Form 10-K
Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

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 0-50167

 

 

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

OHIO   03-0483872

(State of other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3700 COLONNADE PARKWAY

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

  35243
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(205) 870-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, no par value   NASDAQ Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
(Title of class)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    ¨  Yes    x  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    ¨  Yes    x  No

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act from their obligations under those Sections.

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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

As of June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of the voting Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $659,845,325 based on the last sale price of Common Stock on that date as reported by The NASDAQ Global Select Market.

As of February 13, 2009, there were 14,072,869 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 18, 2009, are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.

 

 

 


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT

ON FORM 10-K

 

         Page
Part I     
    Item 1 -   Business    1
    Introduction    1
    Operations    2
    Item 1A -   Risk Factors    9
    Item 1B -   Unresolved Staff Comments    12
    Item 2 -   Properties    12
    Item 3 -   Legal Proceedings    12
    Item 4 -   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    12
Part II     
    Item 5 -   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    13
    Item 6 -   Selected Financial Data    16
    Item 7 -   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    17
    Item 7A -   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    47
    Item 8 -   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    47
    Item 9 -   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    47
    Item 9A -   Controls and Procedures    48
    Item 9B -   Other Information    50
Part III     
    Item 10 -   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance    50
    Item 11 -   Executive Compensation    50
    Item 12 -   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    50
    Item 13 -   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    50
    Item 14 -   Principal Accounting Fees and Services    50
Part IV     
    Item 15 -   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules    84


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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this report not dealing with historical results or current facts are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions, and projections. Statements which include the words “believes”, “seeks”, “expects”, “may”, “should”, “intends”, “likely”, “targets”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “estimates” or the negative version of those words and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements relating to expectations concerning market conditions, premium, growth, earnings, investment performance, expected losses, rate changes and loss experience.

Actual results could differ materially from those expected by Infinity depending on: changes in economic conditions and financial markets (including interest rates), the adequacy or accuracy of Infinity’s pricing methodologies, actions of competitors, the approval of requested form and rate changes, judicial and regulatory developments affecting the automobile insurance industry, the outcome of pending or new litigation against Infinity, weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, snowfalls, hail and winter conditions), changes in driving patterns and loss trends. Infinity undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A.

PART I

ITEM 1

Business

Introduction

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (“Infinity” or the “Company”) is a holding company that, through subsidiaries, provides personal automobile insurance with a concentration on nonstandard auto insurance. Infinity is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The Company employed approximately 1,860 persons at December 31, 2008.

Infinity files its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports as required with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Any of these documents may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Infinity’s filed documents may also be accessed via the SEC Internet site at: http://www.sec.gov. All of Infinity’s SEC filings, news releases and other information may also be accessed free of charge on Infinity’s Internet site at: http://www.ipacc.com. Information on Infinity’s website is not part of this Form 10-K.

Please see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the history and organization of Infinity. References to Infinity, unless the context requires otherwise, include the combined operations of its subsidiaries (collectively the “NSA Group”) and the in-force personal insurance business assumed through a reinsurance contract (the “Assumed Agency Business”) from American Financial Group Inc.’s (“AFG”), formerly Infinity’s parent company, principal property and casualty subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company (“GAI”). Unless indicated otherwise, the financial information herein is presented on a GAAP basis. Schedules may not foot due to rounding.

The Personal Automobile Market

Personal auto insurance is the largest line of property and casualty insurance, accounting for approximately 36% of the estimated $444 billion of annual industry premium. Personal auto insurance is comprised of preferred, standard and nonstandard risks. Nonstandard auto insurance is intended for drivers who, due to factors such as their driving record, age or vehicle type, represent a higher than normal risk. As a result, customers who purchase nonstandard auto insurance generally pay a higher premium for similar coverage than the drivers qualifying for standard or preferred policies. While there is no established industry-recognized distinction between nonstandard risks and all other personal auto risks, Infinity believes that nonstandard auto risks generally constitute between 15% and 20% of the personal automobile insurance market, with this range fluctuating according to competitive conditions in the market. Independent agents sell approximately one-third of all personal automobile insurance. The remainder is sold by captive agents or directly by insurance companies to their customers. Infinity believes that, relative to the standard and preferred auto insurance market, a disproportionately larger portion of nonstandard auto insurance is sold through independent agents.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

Business

The personal auto insurance industry is cyclical, characterized by periods of price competition and excess capacity, followed by periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity. Over the past several years, the cycle has been “soft”, marked by aggressive competition for independent agents’ business through increased sales and commission incentives. Infinity observed that, during this soft cycle, some competitors were reducing their overall rates with larger rate reductions in certain segments of the business. The personal automobile component of the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) reflects this trend as it indicates personal automobile insurance rates have increased just 0.5%, 0.8% and 1.0% during 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, after increasing 3.4% and 4.5% during 2004 and 2003, respectively. During 2008, Infinity observed competitors continuing to reduce rates in certain segments of the business, but also observed, in the latter part of the year, a few competitors in certain states increasing rates and tightening underwriting standards. Industry rates in 2008, as measured by the CPI, increased 4.0%. Infinity’s average rate adjustments on its personal auto business were (2.6)%, 3.5%, 0.8% and 2.2% for 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The 2008 rate decrease is primarily a result of the 10.4% rate decrease implemented January 1, 2008 in Infinity’s largest program in California in response to the amended rate approval regulations in that state. Excluding California, overall rates increased 7.3%.

The personal auto insurance industry is highly competitive and, except for regulatory considerations, there are relatively few barriers to entry. Infinity generally competes with other insurers on the basis of price, coverages offered, claims handling, customer service, agent commission, geographic coverage and financial strength ratings. Infinity competes with both large national writers and smaller regional companies. In 2007, the five largest automobile insurance companies accounted for approximately 49% of the industry’s net written premium and the largest ten accounted for approximately 65% (2008 industry data not available). Approximately 341 insurance groups compete in the personal auto insurance industry, according to A.M. Best. Some of these groups specialize in nonstandard auto insurance, while others insure a broad spectrum of personal auto insurance risks.

Operations

Infinity is organized along functional responsibilities with the following centralized departments: product management, marketing, claims, customer service, accounting, treasury, human resources and information technology resources. Frequent executive team meetings, which include the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Legal Officer, the Chief Marketing Officer, the Chief Product Management Officer and the Chief Claims Officer, allow for sharing of information among functional departments and for setting policies and making key strategic decisions.

Infinity estimates that approximately 99% of its personal auto business is nonstandard auto insurance. Based on data published by A.M. Best, Infinity believes that it is the third largest provider of nonstandard auto coverage through independent agents in the United States. Infinity also writes standard and preferred personal auto insurance, monoline commercial auto insurance and classic collector automobile insurance.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

Business

 

Summarized historical financial data for Infinity is presented below (in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006

Gross written premium

   $ 896,899    $ 1,019,119    $ 992,409

Net written premium

     892,090      1,014,262      982,190

Net earnings

     19,257      71,944      87,282

 

     as of December 31,
     2008    2007

Total assets

   $ 1,721,335    $ 1,916,610

Total liabilities

     1,196,004      1,315,386

Total shareholders’ equity

     525,331      601,224

Infinity has a history of favorable underwriting results. The following table compares Infinity’s statutory combined ratio in past years with those of the private passenger auto industry. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio (the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) to net earned premium) and the expense ratio (when calculated on a statutory accounting basis, the ratio of underwriting expenses to net written premium). When the combined ratio is under 100%, underwriting results are generally considered profitable; when the ratio is over 100%, underwriting results are generally considered unprofitable. Infinity has consistently performed better than the industry as shown below:

 

     2008     2007     2006     2005     2004     2004-2008     1999-2008  

Infinity

   91.2 %   91.8 %   88.7 %   90.0 %   90.3 %   90.4 %   95.8 %

Industry (a)

   100.4 %   98.4 %   95.5 %   95.1 %   94.3 %   96.7 %   100.3 %
                                          

Percentage points better than industry

   9.2 %   6.6 %   6.8 %   5.1 %   4.0 %   6.3 %   4.5 %

 

(a) Private passenger auto industry combined ratios for 1999 through 2007 were obtained from A.M. Best. A.M. Best data were not available for 2008. The industry combined ratio for 2008 is an estimate based on data obtained from Conning Research and Consulting.

Products

Personal Automobile is Infinity’s primary insurance product. It provides coverage to individuals for liability to others for bodily injury and property damage and for physical damage to an insured’s own vehicle from collision and various other perils. In addition, many states require policies to provide for first party personal injury protection, frequently referred to as no-fault coverage. Infinity offers three primary products to individual drivers: the Low-Cost product, which offers the most restricted coverage, the Value-Added product, which offers broader coverage and higher limits, and the Premier product, which offers the broadest coverage and is designed for standard and preferred risk drivers. For the year ended December 31, 2008, Infinity’s mix of personal automobile written premium was 14% Low-Cost, 85% Value-Added and 1% Premier.

Commercial Vehicle provides coverage to businesses for liability to others for bodily injury and property damage and for physical damage to vehicles from collision and various other perils. Infinity offers monoline commercial automobile insurance to businesses with fleets of 12 or fewer vehicles. Businesses that are involved in what Infinity considers to be hazardous operations or interstate commerce are generally avoided.

Classic Collector provides protection for classic collectible automobiles. Infinity’s Classic Collector program provides coverage to individuals with classic or antique automobiles for liability to others for bodily injury and property damage and for physical damage to an insured’s own vehicle from collision and various other perils.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

Business

 

Infinity’s three product groups contributed the following percentages of total gross written premium:

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Personal Automobile

   93 %   94 %   93 %

Commercial Vehicle

   5 %   4 %   4 %

Classic Collector

   2 %   2 %   2 %

Other Lines

   0 %   0 %   1 %
                  

Total

   100 %   100 %   100 %
                  

Distribution and Marketing

Infinity distributes its products primarily through a network of over 12,500 independent agencies and brokers (with approximately 16,000 locations). Independent agencies and brokers were responsible for approximately 96% of Infinity’s gross written premium for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008. In 2008, two independent agencies each accounted for between 2% and 3% of Infinity’s gross written premium, six other agencies each accounted for between 1% and 2% of the Company’s gross written premium and 13.5% of the agency force produced 80% of Infinity’s gross written premium. In California, Infinity’s largest state by premium volume, 42% of gross written premium (which represents 22.3% countrywide) was produced by forty independent agents and brokers.

Infinity pays each agent a commission, based on contractual rates multiplied by the premium the agent generates. On a limited basis, Infinity also offers contingent commission arrangements, typically in the form of higher commission rates, to agencies in order to spur premium growth in profitable areas. In 2008, contingent commission arrangements represented approximately 1% of total agency compensation.

Infinity also fosters agent relationships by providing them with access to Infinity’s Internet web-based software applications along with programs and services designed to strengthen and expand their marketing, sales and service capabilities. Infinity’s Internet-based software applications provide many of its agents with real-time underwriting, claims and policy information. Infinity believes the array of services that it offers to its agents adds significant value to the agents’ businesses. For example, “Providing Agents Service and Support Program” is Infinity’s incentive-based program through which agents receive assistance in critical areas such as training, advertising and promotion. In 2008, Infinity spent $9.8 million on co-op advertising and promotions.

Strategic partnerships are another mode of distribution for Infinity. These are relationships with non-affiliated property and casualty insurers that have their own captive agency forces. These companies usually provide standard and preferred auto coverage through one of their own companies while utilizing Infinity’s companies for their nonstandard risks. Infinity believes these relationships are mutually beneficial because its partners gain access to Infinity’s nonstandard auto expertise, and Infinity gains access to a new distribution channel. This channel represented approximately 4% of gross written premium in 2008.

Infinity is licensed to write insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but is committed to growth in targeted urban areas (“Urban Zones”) identified within selected Focus States that management believes offer the greatest opportunity for premium growth and profitability.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

Business

 

Infinity classifies the states in which it operates into three categories:

 

   

“Focus States” – Infinity has identified Urban Zones in these states which include: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Texas.

 

   

“Maintenance States” – Infinity is maintaining its writings in these states which include: Alabama, Colorado, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee. These states contain no Urban Zones, but Infinity believes each Maintenance State offers the Company an opportunity for underwriting profit.

 

   

“Other States” – Includes all remaining states.

Infinity further classifies the Focus States into two categories:

 

   

“Urban Zones” – include the following urban areas:

 

   

Arizona – Phoenix and Tucson

 

   

California – Bay Area, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Joaquin Valley

 

   

Connecticut – Hartford

 

   

Florida – Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Bradenton/Sarasota and Tampa

 

   

Georgia – Atlanta

 

   

Illinois – Chicago

 

   

Nevada – Las Vegas

 

   

Pennsylvania – Allentown and Philadelphia

 

   

Texas – Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio

 

   

“Non-Urban Zones” – include all remaining areas in the Focus States outside of a designated Urban Zone.

Infinity continually evaluates its market opportunities, thus the Focus States, Urban Zones or Maintenance States may change over time as new market opportunities arise. In the table below, Infinity has restated 2007 and 2006 premium to be consistent with the 2008 definition of Urban Zones, Focus States, Maintenance States and Other States.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

Business

 

Total gross written premium among the three state categories are as follows:

 

     Twelve months ended December, 31  
     2008     2007     2006  

Personal Auto Insurance

      

Focus States:

      

California

      

Urban Zones

   50 %   51 %   48 %

Non-Urban Zones

   1 %   2 %   2 %

Florida

      

Urban Zones

   9 %   8 %   8 %

Non-Urban Zones

   5 %   6 %   7 %

Texas

      

Urban Zones

   5 %   4 %   3 %

Non-Urban Zones

   1 %   1 %   1 %

Georgia

      

Urban Zones

   3 %   3 %   3 %

Non-Urban Zones

   3 %   3 %   4 %

Pennsylvania

      

Urban Zones

   3 %   3 %   3 %

Non-Urban Zones

   2 %   2 %   2 %

Arizona

      

Urban Zones

   3 %   4 %   3 %

Non-Urban Zones

   *     *     *  

Nevada

      

Urban Zones

   3 %   2 %   *  

Non-Urban Zones

   *     *     *  

Connecticut

      

Urban Zones

   1 %   1 %   2 %

Non-Urban Zones

   1 %   1 %   1 %

Illinois

      

Urban Zones

   *     *     —    

Non-Urban Zones

   *     *     —    
                  

Total Focus States

   89 %   89 %   85 %

Maintenance States

   4 %   5 %   6 %

Other States

   *     1 %   2 %
                  

Subtotal

   93 %   94 %   93 %

Commercial Vehicle

   5 %   4 %   4 %

Classic Collector

   2 %   2 %   2 %

Other

   *     *     1 %
                  

Total All States and All Lines

   100 %   100 %   100 %

Total $ (in thousands)—All States and All Lines

   896,902     1,019,011     986,741  

 

(1) 2008, 2007 and 2006 exclude less than $(0.1) million, $0.1 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of premium written on behalf of other companies. 2006 also excludes $0.7 million of unearned premium transfers.
(2) * denotes less than one percent

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

Business

 

Infinity’s distribution and marketing efforts are implemented with a focus on maintaining a low-cost structure. Controlling expenses allows Infinity to price competitively and achieve better underwriting returns. Over the five years ended 2007, years for which industry data are available from A.M. Best, Infinity’s statutory ratio of underwriting expenses to premium written has averaged 21.9%, which is 4.4 points better than the independent agency segment of the private passenger automobile industry average of 26.3% for the same period.

Claims Handling

Infinity strives for accuracy, consistency and fairness in its claim resolutions. Infinity’s claims organization employs approximately 850 people and has 28 field locations. Infinity provides a 24-hour, seven days per week toll-free service for its customers to report claims. Infinity predominantly uses its own local adjusters and appraisers, who typically respond to claims within 24 hours of a report. Included in the 28 field locations are 12 claims service centers, which allow customers to conveniently bring in their vehicles for damage appraisal.

Infinity is committed to the field handling of claims in Urban Zones and believes it provides, when compared to alternative methods, better service to its customers and better control of the claim resolution process. Infinity opens claims branch offices in the Urban Zones where the volume of business will support them. Customer interactions can occur with generalists (initial and continuing adjusters) and specialists (staff appraisers, field casualty representatives and special investigators) based on local market volume, density and performance.

In addition to the use of field claims handling, Infinity uses a centralized claims call center to receive first notice of loss as well as to adjust simple property damage claims.

Ratings

A.M. Best has assigned Infinity’s insurance company subsidiaries a group financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent). According to A.M. Best, “A” ratings are assigned to insurers that have, on average, “excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile” when compared to their standards, and in A.M. Best’s opinion, “have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders”. A.M. Best bases its ratings on factors that concern policyholders and not upon factors concerning investor protection.

Regulatory Environment

Infinity’s insurance company subsidiaries are subject to regulation and supervision by insurance departments of the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled or licensed to transact business. State insurance departments have broad administrative power relating to licensing insurers and agents, regulating premium rates and policy forms, establishing reserve and investment requirements, prescribing statutory accounting methods and the form and content of statutory financial reports, and regulating methods and processes of how an insurer conducts it business. Recent examples of the latter include the establishment in California of auto rating factor and rate approval regulations, proscription on credit based insurance scoring, prohibition of certain business practices with auto body repair shops, and attempts to set uniform auto body repair shop parts and labor rates. Some of these regulatory actions have come with the support of legislation, while others have been contested through judicial challenges.

Under state insolvency and guaranty laws, regulated insurers can be assessed or required to contribute to state guaranty funds to cover policyholder losses resulting from insurer insolvencies. Insurers are also required by many states, as a condition of doing business in the state, to participate in various assigned risk pools, reinsurance facilities or underwriting associations, which provide various insurance coverages to individuals who otherwise are unable to purchase that coverage in the voluntary market. Participation in these involuntary plans is generally in proportion to voluntary writings of related lines of business in that state. The underwriting results of these plans traditionally have been unprofitable. The amount of premium Infinity might be required to assume in a given state in connection with an involuntary plan may be reduced because of credits Infinity may receive for nonstandard policies that it voluntarily writes. Many states also have laws and regulations that limit an insurer’s ability to exit a market. For example, certain states limit an automobile insurer’s ability to cancel and non-renew policies.

State insurance departments that have jurisdiction over Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries may conduct on-site visits and examinations of the companies’ affairs. At December 31, 2008, Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries were involved in two market conduct examinations, including a rating and underwriting examination in California, Infinity’s largest state. As of February 27, 2009 these examinations have not been completed. These examinations have from time to time given rise to, and are likely to give rise to in the future, regulatory orders requiring remedial, injunctive or other action on the part of an insurance subsidiary or the assessment of substantial fines or other penalties against Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

Business

 

Every five years, Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to a financial examination by the states in which the subsidiaries are domiciled. During 2007, the states’ examinations of the 2002 through 2006 statutory financial statements were completed with no financial adjustments required.

The insurance laws of the states of domicile of Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries contain provisions to the effect that the acquisition or change of control of a domestic insurer or of any entity that controls a domestic insurer cannot be consummated without the prior approval of the relevant insurance regulator. In addition, certain state insurance laws contain provisions that require pre-acquisition notification to state agencies of a change in control with respect to a non-domestic insurance company licensed to do business in that state. Such approval requirements may deter, delay or prevent certain transactions affecting the ownership of Infinity’s common stock.

Infinity is a holding company with no business operations of its own. Consequently, Infinity’s ability to pay dividends to shareholders and meet its debt payment obligations is largely dependent on dividends or other distributions from its insurance company subsidiaries, current investments and cash held. State insurance laws restrict the ability of Infinity’s insurance company subsidiaries to declare shareholder dividends. These subsidiaries may not make an “extraordinary dividend” until thirty days after the applicable commissioner of insurance has received notice of the intended dividend and has either not objected or has approved the payment of the extraordinary dividend within the 30-day period. An extraordinary dividend is defined as any dividend or distribution that, together with other distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of 10% of the insurer’s surplus as of the preceding December 31st, or the insurer’s net income for the twelve-month period ending the preceding December 31st, in each case determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. In addition, an insurer’s remaining surplus after payment of a cash dividend to shareholder affiliates must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs.

If a shareholder dividend does not rise to the statutory level of an extraordinary dividend, then it is an “ordinary dividend.” While an insurance company’s ability to pay an ordinary dividend does not require the approval of a state insurance department, the company must, by law, file a 10-day notice of ordinary dividend with the appropriate insurance departments. Insurance companies that fail to notify an insurance department of the payment of an ordinary dividend are assessed administrative fines.

The ordinary dividend capacity and payment activity of Infinity’s insurance companies for the two most recent years as well as the dividend capacity for the upcoming year are shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

     2009    2008    2007

Maximum ordinary dividends available to Infinity (a)

   $ 43,000    $ 79,001    $ 113,896

Dividends paid from subsidiaries to parent

     —      $ 70,000    $ 90,291

 

(a) The 2007 maximum ordinary dividend includes a one-time addition of approximately $33 million due to dividends paid to the lead insurance company in the pool from its insurance subsidiaries.

State insurance laws require Infinity’s insurance companies to maintain specified levels of statutory capital and surplus. Generally, the net admitted assets of insurance companies that, subject to other applicable insurance laws and regulations, are available for transfer to the parent company cannot include the net admitted assets required to meet the minimum statutory surplus requirements of the states where the companies are licensed. In addition, for competitive reasons, Infinity’s insurance company subsidiaries need to maintain adequate financial strength ratings from independent rating agencies. Both of these factors may limit the ability of Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

 

ITEM 1A

Risk Factors

Infinity’s business operations face a number of risks. These risks should be read and considered with other information provided in this report.

A deepening recession and further disruption in the financial markets may adversely affect Infinity’s future earnings, capital position and its ability to raise additional capital.

The severe economic downturn and financial crisis has produced illiquidity in the capital markets, extreme market volatility, heightened exposure to interest rate and credit risks and reduced access to capital markets. These conditions have already contributed to material losses in the Company’s investment portfolio. Should such conditions persist or worsen, Infinity’s investment portfolio could suffer further losses and additional other-than-temporary impairments, which would negatively impact future earnings and Infinity’s capital position. Should Infinity seek additional capital, whether to maintain financial strength and credit ratings, support growth or fund business acquisitions, it may become more difficult or expensive to do so.

The economic slowdown has disproportionately impacted Infinity’s targeted consumers and could adversely affect the Company’s premium revenue and profitability.

The current downturn in the general economy- characterized by rising unemployment and falling consumer confidence- could adversely affect insurance buying behavior. These economic factors may also disproportionately affect consumers of nonstandard automobile insurance. Customers may choose not to purchase coverage, to let coverage lapse on renewal or to opt for liability coverage only. These conditions may adversely affect Infinity’s premium revenue and profitability.

Because of the significant concentration of Infinity’s business in California, Infinity’s profitability may be adversely affected by negative developments in the California insurance market and economic environment.

