for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2018 compared with the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017.

The loss and loss expense ratio decreased 24.6 points in Third Quarter 2018, and 0.6improved 8.3 points in Nine Months 20182019 compared to Nine Months 2018, primarily due to the same prior year periods, driven primarily byitems outlined in the following:tables and commentary below:
Third Quarter 2018 Third Quarter 2017   Third Quarter 2019 Third Quarter 2018   
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development$6.0
10.7pts $10.0
18.4pts(7.7)pts
pts 6.0
10.7pts(10.7)pts
Non-catastrophe property losses5.0
8.9 3.7
6.8 2.1
 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses7.0
11.4 5.6
10.0 1.4
 
Catastrophe losses0.6
1.0 7.3
13.5 (12.5) 1.5
2.4 0.6
1.0 1.4
 
Total11.6
20.6 21.0
38.7 (18.1) 8.5
13.8 12.2
21.7 (7.9) 
            
      Nine Months 2019 Nine Months 2018   
Nine Months 2018 Nine Months 2017   
($ in millions)Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio Loss and Loss Expense IncurredImpact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Loss and Loss
Expense
Incurred
Impact on
Loss and Loss Expense Ratio
 Change in Ratio 
Unfavorable prior year casualty reserve development$12.0
7.4pts $10.0
6.3pts1.1
pts$
pts $12.0
7.4pts(7.4)pts
Non-catastrophe property losses20.4
12.6 14.1
8.9 3.7
 
Non-catastrophe property loss and loss expenses17.1
9.6 22.2
13.7 (4.1) 
Catastrophe losses2.7
1.7 11.7
7.4 (5.7) 4.3
2.4 2.7
1.7 0.7
 
Total35.1
21.7 35.8
22.6 (0.9) 21.4
12.0 36.9
22.8 (10.8) 



The unfavorableimprovement in prior year casualty reserve development outlined aboveof 10.7 points in Third Quarter 2019 compared to Third Quarter 2018 was partially offset by current year loss costs that were 8.6 points higher in Third Quarter 2019 compared to Third Quarter 2018. These variances were driven by adjustments made during 2018 as a result of the normal reserve review process, which indicated unfavorable development in older years, while showing improvements in the then current year-to-date period,

largely due to our pricing and underwriting actions.

The underwriting expense ratio increased 1.9 points in Third Quarter 2019 compared to Third Quarter 2018, primarily driven by increased severitiesan increase in accident year 2015. The Nine Months 2018 development was primarily driven by increased frequencies and severities in accident years 2015 and 2016.

There was a 2.1-point decrease in the underwriting expense ratio in Third Quarter 2018 and 1.6-point decrease in Nine Months 2018 compared to the same prior year periods, which was driven by the following: (i) profit-based compensation to our distribution partnerspartners.

While the relatively small size of 0.9 pointsthis segment can lead to some volatility in results from quarter to quarter, on a longer-term basis, improved underwriting, pricing, and claims outcomes have us on track to achieve our risk-adjusted profitability target for this segment by the quarter and 0.8 points in the year-to-date period; and (ii) labor related expensesend of 1.0 points in the quarter and 1.6 points in the year-to-date period.2020.


Reinsurance
We have successfully completed negotiationsthe renewals of our July 1, 20182019 excess of loss treaties, which provide coverage for our Standard Commercial Lines, Standard Personal Lines, and E&S Lines. These treaties were renewed with principally the same structure as the expiring treaties, with an underwriting year ceded premium increase estimated at $10 million, or 14%, which reflects an increase in our estimated subject matter premium and a risk-adjusted price increase for our property treaty,driven by heavy loss activity from the 2018 underwriting year and the pricing environment in the property per-risk reinsurance marketplace.

Details of the treaties are as follows:


Property Excess of Loss
Our property excess of loss treaty ("Property Treaty") provides protection against large individual property losses with $58.0 million of coverage in excess of a $2.0 million retention:
The per occurrence cap on the first and second layers is $84.0 million.
The first layer has unlimited reinstatements and a limit of $8.0 million in excess of $2.0 million.
The annual aggregate limit, for the $30.0 million in excess of $10.0 million second layer, is $120.0 million.
A third layer has a limit of $20.0 million in excess of $40.0 million, with an annual aggregate limit of approximately $75.0 million.
The Property Treaty excludes nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological ("NBCR") terrorism losses.losses, and includes non-NBCR losses from terrorism.


Casualty Excess of Loss
Our casualty excess of loss treaty (“Casualty Treaty”) provides protection against large individual casualty losses with $88.0 million of coverage in excess of a $2.0 million retention:
The first through sixth layers provide coverage for 100% of up to $88.0 million in excess of a $2.0 million retention.
The Casualty Treaty includes a $25.0 million limit, per life, on our workers compensation business, which remains unchanged from the prior treaty.
The Casualty Treaty excludes NBCR terrorism losses and has annual aggregate non-NBCR terrorism limits of $208.0 million.


