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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001
Commission File Number 001-15811
MARKEL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
A Virginia Corporation
IRS Employer Identification No. 54-1959284
4521 Highwoods Parkway, Glen Allen,
Virginia 23060-6148 (Address of principal
executive offices) (Zip code)
Telephone (804) 747-0136
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, no par value
New York Stock Exchange
(title and class and name of the exchange on which registered)
Securities Registered Pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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 such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] 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 the 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]
The aggregate market value of the shares of the registrant's Common Stock held
by non-affiliates as of March 1, 2002 was approximately $1,641,777,819.
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding at March 1,
2002: 9,820,918.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 21, 2002, referred to in Part III.
INDEX AND CROSS REFERENCES-FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
ITEM NO. PAGE
PART I
1. Business 8-27
1a. Executive Officers of the Registrant 88
2. Properties (note 5) 41
3. Legal Proceedings (note 15) 54
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders NONE
PART II
5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters 67,87
6. Selected Financial Data 28-29
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 68-86
7a. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About
Market Risk 82-85
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The response to this item is submitted in Item 14.
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosures NONE
PART III
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant*
11. Executive Compensation*
12. Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management*
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions*
* Items Number 10, 11, 12, and 13 will be incorporated by reference from the
Registrant's 2002 Proxy Statement pursuant to instructions G(1) and G(3) of the
General Instructions to Form 10-K.
PART IV
14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
on Form 8-K
a. Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K
ITEM NO. PAGE
(1) Financial Statements Consolidated
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2001 and 2000 30
Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years
Ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 31
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
for the Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 32
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years
Ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 33
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the
Years Ended December 31,2001, 2000, and 1999 34-65
Independent Auditors' Report 66
(2) Schedules have been omitted since they either are not required or are not
applicable, or the information called for is shown in the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(3) See Index to Exhibits for a list of Exhibits filed as part of this report
b. Reports on Form 8-K. The Registrant filed reports on Form 8-K on October 19,
2001, October 31, 2001 and November 21, 2001 reporting under Item 5, Other
Events.
c. See Index to Exhibits and Item 14a(3)
d. See Index to Financial Statements and Item 14a(2)
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
3(i) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (3.1)a
3(ii) Bylaws, as amended (3.2)b
4 The registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange
Commission a copy of all instruments defining the rights of holders of
long-term debt of the registrant and subsidiaries shown on the Consolidated
Balance Sheet of registrant at December 31, 2001, and the respective Notes
thereto, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management Contracts or Compensatory Plans required to be filed
(Item 10.1-10.9)
|89
MARKEL CORPORATION & SUBSIDIARIES
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10.1 Markel Corporation 1986 and 1989 Stock Option Plans as amended (4(d))c
10.2 Trust and Amendment Under Markel Corporation 1989 Non-Employee Directors
Stock Option Plan (10.2)d
10.3 Executive Employment Agreement between Markel Corporation and Alan I.
Kirshner dated as of December 22, 2000 (10.3)e
10.4 Executive Employment Agreement between Markel Corporation and Anthony F.
Markel dated as of December 22, 2000 (10.4)e
10.5 Executive Employment Agreement between Markel Corporation and Steven A.
Markel dated as of December 22, 2000 (10.5)e
10.6 Executive Employment Agreement between Markel Corporation and Darrell D.
Martin dated as of December 22, 2000 (10.6)e
10.7 Memorandum of understanding with Jeremy D. Cooke dated August 16, 2000**
10.8 Bonus Agreement with Paul W. Springman effective January 1, 2002**
10.9 Bonus Agreement with Jeremy D. Cooke effective January 1, 2002**
21 Certain subsidiaries of Markel Corporation**
23 Consents of independent auditors to incorporation by reference of certain
reports into the Registrant's Registration Statements on Forms S-8 and S-3**
**filed with this report
a. Incorporated by reference from the exhibit shown in parentheses filed with
the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2000
b. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to S-4 Registration Statement
No. 333-88609, dated October 7, 1999.
c. Incorporated by reference from exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the
Commission on May 25, 1989 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (Registration No. 33-28921)
d. Incorporated by reference from the exhibit shown in parentheses filed with
the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999.
e. Incorporated by reference from the exhibit shown in parentheses filed with
the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MARKEL CORPORATION
By: Steven A. Markel
----------------
Vice Chairman
March 27, 2002
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.
Signatures Title
Alan I. Kirshner,* Chief Executive
---------------- Officer and
Chairman of the
Board of Directors
Anthony F. Markel,* President, Chief
----------------- Operating Officer
and Director
Steven A. Markel,* Vice Chairman
---------------- and Director
Darrell D. Martin,* Executive Vice
----------------- President, Chief
Financial Officer
and Director
(Principal
Financial
and Accounting
Officer)
Mark J. Byrne,* Director
-------------
Douglas C. Eby,* Director
--------------
Thomas S.Gayner,* Director
---------------
Leslie A. Grandis,* Director
-----------------
Stewart M. Kasen,* Director
----------------
Gary L. Markel,* Director
--------------
*Signed as of March 27, 2002
90|
THE CORPORATE PROFILE
Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and
programs to a variety of niche markets. In each of these markets, we seek to
provide quality products and excellent customer service so that we can be a
market leader. Our financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting profits
and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.
THE MARKEL STYLE
Markel has a Commitment to Success. We believe in hard work and a zealous
pursuit of excellence while keeping a sense of humor. Our creed is honesty and
fairness in all of our dealings.
The Markel way is to seek to be a market leader in each of our pursuits. We
seek to know our customers' needs and to provide our customers with quality
products and service.
Our pledge to our shareholders is that we will build the financial value of
our Company. We respect our relationship with our suppliers and have a
commitment to our communities.
We are encouraged to look for a better way to do things...to challenge
management. We have the ability to make decisions or alter a course quickly. The
Markel approach is one of spontaneity and flexibility. This requires a respect
for authority but a disdain of bureaucracy.
At Markel, we hold the individual's right to self-determination in the
highest light, providing an atmosphere in which people can reach their personal
potential. Being results oriented, we are willing to put aside individual
concerns in the spirit of teamwork to achieve success.
Above all, we enjoy what we are doing. There is excitement at Markel, one
that comes from innovating, creating, striving for a better way, sharing success
with others...winning.
HIGHLIGHTS
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(in millions, except per share data) 2001 2000* 1999
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Gross premium volume $ 1,774 $ 1,132 $ 595
Net written premiums 1,286 835 428
Earned premiums 1,207 939 437
Net income (loss) (126) (28) 41
Comprehensive income (loss) (77) 81 (40)
U.S. GAAP combined ratio 124% 114% 101%
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Total investments and cash $ 3,591 $ 3,136 $ 1,625
Total assets 6,441 5,473 2,455
Convertible notes payable 116 - -
Long-term debt 265 573 168
8.71% Capital Securities 150 150 150
Shareholders' equity 1,085 752 383
Debt to total capital (Capital Securities as debt) 33% 49% 45%
Debt to total capital (Capital Securities as equity) 24% 39% 24%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE DATA
Common shares outstanding (in thousands) 9,820 7,331 5,590
Net income (loss) (diluted) $ (14.73) $ (3.99) $ 7.20
Total investments and cash $ 365.70 $ 427.79 $290.69
Book value $ 110.50 $ 102.63 $ 68.59
Growth (decline) in book value 8% 50% (11%)
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*Includes Markel International since its acquisition on March 24, 2000
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
.. Combined ratio of 124% in 2001 primarily due to reserve strengthening and
expense charges at Markel International and losses related to the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001
.. Markel North America gross premium volume exceeded $1 billion for the first
time
.. Significant rate increases and stricter coverage terms in the majority of
the Company's programs
.. Excellent 2001 investment results; total return of 8% with equities
producing a 17% return
.. Issued 2.5 million common shares in two public offerings with proceeds of
$408 million being used to repay debt and support future growth of the
Company's operations
[CHART]
Earned Premiums
$ in millions
1991 1996 2001
---- ---- ----
152 307 1,207
[CHART]
Total Investments and Cash
$ in millions
1991 1996 2001
---- ---- ----
436 1,142 3,591
[CHART]
Book Value Per Share
$ per share
1991 1996 2001
---- ---- ----
15.59 49.16 110.50
TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS
The events of September 11th overshadow everything else that occurred
during the year. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon changed the world and impacted all of us. While the losses in human
life and economic terms are substantial, we are thankful that so many people
were able to escape safely. We also believe our society will work towards
building a stronger and safer world. Financially, we will recover from these
losses.
Unfortunately, the losses associated with the terrorist attacks were not
the only surprises we faced in 2001. In addition to $75 million in losses from
the World Trade Center events, we recognized an additional $29 million in
adverse loss development from one of our North American programs and took
charges of $109 million in our international business. Without question, 2001
was a difficult and disappointing year.
Throughout our 72-year history we built an organization with a record of
conservative accounting and reserving methodologies as well as enviable
underwriting profits. Our goals and philosophy have not changed, but we clearly
failed to deliver in 2001.
Fortunately amid the disappointments, 2001 did include many positive
developments. We are now well prepared to deliver the quality results that you
and we have come to expect. It feels like we have been in the London market for
an eternity, but in truth it has been less than two years. Throughout the year
we continually worked to integrate the operations of the international business
we acquired in March of 2000. While we recognized significant losses, we
believe we made substantial progress. Additionally, the current market
environment is without question, the best we've seen in many years. We are
currently enjoying significant, well-priced growth in our business across
almost all lines. We are exceptionally proud of our investment operations,
which generated fantastic returns. While we will always emphasize the
importance of great underwriting, our investment operations are also a critical
element in our objective to compound book value per share at high rates of
return over time.
We measure our financial success by compound growth in book value per
share over the long term. For the past ten years we compounded book value per
share at a 22% rate and for the past five at 18%. Excluding the effects of the
issuance of new common stock, 2001 book value per share declined 10%. As a
result of the additional capital raised during the year, book value per share
increased from $102.63 to $110.50 and total shareholders' equity advanced from
$752 million to $1.1 billion.
2|
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2001 Financial Review
Revenues increased 28% from $1.1 billion to $1.4 billion with a full year
of international operations along with accelerating growth in North America.
Earned premiums were $1.2 billion and our combined ratio was 124%. North
American operations reported a combined ratio of 102%, which includes the $29
million charge for the discontinued New York contractors program. Adjusted for
this, the North American combined ratio would have been 97%. Markel
International reported a combined ratio of 134%. Excluding the unusual events,
and the reserve strengthening of Terra Nova's pre-Markel reserves, it would
have been 113%. Finally, discontinued lines reported a whopping combined ratio
of 229% bringing total underwriting losses to $294 million.
Clearly these are disappointing and unacceptable results. We are upset not
only at the magnitude of the losses we incurred, but also at the need to
increase reserves. For years we built a record based on conservative reserving
methodologies and we are justifiably proud of our history. Going forward you
can rest assured of several things. One, as we have demonstrated, we will not
hesitate to take the painful but necessary steps to recognize reserve
deficiencies if they arise. Two, we have worked, and will continue to work
diligently to improve the ongoing operations at our international business. And
three, we remain committed to conservative accounting and reserving practices.
All of these actions should act to rebuild our record of achievement over the
next several years.
Finally, we think it worth mentioning that Markel has a demonstrated
record of improving on our acquisitions as time goes by. All of our purchases
have been of companies from the "scratch and dent sale" with less than
wonderful financial performance. Those were the only sorts of companies that
were reasonably priced during our process of building a small insurance broker
into an industry leading specialty underwriting organization. While Terra Nova
is a bigger challenge than our previous purchases, we are optimistic that our
culture and our discipline will ultimately work as well in London as it has in
every other circumstance.
Our equity investment portfolio earned a total return of 16.9% during
2001. This was a fabulous result in what was a difficult environment for most
investors. Our focus on disciplined, common sense investing has served us well
for many years now. Reported net investment income increased from $154 million
to $171 million despite lower interest rates with the addition of the Markel
International portfolio for the full year. Realized gains amounted to $20
million and unrealized gains increased by $76 million for the year. The total
return on our investing activities was 8.4%, an excellent result in a tough
year.
After interest expense, amortization of goodwill, and tax benefits, we
reported a net loss of $125.7 million as compared to a net loss last year of
$27.6 million. After the increase in the value of our investment portfolio, we
reported a comprehensive loss of $77 million or $9.01 per share.
During 2001, total investments and cash increased from $3.1 billion to
$3.6 billion and long-term debt and convertible notes payable decreased from
$573 million to $381 million. During the year we also issued 2.5 million common
shares raising $408 million in new equity to strengthen our financial position.
At year-end total shareholders' equity was $1.1 billion or $110.50 per
share as compared to $752 million or $102.63 per share the prior year.
North American Operations
Our North American operations enjoyed a strong year as the longstanding
skills of our talented underwriters began to be aided by a tailwind of
specialty insurance-marketplace improvement. Gross written premiums reached the
$1 billion milestone, which represented a 41% increase over last year. This
improvement accelerated throughout the year and in the fourth quarter, premium
volume increased 54%.
Earned premiums for the year were $642 million, an increase of 36%. The
combined ratio was 102% as a result of the $29 million adverse loss development
from the New York contractors program that
|3
was discontinued in January 2000. We thought we had adequately dealt with this
problem last year when we wrote, "the experience was expensive but is now
behind us." Despite the fact that we always seek to identify problems quickly
and establish conservative loss reserves, we are not always able to succeed.
This charge added 5% to Markel North America's 2001 combined ratio.
Our other Excess and Surplus Lines operations enjoyed very good
underwriting results with both the Essex E&S unit and the Professional/
Products Liability unit delivering great performance. The Markel Southwest
operation completed its second year of operation very close to its budget and
is expected to be contributing underwriting profits in the near future.
Our Specialty Admitted operations finished the year with a combined ratio
of 101%. The Specialty Program business at Markel Insurance Company generated
underwriting profits while the Specialty Personal business at Markel American
Insurance Company reported modest underwriting losses in its property and high
performance watercraft products.
Over the years, we have become a leader in the specialty property and
casualty business in North America. We have the people, products, relationships
and financial strength to take advantage of the current market opportunities.
Throughout the past year we enjoyed both price and volume increases which have
continued into 2002. The market has turned after many years of cutthroat
competition and significant underwriting losses. We expect to apply our
knowledge, skill, and underwriting discipline to achieve profitable growth in
this marketplace. Our underwriters produced wonderful results for 15 years
during progressively softer and softer insurance markets. We think that you can
understand why we are optimistic about our future now that the marketplace is
firming.
International Operations
Markel International finished the year with gross written premiums of $716
million, earned premiums of $468 million and a combined ratio of 134%. The
World Trade Center loss was the single biggest factor. We continue to monitor
claims from this event and currently believe that our original loss estimates
are sound. In addition, the International operation took a fourth quarter
charge in the amount of $20 million to provide for the significantly higher
costs to renew marine and energy reinsurance treaties into 2002. Excluding
these charges the combined ratio was 113%, which remains unacceptable.
4|
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We have accomplished a great deal toward improving our international
business. Most importantly, we focused the business on six products where we
believe we have, and can further develop, the specialty focus needed to earn
consistent underwriting profits. This process unfortunately required the
departure of an unexpectedly high number of employees. Some left because they
did not like our culture or think they could achieve our admittedly challenging
objectives. Others, because we did not think they could adapt. Although this
is a difficult and arduous process, we have been through this before with
previous acquisitions. We think we made good progress in building the Markel
Style in London. We believe that we have a team in place to achieve success. We
are committed to earning underwriting profits and are taking the necessary
actions to achieve this goal.
Our ongoing international underwriting units are Aviation, Marine and
Energy, Non-Marine Property, Professional Liability, Retail Professional
Liability and Reinsurance and Accident. In addition, we have service companies
in the United Kingdom and Australia that sell several of our product offerings.
We are seeing significant improvement in the market conditions and as a result
we are now enjoying price increases which will help drive future underwriting
profit.
Operationally, we have two underwriting entities, Terra Nova Insurance
Company (a London Market insurance company), and Markel Syndicate 3000 (a
Lloyd's of London syndicate). We write about 75% of our international business
through our wholly-owned Lloyd's syndicates. While we are excited to be part of
Lloyd's and believe it has the opportunity to continue, and enhance, its
pre-eminence in the world's insurance marketplace, we also believe that the
market must make changes. Some of the changes we recommend include: the end of
the annual venture and three-year "reinsurance to close" process; ending
inappropriate use of reinsurance leverage and structure; not writing multi-year
policies without concurrent reinsurance protection; correcting poorly managed
delegated authorities; improving slow policy services and reducing costs; and
improved governance, regulation and accounting. Over the past 300 years Lloyd's
has built a valuable franchise. Unless it improves its business practices its
value could be seriously diminished. We have dealt with these issues within our
business and we support Lloyd's reform efforts because a stronger Lloyd's will
enhance Markel's opportunities.
Discontinued Lines
Discontinued lines include the run off business from Gryphon Insurance,
from discontinued programs at Markel International, and from the reinsurance
business at Corifrance, an ongoing operation being held for sale. Gross written
premiums from discontinued lines were $54 million with earned premiums of $97
million. Underwriting losses were $125 million or a 229% combined ratio. The
major reasons for this loss were the charges for the discontinued motor
business ($39 million), increased reserves for asbestos losses ($20 million)
and additional reserves for reinsurance collection issues ($25 million). We
never expected that the cost of these programs would be as high as they have
been. We are continuing to work diligently to manage these exposures as
efficiently and effectively as possible and to adequately reserve for all
future costs.
Investments
Our approach to investing is an important element of our goal of compounding
book value per share over the long term. We believe that sound investing is a
critical part of our long-term success and our results in this area clearly
distinguish us from most insurance companies. In 2001 we achieved exceptional
results in a very difficult investment environment. Our equity returns were
16.9% for the year as compared to a loss of 11.78% for the S&P 500 Index. Our
fixed income returns were also favorable as we maintained a high quality
portfolio and avoided losses suffered by more adventuresome fixed income
investors. Total investment returns for the year were 8.4%.
|5
Our investment results over the past 10 years are shown in the following
chart.
One Five Ten
Year Years Years
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Markel Total Return
Fixed maturities 7.70% 7.50% 7.50%
Equity securities 16.90% 15.40% 16.40%
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Market Indices
Lehman Aggregate Index 8.44% 7.43% 7.23%
S&P 500 Index (11.78)% 10.70% 12.10%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Added by Outperformance
Fixed maturities (0.74)% 0.07% 0.27%
Equity securities 28.68% 4.70% 4.30%
===================================================================
Our first objective in managing our investment portfolio is to be certain
that we can meet our obligations to our policyholders. As a result,
policyholder funds are invested in high quality fixed income securities with a
similar duration profile as that of our insurance liabilities. Shareholder
funds are predominately invested in common stocks where, with sound management,
we can earn significantly greater total returns over the long term. We have
added value both by outperforming relative benchmarks and by increasing our
long term allocation to equity securities. Our total equity returns over the
past 10 years averaged 16.40% as compared to the fixed income returns of 7.50%.
This additional return on the assets we've allocated to equities has added
substantial value to Markel. At year-end we have allocated $544 million to our
equity investments and expect this to increase in the future.
We believe we have achieved these results because we have adopted a sound,
common sense investment approach. We buy what we believe to be reasonably
priced, profitable companies, run by honest and talented management with
capital discipline. We want to find companies that we can own for the long
term, both to minimize transaction costs and taxes. As a result, our turnover
is very low and we've accumulated large unrealized gains in the portfolio.
We are optimistic that equity markets will continue to provide us with
opportunities to build shareholder value over time. The volatility that occurs
on a regular basis has and should continue to be more of an opportunity than a
hindrance in our quest to earn solid investment returns.
6|
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Capital Raising
It was a busy year for us in the capital markets. We issued 2.5 million
new shares raising $408 million in additional capital. Approximately $245
million of the proceeds were used to reduce our debt. Additionally, we issued a
zero coupon convertible note with a 4.25% yield to maturity to repay an
additional $100 million. As a result of these transactions, we enjoy a strong
financial position. Our ratio of debt to total capital improved to 24% as
compared to 39% last year. Despite this balance sheet strength, our ratings
with various credit rating agencies are not as strong as our balance sheet
alone would support. This is due to our losses, the majority of which were
charges reported as the recognition of reserve deficiencies at Markel
International from prior to our acquisition. We expect meaningful operating
improvements in the future, and as this occurs, our ratings should be stronger.
Director
Mark Byrne has advised us that he will not be standing for reelection at
our next shareholders' meeting. Mark feels his personal and business
commitments prevent him from continuing on our Board. We will miss Mark's
advice but thank him for his contributions and support.
Closing Comments
Clearly 2001 was a difficult and disappointing year at Markel. We do not
like reporting reserve deficiencies and unusual charges as many other insurance
companies did in 2001. While the vast majority of these charges relate to the
integration of the Terra Nova acquisition, and should be behind us, we remain
embarrassed by these results. In the past we've prided ourselves on our proven
track record of being different, and better, than other insurance companies.
We remain optimistic because the things we did differently than the
insurance industry at large to build our record of accomplishment remain
unchanged. Markel is built upon the consistent values of integrity, long term
focus, and conservative accounting. These will never change. Fortunately, the
people who make up this organization seem to get better at their jobs the
longer they are part of this culture. We are confident that this will be true
for our London based colleagues as well and we look forward to earning your
continued support.
/s/ Alan I. Kirshner
Alan I. Kirshner
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Anthony F. Markel
Anthony F. Markel
President and Chief Operating Officer
/s/ Steven A. Markel
Steven A. Markel
Vice Chairman
/s/ Darrell D. Martin
Darrell D. Martin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
[PHOTO]
From left to right: Alan I. Kirshner, Anthony F. Markel,
Darrell D. Martin, Steven A. Markel
|7
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We sell specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets
and believe that our specialty product focus and niche market strategy enable us
to develop expertise and specialized market knowledge. We seek to provide
quality products and customer service so that we can be a market leader. Our
financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior
investment returns to build shareholder value.
Specialty Insurance
===============================================================================
The specialty insurance market differs significantly from the standard market.
In the standard market, insurance rates and forms are highly regulated,
products and coverages are largely uniform with relatively predictable
exposures, and companies tend to compete for customers on the basis of price.
In contrast, the specialty market provides coverage for risks that do not fit
the underwriting criteria of the standard carriers. Competition tends to focus
less on price and more on availability, service and other value-based
considerations. While specialty market exposures may have higher insurance
risks than their standard market counterparts, we manage these risks to achieve
higher financial returns. To reach our financial and operational goals, we
must have extensive knowledge and expertise in our chosen markets. Most of our
risks are considered on an individual basis, and manuscript forms and tailored
solutions are employed in order to respond to distinctive risk characteristics.
Acquisition
===============================================================================
On March 24, 2000, we acquired the operations of Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings
Ltd. As a result of the acquisition, we realigned our operations with Terra
Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd. becoming our international division, Markel
International, and our existing domestic operations becoming Markel North
America. The acquisition of Markel International provides us with additional
opportunities to grow profitably in specialty insurance markets on a worldwide
basis. Markel International writes specialty property, casualty, marine and
aviation insurance on a direct and reinsurance basis. Business is written
worldwide with the majority coming from the United Kingdom and the United
States. Markel International has a strong presence in the London Insurance
Market through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Terra Nova Insurance Company
Limited (Terra Nova), and its participation through Markel Capital Limited
(Markel Capital) in four Lloyd's syndicates managed by Markel Syndicate
Management Limited (Markel Syndicate Management). For 2002 we have formed a new
syndicate named Markel Syndicate 3000 where we will consolidate business
previously written in our four Lloyd's syndicates. Consolidating our Lloyd's
operations into one syndicate should provide cost reductions and allow for more
efficient capital allocation.