California, Infinity’s largest market, generated approximately 51% of Infinity’s gross written premium in 2008. Infinity’s California business also generates substantial underwriting profit. Consequently, Infinity’s revenues and profitability are affected by the dynamic nature of regulatory, legal, competitive and economic conditions in that state, including rising unemployment. Examples of potentially adverse regulatory or judicial developments or proposed legislation in California include laws aimed at curtailing unlawful immigration, restricting the use of territory as a rate factor, limiting the after-tax rate of return allowed an insurer, and restricting the type of compensation paid to independent brokers. These developments could negatively affect premium revenue or make it more expensive or less profitable for Infinity to conduct business in the state.

Profitability may be affected if Infinity fails to accurately price the risks it underwrites.

Infinity’s profitability depends on its ability to set premium rates accurately. Pricing with accuracy is complicated by inflationary pressures on medical care, auto parts and repair services costs. It is also dependent on the availability of sufficient, reliable data on which to project both severity and frequency trends and timely recognition of changes in loss cost trends. This process poses more of a challenge in markets where Infinity has less geographic presence and experience.

Consequently, Infinity could underprice risks, which could negatively affect its profit margins, or overprice risks, which could reduce sales volume and competitiveness. Either scenario could adversely affect profitability.

 

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Risk Factors

 

Extra-contractual losses arising from bad faith claims could materially reduce Infinity’s profitability.

In California, Florida, and other states where Infinity has substantial operations, the judicial climate, case law or statutory framework are often viewed as unfavorable toward an insurer in litigation brought against it by policyholders and third-party claimants. This tends to increase Infinity’s exposure to extra-contractual losses, or monetary damages beyond policy limits, in what are known as “bad faith” claims, for which reinsurance may be unavailable. Such claims have in the past, and may in the future, result in losses to Infinity that materially reduce the Company’s profitability.

The failure to maintain or to further develop reliable and efficient information and technology systems would be disruptive to Infinity’s operations and diminish its ability to compete successfully.

Infinity is highly dependent on efficient and uninterrupted performance of its information technology and business systems. These systems quote, process and service Infinity’s business, and perform actuarial functions necessary for pricing and product development. These systems must also be able to undergo periodic modifications and improvements without interruptions or untimely delays in service. This capability is crucial to meeting growing customer demands for user friendly, online capabilities and convenient, quality service. The Company is undergoing fundamental changes and improvements to its claims and policy services platform. A failure or delay to achieve these improvements could interrupt certain processes or degrade business operations and would place Infinity at a competitive disadvantage.

Legal, regulatory and legislative challenges to established practices in the areas of underwriting, claims handling and compensation issues are continually emerging and could adversely impact Infinity’s operating results or established methods of doing business.

As automobile insurance industry practices and regulatory, judicial and consumer conditions change, challenges to prevailing industry practices continue to emerge. Examples of recent challenges to Infinity and industry practices relate to:

 

   

the use of an applicant’s credit, territory, occupation and other rating factors in making risk selection and pricing decisions;

 

   

the use of automated databases to assist in the adjustment of bodily injury and physical damage claims; and

 

   

the manner in which brokers are compensated and provided incentives.

Some of these practices are the subject of ongoing litigation (See Note 14 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Legal Proceedings”). How or when these issues are ultimately resolved is uncertain. The resolutions could, however, adversely impact Infinity’s operating results or its methods of doing business.

The inability to recruit, develop and retain key personnel could prevent Infinity from implementing its business strategy and negatively affect future growth and profitability.

Successful implementation of Infinity’s business strategy will depend, in part, upon the continued services of its Chief Executive Officer, James Gober. Infinity’s future success will also depend on its ability to retain executives and key personnel, as well as attract new talent. The highly competitive nature of the industry, along with the advantages that larger, better known firms possess in the recruiting process, poses a challenge. The loss of any of the executive officers or key personnel, or the inability to attract and retain new talent, could prevent Infinity from fully implementing its business strategy and negatively affect future growth and profitability.

Infinity relies upon a limited number of independent agents to generate a substantial portion of its business. If Infinity is unable to retain or increase the level of business that these independent agents place with Infinity or increase the level of business generated by other agents, the Company’s revenues would be negatively affected.

Approximately 13.5% of the Company’s 12,500 independent agents account for approximately 80% of Infinity’s gross written premium in 2008. Infinity must compete with other insurance carriers for the business of these agents in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Some competitors offer superior systems to quote and process business, a larger variety of products, lower prices for insurance coverage, higher commissions or more attractive cash and non-cash incentives. Further, legal restrictions on the type of compensation provided to brokers, particularly in California, could negatively impact revenues in a given market.

 

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Risk Factors

 

Infinity is vulnerable to a reduction in the amount of business written through the independent agent distribution channel.

Reliance on the independent agency as its primary distribution channel makes Infinity vulnerable to the growing popularity of direct distribution channels, particularly the Internet. Approximately two-thirds of all personal automobile insurance sold in the United States is sold directly to the consumer or through captive agents (agents employed by one company or selling only one company’s products) and approximately one-third is sold by independent agents. A material reduction in the amount of business generated through the independent agency channel could negatively impact Infinity’s revenues and growth opportunities.

 

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ITEM 1B

Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

ITEM 2

Properties

Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries lease approximately 865,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in numerous cities throughout the United States, of which approximately 260,000 square feet is subleased or available for sublease. All of these leases expire within ten years. The most significant leased office spaces are located in Birmingham, Alabama (Infinity’s principal offices); suburban Atlanta, Georgia; Irving, Texas and suburban Los Angeles, California. See Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about leases. As of January 2009, Infinity owns a 33,515 square foot building in McAllen, Texas.

ITEM 3

Legal Proceedings

See Note 14 – Legal Proceedings of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Company’s material Legal Proceedings.

ITEM 4

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

 

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PART II

ITEM 5

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Infinity had 61 registered holders of record and an estimated 1,400 total holders at February 13, 2009. Infinity’s common stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol IPCC. The stock prices in the following table are over-the-counter market quotations that reflect transactions between dealers; retail markups and commissions are not reflected. These prices may not represent actual transactions. The Company’s closing per-share stock price on February 13, 2009 was $41.48. See Note 16 – Additional Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about restriction on transfer of funds and assets of subsidiaries.

Infinity Quarterly High and Low Stock Prices and Dividends Paid by Quarter

 

For the quarter ended:

   High    Low    Close    Dividends Declared
and Paid Per Share
   Return to
Shareholders
(excluding
dividends) (a)
    Return to
Shareholders
(including
dividends) (b)
 

March 31, 2007

   $ 50.34    $ 45.55    $ 46.86    $ 0.09    (3.2 )%   (3.0 )%

June 30, 2007

     55.40      46.39      50.73      0.09    8.3 %   8.5 %

September 30, 2007

     52.02      38.00      40.22      0.09    (20.7 )%   (20.5 )%

December 31, 2007

     42.66      35.31      36.13      0.09    (10.2 )%   (9.9 )%

March 31, 2008

   $ 42.99    $ 35.47    $ 41.60    $ 0.11    15.1 %   15.4 %

June 30, 2008

     45.00      38.01      41.52      0.11    (0.2 )%   0.1 %

September 30, 2008

     52.82      39.51      41.20      0.11    (0.8 )%   (0.5 )%

December 31, 2008

     48.66      32.98      46.73      0.11    13.4 %   13.7 %

For the twelve months ended:

                                

December 31, 2007

     55.40      35.31      36.13      0.36    (25.3 )%   (24.6 )%

December 31, 2008

     52.82      32.98      46.73      0.44    29.3 %   30.6 %

 

(a) Calculated as the difference between Infinity’s share price at the end and the beginning of the periods presented by the share price at the beginning of the period presented.
(b) Calculated by dividing the sum of (i) the amount of dividends, assuming dividend reinvestment during the period presented and (ii) the difference between Infinity’s share price at the end and the beginning of the periods presented by the share price at the beginning of the period presented.

The information required under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” is provided under Item 12 herein.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, no equity securities of the Company were sold by the Company that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The following table presents information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company made during the three months ended December 31, 2008 by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act.

 

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

   Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price Paid
per Share (a)
   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(b)
   Maximum Number
(or Approximate Dollar Value)
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(b)

October 1, 2008 – October 31, 2008

   682,400    $ 39.08    682,400    $ 48,720,437

November 1, 2008 – November 30, 2008

   116,400      40.55    116,400      43,997,351

December 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008

   59,700      44.12    59,700      41,361,588
                       

Total

   858,500    $ 39.63    858,500    $ 41,361,588
                       

 

(a) Average price paid per share excludes commissions.
(b) In October 2006, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program whereby the Company may repurchase up to $100 million of its outstanding shares. On July 24, 2008, the Board of Directors approved an additional $74.3 million to be added to the remaining share repurchase authority, bringing the total share repurchase authority as of that date to $100 million, and extended the date to complete the repurchases to the earlier of December 31, 2009 or the completion of all purchases contemplated by the plan.

 

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The following graph shows the percentage change in cumulative total shareholder return on Infinity’s common stock over the five years ending December 31, 2008 measured by dividing the sum of (A) the cumulative amount of dividends, assuming dividend reinvestment during the periods presented and (B) the difference between Infinity’s share price at the end and the beginning of the periods presented by the share price at the beginning of the periods presented. The graph demonstrates cumulative total returns for Infinity, the Center for Research in Security Prices (“CRSP”) Total Return Index for NASDAQ U.S. Index, and the CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Insurance Stocks (SIC 6330-6339 U.S. Fire, Marine and Casualty Insurance Company) from December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2008.

Cumulative Total Return

LOGO

Cumulative Total Return as of December 31, 2008

(Assumes a $100 investment at the close of trading on December 31, 2003)

 

     12/31/03    12/31/04    12/31/05    12/31/06    12/31/07    12/31/08

IPCC

   100.000    107.247    114.190    149.595    112.612    147.121

NASDAQ U.S. Index

   100.000    108.835    111.155    122.109    132.420    63.803

NASDAQ Insurance Stocks

   100.000    121.409    136.071    153.852    154.170    142.809

 

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ITEM 6

Selected Financial Data

 

(in thousands, except per share data)    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  

Infinity

          

Gross written premium

   $ 896,902     $ 1,019,011     $ 986,741     $ 988,670     $ 940,221  

Net written premium

     892,090       1,014,262       982,190       979,635       917,756  

Net written premium growth

     (12.0 )%     3.3 %     0.3 %     6.7 %     12.2 %

Net premium earned (a)

     922,451       1,031,564       948,665       961,503       872,324  

Total revenues

     930,918       1,098,226       1,021,343       1,053,249       951,763  

Loss & LAE ratio

     70.3 %     70.5 %     67.0 %     68.7 %     70.3 %

Underwriting ratio

     22.2 %     23.0 %     23.8 %     23.3 %     21.6 %
                                        

Combined ratio

     92.5 %     93.5 %     90.8 %     92.0 %     91.9 %
                                        

Net earnings

   $ 19,257     $ 71,944     $ 87,282     $ 106,308     $ 96,398  

Net earnings per diluted share

     1.23       3.87       4.26       5.09       4.62  

Return on average common shareholders’ equity

     3.4 %     11.4 %     13.5 %     18.1 %     19.2 %

Cash and investments

   $ 1,172,668     $ 1,323,312     $ 1,414,851     $ 1,447,685     $ 1,441,125  

Total assets

     1,721,335       1,916,610       2,014,354       1,971,728       1,944,938  

Unpaid losses and LAE

     544,756       618,409       596,029       625,870       696,248  

Debt outstanding

     199,567       199,496       199,429       199,366       199,305  

Total liabilities

     1,196,004       1,315,386       1,349,753       1,345,134       1,397,517  

Shareholders’ equity

     525,331       601,224       664,601       626,594       547,421  

Cash dividend per common share

   $ 0.44     $ 0.36     $ 0.30     $ 0.24     $ 0.22  

Common shares outstanding (b)

     14,146       16,200       19,617       20,649       20,581  

Book value per common share

   $ 37.14     $ 37.11     $ 33.88     $ 30.34     $ 26.60  

Ratios:

          

Debt to total capital

     27.5 %     24.9 %     23.1 %     24.1 %     26.7 %

Interest coverage

     5.9       10.8       12.9       14.5       13.1  

 

(a) During 2004, Infinity ceded a portion of its automobile physical damage business through reinsurance agreements which were commuted 12/31/2004 and were not renewed or replaced. The majority of the increase in net written and earned premium in 2005 is a result of the discontinuation of the reinsurance agreements.
(b) Common shares outstanding exclude non-vested restricted shares of 45 and 90 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

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

ITEM 7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INDEX TO MD&A

 

     Page

Overview

   17

Critical Accounting Policies

   18

Insurance Reserves

   18

Other-than-Temporary Losses on Investments

   24

Accruals for Litigation

   24

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   25

Ratios

   25

Sources of Funds

   25

Contractual Obligations

   26

Investments

   26

General

   26

Fixed Maturity Investments

   31

Exposure to Market Risk

   31

Interest Rate Risk

   31

Credit Risk

   32

Equity Price Risk

   33

Goodwill

   34

Results of Operations

   35

Underwriting

   35

Premium

   35

Profitability

   39

Investment Income

   42

Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments

   43

Other Income

   44

Interest Expense

   45

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

   45

Restructuring Charges

   45

Other Expenses

   46

Income Taxes

   46

See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1.

Overview

In 2008, Infinity’s revenues were adversely affected by the economic recession. The continued decline in the markets for debt and equity investments resulted in $61.8 million in charges to Infinity for other-than-temporary impairments. Increasing unemployment in Infinity’s key Focus States dampened consumer demand for auto insurance leading to a decline in written premium of 11.8% in these states for the year. See Results of Operations – Underwriting – Premium for a more detailed discussion of Infinity’s underwriting results.

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 were $19.3 million and $1.23, respectively, compared with $71.9 million and $3.87, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. The decline in diluted earnings per share is primarily due to $51.4 million of net realized losses during 2008 compared to $3.1 million of net realized losses during 2007. Included in the net realized loss for 2008 is $61.8 million of other-than-temporary impairments on securities compared with $4.0 million of impairments during 2007.

Operating earnings, which exclude realized gains and losses on investments, were $71.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, down 6.0% from $75.6 million in 2007. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decline in investment income.

 

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

 

Infinity continued to generate strong underwriting results in 2008 with a GAAP combined ratio of 92.5% at December 31 compared to 93.5% for the same period of 2007. Underwriting results benefited from $29.4 million of favorable development on prior accident period loss and LAE reserves compared with $13.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. See Results of Operations – Underwriting – Profitability for a more detailed discussion of Infinity’s underwriting results.

The market for personal auto insurance remained competitive in 2008 but is beginning to show signs of firming. Declines in claim frequencies for the industry have slowed while average claim severities continue to increase. Even though Infinity expects this firming trend to continue, Infinity believes that the impact of the economic recession will continue to suppress demand for auto insurance in 2009.

Critical Accounting Policies

(See Note 1- Significant Reporting and Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements)

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions could change and thus impact amounts reported in the future. Management believes that the establishment of insurance reserves, the determination of “other-than-temporary” impairment on investments and accruals for litigation are the areas where the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements make the accounting policies critical.

Insurance Reserves

Insurance reserves, or unpaid losses and LAE, are management’s best estimate of (i) the ultimate amounts that will be paid for all claims that have been reported up to the date of the current accounting period but that have not yet been paid, (ii) an estimate of claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported to the Company (“incurred but not reported” or “IBNR”), and (iii) unpaid claim settlement expenses.

IBNR reserves are established for the quarter and year-end based on a quarterly reserve analysis by the Company’s actuarial staff. Various standard actuarial tests are applied to subsets of the business at a state, product and coverage basis. Included in the analyses are the following:

 

   

Paid and incurred extrapolation methods utilizing paid and incurred loss development to predict ultimate losses;

 

   

Paid and incurred frequency and severity methods utilizing paid and incurred claims count development and paid and incurred development to predict ultimate average frequency (i.e. claims count per auto insured) or ultimate average severity (cost of claim per claim); and

 

   

Paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods adding expected development to actual paid or incurred experience to project ultimate losses.

For each subset of the business evaluated, each test generates a point estimate based on development factors applied to known paid and incurred claims and claim counts to estimate ultimate paid claims and claim counts. Selections of factors are based on historical loss development patterns with adjustment based on professional actuarial judgment where anticipated development patterns vary from those seen historically. This estimation of IBNR requires selection of hundreds of such factors. A single point estimate for the subset being evaluated is then selected from the results of various tests, based on a combination of simple averages of the point estimates of the various tests and selections based on professional actuarial judgment. During recent years, paid methods have been less reliable as a result of changes in settlement practices, so Infinity has more heavily relied on incurred methods.

While the ultimate liability may be greater or lower than recorded loss reserves, the development period for personal auto coverage is shorter than that associated with many other property and casualty coverages and can therefore be established with less uncertainty than coverages developing over longer periods, such as environmental coverage.

Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE is inherently judgmental and is influenced by factors that are subject to significant variation. Infinity estimates liabilities for the costs of losses and LAE for both reported and unreported (IBNR) claims based on historical trends in the following areas adjusted for deviations in such trends:

 

   

Claims settlement and payment practices;

 

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

 

   

Business mix;

 

   

Coverage limits and deductibles;

 

   

Inflation trends in auto repair and medical costs; and

 

   

Legal and regulatory trends affecting claims settlements.

Where deviations from historical trends in these key areas exist, when possible, quantitative and qualitative modifications to, or selections of, such factors are made to reflect such deviations. Management analyzes the adequacy of reserves using actuarial data and analytical reserve development techniques, including projections of ultimate paid losses, to determine the ultimate amount of reserves. The list of “key underlying assumptions” provided above are non-exhaustive examples of major factors taken into account in developing these estimates.

Infinity reviews loss reserve adequacy quarterly by accident year at a state and coverage level, while it reviews reserves quarterly for the Assumed Agency Business only at the coverage level. Reserves are adjusted as additional information becomes known. Such adjustments are reflected in current year operations. Loss and LAE reserves are also certified to state regulators annually.

During each quarterly review by the internal actuarial staff, using the additional information obtained with the passage of time, factor selections are updated, which in turn adjust the ultimate loss estimates and held IBNR reserves for the subset of the business and accident periods affected by such updates. The actuarial staff also performs various tests to estimate ultimate average severity and frequency of claims. Severity represents the average cost per claim and frequency represents the number of claims per policy. As an overall review, the staff then evaluates for reasonableness loss and LAE ratios by accident year by state and by coverage.

Factors that can significantly affect actual frequency include, among others, changes in weather, driving patterns or trends and class of driver. Estimates of average frequency can be affected by changes in claims settlement and reserving practices. Loss severity can be affected by auto repair and medical cost inflation, jury awards and changes in policy limit profiles. Estimation of LAE reserves is subject to variation from factors such as the use of outside adjusters, frequency of lawsuits, claims staffing and experience levels.

Management believes that Infinity’s relatively low average policy limit and concentration on the nonstandard auto driver classification help stabilize fluctuations in frequency and severity. For example, approximately 93% of policies included within the nonstandard book of business include only the state-mandated minimum policy limits for bodily injury and property damage, which somewhat mitigates the challenge of estimating average severity. These low limits tend to reduce the exposure of the loss reserves on this coverage to medical cost inflation on severe injuries since the minimum policy limits will limit the total payout.

The Company’s management believes that the historical magnitude of adjustments to ultimate losses on an accident year basis are indicative of the sensitivity of currently held loss reserves to changes in underlying assumptions. Over the past eight accident years (the years for which data are readily available), excluding the effect of corporate litigation costs, the combined effects of adjustments to the initial estimate for average ultimate claims frequency and severity have ranged from (5.5)% to 4.3% (averaging (0.4)%).

Ultimate loss estimates, excluding corporate litigation losses, usually experience the greatest adjustment within the first twelve months after the accident year. Accordingly, the highest degree of uncertainty is associated with reserves for the current accident year because the current accident year contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled, and these elements must be estimated as of the current reporting date. The proportion of losses with these characteristics diminishes in subsequent years.

Applying the eight-year historical variances calculated above to the current 2008 accident year’s estimate of ultimate losses, excluding corporate litigation losses, would yield an indication of sensitivity to held reserves from $(30.0) million to $23.5 million, or about (5.5)% to 4.3% of held reserves, generating an impact to after-tax income of $19.5 million to $(15.3) million, respectively. The final outcome may fall below or above these amounts.

 

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

 

Corporate litigation losses represent estimates of losses incurred from actual or threatened litigation by claimants alleging improper handling of claims by the Company, which are commonly known as “bad faith” claims. Oftentimes, the onset of such litigation, subsequent discovery, settlement discussions, trial and appeal may occur several years after the date of the original claim. Because of the infrequent nature of such claims, each case is accrued based on its own merit based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 5 requirements that such accrual be probable and estimable. As such, no estimate is permissible under SFAS 5 for IBNR for threatened litigation yet to occur on accidents with dates prior to the balance sheet date. Consequently, the effect of setting accruals for such items likely will result in unfavorable reserve development in the reserve table below.

Calendar year losses incurred for corporate litigation losses, net of reinsurance, over the past seven calendar years have ranged from $8.2 million to $18.6 million, averaging $12.3 million per year. Gross of reinsurance, corporate litigation losses have ranged from $8.2 million to $21.1 million, averaging $14.9 million over the past seven calendar years.

The following tables present the development of Infinity’s loss reserves, net of reinsurance, on a GAAP basis for the calendar years 1998 through 2008. The Infinity table includes the loss reserves of the NSA Group through December 31, 2002, the addition of the Assumed Agency Business on January 1, 2003, and those of Infinity combined for 2003 and all subsequent years. The top line of each table shows the estimated liability for unpaid losses and LAE recorded at the balance sheet date for the indicated years. The next line, captioned Liability for Unpaid Losses and LAE—as re-estimated at December 31, 2008, shows the re-estimated liability as of December 31, 2008. The remainder of the table presents intervening development as percentages of the initially estimated liability. The development results from additional information and experience in subsequent years. The middle line shows a cumulative deficiency (redundancy) which represents the aggregate percentage increase (decrease) in the liability initially estimated. The lower portion of the table indicates the cumulative amounts paid as of successive periods as a percentage of the original loss reserve liability.

These tables do not present accident or policy year development data. Furthermore, in evaluating the re-estimated liability and cumulative deficiency (redundancy), it should be noted that each percentage includes the effects of changes in amounts for prior periods. Conditions and trends that have affected development of the liability in the past may not necessarily exist in the future. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on these tables.