Investments
The primary objective of the investment portfolio is to maximize after-tax net investment income and the overall total return of the portfolio, while maintaining a high credit quality core fixed income securities portfolio and managing our duration risk profile. The effective duration of the fixed income securities portfolio as of September 30, 20182019 was 3.93.4 years, compared to the Insurance Subsidiaries’ liability duration as of December 31, 20172018 of approximately 3.83.6 years. The effective duration of the fixed income securities portfolio is monitored and managed to maximize yield, while managing interest rate risk and credit risk at an acceptable level. We maintain a well-diversified portfolio across sectors, credit quality, and maturities that affords us ample liquidity. Purchases and sales are made with the intent of maximizing investment returns in the current market environment while balancing capital preservation. Over time, we may seek to increase or decrease the duration and overall credit quality of the portfolio based on market conditions.


Our investment philosophy includes certain return and risk objectives for the fixed income, equity, and other investment portfolios. After-tax yield and net investment income generation are key drivers to our investment strategy, which we believe will be obtained through active management of the portfolio.


Total Invested Assets              
($ in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Change % or Points  September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Change 
Total invested assets $5,861,107
 5,685,179
 3
% $6,551,739
 5,960,651
 10
%
Invested assets per dollar of stockholders' equity 3.37
 3.32
 2

 3.07
 3.33
 (8)
Unrealized (loss) gain – before tax1
 (3,528) 124,679
 (103) 
Unrealized (loss) gain – after tax1
 (2,787) 80,575
 (103) 
Unrealized gain – before tax1
 225,100
 11,916
 1,789
 
Unrealized gain – after tax1
 177,829
 9,414
 1,789
 
1Includes unrealized gains on fixed income securities and equity securities.


The increase in invested assets at September 30, 20182019, compared to December 31, 20172018, was driven byby: (i) operating cash flow generated in Nine Months 20182019 of $292$316 million; (ii) pre-tax net unrealized gains in our fixed income and equity securities portfolios of $213 million, partially offset by pre-tax unrealized losses ondue to a reduction in interest rates and tightening corporate credit spreads; and (iii) net proceeds of $106 million from the issuance of our 5.375% Senior Notes. For additional information regarding these debt transactions, see Note 5. "Indebtedness" in Item 1. "Financial Statements" of this Form 10-Q.

At September 30, 2019, our fixed income securities portfolio of $113 million. These unrealized losses reflect the unfavorable impact of rising interest rates in 2018.

At September 30, 2018, our fixed income securities portfolioand short-term investment portfolios represented 89%96% of our total invested assets, largely unchanged compared to 95% at December 31, 2017. Our fixed income securities portfolio2018. These portfolios had a weighted average credit rating of “ AA- ,” as of both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, with 97% and 98% of the securities in the portfolio being investment grade quality, at both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Within our fixed income securities portfolio, we maintained an allocation of non-investment grade high-yield securities, which represented 3% of our fixed income securities portfolio as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.respectively. The sector composition and credit quality of our major asset categories within our fixed income securities portfolio did not significantly change from December 31, 2017.2018.


For details regarding the credit quality of our portfolio, see Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” of our 20172018 Annual Report.


Net Investment Income
The components of net investment income earned for the indicated periods were as follows:
 Quarter ended September 30, Change
% or Points
  Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or Points
  Quarter ended September 30, Change
% or Points
  Nine Months ended September 30,Change
% or Points
 
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Fixed income securities $45,088
 38,865
 16 % 130,903
 113,424
15 %  $50,749
 45,088
 13 % 150,689
 130,903
15 % 
Equity securities 2,079
 1,605
 30
 5,876
 4,492
31
  1,885
 2,079
 (9) 5,265
 5,876
(10) 
Short-term investments 867
 396
 119
 2,001
 1,023
96
  1,410
 867
 63
 5,213
 2,001
161
 
Other investments 7,211
 2,659
 171
 10,868
 9,493
14
  5,267
 7,211
 (27) 13,421
 10,868
23
 
Investment expenses (2,802) (3,079) (9) (8,421) (9,137)(8)  (3,485) (2,802) (24) (9,639) (8,421)(14) 
Net investment income earned – before tax 52,443
 40,446
 30
 141,227
 119,295
18
  55,826
 52,443
 6
 164,949
 141,227
17
 
Net investment income tax expense (9,568) (10,856) (12) (24,973) (31,951)(22)  (10,452) (9,568) (9) (30,630) (24,973)(23) 
Net investment income earned – after tax $42,875
 29,590
 45
 116,254
 87,344
33
  $45,374
 42,875
 6
 134,319
 116,254
16
 