Changes at Markel International for 2002
===============================================================================
On January 1, 2002, Markel International aligned its underwriting operations
along product lines and customers into six underwriting centers as follows:
. Aviation
. Marine and Energy
. Non-Marine Property
. Professional Liability
. Retail Professional Liability
. Reinsurance and Accident
8|
Our goal is to align the operations so that specialized underwriting talent is
more focused on our customers' needs. In addition our new structure and focus
eliminates duplication that previously existed between underwriting areas. To
best serve our customers' needs, the six underwriting centers will have the
ability to write business on Terra Nova or on Markel Syndicate 3000.
Markets
===============================================================================
During 2001 we competed in four areas of the specialty insurance market. Markel
North America competed in the Excess and Surplus Lines Market (E&S Market) and
the Specialty Admitted Market. Markel International competed in the London
Company Market and the Lloyd's Market. With the realignment of Markel
International's underwriting units and the formation of Syndicate 3000 in 2002,
we will have the ability to compete in the London Insurance Market without
distinction between the London Company Market and the Lloyd's Market. See note
18 in the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional segment
reporting disclosures.
The E&S Market focuses on hard-to-place risks and risks that admitted insurers
specifically refuse to write. E&S eligibility allows our insurance subsidiaries
to underwrite non-standard market risks with more flexible policy forms and
unregulated premium rates. This typically results in coverages that are more
restrictive and more expensive than the standard admitted market. In 2000 the
E&S Market represented approximately $12 billion, or 4% of the $322 billion
United States property and casualty (P&C) industry.(1)
We are the fourth largest domestic E&S writer in the United States as measured
by direct premium writings.(1) Four of our underwriting units, Essex Excess and
Surplus Lines, Professional/Products Liability, Brokered Excess and Surplus
Lines, and Markel Southwest Underwriters, write in the E&S Market. In 2001 we
wrote $842 million of E&S business.
We also write business in the Specialty Admitted Market. Most of these risks
are unique and hard-to-place in the standard market, but for marketing and
regulatory reasons, must remain with an admitted insurance company. We estimate
that the Specialty Admitted Market is comparable in size to the E&S Market. The
Specialty Admitted Market is subject to more state regulation than the E&S
Market, particularly with regard to rate and form filing requirements,
restrictions on the ability to exit lines of business, premium tax payments and
membership in various state associations, such as state guaranty funds and
assigned risk plans.
Two of our underwriting units, Specialty Program Insurance and Specialty
Personal and Commercial Lines, write in the Specialty Admitted Market. In
2001 we wrote $163 million of specialty admitted business.
Markel International competes in the London Insurance Market, which represented
approximately $21 billion of the international insurance market in 1999.(2) The
London Insurance Market is the largest insurance market in Europe and third
largest in the world.(3) The London Insurance Market is known for its ability
to provide innovative, tailored coverage and capacity for unique and
hard-to-place risks. It is primarily a broker market, which means that
insurance brokers bring most of the business to the market.
(1) Annual Review of the Excess and Surplus Lines Industry, A.M. Best Company
Special Report (Sept. 2001).
(2) The London Insurance Market, Association of British Insurers (Sept. 2000).
(3) UK Insurance Key Facts , Association of British Insurers.
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Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
The London Insurance Market is also largely a subscription market, which means
that risks brought into the market are typically insured by more than one
insurance company or Lloyd's syndicate, often due to the large amount of
insurance coverage required. We write business on both a direct and
subscription basis in the London Insurance Market. When we write business in
the subscription market, we participate primarily as lead underwriter in order
to control underwriting terms and conditions.
The London Insurance Market is almost evenly divided between the London Company
Market and the Lloyd's Market. Insurance companies based in London are included
in the London Company Market. During 2001 we participated in the London Company
Market through Terra Nova. We wrote $176 million of London Company Market
business in 2001.
The Lloyd's Market has been in existence for more than 300 years but has
recently undergone significant changes. For most of its existence, capital at
Lloyd's has been provided by individual investors or names who subscribed
annually to provide capacity or capital to one or more syndicates, which are
not legal entities but only an amalgamation of the individuals participating in
that syndicate. The syndicates were managed by managing agents who controlled
all business decisions for the syndicates.
Following several years of poor results and faced with a need for new capital,
Lloyd's began to allow corporate capital providers beginning in 1993. This
source of capital has grown steadily and represented approximately 82% of total
underwriting capacity in 2001.(4) Corporate capital providers often provide a
majority or all of a syndicate's capacity and also often own or control the
syndicate's managing agent. This structure permits the capital provider to
exert greater influence on, and demand greater accountability for, underwriting
results.
The Lloyd's Market ranks as the world's third largest(5) insurer of commercial
risks and third largest global reinsurer.(6) In 2001 we participated in the
Lloyd's Market through our corporate capital provider, Markel Capital, in four
Lloyd's syndicates. For the 2001 year of account, Markel Capital was the
fifteenth largest capital provider at Lloyd's.(4)We wrote $540 million of
Lloyd's Market business in 2001.
Approximately 32% of our 2001 premium writings were foreign risks, of which
approximately 40% related to the United Kingdom. For 2000 approximately 29% of
our premium writings were foreign risks, of which approximately 43% related to
the United Kingdom. Prior to our acquisition of Markel International,
substantially all of our premium writings were United States risks.
(4) Best's Rating of Lloyd's, A.M. Best (Sept. 2001).
(5) Top 200 Global Business Insurers 2001, Standard & Poor's.
(6) Global Reinsurance Highlights 2001, Standard & Poor's.
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Competition
================================================================================
We compete with numerous domestic and international insurance companies and
reinsurers, Lloyd's syndicates, risk retention groups, insurance buying groups,
risk securitization programs and alternative self-insurance mechanisms.
Competition may take the form of lower prices, broader coverages, greater
product flexibility, higher quality services or higher ratings by independent
rating agencies. In all of our markets, we compete by developing specialty
products to satisfy well-defined market needs and by maintaining relationships
with brokers and insureds who rely on our expertise. This expertise in offering
and underwriting products that are not readily available is our principal means
of competition. Our domestic operations offer over 40 major product lines.
Markel International offers a diverse portfolio of over 40 insurance products.
Each of these products has its own distinct competitive environment. In all of
our products, we seek to compete with innovative ideas, appropriate pricing,
expense control and quality service to policyholders, agents and brokers.
Few barriers exist to prevent insurers from entering our segments of the P&C
industry, but many of the larger P&C insurance companies have historically been
unwilling to write specialty coverages. For many years the P&C industry
experienced a soft market due to what was perceived by many as excessive
amounts of capital in the industry. In an attempt to utilize their capital,
many insurance companies often sought to write additional premiums without
regard for its ultimate profitability.
In 1999 signs of a market hardening, that is stricter coverage terms and higher
prices, began to emerge in the United States. Markel North America's
submissions and premium writings increased substantially in 2000 and 2001.
During 2001 premium rates also began to increase in the London Insurance
Market. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 had a profound impact on
the insurance market. Demand for insurance products to manage risks has
increased while insurance financial and underwriting capacity has decreased. We
are committed to maintaining our underwriting standards in both hard and soft
insurance markets.
Underwriting Philosophy
================================================================================
By focusing on market niches where we have underwriting expertise, we seek to
earn consistent underwriting profits. Underwriting profits are a key component
of our strategy. We believe that the ability to achieve consistent underwriting
profits demonstrates knowledge and expertise, commitment to superior customer
service and the ability to manage insurance risk.
In 2001 our combined ratio was 124%. This represents the fourth time in the
past 16 years that our combined ratio exceeded 100%. All four underwriting
losses were primarily the result of newly acquired insurance operations. The
2001 underwriting loss was primarily due to $213 million of reserve
strengthening and expense charges including a $75 million provision for losses
from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. See Management's Discussion &
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a further
discussion of underwriting results. When Markel International was acquired, we
expected underwriting losses from programs we planned to discontinue and from
the continuing programs that we planned to reprice and reunderwrite. While we
have made significant progress in these areas and have instilled our
underwriting philosophy at Markel International, the challenges presented by
the Markel International acquisition have been larger and have taken longer to
identify and resolve than we originally anticipated.
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
The following graph shows our U.S. GAAP combined ratio as compared to the P&C
industry for the past five years:
[CHART]
COMBINED RATIOS
Markel Corporation
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
99% 98% 101% 114% 124%
Industry Average*
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
102% 106% 108% 110% 117%
*Source A.M. Best Company
Industry Average is estimated for 2001.
The Underwriting Units
We define our four underwriting segments based on the areas of the specialty
insurance market in which we compete. Markel North America includes two
operating segments, the E&S Market and the Specialty Admitted Market. Markel
International's operating segments are the London Company Market and the
Lloyd's Market.
Discontinued lines of business and non-strategic insurance subsidiaries are
included in Other (Discontinued Lines) for segment reporting purposes. These
lines were discontinued because we believed some aspect of the product, such as
risk profile or competitive environment, would not allow us to earn consistent
underwriting profits.
[CHART]
MARKEL CORPORATION
2001 TOTAL GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($1.8 billion)
Other (Discontinued Lines) 3%
Specialty Admitted 9%
London Company 10%
Lloyd's 30%
Excess and Surplus Lines 48%
Markel North America
================================================================================
Domestically we operate through six underwriting units focused on specific
niches within the E&S and Specialty Admitted Markets. In the E&S Market, we
write business through the following units: Essex Excess and Surplus Lines;
Professional/Products Liability; Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines and Markel
Southwest Underwriters. In the Specialty Admitted Market, we write business
through the Specialty Program Insurance and the Specialty Personal and
Commercial Lines units.
12|
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[CHART]
MARKEL NORTH AMERICA
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($1 billion)
Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines 5%
Markel Southwest Underwriters 6%
Specialty Program Insurance 11%
Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines 22%
Professional/Products Liability 25%
Essex Excess and Surplus Lines 31%
Excess and Surplus Lines Market
Essex Excess and Surplus Lines. The Essex Excess and Surplus Lines unit (Essex
E&S unit) writes a variety of coverages focusing on light-to-medium casualty
exposures for businesses such as artisan contractors, habitational risks,
restaurants and bars, child and adult care facilities, vacant properties,
office buildings and light manufacturing operations. The Essex E&S unit also
writes property insurance on classes of business ranging from small,
single-location risks to large, multi-state, multilocation risks. Property
coverages consist principally of fire and allied lines, such as windstorm, hail
and water damage and more specialized property coverages. In addition the Essex
E&S unit offers coverages for heavier property risks on both an excess and
primary basis, including earthquake, through its Essex Special Property (ESP)
division. These risks are typically larger and are of a low frequency/high
severity nature.
The Essex E&S unit's inland marine facility provides coverages for risks that
include motor truck cargo, logging equipment, warehouseman's legal liability,
builder's risk and contractor's equipment. The ocean marine facility writes
risks that include marinas, hull coverage, cargo and builder's risk for yacht
manufacturers. The special transportation division focuses on physical damage
coverage for all types of commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and high
value automobiles. In addition the special transportation division offers
liability coverages for both individual cabs and fleets and a dealer contingent
liability program. The railroad division writes all risk property coverages on
railroad cars including shortline and regional railroads, tourist and scenic
railroads, modern commuter rail and light rail, leased railroad equipment and
railroad equipment owned by non-railroad companies.
Most of the Essex E&S unit's business is generated by approximately 180
professional surplus lines general agents who have limited quoting and binding
authority. ESP, brokerage inland marine and ocean marine produce business on a
brokerage basis through approximately 290 wholesale brokers. The Essex E&S unit
seeks to be a substantial underwriter for its producers in order to enhance the
likelihood of receiving the most desirable underwriting opportunities. The
Essex E&S unit writes the majority of its business in Essex Insurance Company
(Essex). Essex is admitted in Delaware and is eligible to write E&S insurance
in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
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Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
[CHART]
ESSEX EXCESS AND SURPLUS LINES
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($313 million)
Other Programs 8%
Inland Marine 9%
Property 13%
Casualty 27%
Essex Special Property 43%
Professional/Products Liability. The primary focus of the Professional/Products
Liability unit is tailored coverages that offer unique solutions for highly
specialized professions. These include medical malpractice for physicians and
allied healthcare risks, professional liability for lawyers, architects and
engineers, agents and brokers and management consultants. Specified professions
errors and omissions coverage is targeted to start-up companies, small
businesses and emerging technologies. Special risks include products liability
coverage focused on new business products and technology. In addition
for-profit and not-for-profit directors and officers liability coverage and
employment practices liability coverages are offered.
The Professional/Products Liability unit was one of the first to enter the
emerging employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) market. EPLI provides
coverage for the defense of alleged inappropriate employment practices not
typically covered under traditional business coverages. This unit also provides
a full menu of loss prevention programs offering consultation services to all
customers which can be accessed through telephone inquiry, the Internet and
live seminars across the United States.
Business is written nationwide and is developed through approximately 350
wholesale brokers. The Professional/Products Liability unit writes the majority
of its business in Evanston Insurance Company (EIC). EIC is admitted in
Illinois and is eligible to write E&S insurance in 48 states and the District
of Columbia. Admitted programs for these coverages are written primarily in
Deerfield Insurance Company.
[CHART]
PROFESSIONAL/PRODUCTS LIABILITY
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($249 million)
Architects and Engineers 6%
Other Programs 9%
Employment Practices Liability 16%
Specified Professions 17%
Special Risks 19%
Medical Malpractice and Specified Medical 33%
14|
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Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines. The Brokered E&S unit is comprised of the
following divisions: primary casualty, property, excess and umbrella and
environmental. The primary casualty division's areas of expertise are
hard-to-place, large general liability and products liability accounts. The
majority of the general liability book of business is comprised of coverages
for commercial and residential contractors. The division also specializes in
writing manufacturing accounts with heavy products liability exposures.
Examples include sporting goods manufacturers, toy manufacturers and truck
trailer manufacturers. The property division focuses on monoline property and
package coverages for mercantile, industrial, habitational and builder's risk
exposures. The excess and umbrella division provides coverage primarily for
small commercial insureds. The environmental division offers a complete array
of environmental coverages including environmental professional liability,
contractors pollution liability and site-specific environmental impairment
liability. The unit operates through approximately 100 wholesale brokers and
writes the majority of its business in EIC.
[CHART]
BROKERED EXCESS AND SURPLUS LINES
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($220 million)
Other Programs 3%
Environmental 5%
Excess and Umbrella 19%
Property 31%
Casualty 42%
Markel Southwest Underwriters. Markel Southwest Underwriters (MSU) writes a
variety of commercial casualty and property coverages using underwriting
guidelines that are modeled after those used by the Essex E&S unit. MSU's
business is concentrated in the west, southwestern and southeastern United
States. Casualty coverages consist of light-to-medium casualty exposures
including artisan contractors, habitational risks, office buildings, light
manufacturing operations and vacant properties. MSU also writes property
insurance on classes of business ranging from small, single location risks to
large, multi-state, multi-location risks. Property coverages consist
principally of fire and allied lines, such as windstorm, hail and water damage
and more specialized property coverages.
Most of MSU's business is generated by approximately 80 professional surplus
lines general agents who have limited quoting and binding authority. MSU seeks
to be a substantial underwriter for its producers in order to enhance the
likelihood of receiving the most desirable underwriting opportunities. The
majority of its business is written in EIC.
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
[CHART]
MARKEL SOUTHWEST UNDERWRITERS
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($60 million)
Other Programs 5%
Property 44%
Casualty 51%
Specialty Admitted Market
Specialty Program Insurance. Specialty Program Insurance focuses on providing
total insurance programs for businesses engaged in similar but highly
specialized activities. These activities typically do not fit the risk profiles
of standard insurers which makes complete coverage difficult to obtain from a
single insurer.
The Specialty Program Insurance unit is organized into four product areas which
concentrate on particular markets and customer groups. The property and
casualty program division writes commercial coverages for youth and recreation
oriented organizations, such as children's summer camps, conference centers and
youth organizations such as YM/YWCAs, Boys' and Girls' Clubs, child care
centers, nursery and Montessori schools, gymnastic schools and martial arts and
dance schools. This division also writes commercial coverages for social
service organizations, garages, gas stations, campgrounds, used car dealers and
moving and storage operations. The agriculture division specializes in
insurance coverages for horse-related risks, such as horse mortality coverage
and property and liability coverages for horse farms and boarding, breeding and
training facilities. Liability insurance for sports organizations and accident
and medical insurance for colleges, universities and private schools are sold
through the sports liability, accident and medical division. The Markel Risk
Solutions facility develops customized insurance products for a variety of
commercial insureds.
The majority of Specialty Program Insurance business is produced by
approximately 3,500 retail insurance agents. Management grants very limited
underwriting authority to a few carefully selected agents and controls agency
business through regular audits and pre-approvals. Certain products and
programs are also marketed directly to consumers or through wholesale
producers. Specialty Program Insurance is underwritten by Markel Insurance
Company (MIC). MIC is licensed to write P&C insurance in 50 states, including
its domicile state of Illinois and the District of Columbia.
16|
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[CHART]
SPECIALTY PROGRAM INSURANCE
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($106 million)
Other Programs 5%
Health and Fitness 8%
Child Care 9%
Markel Risk Solutions 11%
Agriculture 18%
Camp and Youth Recreation 21%
Sports Liability, Accident and Medical 28%
Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines. Specialty Personal and Commercial
Lines markets and underwrites its insurance products in niche markets that are
overlooked by large admitted carriers. The recreational products division
concentrates on watercraft, yacht, motorcycle and property coverages. The
watercraft program markets personal lines insurance coverage for personal
watercraft, older boats and high performance boats; while small fishing
ventures and small boat rentals are the focus of the commercial marine program.
The yacht program is designed for experienced owners of moderately priced
yachts. The motorcycle program's target market is mature riders of high-valued
bikes. The property program provides coverage for dwellings which do not
qualify for standard homeowners coverage.
Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines products are characterized by high
numbers of transactions, low average premiums and creative solutions for
under-served and emerging markets. The unit distributes the watercraft, yacht
and property products through wholesale and retail producers. The motorcycle
program is marketed directly to the consumer, using direct mail, Internet and
telephone promotions as well as relationships with various motorcycle
manufacturers, dealers and associations. The Specialty Personal and Commercial
Lines unit writes the majority of its business in Markel American Insurance
Company (MAIC). MAIC is licensed to write P&C business in 47 states, including
its state of domicile, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
[CHART]
SPECIALTY PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL LINES
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($56 million)
Property 18%
Motorcycle 21%
Yacht 28%
Watercraft 33%
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
Markel International
================================================================================
Our international division operates in two segments of the London Insurance
Market. Markel International participates in the London Company Market through
its London based insurance company, Terra Nova, and in the Lloyd's Market
through Markel Capital's participation in four Lloyd's syndicates managed by
Markel Syndicate Management.
[CHART]
MARKEL INTERNATIONAL
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($716 million)
Motor Syndicate 1228 4%
Non-Marine Syndicate 1239 14%
Terra Nova 25%
Marine Syndicate 1009 27%
Markel Syndicate 702 30%
The London Company Market
Terra Nova. Terra Nova's business is written internationally with approximately
57% of its writings coming from the United States. Terra Nova underwrites
business on both a direct and reinsurance basis covering property, casualty,
accident and health and marine risks. In addition Terra Nova writes excess and
surplus lines property and automobile physical damage coverages in the United
States. Coverage is also provided for crop, boiler and machinery, credit,
surety, political risk exposure, theft, fidelity and crime as well as other
miscellaneous lines such as contingency.
Property treaty reinsurance includes excess of loss, stop loss, aggregate
excess and proportional coverage. A significant portion of Terra Nova's excess
of loss catastrophe and per risk treaty business comes from the United States
and is balanced by international property treaties.
Terra Nova's casualty account includes treaty reinsurance for errors and
omissions, directors and officers, medical malpractice and general liability
risks as well as excess and surplus lines liability coverages often written in
conjunction with property risks. Professional groups covered include
architects, engineers, accountants, lawyers and insurance intermediaries.
Terra Nova's marine book includes specie, cargo and protection and indemnity
coverages. Terra Nova is an insurer of diamonds and precious stones, cash and
securities, art galleries, private art collections, auction houses and fine art
through its specie account.
18|
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[CHART]
TERRA NOVA
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($176 million)
Marine 23%
Casualty 28%
Property 49%
The Lloyd's Market
Markel International participates in the Lloyd's Market through its corporate
capital provider, Markel Capital. For the 2001 year of account, Markel
Syndicate Management managed four syndicates. For the 2002 year of account,
Markel Syndicate Management has combined its operations into one syndicate,
Markel Syndicate 3000.
Our Lloyd's operations offer a wide range of insurance products and take a
service-oriented approach to underwriting complex and unique risks. Markel
International's 2001 operating syndicates are as follows:
Markel Syndicate 702. Syndicate 702 focuses on professional and financial risk
coverages, including professional indemnity, directors and officers liability,
legal expenses and crime. It also underwrites kidnap and ransom, commercial
property and general liability coverages.
The professional indemnity account offers unique solutions for four classes of
professions. Covered risks include construction and engineering, financial
service professionals, miscellaneous professionals and professional practices.
The construction and engineering class includes coverages for professional
surveyors, engineers, architects and estate agents. The financial services
class includes coverages for insurance brokers, insurance agents, financial
consultants, stockbrokers, fund managers, venture capitalists and bankers. The
miscellaneous professionals class includes coverages for a wide range of
professionals including management consultants, publishers, broadcasters,
pension trustees, political officials and physicians. The professional
practices class includes coverages for accountants and solicitors.
Syndicate 702 has four branch offices in the United Kingdom, all of which offer
the Syndicate's full range of products. In addition the Syndicate has
established three branch offices in Australia, which offer the Syndicate's core
professional indemnity, directors and officers and crime covers. The
Syndicate's branch offices provide insureds and brokers with direct access to
decision-making underwriters who understand the local markets.
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
[CHART]
MARKEL SYNDICATE 702
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($217 million)
Legal Expenses 5%
Other Programs 10%
Property 12%
Directors and Officers 14%
Professional Indemnity 59%
Marine Syndicate 1009. Marine Syndicate 1009 underwrites a portfolio of primary
coverages for energy, marine liability, hull, war, specie, cargo, aviation and
property risks. In addition the Syndicate writes marine, aviation and property
business on an excess of loss reinsurance basis. Syndicate 1009 is a market
leader in these lines of business due to its commitment to value-added service
for its insureds and brokers.
The energy account includes all aspects of oil and gas activities. Coverage
includes, but is not limited to, property damage, business interruption and
well control. The liability account is primarily energy-related, but also
covers the traditional marine book, which includes charters, protection and
indemnity and pollution liabilities. The hull account covers physical damage to
ocean-going tonnage. Also offered are building and construction insurance, as
well as coverage for high-valued yachts and mortgagee's interest. The war
account covers marine, aviation and political risks. Political risks provide
coverage for aspects of confiscation, terrorism, war on land and elements of
contract frustration. The specie account includes coverage for fine art on
exhibit and in private collections, securities, bullion, precious metals, cash
in transit and jewelry. The cargo account is an international transit-based
book covering many types of cargo.