 

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

 

INFINITY

 

(in millions)    1998     1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008

Liability for unpaid loss & LAE:

                      

As originally estimated*

   $ 589     $ 543     $ 630     $ 611     $ 719     $ 707     $ 669     $ 610     $ 568     $ 590     $ 524

As re-estimated at December 31, 2008

     571       544       716       718       803       718       627       543       519       561       N/A

Liability re-estimated:

                      

One year later

     95.0 %     95.3 %     98.5 %     101.5 %     103.2 %     99.2 %     97.5 %     94.9 %     97.6 %     95.0 %  

Two years later

     93.6 %     92.9 %     102.1 %     108.7 %     107.1 %     100.3 %     94.2 %     91.5 %     91.3 %    

Three years later

     91.0 %     94.4 %     106.4 %     112.1 %     108.5 %     99.5 %     93.7 %     89.1 %      

Four years later

     93.1 %     96.0 %     108.5 %     112.8 %     108.4 %     100.2 %     93.6 %        

Five years later

     93.8 %     97.3 %     108.6 %     112.9 %     109.6 %     101.5 %          

Six years later

     94.4 %     97.2 %     109.1 %     114.8 %     111.6 %            

Seven years later

     94.2 %     97.9 %     111.0 %     117.6 %              

Eight years later

     94.9 %     100.0 %     113.7 %                

Nine years later

     96.9 %     100.1 %                  

Ten years later

     97.0 %                    

Cumulative deficiency (redundancy)

     (3.0 )%     0.1 %     13.7 %     17.6 %     11.6 %     1.5 %     (6.4 )%     (10.9 )%     (8.7 )%     (5.0 )%     N/A
                                                                                  

Cumulative deficiency (redundancy) excluding corporate litigation losses

     (6.4 )%     (4.3 )%     6.2 %     8.7 %     3.6 %     (7.1 )%     (14.6 )%     (17.6 )%     (14.4 )%     (8.3 )%     N/A
                                                                                  

Cumulative paid as of:

                      

One year later

     54.5 %     53.0 %     53.3 %     51.3 %     50.3 %     48.4 %     52.6 %     50.3 %     48.4 %     54.6 %  

Two years later

     73.2 %     69.6 %     76.2 %     80.3 %     77.1 %     75.8 %     72.6 %     66.5 %     69.1 %    

Three years later

     80.6 %     81.4 %     92.0 %     96.3 %     94.3 %     87.7 %     80.1 %     77.4 %      

Four years later

     86.5 %     89.4 %     100.0 %     105.7 %     101.5 %     91.6 %     87.3 %        

Five years later

     90.6 %     93.1 %     104.9 %     109.2 %     103.7 %     97.4 %          

Six years later

     92.1 %     95.7 %     106.5 %     110.4 %     108.8 %            

Seven years later

     93.4 %     96.4 %     107.3 %     115.8 %              

Eight years later

     93.8 %     96.8 %     112.2 %                

Nine years later

     94.1 %     99.2 %                  

Ten years later

     96.3 %                    

 

* 2002 includes $126 resulting from the addition of the Assumed Agency Business.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

The following is a reconciliation of Infinity’s net liability to the gross liability for unpaid losses and LAE (in millions):

 

     1998     1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008

As originally estimated

                      

Net liability shown above*

   $ 589     $ 543     $ 630     $ 611     $ 719     $ 707     $ 669     $ 610     $ 568     $ 590     $ 524

Add reinsurance recoverables

     11       10       13       37       33       32       27       16       28       28       21
                                                                                      

Gross liability

   $ 600     $ 553     $ 643     $ 648     $ 752     $ 739     $ 696     $ 626     $ 596     $ 618     $ 545
                                                                                      

As re-estimated at December 31, 2008:

                      

Net liability shown above

   $ 571     $ 544     $ 716     $ 718     $ 803     $ 718     $ 627     $ 543     $ 519     $ 561       N/A

Add reinsurance recoverables

     33       44       52       80       75       56       47       36       30       27       N/A
                                                                                  

Gross liability

   $ 604     $ 588     $ 768     $ 798     $ 878     $ 774     $ 674     $ 580     $ 549     $ 588       N/A
                                                                                  

Gross cumulative deficiency (redundancy)

     0.8 %     6.4 %     19.4 %     23.2 %     16.7 %     4.7 %     (3.3 )%     (7.3 )%     (7.8 )%     (4.9 )%     N/A
                                                                                  

Gross cumulative deficiency (redundancy) excluding corporate litigation losses

     (3.9 )%     (0.1 )%     9.4 %     12.1 %     6.6 %     (6.0 )%     (13.4 )%     (14.9 )%     (14.0 )%     (8.5 )%     N/A
                                                                                  

 

* 2002 includes $126 resulting from the addition of the Assumed Agency Business.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

The following table presents (in millions) the development of loss reserves for the Assumed Agency Business through December 31, 2002. Development for 2003 for the Assumed Agency Business is included in the Infinity table above. Under the reinsurance agreement entered into with GAI, Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries assumed the net reserves from GAI. Accordingly, gross reserves and net reserves are the same.

ASSUMED AGENCY BUSINESS

 

     1998     1999     2000     2001     2002

Liability for unpaid losses & LAE:

          

As originally estimated

   $ 150     $ 118     $ 106     $ 116     $ 126

As re-estimated at December 31, 2008

     121       116       108       117       N/A

Liability re-estimated:

          

One year later

     84.1 %     102.9 %     104.9 %     106.8 %  

Two years later

     86.2 %     100.6 %     106.8 %     101.6 %  

Three years later

     82.3 %     101.1 %     102.8 %     103.4 %  

Four years later

     81.7 %     98.9 %     104.5 %     103.7 %  

Five years later

     80.9 %     100.7 %     104.2 %     101.5 %  

Six years later

     81.7 %     99.8 %     102.7 %     101.3 %  

Seven years later

     81.2 %     98.8 %     102.8 %     100.6 %  

Eight years later

     81.0 %     98.9 %     102.1 %    

Nine years later

     80.8 %     98.4 %      

Ten years later

     80.7 %        

Cumulative deficiency (redundancy):

     (19.3 )%     (1.6 )%     2.1 %     0.6 %  
                                      

Cumulative paid as of:

          

One year later

     38.6 %     47.5 %     47.0 %     43.6 %  

Two years later

     57.9 %     69.5 %     70.8 %     60.2 %  

Three years later

     69.4 %     83.3 %     80.8 %     79.7 %  

Four years later

     75.3 %     88.1 %     91.6 %     90.4 %  

Five years later

     76.4 %     93.2 %     96.3 %     94.6 %  

Six years later

     78.3 %     95.4 %     98.6 %     97.1 %  

Seven years later

     79.6 %     96.5 %     100.0 %     98.4 %  

Eight years later

     80.0 %     97.4 %     100.9 %    

Nine years later

     80.4 %     97.8 %      

Ten years later

     80.5 %        

During calendar year 2008, Infinity experienced $29.4 million of favorable reserve development, primarily from LAE reserves relating to liability coverages in the California, Florida and Pennsylvania nonstandard programs. In addition, there was favorable development on liability coverages of the Assumed Agency Business.

During calendar year 2007, Infinity experienced $13.5 million of favorable reserve development, primarily from favorable development on prior accident period loss reserves as well as a reduction in LAE estimates due to favorable expense payment patterns on bodily injury coverages in both California and Florida.

During calendar year 2006, Infinity experienced $31.2 million of favorable reserve development. This development came primarily from a reduction in ultimate estimates for average claim severities from accident years 2003-2005 in physical damage and bodily injury coverages. For those years, estimates for ultimate claim frequencies increased slightly.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Other-than-Temporary Losses on Investments

Changes in the fair values of held investment securities are usually recorded as changes in unrealized gains or losses on investments, a component of shareholders’ equity. Net earnings are not affected until the disposition of a given security or, if an unrealized loss is deemed to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded as a realized capital loss and the cost basis of the security is reduced.

The determination of whether unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary” requires judgment based on subjective as well as objective factors. Factors considered and resources used by management include:

 

   

the length of time the security’s market value has been below its cost;

 

   

the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis;

 

   

the ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

 

   

whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates;

 

   

historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings;

 

   

issuer news releases;

 

   

near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry;

 

   

industry research and communications with industry specialists; and

 

   

third-party research and credit rating reports

Management regularly evaluates for potential impairment each security position that either has a fair value of less than 95% of its book value, an unrealized loss that equals or exceeds $100,000 or had one or more impairment charges recorded in the past. In addition, management reviews positions held related to an issuer of a previously impaired security. The process of evaluation includes assessments of each item listed above. Since it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become other than temporarily impaired, total impairment charges could be material to the results of operations in a future period.

Accruals for Litigation

Infinity continually evaluates potential liabilities and reserves for litigation using the criteria established by SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” Under this guidance, reserves for loss may only be recorded if the likelihood of occurrence is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. Management considers each legal action and records reserves for losses in accordance with this guidance. Infinity believes the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate potential liability for litigation are appropriate. Certain claims and legal actions have been brought against Infinity for which, under the rules described above, no loss has been accrued. While it is not possible to know with certainty the ultimate outcome of these claims or lawsuits, management does not expect them to have a material effect on Infinity’s financial condition or liquidity. See Note 14 – Legal Proceedings of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Company’s material Legal Proceedings.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Ratios

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (“NAIC”) model law for risk-based capital (“RBC”) provides formulas to determine the amount of capital that an insurance company needs to ensure that it has an acceptable expectation of not becoming financially impaired. At December  31, 2008, the capital ratios of all Infinity insurance subsidiaries exceed the RBC requirements.

Sources of Funds

Infinity is organized as a holding company with all of its operations being conducted by its insurance subsidiaries. Accordingly, Infinity will have continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, share repurchases and taxes.

Administrative expenses at the holding company currently average $7.0 million annually since 2003.

At December 31, 2008, Infinity had $200 million principal of senior notes due 2014, bearing a fixed 5.5% interest rate (the “Senior Notes”) outstanding. Interest payments on the Senior Notes of $5.5 million are due each February and August through maturity in February 2014. (See Note 3 – Long Term Debt of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the Senior Notes).

In February 2009, Infinity increased its quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share from $0.11 per share. At this current amount, Infinity’s 2009 annualized dividend payments will be approximately $6.8 million.

In October 2006, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program expiring on the earlier of December 31, 2008 or the completion of all purchases contemplated by the program, whereby the Company may repurchase up to an aggregate amount of $100 million of its outstanding common shares. Effective July 24, 2008, Infinity’s Board of Directors approved an additional $74.3 million to be added to the remaining share repurchase authority, bringing the total share repurchase authority as of that date to $100.0 million, and extended the date to execute this program to the earlier of December 31, 2009 or the completion of all purchases contemplated by the plan. During 2007, excluding the accelerated share repurchase mentioned below, Infinity repurchased 1,032,479 shares at an average cost, excluding commissions, of $43.03. During 2008, Infinity repurchased 2,087,900 shares at an average cost, excluding commissions, of $41.97. As of December 31, 2008, Infinity had $41.4 million of authority remaining under this program.

On September 7, 2007, Infinity repurchased 2,554,932 shares through an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”). The shares were purchased from a dealer at $39.14 per share for an initial total cost of $100 million. The dealer purchased an equivalent number of shares from October 8, 2007 through June 16, 2008. Upon completion of the repurchase efforts, Infinity was required to pay a price adjustment of $767,957 to the dealer, in either cash or shares of common stock, based on the volume weighted average price of Infinity’s common stock during the period of the ASR purchases. Infinity elected to pay this adjustment in cash.

Funds to meet expenditures at the holding company come primarily from dividends from the insurance subsidiaries as well as cash and investments held by the holding company. As of December 31, 2008, Infinity had $137.4 million of cash and investments. In 2008, Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries paid Infinity $70.0 million in dividends. In 2009, Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries may pay to Infinity up to $43.0 million in ordinary dividends without prior regulatory approval.

In August 2005, Infinity entered into an agreement for a $50 million three-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) that requires Infinity to meet certain financial and other covenants. Infinity renewed this agreement on August 31, 2008 on substantially similar terms. Infinity is currently in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries generate liquidity to satisfy their obligations, primarily by collecting and investing premium in advance of paying claims. Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries had positive cash flow from operations of approximately $27.0 million in 2008, $74.0 million in 2007 and $28.5 million in 2006. In addition, to satisfy their obligations, Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries generate cash from maturing securities from their combined $943.2 million fixed maturity portfolio.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Management believes that cash and investment balances, cash flows from operations or borrowings, and maturities and sales of investments are adequate to meet the future liquidity needs for Infinity and its insurance subsidiaries.

Contractual Obligations

Infinity and its insurance subsidiaries’ contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008, are (in thousands):

 

Due in:

   Long-Term
Debt & Interest
   Operating Leases    Loss and LAE
Reserves (a)
   Postretirement
Benefit
Payments (b)
   Total

2009

   $ 11,000    $ 20,323    $ 297,147    $ 241    $ 328,711

2010-2011

     22,000      26,087      162,642      533      211,262

2012-2013

     22,000      13,391      48,090      553      84,034

2014 and after

     205,500      15,516      36,877      1,391      259,284
                                  

Total

   $ 260,500    $ 75,317    $ 544,756    $ 2,718    $ 883,291
                                  

 

(a) The payout pattern for reserves for losses and LAE is based upon historical payment patterns and do not represent actual contractual obligations. The timing and amounts ultimately paid can and will vary from these estimates, as discussed above under “Critical Accounting Policies” and in Note 1- Significant Reporting and Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b) The payments for postretirement benefits do not represent actual contractual obligations. The payments presented represent the best estimate of future contributions.

Investments

General

Infinity’s Audit Committee has approved investment guidelines for the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The guidelines specifically address overall investment objectives, permissible assets, prohibited assets, permitted exceptions to the guidelines and credit quality.

Infinity engages two unaffiliated money managers for its fixed income portfolio and a Vanguard exchange traded fund designed to track the MSCI U.S. Broad Market Index for the equity portfolio. The investment managers conduct, in accordance with the Company’s investment guidelines, all of the investment purchases and sales for the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee, at least quarterly, review the performance of the portfolio management and compliance with the Company’s investment guidelines. Physical custody of securities is maintained at national banks unaffiliated with the money managers.

Infinity’s consolidated investment portfolio at December 31, 2008 contained $1.0 billion in fixed maturity securities and $31.2 million in equity securities, all carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity on an after-tax basis. At December 31, 2008, Infinity had pretax net unrealized gains of $8.1 million on fixed maturities and no unrealized gains or losses on equity securities. Combined, the pre-tax net unrealized gain decreased by $3.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 from the same period of 2007.

Approximately 96% of the fixed maturities that Infinity held at December 31, 2008 were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies. The average credit rating of Infinity’s fixed maturity portfolio was AA at December 31, 2008. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated or non-investment grade. Management believes that a high quality investment portfolio is more likely to generate a stable and predictable investment return.

Since all of these securities are carried at fair value in the balance sheet, there is virtually no effect on liquidity or financial condition upon the sale and ultimate realization of unrealized gains and losses. The average duration of Infinity’s fixed maturity portfolio was 3.01 years at December 31, 2008.

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

Level 1 securities are U.S. Treasury securities and an exchange-traded fund that makes up Infinity’s equity portfolio. Level 2

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

securities are comprised of securities whose fair value was determined using observable market inputs. Level 3 securities are comprised of (i) securities for which there is no active or inactive market for similar instruments, (ii) securities whose fair value is determined based on unobservable inputs and (iii) securities, other than securities backed by the U.S. Government, that are not rated by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

The Company’s procedures for validating market prices obtained from third parties include, but are not limited to, periodic review of model pricing methodologies and periodic testing of sales activity to determine if there are any significant differences between the market price used to value the security as of the balance sheet date and the sales price of the security for sales that occurred around the balance sheet date.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Summarized information for Infinity’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2008 follows (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   % of
Total Fair
Value
 

Fixed maturities:

        

U.S. government and agencies:

        

U.S. government

   $ 159,031    $ 168,263    15.8 %

Government sponsored agencies

     33,210      34,861    3.3 %
                    

Total U.S. government and agencies

     192,240      203,124    19.1 %

State and municipal

     217,951      220,598    20.7 %

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”), asset-backed securities (“ABS”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)

        

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     129,664      134,932    12.7 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     37,754      35,488    3.3 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations:

        

Planned amortization class

     126,580      124,387    11.7 %

Sequentials

     17,773      15,930    1.5 %

Whole loan

     12,137      11,620    1.1 %

Scheduled

     3,242      3,242    0.3 %

Accretion directed

     1,671      1,671    0.2 %

Junior tranche

     696      768    0.1 %
                    

Total collateralized mortgage obligations

     162,100      157,619    14.8 %

Asset-backed securities secured by:

        

Equipment leases

     9,260      9,254    0.9 %

Home equity loans

     7,083      7,060    0.7 %

Auto loans

     4,305      4,059    0.4 %

Credit card receivables

     1,838      1,770    0.2 %
                    

Total asset-backed securities

     22,486      22,144    2.1 %

Collateralized loan obligations

     440      434    0.0 %
                    

Total MBS, CMO, ABS and CLO

     352,444      350,618    33.0 %

Corporates

        

Investment grade

     218,713      216,824    20.4 %

Non-investment grade

     42,773      41,074    3.9 %
                    

Total corporates

     261,486      257,898    24.3 %
                    

Total fixed maturities

     1,024,121      1,032,237    97.1 %

Equity securities

     31,157      31,157    2.9 %
                    

Total investment portfolio

   $ 1,055,278    $ 1,063,394    100.0 %
                    

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Investments in MBS and CMO represented 32% of Infinity’s fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2008. These securities are, in periods of rising interest rates, subject to significant extension risk due to the fact that mortgages may be repaid more slowly than expected as borrowers postpone refinancing in anticipation of lower fixed rates in the future. In periods of falling interest rates, these securities are subject to significant prepayment risk due to the fact that mortgages may be repaid more quickly than expected as borrowers accelerate refinancing in anticipation of higher fixed rates in the future. As of December 31, 2008, all of Infinity’s MBS and CMO are rated “BBB” or better by a nationally recognized rating agency.

The following table presents the credit rating and fair value of Infinity’s MBS and CMO portfolio at December 31, 2008, excluding Government Sponsored Enterprises (“GSE”), by deal origination year (in thousands):

 

     Rating              

Deal Origination Year

   AAA     AA     A     BBB     Non-Investment
Grade
    Fair Value     % of Total
Exposure
 

1999

   —       768     —       —       —       768     0.6 %

2002

   6,526     —       —       —       —       6,526     5.0 %

2003

   18,136     1,742     —       —       —       19,878     15.3 %

2004

   30,040     —       —       —       —       30,040     23.1 %

2005

   58,758     —       —       2,116     —       60,874     46.9 %

2006

   9,398     638     —       1,708     —       11,744     9.0 %
                                          

Total Fair Value

   122,859     3,149     —       3,824     —       129,830     100.0 %
                                          

% of Total Fair Value

   94.6 %   2.4 %   0.0 %   2.9 %   0.0 %   100.0 %  
                                      

The following table presents the credit rating and fair value of Infinity’s GSE portfolio at December 31, 2008 by deal origination year (in thousands):

 

     Rating              

Deal Origination Year

   AAA     AA     A     BBB     Non-Investment
Grade
    Fair Value     % of Total
Exposure
 

2002

   12,485     —       —       —       —       12,485     6.3 %

2003

   23,239     —       —       —       —       23,239     11.7 %

2004

   15,265     —       —       —       —       15,265     7.7 %

2005

   12,287     —       —       —       —       12,287     6.2 %

2007

   43     —       —       —       —       43     0.0 %

2008

   134,889     —       —       —       —       134,889     68.1 %
                                          

Total Fair Value

   198,208     —       —       —       —       198,208     100.0 %
                                          

% of Total Fair Value

   100.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %   100.0 %  
                                      

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

The following table presents the credit rating and fair value of Infinity’s ABS and CLO portfolio at December 31, 2008 by deal origination year (in thousands):

 

     Rating              

Deal Origination Year

   AAA     AA     A     BBB     Non-Investment
Grade
    Fair Value     % of Total
Exposure
 

2001

   75     —       —       —       —       75     0.3 %

2002

   650     —       —       —       —       650     2.9 %

2003

   1,207     —       —       —       —       1,207     5.3 %

2004

   3,273     —       —       —       —       3,273     14.5 %

2005

   434     —       863     2,506     —       3,803     16.8 %

2006

   —       —       554     2,950     —       3,504     15.5 %

2007

   —       —       8,605     1,249     —       9,853     43.6 %

2008

   —       212     —       —       —       212     0.9 %
                                          

Total Fair Value

   5,639     212     10,022     6,704     —       22,578     100.0 %
                                          

% of Total Fair Value

   25.0 %   0.9 %   44.4 %   29.7 %   0.0 %   100.0 %  
                                      

The following table presents the yields of Infinity’s investment portfolios based on quarterly investment balances as reflected in the financial statements.

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Yield on fixed income securities:

      

Excluding realized gains and losses

   4.7 %   5.0 %   5.1 %

Including realized gains and losses

   2.1 %   4.5 %   5.0 %

Yield on equity securities:

      

Excluding realized gains and losses

   1.9 %   2.4 %   2.4 %

Including realized gains and losses

   (38.8 )%   9.0 %   7.9 %

Yield on all investments:

      

Excluding realized gains and losses

   4.6 %   4.9 %   5.0 %

Including realized gains and losses

   0.6 %   4.7 %   5.1 %

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Fixed Maturity Investments

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2008 based on their fair values (in thousands). Securities that do not have a single maturity date are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.

 

(in thousands)    Fair Value    Amortized Cost

Maturity

   Securities
with
Unrealized
Gains
   Securities
with
Unrealized
Losses
   Securities
with No
Unrealized
Gains or
Losses
   All Fixed
Maturity
Securities
   All Fixed
Maturity
Securities

One year or less

   $ 64,740    $ 14,245    $ 6,292    $ 85,277    $ 84,192

After one year through five years

     276,292      105,644      15,794      397,730      391,189

After five years through ten years

     89,936      37,250      15,748      142,934      141,366

After ten years

     37,283      17,086      1,310      55,679      54,929

MBS, CMO, ABS and CLO

     211,058      86,565      52,995      350,618      352,444
                                  

Total fixed maturities

   $ 679,309    $ 260,791    $ 92,138    $ 1,032,237    $ 1,024,121
                                  

Exposure to Market Risk

Market risk represents the potential economic loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. Infinity’s exposures to market risk relate primarily to its investment portfolio, which is exposed primarily to interest rate risk and credit risk and, to a lesser extent, equity price risk.

The fair value of Infinity’s fixed maturity portfolio is directly impacted by changes in market interest rates; generally, the fair value of fixed-income investments moves inversely with movements in market interest rates. Infinity’s fixed maturity portfolio is comprised of substantially all fixed rate investments with primarily short-term and intermediate-term maturities. This portfolio composition allows flexibility in reacting to fluctuations of interest rates. In addition, the risk of loss in fair value is partially mitigated by higher market rates available for new funds available for investment. The portfolios of Infinity’s insurance companies are managed to achieve an adequate risk-adjusted return while maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet policyholder obligations.

