1 Reporting and Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations The Progressive Corporation, an insurance holding company formed in 1965, owned 53 subsidiaries and had 1 mutual insurance company affiliate as of December 31, 2009. Our insurance subsidiaries provide personal and commercial automobile insurance and other specialty property-casualty insurance and related services. Our Personal Lines segment writes insurance for personal autos and recreational vehicles through both an independent insurance agency channel and a direct channel. Our Commercial Auto segment writes primary liability and physical damage insurance for automobiles and trucks owned by small businesses through both the independent agency and direct channels. We operate our businesses throughout the United States; in December 2009, we began selling personal auto physical damage insurance via the Internet in Australia.

Basis of Consolidation and Reporting The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Progressive Corporation, its subsidiaries, and affiliate. All of the subsidiaries and the mutual company affiliate are wholly owned or controlled. We achieve control of our mutual company affiliate through a 100% reinsurance contract and a management service contract between a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary and such affiliate. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Subsequent events have been evaluated through March 1, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued via filing our Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Estimates We are required to make estimates and assumptions when preparing our financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). As estimates develop into fact (e.g., losses are paid), results may, and will likely, differ from those estimates.

Investments Progressive’s fixed-maturity securities, equity securities, and short-term investments are accounted for on an available-for-sale basis. See Note 2 – Investments for the detailed composition of our investment portfolio.

Fixed-maturity securities include debt securities and redeemable preferred stocks, which may have fixed or variable principal payment schedules, may be held for indefinite periods of time, and may be used as a part of our asset/liability strategy or sold in response to changes in interest rates, anticipated prepayments, risk/reward characteristics, liquidity needs, or other economic factors. These securities are carried at fair value with the corresponding unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income taxes, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. Fair values are obtained from recognized pricing services or are quoted by market makers and dealers, with limited exceptions discussed in Note 3 – Fair Value.

Included in the fixed-maturity portfolio are asset-backed securities. The asset-backed securities are generally accounted for under the retrospective method. Under the current accounting guidance, the prospective method is used primarily for interest-only securities, non-investment-grade asset-backed securities, and certain asset-backed securities with sub-prime loan exposure or where there is a greater risk of non-performance, and where it is possible the initial investment may not be substantially recovered. The retrospective method recalculates yield assumptions (based on changes in interest rates or cash flow expectations) historically to the inception of the investment holding period, and applies the required adjustment, if any, to the cost basis, with the offset recorded to investment income. The prospective method requires a calculation of future expected repayments and resets the yield to allow for future period adjustments; no current period impact to investment income or the securities cost is made based on the cash flow update. Prepayment assumptions are based on market expectations and are updated quarterly.

Equity securities include common stocks, nonredeemable preferred stocks, and other risk investments and are reported at quoted fair values. Changes in fair value of these securities, net of deferred income taxes, are reflected as unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income. To the extent we hold any foreign equities or foreign currency hedges, any change in value due to exchange rate fluctuations would be limited by foreign currency hedges, if any, and would be recognized in income in the current period.

Short-term investments can include auction rate securities (i.e., certain municipal bonds and preferred stocks). Due to the nature of auction rate securities, these securities are classified as short-term based upon their expected auction date (generally 7-49 days) rather than on their contractual obligation (which is greater than one year at original issuance). In the event that an auction fails, the security may need to be reclassified from short term. In addition to auction rate securities, short-term investments may include Eurodollar deposits, commercial paper, reverse repurchase transactions, and other securities expected to mature within one year. Changes in fair value of these securities, net of deferred income taxes, are reflected as unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Trading securities are securities bought principally for the purpose of sale in the near term. To the extent we have trading securities, changes in fair value would be recognized in income in the current period. Derivative instruments, which may be used for trading purposes or classified as trading derivatives due to the characteristics of the transaction, are discussed below.

Derivative instruments may include futures, options, forward positions, foreign currency forwards, interest rate swap agreements, and credit default swaps and may be used in the portfolio for general investment purposes or to hedge the exposure to:

  • Changes in fair value of an asset or liability (fair value hedge);
  • Foreign currency of an investment in a foreign operation (foreign currency hedge); or
  • Variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction (cash flow hedge).

To the extent we have derivatives held or issued for general investment purposes, these derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities and measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in income as a component of net realized gains (losses) on securities during the period of change.

