e10vq
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2010.
     
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
from                      to                      
Commission file number 001-13790
HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   76-0336636
 
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
13403 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas   77040-6094
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(713) 690-7300
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
On July 31, 2010, there were approximately 115.2 million shares of common stock outstanding.
 
 

 


 

HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
Item 1. Financial Statements
       
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 EX-10.2
 EX-12
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report on Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this Report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as growth of our business and operations, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.
Many risks and uncertainties may have an impact on the matters addressed in these forward-looking statements, which could affect our future financial results and performance, including, among other things:
    the effects of catastrophic losses,
 
    the cyclical nature of the insurance business,
 
    inherent uncertainties in the loss estimation process, which can adversely impact the adequacy of loss reserves,
 
    the impact of the credit market downturn and subprime market exposures,
 
    the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues,
 
    the effects of extensive governmental regulation of the insurance industry,
 
    potential credit risk with brokers,
 
    the effects of industry consolidations,
 
    our assessment of underwriting risk,
 
    our retention of risk, which could expose us to potential losses,
 
    the adequacy of reinsurance protection,
 
    the ability and willingness of reinsurers to pay balances due us,
 
    the occurrence of terrorist activities,
 
    our ability to maintain our competitive position,
 
    changes in our assigned financial strength ratings,
 
    our ability to raise capital and funds for liquidity in the future,
 
    attraction and retention of qualified employees,
 
    fluctuations in securities markets, which may reduce the value of our investment assets, reduce investment income or generate realized investment losses,
 
    our ability to successfully expand our business through the acquisition of insurance-related companies,
 
    impairment of goodwill,

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    the ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends in needed amounts,
 
    fluctuations in foreign exchange rates,
 
    failures or constraints of our information technology systems,
 
    changes to the country’s health care delivery system,
 
    the effects , if any, of climate change, on the risks we insure,
 
    change of control, and
 
    difficulties with outsourcing relationships.
We describe these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
These events or factors could cause our results or performance to differ materially from those we express in our forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements that are included in this Report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives or plans will be achieved.
Our forward-looking statements speak only at the date made, and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward-looking events discussed in this Report may not occur.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in thousands except per share data)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2010     2009  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Investments
               
Fixed income securities — available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2010 — $4,678,263; 2009 — $4,381,762)
  $ 4,903,206     $ 4,538,073  
Fixed income securities — held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: 2010 — $174,653; 2009 — $104,008)
    172,349       102,792  
Short-term investments, at cost, which approximates fair value
    476,176       810,673  
Other investments
    433       4,691  
 
           
Total investments
    5,552,164       5,456,229  
 
           
Cash
    84,162       129,460  
Restricted cash and cash investments
    159,756       146,133  
Premium, claims and other receivables
    695,670       600,332  
Reinsurance recoverables
    1,054,659       1,016,411  
Ceded unearned premium
    271,783       270,436  
Ceded life and annuity benefits
    59,480       61,313  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    216,988       208,463  
Goodwill
    821,729       822,006  
Other assets
    130,028       123,608  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 9,046,419     $ 8,834,391  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
 
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable
  $ 3,528,606     $ 3,492,309  
Life and annuity policy benefits
    59,480       61,313  
Reinsurance balances payable
    183,631       182,661  
Unearned premium
    1,069,355       1,044,747  
Deferred ceding commissions
    68,657       71,595  
Premium and claims payable
    166,675       154,596  
Notes payable
    298,560       298,483  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    472,605       497,504  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    5,847,569       5,803,208  
 
           
 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250,000 shares authorized (shares issued: 2010 — 119,867 and 2009 — 118,724; outstanding: 2010 — 115,144 and 2009 — 114,051)
    119,867       118,724  
Additional paid-in capital
    930,276       914,339  
Retained earnings
    2,101,047       1,977,254  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    147,682       119,665  
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: 2010 — 4,723 and 2009 — 4,673)
    (100,022 )     (98,799 )
 
           
 
               
Total shareholders’ equity
    3,198,850       3,031,183  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 9,046,419     $ 8,834,391  
 