Interest Rate Risk

The fair values of Infinity’s fixed maturity investments fluctuate in response to changes in market interest rates. Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into decreases and increases, respectively, in fair values of those instruments. Additionally, fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected by the creditworthiness of the issuer, prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, the liquidity of the instrument and other general market conditions.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

The following table summarizes the estimated effects of hypothetical increases and decreases in interest rates resulting from parallel shifts in market yield curves on Infinity’s fixed maturity portfolio and long-term debt. It is assumed that the effects are realized immediately upon the change in interest rates. The hypothetical changes in market interest rates do not reflect what could be deemed best or worst case scenarios. Variations in market interest rates could produce significant changes in the timing of repayments due to prepayment options available. For these reasons, actual results might differ from those reflected in the table.

 

     Sensitivity to Instantaneous Interest Rate Changes (basis points)
(in thousands)    (200)    (100)    (50)    0    50    100    200

Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio

   $ 1,087,772    $ 1,061,656    $ 1,047,308    $ 1,032,237    $ 1,016,547    $ 1,000,341    $ 966,380

Fair value of long-term debt

     195,382      187,010      182,984      179,063      175,240      171,515      164,346

The following table provides information about Infinity’s fixed maturity investments at December 31, 2008 which are sensitive to interest rate risk. The table shows expected principal cash flows by expected maturity date for each of the five subsequent years and collectively for all years thereafter. Callable bonds and notes are included based on call date or maturity date depending upon which date produces the most conservative yield. MBS, CMO, CLO, ABS and sinking fund issues are included based on maturity year adjusted for expected payment patterns.

 

(in thousands)    MBS, CMO, CLO
and ABS only
   Excluding MBS, CMO,
CLO and ABS
   Total

For the twelve months ended December 31,

        

2009

   145,892    99,784    245,676

2010

   88,671    110,854    199,525

2011

   67,623    104,201    171,823

2012

   28,667    125,354    154,021

2013

   9,763    83,492    93,255

Thereafter

   35,217    152,992    188,208
              

Total

   375,832    676,676    1,052,508
              

Fair Value

   350,618    681,619    1,032,237

The cash flows presented take into consideration historical relationships of market yields and prepayment rates. However, given the current economic environment the actual prepayment rate may differ from historical trends resulting in actual principal cash flows that differ from those presented above.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is managed by diversifying the portfolio to avoid concentrations in any single industry group or issuer and by limiting investments in securities with lower credit ratings. The largest investment in any one fixed income security, excluding U.S. governments and agencies securities, is $10.1 million or 1.0% of the fixed income investment portfolio. The top five investments make up 4.2% of the fixed income portfolio. The fair value of non-performing fixed maturities, securities that have not produced investment income during the previous twelve months, was $0.3 million or 0.02% of the $1.1 billion portfolio as of December 31, 2008.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

The following table shows Infinity’s fixed maturity securities, by NAIC designation and comparable Standard & Poor’s Corporation rating as of December 31, 2008 (in thousands).

 

NAIC Rating

  

Comparable S&P Rating

   Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    %  

1

  

AAA, AA, A

   $ 927,808    $ 939,230    91.0 %

2

  

BBB

     53,540      51,934    5.0 %
                       
  

Total investment grade

   $ 981,348    $ 991,163    96.0 %
                       

3

  

BB

   $ 26,366    $ 25,032    2.4 %

4

  

B

     14,292      13,856    1.3 %

5

  

CCC, CC, C

     1,925      1,925    0.2 %

6

  

D

     191      261    0.0 %
                       
  

Total non-investment grade

   $ 42,773    $ 41,074    4.0 %
                       
  

Total

   $ 1,024,121    $ 1,032,237    100.0 %
                       

Since the second half of 2007, the mortgage industry has experienced a rise in mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures, particularly among lower quality exposures (“sub-prime” and “Alt-A”). As a result, many securities with underlying sub-prime and Alt-A mortgages as collateral experienced significant drops in market value. Infinity has only modest exposure to these types of investments. At December 31, 2008, Infinity’s fixed maturity portfolio included 13 securities, or 1.7% of the total market value of the fixed income portfolio, with exposure to sub-prime and Alt-A mortgages. Although these securities have sub-prime mortgages as underlying collateral, 9 have AAA ratings. The remaining four securities have a combined market value of $7.1 million and are all rated BBB or above.

In early 2008, several municipal bond insurers had their credit ratings downgraded or placed under review by one or more Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations. These downgrades were a result of a perceived weakening of the insurers’ financial strength as a result of losses incurred on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. These securities experienced increased delinquencies and defaults as a result of a weakening economy and housing market in particular.

Infinity’s investment portfolio consists of $220.6 million of municipal bonds, of which $148.7 million are insured. Of the insured bonds, 34% are insured with FSA, 26% with MBIA, 22% with AMBAC, 17% with FGIC, and 1% with Assured Guaranty. The following table presents the underlying ratings, represented by the lower of Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch’s ratings, of the insured municipal bond portfolio (in thousands):

 

     Insured     Uninsured     Total  
Rating    Fair
Value
   % of
Fair
Value
    Fair
Value
   % of
Fair
Value
    Fair
Value
   % of
Fair
Value
 

AAA

   $ 16,217    10.9 %   $ 35,799    49.8 %   $ 52,015    23.6 %

AA+, AA, AA-

     55,940    37.6 %     26,607    37.0 %     82,547    37.4 %

A+, A, A-

     69,602    46.8 %     7,491    10.4 %     77,093    34.9 %

BBB+, BBB, BBB-

     5,128    3.4 %     2,000    2.8 %     7,128    3.2 %

NR

     1,815    1.2 %     —      —         1,815    0.8 %
                                       

Total

   $ 148,702    100.0 %   $ 71,896    100.0 %   $ 220,598    100.0 %
                                       

Equity Price Risk

Equity price risk is the potential economic loss from adverse changes in equity security prices. Infinity’s exposure to equity price risk is limited as its equity investments comprise only 2.9% of its total investment portfolio. At December 31, 2008, Infinity’s equity portfolio was $31.2 million.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Goodwill

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” Infinity performs impairment test procedures for goodwill on an annual basis. These procedures require Infinity to calculate the fair value of goodwill, compare the result to its carrying value and record the amount of any shortfall as an impairment charge. Infinity performed this test as of September 30, 2008 using a variety of methods, including estimates of future discounted cash flows and comparisons of the market value of Infinity to its major competitors as well as the overall market. The September 30, 2008 test results indicated that there was no impairment charge required at that date. Additionally, there was no indication of impairment at December 31, 2008.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Results of Operations

Underwriting

Premium

Infinity’s net earned premium is as follows ($ in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     $ Change     % Change  

Net Earned Premium

        

Gross written premium

        

Personal Auto Insurance:

        

Focus States

        

Urban Zones

   $ 686,069     $ 759,152     $ (73,083 )   (9.6 )%

Non-Urban Zones

     109,638       142,969       (33,331 )   (23.3 )%
                              

Total Focus States

     795,707       902,121       (106,414 )   (11.8 )%

Maintenance States

     33,976       50,243       (16,267 )   (32.4 )%

Other States

     2,368       7,419       (5,051 )   (68.1 )%
                              

Subtotal

     832,051       959,783       (127,732 )   (13.3 )%

Commercial Vehicle

     42,795       37,537       5,258     14.0 %

Classic Collector

     21,253       20,089       1,164     5.8 %

Other

     803       1,602       (799 )   (49.9 )%
                              

Total gross written premium (1)

     896,902       1,019,011       (122,109 )   (12.0 )%

Ceded reinsurance and effects of unearned premium transfers

     (4,812 )     (4,749 )     (63 )   1.3 %
                              

Net written premium

     892,090       1,014,262       (122,172 )   (12.0 )%

Change in unearned premium

     30,361       17,302       13,059     75.5 %
                              

Net Earned Premium

   $ 922,451     $ 1,031,564     $ (109,113 )   (10.6 )%
                              

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     $ Change     % Change  

Net Earned Premium

        

Gross written premium

        

Personal Auto Insurance:

        

Focus States

        

Urban Zones

   $ 759,152     $ 671,679     $ 87,473     13.0 %

Non-Urban Zones

     142,969       167,360       (24,391 )   (14.6 )%
                              

Total Focus States

     902,121       839,039       63,082     7.5 %

Maintenance States

     50,243       62,051       (11,808 )   (19.0 )%

Other States

     7,419       17,476       (10,057 )   (57.5 )%
                              

Subtotal

     959,783       918,566       41,217     4.5 %

Commercial Vehicle

     37,537       43,160       (5,623 )   (13.0 )%

Classic Collector

     20,089       18,402       1,687     9.2 %

Other

     1,602       6,613       (5,011 )   (75.8 )%
                              

Total gross written premium (1)

     1,019,011       986,741       32,270     3.3 %

Ceded reinsurance and effects of unearned premium transfers

     (4,749 )     (4,551 )     (198 )   4.4 %
                              

Net written premium

     1,014,262       982,190       32,072     3.3 %

Change in unearned premium

     17,302       (33,525 )     50,827     (151.6 )%
                              

Net Earned Premium

   $ 1,031,564     $ 948,665     $ 82,899     8.7 %
                              

 

(1) 2008, 2007 and 2006 exclude less than $(0.1) million, $0.1 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of premium written on behalf of other companies. 2006 also excludes $0.7 million of unearned premium transfers.

The following table shows Infinity’s policies-in-force:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2008    2007    Change     %  

Policies-in-Force

          

Personal Auto Insurance:

          

Focus States

          

Urban Zones

   585,262    600,620    (15,358 )   (2.6 )%

Non-Urban Zones

   78,758    98,009    (19,251 )   (19.6 )%
                      

Total Focus States

   664,020    698,629    (34,609 )   (5.0 )%

Maintenance States

   26,355    35,928    (9,573 )   (26.6 )%

Other States

   1,307    3,071    (1,764 )   (57.4 )%
                      

Subtotal

   691,682    737,628    (45,946 )   (6.2 )%

Commercial Vehicle

   19,605    14,149    5,456     38.6 %

Classic Collector

   61,416    59,941    1,475     2.5 %

Other

   295    881    (586 )   (66.5 )%
                      

Total

   772,998    812,599    (39,601 )   (4.9 )%
                      

 

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

 

     As of December 31,  
     2007    2006    Change     %  

Policies-in-Force

          

Personal Auto Insurance:

          

Focus States

          

Urban Zones

   600,620    532,259    68,361     12.8 %

Non-Urban Zones

   98,009    122,944    (24,935 )   (20.3 )%
                      

Total Focus States

   698,629    655,203    43,426     6.6 %

Maintenance States

   35,928    48,136    (12,208 )   (25.4 )%

Other States

   3,071    9,978    (6,907 )   (69.2 )%
                      

Subtotal

   737,628    713,317    24,311     3.4 %

Commercial Vehicle

   14,149    14,636    (487 )   (3.3 )%

Classic Collector

   59,941    58,439    1,502     2.6 %

Other

   881    3,885    (3,004 )   (77.3 )%
                      

Total

   812,599    790,277    22,322     2.8 %
                      

2008 compared to 2007

Gross written premium decreased 12.0% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 compared with the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. During 2008, Infinity implemented 52 rate revisions in various states with an overall rate impact of a 2.4% decrease. This overall rate decrease is primarily a result of the 10.4% rate decrease implemented January 1, 2008 in Infinity’s largest program in California in response to the amended rate approval regulations in that state. Excluding California, overall rates increased 7.3%. Policies-in-force at December 31, 2008 decreased 4.9% compared with December 31, 2007. Gross written premium declined more than policies-in-force due to a shift in the business mix to more liability only policies, which have lower average premium.

During 2008, personal auto insurance gross written premium in Infinity’s nine Focus States decreased 11.8% compared with 2007. This decline in gross written premium is primarily a result of declines in California, Connecticut, Florida and Georgia. In California, gross written premium declined 13.5% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007. Infinity believes that, in addition to the rate decrease on Infinity’s largest program in California, gross written premium declined, in part, because the compulsory automobile insurance laws in California have not been actively enforced. Infinity believes that individuals are allowing their automobile insurance policies to lapse due to this lack of enforcement. Gross written premium may also be affected by the impact of the economic slowdown on the buying behavior of individuals with regard to automobile insurance. In an effort to improve profitability, Infinity increased rates 16.2% during 2007 and another 5.1% during 2008 in Connecticut contributing to a 46.9% decline in gross written premium during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007. Gross written premium in Florida declined 16.6% during 2008 as compared with 2007. Although gross written premium in Miami, Infinity’s new urban zone, increased during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007, the remaining Florida urban zones declined. The decline in gross written premium is due primarily to Infinity raising rates 13.5% during 2007 and another 15.1% in 2008 to improve profitability in Florida. A decline in Georgia’s gross written premium of 22.1% during the year ended 2008 compared with the same period of 2007 is primarily a result of a reduction in the amount of business written in non-urban zones in the state.

Partially offsetting the decline in premium in California, Connecticut, Florida and Georgia during 2008 were increases in gross written premium in Nevada and Texas. Nevada’s gross written premium increased 36.2% during 2008 primarily as a result of continued marketing efforts in addition to Infinity’s rate stability while competitors increased their rates. Gross written premium in Texas increased 20.6% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007, including growth in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio—all four of Infinity’s Texas urban zones. New agent appointments and advertising have contributed to gross written premium growth in Texas.

Gross written premium in the Maintenance States declined 32.4% during 2008 with declines in all Maintenance States other than Tennessee. Infinity has increased rates in several of the Maintenance States over the last twelve months in an effort to improve profitability.

 

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

 

Infinity’s Commercial Vehicle gross written premium increased 14.0% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007. During 2007, Infinity revised its rating structure and reintroduced the program in states such as California, Connecticut, Georgia and Texas. In addition, increased marketing and advertising led to the growth in gross written premium.

Gross written premium for the Classic Collector book of business grew 5.8% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007 as gross written premium grew in eight of Infinity’s nine Focus States.

2007 compared to 2006

Gross written premium for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased 3.3% compared to the twelve months ended 2006. During the first six months of 2007, gross written premium grew 14.6% primarily from growth in California as Infinity continued to benefit from new policies issued as a result of the California Department of Motor Vehicles implementation of electronic enforcement of compulsory insurance laws that were effective October 1, 2006. However, during the last six months of 2007 premium declined 7.8% as the implementation of electronic enforcement in California was completed September 30, 2007 and as a result of slowing new business application counts in states such as Arizona, Connecticut and Florida. During 2007, Infinity implemented 52 rate revisions in various states with an overall rate increase of 3.3%. Infinity’s policies-in-force at December 31, 2007 increased 2.8% compared to December 31, 2006.

Personal auto insurance in Infinity’s nine Focus States increased 7.5% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared with 2006, primarily from growth in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. The 9.3% gross premium growth in California was primarily attributable to the 21.2% growth during the first six months of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006, during which time Infinity continued to benefit from new policies issued as a result of electronic enforcement of compulsory insurance laws. However, as expected, premium growth slowed during the third quarter of 2007 to 8.3% and declined 11.5% in the fourth quarter of 2007 as the implementation of electronic enforcement was completed on September 30, 2007. In addition, slowing new application counts, due in part to rate decreases taken by competitors, contributed to the decline in California during the fourth quarter of 2007.

Personal auto gross written premium growth in Arizona of 26.6% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 as compared with the same period in 2006 was primarily attributable to continued penetration in the Phoenix Urban Zone. However, gross written premium in the fourth quarter of 2007 in Arizona was down compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. Infinity believes this decline in gross written premium in the fourth quarter to be in part due to stricter immigration laws being enforced in Arizona.

Gross written premium in Texas grew in each of the four quarters of 2007 as compared to 2006. Gross written premium for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 grew 30.1% compared to the same period in 2006. The growth can be attributed primarily to further penetration in the targeted Urban Zones of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Infinity’s gross written premium in Nevada continued to grow throughout 2007 following the introduction of the Low Cost and Value-Added products in Las Vegas in March 2006.

Offsetting gross written premium growth in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas were declines in gross written premium in Connecticut and Florida. Infinity raised rates 16.2% in Connecticut and 13.5% in Florida during the twelve months ending December 31, 2007, which slowed new business production. Gross written premium in Florida was also negatively impacted by the sunset of the mandatory personal injury protection (“PIP”) coverage on October 1, 2007. Although the Florida legislature eventually reinstated PIP as a mandatory coverage, the new requirement did not go into effect until January 1, 2008 and Infinity believes as a result, fewer consumers were purchasing PIP coverage in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Personal auto gross written premium in Infinity’s 22 targeted Urban Zones grew 13.0% during 2007 compared with 2006, with 15 of the 22 urban zones posting gross written premium growth. Gross written premium in the Non-Urban Zones declined 14.6% during 2007 as compared with 2006. This decline is primarily a result of a decline in Florida and Georgia’s Non-Urban Zones as a result of rate increases and redirecting market efforts to the targeted Urban Zones in those states.

Personal auto premium in Infinity’s Maintenance states declined 19.0% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 compared with the same period in 2006 primarily as a result of declines in Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina. To improve profitability, Infinity increased rates in South Carolina by 5.2% during the fourth quarter of 2006 and raised rates in 2007 by 7.6% and 4.2% in Alabama and Mississippi, respectively, which slowed new business production.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Gross written premium for the Commercial Vehicle program declined 13.0% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 compared with 2006. Premium growth in California and Georgia was more than offset by a decline in premium in Florida and New York. To improve profitability, Infinity increased rates in Florida by 9.3% during the fourth quarter of 2006 and another 1.7% during July 2007.

Classic Collector gross written premium increased 9.2% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, compared with the same period in 2006, primarily as a result of premium growth in California, Florida and Texas.

Ceded reinsurance and the effects of unearned premium transfers grew by 4.4% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 compared with the same period in 2006. The increase is a result of a one-time unearned premium transfer of $0.7 million in 2006. Excluding this unearned premium transfer, ceded reinsurance premium declined 9.6%. Infinity maintains an excess loss reinsurance treaty for higher limits personal auto liability coverages. Premium ceded under this treaty declined during 2007 as Infinity sold the renewal rights on the Connecticut book of business assumed from Great American Insurance Company, which consisted predominately of higher policy limits for standard and preferred business.

Profitability

A key operating performance measure of insurance companies is underwriting profitability, as opposed to overall profitability or net earnings. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio. When the combined ratio is under 100%, underwriting results are generally considered profitable; when the ratio is over 100%, underwriting results are generally considered unprofitable. The combined ratio does not reflect investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.

While financial data is reported in accordance with GAAP for shareholder and other investment purposes, data is reported on a statutory basis for insurance regulatory purposes. Infinity evaluates underwriting profitability based on a combined ratio calculated using statutory accounting principles. The statutory combined ratio represents the sum of the following ratios: (i) losses and LAE incurred as a percentage of net earned premium and (ii) underwriting expenses incurred as a percentage of net written premium. Certain expenses are treated differently under statutory and GAAP accounting principles. Under GAAP, commissions, premium taxes and other variable costs incurred in connection with writing new and renewal business are capitalized as deferred policy acquisition costs and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period in which the related premium are earned; on a statutory basis these items are expensed as incurred. Costs for computer software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized under GAAP and amortized over their useful life, rather than expensed as incurred, as required for statutory purposes. Additionally, bad debt charge-offs on agent balances and premium receivables are included only in the GAAP combined ratios.

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,     Change  
     2008     2007    
     Loss &
LAE
Ratio
    Underwriting
Ratio
    Combined
Ratio
    Loss &
LAE
Ratio
    Underwriting
Ratio
    Combined
Ratio
    Loss &
LAE
Ratio
    Underwriting
Ratio
    Combined
Ratio
 

Personal Auto Insurance:

                  

Focus States:

                  

Urban Zones

   71.9 %   19.8 %   91.8 %   72.7 %   19.6 %   92.3 %   (0.8 )%   0.3 %   (0.6 )%

Non-Urban Zones

   75.4 %   21.3 %   96.7 %   82.5 %   22.7 %   105.3 %   (7.1 )%   (1.5 )%   (8.6 )%
                                                      

Total Focus States

   72.4 %   20.0 %   92.4 %   74.4 %   20.1 %   94.5 %   (2.0 )%   —       (2.1 )%

Maintenance States

   61.8 %   23.4 %   85.1 %   63.5 %   24.7 %   88.2 %   (1.8 )%   (1.3 )%   (3.1 )%

Other States

   28.4 %   36.8 %   65.3 %   (7.0 )%   31.4 %   24.5 %   35.4 %   5.4 %   40.8 %
                                                      

Subtotal

   71.8 %   20.2 %   92.0 %   72.9 %   20.4 %   93.3 %   (1.1 )%   (0.2 )%   (1.3 )%

Commercial Vehicle

   82.2 %   21.6 %   103.8 %   38.2 %   24.0 %   62.2 %   44.0 %   (2.4 )%   41.6 %

Classic Collector

   43.4 %   41.7 %   85.1 %   38.4 %   49.1 %   87.5 %   4.9 %   (7.3 )%   (2.4 )%

Other

   NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM  
                                                      

Total statutory ratios

   70.3 %   20.9 %   91.2 %   70.6 %   21.2 %   91.8 %   (0.2 )%   (0.3 )%   (0.6 )%

GAAP ratios

   70.3 %   22.2 %   92.5 %   70.5 %   23.0 %   93.5 %   (0.2 )%   (0.8 )%   (1.0 )%

 

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

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,     Change  
     2007     2006    
     Loss &
LAE
Ratio
    Underwriting
Ratio
    Combined
Ratio
    Loss &
LAE
Ratio
    Underwriting
Ratio
    Combined
Ratio
    Loss &
LAE
Ratio
    Underwriting
Ratio
    Combined
Ratio
 

Personal Auto Insurance:

                  

Focus States:

                  

Urban Zones

   72.7 %   19.6 %   92.3 %   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A  

Non-Urban Zones

   82.5 %   22.7 %   105.3 %   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A  
                                                      

Total Focus States

   74.4 %   20.1 %   94.5 %   66.5 %   21.1 %   87.6 %   7.9 %   (1.0 )%   6.9 %

Maintenance States

   63.5 %   24.7 %   88.2 %   79.4 %   23.7 %   103.1 %   (15.9 )%   0.9 %   (14.9 )%

Other States

   (7.0 )%   31.4 %   24.5 %   11.1 %   25.8 %   36.8 %   (18.1 )%   5.7 %   (12.4 )%
                                                      

Subtotal

   72.9 %   20.4 %   93.3 %   66.1 %   21.3 %   87.4 %   6.8 %   (0.9 )%   5.9 %

Commercial Vehicle

   38.2 %   24.0 %   62.2 %   89.0 %   18.9 %   107.9 %   (50.8 )%   5.2 %   (45.6 )%

Classic Collector

   38.4 %   49.1 %   87.5 %   40.7 %   45.7 %   86.4 %   (2.3 )%   3.4 %   1.1 %

Other

   NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM     NM  
                                                      

Total statutory ratios

   70.6 %   21.2 %   91.8 %   67.0 %   21.7 %   88.7 %   3.6 %   (0.5 )%   3.1 %

GAAP ratios

   70.5 %   23.0 %   93.5 %   67.0 %   23.8 %   90.8 %   3.5 %   (0.8 )%   2.7 %

 

NM: not meaningful due to the low premium for these lines.