Effective tax rate 18.2% 26.8
 (8.6)pts 17.7
 26.8
(9.1)pts 18.7% 18.2
 0.5
pts 18.6
 17.7
0.9
pts
Annualized after-tax yield on fixed income securities 2.8
 2.2
 0.6
 2.8
 2.2
0.6
  2.8
 2.8
 
 2.9
 2.8
0.1
 
Annualized after-tax yield on investment portfolio 3.0
 2.1
 0.9
 2.7
 2.1
0.6
  2.8
 3.0
 (0.2) 2.9
 2.7
0.2
 


The increase in pre-tax net investment income in Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019, compared to Third Quarterthe same periods last year, was primarily driven by: (i) cash flow from operations that was 22% of NPW in the quarter and 15% of NPW in the year-to-date period; and (ii) $106 million of net proceeds from our 5.375% Senior Notes issuance earlier in 2019, which were invested in fixed income securities. Additionally, Nine Months 2017 was driven primarily by our fixed income securities portfolio, which benefited from improved new money reinvestment yields and repositioning of2019 included alternative investment grade securities as a result of active investment management and security selection, principally in our core fixed income portfolio. In addition, with approximately 17% of our fixed income portfolio invested in floating rate securitiesreturns that reset based principally onwere $2.4 million higher than the 90-day LIBOR, we have benefited from the 70-point rise in LIBOR in Nine Months 2018. Strong returns on our alternative investments within our other investments portfolio also contributed to the higher pre-tax net investment income in Third Quarter 2018. On an after-tax basis, we benefited from a decrease in the effective tax rate as a result of Tax Reform. See the "Federal Income Taxes" discussion below for additional information regarding the impact of this legislation.comparable prior year period.


Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses
Our general philosophy for sales of securities is to reduce our exposure to securities and sectors based on economic evaluations and when the fundamentals for that security or sector have deteriorated, or to opportunistically trade out of securities to other securities with better economic return characteristics. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses for the indicated periods were as follows:
 Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30, Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net realized (losses) gains on disposals, excluding OTTI $(751) 6,871
 4,034
 12,252
Net realized gains (losses) on disposals, excluding OTTI $20,425
 (751) 26,752
 4,034
Unrealized (losses) recognized in income on equity securities (20,317) (2,610) (8,091) (15,563)
OTTI charges (1,426) (73) (5,459) (4,765) (2,291) (1,426) (3,366) (5,459)
Unrealized losses recognized in income on equity securities (2,610) 
 (15,563) 
Total net realized and unrealized (losses) gains $(4,787) 6,798
 (16,988) 7,487
 $(2,183) (4,787) 15,295
 (16,988)
 
The decrease$2.6 million improvement in net realized and unrealized losses in Third Quarter 2019 compared to Third Quarter 2018 was primarily driven by an $8.3 million reduction in realized losses on our fixed income securities portfolio reflecting less opportunistic sales, partially offset by a decrease of $4.8 million in unrealized gains due to market value increases on our equity securities that were less in Third Quarter 2019 compared to Third Quarter 2018.

The significant drivers of the $32.3 million improvement in net realized and unrealized gains in Nine Months 2019 compared to net realized and unrealized losses in Nine Months 2018 compared to the same periods last year were primarilywere: (i) a $16.0 million reduction in realized losses on our fixed income securities portfolio driven by less opportunistic sales; and (ii) an increase of $14.2 million in unrealized gains due to more significant market value fluctuationsincreases on our equity securities portfolio which are recorded through income duein Nine Months 2019 compared to anNine Months 2018.


accounting changeIn addition to the activity above, during Third Quarter 2019, we sold a significant portion of our public equity securities, realizing net gains of $21.6 million on the securities sold. These realized gains were substantially offset in the first quarter by the reversal of 2018. For information on this accounting change, see Note 2. "Adoptionpreviously-recorded unrealized gains related to the securities sold, which accounted for $21.4 million of Accounting Pronouncements"the $20.3 million reduction in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q.the table above.


Federal Income Taxes
The following table provides information regarding federal income taxes:
Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,Quarter ended September 30, Nine Months ended September 30,
($ in millions)2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Federal income tax expense$11.7
 20.6
 26.4
 55.2
$15.0
 11.7
 45.3
 26.4
Effective tax rate17.4% 30.6
 16.5
 28.5
21.1% 17.4
 19.3
 16.5


On December 22, 2017, Tax Reform was signed into law, which among other provisions, reduced our statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning on January 1, 2018. The reduction in the effective tax rate in the table above fordiffers from the statutory rate of 21% principally due to: (i) the benefit of tax-advantaged interest and dividend income; and (ii) the impact of excess tax benefits on our stock-based compensation awards, partially offset by the disallowance of certain executive compensation. The increase in the effective tax rate in Third Quarter and Nine Months 20182019, compared to Third Quarter and Nine Months 2017 reflects: (i)2018, reflects a greater pre-tax income contribution from our insurance operations compared to the lower statutory rate; and (ii) therelative contribution of tax-advantaged interest and dividend income in relation to overall pre-tax income this year compared to last.