           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(unaudited, in thousands except per share data)
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
REVENUE
                               
 
                               
Net earned premium
  $ 1,015,972     $ 1,004,366     $ 506,385     $ 501,978  
Fee and commission income
    40,168       56,426       19,175       26,132  
Net investment income
    99,466       93,629       50,217       48,411  
Other operating income
    11,993       28,419       2,087       5,523  
Net realized investment gain
    6,840       3,988       2,315       933  
Other-than-temporary impairment loss
                               
Total loss
          (5,709 )           (2,596 )
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income
          755             755  
 
                       
Net loss recognized in earnings
          (4,954 )           (1,841 )
 
                       
 
                               
Total revenue
    1,174,439       1,181,874       580,179       581,136  
 
                       
 
                               
EXPENSE
                               
 
                               
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net
    625,507       608,136       298,986       292,570  
Policy acquisition costs, net
    186,344       178,940       93,688       90,248  
Other operating expense
    129,183       130,524       62,515       61,526  
Interest expense
    10,627       8,267       5,237       3,628  
 
                       
 
                               
Total expense
    951,661       925,867       460,426       447,972  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings before income tax expense
    222,778       256,007       119,753       133,164  
Income tax expense
    68,044       81,252       36,373       41,579  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings
  $ 154,734     $ 174,755     $ 83,380     $ 91,585  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings per common share
                               
 
                               
Basic
  $ 1.34     $ 1.55     $ 0.72     $ 0.81  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted
  $ 1.34     $ 1.54     $ 0.72     $ 0.81  
 
                       
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(unaudited, in thousands except per share data)
                                                 
                            Accumulated                
            Additional             other             Total  
    Common     paid-in     Retained     comprehensive     Treasury     shareholders’  
    stock     capital     earnings     income     stock     equity  
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 118,724     $ 914,339     $ 1,977,254     $ 119,665     $ (98,799 )   $ 3,031,183  
 
                                               
Comprehensive income
                                               
 
                                               
Net earnings
                154,734                   154,734  
 
                                               
Other comprehensive income
Change in unrealized gain on
investments, net of tax
                      44,237             44,237  
 
                                               
Other, net of tax
                      (16,220 )           (16,220 )
 
                                             
 
                                               
Total other comprehensive income
                                            28,017  
 
                                             
 
                                               
Comprehensive income
                                            182,751  
 
                                               
Issuance of 506 shares for exercise of options, including tax effect
    506       9,637                         10,143  
 
                                               
Purchase of 50 common shares
                            (1,223 )     (1,223 )
 
                                               
Stock-based compensation
    637       6,300                         6,937  
 
                                               
Cash dividends declared, $0.27 per share
                (30,941 )                 (30,941 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Balance at June 30, 2010
  $ 119,867     $ 930,276     $ 2,101,047     $ 147,682     $ (100,022 )   $ 3,198,850  
 
                                   
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)
                 
    Six months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
Operating activities
               
Net earnings
  $ 154,734     $ 174,755  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Change in premium, claims and other receivables
    (79,735 )     (14,383 )
Change in reinsurance recoverables
    (60,013 )     (24,117 )
Change in ceded unearned premium
    (4,630 )     (25,841 )
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable
    99,370       97,956  
Change in reinsurance balances payable
    3,253       35,985  
Change in unearned premium
    32,541       67,388  
Change in premium and claims payable, net of restricted cash
    9,127       (59,802 )
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (15,389 )     7,090  
Stock-based compensation expense
    6,937       8,906  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    8,249       7,652  
(Gain) loss on investments
    (7,329 )     1,924  
Other, net
    (7,789 )     (15,337 )
 
           
Cash provided by operating activities
    139,326       262,176  
 
           
 