2008 compared to 2007

Overall, the statutory combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2008 of 91.2% improved slightly from the 91.8% for 2007. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, Infinity had $29.4 million of favorable development on prior accident period loss and LAE reserves compared with $13.5 million of favorable development for the year ended December 31, 2007. Excluding the favorable development from both years, the combined ratio increased 1.3 points from 93.1% in 2007 to 94.4% in 2008. Catastrophe related losses were $1.8 million and $0.7 million during 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The combined ratio improvement in the Focus States for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared with 2007 is primarily a result of favorable development on LAE reserves in many of Infinity’s Focus States. Excluding favorable development the combined ratio in the Focus States increased in 2008 compared with 2007 primarily as a result of an increase in the loss and LAE ratio in California, Infinity’s largest state in terms of premium and underwriting profits. During 2008, Infinity took a 10.4% rate reduction as required by the new fair rate of return regulations which reduced average earned premiums and increased the combined ratio. The 2008 combined ratio, excluding favorable development, did improve compared with 2007 in states such as Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas primarily as a result of rate increases taken in the states to improve profitability. However, combined ratios in several of the Focus States remain above acceptable levels, so Infinity will continue to increase rates along with taking other underwriting actions in order to continue to improve the underwriting results.

The loss and LAE ratio in the Maintenance States declined for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared with 2007 primarily as a result of favorable development on LAE reserves in Alabama and Missouri.

The loss and LAE ratio for the Commercial Vehicle business increased substantially during 2008 compared with 2007 as a result of an extra-contractual claim in Florida. Excluding this claim, the combined ratio for 2008 would be 79.8% compared with 62.2% in 2007. The increase in the combined ratio excluding the extra-contractual claim is a result of favorable development on prior accident period loss and LAE reserves recognized in 2007.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

The Classic Collector loss and LAE ratio increased for the year ended December 31, 2008 primarily due to $0.7 million of losses from Hurricane Ike. Excluding losses from Hurricane Ike, the loss and LAE ratio for 2008 would be 40.0% compared with 38.4% for 2007. The expense ratio has improved for Classic Collector as a result of completing the transition of moving the business to a new computer platform.

2007 compared to 2006

Overall, the statutory combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased 3.1 points compared with 2006. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, Infinity had $13.5 million of favorable development on prior accident period loss and LAE reserves compared with $31.2 million of favorable development for the year ended December 31, 2006. Excluding the favorable development from both years, the combined ratio increased 1.1 points. Catastrophe related losses were $0.7 million and $0.8 million during 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The combined ratio in the Focus States increased 6.9 points in 2007 compared with that in 2006. The loss and LAE ratio increased 7.9 points primarily as a result of increasing frequency trends in California, Florida and Pennsylvania as well as increasing severity trends in Florida. In addition, the settlement of an extra-contractual claim in Florida contributed 1.0 point to the increase in the loss and LAE ratio. The growth in gross written premiums over which to spread fixed costs has contributed to the 1.0 point decline in the underwriting expense ratio, in addition to a greater amount of fee income, which reduces underwriting expenses.

In the Maintenance States, the 2007 combined ratio improved 14.9 points compared with 2006. The 15.9 point improvement in the loss and LAE ratio is primarily a result of improving loss and LAE ratios in Alabama and South Carolina where Infinity has increased rates over the last two years to improve profitability. Included in the 2006 expense ratio is a one-time benefit of $1.9 million related to a refund from the South Carolina Reinsurance faculty. Excluding this amount, the 2006 underwriting ratio in the maintenance states would be 26.8% compared to the 24.7% expense ratio for 2007. This decline in the underwriting expense ratio is primarily attributable to an increase in fee income in 2007 as compared with 2006.

The combined ratio in the Other States for 2007 improved 12.4 points compared with 2006 primarily due to favorable development on prior year LAE reserves in Alaska and New York.

The 2007 combined ratio for the Commercial Vehicle business declined 45.6 points compared with 2006 with a loss and LAE ratio decline of 50.8 points offset by a 5.2 point increase in the underwriting expense ratio. During 2006, in the state of Florida, Infinity incurred losses on a few extra-contractual claims and incurred two large losses. In 2007, Infinity had favorable development on extra-contractual claims in Florida. Combined, these items resulted in a 9.0 point reduction in the loss and LAE ratio. In addition, the loss and LAE ratio declined as a result of favorable development on prior accident year loss and LAE reserves experienced during 2007 compared with unfavorable development during 2006. The increase in the underwriting expense ratio is primarily due to a decline in premium written over which to spread fixed costs.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Investment Income

Investment income primarily includes gross investment revenue and investment management fees as shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Investment income:

      

Interest income on fixed maturities, cash and cash equivalents

   $ 58,909     $ 68,359     $ 69,383  

Dividends on equity securities

     871       1,190       1,518  
                        

Gross investment income

   $ 59,780     $ 69,549     $ 70,901  

Investment expenses

     (1,830 )     (2,162 )     (2,488 )
                        

Net investment income

   $ 57,950     $ 67,387     $ 68,413  
                        

2008 compared to 2007

Changes in investment income reflect fluctuations in market rates and changes in average invested assets. Net investment income declined $9.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. Infinity’s gross investment income declined due to both a decrease in quarterly average invested assets of 7.8% in 2008 compared to 2007 and a decline in yields for high quality securities. Investment expenses declined primarily as a result of the lower average invested asset balance.

2007 compared to 2006

Changes in investment income reflect fluctuations in market rates and changes in average invested assets. Net investment income declined $1.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 as compared with the same period in 2006. Gross investment income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 included a one-time benefit of $0.7 million related to the catch up of amortization of bond discount on securities sold that had previously been impaired. In addition, Infinity’s gross investment income declined as average invested assets decreased 1.5% in 2007 compared to 2006. Investment expenses declined as a result of the lower average invested asset balance and as a result of lower investment management fees.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments

Infinity recorded realized gains (losses) on sales and disposals and impairments for unrealized losses deemed other-than-temporary as follows (before tax, in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31, 2008  
     Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
on Sales
    Impairments
on Securities
    Total Realized
Gains (Losses)
 

Fixed maturities

   $ 10,441     $ (43,229 )   $ (32,788 )

Equities

     —         (18,590 )     (18,590 )
                        

Total

   $ 10,441     $ (61,818 )   $ (51,378 )
                        
     Twelve months ended December 31, 2007  
     Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
on Sales
    Impairments
on Securities
    Total Realized
Gains (Losses)
 

Fixed maturities

   $ (2,332 )   $ (4,028 )   $ (6,360 )

Equities

     3,273       —         3,273  
                        

Total

   $ 941     $ (4,028 )   $ (3,087 )
                        
     Twelve months ended December 31, 2006  
     Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
on Sales
    Impairments
on Securities
    Total Realized
Gains (Losses)
 

Fixed maturities

   $ (94 )   $ (1,445 )   $ (1,539 )

Equities

     8,533       (5,032 )     3,501  
                        

Total

   $ 8,439     $ (6,477 )   $ 1,962  
                        

2008 compared to 2007

The total realized loss in 2008 was primarily a result of impairments of fixed maturities issued by companies in the financial services industry and the impairment of Infinity’s investment in an exchange-traded fund.

2007 compared to 2006

The total realized loss in 2007 was primarily a result of impairments of fixed maturities issued by companies in the financial services industry. In addition, Infinity realized losses on the sales of fixed maturities as Infinity’s new money managers repositioned the portfolio to invest more heavily in municipal bonds and reduce the amount invested in corporate bonds.

 

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

 

Other Income

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,
(in thousands)    2008    2007    2006

Finance charges on assumed business

   $ 6    $ 16    $ 722

Sale of homeowners’ book

     —        —        182

Gain on sale of Connecticut personal auto book

     574      1,070      332

Other

     1,315      1,276      1,067
                    

Total Other Income

   $ 1,895    $ 2,362    $ 2,303
                    

2008 compared to 2007

Other income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 decreased $0.5 million when compared to 2007. This decline is primarily attributable to a $0.5 million decline in fees received on renewal premium from the 2005 sale of the Assumed Agency Business’s Connecticut personal auto book. The other items included in other income of $1.3 million in 2008 are non-recurring items.

2007 compared to 2006

Other income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 was relatively flat compared to 2006. A $0.7 million decline in finance charges on assumed business that is in runoff was offset by a $1.1 million fee received on renewal premium from the 2005 sale of the Assumed Agency Business’s Connecticut personal auto book. The other items included in other income of $1.3 million in 2007 are non-recurring items.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

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

 

Interest Expense

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,
(in thousands)    2008    2007    2006

Senior Notes

   $ 11,071    $ 11,067    $ 11,064

The Senior Notes carry a coupon rate of 5.50%, effective yield of 5.55%, and require no principal payment until maturity in February 2014. (See Note 3- Long-Term Debt of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Senior Notes).

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,
(in thousands)    2008    2007    2006

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

   $ 6,958    $ 7,843    $ 7,091

2008 compared to 2007

Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased 11.3% in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily as a result of a decrease in share-based compensation expense as stock options issued in 2003 were fully expensed during 2007, a decrease in contract service fees paid and a decrease in Directors and Officers insurance expense. (See Note 6- Share-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Infinity’s Stock Option Plan).

2007 compared to 2006

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased 10.6% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily as a result of both an increase in fees paid to the Board of Directors and share based compensation expense related to the July 31, 2007 issuance of restricted stock. (See Note 6- Share-Based Compensation of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the restricted stock issuance).

Restructuring Charges

In October 2006, Infinity announced plans to consolidate certain of its customer service, centralized claims and information technology back-office operations. The objective of the restructuring is to improve service levels and to more consistently and cost effectively manage the operations.

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,
(in thousands)    2008    2007    2006

Restructuring Charges

   $ 788    $ 1,693    $ 4,782

During the fourth quarter of 2006, Infinity recorded a $4.8 million, pretax, charge related to severance costs. The $1.7 million charge during 2007 is primarily related to losses on subleases from facilities affected by the restructuring. Infinity incurred an additional $0.8 million in expenses during 2008, $0.4 million of which related to losses on subleases.

 

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

 

Other Expenses

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,
(in thousands)    2008    2007    2006

Corporate litigation expense (class action lawsuits)

   $ 590    $ 636    $ 3,816

Loss on sublease

     497      —        203

Lease buyout

     —        1,975      —  

Other

     3,482      1,544      1,722
                    

Total Other Expenses

   $ 4,570    $ 4,155    $ 5,741
                    

2008 compared to 2007

Other expenses increased $0.4 million for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007. The increase is primarily due to a loss on vacated office space as well as operating expenses relating to Infinity’s retail store initiative. Beginning in 2006, Infinity launched this program to assess the viability of retail outlets that sell auto insurance coverage and offer other financial services.

2007 compared to 2006

Other expenses decreased $1.6 million for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006. The decrease is primarily a result of a reduction in corporate litigation expenses in 2007 as compared to 2006 offset by a $2.0 million charge for the cost to buyout of a 10 year lease in Bellflower, CA.

Income Taxes

The following table reconciles the Company’s U.S. statutory rate and effective tax rate for the periods ending December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

U.S. statutory tax rate

   35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

Adjustments

      

Dividends received deduction

   (0.3 )%   (0.2 )%   (0.2 )%

Tax exempt interest

   (5.2 )%   (2.4 )%   (1.6 )%

Adjustment to valuation allowance

   34.1 %   1.5 %   (0.1 )%

Other

   0.8 %   (0.1 )%   0.5 %
                  

Effective tax rate

   64.4 %   33.8 %   33.6 %
                  

Infinity has recorded a valuation allowance equal to 100% of the available capital loss carryforward. As capital gains are generated, Infinity takes credit for the deferred tax asset and reduces the valuation allowance. In addition, Infinity includes the tax on losses recorded on other-than-temporarily impaired securities in the valuation allowance.

 

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ITEM 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The information required by Item 7A is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the caption, Exposure to Market Risk.

ITEM 8

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and Subsidiaries:

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   51

Consolidated Statements of Earnings: Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

   52

Consolidated Balance Sheets: December 31, 2008 and 2007

   53

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity: Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

   54

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

   55

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   56

ITEM 9

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

 

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ITEM 9A

Controls and Procedures

Infinity’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with assistance from management, have evaluated the effectiveness of Infinity’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2008. Based on that evaluation, they concluded that the controls and procedures are effective. There have been no significant changes in Infinity’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Infinity’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, Infinity conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Company’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management concluded that Infinity’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time. Infinity’s system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Board of Directors

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation

We have audited Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

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

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

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

In our opinion, Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, of Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and subsidiaries and our report dated February 27, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Birmingham, Alabama

February 27, 2009

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

 

ITEM 9B

Other Information

None.

PART III

ITEM 10

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Infinity makes available free of charge within the Investor Relations section of its Internet website at www.ipacc.com, Infinity’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Charter of each standing committee of the Board of Directors, and the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board and applicable to all Infinity directors, officers and employees. Requests for copies may be directed to our Corporate Secretary at Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation, 3700 Colonnade Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama 35243. Infinity intends to disclose any amendments to the Code of Ethics, and any waiver from a provision of the Code of Ethics granted to Infinity’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, on Infinity’s website following such amendment or waiver. Infinity may disclose any such amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC either in addition to or in lieu of the website disclosure. The information contained on or connected to Infinity’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report that Infinity files with or furnishes to the SEC.

The information required by this Item 10 regarding Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters, and Control Persons; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934; and Corporate Governance is incorporated by reference to Infinity’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2009.

ITEM 11

Executive Compensation

Incorporated by reference to Infinity’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2009.

ITEM 12

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Incorporated by reference to Infinity’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2009.

ITEM 13

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Incorporated by reference to Infinity’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2009.

ITEM 14

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Incorporated by reference to Infinity’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2009.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 27, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Birmingham, Alabama

February 27, 2009

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     % Change     2006    % Change  

Revenues:

           

Earned premium

   $ 922,451     $ 1,031,564     (10.6 )%   $ 948,665    8.7 %

Net investment income

     57,950       67,387     (14.0 )%     68,413    (1.5 )%

Net realized (losses) gains on investments

     (51,378 )     (3,087 )   1564.3 %     1,962    (257.3 )%

Other income

     1,895       2,362     (19.8 )%     2,303    2.6 %
                                   

Total revenues

     930,918       1,098,226     (15.2 )%     1,021,343    7.5 %
                                   

Costs and expenses:

           

Losses and LAE

     648,410       727,284     (10.8 )%     635,135    14.5 %

Commissions and other underwriting expenses

     205,046       237,481     (13.7 )%     226,110    5.0 %

Interest expense

     11,071       11,067     —         11,064    —    

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     6,958       7,843     (11.3 )%     7,091    10.6 %

Restructuring charges

     788       1,693     (53.5 )%     4,782    (64.6 )%

Other expenses

     4,570       4,155     10.0 %     5,741    (27.6 )%
                                   

Total costs and expenses

     876,843       989,523     (11.4 )%     889,923    11.2 %
                                   

Earnings before income taxes

     54,075       108,703     (50.3 )%     131,420    (17.3 )%

Provision for income taxes

     34,818       36,759     (5.3 )%     44,138    (16.7 )%
                                   

Net earnings

   $ 19,257     $ 71,944     (73.2 )%   $ 87,282    (17.6 )%
                                   

Earnings per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 1.25     $ 3.91     (68.0 )%   $ 4.30    (9.1 )%

Diluted

     1.23       3.87     (68.2 )%     4.26    (9.2 )%

Average number of common shares:

           

Basic

     15,452       18,390     (16.0 )%     20,303    (9.4 )%

Diluted

     15,680       18,605     (15.7 )%     20,475    (9.1 )%

Cash dividends per common share

   $ 0.44     $ 0.36     22.2 %   $ 0.30    20.0 %

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except number of shares authorized and outstanding in line description)

 

     December 31,  
     2008     2007  

Assets

    

Investments:

    

Fixed maturities—at fair value (amortized cost $1,024,121 and $1,215,371)

   $ 1,032,237     $ 1,226,804  

Equity securities—at fair value (cost $31,157 and $49,056)

     31,157       49,677  
                

Total investments

   $ 1,063,394     $ 1,276,481  

Cash and cash equivalents

     109,274       46,831  

Accrued investment income

     11,028       13,417  

Agents’ balances and premium receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $11,652 and $15,447

     298,437       333,985  

Prepaid reinsurance premium

     1,372       1,823  

Recoverables from reinsurers (includes $2,898 and $1,280 on paid losses and LAE)

     23,413       29,499  

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     70,101       75,774  

Current and deferred income taxes

     20,920       31,849  

Prepaid expenses, deferred charges and other assets

     48,121       31,676  

Goodwill

     75,275       75,275  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,721,335     $ 1,916,610  
                

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    

Liabilities:

    

Unpaid losses and LAE

   $ 544,756     $ 618,409  

Unearned premium

     380,425       411,237  

Payable to reinsurers

     666       228  

Long-term debt (fair value $179,063 and $191,734)

     199,567       199,496  

Commissions payable

     22,568       26,872  

Payable for securities purchased

     293       —    

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     47,728       59,144  
                

Total liabilities

   $ 1,196,004     $ 1,315,386  
                

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 15)

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, no par value 50,000,000 shares authorized 21,041,444 and 21,007,044 shares issued

   $ 20,999     $ 20,942  

Additional paid-in capital

     341,889       340,195  

Retained earnings

     439,051       426,638  

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

     5,987       8,353  

Treasury stock, at cost (6,895,262 and 4,807,362 shares)

     (282,594 )     (194,904 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 525,331     $ 601,224  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,721,335     $ 1,916,610  
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

 

     Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Unearned
Compensation
(Restricted
Stock)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (net of
tax)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2006

   $ 20,728    $ 331,511     $ 279,171     $ (30 )   $ (3,648 )   $ (1,138 )   $ 626,594  
                                                       

Net earnings

   $ —      $ —       $ 87,282     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 87,282  

Change in unrealized gain (loss)—investments

     —        —         —         —         147       —         147  
                     

Comprehensive income

                $ 87,429  

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158

     —        —         —         —         295       —         295  

Dividends paid to common shareholders

     —        —         (6,099 )     —         —         —         (6,099 )

Employee stock purchases, including tax benefit

     7      239       —         —         —         —         246  

Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit

     99      2,466       —         —         —         —         2,565  

Share-based compensation expense—options

     —        1,012       —         —         —         —         1,012  

Stock granted to directors

     3      122       —         —         —         —         125  

Acquisition of treasury stock

     —        —         —         —         —         (49,282 )     (49,282 )

Amortization of unearned compensation, including tax benefit

     —        358       —         30       —         —         388  

Other

     —        —         1,328       —         —         —         1,328  
                                                       

Balance at December 31, 2006

   $ 20,837    $ 335,708     $ 361,682     $ —       $ (3,206 )   $ (50,420 )   $ 664,601  
                                                       

Net earnings

   $ —      $ —       $ 71,944     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 71,944  

Change in unrealized gain (loss)— investments

     —        —         —         —         11,336       —         11,336  

Net change in postretirement benefit liability

     —        —         —         —         223       —         223  
                     

Comprehensive income

                $ 83,503  

Dividends paid to common shareholders

     —        —         (6,707 )     —         —         —         (6,707 )

Employee stock purchases, including tax benefit

     6      224       —         —         —         —         230  

Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit

     86      2,532       —         —         —         —         2,618  

Share-based compensation expense—options

     —        1,113       —         —         —         —         1,113  

Share-based compensation expense—restricted stock

     7      324       —         —         —         —         331  

Stock granted to directors

     6      294       —         —         —         —         300  

Acquisition of treasury stock

     —        —         —         —         —         (144,484 )     (144,484 )

Other

     —        —         (281 )     —         —         —         (281 )
                                                       

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 20,942    $ 340,195     $ 426,638     $ —       $ 8,353     $ (194,904 )   $ 601,224  
                                                       

Net earnings

   $ —      $ —       $ 19,257     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 19,257  

Change in unrealized gain (loss)—investments

     —        —         —         —         (2,558 )     —         (2,558 )

Net change in postretirement benefit liability

     —        —         —         —         193       —         193  
                     

Comprehensive income

                $ 16,892  

Dividends paid to common shareholders

     —        —         (6,811 )     —         —         —         (6,811 )

Employee stock purchases, including tax benefit

     7      249       —         —         —         —         256  

Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit

     20      533       —         —         —         —         553  

Share-based compensation expense—options

     —        456       —         —         —         —         456  

Share-based compensation expense—restricted stock

     18      777       —         —         —         —         795  

Share-based compensation expense— performance share plan

     4      154       —         —         —         —         159  

Stock granted to directors

     7      293       —         —         —         —         300  

Acquisition of treasury stock

     —        —         —         —         —         (87,690 )     (87,690 )

Accelerated share repurchase plan settlement payment

     —        (768 )     —         —         —         —         (768 )

Other

     —        —         (34 )     —         —         —         (34 )
                                                       

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 20,999    $ 341,889     $ 439,051     $ —       $ 5,987     $ (282,594 )   $ 525,331  
                                                       

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Operating activities:

      

Net earnings

   $ 19,257     $ 71,944     $ 87,282  

Adjustments:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     12,047       9,459       6,298  

Net realized losses (gains) on investing activities

     51,378       3,087       (1,962 )

Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 Transition Adjustment

     —         —         295  

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     480       —         —    

Share-based compensation expense

     1,710       1,744       1,139  

Decrease in accrued investment income

     2,389       2,731       631  

Decrease (increase) in agents’ balances and premium receivable

     35,548       9,080       (51,820 )

Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables

     6,537       4,701       (7,651 )

Decrease (increase) in deferred policy acquisition costs

     5,673       1,062       (6,456 )

Decrease (increase) in other assets

     4,185       (4,905 )     (4,533 )

(Decrease) increase in insurance claims and reserves

     (104,465 )     2,644       (1,066 )

Increase (decrease) in payable to reinsurers

     438       (414 )     (2,677 )

(Decrease) increase in other liabilities

     (13,622 )     (29,432 )     3,046  

Other, net

     (34 )     (281 )     359  
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 21,521     $ 71,420     $ 22,885  

Investing activities:

      

Purchases of and additional investments in:

      

Fixed maturities

   $ (687,572 )   $ (692,353 )   $ (135,115 )

Equity securities

     (691 )     (93,703 )     (39,633 )

Property and equipment

     (18,441 )     (21,043 )     (3,537 )

Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturity investments

     62,850       92,511       125,365  

Sales:

      

Fixed maturities

     778,919       629,432       75,140  

Equity securities

     —         100,120       51,313  

Property and equipment

     24       —         8  
                        

Net cash provided by investing activities

   $ 135,089     $ 14,964     $ 73,541  

Financing activities:

      

Proceeds from stock option exercise and employee stock purchase plan, including tax benefit

     809       2,848       2,811  

Accelerated share repurchase plan settlement payment

     (768 )     —         —    

Acquisition of treasury stock

     (87,397 )     (144,881 )     (48,885 )

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (6,811 )     (6,707 )     (6,099 )
                        

Net cash used by financing activities

   $ (94,167 )   $ (148,740 )   $ (52,173 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 62,443     $ (62,356 )   $ 44,253  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     46,831       109,187       64,934  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 109,274     $ 46,831     $ 109,187  
                        

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2008

INDEX TO NOTES

 

1.      Significant Reporting and Accounting Policies

  

9.      Accelerated Share Repurchase Program

2.      Investments

  

10.    Quarterly Operating Results (unaudited)

3.      Long-Term Debt

  

11.    Insurance Reserves

4.      Income Taxes

  

12.    Reinsurance

5.      Computations of Earnings Per Share

  

13.    Statutory Information

6.      Share-Based Compensation

  

14.    Legal Proceedings

7.      Benefit Plans

  

15.    Commitments and Contingencies

8.      Restructuring

  

16.    Additional Information

Note 1 Significant Reporting and Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (“Infinity” or the “Company”) was formed in September 2002 as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of American Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”) to acquire and conduct, as a separate public company, AFG’s personal insurance business written through independent agents. At December 31, 2002, AFG transferred to Infinity all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the following personal auto insurance subsidiaries: Infinity Casualty Insurance Company, Infinity Insurance Company, Infinity Auto Insurance Company and Infinity Standard Insurance Company (collectively the “NSA Group”). Although Infinity was formed in 2002, the NSA Group has been writing auto insurance since 1955. Infinity currently writes nonstandard personal auto insurance, monoline commercial vehicle insurance and classic collector automobile insurance. Nonstandard personal auto insurance accounts for 93% of Infinity’s total gross written premium and is primarily written in 9 states. Approximately 55% of the nonstandard personal auto gross written premium was written in the state of California during 2008.