In general, our effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate principally due to the benefit of tax-advantaged interest and dividend income, which are taxed at lower rates. For a reconciliation of tax expense at the statutory rate to tax expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income, refer to Note 12. "Federal Income Taxes" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q.

Our future effective tax rate will continue to be impacted by similar items, assuming no significant changes to tax laws. However, for full-year 2018, we expect an overall effective tax rate of approximately 18%, which is higher than our effective tax rate for Nine Months 2018, as we expect a greater income contribution from our insurance operations for the remainder of the year compared to the relative contribution during Nine Months 2018.


Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources
Capital resources and liquidity reflect our ability to generate cash flows from business operations, borrow funds at competitive rates, and raise new capital to meet operating and growth needs.

Liquidity
We manage liquidity with a focus on generating sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our cash, excluding restricted cash, and short-term investment position of $305$327 million at September 30, 20182019 was comprised of $28$34 million at the Parent and $277$293 million at the Insurance Subsidiaries. Short-term investments are generally maintained in "AAA" rated money market funds approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The Parent maintains a fixed income security investment portfolio containing high-quality, highly-liquid government and corporate fixed income securities. This portfolio amounted to $113$224 million at September 30, 20182019 and $90$110 million at December 31, 2017.2018. The Parent had a total of $141$267 million of cash and liquid investments at September 30, 2018,2019, compared to $114$146 million at December 31, 2017. We expect fluctuations in these balances over time2018, with the increase driven by our capital market activities discussed below. The level of cash and invested assets may fluctuate based on various factors, including the amount and availability of dividends from our Insurance Subsidiaries, investment income, expenses, and other liquidity needs of the Parent. Our target is to hold

maintain the cash and other liquid assetsliquidity at the Parent sufficient to meet or exceed two years oftimes its expected annual needs.needs, which is currently estimated at $160 million.
 
Sources of Liquidity
Sources of cash for the Parent have historically consisted of dividends from the Insurance Subsidiaries, the investment portfolio discussed above, borrowings under lines of credit and loan agreements with certain Insurance Subsidiaries, and the issuance of stock and debt securities. We continue to monitor these sources, giving consideration to our long-term liquidity and capital preservation strategies.


Insurance Subsidiary Dividends
We currently anticipate that the Insurance Subsidiaries willmay pay $100$110 million in total dividends to the Parent in 2018,2019, a $20$10 million increase from $80$100 million paid in 2017,2018, of which $75$83 million was paid during Nine Months 2018.2019. As of December 31, 2017,2018, our allowable ordinary maximum dividend was $211$210 million for 2018.2019.



Any dividends to the Parent are subject to the approval and/or review of the insurance regulators in the respective Insurance Subsidiaries' domiciliary states and are generally payable only from earned surplus as reported in the statutory annual statements of those subsidiaries as of the preceding December 31. Although past dividends have historically been met with regulatory approval, there is no assurance that future dividends that may be declared will be approved. For additional information regarding dividend restrictions, refer to Note 19. “Statutory Financial Information, Capital Requirements, and Restrictions on Dividends and Transfers of Funds” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 20172018 Annual Report.
The Insurance Subsidiaries generate liquidity through insurance float, which is created by collecting premiums and earning investment income before losses are paid. The period of the float can extend over many years. Our investment portfolio consists of maturity dates that continually provide a source of cash flows for claims payments in the ordinary course of business. The effective duration of the fixed income securities portfolio was 3.93.4 years as of September 30, 2018,2019, while the liabilities of the Insurance Subsidiaries had a duration as of December 31, 20172018 of 3.83.6 years. As protection for the capital resources of the Insurance Subsidiaries, we purchase reinsurance coverage for significantly large claims or catastrophes that may occur during the year.


Line of Credit
The Parent's line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T) (referred to as our "Line of Credit"), was renewed effective December 1, 2015 with a borrowing capacity of $30 million, which can be increased to $50 million with the approval of both lending partners. This Line of Credit expires on December 1, 2020 and has an interest rate that varies and is based on, among other factors, the Parent's debt ratings. There were no balances outstanding under the Line of Credit at September 30, 20182019 or at any time during 2018.2019.


TheFor additional information regarding the Line of Credit agreement containsand corresponding representations, warranties, and covenants, that are customary for credit facilitiesrefer to Note 10. "Indebtedness" in Item 8. "Financial Statements." of this type, including, without limitation, financialour 2018 Annual Report. We continue to meet all covenants under which we are obligated to maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, a minimum combined statutory surplus, and a maximum ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization, as well as covenants limiting our ability to: (i) merge or liquidate; (ii) incur debt or liens; (iii) dispose of assets; (iv) make certain investments and acquisitions; and (v) engage in transactions with affiliates.