Derivatives designated as hedges are required to be evaluated on established criteria to determine the effectiveness of their correlation to, and ability to reduce the designated risk of, specific securities or transactions. Effectiveness is required to be reassessed regularly. Hedges that are deemed to be effective would be accounted for as follows:

  • Fair value hedge: changes in fair value of the hedge, as well as the hedged item, would be recognized in income in the period of change while the hedge was in effect.
  • Foreign currency hedge: changes in fair value of the hedge, as well as the hedged item, would be reflected as a change in translation adjustment as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on the foreign currency hedge would offset the foreign exchange gains and losses on the foreign investment as they are recognized into income.
  • Cash flow hedge: changes in fair value of the hedge would be reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently amortized into earnings over the life of the hedged transaction (see Note 4 – Debt for discussion regarding a forecasted debt issuance hedge we held in 2007).

If a hedge is deemed to become ineffective and discontinued, the following accounting treatment would be applied:

  • Fair value hedge: the derivative instrument would continue to be adjusted through income, while the adjustment in the change in value of the hedged item would be reflected as a change in unrealized gains (losses) as part of accumulated other comprehensive income.
  • Foreign currency hedge: changes in the value of the hedged item would continue to be reflected as a change in translation adjustment as part of accumulated other comprehensive income, but the derivative instrument would be adjusted through income for the current period.
  • Cash flow hedge: changes in fair value of the derivative instrument would be reported in income for the current period.

For all derivative positions, net cash requirements are limited to changes in fair values, which may vary based upon changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, and other factors. Exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying value; collateral may be required to limit credit risk. We have elected not to offset fair value amounts that arise from derivative positions with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, credit, and liquidity risk. Fair values of securities fluctuate based on the nature and magnitude of changing market conditions; significant changes in market conditions could materially affect the portfolio’s value in the near term. We regularly monitor our portfolio for price changes, which might indicate potential impairments, and perform detailed reviews of securities with unrealized losses based on predetermined guidelines. In such cases, changes in fair value are evaluated to determine the extent to which such changes are attributable to (i) fundamental factors specific to the issuer, such as financial condition, business prospects, or other factors, (ii) market-related factors, such as interest rates or equity market declines, or (iii) credit-related losses, where the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are lower than the amortized cost basis of the security. 

We analyze our debt securities to determine if we intend to sell, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, the security prior to recovery and, if so, we write down the security to its current fair value with the entire amount of the write-down recorded to earnings. To the extent that it is more likely than not that we will hold the debt security until recovery (which could be maturity), we determine if any of the decline in value is due to a credit loss (i.e., where the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is lower than the amortized cost basis of the security) and, if so, we recognize that portion of the impairment in earnings, with the balance (i.e., non-credit related impairment in 2009) recognized as part of our net unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income. When an equity security (common equity and nonredeemable preferred stock) in our investment portfolio has an unrealized loss in fair value that is deemed to be other-than-temporary, we reduce the book value of such security to its current fair value, recognizing the decline as a realized loss in the income statement. Any future changes in fair value, either increases or decreases, are reflected as changes in unrealized gains (losses) as part of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Realized gains (losses) on securities are computed based on the first-in first-out method and include write-downs on available-for-sale securities considered to have other-than-temporary declines in fair value (excluding non-credit related impairments), as well as holding period valuation changes on derivatives, trading securities, and hybrid instruments (securities with embedded call options, where the call option is a feature of the overall change in the value of the instrument).

Insurance Premiums and Receivables Insurance premiums written are earned into income on a pro rata basis over the period of risk, based on a daily earnings convention. Accordingly, unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written that is applicable to the unexpired risk. We provide insurance and related services to individuals and small commercial accounts and offer a variety of payment plans. Generally, premiums are collected prior to providing risk coverage, minimizing our exposure to credit risk. We perform a policy level evaluation to determine the extent to which the premiums receivable balance exceeds the unearned premiums balance. We then age this exposure to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based on prior experience.

Deferred Acquisition Costs Deferred acquisition costs include commissions, premium taxes, and other variable underwriting and direct sales costs incurred in connection with writing business. These costs are deferred and amortized over the policy period in which the related premiums are earned. We consider anticipated investment income in determining the recoverability of these costs. Management believes that these costs will be fully recoverable in the near term. We do not defer any direct-response advertising costs.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves Loss reserves represent the estimated liability on claims reported to us, plus reserves for losses incurred but not recorded (IBNR). These estimates are reported net of amounts estimated to be recoverable from salvage and subrogation. Loss adjustment expense reserves represent the estimated expenses required to settle these claims and losses. The methods of making estimates and establishing these reserves are reviewed regularly, and resulting adjustments are reflected in income currently. Such loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are susceptible to change in the near term.