The aviation account covers major and regional passenger airlines, cargo
airlines, fixed wing and rotary wing operators, aviation products and ground
liabilities. The property account consists primarily of large, risk-managed
exposures.
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[CHART]
MARINE SYNDICATE 1009
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($196 million)
Hull 6%
Liability 7%
Specie 7%
Property 11%
Energy 15%
Other Programs 15%
War 15%
Aviation 24%
Motor Syndicate 1228. Syndicate 1228 specializes in commercial auto insurance
in the United Kingdom. The Syndicate focuses on carefully selected rental car
fleets and taxi accounts. Coverage is provided for fleets of all sizes. The
Syndicate's innovative approach to its business allows it to build strong
relationships with a select number of intermediaries. Following the acquisition
of Markel International, we significantly reduced writings at Syndicate 1228
and refocused the Syndicate on its profitable United Kingdom fleet business.
Syndicate 1228 had gross premium volume of $27 million in 2001.
Non-Marine Syndicate 1239. Syndicate 1239 writes property, financial
institutions, accident and health, contingency and casualty lines of business.
Business is written on a direct, facultative, excess of loss and proportional
treaty reinsurance basis.
The property account primarily consists of commercial and industrial risks. The
financial institutions account includes fidelity bonds, computer crime, credit
card fraud and cash-in-transit exposures. The casualty account primarily
includes United Kingdom professional liability business. The accident and
health account consists of medical expense, aviation, personal accident and
sports personal accident coverages.
[CHART]
NON-MARINE SYNDICATE 1239
2001 GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME ($100 million)
Accident and Health 6%
Other Programs 9%
Financial Institutions 13%
Professional Liability 14%
Property 58%
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BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
Reinsurance
===============================================================================
We enter into reinsurance agreements in order to reduce our liability on
individual risks and to enable us to underwrite policies with higher limits.
We attempt to minimize credit exposure to reinsurers and maintain a margin of
safety through adherence to internal reinsurance guidelines. To become our
reinsurance partner, prospective companies generally must: (i) maintain an A.M.
Best or Standard & Poor's rating of "A" (excellent); (ii) maintain minimum
capital and surplus of $200 million; and (iii) provide collateral for
recoverables in excess of an individually established amount. In addition
Markel North America's foreign reinsurers must provide collateral equal to 100%
of recoverables, with the exception of reinsurers who are Lloyd's syndicates.
The following table displays our top ten reinsurers by group at December 31,
2001. The contractual obligations under reinsurance agreements are typically
with individual subsidiaries of the group and are not typically guaranteed by
other group members. These ten reinsurers represent 54% of our $1.6 billion
reinsurance recoverable.
Reinsurers A.M. Best Rating Reinsurance Recoverable
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
Syndicates at Lloyd's A- $ 209,658
Munich Re Group A++ 125,902
GE Global Insurance Group A++ 80,895
Equitas NR(1) 78,953
Gerling Group A 69,033
XL Group A+ 63,642
Fairfax Financial Group A 62,545
AXA Corporate Solutions Group A+ 51,751
HDI Group A+ 51,122
American International Group A++ 46,797
Other reinsurers 728,714
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses $1,569,012
=============================================================================================================
(1) NR-Not Rated. Equitas is a reinsurance company that was formed by Lloyd's
to reinsure the 1992 and prior losses of Lloyd's syndicates.
Reinsurance recoverable balances are shown before consideration of balances
owed to reinsurers and any potential rights of offset, any collateral held by
us and allowances for bad debts.
See note 14 in the notes to consolidated financial statements and Management's
Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for
additional information about our reinsurance programs and exposures.
22|
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Reinsurance treaties are generally subject to cancellation on the anniversary
date and are subject to annual renegotiations. In most circumstances the
reinsurer remains responsible for all business produced prior to termination.
Treaties also typically contain provisions concerning ceding commissions,
required reports to the reinsurers, responsibility for taxes, arbitration in
the event of a dispute and provisions which allow us to demand that a reinsurer
post letters of credit or assets as security if a reinsurer becomes an
unapproved reinsurer under applicable regulations.
Investments
===============================================================================
Our business strategy clearly recognizes the importance of both underwriting
profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. We rely on
sound underwriting practices to produce investable funds while minimizing
underwriting risk. Approximately three quarters of our investable assets come
from premiums paid by policyholders. Policyholder funds are invested
predominately in high-quality corporate, government and municipal bonds with
relatively short durations. The balance, comprised of shareholder funds, is
available to be invested in equity securities, which over the long run, have
produced higher returns relative to fixed maturity investments. We seek to
invest in companies with the potential for appreciation and hold these
investments over the long term. Officers of the Company manage the investment
portfolio.
Total investment returns include items which impact net income, such as net
investment income and realized gains or losses from the sales of investments,
as well as items which do not impact net income, such as changes in unrealized
holding gains or losses. We do not lower the quality of our investment
portfolio in order to enhance or maintain yields. Our focus on long-term total
investment returns may result in variability in the level of realized and
unrealized investment gains or losses from one period to the next.
The ultimate success of our investment strategy can be analyzed from the review
of total investment returns over several years. The following table presents
taxable equivalent total returns before and after the effects of foreign
currency movements for the past five years:
ANNUAL TAXABLE EQUIVALENT TOTAL RETURNS
------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
Average Average
Five Year Ten Year
Years Ended December 31, Annual Annual
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Return Return
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equities 31.4% 13.3% (10.3%) 26.4% 16.9% 15.4% 16.4%
Fixed maturities 9.2% 7.6% 0.9% 10.5% 7.7% 7.5% 7.5%
Total portfolio 12.8% 8.9% (1.3%) 12.4% 8.8% 8.6% 8.6%
Total portfolio, after
foreign currency effect 12.8% 8.9% (1.3%) 11.6% 8.4% 8.2% 8.4%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending portfolio
balance (in millions) $ 1,410 $ 1,483 $ 1,625 $ 3,136 $ 3,591
======================================================================================================
Our disciplined, value-oriented investment approach has generated solid
investment results in 2001 and over the long term as evidenced by the above
table.
|23
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS OVERVIEW (continued)
We monitor our portfolio to ensure that credit risk does not exceed prudent
levels. Standard & Poor's (S&P's) and Moody's Investors Service (Moody's)
provide corporate and municipal debt ratings based on their assessment of the
credit quality of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. S&P's
ratings range from "AAA" (capacity to pay interest and repay principal is
extremely strong) to "D" (debt is in payment default). Securities with ratings
of "BBB" or higher are referred to as investment grade securities. Debt rated
"BB" and below is regarded by S&P as having predominately speculative
characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Moody's ratings range from "Aaa" to "C" with ratings of "Baa" or higher
considered investment grade.
Our fixed maturity portfolio has an average rating of "AA," with 92% rated "A"
or better by at least one nationally recognized rating organization. Our policy
is to invest in securities which are rated investment grade and to minimize
investments in fixed maturity securities that are unrated or rated below
investment grade.
See Market Risk Disclosures in Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations for additional information about
investments.
The following chart shows our fixed maturity portfolio, at estimated fair
value, by rating category at December 31, 2001:
[CHART]
2001 CREDIT QUALITY OF FIXED MATURITY PORTFOLIO ($2,686 million)
Other 1%
BBB 7%
A 12%
AAA/AA 80%
Shareholder Value
===============================================================================
Our financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior
investment returns to build shareholder value. More specifically, we assess our
effectiveness in building shareholder value through the measurement of growth
in book value per share. We believe that growth in book value per share is the
most comprehensive measure of our success because it includes all underwriting
and investing results. We recognize that it may be difficult to grow book value
consistently each year, so we measure ourselves over a longer period of time.
Our stated objective is to grow book value per share by an annual compound
growth rate of 20%, measured over a five year period. For the year ended
December 31, 2001, book value increased 8% primarily due to two common share
offerings
24|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
with net proceeds of $408 million and increased unrealized gains on our
investment portfolio, partially offset by a net loss. For the year ended
December 31, 2000, book value increased 50% primarily due to common stock and
contingent value rights issued to acquire Markel International. Over the past
five years, we have grown book value per share at a compound annual rate of 18%
to $110.50 per share. Excluding the effect of common stock issued to acquire
Markel International and 2001 equity offerings, book value per share grew at a
compound annual rate of 9% over the past five years. The following graph
presents the Company's book value per share for the past five years:
[CHART]
BOOK VALUE PER SHARE
$ per share
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
----- ----- ----- ------ ------
65.18 77.02 68.59 102.63 110.50
Regulatory Environment
===============================================================================
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation and supervision by the
insurance regulatory authorities of the various jurisdictions in which they
conduct business. Regulation is intended for the benefit of policyholders
rather than shareholders.
United States. In the United States, state regulatory authorities have broad
regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers relating to solvency
standards, the licensing of insurers and their agents, the approval of forms
and policies used, the nature of, and limitations on, insurers' investments,
the form and content of annual statements and other reports on the financial
condition of such insurers and the establishment of reserves.
As an insurance holding company, we are also subject to certain state laws.
Under these laws, insurance departments may, at any time, examine us, require
disclosure of material transactions, require approval of certain extraordinary
transactions, such as extraordinary dividends from our insurance subsidiaries
to us or require approval of changes in control of an insurer or an insurance
holding company. Generally control for these purposes is defined as ownership
or voting power of 10% or more of a company's shares.
|25
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS OVERVIEW(continued)
The laws of the domicile states of our insurance subsidiaries govern the amount
of dividends that may be paid to us. Generally statutes in the domicile states
of our insurance subsidiaries require prior approval for payment of
extraordinary as opposed to ordinary dividends. At December 31, 2001, our
United States insurance subsidiaries could pay up to $60.3 million during the
following 12 months under the ordinary dividend regulations without prior
regulatory approval.
United Kingdom and Lloyd's Regulation. With the enactment of the Financial
Services and Markets Bill, the United Kingdom government authorized the
Financial Services Authority (FSA) to supervise all securities, banking and
insurance businesses, including Lloyd's. The FSA oversees compliance with
established periodic auditing and reporting requirements, minimum solvency
margins, dividend restrictions, restrictions governing the appointment of key
officers, restrictions governing controlling ownership interests and various
other requirements.
We are required to seek approval from the FSA for any dividends from Terra
Nova. In addition both Markel Capital and Markel Syndicate Management are
subject to regulation and supervision by the Council of Lloyd's (the Council).
The Council prescribes, in respect of each business, certain minimum standards
relating to management and control, solvency, risk-based capital and various
other requirements.
Ratings
================================================================================
Financial stability and strength are important purchase considerations of
policyholders and insurance agents and brokers. Because an insurance premium
paid today purchases coverage for losses that might not be paid for many years,
the financial viability of the insurer is of critical concern.Various
independent rating agencies provide information and assign ratings to assist
buyers in their search for financially sound insurers. Rating agencies
periodically re-evaluate assigned ratings based upon changes in the insurer's
operating results, financial condition or other significant factors influencing
the insurer's business. Changes in assigned ratings could have an adverse
impact on an insurer's ability to write new business.
A.M. Best Company (Best) assigns financial strength ratings (FSRs) to P&C
insurance companies based on quantitative criteria such as profitability,
leverage and liquidity, as well as qualitative assessments such as the spread
of risk, the adequacy and soundness of reinsurance, the quality and estimated
market value of assets, the adequacy of loss reserves and surplus and the
competence, experience and integrity of management. Best's FSRs range from
"A++" (superior) to "F" (in liquidation).
S&P also provides analytical and statistical information on the solvency and
liquidity of major insurance companies. S&P's FSRs concern only the likelihood
of timely payment of policyholder obligations and are not intended to refer to
the ability of either the rated company or its parent or subsidiary to pay
non-policy obligations such as debt or commercial paper. The S&P FSRs range
from "AAA" (extremely strong financial security) to "CC" (extremely weak
financial security).
26|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best has assigned our domestic insurance subsidiaries a group rating of "A"
(excellent). In addition our domestic insurance subsidiaries are rated "A-"
(strong) by S&P. Best and S&P rate the Lloyd's Market as a group and do not in
all cases rate individual syndicates. Lloyd's is rated "A-" (excellent) by Best
and "A" (strong) by S&P.
Best rates Markel International's insurance company subsidiaries as follows:
. Terra Nova Insurance Company Limited -- "B++" (very good)
. Terra Nova (Bermuda) Insurance Company Ltd. -- "B+" (very good)
S&P rates Markel International's insurance company subsidiaries as follows:
. Terra Nova Insurance Company Limited -- "A-" (strong)
. Terra Nova (Bermuda) Insurance Company Ltd. -- "BBB" (good)
S&P has placed a "negative outlook" on the FSRs of our insurance subsidiaries.
A "negative outlook" signifies that upon completion of a ratings review, the
rating agency may affirm or downgrade our ratings. The negative outlook is the
result of underwriting losses at Markel International since its acquisition.
Associates
================================================================================
At December 31, 2001, we had 1,622 employees, seven of whom were executive
officers. Of that total, our Markel North America operations had 1,066
associates and Markel International had 556 associates.
As a service organization, our continued profitability and growth are dependent
upon the talent and enthusiasm our associates bring to their jobs. We have
structured incentive compensation plans and stock purchase plans to encourage
associates to achieve corporate objectives and think and act like owners.
Associates are offered many opportunities to become shareholders. Every
associate eligible to participate in Markel North America's 401(k) plan
receives one-third of our contribution in Markel stock and may purchase stock
with their own contributions. Stock may be acquired through a payroll deduction
plan, and associates have been given the opportunity to purchase stock with
loans financed by us with a partially subsidized interest rate. Under our
incentive compensation plans, associates may earn a meaningful bonus based on
individual and company performance. At December 31, 2001, we estimate
associates' ownership, including executive officers and directors, at
approximately 15% of our outstanding shares. We believe that employee stock
ownership and rewarding value-added performance aligns associates' interests
with the interests of non-employee shareholders.
|27
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (dollars in millions, except per share data) (1)
-------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earned premiums $ 1,207 $ 939 $ 437
Net investment income 171 154 88
Total operating revenues 1,397 1,094 524
Net income (loss) (126) (28) 41
Comprehensive income (loss) (77) 81 (40)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL POSITION (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments and cash $ 3,591 $ 3,136 $ 1,625
Total assets 6,441 5,473 2,455
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses 3,700 3,037 1,344
Convertible notes payable 116 -- --
Long-term debt 265 573 168
8.71% Capital Securities 150 150 150
Shareholders' equity 1,085 752 383
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER OPERATING DATA PER DILUTED SHARE (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core operations $ (13.13) $ (2.31) $ 8.17
Net realized gains (losses) 1.52 0.14 (0.10)
Nonrecurring items -- 1.16 --
Amortization of intangible assets (3.12) (2.98) (0.87)
--------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) $ (14.73) $ (3.99) $ 7.20
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE DATA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares outstanding (in thousands) 9,820 7,331 5,590
Total investments and cash $ 365.70 $427.79 $290.69
Book value $ 110.50 $102.63 $ 68.59
Growth (decline) in book value 8% 50% (11%)
5-Year CAGR in book value (4) 18% 21% 22%
Closing stock price $ 179.65 $181.00 $155.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIO ANALYSIS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GAAP combined ratio 124% 114% 101%
Investment yield (5) 5% 6% 5%
Taxable equivalent total investment return (6) 8% 12% (1%)
Debt to total capital (Capital Securities as debt) 33% 49% 45%
Debt to total capital (Capital Securities as equity) (7) 24% 39% 24%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Reflects the acquisitions of Gryphon Holding Inc. (January 15, 1999) and
Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd. (March 24, 2000) using the purchase
method of accounting. Also reflects the issuance in 2001 of 2.5 million
common shares with net proceeds of $408 million.
(2) The change in accounting for net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed
maturities in accordance with provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 115 affects 1993 and subsequent years.
(3) In evaluating its operating performance, the Company focuses on core
underwriting and investing results (core operations) before considering net
gains or losses from the sale of investments, amortization expense and any
nonrecurring items. These measures do not replace operating income (loss) or
net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of
profitability.
28|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 10-Year CAGR (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 333 $ 333 $ 307 $ 285 $ 243 $ 193 $ 153 23%
71 69 51 43 29 24 27 19%
426 419 367 344 280 235 206 20%
57 50 47 34 19 24 26 --
68 92 56 75 (10) 34 26 --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,483 $ 1,410 $ 1,142 $ 927 $ 622 $ 609 $ 457 23%
1,921 1,870 1,605 1,315 1,103 1,135 1,129 25%
934 971 936 734 653 688 733 --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
93 93 115 107 101 78 101 --
150 150 -- -- -- -- -- --
425 357 268 213 139 151 109 29%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 8.10 $ 7.43 $ 6.03 $ 5.15 $ 3.77 $ 3.31 $ 3.03 --
2.37 1.82 0.58 1.39 0.45 1.83 0.89 --
-- -- 2.05 -- -- -- 1.90 --
(0.30) (0.33) (0.36) (0.39) (0.89) (0.91) (1.18) --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
$ 10.17 $ 8.92 $ 8.30 $ 6.15 $ 3.33 $ 4.23 $ 4.64 --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,522 5,474 5,458 5,422 5,387 5,414 5,403 --
$268.49 $257.51 $209.20 $170.95 $115.45 $112.55 $84.64 16%
$ 77.02 $ 65.18 $ 49.16 $ 39.37 $ 25.71 $ 27.83 $20.24 22%
18% 33% 25% 53% (8%) 38% 30% --
23% 26% 26% 31% 17% 25% 34% --
$181.00 $156.13 $ 90.00 $ 75.50 $ 41.50 $ 39.38 $31.25 --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98% 99% 100% 99% 97% 97% 97% --
5% 5% 5% 6% 5% 5% 6% --
9% 13% 8% 16% (1%) 12% 8% --
36% 41% -- -- -- -- -- --
14% 16% 30% 33% 42% 34% 48% --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) CAGR--compound annual growth rate.
(5) Investment yield reflects net investment income as a percent of average
invested assets.
(6) Taxable equivalent total investment return includes net investment income,
net realized investment gains or losses and the change in market value of
the investment portfolio during the period as a percentage of average
invested assets. Tax-exempt interest and dividend payments are grossed up
using the United States corporate tax rate to reflect an equivalent taxable
yield. Taxable equivalent total investment return also includes the effect
of foreign currency exchange movements.
(7) The 8.71% Capital Securities contain equity-like features including the
Company's option to defer interest payments for five years and a 49-year
term. Due to these unique features, the Company considers the 8.71% Capital
Securities as 100% equity.
|29
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
--------------------------------
2001 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Investments, available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
Fixed maturities (cost of $2,620,418 in 2001 and $2,322,616 in 2000) $ 2,686,076 $ 2,374,008
Equity securities (cost of $341,631 in 2001 and $291,385 in 2000) 543,554 431,126
Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost) 64,791 80,710
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS, AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE 3,294,421 2,885,844
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents 296,781 250,320
Receivables 236,402 223,114
Accrued premium income 135,674 160,048
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 1,397,202 989,470
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses 171,810 114,963
Deferred policy acquisition costs 140,707 130,644
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 170,246 139,272
Intangible assets 372,128 402,999
Other assets 225,257 176,479
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 6,440,628 $ 5,473,153
=====================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 3,699,973 $ 3,037,006
Unearned premiums 806,922 701,663
Payables to insurance companies 169,570 138,242
Convertible notes payable (estimated fair value of $117,000) 116,022 --
Long-term debt (estimated fair value of $262,000 in 2001 and $569,000 in 2000) 264,998 573,111
Other liabilities 148,035 120,759
Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Capital Securities
of Subsidiary Trust Holding Solely Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures of Markel Corporation (estimated fair value of
$108,000 in 2001 and $131,000 in 2000) 150,000 150,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 5,355,520 4,720,781
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Common stock 735,569 325,914
Retained earnings 176,252 302,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Net unrealized holding gains on fixed maturities and equity securities,
net of taxes of $93,653 in 2001 and $66,897 in 2000 173,928 124,236
Cumulative translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $345 in 2001
and tax expense of $120 in 2000 (641) 222
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,085,108 752,372
Commitments and contingencies
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 6,440,628 $ 5,473,153
=====================================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
30|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
OPERATING REVENUES
Earned premiums $ 1,206,684 $ 938,543 $ 437,196
Net investment income 170,722 154,186 87,681
Net realized gains (losses) from investment sales 20,006 1,478 (897)
Other -- 276 341
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES 1,397,412 1,094,483 524,321
======================================================================================================
OPERATING EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 1,049,421 731,531 283,630
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses 450,859 339,089 156,703
Amortization of intangible assets 30,683 23,321 5,398
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 1,530,963 1,093,941 445,731
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (133,551) 542 78,590
======================================================================================================
Interest expense 48,647 52,348 25,150
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (182,198) (51,806) 53,440
Income tax expense (benefit) (56,481) (24,214) 12,826
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (125,717) $ (27,592) $ 40,614
======================================================================================================
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of taxes
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period $ 62,695 $ 109,829 $ (81,223)
Less reclassification adjustments for gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (13,003) (961) 583
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized gains (losses) 49,692 108,868 (80,640)
Currency translation adjustments, net of taxes (863) 222 --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 48,829 109,090 (80,640)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (76,888) $ 81,498 $ (40,026)
======================================================================================================
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic $ (14.73) $ (3.99) $ 7.27
Diluted $ (14.73) $ (3.99) $ 7.20
======================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
|31
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accumulated
Other
Common Common Retained Comprehensive
Shares Stock Earnings Income Total
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
Shareholders' Equity at January 1, 1999 5,522 $ 25,415 $ 303,878 $ 96,008 $ 425,301
Net income -- -- 40,614 -- 40,614
Net unrealized holding losses
arising during the period, net of taxes -- -- -- (80,640) (80,640)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive loss (40,026)
Issuance of common stock 81 210 -- -- 210
Repurchase of common stock (13) -- (2,066) -- (2,066)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' Equity at December 31, 1999 5,590 25,625 342,426 15,368 383,419
Net loss -- -- (27,592) -- (27,592)
Net unrealized holding gains
arising during the period, net of taxes -- -- -- 108,868 108,868
Currency translation adjustments,
net of taxes -- -- -- 222 222
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income 81,498
Issuance of common stock 1,848 300,289 -- -- 300,289
Repurchase of common stock (107) -- (12,834) -- (12,834)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' Equity at December 31, 2000 7,331 325,914 302,000 124,458 752,372
Net loss -- -- (125,717) -- (125,717)
Net unrealized holding gains
arising during the period, net of taxes -- -- -- 49,692 49,692
Currency translation adjustments,
net of taxes -- -- -- (863) (863)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive loss (76,888)
Issuance of common stock 2,501 409,655 -- -- 409,655
Repurchase of common stock (12) -- (31) -- (31)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AT DECEMBER 31, 2001 9,820 $735,569 $ 176,252 $ 173,287 $ 1,085,108
=================================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
32|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) $ (125,717) $ (27,592) $ 40,614
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided
by operating activities
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (76,201) (18,101) 9,477
Depreciation and amortization 41,913 32,398 12,855
Net realized (gains) losses from investment sales (20,006) (1,478) 897
Decrease (increase) in receivables (13,288) 49,419 (2,461)
Decrease in accrued premium income 24,374 127,816 --
Decrease (increase) in deferred policy acquisition costs (10,063) 17,491 66
Increase (decrease) in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net 198,388 13,876 (34,238)
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums, net 74,285 (116,610) (9,192)
Increase (decrease) in payables to insurance companies 31,328 (9,038) 8,174
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses 7,581 3,350 (12,058)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities 10,832 (23,557) (3,272)
Increase (decrease) in current income taxes 9,106 21,638 (6,819)
Other 11,934 19,601 (3,485)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 164,466 89,213 558
=====================================================================================================================
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities 914,082 830,800 1,069,006
Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities 136,685 73,365 52,708
Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased (1,382,792) (891,638) (945,927)
Net change in short-term investments 15,919 6,154 298
Acquisitions of insurance companies, net of cash acquired -- (208,040) (143,557)
Sales of insurance companies, net of cash sold -- 12,482 13,597
Additions to property and equipment (8,510) (19,633) (4,026)
Other (3,877) (5,101) (6,797)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (328,493) (201,611) 35,302
=====================================================================================================================
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to long-term debt and convertible notes payable 147,943 370,000 115,000
Repayments and repurchases of long-term debt (344,786) (128,310) (95,288)
Issuance of common stock 407,532 -- --
Other (201) (8,027) (5,469)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 210,488 233,663 14,243
=====================================================================================================================
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 46,461 121,265 50,103
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 250,320 129,055 78,952
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 296,781 $ 250,320 $ 129,055
=====================================================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
|33
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Markel Corporation underwrites insurance products and programs to niche markets
and operates in four areas of the specialty insurance market. Markel
Corporation operates domestically in the Excess and Surplus Lines Market and
the Specialty Admitted Market (Markel North America). Markel Corporation also
operates in the London Company Market and the Lloyd's Market through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd., which was acquired
on March 24, 2000 (referred to in these notes to consolidated financial
statements as Markel International or Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd.). See
note 18 for a further discussion of changes made at Markel International as of
January 1, 2002 and the impact of those changes on Markel Corporation's
operations in the London Insurance Market.
a) Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation
and all subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications
of prior years' amounts have been made to conform with 2001 presentations.