The table below outlines information regarding certain of the covenants in the Line of Credit:Credit agreement as of September 30, 2019.
Required as of September 30, 2018Actual as of September 30, 2018
Consolidated net worthNot less than $1.2 billion$1.7 billion
Statutory surplusNot less than $750 million$1.7 billion
Debt-to-capitalization ratio1
Not to exceed 35%20.2%
A.M. Best financial strength ratingMinimum of A-A
1
Calculated in accordance with the Line of Credit agreement.


Several of our Insurance Subsidiaries are members of certain branches of the Federal Home Loan Bank, which provides those subsidiaries with additional access to liquidity. Membership is as follows:
BranchInsurance Subsidiary Member
Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI")
Selective Insurance Company of South Carolina ("SICSC")1
Selective Insurance Company of the Southeast ("SICSE")1
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY")
Selective Insurance Company of America ("SICA")
Selective Insurance Company of New York ("SICNY")
1These subsidiaries are jointly referred to as the "Indiana Subsidiaries" as they are domiciled in Indiana.


The Line of Credit permits aggregate borrowings from the FHLBI and the FHLBNY up to 10% of the respective member company’s admitted assets for the previous year end. Additionally, as SICNY is domiciled in New York, this company's borrowings from the FHLBNY are limited to the lower of 5% of admitted assets for the most recently completed fiscal quarter or 10% of admitted assets for the previous year end. We have a remaining capacity of $289.4 million for Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, with a $12.9 million additional stock purchase requirement to allow the member companies to borrow their full remaining capacity amounts.



All borrowings from both the FHLBI and the FHLBNY are required to be secured by investments pledged as collateral. For

additional information regarding collateral outstanding, refer to Note 4. "Investments" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q. The following table provides information on the remaining capacity for Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings based on these restrictions, as well as the amount of additional stock that would need to be purchased to allow these member companies to borrow their remaining capacity:
($ in millions)Admitted Assets Borrowing Limitation Amount Borrowed Remaining Capacity Additional Stock Requirements
     
SICSC$648.0
 $64.8
 32.0
 32.8
 1.4
SICSE507.5
 50.8
 28.0
 22.8
 1.0
SICA2,434.9
 243.5
 50.0
 193.5
 8.7
SICNY454.5
 22.7
 
 22.7
 1.0
Total  $381.8
 110.0
 271.8
 12.1


Short-term Borrowings
InDuring Nine Months 2018,2019, SICA borrowed: (i) $75borrowed the following from FHLBNY:
$50 million fromin the FHLBNY,first quarter of 2019, which was repaid on March 20, 2018; and (ii) $5528, 2019.
$15 million from the FHLBNY,in Third Quarter 2019, which was repaid on April 18, 2018. August 12, 2019.
For further information regarding this borrowing, see Note 5. "Indebtedness" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q.


Intercompany Loan Agreements
The Parent has lending agreements with the Indiana Subsidiaries that have been approved by the Indiana Department of Insurance, which provide additional liquidity to the Parent. Similar to the Line of Credit agreement, these lending agreements limit borrowings by the Parent from the Indiana Subsidiaries to 10% of the admitted assets of the respective Indiana Subsidiary. The following table provides informationoutstanding balance on these intercompany loans was $41.3 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to $45.0 million as of December 31, 2018. The remaining capacity under these intercompany loan agreements was $80.0 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to $76.2 million as of December 31, 2018. Despite not being contractually obligated to do so, the Parent’s borrowings andParent currently plans to repay the remaining borrowing capacity from the Indiana Subsidiaries:outstanding balance over time.
($ in millions)
Admitted Assets
as of December 31, 2017
 Borrowing Limitation Amount Borrowed Remaining Capacity
As of June 30, 2018   
SICSC$648.0
 $64.8
 27.0
 37.8
SICSE507.5
 50.8
 18.0
 32.8
Total  $115.6
 45.0
 70.6


Capital Market Activities
In the first quarter of 2019, the Parent issued $300 million of 5.375% Senior Notes at a discount of $5.9 million which, when coupled with debt issuance costs of approximately $3.3 million, resulted in net proceeds from the offering of $290.8 million. The Parent used a portion of the proceeds to fully redeem the then outstanding $185 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes, with the remaining $106 million being used for general corporate purposes. For additional information on these transactions, refer to Note 5. "Indebtedness" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." of this Form 10-Q. The Parent had no private or public issuances of stock or debt instruments during Nine Months 2018.2019.


Uses of Liquidity
The liquidity generated from the sources discussed above is used, among other things, to pay dividends to our shareholders. Dividends on shares of the Parent's common stock are declared and paid at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on our operating results, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other relevant factors.