Through a reinsurance transaction effective January 1, 2003, Infinity assumed the personal lines business (the “Assumed Agency Business”) written through agents by AFG’s principal property and casualty subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company (“GAI”). GAI, in turn, transferred to Infinity assets (primarily investment securities) with a fair value of $125.4 million. This reinsurance arrangement permits Infinity to continue writing standard and preferred insurance on policies issued by the same GAI companies which had previously issued such policies until Infinity can take such action to allow its insurance subsidiaries to write these policies or non-renew the business. Premium for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and policies-in-force at December 31, 2008 for business assumed from GAI were $0.8 million and 295, respectively. The company assumed $30.1 million of total unpaid losses and LAE for GAI at December 31, 2008. Schedules may not foot due to rounding.

Basis of Consolidation and Reporting

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Infinity and its subsidiaries as of and for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. These financial statements reflect certain adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of Infinity’s results of operations and financial position. Such adjustments consist of normal, recurring accruals recorded to accurately match expenses with their related revenue streams and the elimination of all significant inter-company transactions and balances.

Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain 2006 and 2007 amounts have been reclassified from the prior year financial statements to conform to the 2008 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on total assets, total liabilities, total shareholders’ equity, net cash flow or net earnings as previously reported.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Investments

All fixed maturity securities are considered “available for sale” and reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported after-tax as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Fair values of investments are based on prices quoted in the most active market for each security. If quoted prices are not available, fair value is estimated based on the fair value of comparable securities, discounted cash flow models or similar methods. Premium and discounts on mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) are treated as a yield adjustment over the estimated life of the securities, adjusted for anticipated prepayments, using the interest method. Prepayment assumptions are based on data from widely accepted third party data sources or internal estimates. The amortized cost and effective yield of the security are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations. For high credit quality MBS and ABS (those rated AA or above at the time of purchase), the adjustments to amortized cost are recorded as a charge or credit to net investment income in accordance with the retrospective method. For MBS and ABS rated below AA, the yield is adjusted prospectively for any changes in estimated cash flows.

Gains or losses on securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary (“OTTI”), a provision for impairment is charged to earnings and the cost basis of that investment is reduced.

Securities having a market value of approximately $43.2 million at December 31, 2008 were on deposit as required by regulatory authorities.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.

Reinsurance

Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries cede reinsurance to other companies. To the extent that any reinsuring companies are unable to meet obligations under agreements covering reinsurance ceded, Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries would remain liable. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries report as assets (a) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (b) amounts paid to reinsurers applicable to the unexpired terms of policies-in-force. Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries also assume reinsurance, primarily from AFG subsidiaries. Income on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on reports received from ceding companies.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”)

Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and other marketing and underwriting expenses) related to the production of premium writings are deferred and charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. The method followed in computing DPAC limits the amount of such costs to their estimated realizable value without any consideration for anticipated investment income. Each quarter, the Company evaluates the recoverability of these costs. The DPAC amortization expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings during 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $75.8 million, $76.8 million and $70.4 million, respectively.

Goodwill

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” Infinity performs impairment test procedures for goodwill on an annual basis. These procedures require Infinity to calculate the fair value of goodwill, compare the result to its carrying value and record the amount of any shortfall as an impairment charge. Infinity performed this test as of September 30, 2008, using a variety of methods, including estimates of future discounted cash flows and comparisons of the market value of Infinity to its major competitors as well as the overall market. The September 30, 2008, test results indicated that there was no impairment charge required at that date. In addition, there was no indication of impairment at December 31, 2008.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”)

The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon (a) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period on direct business written; (b) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (c) estimates of unreported losses based on past experience; (d) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims and (e) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. These liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Unpaid losses and LAE have not been reduced for reinsurance recoverables. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and LAE are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period in which determined. In spite of the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and LAE are adequate.

Premium and Receivables

Insurance premium written are earned over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premium represent that portion of premium written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies-in-force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premium are based on reports received from such companies and organizations. Infinity provides insurance and related services to individuals and small commercial accounts throughout the United States and offers a variety of payment plans. Infinity establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the relationship, on a policy basis, between receivables and unearned premium, or an aging analysis of past due balances. Premium due from insureds is charged off if not collected within 90 days of the policies’ expiration or cancellation dates. However, even after premium is charged off, attempts to collect the premium continue.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Income Taxes

Infinity files a consolidated federal income tax return, which includes all 80% and greater owned U.S. subsidiaries. Infinity and its 80% and greater owned subsidiaries are parties to a tax allocation agreement which designates how tax payments are shared by members of the tax group. In general, each subsidiary agrees to pay Infinity taxes computed on a separate company taxable income basis. Infinity agrees to pay each subsidiary for the tax benefit, if any, of net losses used by other members of the consolidated group.

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the “asset and liability method.” Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis and are measured using enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized. Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are aggregated on the balance sheet.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment balances are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment, which consists of land, building in process, leasehold improvements, computer equipment and furniture and fixtures, was $33.3 million at December 31, 2008, net of accumulated depreciation of $50.0 million. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Property and equipment is included in the line item other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related expenses are allocated to one or more of the following line items on the Consolidate Statement of Earnings depending on the asset: losses and LAE, commission and other underwriting expenses, corporate general and administrative expense or other expenses.

Benefit Plans

Infinity provides retirement benefits to qualified employees and health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. Infinity also provides post-employment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period the employees earn such benefits.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires plan sponsors of defined pension and other postretirement benefit plans (collectively, “postretirement benefit plans”) to recognize the funded status of their postretirement benefit plans in the statements of financial position, measure the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the fiscal year-end statement of financial position, and provide additional disclosures. On December 31, 2006, Infinity adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS 158. The effect of adopting SFAS 158 on Infinity’s financial condition at December 31, 2006 has been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As required by SFAS 158, Infinity changed the measurement date for its postretirement benefit plan from September 30 to December 31 for its 2008 financial statements and recorded an adjustment to retained earnings of approximately $50,000, pre-tax.

Share-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, Infinity adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R) requires measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options, employee stock purchases related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and shares issued as part of the Performance Share Plan based on estimated fair values. Under Infinity’s Stock Option Plan, options may be granted to officers, directors and key employees at exercise prices equal to the fair value of the shares at the dates of grant. During 2008, 2007 and 2006 approximately $1.7 million, $1.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for all share-based compensation plans. See Note 6 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on share-based compensation.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2008, Infinity adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about the information used to measure fair value. SFAS 157 applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require, or permit, assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value; it does not require any new fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the results of operations or financial position of the Company (See Note 2—Investments of the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP 157-3”). FSP 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP 157-3 is effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. Revisions resulting from a change in the valuation technique or its application should be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate following the guidance in FASB Statement No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (“SFAS 154”). The disclosure provisions of SFAS 154 for a change in accounting estimate are not required for revisions resulting from a change in valuation technique or its application. The adoption of FSP 157-3 did not have a material impact on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.

Effective January 1, 2008, Infinity adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”) which permits entities to voluntarily choose to measure many financial instruments at fair value. The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. The statement specifies that, if the fair value is elected, entities must report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. Infinity has not elected the fair value option for any of its financial assets or liabilities.

Note 2 Investments

All fixed maturity and equity securities are considered “available-for-sale” and reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported after-tax in other comprehensive income. Fair values of instruments are based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), (ii) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets (Level 2) or (iii) valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in the marketplace (Level 3).

The following table presents for each of the fair-value hierarchy levels the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  

Description

   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical

Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
    Total  

Available-for-sale securities

   $ 199,419     $ 818,419     $ 45,556     $ 1,063,394  

% of Total

     18.8 %     76.9 %     4.3 %     100.0 %

Level 1 securities are U.S. Treasury securities and an exchange-traded fund that makes up Infinity’s equity portfolio. Level 2 securities are comprised of securities whose fair value was determined using observable market inputs. Level 3 securities are comprised of (i) securities for which there is no active or inactive market for similar instruments, (ii) securities whose fair value is determined based on unobservable inputs and (iii) securities, other than securities backed by the U.S. Government, that are not rated by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

The Company’s procedures for validating market prices obtained from third parties include, but are not limited to, periodic review of model pricing methodologies and periodic testing of sales activity to determine if there are any significant differences between the market price used to value the security as of the balance sheet date and the sales price of the security for sales that occurred around the balance sheet date.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The following table presents the changes in the Level 3 fair value category for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Available-for-Sale
Securities
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 31,162  

Total losses (realized or unrealized)

  

Included in net earnings

     (3,314 )

Included in other comprehensive income

     (159 )

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

     20,529  

Transfer in to Level 3

     15,978  

Transfers out of Level 3

     (18,640 )
        

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 45,556  
        

The gains or losses included in net earnings are included in the line item realized gains (losses) on investments on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Of the $45.6 million fair value of securities in Level 3, which consists of 31 securities, 27 are priced based on non-binding broker quotes or prices from various outside sources. When there are multiple prices obtained for the same security, the lowest price is used as the basis for the fair value presented in the financial statements. The remaining 4 securities are manually calculated based on expected principal repayments from Bloomberg, the zero spot Treasury curve at December 31, 2008 and the average spreads to Treasury for the rating of the security being priced. For one security, which is no longer rated, the assumed rating for valuation purposes was ‘C’.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Fixed maturities and equity securities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31, 2008  
     Amortized Cost
or Cost
   Fair Value    Gross Unrealized  
         Gain    Loss  

Fixed maturities:

           

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 192,240    $ 203,124    $ 10,884    $ —    

State and municipal

     217,951      220,598      4,344      (1,696 )

MBS, CMO, ABS and CLO

     352,444      350,618      6,554      (8,380 )

Public utilities

     8,035      8,082      73      (27 )

All other corporates

     253,451      249,816      3,145      (6,780 )
                             

Total fixed maturities

   $ 1,024,121    $ 1,032,237    $ 25,000    $ (16,883 )

Equity securities

     31,157      31,157      —        —    
                             

Total

   $ 1,055,278    $ 1,063,394    $ 25,000    $ (16,883 )
                             
     Twelve months ended December 31, 2007  
     Amortized Cost
or Cost
   Fair Value    Gross Unrealized  
         Gain    Loss  

Fixed maturities:

           

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 126,079    $ 129,051    $ 2,978    $ (6 )

State and municipal

     307,686      312,543      5,224      (367 )

MBS, CMO, ABS and CLO

     449,884      451,678      5,101      (3,307 )

Public utilities

     9,256      9,597      348      (7 )

All other corporates

     322,466      323,935      4,624      (3,155 )
                             

Total fixed maturities

   $ 1,215,371    $ 1,226,804    $ 18,276    $ (6,843 )

Equity securities

     49,056      49,677      621      —    
                             

Total

   $ 1,264,427    $ 1,276,481    $ 18,897    $ (6,843 )
                             

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The changes in unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities, which is included in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is detailed below (in thousands):

 

     Pretax     Tax Effects     Net  
     Fixed Maturities     Equity Securities      

Year ended December 31, 2008

        

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period

   $ (36,104 )   $ (19,210 )   $ 19,360     $ (35,954 )

Realized (gains) losses included in net earnings

     32,788       18,590       (17,982 )     33,396  
                                

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net

   $ (3,316 )   $ (621 )   $ 1,378     $ (2,558 )
                                

Year ended December 31, 2007

        

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period

   $ 12,909     $ 1,444     $ (5,024 )   $ 9,329  

Realized (gains) losses included in net earnings

     6,360       (3,273 )     (1,080 )     2,007  
                                

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net

   $ 19,269     $ (1,829 )   $ (6,104 )   $ 11,336  
                                

Year ended December 31, 2006

        

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period

   $ (4,441 )   $ 6,624     $ (762 )   $ 1,421  

Realized (gains) losses included in net earnings

     1,539       (3,501 )     688       (1,274 )
                                

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net

   $ (2,902 )   $ 3,123     $ (74 )   $ 147  
                                

Infinity has recorded cumulative, pretax, other-than-temporary impairment charges on securities as follows (in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Beginning balance

   $ 4,557     $ 8,607     $ 9,204  

Impairments recorded:

      

Fixed maturities

     43,229       4,028       1,445  

Equity securities

     18,590       —         5,032  

Sales, maturities and paydowns

     (9,193 )     (8,078 )     (7,074 )
                        

Ending balance

   $ 57,182     $ 4,557     $ 8,607  
                        

Gross gains and losses on investment transactions included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Cash Flows consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

      Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Fixed maturities

      

Gross gains

   $ 16,277     $ 5,597     $ 1,029  

Gross losses

     (5,837 )     (7,929 )     (1,123 )
                        

Net realized gains (losses) on sales of fixed maturities

     10,441       (2,332 )     (94 )

Current year impairments

     (43,229 )     (4,028 )     (1,445 )
                        

Realized gains (losses) included in net earnings

   $ (32,788 )   $ (6,360 )   $ (1,539 )
                        

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

      Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Equity securities

      

Gross gains

   $ —       $ 4,349     $ 8,823  

Gross losses

     —         (1,076 )     (290 )
                        

Net realized gains (losses) on sales of fixed maturities

     —         3,273       8,533  

Current year impairments

     (18,590 )     —         (5,032 )
                        

Realized gains (losses) included in net earnings

   $ (18,590 )   $ 3,273     $ 3,501  
                        

The following chart summarizes Infinity’s security positions with unrealized losses, which were less than twelve months old and greater than twelve months old, as of December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Less than twelve months  
     Number
of
Securities
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Unrealized
Loss
 

Fixed maturities

   158    $ 276,970    $ 260,092    $ (16,877 )

Equity securities

   —        —        —        —    
                           

Total

   158    $ 276,970    $ 260,092    $ (16,877 )
                           
     Greater than twelve months  
     Number
of
Securities
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Unrealized
Loss
 

Fixed maturities

   2    $ 704    $ 698    $ (6 )

Equity securities

   —        —        —        —    
                           

Total

   2    $ 704    $ 698    $ (6 )
                           

The following chart summarizes Infinity’s security positions with unrealized losses, which were less than twelve months old and greater than twelve months old, as of December 31, 2007 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Less than twelve months  
     Number
of
Securities
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Unrealized
Loss
 

Fixed maturities

   79    $ 75,373    $ 72,214    $ (3,159 )

Equity securities

   —        —        —        —    
                           

Total

   79    $ 75,373    $ 72,214    $ (3,159 )
                           
     Greater than twelve months  
     Number
of
Securities
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Unrealized
Loss
 

Fixed maturities

   101    $ 315,075    $ 311,391    $ (3,684 )

Equity securities

   —        —        —        —    
                           

Total

   101    $ 315,075    $ 311,391    $ (3,684 )
                           

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     December 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

Number of positions held with unrealized:

    

Gains

   224     311  

Losses

   160     180  

Number of positions held that individually exceed unrealized:

    

Gains of $500,000

   9     7  

Losses of $500,000

   5     1  

Percentage of positions held with unrealized:

    

Gains that were investment grade

   96 %   86 %

Losses that were investment grade

   81 %   66 %

Percentage of fair value held with unrealized:

    

Gains that were investment grade

   100 %   97 %

Losses that were investment grade

   94 %   90 %

The following table sets forth the amount of unrealized loss by age and severity at December 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

Age of unrealized loss:

   Fair Value of
Securities with
Unrealized
Losses
   Total Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Less than
5%*
    5% to
10%*
    Greater
than
10%*
 

Less than or equal to:

           

Three months

   $ 31,691    $ (1,852 )   $ (386 )   $ (637 )   $ (829 )

Six months

     104,421      (5,131 )     (1,204 )     (1,845 )     (2,082 )

Nine months

     64,663      (5,150 )     (774 )     (1,046 )     (3,329 )

Twelve months

     59,318      (4,744 )     (501 )     (3,390 )     (853 )

Greater than twelve months

     698      (6 )     (6 )     —         —    
                                       

Total

   $ 260,791    $ (16,883 )   $ (2,872 )   $ (6,918 )   $ (7,093 )
                                       

 

* As compared to amortized cost.

Infinity has both the ability and intent to hold those securities with unrealized losses for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

The determination of whether unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary” requires judgment based on subjective as well as objective factors. Factors considered and resources used by management include:

 

   

the length of time the security’s market value has been below its cost;

 

   

the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis;

 

   

the ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

 

   

whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates;

 

   

historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings;

 

   

issuer news releases;

 

   

near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry;

 

   

industry research and communications with industry specialists; and

 

   

third-party research and credit rating reports

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Management regularly evaluates for potential impairment each security position that has any of the following: a fair value of less than 95% of its book value, an unrealized loss that equals or exceeds $100,000 or one or more impairment charges recorded in the past. In addition, management reviews positions held related to an issuer of a previously impaired security.

Net Investment Income

The following table shows investment income earned and investment expenses incurred by Infinity (in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Investment income:

      

Interest income on fixed maturities, cash and cash equivalents

   $ 58,909     $ 68,359     $ 69,383  

Dividends on equity securities

     871       1,190       1,518  
                        

Gross investment income

   $ 59,780     $ 69,549     $ 70,901  

Investment expenses

     (1,830 )     (2,162 )     (2,488 )
                        

Net investment income

   $ 57,950     $ 67,387     $ 68,413  
                        

Note 3 Long-Term Debt

In February 2004, Infinity issued $200 million principal of senior notes due February 2014 (“Senior Notes”). The notes bear interest at a fixed 5.5% coupon rate which is payable semi-annually. The proceeds of the Senior Notes were used to retire a $200 million amortizing term loan. Infinity capitalized $2.1 million of debt issuance costs which are being amortized over the term of the Senior Notes.

Interest paid by Infinity on long-term debt was $11.0 million for each of the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Infinity’s three year revolving $50 million credit facility expired on August 31, 2008 and was renewed for an additional three year term expiring on August 31, 2011 on substantially similar terms. As of December 31, 2008, Infinity was in compliance with all covenants under the agreement. Under this agreement, there were no borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 4 Income Taxes

Taxes paid by Infinity in the years 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $22.7 million, $39.7 million and $48.8 million, respectively. The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate of 35.0% and income taxes as shown in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (in thousands):

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 54,075     $ 108,703     $ 131,420  

Income taxes at statutory rate

     18,926       38,046       45,997  

Effect of:

      

Dividends—received deduction

     (181 )     (225 )     (300 )

Tax-exempt interest

     (2,810 )     (2,586 )     (2,047 )

Adjustment to valuation allowance

     18,430       1,622       (128 )

Other

     453       (98 )     616  
                        

Provision for income taxes as shown on the

      

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

   $ 34,818     $ 36,759     $ 44,138  
                        

GAAP effective tax rate

     64.4 %     33.8 %     33.6 %
                        

The total income tax provision (benefit) consists of (in thousands):

 

     2008    2007    2006  

Current

   $ 27,085    $ 33,207    $ 44,258  

Deferred

     7,733      3,552      (120 )
                      

Provision for income taxes

   $ 34,818    $ 36,759    $ 44,138  
                      

The Infinity consolidated tax group generated capital losses in 2003 and in 2007. Approximately $22 million of capital losses generated in the first short-period of 2003 expired unused in 2007. Approximately $23.0 million of capital losses generated in the second short-period of 2003 expired unused in 2008. The tax benefit of the capital loss carryforwards at December 31, 2008 is (in thousands):

 

     Expiring    Amount

Capital loss carry forward

   2012    $ 3,118

As of December 31, 2008, deferred taxes relating to the capital loss carryforwards and the OTTI reserve have been fully offset by a valuation allowance. Therefore, in the future, the tax benefit from the utilization of any of these capital loss carryforwards or any change in the OTTI reserve will be reflected in current tax expense and will impact the effective tax rate calculation for that period.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial purposes and the amounts recognized for tax purposes. The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Discount on loss reserves

   $ 11,022     $ 12,954  

Unearned premium reserve

     26,534       28,659  

Net capital loss carryforward

     3,118       11,294  

Investment securities—basis differences OTTI

     20,013       1,595  

Investment securities—unrealized losses

     —         —    

Investment securities—basis differences ordinary

     —         215  

Bad debts

     4,078       5,407  

Accrued bonuses

     572       3,588  

Other

     7,585       8,387  
                

Subtotal

   $ 72,922     $ 72,099  

Valuation allowance for capital loss carryforward

     (3,118 )     —    

Valuation allowance for OTTI

     (20,013 )     (1,595 )

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

     (302 )     (11,294 )
                
   $ 49,489     $ 59,210  

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Deferred policy acquisition costs

   $ (24,535 )   $ (26,521 )

Investment securities—unrealized gains

     (2,841 )     (4,219 )

Other

     (796 )     (713 )
                

Subtotal

   $ (28,172 )   $ (31,453 )
                

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 21,317     $ 27,757  
                

The gross deferred tax asset has been reduced by a valuation allowance based on an analysis of the likelihood of realization of the net capital loss carryforward and the portion of the basis difference on securities relating to the OTTI reserve. Factors considered in assessing the need for a valuation allowance for ordinary or capital loss items include: (i) the likelihood of generating larger amounts of taxable income in the future to allow for the utilization of deductible temporary differences, (ii) sufficient operating income in prior years against which operating loss carrybacks could be utilized and (iii) opportunities to generate taxable income from sales of appreciated assets to allow for the utilization of net capital loss carryovers. The likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets is reviewed periodically; any adjustment required to the valuation allowance is made in the period in which the developments on which they are based become known.