The Company participates in the Lloyd's Market through its corporate capital
provider, Markel Capital Limited (Markel Capital), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Markel International. Markel Syndicate Management Limited (Markel Syndicate
Management), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Markel International, manages the
Company's syndicates at Lloyd's. Beginning January 1, 2001, Markel Capital
provides 100% of the capacity to the Company's syndicates. For years of account
prior to 2001, the Company has recorded its pro rata share of syndicates'
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.
The Company makes adjustments to convert Lloyd's accounting to U.S. GAAP.
Lloyd's syndicates determine underwriting results by year of account over a
three-year period. The Company records adjustments to recognize the ultimate
underwriting results, including the expected ultimate written and earned
premiums and losses incurred.
b) Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with
U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management
periodically reviews its estimates and assumptions including the adequacy of
reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance allowance
for doubtful accounts and litigation liabilities, as well as the recoverability
of deferred tax assets, deferred policy acquisition costs and intangible
assets. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in
preparing the consolidated financial statements.
c) Investments. All investments are considered available-for-sale and are
recorded at estimated fair value, generally based on quoted market prices. The
net unrealized gains or losses on investments, net of deferred income taxes,
are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity.
A decline in the fair value of any investment below cost that is deemed other
than temporary is charged to earnings, resulting in a new cost basis for the
security.
Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the lives of the related
fixed maturities as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method.
Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains or
losses are included in earnings and are derived using the first in, first out
method.
34|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
d) Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all investments with original
maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
e) Accrued Premium Income. Accrued premium income represents the difference
between the estimated cumulative ultimate gross written premiums and cumulative
billed premiums.
f) Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. Costs directly related to the acquisition
of insurance premiums, such as commissions to agents and brokers, are deferred
and amortized over the related policy period, generally one year. To the extent
that future policy revenues on existing policies are not adequate to cover
related costs and expenses, deferred policy acquisition costs are charged to
earnings. The Company does not consider anticipated investment income in
determining whether a premium deficiency exists.
g) Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of
property and equipment are calculated using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives.
h) Intangible Assets. Policy renewal rights represent the value attributable to
renewal rights for lines of businesses acquired and are amortized using the
straight-line method over the estimated lives of the businesses acquired,
generally three years. The cost of purchasing Lloyd's capacity is amortized
using the straight-line method over three years. Goodwill is amortized using
the straight-line method, generally over 20 to 40 years. The Company assesses
the recoverability of goodwill by determining whether the amortization of the
balance over its remaining life can be recovered through the undiscounted
future operating cash flows of the acquired operations. See note 23 for a
discussion of adopting Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (Statement) No. 141, Business Combinations, and
Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
i) Revenue Recognition. Insurance premiums are earned on a pro rata basis over
the policy period, generally one year. The cost of reinsurance is initially
recorded as prepaid reinsurance premiums and is amortized over the reinsurance
contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided.
Profit-sharing commissions from reinsurers are recognized when earned, based on
reserve development studies, and are netted against policy acquisition costs.
Premiums ceded are netted against premiums written.
j) Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Unpaid losses and loss
adjustment expenses are based on evaluations of reported claims and estimates
for losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred but not reported. Estimates
for losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred but not reported are based on
reserve development studies. The reserves recorded are estimates, and the
ultimate liability may be greater than or less than the estimates; however,
management believes the reserves are adequate.
k) Derivative Financial Instruments. Effective January 1, 2001, the Company
adopted the provisions of Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. All derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and
hedging activities, are measured at fair value and recognized as either assets
or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value are
recognized immediately in earnings unless the derivative is designated as a
hedge and qualifies for hedge accounting. The gains or losses from the change
in fair value of derivatives that qualify as hedges are recognized in earnings
or other comprehensive income (OCI), depending on the type and effectiveness of
the hedge.
|35
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
For a derivative designated and qualified as a hedge of a net investment in a
foreign operation, the effective portion of the change in fair value is
reported in OCI as part of cumulative translation adjustments. The ineffective
portion of the change in fair value of a hedge of a net investment in a foreign
operation is recognized immediately in earnings.
l) Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in accordance
with the provisions of Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Under
Statement 109, the Company records deferred income taxes which reflect the net
tax effect of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their respective
tax bases.
m) Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currencies of the Company's
foreign operations are the currencies in which the majority of their business
is transacted. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into
the United States Dollar using the exchange rates in effect at the balance
sheet date. Revenues and expenses of the foreign operations are translated
using the average exchange rate for the period. Gains or losses from
translating the financial statements of foreign operations are included, net of
tax, in shareholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive
income. Gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a foreign
currency are included in net income (loss).
The Company manages its exposure to foreign currency risk primarily by matching
assets and liabilities denominated in the same currency. To the extent that
assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are not matched, the Company is
exposed to foreign currency risk and related exchange rate fluctuations are
reflected in OCI.
n) Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing
net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the year. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average number of common
shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year.
o) Stock Compensation Plans. The Company applies Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related
interpretations, in accounting for stock-based compensation plans. The Company
has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement No. 123, Accounting for
Stock Based Compensation.
p) Comprehensive Income (Loss). Comprehensive income (loss) represents all
changes in equity of an enterprise that result from recognized transactions and
other economic events during the period. Other comprehensive income (loss)
refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are
included in comprehensive income (loss) but excluded from net income (loss),
such as unrealized gains or losses on certain investments in fixed maturities
and equity securities and foreign currency translation adjustments.
36|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Investments
a) Following is a summary of investments (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2001
------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
of U.S. government agencies $ 575,599 $ 9,518 $ (3,479) $ 581,638
Obligations of states, municipalities
and political subdivisions 441,174 11,124 (1,878) 450,420
Foreign governments 605,961 20,521 (669) 625,813
Public utilities 110,282 1,896 (1,586) 110,592
Convertibles and bonds with warrants 12,898 346 - 13,244
All other corporate bonds 874,504 34,888 (5,023) 904,369
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities 2,620,418 78,293 (12,635) 2,686,076
Equity securities
Banks, trusts and insurance companies 167,177 113,167 (1,459) 278,885
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 174,454 93,803 (3,588) 264,669
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total equity securities 341,631 206,970 (5,047) 543,554
Short-term investments 64,791 - - 64,791
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS $3,026,840 $ 285,263 $ (17,682) $ 3,294,421
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
of U.S. government agencies $ 406,719 $ 10,467 $ (562) $ 416,624
Obligations of states, municipalities
and political subdivisions 454,218 15,422 (1,065) 468,575
Foreign governments 534,561 13,125 (16) 547,670
Public utilities 100,560 630 (3,320) 97,870
Convertibles and bonds with warrants 15,460 265 (1) 15,724
All other corporate bonds 811,098 21,935 (5,488) 827,545
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities 2,322,616 61,844 (10,452) 2,374,008
Equity securities
Banks, trusts and insurance companies 128,399 91,965 (1,392) 218,972
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 162,986 60,554 (11,386) 212,154
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total equity securities 291,385 152,519 (12,778) 431,126
Short-term investments 80,710 - - 80,710
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS $ 2,694,711 $ 214,363 $ (23,230) $ 2,885,844
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|37
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
2. Investments (continued)
b) The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at December
31, 2001 are shown below by contractual maturity (dollars in thousands):
Estimated
Amortized Fair
Cost Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due in one year or less $ 103,404 $ 105,196
Due after one year through five years 1,240,559 1,280,917
Due after five years through ten years 1,082,663 1,103,060
Due after ten years 193,792 196,903
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 2,620,418 $ 2,686,076
===============================================================================
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties, and the lenders may have the right to put the securities
back to the borrower. Based on expected maturities, the estimated average
duration of the fixed maturities was 4.4 years.
c) Components of net investment income are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest
Municipal bonds (tax-exempt) $ 23,352 $ 23,693 $ 21,708
Taxable bonds 127,423 111,767 54,157
Short-term investments, including
overnight deposits 18,761 17,440 7,464
Dividends on equity securities 7,216 7,044 7,453
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
176,752 159,944 90,782
Less investment expenses 6,030 5,758 3,101
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME $ 170,722 $ 154,186 $ 87,681
===============================================================================
38|
2. Investments (continued)
d) The following table presents the Company's realized gains (losses) from
investment sales and the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) (dollars in
thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gains
Fixed maturities $ 28,168 $ 12,930 $ 6,586
Equity securities 14,687 23,900 19,578
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42,855 36,830 26,164
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized losses
Fixed maturities (2,323) (18,160) (20,240)
Equity securities (20,526) (17,192) (6,821)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(22,849) (35,352) (27,061)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET REALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)
FROM INVESTMENT SALES $ 20,006 $ 1,478 $ (897)
================================================================================
Change in gross unrealized gains (losses)
Fixed maturities $ 14,266 $ 88,844 $ (67,275)
Equity securities 62,182 78,645 (56,787)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) $ 76,448 $ 167,489 $(124,062)
================================================================================
e) The Company's domestic insurance companies had investments, cash and cash
equivalents with a carrying value of $38.0 million and $40.2 million on deposit
with state regulatory authorities at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Investments, cash and cash equivalents with a carrying value of $21.5 million
and $36.6 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, were held in
trust for the benefit of cedents of the Company's domestic insurance companies.
Investments, cash and cash equivalents with a carrying value of $176.3 million
and $149.1 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, were held in
trust for the benefit of United States cedents of Terra Nova Insurance Company
Limited (Terra Nova), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Markel International, and to
facilitate Terra Nova's accreditation as an alien reinsurer by certain states.
Investments, cash and cash equivalents with a carrying value of $29.8 million
and $22.2 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, were held in
trust for the benefit of Terra Nova's United States surplus lines policyholders.
Investments, cash and cash equivalents with a carrying value of $47.1 million
and $50.2 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, were held in
trust for the benefit of Terra Nova's Canadian cedents.
The Company had contingent liabilities regarding irrevocable undrawn letters of
credit supporting certain reinsurance business written by Terra Nova and Terra
Nova (Bermuda) Insurance Company Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Markel
International, in the United States of $82.2 million and $96.0 million at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Company had deposited investments,
cash and cash equivalents with a carrying value of $105.5 million and $105.6
million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, as collateral against
these amounts.
|39
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
2. Investments (continued)
The Company had contingent liabilities regarding irrevocable undrawn letters of
credit of $193.3 million and $201.9 million supporting its underwriting
activities at Lloyd's at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Company
had deposited investments, cash and cash equivalents with a carrying value of
$204.3 million and $208.0 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively,
as collateral to support this commitment. In addition the Company had deposited
$215.9 million and $97.8 million of investments, cash and cash equivalents with
Lloyd's to support its underwriting activities at December 31, 2001 and 2000,
respectively. In addition investments, cash and cash equivalents with a
carrying value of $384.2 million and $303.2 million at December 31, 2001 and
2000, respectively, were held in trust for the benefit of the syndicates'
policyholders.
f) Excluding investments in United States Treasury securities and government
agencies, there were no investments in any one issuer other than United Kingdom
Treasury securities that exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity at December 31,
2001. United Kingdom Treasury securities had an estimated fair value of $181.7
million at December 31, 2001.
===============================================================================
3. Receivables
Following are the components of receivables (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
--------------------------
2001 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agents' balances and premiums in course of collection $ 213,723 $ 209,135
Less allowance for doubtful receivables 5,233 5,653
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
208,490 203,482
Other 27,912 19,632
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECEIVABLES $ 236,402 $ 223,114
================================================================================
4. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
The following reflects the amounts of policy acquisition costs deferred and
amortized (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of year $ 130,644 $ 50,800 $ 40,471
Policy acquisition costs of acquired
companies -- 97,335 10,395
Policy acquisition costs deferred 324,695 193,920 104,861
Amortization and write off charged to
expense (314,632) (211,411) (104,927)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS $ 140,707 $ 130,644 $ 50,800
================================================================================
40|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (continued)
The following reflects the components of underwriting, acquisition and
insurance expenses (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization and write off of policy
acquisition costs $ 314,632 $ 211,411 $ 104,927
Other operating expenses 136,227 127,678 51,776
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNDERWRITING, ACQUISITION AND
INSURANCE EXPENSES $ 450,859 $ 339,089 $ 156,703
================================================================================
5. Property and Equipment
Following are the components of property and equipment which are included in
other assets on the consolidated balance sheets (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
-------------------------
2001 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leasehold improvements $ 17,157 $ 16,253
Furniture and equipment 35,275 37,475
Other 1,820 2,606
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54,252 56,334
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 26,615 27,521
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT $ 27,637 $ 28,813
================================================================================
Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $7.2
million, $7.5 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2001,
2000 and 1999, respectively.
The Company does not own any material properties as it leases substantially all
of its facilities and certain furniture and equipment under operating leases
with remaining terms up to approximately ten years.
Minimum annual rental commitments for noncancelable operating leases at
December 31, 2001 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years Ending December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 $ 10,540
2003 9,398
2004 9,237
2005 9,197
2006 10,329
2007 and thereafter 34,165
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 82,866
================================================================================
Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 was
approximately $11.7 million, $11.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
|41
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. Intangible Assets
Following are the components of intangible assets (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
-------------------------
2001 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill $ 357,317 $ 376,479
Lloyd's capacity costs 14,643 25,159
Policy renewal rights 168 1,361
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTANGIBLE ASSETS $ 372,128 $ 402,999
==================================================================================
Accumulated amortization related to intangible assets was $68.0 million and
$37.3 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. See note 23 for a
discussion of Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
================================================================================
7. Income Taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes consisted of the following (dollars in
thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic $ 37,418 $ 14,851 $ 53,440
Foreign (219,616) (66,657) --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES $ (182,198) $ (51,806) $ 53,440
======================================================================================
Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current
Federal-domestic operations $ 6,018 $ (5,550) $ 3,349
Federal-foreign operations 13,702 360 --
Foreign-foreign operations -- (923) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current tax expense (benefit) 19,720 (6,113) 3,349
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred
Federal-domestic operations 1,036 (4,566) 9,477
Federal-foreign operations (12,763) 12,957 --
Foreign-foreign operations (64,474) (26,492) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax expense (benefit) (76,201) (18,101) 9,477
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) $(56,481) $(24,214) $12,826
==========================================================================================
42|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Income Taxes (continued)
In general the Company is not subject to state income taxation.
The Company made net income tax payments of $10.6 million in 2001, received net
income tax refunds of $6.7 million in 2000 and made net income tax payments of
$13.3 million in 1999. The Company had current income taxes payable of $1.8
million at December 31, 2001 and current income taxes recoverable of $7.3
million at December 31, 2000.
Reconciliations of the United States corporate income tax rate and the effective
tax rate on income (loss) before income taxes are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States corporate tax rate (35)% (35)% 35%
Tax-exempt investment income (4) (16) (15)
Amortization of intangible assets 5 13 3
Unbenefitted net operating losses-foreign 2 7 --
Differences between financial reporting and
tax bases of assets acquired -- (16) --
Other 1 -- 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE TAX RATE (31)% (47)% 24%
=======================================================================================
The components of net deferred tax assets are as follows (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
----------------------
2001 2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Income reported in different periods for
financial reporting and tax purposes $ 20,524 $ 20,559
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses,
nondeductible portion for income tax purposes 88,441 85,929
Unearned premiums, adjustment for income tax purposes 32,320 23,478
Net operating loss carryforwards 145,738 75,539
Other 1,460 3,646
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets 288,483 209,151
Less valuation allowance 45,833 45,833
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets, net of allowance 242,650 163,318
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
Deferred policy acquisition costs 39,722 26,716
Investments, net unrealized gains 93,653 66,897
Differences between financial reporting and
tax bases of assets acquired 20,249 30,170
Other 15,121 14,996
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities 168,745 138,779
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET DEFERRED TAX ASSET $ 73,905 $ 24,539
=========================================================================================
|43
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
7. Income Taxes (continued)
The net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 is
included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
At the date of acquisition, the Company established a $45.8 million valuation
allowance substantially all of which related to pre-acquisition losses at
Markel Capital. A valuation allowance was considered necessary due to the
uncertainty of realizing a future tax benefit on these losses. At December 31,
2001, the Company had $416 million of net operating losses (principally
attributed to Markel Capital) that can be carried forward indefinitely to
offset Markel Capital's future taxable income. Any future benefit resulting
from the reduction of the valuation allowance will reduce goodwill related to
the acquisition.
The Company will realize $154.3 million of the gross deferred tax assets
existing at December 31, 2001 through the reversal of existing temporary
differences attributable to the gross deferred tax liabilities. Management
expects its foreign subsidiaries to generate future taxable income, excluding
the effect of future originating temporary differences, to realize the
remaining $88.3 million of the gross deferred tax assets, net of the valuation
allowance. While management believes it is more likely than not that its
foreign subsidiaries will generate sufficient future taxable income to realize
this gross deferred tax asset, a change in the management's estimates and
assumptions could result in an increase in the valuation allowance through a
charge to earnings.
Provisions for United States income taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign
subsidiaries are made only on those amounts in excess of the funds that are
considered to be permanently reinvested. Pre-acquisition earnings of foreign
subsidiaries are considered permanently reinvested and no provision for United
States income taxes has been provided. If these pre-acquisition earnings were
not considered permanently reinvested, an additional deferred income tax
liability of approximately $48 million would have been provided.
The Company's federal tax years through December 31, 1996 are closed to
examination. The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the Company's
federal income tax return for the 1997 tax year. Management believes that the
outcome of the audit will not have a material impact on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.
44|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Unpaid Losses And Loss Adjustment Expenses
a) The following table sets forth a reconciliation of consolidated beginning
and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (dollars in
thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT
EXPENSES, BEGINNING OF YEAR $ 2,047,536 $ 964,878 $ 735,542
Commutations and other 740 356 1,636
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses of acquired insurance companies -- 1,062,717 258,472
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESTATED NET RESERVES FOR LOSSES
AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES,
BEGINNING OF YEAR 2,048,276 2,027,951 995,650
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
Current year 911,927 719,049 322,122
Prior years 137,494 12,482 (38,492)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INCURRED LOSSES AND
LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES 1,049,421 731,531 283,630
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payments
Current year 209,455 185,395 65,723
Prior years 607,651 550,345 248,679
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL PAYMENTS 817,106 735,740 314,402
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign exchange adjustment (13,737) (25,844) --
Reinsurance to close Lloyd's syndicates 35,917 49,638 --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS
ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES, END OF YEAR 2,302,771 2,047,536 964,878
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 1,397,202 989,470 378,738
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS
ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES, END OF YEAR $ 3,699,973 $ 3,037,006 $ 1,343,616
=================================================================================================
Current year incurred losses for the year ended December 31, 2001 include $75.0
million of estimated losses, net of approximately $263 million of reinsurance
recoverables, related to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and
other related events of September 11, 2001 (WTC). In addition to reported
claims, the Company has used many loss estimation techniques including detailed
policy level reviews, the use of catastrophe modeling software, direct contact
with insureds and brokers and sensitivity analysis to possible coverage
scenarios in order to develop its estimated WTC exposure. New information
concerning potential losses and coverage issues continues to emerge. While
management believes that its WTC reserve is adequate, adverse development is
possible.
|45
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
8. Unpaid Losses And Loss Adjustment Expenses (continued)
The provision for prior years increased in 2001 and 2000 and decreased in 1999.
The increase in 2001 prior years incurred losses was primarily due to reserve
strengthening in Markel International's continuing and discontinued lines of
business for asbestos exposures, the worldwide motor program and the allowance
for reinsurance recoverables, as well as development in Markel North America's
discontinued New York contractors program. The increase in the provision for
prior years in 2000 was due to development at Markel International and reserve
strengthening on Gryphon discontinued lines.
Inherent in the Company's reserving practices is the desire to establish
reserves that are more likely redundant than deficient. Furthermore the
Company's philosophy is to price its insurance products to make an underwriting
profit, not to increase written premiums. Management continually attempts to
improve its loss estimation process by refining its ability to analyze loss
development patterns, claim payments and other information, but many reasons
remain for potential adverse development of estimated ultimate liabilities. The
process of estimating loss reserves is a difficult and complex exercise
involving many variables and subjective judgments. As part of the reserving
process, the Company reviews historical data and considers the impact of
various factors such as trends in claim frequency and severity, changes in
operations, emerging economic and social trends, inflation and changes in
regulatory and litigation environments.
The Company believes the process of evaluating past experience, adjusted for
the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate
basis for predicting future events. Management currently believes the Company's
gross and net reserves, including the reserves for environmental and asbestos
exposures, are adequate. There is no precise method, however, for evaluating
the impact of any significant factor on the adequacy of reserves, and actual
results will differ from original estimates.
The net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses maintained by the
Company's domestic insurance subsidiaries are equal under both statutory
accounting principles and U.S. GAAP. However certain reserves for claim
handling expenses are maintained by the Company's underwriting management
subsidiaries, in accordance with the contractual obligations of these
subsidiaries. As a result the consolidated net reserves for losses and loss
adjustment expenses will be different from the aggregate statutory net reserves
for losses and loss adjustment expenses.
b) The Company's exposure to environmental and asbestos (E&A) claims resulted
from policies written by acquired insurance operations before their
acquisitions by the Company. The Company's exposure to E&A claims originated
from umbrella, excess, commercial general liability (CGL) insurance and
reinsurance assumed that was written on an occurrence basis from the 1970s to
mid-1980s. Exposure also originated from claims-made policies written by
Shand/Evanston that were designed to cover environmental risks provided that
all other terms and conditions of the policy were met.