On October 25, 2018,30, 2019, our Board of Directors declared, for stockholders of record as of November 15, 2018,2019, a $0.20$0.23 per share dividend to be paid on December 3, 2018.2, 2019. This is an 11%a 15% increase compared to the dividend declared on August 1, 2018.July 31, 2019.


Our ability to meet our interest and principal repayment obligations on our debt, as well as our ability to continue to pay dividends to our stockholders, is dependent on liquidity at the Parent coupled with the ability of the Insurance Subsidiaries to pay dividends, if necessary, and/or the availability of other sources of liquidity to the Parent. Our next two principal
repayments, each in the amount of $25 million, are due in 2021, withand the next following principal payment is due in 2026. We
have $185 million of Senior Notes due February 9, 2043 that became callable on February 8, 2018, which we may elect to call, in whole or in part, at any time. If we were to call and redeem these Senior Notes, we would expense the associated unamortized debt issuance costs. The balance of the unamortized debt issuance costs associated with our $185 million of Senior Notes was $4.3 million at September 30, 2018.
 
Restrictions on the ability of the Insurance Subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends, without alternative liquidity options, could materially affect our ability to service debt and pay dividends on common stock.



Capital Resources
Capital resources provide protection for policyholders, furnish the financial strength to support the business of underwriting insurance risks, and facilitate continued business growth. At September 30, 2018,2019, we had GAAP stockholders' equity of $2.1 billion and statutory surplus of $1.7$1.9 billion. With total debt of $439.4$550.7 million, our debt-to-capital ratio was approximately 20.2%20.5% at September 30, 2018.2019.
 
Our cash requirements include, but are not limited to, principal and interest payments on various notes payable, dividends to stockholders, payment of claims, payment of commitments under limited partnership agreements and capital expenditures, as well as other operating expenses, which include commissions to our distribution partners, labor costs, premium taxes, general and administrative expenses, and income taxes. For further details regarding our cash requirements, refer to the section below entitled, “Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities, and Commitments.”
 
We continually monitor our cash requirements and the amount of capital resources that we maintain at the holding company and operating subsidiary levels. As part of our long-term capital strategy, we strive to maintain capital metrics, relative to the macroeconomic environment, that support our targeted financial strength. Based on our analysis and market conditions, we may take a variety of actions, including, but not limited to, contributing capital to the Insurance Subsidiaries in our insurance

operations, issuing additional debt and/or equity securities, callingrepurchasing existing debt, repurchasing shares of the Parent’s common stock, and increasing stockholders’ dividends.
 
Our capital management strategy is intended to protect the interests of the policyholders of the Insurance Subsidiaries and our stockholders, while enhancing our financial strength and underwriting capacity.
 
Book value per share increased to $29.52$35.98 as of September 30, 2018,2019, from $29.28$30.40 as of December 31, 2017, due to $2.232018, driven by $3.16 in net income per share and $2.94 in unrealized gains on our fixed income securities portfolio, partially offset by $1.51 in unrealized losses on our investment portfolio and $0.54$0.60 in dividends to our shareholders.


Ratings
We are rated by major rating agencies that issue opinions on our financial strength, operating performance, strategic position, and ability to meet policyholder obligations. We believe that our ability to write insurance business is most influenced by our rating from A.M. Best.Best Company ("A.M. Best"). We have been rated “A” or higher by A.M. Best for the past 8889 years. A downgrade from A.M. Best to a rating below “A-” is an event of default under our Line of Credit and could affect our ability to write new business with customers and/or distribution partners, some of whom are required (under various third-party agreements) to maintain insurance with a carrier that maintains a specified A.M. Best minimum rating.


On October 31, 2019, A.M. Best reaffirmed our "A" rating and upgraded our outlook to "positive" from "stable." In taking this action, A.M. Best cited our strong balance sheet strength, favorable business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management. In addition, the positive outlook reflects A.M. Best's view of our improved profitability over the past five years on an absolute basis and relative to our peers.

Our other ratings have not changed from those reported in our "Ratings" section of Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." in our 20172018 Annual Report and continue to be as follows:
NRSRO Financial Strength Rating Outlook
A.M. BestAStable
Moody's Investor Services ("Moody's") A2 Stable
Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") A+ Stable
Standard & Poor's Global Ratings ("S&P") A Stable

In the first quarter of 2018, Moody’s reaffirmed our "A2" rating with a "stable" outlook. In taking this action, Moody’s cited our solid risk-adjusted capitalization, strong asset quality, and underwriting profitability, as well as our good regional presence and established independent agency support.


In the second quarter of 2018,2019, Fitch reaffirmed our "A+" rating with a "stable" outlook. In taking this action, Fitch cited our strong capitalization and financial performance, with stable underwriting results solid capitalization with growth in stockholders' equity, strong business profile, and stable interest coverage metrics.return metrics that have remained favorable compared to our peers.