Reinsurance Our reinsurance transactions primarily include premiums written under state-mandated involuntary plans for commercial vehicles (Commercial Auto Insurance Procedures/Plans – “CAIP”) and premiums ceded to state-provided reinsurance facilities (e.g., Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, North Carolina Reinsurance Facility) (collectively, “State Plans”), for which we retain no loss indemnity risk (see Note 7 – Reinsurance for further discussion). We also cede a portion of the premiums in our non-auto programs to limit our exposure in those particular markets. Prepaid reinsurance premiums are earned on a pro rata basis over the period of risk, based on a daily earnings convention, which is consistent with premiums written.

Income Taxes The income tax provision is calculated under the balance sheet approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates. The principal assets and liabilities giving rise to such differences are write-downs of investment securities determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, loss reserves, unearned premiums reserves, deferred acquisition costs, and non-deductible accruals. We review our deferred tax assets regularly for recoverability. See Note 5 – Income Taxes for further discussion.

Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized over the estimated useful lives of the assets using accelerated methods for computer equipment and the straight-line method for all other fixed assets. The useful lives range from 3 to 4 years for computer equipment, 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, and 3 to 10 years for all other property and equipment. Land and buildings comprised 77% and 78% of total property and equipment at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Property and equipment include capitalized software developed or acquired for internal use. Total interest capitalized was $2.6 million in 2009, $5.0 million in 2008, and $2.4 million in 2007, relating to capitalized computer software costs and construction projects.

Guaranty Fund Assessments We are subject to state guaranty fund assessments, which provide for the payment of covered claims or other insurance obligations of insurance companies deemed insolvent. These assessments are accrued after a formal determination of insolvency has occurred, and we have written the premiums on which the assessments will be based.

Service Revenues and Expenses Our service businesses provide insurance-related services. Service revenues generated from processing business for involuntary CAIP plans are earned on a pro rata basis over the term of the related policies. Service expenses related to these CAIP plans include acquisition expenses, which are deferred and amortized over the period in which the related revenues are earned. Other service business revenues and expenses are recorded in the period in which they are earned or incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation We issue restricted stock awards, both time-based and performance-based, as our form of equity compensation to key members of management and non-employee directors. We currently do not issue stock options as a form of equity compensation, although there are vested options still outstanding as of December 31, 2009. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is recognized over the respective vesting periods. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the pretax expense of our stock-based compensation was $40.3 million, $34.5 million, and $26.5 million, respectively (tax benefit of $14.1 million, $12.1 million, and $9.3 million).

We record an estimate for expected forfeitures of restricted stock based on our historical forfeiture rates. In addition, we shorten the vesting periods of certain stock-based awards based on the “qualified retirement" provisions in our incentive compensation plans, under which (among other provisions) the vesting of 50% of outstanding time-based restricted stock awards will accelerate upon retirement if the participant is 55 years of age or older and satisfies certain years-of-service requirements.

Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding both the time-based and performance-based unvested restricted stock awards that are subject to forfeiture. Diluted earnings per share include common stock equivalents assumed outstanding during the period. Our common stock equivalents include stock options and time-based restricted stock awards accounted for as equity awards. In periods where we report a net loss, the calculated diluted earnings per share is antidilutive, therefore, basic earnings per share is reported.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash includes only bank demand deposits. We paid income taxes, net of recoverables received, if any, of $461.7 million, $258.0 million, and $526.0 million in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Total interest paid was $144.7 million during both 2009 and 2008 and $110.1 million during 2007. Non-cash activity includes declared but unpaid dividends.

New Accounting Standards During 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets. This guidance eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and its exemption from consolidation in the transferor’s financial statements. It also establishes conditions for reporting a transfer of financial assets as sales and requires additional disclosure. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 (January 2010 for calendar-year companies). Based on our current investment portfolio, we do not expect the guidance to have any impact on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.

During 2009, the FASB issued guidance which: (i) replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity with an approach that is primarily qualitative; (ii) requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; and (iii) requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 (January 2010 for calendar-year companies).  Based on our current investment portfolio, we do not expect the guidance to have any impact on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.

 

The Progressive Corporation   6300 Wilson Mills Road   Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143   440.461.5000   progressive.com