E&A claims include property damage and clean-up costs related to pollution, as
well as personal injury allegedly arising from exposure to hazardous materials.
After 1986 the Company began underwriting CGL coverage with pollution
exclusions, and in some lines of business the Company began using a claims-made
form. These developments significantly reduced the Company's exposure to future
E&A claims.
46|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Unpaid Losses And Loss Adjustment Expenses (continued)
The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending E&A
reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, which are a component of
consolidated reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (dollars in
thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET RESERVES FOR E&A LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT
EXPENSES, BEGINNING OF YEAR $ 194,084 $ 97,776 $ 82,631
Commutations 624 - -
Reserves for E&A losses and loss adjustment
expenses of acquired insurance companies - 91,420 38,913
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESTATED NET RESERVES FOR
E&A LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT
EXPENSES, BEGINNING OF YEAR 194,708 189,196 121,544
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses 18,772 20,109 5,082
Payments 17,139 15,221 28,850
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET RESERVES FOR E&A LOSSES AND LOSS
ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES, END OF YEAR 196,341 194,084 97,776
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 125,513 131,894 70,758
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS RESERVES FOR E&A LOSSES AND LOSS
ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES, END OF YEAR $ 321,854 $ 325,978 $ 168,534
==============================================================================================
The 2001 and 2000 incurred losses were due to adverse development in
asbestos-related reserves at Terra Nova. At December 31, 2001, asbestos-related
reserves were $229.9 million and $118.1 million on a gross and net basis,
respectively. Inception to date net paid losses and loss adjustment expenses
for E&A related exposures totaled $216.7 million at December 31, 2001, of which
approximately $25.6 million was litigation-related expense.
The Company's reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to E&A
exposures represent management's best estimate of ultimate settlement values.
E&A reserves are continually monitored by management, and the Company's
statistical analysis of these reserves is reviewed by independent consulting
actuaries. E&A exposures are generally subject to significant uncertainty due
to potential severity and an uncertain legal climate. E&A reserves could be
subject to increases in the future; however, management currently believes the
Company's gross and net E&A reserves are adequate.
|47
Markel Corporation & Subsidiries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
9. Convertible Notes Payable
During 2001 the Company issued $408.0 million face amount, $112.9 million net
proceeds, of Liquid Yield Option(TM) Notes (LYONs). The LYONs are zero coupon
senior notes convertible into the Company's common shares under certain
conditions, with an initial conversion price of $243.53 per common share. The
issue price of $283.19 per LYON represents a yield to maturity of 4.25%. The
LYONs mature June 5, 2031. The Company used a portion of the LYONs net proceeds
to repay $100 million of balances outstanding under its revolving credit
facility.
On June 5, 2002 and June 5, 2004, if the price of the Company's common stock is
at or below specified thresholds based on a measurement period prior to that
date, contingent additional principal will accrue on the LYONs at a rate of
either 0.50% or 1.00% per year for a period of two years, depending on the
price of the Company's common shares. No contingent additional principal will
accrue after June 5, 2006.
The Company will pay contingent cash interest to the holders of the LYONs
during the six-month period commencing after June 5, 2006 and during any
six-month period thereafter if the average market price of a LYON for a
specified period equals or exceeds 120% of the sum of the issue price, accrued
original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for the
LYON.
Each LYON will be convertible into 1.1629 shares of common stock upon the
occurrence of any of the following events: if the closing price of the
Company's common shares on the New York Stock Exchange exceeds specified
levels, if the credit rating of the LYONs is reduced below specified levels, if
the Company calls the LYONs for redemption, or if the Company is party to
certain mergers or consolidations.
Holders may require the Company to repurchase the LYONs on June 5th of 2002,
2004, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 and 2026 at their accreted value on these dates.
The Company may choose to pay the purchase price for such repurchases in cash
or common shares of the Company. The Company may redeem the LYONs for cash on
or after June 5, 2006 at their accreted value.
The estimated fair value of the convertible notes payable was approximately
$117 million at December 31, 2001 and was based on quoted market prices.
================================================================================
10. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
---------------------
2001 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsecured borrowings under $300 million revolving credit facility
of Markel Corporation, at 3.6%, due September 30, 2003 $ 35,000 $ 320,000
7.25% unsecured senior notes of Markel Corporation, due
November 1, 2003, interest payable semi-annually, net of
unamortized discount of $48 in 2001 and $112 in 2000 66,965 89,725
7.20% unsecured senior notes of Markel International Limited, due
August 7, 2007, interest payable semi-annually, net of
unamortized discount of $3,672 in 2001 and $4,298 in 2000 70,360 70,702
7.00% unsecured senior notes of Markel International Limited, due
May 8, 2008, interest payable semi-annually, net of
unamortized discount of $6,327 in 2001 and $7,316 in 2000 92,673 92,684
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM DEBT $ 264,998 $ 573,111
================================================================================================
48|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Long-Term Debt (continued)
The Company's revolving credit facility provides funding for working capital
and other general corporate purposes. The Company may select from various
interest rate options for balances outstanding under the facility. The Company
pays an annual commitment fee based on its senior credit rating (.30% at
December 31, 2001) on the unused portion of the facility. During 2001 the
Company reduced the facility from $400 million to $300 million.
The Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in its revolving
credit facility at December 31, 2001. One of the covenants in the facility
specifies minimum financial strength ratings for the Company's core United
States insurance subsidiaries. To the extent that the Company's core United
States financial strength ratings are reduced below current levels, the
Company's access to the credit facility could be restricted. While the Company
believes such action is unlikely, the inability to access the credit facility
could adversely affect the Company's liquidity.
The 7.25% unsecured senior notes due November 1, 2003 are not redeemable or
subject to any sinking fund requirements. The Company repurchased $22.8 million
and $3.3 million, respectively, of its 7.25% notes in 2001 and 2000.
Markel International Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Terra Nova (Bermuda)
Holdings Ltd., has senior notes due August 7, 2007 and May 8, 2008. These notes
are guaranteed fully and unconditionally by Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd.
but not by the Company. The Company repurchased $2.0 million of these notes in
2001.
The estimated fair value of the Company's long-term debt was approximately $262
million and $569 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and was
based on quoted market prices.
Following is a schedule of future principal payments due on long-term debt as
of December 31, 2001 (dollars in thousands):
Years Ending December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 $ --
2003 101,965
2004 --
2005 --
2006 --
2007 and thereafter 163,033
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 264,998
===============================================================================
The Company paid $28.0 million, $37.1 million and $11.7 million in interest
during the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
|49
Markel Corporation & Subsidiries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
11. Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Capital Securities
(8.71% Capital Securities)
On January 8, 1997, the Company arranged the sale of $150 million of 8.71%
Capital Securities issued under an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
dated January 13, 1997 (the Declaration) by Markel Capital Trust I (the Trust),
a statutory business trust sponsored and wholly-owned by the Company. Proceeds
from the sale of the 8.71% Capital Securities were used to purchase
$154,640,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 8.71% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the Debentures) due January 1,
2046, issued to the Trust under an indenture dated January 13, 1997 (the
Indenture). The Debentures are the sole assets of the Trust. The Company has
the right to defer interest payments on the Debentures for up to five years.
The 8.71% Capital Securities and related Debentures are redeemable by the
Company on or after January 1, 2007. Taken together, the Company's obligations
under the Debentures, the Indenture, the Declaration and a guarantee made by
the Company provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional
guarantee of payments of distributions and other amounts due on the 8.71%
Capital Securities. The Company paid $13.1 million in interest on the 8.71%
Capital Securities during each of the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and
1999. The estimated fair value of the Company's 8.71% Capital Securities was
approximately $108 million and $131 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000,
respectively, and was based on quoted market prices.
===============================================================================
12. Shareholders' Equity
a) The Company had 50,000,000 shares of no par value common stock authorized of
which 9,819,544 shares and 7,330,918 shares were issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Company is authorized to issue up
to 10,000,000 shares of no par value preferred stock in one or more series and
to fix the powers, designations, preferences and rights of each series.
During 2001 the Company completed two common share offerings and issued a total
of 2,488,940 common shares with net proceeds of $408 million.
As part of the acquisition of Markel International in 2000, the Company issued
1,751,766 shares of common stock and an equal number of contingent value rights
(CVRs) to shareholders of Markel International. See note 19 for further
discussion of the extinguishment of the CVRs effective March 30, 2001.
b) Net income (loss) per share is determined by dividing net income (loss) by
the applicable shares outstanding (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) as reported $(125,717) $ (27,592) $ 40,614
===========================================================================================
Average basic common shares outstanding 8,534 6,920 5,585
Dilutive potential common shares -- -- 53
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average diluted shares outstanding 8,534 6,920 5,638
===========================================================================================
Average closing common stock market prices are used to calculate the dilutive
effect attributable to stock options, restricted stock and CVRs.
The average diluted shares outstanding excluded 49,979 and 415,279 dilutive
potential shares at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. These shares were
excluded due to their antidilutive effect as a result of the Company's net loss
during 2001 and 2000.
50|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
c) The Company has a stock purchase and loan plan which provides a method for
employees and directors to purchase shares of the Company's common stock in the
open market. The plan encourages share ownership by providing a ten percent
share bonus based on the net increase in the number of shares of common stock
purchased through the plan by an employee or director in a given year. The
Company also provides subsidized unsecured loans to encourage share ownership
and provides a five percent share bonus on shares purchased with a Company loan.
The Company has authorized 100,000 shares for purchase under this plan, of which
80,212 and 96,759 shares were available for purchase at December 31, 2001 and
2000, respectively. At December 31, 2001 and 2000, loans outstanding under the
plan, which are included in receivables on the consolidated balance sheets,
totaled $11.7 million and $11.1 million, respectively.
d) The Company has three stock option or stock award plans for employees and
directors; the 1986 Stock Option Plan (1986 Plan), which expired on November 3,
1996, the 1993 Incentive Stock Plan (1993 Plan) and the 2000 Octavian Stock
Option Plan (Octavian Plan).
At December 31, 2001, there were 28,865 shares reserved for issuance under the
1986 Plan related to options granted before the expiration of the plan. The 1986
Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors. Options were granted at prices not less than the market prices on the
date of grant. Options expire ten years from the date of grant.
The 1993 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock awards, stock options
or stock appreciation rights to employees of the Company. At December 31, 2001,
there were 99,000 shares available to be awarded under this plan. The
Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors administers this
plan. Options are granted at prices not less than market prices at the date of
grant. Options expire ten years from the date of grant.
In connection with the acquisition of Markel International, the Company provided
for the conversion of options under Markel International's Octavian Stock Option
Plan (Octavian Plan) into options to purchase the Company's common stock. The
Octavian Plan provides for the grant of options to former and current members of
management of Octavian (now Markel Syndicate Management) based on profit
commissions receivable by Markel Syndicate Management for the 1997 to 2000 years
of account at Lloyd's. The options have a nominal exercise price and become
exercisable on the January next succeeding the date of grant, beginning January
1, 2001. However all options issued after January 1, 2002 become immediately
exercisable. Options expire seven years from the date of grant. At December 31,
2001 and 2000, respectively, the Company had 57,469 and 62,087 shares reserved
for issuance and available for grant under the plan.
|51
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
12. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
Stock option transactions are summarized below:
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
2001 Price 2000 Price 1999 Price
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding
at January 1 45,388 $ 34 67,079 $ 38 160,439 $ 31
Granted (Octavian Plan) 8,643 0 9,248 0 -- --
Exercised (11,822) 17 (29,079) 26 (93,360) 26
Canceled (71) 0 (1,860) 124 -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding
at December 31 42,138 $ 32 45,388 $ 34 67,079 $ 38
===================================================================================================
Options exercisable
at December 31 32,495 34,140 67,079
Options available for grant
at December 31 143,196 151,839 97,500
===================================================================================================
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at
December 31, 2001:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Range of Average Average Average
Exercise Number Remaining Exercise Number Exercise
Prices Outstanding Contractual Life Price Exercisable Price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 0 13,273 6.2 years $ 0 4,630 $ 0
26 1,500 0.4 26 1,500 26
36 to 42 22,365 2.0 39 22,365 39
87 5,000 4.8 87 4,000 87
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 0 to 87 42,138 3.6 years $ 32 32,495 $ 39
===============================================================================================
The pro forma impact of stock options granted after 1995 had no effect on basic
or diluted net income (loss) per share.
================================================================================
13. Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) is composed of net holding gains (losses) on
securities arising during the period less reclassification adjustments for gains
(losses) included in net income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) also
includes foreign currency translation adjustments subsequent to the acquisition
of Markel International in 2000. The related tax expense (benefit) on net
holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period was $33.8
million, $59.1 million and $(43.7) million for 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. The related tax expense (benefit) on the reclassification
adjustments for gains (losses) included in net income (loss) was $7.0 million
for 2001, $0.5 million for 2000 and $(0.3) million for 1999. The related tax
expense (benefit) on the foreign currency translation adjustments was $(0.5)
million for 2001 and $0.1 million for 2000.
52|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Reinsurance
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements in order to reduce its liability
on individual risks and enable it to underwrite policies with higher limits. In
a reinsurance transaction, an insurance company transfers, or cedes, all or part
of its exposure in return for a portion of the premium. The ceding of the
insurance does not legally discharge the ceding company from its primary
liability for the full amount of the policies, and the ceding company is
required to pay the loss and bear collection risk if the reinsurer fails to meet
its obligations under the reinsurance agreement.
A credit risk exists with reinsurance ceded to the extent that any reinsurer is
unable to meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance agreements.
Allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible. The Company
evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentration
of credit risk arising from its exposure to individual reinsurers. At December
31, 2001 and 2000, the Company's top ten reinsurers represented 54% and 55%,
respectively, of the reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses. At
December 31, 2001, the Company's largest reinsurance balance was due from
Syndicates at Lloyd's, and represented 13% of the reinsurance recoverable on
paid and unpaid losses.
The table below summarizes the effect of reinsurance on premiums written and
earned (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned
Direct $ 1,617,588 $ 1,483,775 $1,066,656 $1,050,853 $ 564,749 $ 567,117
Assumed 156,773 173,323 65,213 177,799 27,784 25,529
Ceded (487,929) (450,414) (297,086) (290,109) (164,529) (155,450)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Premiums $ 1,286,432 $ 1,206,684 $ 834,783 $ 938,543 $ 428,004 $ 437,196
===============================================================================================
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses were net of reinsurance recoveries
of $809.1 million, $424.1 million and $102.2 million for the years ended
December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The increase in ceded incurred
losses and loss adjustment expenses in 2001 was primarily due to approximately
$263 million of reinsurance recoverables on WTC events.
The percentage of assumed earned premiums to net earned premiums for the years
ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 was approximately 14%, 19% and 6%,
respectively.
The following schedule reconciles the Company's reinsurance allowance for
doubtful accounts (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REINSURANCE ALLOWANCE, BEGINNING OF YEAR $ 76,198 $ 15,660 $ 4,080
Reinsurance allowance acquired -- 46,719 13,986
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESTATED REINSURANCE ALLOWANCE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR 76,198 62,379 18,066
Additions
Charged to expense 34,641 27,611 --
Charged to other accounts 336 2,416 673
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL REINSURANCE ALLOWANCE ADDITIONS 34,977 30,027 673
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deductions 6,128 16,208 3,079
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REINSURANCE ALLOWANCE, END OF YEAR $ 105,047 $ 76,198 $ 15,660
=========================================================================================
|53
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
14. Reinsurance (continued)
The increase in the reinsurance allowance for 2001 was primarily due to a $30.0
million increase in Markel International's reinsurance allowance. The 2001
provision included anticipated bad debts resulting from asbestos reserve
strengthening and provided for both strengthened reserves for financially weak
reinsurers and collection disputes with reinsurers. The 2000 increase in the
reinsurance allowance was primarily due to reserve strengthening for Gryphon
discontinued lines and an $8.8 million increase in Markel International's
reinsurance allowance.
===============================================================================
15. Contingencies
On January 31, 2001, the Company received notice of a lawsuit filed in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Terra
Nova Insurance Company Limited by Palladium Insurance Limited and Bank of
America, N.A. seeking approximately $27 million plus exemplary damages in
connection with alleged reinsurance agreements. A similar lawsuit seeking
approximately $8.5 million for breach of an alleged insurance policy was
previously filed by PXRe Corporation. The Company believes it has numerous
defenses to these claims, including the defense that the alleged reinsurance
agreements and insurance policy were not valid. The Company intends to
vigorously defend these matters; however, the outcome cannot be predicted at
this time.
On May 29, 2001, Reliance Insurance Company was placed in rehabilitation by the
Pennsylvania Insurance Department. During the third quarter of 2001, the
Pennsylvania Insurance Department removed Reliance Insurance Company from
rehabilitation and placed it into liquidation. Reliance Insurance Company and
its affiliates owed the Company approximately $27 million in reinsurance
recoverables for paid and unpaid losses at December 31, 2001. In addition a
portion of the Reliance recoverables are the subject of dispute. These balances
were considered in the normal course of assessing the collectability of
reinsurance recoverables and an allowance was established.
The Company has other contingencies that arise in the normal conduct of its
operations. In the opinion of management, the resolutions of these contingencies
are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition
or results of operations. However adverse outcomes are possible and could
negatively impact the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
===============================================================================
16. Related Party Transactions
During 2000 the Company committed to make an equity investment in White
Mountains Insurance Group (White Mountains) subject to White Mountains'
successful acquisition of Commercial General Norwich Union's North American
insurance operations. This transaction closed during 2001 and the Company
acquired 125,000 shares of White Mountains for $25.0 million. The estimated fair
value of this investment was $41.3 million as of December 31, 2001 and was
included in equity securities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Mr. John J. Byrne is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of White Mountains
and served as a Director of the Company in 2000. The Company's investment was
acquired at identical terms and conditions as other equity participants.
The Company engages in other related party transactions in the normal course of
business. These transactions are completed at arms length and are immaterial to
the Company's consolidated financial statements.
54|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Statutory Financial Information
a) The following table includes unaudited selected information for the
Company's wholly-owned domestic insurance subsidiaries as filed with state
insurance regulatory authorities (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 11,640 $ 31,050 $ 60,938
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory capital and surplus $ 565,641 $ 433,164 $ 435,071
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The laws of the domicile states of the Company's domestic insurance
subsidiaries govern the amount of dividends which may be paid to the Company.
Generally statutes in the domicile states of the Company's domestic insurance
subsidiaries require prior approval for payment of extraordinary as opposed to
ordinary dividends. At December 31, 2001, the Company's domestic insurance
subsidiaries could pay up to $60.3 million during the following twelve months
under the ordinary dividend regulations without prior regulatory approval.
In converting from statutory accounting principles to U.S. GAAP, typical
adjustments include deferral of policy acquisition costs, differences in the
calculation of deferred income taxes and the inclusion of net unrealized
holding gains or losses in shareholders' equity relating to fixed maturities.
The Company does not use any permitted statutory accounting practices which are
different from prescribed statutory accounting practices.
Effective January 1, 2001, the Company's domestic insurance companies adopted
the Codification of Statutory Accounting Principles (Codification) as required
by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The cumulative effect
of adopting Codification increased combined domestic statutory capital and
surplus by $7.5 million.
b) Terra Nova files an annual audited return with the Financial Services
Authority (FSA) in the United Kingdom. FSA regulations require United Kingdom
insurance companies to comply with prescribed minimum solvency margins. Assets
and liabilities reported within the annual FSA return are prepared subject to
specified rules concerning valuation and admissibility.
The table below summarizes Terra Nova's unaudited estimated FSA Return
policyholders' surplus, statutory solvency margin and net loss (dollars in
thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------
2001 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Policyholders' surplus $ 86,841 $ 137,067
Statutory solvency margin 57,863 98,467
Net loss (33,013) (20,506)
=====================================================================
Terra Nova's ability to pay dividends is limited by applicable FSA requirements
which require Terra Nova to give 14 days advance notice to the FSA of its
intention to declare and pay a dividend. In addition Terra Nova must comply
with the United Kingdom Companies Act of 1985 which provides that dividends may
only be paid out of distributable profits.
The ability of Terra Nova (Bermuda) Insurance Company Ltd. to pay dividends is
subject to certain regulatory restrictions. Under the Insurance Act of 1978,
amendments to it and related regulations of Bermuda (the Act), Terra Nova
(Bermuda) Insurance Company Ltd. is required to file Bermuda statutory
financial statements and a statutory financial return. The Act and conditions
imposed by the Bermuda regulators also require Terra Nova (Bermuda) Insurance
Company Ltd. to maintain certain measures of solvency and liquidity during the
year.
|55
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
17. Statutory Financial Information (continued)
The table below summarizes Terra Nova (Bermuda) Insurance Company Ltd.'s (an
inactive company) unaudited estimated statutory capital and surplus, minimum
required statutory capital and surplus and net income (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2001 2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory capital and surplus $ 100,363 $ 104,898
Minimum required statutory capital and surplus 100,000 100,000
Net income 21,916 24,345
=============================================================================
18. Segment Reporting Disclosures
Markel North America includes the Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty
Admitted segments. Markel International includes the London Company Market and
the Lloyd's Market. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company realigned its Markel
International underwriting operations along product lines and customers and
combined the operations of four Lloyd's syndicates into one. As a result of
these changes, the Company will have the ability to compete in the London
Insurance Market without distinction between the London Company Market and the
Lloyd's Market.
All investing activities are included in the Investing operating segment.
Discontinued programs and nonstrategic insurance subsidiaries are included in
Other (Discontinued Lines) for purposes of segment reporting.
The Company considers many factors, including the nature of the underwriting
units' insurance products, production sources, distribution strategies and
regulatory environment in determining how to aggregate operating segments.
Approximately 32% of the Company's 2001 premium writings were foreign risks, of
which approximately 40% related to the United Kingdom. For 2000 approximately
29% of the Company's gross written premiums were foreign risks, of which
approximately 43% related to the United Kingdom. Prior to the acquisition of
Markel International, substantially all of the Company's premium writings were
United States risks.
Segment profit or loss for Markel North America and Markel International
operating divisions is measured by underwriting profit or loss. Segment profit
for the Investing operating segment is measured by net investment income and net
realized gains or losses.
The Company does not allocate assets to Markel North America and Markel
International operating divisions for management reporting purposes. The total
investment portfolio, cash and cash equivalents are allocated to the Investing
operating segment. The Company does not allocate capital expenditures for
long-lived assets to any of its operating segments for management reporting
purposes.