On October 1, 2018,In Third Quarter 2019, S&P reaffirmed our "A" rating with a "stable" outlook. In taking this action, S&P cited our improvedstrong capital adequacy and strong operating performance, in standard lines supporteddriven by sophisticatedsound underwriting tools, a strong network of independent agents, and strong capital adequacy.steady pure renewal price increases.

On October 3, 2018, A.M. Best reaffirmed our "A" rating with a "stable" outlook. In taking this action, A.M. Best cited our strong balance sheet, sustained profitability, favorable business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management.



Our S&P, Moody's, and Fitch financial strength and associated credit ratings affect our ability to access capital markets.  The interest rate on our Line of Credit varies and is based on, among other factors, the Parent's debt ratings. There can be no assurance that our ratings will continue for any given period of time or that they will not be changed.  It is possible that positive or negative ratings actions by one or more of the rating agencies may occur in the future.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018, we did not have any material relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any material financing, liquidity, market, or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.


Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities, and Commitments
Our future cash payments associated with: (i) loss and loss expense reserves; and (ii) contractual obligations pursuant to operating and financing leases for office space and equipment; and (iii) debtequipment have not materially changed since December 31, 2017. 2018. The following table provides future cash payments on our notes payable as of September 30, 2019, giving consideration to the $300 million 5.375% Senior Notes issuance and the redemption of our $185 million 5.875% Senior Notes in the first quarter of 2019, the details of which are contained in Note 5. "Indebtedness" in Item 1. "Financial Statements." in this Form 10-Q:

Contractual Obligations Payment Due by Period
    
Less than
1 year
 
1-3
years
 
3-5
years
 
More than
5 years
($ in millions) Total    
Notes payable $560.0
 
 50.0
 
 510.0
Interest on debt obligations 657.3
 29.1
 57.3
 56.6
 514.3
Total $1,217.3
 29.1
 107.3
 56.6
 1,024.3

As of September 30, 2018,2019, we had contractual obligations that expire at various dates through 2036 that may require us to invest up to $218.2$229.9 million in alternative investments. There is no certainty that any such additional investment will be required. Additionally, as of September 30, 2018,2019, we had the following contractual obligations: (i) $25.8$6.7 million to further invest in non-publicly traded common stock within our equity portfolio that expire through 2023; and (ii) $45.9$31.9 million to further invest in non-publicly traded collateralized loan obligations in our fixed income securities portfolio that expire through 2030. We expect to have the capacity to repay and/or refinance these obligations as they come due.
 
We have issued no material guarantees on behalf of others and have no trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts accounted for at fair value. For additional details on transactions with related parties, see Note 16. "Related Party Transactions" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." in our 20172018 Annual Report.


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
There have been no material changes in the information about market risk set forth in our 20172018 Annual Report.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. In performing this evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control Integrated Framework ("COSO Framework")in 2013. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are: (i) effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting information on a timely basis that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act; and (ii) effective in ensuring that information that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Except for internal controls over financial reporting related to the implementation of a new investment accounting platform, no No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) occurred during Nine Months 20182019 that materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed and tested the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting related to the new investment accounting platform and concluded they were effective.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
In the ordinary course of conducting business, we arecan be named as defendants in various legal proceedings.actions. Most of these proceedings are claims litigation involving our Insurance Subsidiaries as either: (i) liability insurers defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against our customers; or (ii) insurers defending first-party coverage claims brought against them. We account for such activity through the establishment of unpaid lossesloss and loss expense reserves. WeIn ordinary course claims litigation, we expect that any potential ultimate liability, in such ordinary course claims litigationafter consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense.flows.
 

From time to time, our insurance subsidiariesInsurance Subsidiaries also are named as defendants in other legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. ThesePlaintiffs may style these actions include, among others,as putative class actions seekingand seek judicial certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example,allegations such as improper reimbursement of medical providers paid under workers compensation and personal and commercial automobile insurance policies.policies or improper reimbursement for automobile parts. Similarly, our Insurance Subsidiaries are alsocan be named from time-to-time in individual actions seeking extra-contractual damages, punitive damages, or penalties, some of which allege

often alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. We believe that we have valid defenses to these cases. Weallegations and we account for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. In these other legal actions, we expect that any potential ultimate liability, in any such lawsuitafter consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses.condition. Nonetheless, givenlitigation outcomes are inherently unpredictable and, because the inherent unpredictability of litigation and the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions anare large or indeterminate, it is possible that any adverse outcome in certain mattersoutcomes could possibly have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.