Infinity adopted the provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. As of the date of adoption, Infinity did not have any gross unrecognized tax benefits that would exceed a materiality threshold and therefore, there was no reduction to Retained Earnings in Infinity’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 1, 2007. During 2007 there were no material changes that resulted in the gross unrecognized tax benefit exceeding the materiality threshold as of December 31, 2007. During 2008 there were no material changes that resulted in the gross unrecognized tax benefit exceeding the materiality threshold as of December 31, 2008.

In June 2008 the Internal Revenue Service began an examination of the 2005 tax year. In August 2008, the examination was expanded to include the 2006 tax year. In December 2008, the examination was completed with one issue identified, which relates to whether corporate litigation losses are deductible for tax purposes when reserved versus paid. The Company filed a protest regarding this issue with the Internal Revenue Service and expects to resolve the issue in appeals during 2009. Regardless of the outcome of this appeal, the impact to Infinity’s financial position will be immaterial.

Since no notice was received from the IRS regarding the 2004 tax year, the statute of limitations for that year has expired.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

No notice has been received for the 2007 tax year.

Note 5 Computations of Earnings per Share

The following table illustrates Infinity’s computations of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except per share figures):

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006

Net earnings

   $ 19,257    $ 71,944    $ 87,282

Basic average shares outstanding

     15,452      18,390      20,303

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.25    $ 3.91    $ 4.30

Basic average shares outstanding

     15,452      18,390      20,303

Restricted stock not vested

     72      30      6

Dilutive effect of assumed option exercises

     155      185      166
                    

Average diluted shares outstanding

     15,680      18,605      20,475
                    

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.23    $ 3.87    $ 4.26

Note 6 Share-Based Compensation

Restricted Stock Plan

Infinity’s Amended Restricted Stock Plan was established in 2002 and amended on July 31, 2007. There are 500,000 shares of Infinity common stock reserved for issuance under the Amended Restricted Stock Plan, of which 206,609 shares have been issued as of December 31, 2008. The fair value of shares issued under Infinity’s Restricted Stock Plan is expensed over the vesting periods of the awards based on the market value of Infinity’s stock on the date of grant.

The following table sets forth the restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2008:

 

Restricted Stock

   Number of
Shares
   Weighted-average
Grant Date Fair
Value

Non-vested as of January 1, 2008

   72,234    $ 44.04

Granted

   —        —  

Vested

   —        —  

Forfeited

   —        —  
       

Non-vested as of December 31, 2008

   72,234    $ 44.04
       

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

On July 31, 2007, Infinity’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) approved the grant of 72,234 shares of restricted stock to certain officers under the Company’s Amended 2002 Restricted Stock Plan. These shares of restricted stock will vest in full on July 31, 2011. During the vesting period, the shares of restricted stock will not have voting rights and will accrue dividends, which will not be paid until the shares have vested. The restricted shares are treated as issued and outstanding for calculation of diluted earnings per share only. Until fully vested, the shares will not be considered issued and outstanding for purposes of the basic earnings per share calculation.

During 2008, $0.8 million of expense was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings related to the grant of restricted stock. During 2007, $0.3 million of expense was recorded related to the grant of restricted stock. No expense was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings during 2006. As of December 31, 2008, there was $2.1 million of compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan

In May 2005, Infinity’s shareholders approved the Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan (“Directors’ Plan”). The purposes of the Directors’ Plan is to include Infinity common stock as part of the compensation provided to its non-employee directors and to provide for stock ownership requirements for Infinity’s non-employee directors. There are 200,000 shares of Infinity common stock reserved for issuance under the Directors’ Plan, of which 20,047 shares have been issued as of December 31, 2008. Under the terms of the Directors’ Plan, shares are granted on or about June 1 of each year and are restricted from sale or transfer by any recipient for six months from the date of grant. In June of 2008, 2007 and 2006, 7,494, 5,658 and 2,990 shares of Infinity common stock, valued pursuant to the plan at $300,000, $300,000 and $125,000, respectively, were issued to Infinity’s non-employee directors.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Infinity established the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) in 2004. Under this plan, all eligible full-time employees may purchase shares of Infinity common stock at a 15% discount to the current market price. Employees may allocate up to 25% of their base salary with a maximum annual participation amount of $25,000. If a participant sells any shares purchased under the plan within one year, that employee is precluded from participating in the plan for one year from the date of sale. The source of shares issued to participants is treasury shares and/or authorized but previously unissued shares. The maximum number of shares which may be issued under the ESPP may not exceed 1,000,000, of which 32,056 have been issued as of December 31, 2008. Infinity’s ESPP is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The 15% market discount for shares purchased during 2008, 2007 and 2006 approximated $42,600, $40,700 and $42,500, respectively, and was recognized as compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in each period. Participants’ shares are treated as issued and outstanding for earnings per share calculations.

Performance Share Plan

On May 20, 2008, Infinity’s shareholders approved the Performance Share Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to further align the interest of management with the long-term shareholders of the company by including performance-based compensation, payable in shares of common stock, as a component of an executive’s annual compensation. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee (“Committee”), which is composed solely of three outside directors as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. No member of the Committee, while serving as such, is eligible to be granted performance share units. The Committee shall (i) establish the performance goals, which may include but are not limited to, combined ratio, premium growth, growth within certain specific geographic areas and earnings per share or return on equity over the course of the upcoming three year period (a “Performance Measurement Cycle”), (ii) determine the Plan participants, (iii) set the performance share units to be awarded to such participants, and (iv) set the rate at which performance share units will convert to shares of common stock based upon attainment of the performance goals. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Plan is limited to 500,000 shares. During 2008, $0.2 million of expense was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings related to the Performance Share Plan. No shares have been issued under this plan.

Stock Option Plan

Infinity’s Stock Option Plan (the “SOP”) was established with 2,000,000 shares (subject to anti-dilution provisions) of Infinity common stock reserved for issuance under the SOP. The Committee administers the plan. Each member of the Committee is an “outside director,” as such term is defined under Section 162(m) of the Code, as a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Infinity’s Stock Option Plan (“SOP”) was restated on May 20, 2008 to prohibit any future grant of stock options from the plan after May 20, 2008. No options have been granted since 2004. Options are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of Infinity’s stock at the date of grant and have a 10-year contractual life. Options granted to employees generally vest at the rate of 20% per year of continuous service commencing one year after grant while options issued to non-employee directors are immediately exercisable. For options with graded vesting, the fair value of the award is recognized on a straight-line method. Certain options provide for acceleration of vesting if there is a change in control as defined in the SOP. Subject to specific limitations contained in the SOP, Infinity’s Board of Directors has the ability to amend, suspend or terminate the plan at any time without shareholder approval. The SOP will continue in effect until the expiration of all options granted under the plan.

As permitted by SFAS 123(R), Infinity used the modified Black-Scholes model to estimate the value of employee stock options on the date of grant that used the assumptions noted below. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of Infinity’s stock. Infinity judgmentally selected the expected option life to be 7.5 years which is also the midpoint between the last vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield was based on expected dividends at the time of grant.

Payment for shares purchased upon exercise of an option must be made in cash. The Committee, however, may permit payment by delivery of shares of common stock already owned by the optionee having a fair market value equal to the cash option price of the shares, by assigning the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired (subject to applicable law), by a combination of the foregoing or by any other method. Infinity has a policy of issuing new stock for the exercise of stock options.

Persons who receive options incur no federal income tax liability at the time of grant. Persons exercising nonqualified options recognize taxable income, and Infinity has a tax deduction at the time of exercise to the extent of the difference between market price on the day of exercise and the exercise price. Persons exercising incentive stock options do not recognize taxable income until they sell the underlying common stock. Sales within two years of the date of grant or one year of the date of exercise result in taxable income to the holder and a deduction for Infinity, both measured by the difference between the market price at the time of sale and the exercise price. Sales after such period are treated as capital transactions to the holder, and Infinity receives no deduction. The foregoing is only a summary of the federal income tax rules applicable to options granted under the plan and is not intended to be complete. In addition, this summary does not discuss the effect of the income or other tax laws of any state or foreign country in which a participant may reside.

There were no options granted during 2008, 2007 or 2006. The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during 2004 and 2003 were estimated using the modified Black-Scholes valuation model and the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     2004
Grants
    2003
Grants
 

Weighted-average grant date fair value

   $ 13.87     $ 5.97  

Dividend yield

     0.7 %     1.4 %

Expected volatility

     33.0 %     33.0 %

Risk-free interest rate

     4.3 %     4.0 %

Expected life

     7.5 years       7.5 years  

Weighted-average grant exercise price

   $ 33.56     $ 16.11  

Outstanding as of December 31, 2008

     128,600       209,960  

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The following chart describes activity for Infinity’s Stock Option Plan for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008:

 

Options

   Number of
Options
    Weighted-
average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted-
average
Remaining
Term

(in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (a)

(in millions)

Outstanding as of January 1, 2008

   358,360     $ 22.82      

Granted

   —         —        

Exercised

   (19,800 )     23.01      

Forfeited

   —         —        

Outstanding as of December 31, 2008

   338,560     $ 22.81    4.51    $ 8.1

Vested or Expected to Vest as of December 31, 2008

   338,560     $ 22.81    4.51    $ 8.1

Exercisable as of December 31, 2008

   311,660     $ 21.88    4.46    $ 7.8

 

(a) The intrinsic value for the stock options is calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and Infinity’s closing stock price as of the reporting date.

SFAS 123(R) requires the recognition of stock-based compensation for the number of awards that are ultimately expected to vest. As of December 31, 2008, Infinity used an estimated forfeiture rate of 0.0%. Estimated forfeitures will be reassessed in subsequent periods and may change based on new facts and circumstances.

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, $0.4 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million of expense were recorded in the consolidated Statements of Earnings related to stock options, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from options exercised of share-based payment arrangements totaled $0.1 million, $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

Cash received from option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $0.5 million, $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was approximately $0.4 million, $1.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2008, there was less than $0.1 million of stock option compensation expense related to non-vested awards not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements, which is expected to be recognized in January 2009. The total fair value of stock options which vested during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $0.8 million, $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Note 7 Benefit Plans

Infinity provides retirement benefits for all eligible employees by matching contributions made on a discretionary basis to participants’ accounts in the Infinity 401(k) Retirement Plan. Eligible employees may contribute up to a maximum of the lesser of $15,500 per year or 25% of the participant’s salary. Participants age 50 or over at the end of the calendar year may make an additional elective deferral contribution of up to $5,000 for 2008. These additional contributions (commonly referred to as catch-up contributions) are not subject to the general limits that apply to 401(k) plans. Infinity retains the right to make discretionary supplemental contributions to the accounts of plan participants which were 2.5% and 3.0% for 2007 and 2006, respectively. Infinity made no supplemental contribution for 2008. The matching percentage made by Infinity was 100% of participants’ contributions up to a ceiling of 3% with a maximum company match of $6,900 for 2008. Beginning January 1, 2009, the matching percentage increased to 100% of participants’ contributions up to a ceiling of 4% and 50% of the next 2% of contributions with a maximum match of $12,250. The plan expense was $2.5 million, $4.3 million and $5.4 million for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Additionally, Infinity’s Supplemental Retirement Plan is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that allows certain highly compensated employees to receive the full discretionary employer contribution that is precluded by the provisions of the 401(k) Retirement Plan or by law due to limits on compensation. The amounts contributed by Infinity were approximately $74,000 and $88,000 for 2007 and 2006. Infinity made no contribution for 2008.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Infinity maintains a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for certain highly-compensated employees which permits the participants to defer a portion of their salaries and bonuses. The deferred amounts accrue interest at Infinity’s approximate long-term borrowing rate. The deferred amounts are a general obligation liability of Infinity and amounted to $5.6 million, $4.9 million and $3.4 million at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Interest credited by Infinity was approximately $370,000, $250,000 and $176,000 for these same time periods.

Infinity also provides postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain eligible retirees. During 2006, Infinity determined that the benefits provided under this plan were actuarially equivalent to those benefits provided by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (“MMA”). Infinity did not reflect the government subsidy provided by the MMA in the calculation of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”) as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 other than as reflected in the insured over 65 rates going forward.

Infinity’s APBO as of December 31, 2006 was reduced by approximately $1.0 million, primarily due to Infinity moving from a self insured basis for medical and prescription drugs for the over 65 population to a fully insured product effective January 1, 2007.

On December 31, 2006, Infinity adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions (the first objective) of SFAS 158. SFAS 158 required Infinity to recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations) of this plan in the December 31, 2006 statement of financial position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption represents the net unrecognized actuarial gains and unrecognized prior service credits (there were not any unrecognized transition obligations remaining from the initial adoption of SFAS 106), all of which were previously netted against the plan’s funded status in Infinity’s statement of financial position pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 116. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic postretirement benefit cost pursuant to Infinity’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the same periods will be recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption of SFAS 158. In accordance with the second objective of SFAS 158, to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end, Infinity changed the measurement date for its postretirement benefit plan from September 30 to December 31 for its 2008 financial statements. Infinity has elected the “15-month approach” to transition to the December 31 measurement date and recorded an adjustment to retained earnings of approximately $50,000, pre-tax, at the end of 2008.

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2008 are the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic postretirement benefit cost: unrecognized prior service credits of $93,478 ($60,761 net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial gains of $1,000,207 ($650,135 net of tax). The prior service credit and actuarial gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized in net periodic postretirement benefit income during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2009 is $66,676 ($43,339 net of tax) and $83,633 ($54,361 net of tax), respectively.

The unfunded status of the plan of $3,219,430 at December 31, 2008 is recognized in the accompanying statement of financial position as other liability. No plan assets are expected to be returned to the Company during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2009.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Data related to this plan is shown in the following tables (in thousands).

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Net benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 3,584     $ 3,866     $ 4 ,877  

Service cost

     132       169       180  

Interest cost

     179       195       249  

Participant contributions

     49       50       119  

Change in measurement date

     17       —         —    

Assumption change

     (36 )     —         —    

Actuarial (gain) loss

     (385 )     (409 )     (1,155 )

Gross benefits paid

     (321 )     (287 )     (404 )
                        

Net benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 3,219     $ 3,584     $ 3,866  
                        
     2008     2007     2006  

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations Discount rate

     5.54%       5.20%       5.20%  

Health care cost trend on covered charges

    
 
10.0% decreasing
to 5.0% in 2031
 
 
   
 
8.0% decreasing
to 5.0% in 2011
 
 
   
 
9.0% decreasing
to 5.0% in 2011
 
 

The following table discloses the components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Service cost

   $ 132     $ 169     $ 180  

Interest cost

     179       195       249  

Amortization of prior service cost

     (67 )     (67 )     (67 )

Amortization of net cumulative (gain)/loss

     (32 )     —         67  
                        

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

   $ 212     $ 297     $ 429  
                        

The following table discloses the effects of a hypothetical one-percentage-point increase and the effect of a hypothetical one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed healthcare trend rate (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007     2006  

A one-percentage point hypothetical change in the assumed healthcare trend rate would have the following effect on the postretirement benefit obligations:

      

1% increase

   $ 258     $ 283     $ 307  

1% decrease

     (230 )     (251 )     (279 )

A one-percentage point hypothetical change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would have the following effect on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement health care benefit costs:

      

1% increase

   $ 31     $ 35     $ 44  

1% decrease

     (27 )     (30 )     (37 )

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Plan assets

      

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Employer contributions

     272       237       285  

Participant contributions

     49       50       119  

Gross benefits paid

     (321 )     (287 )     (404 )
                        

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ —       $ —       $ —    
                        

The following table presents the funded status and the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Funded status:

      

Fair value of plan assets

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Benefit obligations

     (3,219 )     (3,584 )     (3,866 )
                        

Funded status at end of year

   $ (3,219 )   $ (3,584 )   $ (3,866 )
                        

Contributions made after the measurement date

     —         —         —    

Unrecognized actuarial net (gain) loss

     —         —         —    

Unrecognized prior service cost

     —         —         —    
                        

Net amount recognized at end of year

   $ (3,219 )   $ (3,584 )   $ (3,866 )
                        

The following table presents the 10 year forecast and best estimate of expected contributions (in thousands):

 

     2008         2007         2006

Expected future benefit payments

              

2009

   $ 241    2008    $ 272    2007    $ 237

2010

     257    2009      290    2008      266

2011

     276    2010      297    2009      281

2012

     274    2011      301    2010      302

2013

     279    2012      306    2011      318

2014-2018

     1,391    2013-2017      1,564    2012-2016      1,746
                          

Ten Year Total

   $ 2,718       $ 3,030       $ 3,150
                          

Note 8 Restructuring

In October 2006, Infinity announced plans to consolidate certain of its customer service, centralized claims and information technology back-office operations. The objective of the restructuring is to improve service levels and to more consistently and cost effectively manage the operations.

Restructuring costs incurred in 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     2008    2007     2006    Total

Employee related costs

   $ 331    $ (562 )   $ 4,782    $ 4,551

Contract termination costs

     389      1,929       —        2,318

Other exit costs

     68      326       —        394
                            

Total

   $ 788    $ 1,693     $ 4,782    $ 7,263
                            

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Infinity does not expect to incur any additional costs related to the restructuring.

Activity related to accrued restructuring charges as of December 31, 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Employee
related
costs
    Contract
termination
costs
    Other
exit
costs
    Total
liability
 

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 1,390     $ 1,462     $ —       $ 2,852  

Incurred before net adjustments

     318       389       68       775  

Net adjustments

     13       —         —         13  
                                

Total incurred

     331       389       68       788  

Costs paid or settled

     (1,582 )     (623 )     (68 )     (2,273 )
                                

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 139     $ 1,229     $ —       $ 1,368  
                                

Note 9 Accelerated Share Repurchase Program

On September 7, 2007, Infinity repurchased 2,554,932 shares through an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”). The shares were purchased from a dealer at $39.14 per share for an initial total cost of $100 million. The dealer purchased an equivalent number of shares from October 8, 2007 through June 16, 2008. Upon completion of the repurchase efforts, Infinity was required to pay a price adjustment of $767,957 to the dealer, in either cash or shares of common stock, based on the volume weighted average price of Infinity’s common stock during the period of the ASR purchases. Infinity elected to pay this adjustment in cash.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 10 Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)

While insurance premium are recognized on a relatively level basis, claim losses related to adverse weather (snow, hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) may be seasonal. Quarterly results rely heavily on estimates and are not necessarily indicative of results for longer periods of time.

The following are quarterly results of consolidated operations of Infinity for the three years ended December 31, 2008 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter     Total Year  

2008

          

Revenues

   $ 249,198     $ 247,858     $ 233,802     $ 200,060     $ 930,918  

Net earnings

     14,001       12,144       4,369       (11,257 )     19,257  

Earnings per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.87     $ 0.75     $ 0.29     $ (0.79 )   $ 1.25  

Diluted

     0.86       0.74       0.28       (0.79 )     1.23  

2007

          

Revenues

   $ 274,875     $ 280,385     $ 275,874     $ 267,092     $ 1,098,226  

Net earnings

     21,758       14,322       17,063       18,801       71,944  

Earnings per share:

          

Basic

   $ 1.11     $ 0.74     $ 0.93     $ 1.16     $ 3.91  

Diluted

     1.10       0.73       0.91       1.14       3.87  

2006

          

Revenues

   $ 251,713     $ 254,037     $ 252,050     $ 263,543     $ 1,021,343  

Net earnings

     29,066       19,981       15,805       22,430       87,282  

Earnings per share:

          

Basic

   $ 1.41     $ 0.97     $ 0.78     $ 1.13     $ 4.30  

Diluted

     1.39       0.96       0.78       1.12       4.26  
Realized gains (losses) on securities amounted to:          
     1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter     Total Year  

2008

   $ (1,381 )   $ (1,784 )   $ (11,623 )   $ (36,590 )   $ (51,378 )

2007

     1,766     $ (2,997 )   $ (1,772 )   $ (84 )     (3,087 )

2006

     75       (61 )     (1,781 )     3,729       1,962  

Note 11 Insurance Reserves

Infinity’s insurance reserves consist of business produced directly by its wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries, the Assumed Agency Business and two other unaffiliated insurance companies.

Incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves for the direct and Assumed Agency Business are established for the quarter and year-end based on a quarterly reserve analysis by the Company’s actuarial staff. Various standard actuarial tests are applied to subsets of the business at a state, product and coverage basis. Included in the analyses are the following:

 

   

Paid and incurred extrapolation methods utilizing paid and incurred loss development to predict ultimate losses;

 

   

Paid and incurred frequency and severity methods utilizing paid and incurred claims count development and paid and incurred development to predict ultimate average frequency (i.e. claims count per auto insured) or ultimate average severity (cost of claim per claim); and

 

   

Paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods adding expected development to actual paid or incurred experience to project ultimate losses.

 

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For each subset of the business evaluated, each test generates a point estimate based on development factors applied to known paid and incurred claims and claim counts to estimate ultimate paid claims and claim counts. Selections of factors are based on historical loss development patterns with adjustment based on professional actuarial judgment where anticipated development patterns vary from those seen historically. This estimation of IBNR requires selection of hundreds of such factors. A single point estimate for the subset being evaluated is then selected from the results of various tests, based on a combination of simple averages of the point estimates of the various tests and selections based on professional actuarial judgment. During recent years, paid methods have been less reliable as a result of changes in settlement practices, so Infinity has more heavily relied on incurred methods.