56|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Segment Reporting Disclosures (continued)
a) Following is a summary of segment disclosures (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Revenues
Excess and Surplus Lines $ 503,939 $ 352,250 $ 286,614
Specialty Admitted 138,321 120,568 114,567
London Company Market 141,646 136,291 --
Lloyd's Market 325,905 204,148 --
Investing 190,728 155,664 86,784
Other (Discontinued Lines) 96,873 125,286 36,015
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT REVENUES $1,397,412 $1,094,207 $ 523,980
======================================================================
Segment Profit (Loss)
Excess and Surplus Lines $ (10,358) $ 561 $ 15,836
Specialty Admitted (1,505) 14,970 (890)
London Company Market (44,894) (18,732) --
Lloyd's Market (112,117) (36,738) --
Investing 190,728 155,664 86,784
Other (Discontinued Lines) (124,722) (92,138) (18,083)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT PROFIT (LOSS) $ (102,868) $ 23,587 $ 83,647
======================================================================
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Assets
Investing $3,591,202 $3,136,164 $ 1,624,952
Other 2,849,426 2,336,989 830,353
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT ASSETS $6,440,628 $5,473,153 $ 2,455,305
======================================================================
Combined Ratio
Excess and Surplus Lines 102% 100% 94%
Specialty Admitted 101% 88% 101%
London Company Market 132% 114% --
Lloyd's Market 134% 118% --
Other (Discontinued Lines) 229% 174% 150%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED RATIO 124% 114% 101%
======================================================================
|57
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
18. Segment Reporting Disclosures (continued)
b) The following summary reconciles significant segment items to the Company's
consolidated financial statements (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Revenues
Segment revenues $1,397,412 $ 1,094,207 $ 523,980
Other -- 276 341
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES $1,397,412 $ 1,094,483 $ 524,321
===================================================================================
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
Segment profit (loss) $ (102,868) $ 23,587 $ 83,647
Unallocated amounts
Amortization expense (30,683) (23,321) (5,398)
Interest expense (48,647) (52,348) (25,150)
Other -- 276 341
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES $ (182,198) $ (51,806) $ 53,440
===================================================================================
19. Acquisitions
a) On March 24, 2000, the Company became a holding company for Markel North
America, Inc. and completed its acquisition of Markel International. The Company
issued approximately 1.75 million Markel common shares and contingent value
rights (CVRs) and paid approximately $325 million in cash to Markel
International shareholders in the transaction. Total consideration was
approximately $658 million, including $31.2 million of Markel International
shares purchased in the open market prior to the acquisition date. Each former
shareholder of Markel North America, Inc. received for each Markel North
America, Inc. share, one common share of the Company. The acquisition was
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The excess of the
purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable
intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill and is being amortized using
the straightline method over 20 years. See note 23 for a discussion of Statement
142. The Company borrowed $245 million under its revolving credit facility to
fund a portion of the acquisition. In addition $175 million of Markel
International debt remained outstanding. The Company's results include Markel
International's results since the date of acquisition. Effective March 31, 2001,
Markel North America, Inc. was merged with and into the Company.
Effective March 30, 2001, the CVRs issued in connection with the acquisition of
Markel International were extinguished pursuant to the terms of the Contingent
Value Rights Agreement (the Agreement). Under the Agreement the CVRs were
automatically extinguished when the Current Market Value, as defined by the
Agreement, of the Company's common stock, was greater than or equal to the
target price of $185 per share. The Current Market Value of the Company's common
stock exceeded $185 per share during the 20 consecutive trading day period ended
as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on March 30, 2001.
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis, the Company's unaudited
consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition of Markel International
had taken place on January 1, 1999, after giving effect to certain adjustments,
including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles, increased interest
expense on debt related to the acquisition, lower investment income due to cash
used to fund a portion of the transaction and related income tax effects. Markel
International's nonrecurring and transaction related expenses in the first
quarter of 2000, prior to the acquisition by the Company, were excluded from the
pro forma financial information. The pro forma financial information does not
58|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Acquisitions (continued)
necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had the
acquisition taken place on January 1, 1999 (dollars in thousands, except per
share amounts):
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------
2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues $ 1,253,975 $ 1,226,251
Net loss (66,387) (53,361)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss per share
Basic $ (9.10) $ (7.30)
Diluted $ (9.10) $ (7.30)
=======================================================================
The following summary reconciles cash paid for the acquisition of Markel
International (dollars in thousands):
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash acquired $ 2,856,825
Fair value of liabilities assumed (2,353,303)
Common stock and other equity issued (295,482)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash paid for acquisition 208,040
Cash acquired in acquisition 154,883
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 362,923
=======================================================================
b) On January 15, 1999, the Company acquired Gryphon Holdings Inc. and its
subsidiaries (Gryphon) as the result of the completion of a public tender
offer. The Company's results for the year ended December 31, 1999, include
Gryphon since the date of acquisition. The acquisition was accounted for using
the purchase method of accounting. Total consideration paid for Gryphon was
approximately $145.7 million. The excess of the purchase price over the fair
value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired was
recorded as goodwill and is being amortized using the straight-line method over
20 years. See note 23 for a discussion of Statement 142. The Company funded the
transaction with available cash of approximately $95.7 million and borrowings
of approximately $50 million. In addition the Company refinanced $55.0 million
of Gryphon's long-term debt.
===============================================================================
20. Employee Benefit Plans
a) The Company maintains a defined contribution plan for its domestic employees,
the Markel Corporation Retirement Savings Plan, in accordance with Section
401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan requires the Company to
contribute, on an annual basis, 6% of each eligible participating employee's
compensation plus a matching contribution of 100% of the first 2% and 50% of the
next 2%, up to a maximum 3% match, of each eligible participating employee's
contribution. Annual expenses relating to this plan were $3.9 million, $3.4
million and $3.3 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Markel Syndicate Management provides a defined contribution plan, the Markel
Syndicate Management Pension Scheme, for nominated employees and directors. The
annual contribution rate for employees is 15% of annual pensionable salary and,
for directors and certain senior underwriters, is 25% of annual pensionable
salary.
The Company provides another plan for certain Markel International employees not
covered by the Markel Syndicate Management Pension Scheme. This plan is in line
with local market terms and conditions of employment. The total cost of all
Markel International defined contribution plans was $2.1 million for each of the
years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000.
b) The Company operates a defined benefit pension plan, the Terra Nova Insurance
Company Pension Scheme (Terra Nova Pension), covering substantially all Markel
International employees over 20 years old who meet the eligibility conditions
set out in the plan document. The cost of providing pensions for
|59
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
20. Employee Benefit Plans (continued)
employees is charged to earnings over the average working life of employees
according to the recommendations of qualified actuaries. Annual funding
requirements are determined based on the projected unit credit cost method,
which attributes a pro rata portion of the total projected benefit payable at
normal retirement to each year of credited service. Final benefits are based
on the employee's years of credited service and the higher of pensionable
compensation received in the calendar year preceding retirement or the best
average pensionable compensation received in any three consecutive years in the
ten years preceding retirement.
Mandatory employee contributions to the defined benefit plan ceased in 1988.
There are no present plans to reintroduce such contributions. Employees may
elect to make voluntary contributions to supplement their pension benefits when
payable.
The following table sets out the funded status of the Terra Nova Pension and
the amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of
the Company (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------
2001 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost $ 1,778 $ 1,542
Interest cost 2,176 1,737
Expected return on plan assets (3,855) (3,370)
Amortization of unrecognized loss 207 --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST (INCOME) $ 306 $ (91)
===============================================================================
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 37,890 $ 39,646
Service cost 1,778 1,542
Interest cost 2,176 1,737
Benefits paid (1,204) (4,157)
Actuarial gain (152) (878)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR $ 40,488 $ 37,890
===============================================================================
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period $ 49,573 $ 59,694
Actual loss on plan assets (7,547) (6,989)
Employer contribution 1,089 1,025
Benefits paid (1,204) (4,157)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $ 41,911 $ 49,573
===============================================================================
Funded status of the plan
Plan assets in excess of benefit obligation $ 1,423 $ 11,683
Unrecognized net actuarial loss 18,737 8,205
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PENSION ASSET $ 20,160 $ 19,888
===============================================================================
Weighted-average assumptions as of December 31
Discount rate 6.0% 6.0%
Expected return on plan assets 8.0% 8.0%
Rate of compensation increase 4.5% 4.8%
===============================================================================
c) Markel Syndicate Management also provides certain employees with one of two
defined benefit pension plans run in conjunction with the Lloyd's
Superannuation Scheme (Markel Syndicate Management Plans), with a March 31 plan
year-end. The Markel Syndicate Management Plans are similar in operation to the
Terra Nova Pension though the benefit structure differs.
60|
20. Employee Benefit Plans (continued)
The table below summarizes key information for the Markel Syndicate Management
Plans and the amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements of the Company (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------
2001 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets $ 5,525 $ 8,984
Benefit obligation 5,238 8,984
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess of plan assets over benefit obligation $ 287 $ --
===============================================================================
Employer contributions $ 485 $ 535
===============================================================================
21. Markel Corporation (Parent Company Only) Financial Information
Markel Holdings, Inc. was formed to complete the acquisition of Markel
International. On March 24, 2000, Markel Holdings, Inc. became the holding
company for Markel North America, Inc. (formerly Markel Corporation) and
completed its acquisition of Markel International. After the acquisition
Markel Holdings, Inc. changed its name to Markel Corporation. In 2001 Markel
North America, Inc. was merged with and into Markel Corporation.
The following parent company only condensed financial information reflects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Markel
Corporation. Amounts for 2000 have been restated to reflect the merger
discussed above.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
--------------------------
2001 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Investments, available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
Fixed maturities (cost of $133,268 in 2001 and $43,967 in 2000) $ 134,834 $ 44,901
Equity securities (cost of $46,917 in 2001 and $25,188 in 2000) 75,537 33,861
Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost) -- 5,146
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS, AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE 210,371 83,908
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents 11,119 35,999
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries 1,129,176 1,138,091
Notes receivable due from subsidiaries 97,087 39,474
Income taxes recoverable -- 8,705
Deferred income taxes 8,840 2,463
Other assets 36,658 36,491
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,493,251 $1,345,131
==============================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Income taxes payable $ 361 $ --
Convertible notes payable 116,022 --
Long-term debt 101,965 409,725
Other liabilities 35,155 28,394
8.71% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures 154,640 154,640
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 408,143 592,759
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,085,108 752,372
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 1,493,251 $1,345,131
==============================================================================================================
|61
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
21. Markel Corporation (Parent Company Only) Financial Information (continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
REVENUES
Net investment income $ 7,151 $ 9,405 $ 10,390
Cash dividends on common stock of
consolidated subsidiaries 15,405 122,223 48,851
Net realized losses from investment sales (12,152) (3,072) (5,767)
Other 599 90 147
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL REVENUES 11,003 128,646 53,621
===============================================================================================
EXPENSES
Interest 35,329 43,612 23,845
Other 1,457 2,706 1,124
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL EXPENSES 36,786 46,318 24,969
===============================================================================================
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED
EARNINGS OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
AND INCOME TAXES (25,783) 82,328 28,652
Equity in undistributed earnings of
consolidated subsidiaries (116,633) (124,947) 8,345
Income tax benefit (16,699) (15,027) (3,617)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME(LOSS) $(125,717) $ (27,592) $ 40,614
===============================================================================================
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of taxes
Net holding gains (losses) arising
during the period $ 5,478 $ 3,587 $ (5,186)
Consolidated subsidiaries' net holding
gains (losses) arising during the period 57,217 106,242 (76,037)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62,695 109,829 (81,223)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less reclassification adjustments for losses
included in net income (loss) 7,899 1,997 3,749
Less consolidated subsidiaries' reclassification
adjustments for gains included in
net income (loss) (20,902) (2,958) (3,166)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13,003) (961) 583
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49,692 108,868 (80,640)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency translation adjustments, net of taxes
Consolidated subsidiaries' net currency
translation adjustments (863) 222 --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 48,829 109,090 (80,640)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (76,888) $ 81,498 $(40,026)
===============================================================================================
62|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. Markel Corporation (Parent Company Only) Financial Information (continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) $ (125,717) $ (27,592) $ 40,614
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by operating activities 131,108 98,123 7,448
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 5,391 70,531 48,062
=========================================================================================
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities
and equity securities 41,855 49,036 80,751
Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities 20,570 13,179 16,442
Cost of fixed maturities and equity
securities purchased (175,715) (40,488) (56,691)
Net change in short-term investments 5,146 22,907 30,673
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable due
from subsidiaries (57,613) (2,550) 13,900
Capital contributions to subsidiaries (71,000) -- (14,000)
Acquisitions of insurance companies -- (362,923) (145,720)
Sales of insurance companies -- 53,642 21,402
Other (5,986) (1,850) (8,833)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (242,743) (269,047) (62,076)
=========================================================================================
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to long-term debt and
convertible notes payable 147,943 370,000 115,000
Repayments and repurchases of long-term debt (342,802) (128,311) (95,288)
Issuance of common stock 407,532 -- --
Other (201) (8,027) (5,469)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 212,472 233,662 14,243
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (24,880) 35,146 229
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 35,999 853 624
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 11,119 $ 35,999 $ 853
=========================================================================================
|63
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
22. Derivatives
The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge against fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivatives are not
typically used by the Company for trading purposes.
The Company purchased foreign exchange forward contracts which have been
designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations. The contracts
are recorded at fair value, with the change in fair value recorded in other
comprehensive income (OCI) to the extent the change is equal to or less than
the offsetting adjustment recorded in OCI that arose by translating the hedged
foreign operation's financial statements into the Company's reporting
currency. The amount of the change in fair value of the forward contracts in
excess of the adjustment to the net investment is included in earnings. At
December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company held positions in foreign exchange
forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $55.3 million and $45.3
million, respectively, to buy United Kingdom Sterling. Contracts unsettled at
December 31, 2001 mature in June 2002. The fair value of the unsettled forward
contracts and the gain (loss) on settled and unsettled forward contracts were
immaterial at and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
In March 2001 the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a
$50 million notional amount to hedge interest rate risk associated with a
portion of its variable rate revolving credit facility. Under the agreement
the Company pays 4.70% fixed interest and receives three month LIBOR. The swap
expires in March 2002. In June 2001 the underlying debt was repaid.
Accordingly changes in the fair value of the swap are recognized in earnings.
The fair value of the swap at December 31, 2001 and the change in the fair
value during the year were immaterial.
The contingent cash interest and contingent additional principal features of
the LYONs are embedded derivatives required to be accounted for separately
from the host contract. Accordingly the contingent cash interest and
contingent additional principal are recorded at fair value in the consolidated
balance sheet with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The aggregate
fair value of the contingent cash interest and contingent additional principal
features at December 31, 2001 approximated $1.4 million, and was recognized in
interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2001.
The Company held $192.9 million and $242.0 million of corporate bonds with
embedded put options at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. These
embedded derivatives are clearly and closely related to the host contracts and
are not accounted for separately.
================================================================================
23. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In July 2001 the FASB issued Statement No. 141, Business Combinations, and
Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Statement 141 requires
that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations and
specifies criteria intangible assets acquired in a business combination must
meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. Statement 142 will
require that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no
longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually.
Statement 142 will also require that intangible assets with estimable useful
lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their
estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment.
64|
23. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards (continued)
The Company adopted the provisions of Statement 141 as of July 1, 2001 and
Statement 142 is effective January 1, 2002. Goodwill and intangible assets
acquired in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001 continued to
be amortized and tested for impairment during 2001.
Statement 141 requires upon adoption of Statement 142, that the Company
evaluate its existing intangible assets and goodwill that were acquired in a
prior purchase business combination, and to make any necessary
reclassifications in order to conform with the new criteria in Statement 141
for recognition apart from goodwill. Upon adoption of Statement 142, the
Company will be required to reassess the useful lives and residual values of
all intangible assets acquired, and make any necessary amortization period
adjustments. In addition to the extent an intangible asset is identified as
having an indefinite useful life, the Company will be required to test the
intangible asset for impairment in accordance with the provisions of Statement
142. Any impairment loss will be measured as of January 1, 2002 and recognized
as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
In connection with the transitional goodwill impairment evaluation, Statement
142 requires the Company to perform an assessment of whether there is an
indication that goodwill is impaired as of January 1, 2002. Any transitional
impairment loss will be recognized as the cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle in the Company's consolidated statement of operations.
At December 31, 2001, the Company had unamortized goodwill in the amount of
$357.3 million and unamortized other intangible assets in the amount of $14.8
million, all of which will be subject to the transition provisions of
Statements 141 and 142. Amortization expense related to goodwill was $19.2
million, $15.7 million and $4.0 million for 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
While the Company has not completed all the work needed to comply with
Statements 141 and 142, management currently believes that the transitional
impairment loss, if any, will not be material.
|65
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
[logo of KPMG]
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Markel Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Markel
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes
in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2001. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Markel
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Richmond, Virginia
February 1, 2002
66|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
The following table presents the quarterly results of consolidated operations
for 2001, 2000 and 1999
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
Mar. 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001
Operating revenues $ 332,706 $ 300,092 $ 378,273 $ 386,341
Income (loss) before income taxes 13,539 1,535 (129,573) (67,699)
Net income (loss) 8,232 812 (91,025) (43,736)
Comprehensive income (loss) 10,459 23,282 (75,291) (35,338)
Net income (loss) per share
Basic $ 1.06 $ 0.09 $ (10.58) $ (4.78)
Diluted 1.04 0.09 (10.58) (4.78)
Common stock price ranges
High $ 190.50 $ 207.47 $ 203.50 $ 213.25
Low 159.75 181.00 162.00 174.04
2000
Operating revenues $ 148,927 $ 315,695 $ 298,219 $ 331,642
Income (loss) before income taxes 19,692 (23,866) (34,377) (13,255)
Net income (loss) 14,178 (17,900) (15,649) (8,221)
Comprehensive income (loss) 14,132 (16,831) 23,786 60,411
Net income (loss) per share
Basic $ 2.47 $ (2.44) $ (2.15) $ (1.13)
Diluted 2.44 (2.44) (2.15) (1.13)
Common stock price ranges
High $ 171.00 $ 154.50 $ 155.50 $ 183.25
Low 111.50 136.00 140.00 133.50
1999
Operating revenues $ 138,110 $ 132,155 $ 132,622 $ 121,434
Income before income taxes 19,308 15,664 11,559 6,909
Net income 14,674 11,905 8,784 5,251
Comprehensive loss (7,787) (3,741) (27,956) (542)
Net income per share
Basic $ 2.64 $ 2.13 $ 1.57 $ 0.94
Diluted 2.61 2.10 1.55 0.93
Common stock price ranges
High $ 186.00 $ 193.00 $ 192.00 $ 182.06
Low 160.00 174.00 164.00 143.25
|67
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with
Selected Financial Data, the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and
related notes and the Company's Safe Harbor Statement.
On March 24, 2000, the Company completed its acquisition of Terra Nova
(Bermuda) Holdings Ltd. As a result the Company realigned its operations with
Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd. becoming the Company's international
division, Markel International, and the Company's existing domestic operations
becoming Markel North America. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase
transaction and accordingly, Markel International has been included in the
Company's operating results since the date of acquisition.
Markel North America includes the Excess and Surplus Lines segment which is
comprised of four underwriting units and the Specialty Admitted segment which
consists of two underwriting units. The Excess and Surplus Lines segment
writes property and casualty insurance for nonstandard and hard-to-place risks
including catastrophe-exposed property, professional liability, products
liability, general liability, commercial umbrella and other coverages tailored
for unique exposures. The Specialty Admitted segment writes risks that are
unique and hard-to-place in the standard market but must remain with an
admitted insurance company for marketing and regulatory reasons. These
underwriting units write specialty program insurance for well-defined niche
markets and personal and commercial property and liability coverages.
Markel International operates in two segments of the London Insurance Market:
the London Company Market and the Lloyd's Market. The London Company Market
consists of the operations of Terra Nova Insurance Company Limited. The Lloyd's
Market includes Markel Capital Limited, which is the corporate capital provider
for four Lloyd's syndicates managed by Markel Syndicate Management Limited.
Markel International writes specialty property, casualty, marine and aviation
insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis. The majority of Markel
International's business comes from the United Kingdom and the United States.
Discontinued lines of business and non-strategic insurance subsidiaries are
included in Other (Discontinued Lines) for segment reporting purposes. Other
(Discontinued Lines) consisted primarily of discontinued Markel International
programs in 2001 and 2000. In 1999 Other (Discontinued Lines) was comprised of
Gryphon discontinued programs (acquired by the Company in January 1999)
Following is a comparison of gross premium volume by significant underwriting
segment (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------
GROSS PREMIUM VOLUME 2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess and Surplus Lines $ 842,067 $ 574,305 $ 425,774
Specialty Admitted 162,512 137,085 132,889
London Company Market 175,653 80,927 --
Lloyd's Market 540,173 276,699 --
Other (Discontinued Lines) 53,956 62,853 36,285
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 1,774,361 $ 1,131,869 $ 594,948
===============================================================================
68|
[CHART]
Premiums
$ in millions
1999 2000 2001
----- ----- -----
gross premium volume 595 1,132 1,774
net premiums written 428 835 1,286
In 2001 gross premium volume totaled $1.8 billion compared to $1.1 billion in
2000 and $594.9 million in 1999. Gross premium volume for 2001 and 2000
included Markel International since its acquisition in 2000.
Markel North America's 2001 gross written premiums increased 41% due to
increased submission activity and price increases across all business units.
With these increases the Company exceeded $1 billion in gross written premiums
in its Markel North America operations in 2001.
Excess and Surplus Lines gross premium volume increased 47% to $842.1 million
in 2001 compared to $574.3 million in 2000 and $425.8 million in 1999. The 2001
growth was due to increased submission activity in most programs, rate
increases and new programs. The most significant area of growth in 2001 was in
the Essex Excess and Surplus Lines unit where premium volume increased
approximately 48% to $312.9 million from $212.0 million in 2000. In addition
the Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines and Professional/Products Liability units
produced significant volume increases in 2001 due to improved market
conditions. In 2000 the increase was primarily due to growth in the Brokered
Excess and Surplus Lines unit as well as from Markel Southwest Underwriters
(MSU), which was acquired in January 2000. Premium volume for the Brokered
Excess and Surplus Lines unit grew 77% to $149.9 million in 2000, and the MSU
acquisition added $27.9 million of volume. Before considering volume added by
the MSU acquisition, 2000 Excess and Surplus Lines gross premiums grew 28%.
Specialty Admitted gross premiums increased 19% to $162.5 million in 2001
compared to $137.1 million in 2000 and $132.9 million in 1999. The 2001
increase was primarily due to increased submission activity, new programs and
price increases. In 2000 the increase was due to increased production and new
business in the Specialty Program Insurance unit partially offset by lower
volume for the Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines unit. The Specialty
Personal and Commercial Lines unit assumed $7.3 million of unearned premium as
part of the acquisition of a yacht program in 1999. Excluding the effect of
this one-time assumption in 1999, volume for the Specialty Personal and
Commercial Lines unit increased 9% in 2000.
Markel International gross premium volume was $715.8 million in 2001 compared
to $357.6 million in 2000. Markel International's 2001 gross written premiums
increased compared to 2000 primarily due to the effect of the acquisition
occurring on March 24, 2000, increases in the Company's 2001 participation in
its syndicates to 100% and the re-estimation of prior years' estimated written
premiums. Beginning in late 2001, Markel International's gross written premiums
increased due to higher prices and submissions in the professional indemnity,
war and aviation programs.
Other (Discontinued Lines) gross premium volume was $54.0 million in 2001
compared to $62.9 million in 2000 and $36.3 million in 1999. Other
(Discontinued Lines) 2001 gross premium volume included the premium writings of
Corifrance and the re-estimation of prior years' estimated premiums in various
discontinued Markel International programs. Other (Discontinued Lines) gross
premium volume should continue to decrease as discontinued programs run off.