As of September 30, 2018,2019, we do not believe the Company waswe are involved in any legal action that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
Certain risk factors exist that can have a significant impact on our business, liquidity, capital resources, results of operations, financial condition, and debt ratings. These risk factors might affect, alter, or change actions that we might take in executing our long-term capital strategy, including but not limited to, contributing capital to any or all of the Insurance Subsidiaries, issuing additional debt and/or equity securities, repurchasing our equity securities, redeemingrepurchasing our fixed income securities,existing debt, or increasing or decreasing stockholders' dividends. We operate in a continually changing business environment and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Consequently, we can neither predict such new risk factors nor assess the potential future impact, if any, they might have on our business. There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” in our 20172018 Annual Report other than as discussed below.


We face risks regarding our flood business because of uncertainties regarding the NFIP.
We are the fifth largest insurance group participating in the WYO arrangement of the NFIP, which is managed by the Mitigation Division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”("FEMA") in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Under the arrangement, we receive an expense allowance for policies written and a servicing fee for claims administered, and all losses are 100% reinsured by the Federal Government.  Effective October 1, 2018,2019, the underwriting expense allowance was reducedincreased to 30.0%30.1%, from 30.9%30.0%, of direct premium written. The claim servicing fee remains the combination of 0.9% of direct premium written and 1.5% of incurred losses.


As a WYO carrier, we are required to follow certain NFIP procedures in the administration of flood policies and claims.  Some of these requirements may differ from our normal business practices and may present a reputational risk to our brand.  While insurance companies are regulated by the states and the NFIP requires WYO carriers to be licensed in the states in which they operate, the NFIP is a federal program and WYO carriers are fiscal agents of the U.S. Government and must follow the NFIP's directives.  Consequently, we have the risk that directives from the NFIP and a state regulator on the same issue may conflict.


The NFIPDuring Third Quarter 2019, the NFIP's authorization was authorizedextended until November 30, 201821, 2019, as a short-term solution while Congress continues to debate a more comprehensive proposal. There continues to be significant public policy and political debate in Congress about an extension of the NFIP, appropriate compensation for the WYO carriers, and solutions for flood risk throughout the country. In November 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Flood Reform Act, which would extend the NFIP for five years butLegislation introduced in Congress, if enacted, could greatly reduce the compensation WYO expense allowance over a three-year period to 27.9%. The bill also proposes changes in certain operational processes and provides incentives forcarriers receive under the private flood insurance market. The U.S. Senate has yet to consider this bill.NFIP. FEMA can act on its own initiative however, revisedto revise the arrangement, by: (i) reducingand did so in October 2019 by increasing the WYO’s underwriting expense allowance by 0.90.1 points, to 30.1%, from 30.9% to 30.0% effective October 2018; and (ii) eliminating the provision allowing FEMA to increase a WYO’s expense allowance by one percentage point to cover additional incurred expenses..


Our flood business could be impacted by:  (i) a lapse in program authorization; (ii) further changes to WYO carrier compensation; (iii) any mandate for primary insurance carriers to provide flood insurance; or (iii)(iv) private writers becoming more prevalent in the marketplace.  The uncertainty created by the public policy debate and politics of flood insurance reform makemakes it difficult for us to predict the future of the NFIP and our continued participation in the program.


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
The following table provides information regarding our purchases of our common stock in Third Quarter 20182019:
Period 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased1
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Programs
 Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under the Announced Programs
July 1 – 31, 2018 129
 $56.50
 
 
August 1 - 31, 2018 2,717
 62.38
 
 
September 1 - 30, 2018 13
 65.60
 
 
Total 2,859
 $62.13
 
 
Period 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased1
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Programs
 Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under the Announced Programs
July 1 – 31, 2019 179
 $77.50
 
 
August 1 - 31, 2019 540
 80.59
 
 
September 1 - 30, 2019 16,537
 78.52
 
 
Total 17,256
 $78.57
 
 


1During Third Quarter 2018, 142These shares were purchased from employees in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and 2,717 shares were purchased from employees in connection with option exercises.units. These repurchases were made to satisfy tax withholding obligations and/or option costs with respect to those individuals. These shares were not purchased as part of any publicly announced program. The shares that were purchased in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units were purchased at fair market value as defined in the Selective Insurance Group, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Stock Plan. The shares purchased in connection with the option exercises were purchased at the current market prices of our common stock on the dates the options were exercised.employees.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit No.    
 Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer in accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
* 101.INS101 XBRL Instance Document.The following financial statements from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
* 101.SCH104 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
* 101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
* 101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
* 101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
* 101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.The cover page from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, formatted in iXBRL.
 * Filed herewith.
** Furnished and not filed herewith.








SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Registrant
 
Date:October 26, 201831, 2019 By: /s/ Gregory E. Murphy
   Gregory E. Murphy
   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
   (principal executive officer)
 
Date:October 26, 201831, 2019 By: /s/ Mark A. Wilcox
   Mark A. Wilcox
   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   (principal financial officer)
 


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