               
Investing activities
               
Sales of available for sale fixed income securities
    133,856       199,744  
Maturity or call of available for sale fixed income securities
    260,053       160,470  
Maturity or call of held to maturity fixed income securities
    25,253       85,991  
Cost of available for sale fixed income securities acquired
    (703,341 )     (570,529 )
Cost of held to maturity fixed income securities acquired
    (96,383 )     (59,580 )
Change in short-term investments
    320,927       (160,119 )
Proceeds from sales of strategic and other investments
    4,577       97,407  
Payments for purchase of businesses, net of cash received
    (36,348 )     (32,966 )
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries
    15,278       5,500  
Other, net
    (9,405 )     (8,916 )
 
           
Cash used by investing activities
    (85,533 )     (282,998 )
 
           
 
               
Financing activities
               
Advances on line of credit
          105,000  
Payments on line of credit
          (15,032 )
Payments on convertible notes
    (64,472 )      
Sale of common stock
    10,143       5,385  
Purchase of common stock
    (472 )     (35,464 )
Dividends paid
    (30,983 )     (28,204 )
Other, net
    (13,307 )     (2,596 )
 
           
Cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (99,091 )     29,089  
 
           
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (45,298 )     8,267  
Cash at beginning of year
    129,460       27,347  
 
           
 
               
Cash at end of period
  $ 84,162     $ 35,614  
 
           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
(1)   General Information
    HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, we, us or our) include domestic and foreign property and casualty and life insurance companies and underwriting agencies. We provide specialized property and casualty, surety and credit, and group life, accident and health insurance coverages and related agency services to commercial customers and individuals. We market our products both directly to customers and through a network of independent brokers, producers, agents and third party administrators. Our lines of business include diversified financial products (which includes directors’ and officers’ liability, errors and omissions liability (known as professional indemnity outside the U.S.), employment practices liability, surety, credit, and fidelity coverages); group life, accident and health (which includes medical stop-loss, short-term medical, occupational accident, and other coverages); aviation; our London market account (which includes energy, property, property treaty, marine, and accident and health coverages); and other specialty lines of insurance (which includes public entity, U.K. liability, event cancellation, contingency, and other coverages). We operate primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland, although some of our operations have a broader international scope.
 
    Basis of Presentation
 
    Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. We have made all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair statement of results of the interim periods, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 was derived from the audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
 
    Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts in our 2009 condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2010 presentation. None of our reclassifications had an effect on our consolidated net earnings, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.
 
    Accounting Guidance in 2010
 
    A new accounting standard, originally issued as SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), became effective January 1, 2010. The guidance, which was incorporated into Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, Consolidation, changes various aspects of accounting for and disclosures of interests in variable interest entities. Our adoption of this guidance as of January 1, 2010 had no material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
    Effective January 1, 2010, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06, which incorporated changes in disclosure requirements into ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Where applicable, we have included the additional required disclosures in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
    A new accounting standard, ASU 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, was issued in July 2010. The new guidance expands disclosures related to financing receivables, including the nature of credit risk in financing receivables, how that risk is analyzed in determining the related allowance for credit losses, and changes to the allowance during the reporting period. We will provide the additional required disclosures in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
    Derivative Financial Instruments
 
    At December 31, 2009, we had interests in two long-term mortgage impairment insurance contracts that were denominated in British pound sterling. The exposure with respect to these two contracts was measured based on movement in a specified United Kingdom housing index. In the first quarter of 2010, we commuted our interest in one contract for $8.3 million cash. We recognized a gain of $8.0 million, which is included in other operating income in our condensed consolidated statements of earnings. The remaining contract qualifies as a derivative financial instrument, is unhedged and is reported at fair value in other

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
    assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We record changes in fair value and any foreign exchange gain/loss on this contract as a component of other operating income.
 
    Goodwill
 
    An indicator of impairment of goodwill exists when the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or sooner if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We conducted our 2010 goodwill impairment test as of June 30, 2010, which is consistent with the timeframe for our annual assessment in prior years. Based on our latest impairment test, the fair value of each of our reporting units exceeded its carrying amount.
 
    Stock-based Compensation
 
    In the first six months of 2010, we granted the following shares of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options for the purchase of shares of our common stock. For all grants except stock options, we measure fair value based on our closing stock price on the grant date. For stock options, we use the Black-Scholes single option pricing model to determine the fair value of an option on its grant date. The fair value of the common stock was expensed on the grant date. The fair value of the restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options will be expensed over the vesting period.
                                 