In 1999 signs of market hardening, that is stricter coverage terms and higher
prices, began to emerge in the United States. Markel North America's
submissions and premium writings have increased substantially in 2000 and 2001.
In many product lines, prices are increasing for the first time in many years.
The Company is currently obtaining significant rate increases across most
programs. During 2001 premium rates also began to increase in the London
Insurance Market. The events of September 11, 2001 (WTC) had a profound impact
on the insurance market. Demand for insurance products to manage risks has
increased while insurance financial and underwriting capacity has decreased.
The Company anticipates that the North American and London insurance markets
will continue to tighten and provide a favorable environment for growth in its
operations. The Company
|69
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMNT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
does not intend to relax underwriting standards in order to obtain premium
volume. Premium volume may vary significantly if the Company alters its product
concentration to maintain or improve underwriting profitability.
Subsequent to December 31, 2001, A.M. Best (Best) downgraded the financial
strength rating (FSR) of Terra Nova Insurance Company Limited (Terra Nova) to
"B++" (very good) from "A-" (excellent). In addition Standard & Poor's (S&P)
had previously placed all of the Company's ratings on "negative outlook,"
including the "A-" (excellent) FSR of Terra Nova. A "negative outlook"
signifies that upon completion of a ratings review, the rating agency may
affirm or downgrade the Company's insurance subsidiaries' FSRs. The "negative
outlook" is the result of underwriting losses at Markel International since its
acquisition.
The Terra Nova downgrade by Best and potential downgrade by S&P could have a
negative impact on Terra Nova's ability to retain business.
Given the strong operating performance and financial strength of Markel North
America, the Company believes that it is unlikely that S&P will downgrade
Markel North America's FSRs.
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements in order to reduce its liability
on individual risks and enable it to underwrite policies with higher limits. The
Company's net retention of gross premium volume decreased to 73% in 2001
compared to 74% in 2000 and 72% in 1999. The 2001 decrease was primarily due to
the purchase in 2001 of additional reinsurance protection in the Lloyd's Market
professional indemnity programs. In addition the decrease was due to
reinstatement premiums payable on WTC losses. The 2000 increase in retention
rate was primarily attributed to increased retention in Markel North America's
core business units partially offset by Markel International's lower retentions.
Total operating revenues were $1.4 billion in 2001 compared to $1.1 billion in
2000 and $524.3 million in 1999. The 2001 increase was primarily due to higher
earned premiums for Markel North America and the inclusion of Markel
International for the entire year. In 2000 the increase was primarily due to
operating revenue generated by Markel International since its acquisition on
March 24, 2000.
Following is a comparison of earned premiums by significant underwriting
segment (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------
EARNED PREMIUMS 2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess and Surplus Lines $ 503,939 $ 352,250 $ 286,614
Specialty Admitted 138,321 120,568 114,567
London Company Market 141,646 136,291 --
Lloyd's Market 325,905 204,148 --
Other (Discontinued Lines) 96,873 125,286 36,015
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $1,206,684 $ 938,543 $ 437,196
=======================================================================
Earned premiums increased to $1.2 billion in 2001 from $938.5 million in 2000
and $437.2 million in 1999. The 2001 increase in earned premiums was primarily
due to increased gross premium volume in Markel North America and the inclusion
of Markel International for the entire year. This increase was partially offset
by lower earned premium for Other (Discontinued Lines). In 2000 the increase in
earned premiums was primarily due to the acquisition of Markel International.
70|
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[CHART]
Investment Earnings
$ in millions
1999 2000 2001
---- ---- ----
net realized gains (losses) (1) 2 20
net investment income 88 154 171
Total ---- ---- ----
87 156 191
Earned premiums for Markel North America increased 36% to $642.3 million in
2001. Earned premiums for Markel North America rose 18% in 2000 compared to
1999. The increase in both years was primarily due to growth in Excess and
Surplus lines earned premiums.
Excess and Surplus Lines earned premiums rose in 2001 to $503.9 million and in
2000 to $352.3 million from $286.6 million in 1999. Earned premiums grew 43% in
2001 and 23% in 2000. The growth in both years was primarily due to higher
gross premium volume over the past several years for all Excess and Surplus
Lines units.
Specialty Admitted earned premiums increased 15% to $138.3 million in 2001 and
increased 5% to $120.6 million in 2000 from $114.6 million in 1999. The 2001
increase was primarily due to growth in new programs and higher gross premium
volume in existing lines of business over the past several years. The increase
in 2000 was primarily due to higher production in most lines of business during
the past two years partially offset by the cancellation of certain unprofitable
property programs.
Markel International earned premiums were $467.6 million in 2001 compared to
$340.4 million in 2000. The increases in the London Company and Lloyd's Market
earned premiums were primarily due to the effect of the Markel International
acquisition occurring on March 24, 2000.
Other (Discontinued Lines) earned premiums decreased in 2001 due to the run off
of discontinued programs at Markel International. The 2000 increase in Other
(Discontinued Lines) earned premiums was due to discontinued lines at Markel
International partially offset by a decrease in earned premiums for Gryphon
discontinued lines.
Net investment income increased 11% in 2001 to $170.7 million and 76% in 2000
to $154.2 million from $87.7 million in 1999. The increase in 2001 was due to
the acquisition of Markel International and growth in the investment portfolio
partially offset by lower investment yields. The 2000 increase in net
investment income was due to the acquisition of Markel International, which
added $1.4 billion to the Company's investment portfolio in March 2000.
Invested assets and cash grew approximately 15% in 2001 to $3.6 billion and 93%
in 2000 to $3.1 billion from $1.6 billion in 1999. The 2001 increase in the
investment portfolio was due to proceeds from the Company's completion of two
common share offerings (net of debt retirements and repayments), cash flow from
operations and unrealized gains.
The Company recognized $20.0 million of net realized gains from investment
sales in 2001 compared to $1.5 million of net realized gains in 2000 and $0.9
million of net realized losses in 1999. The fluctuations are primarily the
result of interest rate volatility which influences the market values of fixed
maturities and equity investments. The Company's investment strategy seeks to
maximize total investment returns over a long-term period. The Company's focus
on long-term total investment returns may result in variability in the level of
realized and unrealized investment gains or losses from one period to the next.
Total operating expenses, which include losses and loss adjustment expenses,
underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses and amortization of intangible
assets, were $1.5 billion in 2001 compared to $1.1 billion in 2000 and $445.7
million in 1999. The 2001 increase was primarily due to the inclusion of Markel
International for the full year and $213.0 million of WTC losses, reserve
strengthening and expense charges. The 2000 increase was primarily due to the
acquisition of Markel International.
|71
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
The following is a comparison of selected data from the Company's operations
(dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross premium volume $ 1,774,361 $ 1,131,869 $ 594,948
Net premiums written $ 1,286,432 $ 834,783 $ 428,004
Net retention 73% 74% 72%
Earned premiums $ 1,206,684 $ 938,543 $ 437,196
Losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 1,049,421 $ 731,531 $ 283,630
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses $ 450,859 $ 339,089 $ 156,703
Underwriting loss* $ (293,596) $ (132,077) $ (3,137)
U.S. GAAP COMBINED RATIOS**
Markel North America 102% 97% 96%
Markel International 134% 116% --
Other (Discontinued Lines) 229% 174% 150%
Markel Corporation (Consolidated) 124% 114% 101%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting
profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses
and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. Underwriting profit or
loss does not replace operating income or net income computed in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(U.S. GAAP) as a measure of profitability.
**The U.S. GAAP combined ratio measures the relationship of incurred losses,
loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
to earned premiums.
The Company's 2001 underwriting loss was primarily due to $213.0 million of WTC
losses, reserve strengthening and expense charges. In 2000 the underwriting
loss was primarily due to underwriting losses in Markel International's
continuing and discontinued programs since acquisition and $32.0 million of
reserve strengthening on Gryphon discontinued lines.
The following is an analysis of the $213.0 million of WTC losses, reserve
strengthening and expense charges in 2001 (dollars in millions):
Markel
Markel International
North Markel Discontinued
America International Lines Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Contractors Program $ 29.0 $ -- $ -- $ 29.0
World Trade Center Losses 1.5 70.8 2.7 75.0
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs -- 20.0 -- 20.0
Asbestos Exposures -- -- 20.0 20.0
Allowance for Reinsurance Recoverables -- 5.0 25.0 30.0
Worldwide Motor Program -- -- 39.0 39.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 30.5 $ 95.8 $86.7 $213.0
========================================================================================================
Markel North America's 2001 underwriting loss was primarily the result of $29.0
million of adverse loss development in the Excess and Surplus Lines New York
contractors business discontinued in January 2000. Excluding development on
this program, Markel North America's combined ratio would have been 97% for
2001 compared to 97% and 96%, respectively, for 2000 and 1999.
72|
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The combined ratio for Excess and Surplus Lines increased to 102% in 2001
compared to 100% in 2000 and 94% in 1999. The increase in the 2001 combined
ratio was primarily due to $29.0 million of development on the New York
contractors program. Excluding development on this program, Excess and Surplus
Lines' 2001 combined ratio would have been 96%. The 2000 increase in combined
ratio was the result of lower favorable loss reserve development in 2000
compared to 1999 primarily as a result of reserve increases on Brokered Excess
and Surplus Lines' New York contractors business and expenses from the start up
of MSU.
Since discontinuing the New York contractors program, the Company has
experienced adverse development in the program and as a result initiated a
project to re-evaluate its potential ultimate exposure. Issues involving
application of statutes of limitations and the evolving and complex judicial
and legislative environment in New York made the process difficult. During 2001
the Company brought in new claims management at the Brokered Excess and Surplus
Lines unit. New claims management with legal and actuarial assistance completed
a review of this program during 2001. As a result of this review, the Company
determined that reserves required strengthening.
The combined ratio for Specialty Admitted was 101% in 2001 compared to 88% in
2000 and 101% in 1999. The increase in 2001 was the result of lower favorable
prior years' loss reserve development and higher current year loss ratios in
Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines due to higher frequency and severity of
claims in the property, high performance watercraft and motorcycle programs.
The Company is working to increase prices and reunderwrite these programs to
return them to profitability. The decrease in 2000 was primarily the result of
favorable loss development.
Markel International's underwriting loss for 2001 included $182.5 million of
reserve strengthening and expense charges. Of these provisions $95.8 million
related to Markel International's continuing operations and $86.7 million
related to Other (Discontinued Lines). Excluding provisions established during
2001, Markel International's continuing programs combined ratio would have been
113% for 2001 compared to 116% for 2000. Markel International's expense
reductions have not kept pace with planned premium reductions. The Company will
continue working to align Markel International's expenses with its premium
writings. Expense reduction initiatives include the consolidation of Markel
International's four syndicates at Lloyd's into one syndicate for 2002 and
planned reductions of brokerage commissions. In addition the Company has
reduced its maximum insurance limits which should reduce future reinsurance
costs and collection risks. While management believes that expense reductions
at Markel International are attainable, failure to do so would continue to have
an adverse impact on the Company's results of operations.
The Company's total estimated loss exposure to the events of September 11, 2001
was $75.0 million, net of estimated reinsurance recoveries of approximately
$263.0 million. Markel International's, Markel North America's and Discontinued
Lines' WTC provisions were $70.8 million, $1.5 million and $2.7 million,
respectively. The Company's Lloyd's and London Company Market segments included
$47.5 million and $23.3 million, respectively, of WTC losses. In addition to
reported claims, the Company has used many loss estimation techniques including
detailed policy level reviews, the use of catastrophe modeling software, direct
contact with insureds and brokers and sensitivity analysis to possible coverage
scenarios in order to develop its estimated WTC exposure. New information
concerning potential losses and coverage issues continues to emerge. While the
Company believes that its WTC reserve is adequate, adverse development is
possible.
|73
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Upon renewal in early January 2002, the cost of Markel International's marine
and energy reinsurance program increased significantly. Based on these higher
costs, the Company determined that unearned premiums at December 31, 2001 for
Markel International's unexpired marine and energy risks in its Lloyd's Market
segment were not adequate to cover future losses, increased reinsurance costs
and related deferred policy acquisition costs. As a result the Company wrote
off $20.0 million of deferred policy acquisition costs in 2001.
Also late in 2001, the Company completed a comprehensive study of Markel
International's asbestos exposures. The study included the use of London Market
asbestos exposure experts and the Company's internal and external actuaries.
The study was completed using a proprietary database, which contained exposure
information about asbestos claims submitted since inception to the London
Market. The Company's participation on these risks was then calculated. The
Company believes that this "ground up" approach is superior to methods
previously used and as a result increased Markel International's discontinued
lines net asbestos reserves by $20.0 million. Environmental and asbestos
exposures are subject to significant uncertainty due to potential severity and
an uncertain legal climate. Environmental and asbestos reserves could be
subject to increases in the future. The Company's environmental and asbestos
reserves are not discounted to present value and are forecasted to pay out over
the next 50 years.
The Company also increased the allowance for reinsurance collection issues at
Markel International by $30.0 million in 2001. This provision included
anticipated bad debts resulting from the asbestos reserve strengthening
discussed above and provided for strengthened reserves for financially weak
reinsurers and collection disputes with reinsurers. Approximately $5.0 million
of the provision related to Markel International's continuing lines in its
Lloyd's Market segment and the remaining $25.0 million related to discontinued
lines. The Company has begun to implement policies to reduce Markel
International's reliance on reinsurance in the future, but must still account
for and collect reinsurance for business written prior to its acquisition.
Deterioration in the credit quality of existing reinsurers or disputes over the
terms of reinsurance could result in additional charges, which could have an
adverse impact on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
The Company also strengthened reserves in 2001 by $39.0 million for Markel
International's discontinued worldwide motor program. The Company discontinued
the worldwide motor book of business shortly after the purchase of Markel
International due to the program's poor administrative controls, including
delegation of underwriting and claims authority to brokers around the world,
and inadequate pricing. Late in 2001 the Company obtained information from
brokers and performed broker audits in order to reassess its potential
exposure. Upon completion of this review, the Company determined that reserve
strengthening was required.
The 2001 combined ratio for the London Company and Lloyd's Markets was 132% and
134%, respectively, compared to 114% and 118%, respectively, for 2000. The 2001
increase in the combined ratio in both segments was primarily due to the
estimated WTC losses, reserve strengthening and expense charges discussed
above. Excluding these items the 2001 combined ratio for the London Company and
Lloyd's Markets would have been 114% and 112%, respectively.
Other (Discontinued Lines) combined ratio increased to 229% in 2001 compared to
174% in 2000 and 150% in 1999. The 2001 increase in the combined ratio was
primarily due to reserve strengthening on the worldwide motor program, asbestos
reserve strengthening and the increased allowance on reinsurance recoverables
discussed above. The 2000 increase was due to Markel International's $52.0
million of underwriting loss on discontinued programs and due to $32.0 million
of reserve strengthening on Gryphon discontinued lines.
74|
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Management continues to monitor claims and reinsurance experience on
pre-acquisition books of business and Other (Discontinued Lines). The Company
also continues to closely monitor recent unfavorable development at its
Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines unit. The Company believes that its reserves
are adequate; however adverse experience is possible and could result in
reserve increases in the future.
Amortization of intangible assets was $30.7 million in 2001 compared to $23.3
million in 2000 and $5.4 million in 1999. The increases in both 2001 and 2000
were due to amortization of goodwill and other intangibles from the acquisition
of Markel International. See note 23 in the notes to consolidated financial
statements for a discussion of the adoption of Statement 142.
Interest expense was $48.6 million in 2001 compared to $52.3 million in 2000
and $25.2 million in 1999. The 2001 decrease was primarily due to a reduction
in the Company's long-term debt. During 2001 the Company used proceeds from two
common share offerings to repay or repurchase approximately $245 million of
long-term debt. The 2000 increase was due to interest on $245 million of
borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility used to fund a portion
of the Markel International acquisition. In addition $175.0 million of Markel
International debt remained outstanding subsequent to the acquisition.
The Company reported a tax benefit of 31% in 2001 compared to a tax benefit of
47% in 2000 and tax expense of 24% for 1999. In 2000 the Company recognized a
nonrecurring benefit of $8.0 million related to the realization of tax benefits
attributable to certain differences between financial reporting and tax bases
of assets acquired in a prior period. This benefit was recognized when
management determined that estimated tax liabilities were less than amounts
previously accrued. Prior to considering this nonrecurring benefit, the Company
reported a tax benefit of 31% in 2000. See note 7 in the notes to consolidated
financial statements for a discussion of factors affecting the realization of
the Company's gross deferred tax asset.
In evaluating its operating performance, the Company focuses on core
underwriting and investing results before consideration of realized gains or
losses from the sales of investments and expenses related to the amortization
of intangible assets and any nonrecurring items (earnings (loss) from core
operations). Although earnings (loss) from core operations does not replace
operating income (loss) or net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S.
GAAP as a measure of profitability, management focuses on this performance
measure because it reduces the variability in results associated with realized
gains or losses and also eliminates the impact of accounting transactions which
do not reflect current operating costs. The Company reported a loss from core
operations of $112.1 million in 2001 compared to a loss from core operations of
$15.9 million in 2000 and earnings from core operations of $46.1 million in
1999. The 2001 loss was primarily due to WTC losses, reserve strengthening and
expense charges of $213.0 million. The 2000 loss was primarily due to
underwriting losses at Markel International and reserve strengthening of $32.0
million on Gryphon discontinued lines.
The Company reported comprehensive loss of $76.9 million in 2001 compared to
comprehensive income of $81.5 million in 2000 and $40.0 million of
comprehensive loss in 1999. The 2001 comprehensive loss was primarily due to
WTC losses, reserve strengthening and expense charges partially offset by the
increased market value of the Company's investment portfolio. Comprehensive
income in 2000 was due to the increased market value of the Company's
investment portfolio partially offset by a net loss in 2000 compared to net
income in 1999.
|75
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Changes at Markel International for 2002
===============================================================================
Effective January 1, 2002, Markel International aligned its underwriting
operations along product lines and customers into the following six
underwriting centers: Aviation, Marine and Energy, Non-Marine Property,
Professional Liability, Retail Professional Liability and Reinsurance and
Accident. The six underwriting centers will have the ability to write business
in either the London Company Market or Lloyd's Market. In addition effective
January 1, 2002, the four Lloyd's syndicates managed by Markel Syndicate
Management were combined into Markel Syndicate 3000. The Company believes the
combined operations will provide many opportunities to better serve our
customers and gain operational efficiencies.
Claims And Reserves
===============================================================================
The Company maintains reserves for specific claims incurred and reported,
reserves for claims incurred but not reported and reserves for uncollectible
reinsurance. Reserves for reported claims are based primarily on case-by-case
evaluations of the claims and their potential for adverse development. Reserves
for reported claims consider the Company's estimate of the ultimate cost to
settle the claims, including investigation and defense of lawsuits resulting
from the claims, and may be subject to adjustment for differences between costs
originally estimated and costs subsequently re-estimated or incurred.
U.S. GAAP requires that reserves for claims incurred but not reported be based
on the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims, including the effects of
inflation and other social and economic factors, using past experience adjusted
for current trends and any other factors that would modify past experience. The
Company also evaluates and adjusts reserves for uncollectible reinsurance in
accordance with its collection experience, consideration of the financial
condition of its reinsurers and the development of the gross reserves.
Ultimate liability may be greater or less than current reserves. In the
insurance industry, there is always the risk that reserves may prove
inadequate. Reserves are continually monitored by the Company using new
information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques.
Anticipated inflation is reflected implicitly in the reserving process through
analysis of cost trends and the review of historical development. The Company
does not discount its reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses to
reflect estimated present value.
The first line of the following table shows net reserves for losses and loss
adjustment expenses restated for reinsurer commutations, acquisitions and other
items, and is the result of adding the reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses as originally estimated at the end of each year and all prior years to
reserves reassumed through commutations and other activities, including
acquisitions, completed in recent years.
The upper portion of the table shows the cumulative amount paid with respect to
the previously recorded reserves as of the end of each succeeding year. The
lower portion of the table shows the re-estimated amount of the previously
recorded reserves based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year,
including cumulative payments made since the end of the respective year. For
example the 1996 liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses at the end
of 1996 for 1996 and all prior years, adjusted for commutations, acquisitions
and other, was originally estimated to be $1.2 billion. Five years later, as of
December 31, 2001, this amount was re-estimated to be $1.1 billion, of which
$619.9 million had been paid, leaving a reserve of $519.0 million for losses
and loss adjustment expenses for 1996 and prior years remaining unpaid as of
December 31, 2001.
76|
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The following table represents the development of the Company's balance sheet
reserves for the period 1991 through 2001 (in millions):
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net reserves restated
for commutations,
acquisitions and other $ 846.7 877.1 928.4 1,011.6 1,115.1 1,240.1 1,387.9 1,644.2 1,973.9 2,048.3 2,302.8
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid (cumulative)
as of:
One year later 83.7 95.1 151.4 135.9 124.5 145.7 161.1 248.7 550.3 607.7
Two years later 156.3 217.2 253.4 219.1 227.6 266.2 345.1 576.2 908.3
Three years later 253.4 297.0 307.8 286.9 305.2 399.5 539.6 836.2
Four years later 318.3 331.7 353.3 337.7 399.7 528.6 667.2
Five years later 346.0 361.2 387.2 403.7 495.6 619.9
Six years later 367.6 385.3 439.4 477.2 584.8
Seven years later 386.7 426.4 497.7 549.6
Eight years later 426.0 478.1 536.7
Nine years later 472.5 510.8
Ten years later 501.2
Reserves
re-estimated as of:
One year later 837.1 870.8 891.2 1,002.8 1,091.0 1,214.0 1,350.5 1,605.6 1,986.3 2,185.8
Two years later 832.0 843.8 912.5 978.1 1,064.2 1,190.0 1,314.3 1,599.0 2,080.3
Three years later 811.5 845.2 894.8 955.1 1,047.2 1,159.3 1,284.7 1,640.6
Four years later 803.1 829.2 889.2 950.7 1,031.7 1,112.2 1,312.8
Five years later 790.2 831.6 890.3 938.6 989.0 1,138.9
Six years later 796.6 837.2 884.4 900.6 1,025.8
Seven years later 805.8 834.7 850.3 938.5
Eight years later 805.6 800.1 887.6
Nine years later 775.7 835.1
Ten years later 810.7
Net cumulative
redundancy(deficiency) $ 36.0 42.0 40.8 73.1 89.3 101.2 75.1 3.6 (106.4) (137.5)
===================================================================================================================================
Cumulative % 4% 5% 4% 7% 8% 8% 5% 0% (5%) (7%)
Gross liability, end of year,
restated for acquisitions
and other $ 1,050.0 1,436.2 1,466.5 1,582.9 1,744.8 1,955.8 2,289.9 2,704.4 3,037.1 3,700.0
Reinsurance recoverable,
restated for commutations,
acquisitions and other 172.9 507.8 454.9 467.8 504.7 567.9 645.7 730.5 988.8 1,397.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net liability, end of year,
restated for commutations,
acquisitions and other $ 877.1 928.4 1,011.6 1,115.1 1,240.1 1,387.9 1,644.2 1,973.9 2,048.3 2,302.8
===================================================================================================================================
Gross re-estimated liability 1,011.9 1,423.2 1,426.1 1,547.4 1,724.1 1,966.1 2,438.7 3,219.5 3,485.4
Re-estimated recoverable 176.8 535.6 487.6 521.6 585.2 653.3 798.1 1,139.2 1,299.6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net re-estimated liability $ 835.1 887.6 938.5 1,025.8 1,138.9 1,312.8 1,640.6 2,080.3 2,185.8
===================================================================================================================================
Gross cumulative redundancy
(deficiency) $ 38.1 13.0 40.4 35.5 20.7 (10.3) (148.8) (515.1) (448.3)
===================================================================================================================================
|77
Markel Corporation & Subsidiaries
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Net cumulative redundancies (deficiencies) represent the change in the estimate
from the original balance sheet date to the date of the current estimate. For
example the 1996 liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses developed a
$101.2 million redundancy from December 31, 1996 to December 31, 2001, five
years later. Conditions and trends that have affected the development of
liability in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly it
may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based
on the table. The gross cumulative redundancies (deficiencies) for 2000 and
prior years are presented before deductions for reinsurance. Gross deficiencies
and redundancies may be significantly more or less than net deficiencies and
redundancies depending on the nature and extent of applicable reinsurance. The
net and gross cumulative deficiency for 2000 and prior years was primarily the
result of adverse development at Markel International and reserve strengthening
on the Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines' discontinued New York contractors
book of business.