The following table provides an analysis of changes in the liability for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance (and grossed up), over the past three years (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Balance at Beginning of Period

      

Unpaid losses on known claims

   $ 225,415     $ 231,029     $ 262,626  

IBNR losses

     186,402       167,965       181,340  

LAE

     206,592       197,035       181,904  
                        

Total unpaid losses and LAE

     618,409       596,029       625,870  

Reinsurance recoverables

     (28,219 )     (27,579 )     (15,421 )
                        

Unpaid losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoverables

     590,190       568,450       610,449  

Current Activity

      

Loss and LAE incurred:

      

Current accident year

     677,782       740,769       666,335  

Prior accident years

     (29,372 )     (13,485 )     (31,200 )
                        

Total loss and LAE incurred

     648,410       727,284       635,135  

Loss and LAE payments:

      

Current accident year

     (391,935 )     (430,274 )     (370,466 )

Prior accident years

     (322,424 )     (275,270 )     (306,668 )
                        

Total loss and LAE payments

     (714,359 )     (705,544 )     (677,134 )

Balance at End of Period

      

Unpaid losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoverables

     524,241       590,190       568,450  

Add back reinsurance recoverables

     20,516       28,219       27,579  
                        

Total unpaid losses and LAE

   $ 544,756     $ 618,409     $ 596,029  
                        

Unpaid losses on known claims

   $ 179,530     $ 225,415     $ 231,029  

IBNR losses

     196,891       186,402       167,965  

LAE

     168,335       206,592       197,035  
                        

Total unpaid losses and LAE

   $ 544,756     $ 618,409     $ 596,029  
                        

During calendar year 2008, Infinity experienced $29.4 million of favorable reserve development, primarily from LAE reserves relating to liability coverages in the California, Florida and Pennsylvania nonstandard programs. In addition, there was favorable development on liability coverages of the Assumed Agency Business. During calendar year 2007, Infinity experienced $13.5 million of favorable reserve development, primarily from favorable development on prior accident period loss reserves as well as a reduction in LAE estimates on bodily injury coverages in both California and Florida. During calendar year 2006, Infinity experienced $31.2 million of favorable reserve development. This development came primarily from a reduction in ultimate estimates for average claim severities from accident years 2003-2005 in physical damage and bodily injury coverages. For those years, estimates for ultimate claim frequencies increased slightly.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 12 Reinsurance

The following table shows written and earned premium included in income for reinsurance assumed and amounts deducted from written and earned premium in connection with reinsurance ceded (in thousands).

 

Year

   Direct Premium
Written
   Reinsurance
Assumed
   Reinsurance
Ceded
    Net Written
Premium
   % of Amount
Assumed to
Net
 

2008

   $ 896,098    $ 801    $ (4,809 )   $ 892,090    0.1 %

2007

     1,016,040    $ 3,078      (4,856 )     1,014,262    0.3 %

2006

     982,477      9,932      (10,219 )     982,190    1.0 %

Year

   Direct Premium
Earned
   Reinsurance
Assumed
   Reinsurance
Ceded
    Net Earned
Premium
   % of Amount
Assumed to
Net
 

2008

   $ 926,172    $ 1,539    $ (5,260 )   $ 922,451    0.2 %

2007

     1,033,541    $ 5,313    $ (7,290 )     1,031,564    0.5 %

2006

     923,999      39,635      (14,969 )     948,665    4.2 %

Assumed Reinsurance

Assumed business consists of two components:

(i) The Assumed Agency Business and, to a lesser extent, business assumed from other unaffiliated insurance companies; and

(ii) Business assumed from involuntary pools and associations.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company assumed $0.8 million, $3.1 million and $11.9 million of written premium, respectively, from GAI for the Assumed Agency Business under a reinsurance agreement effective January 1, 2003 as explained in more detail in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, at December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company assumed $30.1 million and $49.7 million of total unpaid losses and LAE, respectively, from GAI.

Also, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, the Company assumed $(0.4) million of premium from other insurance companies as part of fronting arrangements under which Infinity utilized these companies’ insurance licenses to write business while assuming substantially all of that business back from these carriers. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company assumed $10.4 million and $15.3 million of assumed unpaid losses and LAE, respectively, under these fronting arrangements. Beginning January 1, 2006, Infinity discontinued its largest fronting arrangement on a runoff basis, which was responsible for the negative assumed premium in 2006.

Although the business is issued on GAI’s and these other unaffiliated companies’ policies, Infinity manages the pricing, marketing, policy issuance, claims adjusting and loss reserving for this business.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, the Company assumed $(1.6) million of premium from involuntary pools and associations. Assumed premium from involuntary pools and associations for 2006 were negative as a result of premium returned to the North Carolina reinsurance facility based on our current assessment and activity reported by the facility. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, Infinity assumed, from involuntary pools and associations, premium and unpaid losses and LAE of less than $0.1 million each.

Ceded Reinsurance

Infinity uses excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance to mitigate the financial impact of large or catastrophic losses. During 2008, the catastrophe reinsurance provides protection for losses up to $15 million in excess of $5 million for any single event. During 2007 and 2006, the catastrophe reinsurance provided protection for losses up to $10 million in excess of $5 million for any single event. Infinity’s excess of loss reinsurance provides reinsurance protection for commercial auto losses up to $700,000 for claims exceeding $300,000 per occurrence. Infinity also uses reinsurance to mitigate losses on its Classic Collector business.

Since 2005, personal auto losses up to $900,000 for claims exceeding $100,000 per occurrence per coverage were covered under the

 

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personal auto excess of loss reinsurance treaty. Infinity discontinued this personal auto excess of loss reinsurance as of April 15, 2008 because of the expected increase in its cost and the lack of perceived need for the coverage in the future. Premium ceded under this reinsurance agreement for the 12 months ended December 31, 2007 were $1.4 million, or 14.0% of the bodily injury premium written on higher limit policies. Infinity has averaged approximately $2.1 million of losses covered per year under this agreement since 2004.

Ceded reinsurance for all programs reduced Infinity’s incurred losses and LAE by $0.1 million, $5.9 million and $21.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Effective December 1, 2008, Infinity entered into a reinsurance agreement that provides for protection for losses up to $15 million in excess of $5 million for any single extra-contractual loss with a claims occurrence date between December 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009. The cost of this reinsurance is approximately $1.2 million for twelve months of coverage.

Note 13 Statutory Information

Insurance companies are required to file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities prepared on an accounting basis prescribed or permitted by such authorities (statutory basis). Net earnings (loss) and policyholders’ surplus on a statutory basis were as follows (in thousands):

 

Net Earnings (Loss)   Policyholders’ Surplus

2008

  2007   2006   2008   2007
$ 38,007   $ 83,875   $ 92,472   $ 430,915   $ 478,890

For the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, statutory results differed from net earnings on a GAAP basis primarily due to the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, deferred taxes and holding company expenses, including interest.

The decrease in net earnings from 2007 to 2008 is primarily due to a $50.7 million increase in realized losses on investments which resulted from a substantial increase in other-than-temporary impairments charges recorded during 2008.

The decrease in policyholders’ surplus in 2008 compared to 2007 is primarily due to dividend payments of $70.0 million and an increase in non-admitted assets of $12.4 million offset by statutory net earnings of $38.0 million.

Note 14 Legal Proceedings

Infinity’s subsidiaries are, from time to time, named as defendants in various lawsuits incidental to their insurance operations. Legal actions relating to claims made in the ordinary course of seeking indemnification for a loss covered by the insurance policy are considered by Infinity in establishing loss and LAE reserves.

Infinity also faces in the ordinary course of business lawsuits that seek damages beyond policy limits, commonly known as bad faith claims, as well as class action and individual lawsuits that involve issues not unlike those facing other insurance companies and employers. Infinity continually evaluates potential liabilities and reserves for litigation of these types using the criteria established by SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” Under this guidance, reserves for a loss may only be recorded if the likelihood of occurrence is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a loss, while not probable, is judged to be reasonably possible, management will disclose, if it can be estimated, a possible range of loss or state that an estimate cannot be made. Management considers each legal action using this guidance and records reserves for losses as warranted by establishing a reserve captured within the Company’s balance sheet line-items “Unpaid losses and LAE” for bad faith claims and “Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities” for class action lawsuits. Amounts incurred are recorded on the income statement within “Losses and LAE” for bad faith claims and “Other expenses” for class action lawsuits.

Certain claims and legal actions have been brought against Infinity for which no loss has been accrued, and for which an estimate of a possible range of loss cannot be made under the rules described above. While it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims or lawsuits, management does not believe they are likely to have a material effect on Infinity’s financial condition or liquidity. Losses incurred as a result of these cases could, however, have a material adverse impact on net earnings.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Following is a discussion of the Company’s potentially significant pending cases at December 31, 2008:

 

 

Dave Munn v. Eastwood Insurance Services, et al. (Superior Court for the City and County of San Francisco), was filed in November 2005. In this action, the plaintiff alleges violations of provisions of the California Business & Professions Code. The case involves a dispute over the legality of broker fees charged by Eastwood Insurance Services (“Eastwood”), an independent California broker, to consumers who purchased Infinity insurance policies through Eastwood. The plaintiff alleges that Eastwood was acting as an unlicensed agent of Infinity and, as a consequence, Eastwood should not have charged broker fees. Plaintiff seeks from Eastwood restitution of all broker fees Eastwood charged on the sale of Infinity’s insurance policies. Plaintiff had sought injunctive relief from Infinity to prohibit Infinity from conducting business with Eastwood as a broker. The court issued an order, on plaintiff’s motion, dismissing Infinity as a named defendant to the suit. Eastwood initiated a cross-claim against Infinity seeking contribution and indemnification of any amounts that it was determined to owe plaintiff. Eastwood has dismissed, without prejudice to refile, its claims for contribution and indemnification against Infinity. The company is currently not a party to this lawsuit but anticipates that Eastwood will pursue a claim for contribution and indemnification against the Company if Plaintiff prevails in its action against Eastwood. At this time, the Company is neither able to determine whether a loss is probable, nor can the Company estimate a range of loss.

 

 

Eugene Maystruck v. Infinity Insurance Company (Superior Court of the State of California, Los Angeles County) is a putative class action filed in October 2007. The action alleges that Infinity’s Repair Satisfaction Vehicle Program (“R.S.V.P.”) violates California Administrative Code Section 2695.8(e), Insurance Code section 758.5(d), Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code, and constitutes a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The putative class action suit seeks compensatory damages, attorney fees, injunctive relief, reformation of the insurance policy and costs and expenses. On May 21, 2008, the court granted the Company’s demurrer to the plaintiff’s complaint, without leave to amend, thereby dismissing all causes of action against the Company. On July 9, 2008, the plaintiff filed notice that it was appealing dismissal of the case. Infinity rejects the allegations made by plaintiff and intends to vigorously defend against all claims in this case. At this time, the Company is neither able to determine whether a loss is probable, nor can the Company estimate a range of loss.

Subsequent to December 31, 2008, the Company became aware of a lawsuit against one of its insurance subsidiaries, styled Erika Aguila v. Infinity Insurance Company and, Eastwood Insurance Services, Inc., which was filed on February 13, 2009 in the Superior Court of the State of California, Los Angeles County. This case is a putative class action alleging that this subsidiary unlawfully collected additional premiums from prospective insureds by threatening to impose mandatory arbitration and limits on the recovery of punitive and compensatory damages. The action alleges that this practice violates Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code and constitutes a breach of contract and a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The putative class action suit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, costs and expenses of the suit from this subsidiary. The suit also seeks an injunction against this subsidiary to prohibit it from continuing to charge the additional premium and continuing to include this provision in its insurance policy. Infinity rejects the allegations made by plaintiff and intends to vigorously defend against all claims in this case. At this time, the Company is neither able to determine whether a loss is probable, nor can the Company estimate a range of loss.

 

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Note 15 Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

Minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases with an initial or remaining term of more than one year as of December 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

Due in

   Operating Leases

2009

   $ 20,323

2010

     17,216

2011

     8,871

2012

     7,369

2013

     6,022

Thereafter

     15,516
      

Total

   $ 75,317
      

As of December 31, 2008, the total minimum rental payments to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases were approximately $8.8 million.

In December 2006, Infinity entered into an eleven year operating lease for a call center facility in Birmingham, Alabama. This lease provides Infinity the right and option to purchase the property for $16.9 million. This option expires on October 1, 2010. During 2007, Infinity made $6.3 million of leasehold improvements to this property which are being amortized over five years.

Lease expense incurred by the Company during the last three years is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating Leases
Expense

2008

   $ 19,405

2007

     19,592

2006

     17,492

Contingencies

The Company, based on the application of SFAS No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies,” has the following loss contingencies for which it accrues in its financial statements:

 

•        Other-than-temporary impairments on investments

   Note 2

•        Restructuring

   Note 8

•        Insurance reserves

   Note 11

•        Legal proceedings

   Note 14

•        Allowances for uncollectible accounts

   Note 16

For each item listed above, please refer to the notes referenced for additional discussion.

 

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Note 16 Additional Information

Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts

Agents’ balances and premium receivable included in the balance sheet are shown net of allowances for uncollectible accounts. The provision for such losses is included in commissions and other underwriting expenses. A progression of the aggregate allowance follows (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Beginning balance

   $ 15,447     $ 15,517     $ 11,859  

Provision for losses

     13,626       21,824       20,092  

Uncollectible amounts written off

     (17,421 )     (21,894 )     (16,434 )
                        

Ending balance

   $ 11,652     $ 15,447     $ 15,517  
                        

Restrictions on Transfer of Funds and Assets of Subsidiaries

Payments of dividends, loans and advances by Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to various state laws, federal regulations and debt covenants which limit the amount of dividends, loans and advances that can be paid. Under applicable restrictions, the maximum amount of dividends payable in 2009 from Infinity’s insurance subsidiaries without seeking regulatory clearance is approximately $43 million. Additional amounts of dividends, loans and advances require regulatory approval.

Related Party Transactions

In February 2006, three executive officers holding restricted shares surrendered a total of 7,637 shares to the Company to satisfy their income tax obligation resulting from the vesting of the restricted shares. As a result, the Company recorded the surrenders as an acquisition of treasury stock at its fair market value of $296,660.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART IV

ITEM 15

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Documents filed as part of this Report:

 

  1. Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8.

 

  2. Financial Statement Schedules:

 

  A. Selected Quarterly Financial Data is included in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  B. Schedules filed herewith as of December 31, 2008:

 

         Page

I

 

- Summary of Investments (See Note 2)

   60

II

 

- Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

   85

III

 

- Supplementary Insurance Information

   Not required

IV

 

- Reinsurance (See Note 12)

   79

V

 

- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (see Note 16)

   83

VI

 

- Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations.

   87

All other schedules for which provisions are made in the applicable regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted as they are not applicable, not required, or the information required thereby is set forth in the Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

 

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INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION—PARENT ONLY

SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

Condensed Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

     December 31,
     2008    2007

Assets:

     

Investment in subsidiaries

   $ 581,902    $ 623,074

Fixed maturities, at market (amortized cost: $90,409 and $147,812)

     89,067      149,224

Cash and cash equivalents

     48,315      21,662

Receivables from affiliates

     —        9

Other assets

     11,680      11,870
             

Total assets

   $ 730,964    $ 805,839
             

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:

     

Long-term debt

   $ 199,567    $ 199,496

Other liabilities

     5,602      5,119

Payable to affiliates

     464      —  

Shareholders’ equity

     525,331      601,224
             

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 730,964    $ 805,839
             

Condensed Statements of Earnings

(In thousands)

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     % Change     2006     % Change  

Income:

          

Income in equity of subsidiaries

   $ 27,306     $ 78,943     (65.4 )%   $ 94,760     (16.7 )%

Net investment income

     6,238       9,498     (34.3 )%     7,479     27.0 %

Realized gain (loss) on investments

     257       (910 )   (128.2 )%     (160 )   468.8 %
                                    

Total income

   $ 33,801     $ 87,531     (61.4 )%   $ 102,079     (14.3 )%

Costs and Expenses:

          

Interest expense

     11,071       11,067     —         11,064     —    

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     6,958       7,843     (11.3 )%     7,091     10.6 %

Other expense

     239       —       —         —       —    
                                    

Total expenses

   $ 18,268     $ 18,910     (3.4 )%   $ 18,155     4.2 %

Earnings before income taxes

     15,533       68,621     (77.4 )%     83,924     (18.2 )%

Provision for income taxes

     (3,724 )     (3,323 )   12.1 %     (3,358 )   (1.0 )%
                                    

Net earnings

   $ 19,257     $ 71,944     (73.2 )%   $ 87,282     (17.6 )%
                                    

 

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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     Twelve months ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Operating Activities

      

Net income

   $ 19,257     $ 71,944     $ 87,282  

Equity in consolidated subsidiaries

     (27,306 )     (78,943 )     (94,760 )

Other

     4,067       5,120       2,193  
                        

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (3,982 )   $ (1,879 )   $ (5,285 )

Investing Activities

      

Purchase of fixed maturity investments

   $ (92,361 )   $ (169,982 )   $ (130,940 )

Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturity investments

     7,479       49,416       41,945  

Sale of fixed maturities

     141,818       159,835       950  

Dividends received from subsidiary

     70,000       85,000       160,000  

Capital contributed to subsidiaries

     (2,133 )     (862 )     (680 )
                        

Net cash provided by investing activities

   $ 124,803     $ 123,407     $ 71,275  

Financing Activities

      

Proceeds from stock option exercise and employee stock purchase plan

   $ 809     $ 2,848     $ 2,811  

Accelerated share repurchase plan settlement payment

     (768 )     —         —    

Acquisition of treasury stock

     (87,397 )     (144,881 )     (48,885 )

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (6,811 )     (6,707 )     (6,099 )
                        

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (94,168 )   $ (148,740 )   $ (52,173 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 26,653     $ (27,212 )   $ 13,817  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     21,662       48,874       35,057  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 48,315     $ 21,662     $ 48,874  
                        

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION 10-K

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION

SCHEDULE VI – SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING

PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS

THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

COLUMN

A

  COLUMN
B
  COLUMN
C
  COLUMN
D
  COLUMN
E
  COLUMN
F
  COLUMN
G
  COLUMN
H
    COLUMN
I
  COLUMN
J
  COLUMN
K

Affiliation
with
Registrant

  Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
  Reserves for
Unpaid Claims
and Loss
Adjustment
Expenses (a)
  Discount
Deducted in
Column C
  Unearned
Premium (b)
  Earned
Premium
  Net
Investment
Income
  Claims and Claim
Adjustment
Expenses Incurred
Related to
    Amortization
of Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
  Other
Operating
Expenses
  Paid Claims
and Claim
Adjustment
Expenses
  Net
Premium
Written
              Current
Years
  Prior
Years
         
2008   $ 70,101   $ 544,756   —     $ 380,425   $ 922,451   $ 57,950   $ 677,782   $ (29,372 )   $ 75,774   $ 129,272   $ 714,359   $ 892,090
2007     75,774   $ 618,409   —       411,237     1,031,564     67,387     740,769     (13,485 )     76,836     160,645     705,544     1,014,262
2006     76,836     596,029   —       430,973     948,665     68,413     666,335     (31,200 )     70,380     155,730     677,134     982,190

 

(a) Gross of reinsurance recoverables of $20,516, $28,219 and $27,579 at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(b) Gross of prepaid reinsurance premium of $1,372, $1,823 and $4,257 at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Signed: February 27, 2009

 

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation
By:  

/s/ JAMES R. GOBER

  James R. Gober
  Chief Executive Officer

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

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/s/ JAMES R. GOBER

   Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and President (principal executive officer)   February 27, 2009
James R. Gober     

/s/ SAMUEL J. SIMON

Samuel J. Simon

   Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary, and Director   February 27, 2009
    

/s/ ROGER SMITH

Roger Smith

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director

(principal financial and accounting officer )

  February 27, 2009
    

/s/ WILLIAM S. STARNES

   Director   February 27, 2009
William S. Starnes     

/s/ JORGE G. CASTRO

   Director*   February 27, 2009
Jorge G. Castro     

/s/ HAROLD E. LAYMAN

   Director   February 27, 2009
Harold E. Layman     

/s/ DRAYTON NABERS, JR.

   Director   February 27, 2009
Drayton Nabers, Jr.     

/s/ GREGORY C. THOMAS

   Director*   February 27, 2009
Gregory C. Thomas     

/s/ SAMUEL J. WEINHOFF

   Director*   February 27, 2009
Samuel J. Weinhoff     

 

* Member of the Audit Committee

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Number

  

Exhibit Description

    
  3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Infinity’s Form 10-Q filed on August 8, 2007)   
  3.2    Regulations (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Infinity’s Form S-1 filed on October 9, 2002)   
  4.1    Indenture dated February 17, 2004, between Infinity, as Issuer, and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Infinity’s Form 10-K/A filed on April 2, 2004)   
Material Contracts:   
10.1    Reinsurance Agreement between Infinity Standard Insurance Company [formerly known as Windsor Insurance Company], as Reinsurer, and Great American Insurance Company and Affiliates, as Reassured (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Infinity’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2003)   
10.2    Side Letter Agreement to amend Reinsurance Agreement between Infinity Standard Insurance Company [formerly known as Windsor Insurance Company], as Reinsurer, and Great American Insurance Company and Affiliates, as Reassured (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2007)   
10.3    Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Infinity’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2005)    (*)
10.4    Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Infinity’s Definitive Proxy Statement, Schedule 14A filed on April 12, 2005)    (*)
10.5    Lease between Colonial Properties and Infinity, dated August 26, 2003 for Colonnade property in Birmingham, Alabama (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Infinity’s Form 10-K/A filed on April 2, 2004)   
10.6    Tax Allocation Agreement, dated December 31, 2003 and effective February 13, 2003 by and among Infinity and its Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Infinity’s Form 10-K/A filed on April 2, 2004)   
10.7    Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2008)    (*)

 

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Index to Financial Statements

INFINITY PROPERTY AND CASUALTY CORPORATION

INDEX TO EXHIBITS - CONTINUED

 

Number

  

Exhibit Description

    
10.8    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated August 31, 2008 between Infinity and Regions Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on September 4, 2008)   
10.9    Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Infinity’s Form S-8 filed on July 28, 2004)    (*)
10.10    Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Infinity’s Form S-8 filed on February 19, 2003)    (*)
10.11    Supplemental Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Infinity’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2005)    (*)
10.12    Amended 2002 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007)    (*)
10.13    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007)    (*)
10.14    Employment Agreement for James R. Gober (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007)    (*)
10.15    Employment Agreement for Samuel J. Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007)    (*)
10.16    Employment Agreement for Roger Smith (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007)    (*)
10.17    Employment Agreement for Scott C. Pitrone (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007)    (*)
10.18    Employment Agreement for Glen N. Godwin (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Infinity’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007)    (*)
10.19    2006 Annual Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Infinity’s Definitive Proxy Statement, Schedule 14A filed on April 28, 2006)    (*)
10.20    Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement, dated September 7, 2007, between Infinity and an affiliate of Lehman Brothers, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 to Infinity’s 8-K filed on September 7, 2007)   
10.21    Amended and Restated 2008 Performance Share Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Infinity’s 8-K filed on May 21, 2008)    (*)
10.22    Form of Performance Share Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of Exhibit 10.2 to Infinity’s 8-K filed on May 21, 2008)    (*)
21    Subsidiaries of the Registrant   
23    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   
31.1    Sarbanes-Oxley Section 302(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer   
31.2    Sarbanes-Oxley Section 302(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer   
32    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer   

 

(*) Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement.

 

90