See note 8 in the notes to consolidated financial statements for a discussion
of estimates and assumptions related to the reserves for losses and loss
adjustment expenses.
Liquidity And Capital Resources
===============================================================================
The Company seeks to maintain prudent levels of liquidity and financial
leverage for the protection of its policyholders, creditors and shareholders.
The Company's targeted capital structure is approximatedy one-third debt to
two-thirds equity. At December 31, 2001, the Company's debt to total capital
ratio was 24% compared to 39% in 2000. In 2001 the Company completed two common
share offerings and used a portion of the proceeds to repay or repurchase
long-term debt outstanding as result of the Markel International acquisition.
From time to time, the Company's debt to total capital ratio may increase due
to business opportunities that may be financed in the short term with debt.
In calculating its debt to total capital ratio, the Company considers the 8.71%
Capital Securities as 100% equity due to the equity-like features of these
instruments. The Company has the option to defer interest payments for up to
five years, and the 8.71% Capital Securities mature in 2046.
In 2001 the Company completed two common share offerings and issued a total of
2,488,940 shares. The net proceeds from the offerings were $408 million and
were used to repay or repurchase long-term debt, provide for future growth in
the Company's insurance operations and support other corporate purposes.
In order to maintain prudent levels of liquidity, the Company seeks to maintain
minimum cash and investments at its holding company (Markel Corporation) of
approximately two times annual interest expense. At December 31, 2001, $221.5
million of cash and investments were held at Markel Corporation which
approximated 4.6 times annual interest expense.
78|
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The Company's insurance operations collect premiums and pay current claims,
reinsurance commissions and operating expenses. Premiums collected and positive
cash flows from the insurance operations are invested primarily in short-term
investments and long-term bonds. Short-term investments held by the Company's
insurance subsidiaries provide liquidity for projected claims, reinsurance
costs and operating expenses. As a holding company, the Company receives cash
from its subsidiaries as reimbursement for operating and other administrative
expenses it incurs. The reimbursements are executed within the guidelines of
various management agreements between the holding company and its subsidiaries.
[CHART]
Invested Assets
$ in millions
1999 2000 2001
----- ----- -----
1,625 3,136 3,591
The holding company has historically relied upon dividends from its
subsidiaries to meet debt service obligations. Under the insurance laws of the
various states in which the Company's domestic insurance subsidiaries are
incorporated, an insurer is restricted in the amount of dividends it may pay
without prior approval of regulatory authorities. Pursuant to such laws, at
December 31, 2001, the Company's domestic insurance subsidiaries could pay
dividends of $60.3 million during the following twelve months without prior
regulatory approval. There are also regulatory restrictions on the amount of
dividends that the Company's foreign insurance subsidiaries may pay. In general
the Company must seek prior approval of any dividends from its foreign
insurance subsidiaries. To provide sufficient capital to sustain premium
growth, the Company does not intend to take dividends from its insurance
subsidiaries in 2002. The Company has adequate liquidity at the holding company
to service debt obligations and meet other corporate needs.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $164.5 million in 2001
compared to $89.2 million in 2000. The improvement in 2001 was primarily due to
increased cash flows at Markel North America due to growth in gross premium
volume and continued profitability. Markel North America's positive cash flows
were partially offset by $11.9 million and $29.5 million, respectively, of
operating cash used by Markel International and Gryphon's discontinued
programs.
The Company's invested assets increased to $3.6 billion at December 31, 2001
from $3.1 billion at December 31, 2000. The increase in invested assets was
primarily due to the proceeds from the Company's common share offerings in 2001
and cash flow from operating activities. See note 2(e) to the notes to
consolidated financial statements for a discussion of restricted assets.
At December 31, 2001, reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses was
$1.6 billion compared to $1.1 billion in the prior year. The increase in
reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses was primarily due to reinsurance
recoverable on estimated WTC losses of approximately $263 million and reserve
strengthening at Markel International. The Company is working aggressively to
collect outstanding reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and has established
allowances for reinsurance collection issues. While management believes that
reinsurance recoverable balances are collectible, deterioration in reinsurers'
ability to pay or collection disputes could adversely affect the Company's
operating cash flows, financial position and results of operation.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
At December 31, 2001, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses were $3.7
billion compared to $3.0 billion at December 31, 2000. The increase was
primarily related to WTC losses and reserve strengthening at Markel
International.
Unearned premiums increased to $806.9 million at December 31, 2001 from $701.7
million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to increased gross
premium volume at Markel North America due to increased submission activity and
price increases.
During 2001 the Company issued $408 million face amount, $113 million net
proceeds, of Liquid Yield Option(TM) Notes (LYONs). The LYONs are zero coupon
senior notes convertible into the Company's common shares under certain
conditions. Contingent cash interest and contingent additional principal may be
payable in certain circumstances and the LYONs' holders may require the Company
to repurchase the LYONs at specified dates. If the LYONs are put to the
Company, the Company may issue common shares or pay cash to settle its
obligations to the holders. The first put date on which holders may require the
Company to repurchase the LYONs is June 5, 2002. The Company used a portion of
the LYONs net proceeds to repay $100 million of balances outstanding under its
revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2001, the LYONs are shown on the
Company's consolidated balance sheet under the caption, convertible notes
payable.
Long-term debt was $265.0 million and $573.1 million at December 31, 2001 and
2000, respectively. During 2000 the Company entered into a $400 million
revolving credit facility to fund a portion of the Markel International
acquisition in March 2000 and to refinance the Company's previous credit
facility. During 2001 the Company used proceeds from the LYONs and common share
offerings to repay $285.0 million of this facility and to repurchase
approximately $25 million of its public debt. Additionally the revolving credit
facility was reduced to $300 million during 2001. As of December 31, 2001,
there was $35 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility compared
to $320 million outstanding at December 31, 2000.
The Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in its revolving
credit facility at December 31, 2001. One of the covenants in the facility
specifies minimum financial strength ratings for the Company's core United
States insurance subsidiaries. To the extent that the Company's core United
States financial strength ratings are reduced below current levels, the
Company's access to the credit facility could be restricted. While the Company
believes such action is unlikely, the inability to access the credit facility
could adversely affect the Company's liquidity.
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The following is a summary of the Company's contractual cash payment
obligations at December 31, 2001 (dollars in thousands):
Payments by Due Dates
-------------------------------------------------
Less than 1-3 4-5 After 5
Total 1 year years years years
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Convertible notes payable $ 116,022 116,022 -- -- --
Long-term debt 264,998 -- 101,965 -- 163,033
8.71% Capital Securities 150,000 -- -- -- 150,000
Operating leases 82,866 10,540 18,635 19,526 34,165
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 613,886 126,562 120,600 19,526 347,198
===============================================================================
See notes 5, 9, 10 and 11 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for
a further discussion of these obligations. Holders of the convertible notes may
require the Company to repurchase this obligation on June 5, 2002.
At December 31, 2001, the Company had $275.5 million of irrevocable undrawn
letters of credit and $1.2 billion of investments, cash and cash equivalents
held in trust or on deposit for the benefit of policyholders or reinsurers in
the event of default by the Company on its obligations to pay claims. These
investments, cash and cash equivalents and the related liabilities are included
on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. See note 2(e) of the notes to
consolidated financial statements.
The Company also has other contingencies, including contingencies involving
litigation, that arise in the normal conduct of its operations. See note 15 of
the notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion of these
contingencies.
The Company's insurance operations require capital to support premium writings.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) developed a model
law and risk-based capital formula designed to help regulators identify
domestic P&C insurers that may be inadequately capitalized. Under the NAIC's
requirements, a domestic insurer must maintain total capital and surplus above
a calculated threshold or face varying levels of regulatory action. At December
31, 2001, the capital and surplus of each of the Company's domestic insurance
subsidiaries was above the minimum regulatory threshold.
Capital adequacy of the Company's international insurance subsidiaries is
regulated by the Financial Services Authority, the Council of Lloyd's and the
Bermuda Registrar of Companies. At December 31, 2001, the capital and surplus
of each of the Company's international insurance subsidiaries was above the
minimum regulatory thresholds.
During 2002 the Company anticipates contributing up to $75 million of
additional capital to its Lloyd's capital provider, Markel Capital, to be
deposited at Lloyd's to fund future claims payments. In addition at the end of
each year, capital providers at Lloyd's are required to post collateral to
support the syndicate's premium writings for the next year. The Company's
planned premium writings for 2003 will determine how much additional capital
will be needed. Management believes the Company has sufficient liquidity to
meet these potential deposit requirements.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Market Risk Disclosures
===============================================================================
Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the
estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in
equity prices, interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. The
Company's consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities with
estimated fair values which are subject to market risk. The primary market
risks to the Company are equity price risk associated with investments in
equity securities, interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed
maturities and foreign exchange risk at Markel International. The Company has
no material commodity risk.
Equity Price Risk
The estimated fair value of the Company's investment portfolio at December 31,
2001 was $3.6 billion, 85% of which was invested in fixed maturities,
short-term investments and cash, and 15% of which was invested in equity
securities. At December 31, 2000, the estimated fair value of the Company's
investment portfolio was $3.1 billion, 86% of which was invested in fixed
maturities, short-term investments and cash, and 14% of which was invested in
equity securities. The Company invests shareholder funds in equity securities
which have historically, over long periods of time, produced higher returns
relative to fixed maturities. The Company seeks to invest at reasonable prices
in companies with solid business plans and capable and honest management. The
Company intends to hold these investments over the long term. This focus on
long-term total investment returns may result in variability in the level of
unrealized investment gains or losses from one period to the next. The changes
in the estimated fair value of the equity portfolio are presented as a
component of shareholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income,
net of taxes.
At December 31, 2001, the Company's equity portfolio was concentrated in terms
of the number of issuers and industries. At December 31, 2001, the Company's
top ten equity holdings represented $350.3 million or 64% of the equity
portfolio. Investments in the property and casualty insurance industry
represented $249.8 million, or 46% of the equity portfolio at December 31,
2001. Such concentration can lead to higher levels of short-term price
volatility. Due to its long-term investment focus, the Company is not as
concerned with short-term market volatility as long as its insurance
subsidiaries' ability to write business is not impaired. The Company has
investment guidelines that set limits on the amount of equity securities its
insurance subsidiaries can hold.
The table below summarizes the Company's equity price risk and shows the effect
of a hypothetical 20% increase or decrease in market prices as of December 31,
2001 and 2000. The selected hypothetical changes do not indicate what could be
the potential best or worst case scenarios (dollars in thousands):
Estimated Hypothetical
Fair Value after Percentage Increase
Estimated Hypothetical Hypothetical (Decrease) in
Fair Value Price Change Change in Prices Shareholders' Equity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 2001
Equity Securities $ 543,554 20% increase $ 652,265 6.5
20% decrease $ 434,843 (6.5)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 2000
Equity Securities $ 431,126 20% increase $ 517,351 7.4
20% decrease $ 344,901 (7.4)
=================================================================================================
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Interest Rate Risk
The Company's fixed maturity investments and borrowings are subject to interest
rate risk. Increases and decreases in interest rates typically result in
decreases and increases in the fair value of these financial instruments.
Approximately three-quarters of the Company's investable assets come from
premiums paid by policyholders. These funds are invested predominately in high
quality corporate, government and municipal bonds with relatively short
durations. The fixed maturity portfolio, including short-term investments, cash
and cash equivalents, has an average duration of 3.9 years and an average
rating of "AA." The fixed maturity portfolio is exposed to interest rate
fluctuations; as interest rates rise, fair values decline and as interest rates
fall, fair values rise. The changes in the fair value of the fixed maturity
portfolio are presented as a component of shareholders' equity in accumulated
other comprehensive income, net of taxes.
The Company works to manage the impact of interest rate fluctuations on its
fixed maturity portfolio. The effective duration of the fixed maturity
portfolio is managed with consideration given to the estimated duration of the
Company's liabilities. The Company has investment policies which limit the
maximum duration and maturity of the fixed maturity portfolio.
The Company utilizes bonds with embedded put options to manage the effect of
changing interest rates on the fixed maturity portfolio. At December 31, 2001,
the Company held $192.9 million of corporate bonds with embedded put options.
These put bonds were issued with long maturity dates, generally 30 years, with
shorter put dates, generally 10 years. Put bonds provide the holder the option
to force redemption of the bonds on the put dates. These bonds are assumed to
outperform in price should interest rates decline while performing like shorter
dated securities, if interest rates rise. This asymmetrical price performance
is shown on the following table by greater price appreciation in the fixed
maturity portfolio if rates decline by 200 basis points than price depreciation
if rates increase by 200 basis points.
The Company utilizes a commonly used model to estimate the effect of interest
rate risk on the fair values of its fixed maturity portfolio and borrowings.
The model estimates the impact of interest rate changes on a wide range of
factors including duration, prepayment, put options and call options. Fair
values are estimated based on the net present value of cash flows, using a
representative set of possible future interest rate scenarios. The model
requires that numerous assumptions be made about the future. To the extent that
any of the assumptions are invalid, incorrect estimates could result. The
usefulness of a single-point in time model is limited, as it is unable to
accurately incorporate the full complexity of market interactions.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
The table below summarizes the Company's interest rate risk and shows the
effect of hypothetical changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2001 and
2000. The selected hypothetical changes do not indicate what could be the
potential best or worst case scenarios (dollars in thousands):
Hypothetical Percentage
Hypothetical Estimated Increase (Decrease) in
Change in Fair Value after -------------------------------
Estimated Interest Rates Hypothetical Change Fair Value Shareholders'
Fair Value (bp=basis points) in Interest Rates Fixed Maturities Equity
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED MATURITY
INVESTMENTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 2001
Total Fixed Maturity
Investments* $ 3,047,648 200 bp decrease $ 3,314,132 8.7 16.0
100 bp decrease 3,177,044 4.2 7.8
100 bp increase 2,923,066 (4.1) (7.5)
200 bp increase 2,805,858 (7.9) (14.5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 2000
Total Fixed Maturity
Investments* $ 2,705,038 200 bp decrease $ 2,968,419 9.7 22.8
100 bp decrease 2,829,104 4.6 10.7
100 bp increase 2,592,763 (4.2) (9.7)
200 bp increase 2,488,837 (8.0) (18.7)
=======================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES**
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 2001
Borrowings** $ 452,145 200 bp decrease $ 492,667 ***
100 bp decrease 471,226 ***
100 bp increase 435,009 ***
200 bp increase 419,483 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 2000
Borrowings** $ 379,869 200 bp decrease $ 431,094 ***
100 bp decrease 405,391 ***
100 bp increase 357,481 ***
200 bp increase 337,623 ***
==========================================================================================================================
* Includes short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents.
** Balances outstanding under the Company's revolving credit facilities at
December 31, 2001 and 2000 are not included in the above table. Interest
rates on the amounts outstanding under these facilities reset frequently,
which limits the impact of changing interest rates.
*** Changes in estimated fair value have no impact on shareholders' equity.
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Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company has foreign exchange risk on its assets and liabilities. The
Company primarily manages this risk by matching assets and liabilities in each
foreign currency as closely as possible.
At December 31, 2001 and 2000, approximately 86% and 85%, respectively, of the
Company's investment portfolio and cash was denominated in United States
Dollars. At those dates the largest foreign currency exposure was United
Kingdom Sterling. If Sterling assets and liabilities had been mismatched by 10%
at December 31, 2001 and 2000 and the United Kingdom Sterling/United States
Dollar exchange rate had increased or decreased by 5%, the economic effect on
an after-tax basis would have been approximately $1.2 million and $1.1 million,
respectively.
Impact Of Inflation
===============================================================================
Property and casualty insurance premiums are established before the amount of
losses and loss adjustment expenses, or the extent to which inflation may
affect such expenses, is known. Consequently, in establishing premiums, the
Company attempts to anticipate the potential impact of inflation. Inflation is
also considered by the Company in the determination and review of reserves for
losses and loss adjustment expenses since portions of these reserves are
expected to be paid over extended periods of time. The importance of
continually reviewing reserves is even more pronounced in periods of extreme
inflation.
Impact Of Accounting Standards
===============================================================================
In July 2001 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (Statement) No. 141, Business Combinations, and
Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Statement 141 requires
the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations and
specifies criteria intangible assets acquired in a business combination must
meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. Statement 142 will
require that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no
longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually.
Statement 142 will also require that intangible assets with definite useful
lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their
estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment.
The Company adopted the provisions of Statement 141 as of July 1, 2001 and
Statement 142 is effective January 1, 2002. Goodwill and intangible assets
acquired in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001 continued to be
amortized and tested for impairment during 2001.
See note 23 in the notes to consolidated financial statements for further
discussion of the Company's adoption of Statements 141 and 142.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Safe Harbor Statement
===============================================================================
This is a Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may be
identified by the use of terms such as believes, expects, estimate, may,
intends, plan, will, should or anticipates or the negative thereof or similar
expressions, or by discussions of strategy. The Company has based the
forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future
events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties
and assumptions about the Company, including:
. uncertainties and changes in government policy, regulatory policy,
statutory law or case law with respect to the Company, brokers or
customers which can impede the Company's ability to charge adequate
rates and efficiently allocate capital;
. the amount and nature of competition in the insurance industry and the
amount of capital within the industry and alternative risk transfer
markets;
. the occurrence of man-made or natural catastrophic events;
. assumptions about the impact of events of September 11, 2001, such as
the number of insureds and reinsureds affected by the events, the amount
and timing of losses incurred and reported and questions of how coverage
applies;
. the occurrence of additional terrorist activities;
. the occurrence of significant changes in products or adverse changes in
insurance and financial market conditions;
. changing legal and social trends and the inherent uncertainties of the
reserving process;
. loss of the services of any of the Company's executive officers;
. initiatives underway at Markel International to reorganize business
units and to evaluate reinsurance programs and exposures that could lead
to additional changes and expense;
. assumptions about future profitability at Markel International and that
Markel International will make steady progress towards underwriting
profitability;
. the impact of United States tax laws on the Company's foreign
subsidiaries;
. changing rates of inflation and other economic conditions;
. losses due to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate
fluctuations;
. ability to collect reinsurance recoverables;
. changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance;
. developments in domestic and international financial markets that could
affect the Company's investment portfolios;
. changes in assigned financial strength or debt ratings;
. changes in the distribution or placement of risks due to increased
consolidation of insurance and reinsurance brokers; and
. the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
the forward-looking events discussed herein might not occur. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of their dates.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Market And Dividend Information
===============================================================================
The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol MKL. The number of shareholders of record as of March 1, 2002 was 507.
The total number of shareholders, including those holding shares in street name
or in brokerage accounts is estimated to be in excess of 10,000. The Company's
current strategy is to retain earnings and consequently the Company has not paid
and does not expect to pay a cash dividend on its common stock.
High and low sales prices as reported on the New York Stock Exchange composite
tape for 2001 were $213.25 and $159.75, respectively. See Quarterly Information
on page 67 for additional quarterly sales price information.
Shareholder Relations, Form 10-K
===============================================================================
This document represents Markel Corporation's Annual Report and Form 10-K, which
is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Information about Markel Corporation, including exhibits filed as part of this
Form 10-K, may be obtained by writing Mr. Bruce Kay, Vice President of Investor
Relations, at the address of the corporate offices listed below, or by calling
(800) 446-6671.
Annual Shareholders' Meeting
===============================================================================
Shareholders of Markel Corporation are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to
be held at The Jefferson Hotel, Franklin and Adams Streets, Richmond, Virginia
at 4:30 p.m., May 21, 2002.
Transfer Agent
===============================================================================
First Union National Bank
Corporate Trust Operations
Finance Group-NC 1196
1525 West W.T. Harris Boulevard 3C3
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-1153
(800) 829-8432
Corporate Offices
===============================================================================
Markel Corporation
4521 Highwoods Parkway
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6148
(804) 747-0136
(800) 446-6671
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Directors
===============================================================================
Alan I. Kirshner
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
Mark J. Byrne
Chairman and President
West End Capital Management
(Bermuda) Limited
Douglas C. Eby
President
Robert E. Torray & Co., Inc.
Thomas S. Gayner
Chief Investment Officer
Leslie A. Grandis
Partner
McGuireWoods LLP
Stewart M. Kasen
President
Schwarzschild Jewelers
Anthony F. Markel
President and Chief Operating Officer
Gary L. Markel
President
Gary Markel & Associates, Inc.
Steven A. Markel
Vice Chairman
Darrell D. Martin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Executive Officers
===============================================================================
Alan I. Kirshner
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since 1986. He served as
President from 1979 until March of 1992 and has been a Director of the Company
since 1978. Age 66.
Anthony F. Markel
President and Chief Operating Officer since March of 1992. He served as
Executive Vice President from 1979 until March of 1992 and has been a Director
of the Company since 1978. Age 60.
Steven A. Markel
Vice Chairman since March of 1992. He served as Treasurer from 1986 to August of
1993 and Executive Vice President from 1986 to March of 1992 and has been a
Director of the Company since 1978. Age 53.
Darrell D. Martin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March of 1992. He
served as Chief Financial Officer from 1988 to March of 1992 and has been a
Director of the Company since 1991. Age 53.
Jeremy D. Cooke
President, Markel International since November of 1999. He served as President,
Investors Underwriting Managers, a subsidiary, from January of 1995 to November
of 1999. Age 51.
Thomas S. Gayner
Chief Investment Officer since January of 2001. He served as Vice President
Equity Investments from June of 1995 to January of 2001 and as President, Markel
Gayner Asset Management, Inc., a subsidiary, since December of 1990. He has been
Director of the Company since November 1998. Age 40.
Paul W. Springman
President, Markel North America since January of 2000. He served as
President and Chief Operating Officer, Shand Morahan & Co., Inc., a subsidiary,
from May of 1995 to January of 2000 and as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, Shand Morahan & Co., Inc. from March of 1993 to May of 1995.
Age 50.
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