            Weighted-average        
    Number   grant date   Aggregate   Vesting
    of shares   fair value   fair value   period
Common stock
    33     $ 25.33     $ 840        
Restricted stock
    631       28.07       17,732     3-10 years  
Restricted stock units
    60       25.96       1,555     3-10 years  
Stock options
    180       6.55       1,178     5 years  
    Income Taxes
 
    For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the income tax provision was calculated based on an estimated effective tax rate for each year. Our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. Federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest.
 
    Disposition
 
    In 2010, we sold an inactive subsidiary, HCC Insurance Company, for $14.7 million cash and realized a $0.5 million gain.
(2)   Fair Value Measurements
    We value financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. In determining fair value, we generally apply the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant data based on market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. We classify our financial instruments into the following three-level hierarchy:
    Level 1 — Inputs are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
 
    Level 2 — Inputs are based on observable market data (other than quoted prices), or are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
 
    Level 3 — Inputs are unobservable and not corroborated by market data.
    Our Level 1 investments are primarily U.S. Treasuries listed on stock exchanges. We use quoted prices for identical instruments to measure fair value.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
    Our Level 2 investments include most of our fixed income securities, which consist of U.S. government agency securities, municipal bonds, certain corporate debt securities, and certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Our Level 2 instruments also include our interest rate swap agreements, which are reflected as liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We measure fair value for the majority of our Level 2 investments using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. The remaining investments are valued using pricing models or matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable assumptions, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, default rates, loss severity and other economic measures.
 
    We use independent pricing services to assist us in determining fair value for over 99% of our Level 1 and Level 2 investments. The pricing services provide a single price or quote per security. We use data provided by our third party investment manager to value the remaining Level 2 investments. To validate that these quoted and modeled prices are reasonable estimates of fair value, we perform various quantitative and qualitative procedures, including: 1) evaluation of the underlying methodologies, 2) analysis of recent sales activity, 3) analytical review of our fair values against current market prices, and 4) comparison of the pricing services’ fair value to other pricing services’ fair value for the same investment. Based on these procedures, we did not adjust the prices or quotes provided by our independent pricing services or third party investment managers as of June 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009. In addition, we did not apply GAAP criteria for determining the fair value of securities in inactive markets since no markets for our investments were judged to be inactive as of June 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009.
 
    Our Level 3 securities include certain fixed income securities, and an insurance contract that we account for as a derivative classified in other assets. We determine fair value based on internally developed models that use assumptions or other data that are not readily observable from objective sources. Because we use the lowest level significant input to determine our hierarchy classifications, a financial instrument may be classified in Level 3 even though there may be significant readily-observable inputs. In the first quarter of 2010, we commuted our interest in a second insurance contract that was accounted for as a derivative and also classified in other assets in Level 3 at December 31, 2009.
 
    The following tables present our assets and interest rate swap liabilities that were measured at fair value.
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
June 30, 2010
                               
Fixed income securities
                               
U.S. government and government agency securities
  $ 169,556     $ 181,528     $     $ 351,084  
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
          1,090,158             1,090,158  
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
          1,392,736             1,392,736  
Corporate fixed income securities
          657,636       153       657,789  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
          1,064,299             1,064,299  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
          145,359       2,543       147,902  
Asset-backed securities
          10,269       1,277       11,546  
Foreign government securities
          187,692             187,692  
 
                       
Total fixed income securities
    169,556       4,729,677       3,973       4,903,206  
Other investments
    11                   11  
Other assets
                470       470  
 
                       
 
                               
Total assets measured at fair value
  $ 169,567     $ 4,729,677     $ 4,443     $ 4,903,687  
 
                       
 
                               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $     $ (1,122 )   $     $ (1,122 )
 
                       
 
                               
Total liabilities measured at fair value
  $     $ (1,122 )   $     $ (1,122 )
 
                       

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
December 31, 2009
                               
Fixed income securities
                               
U.S. government and government agency securities
  $ 178,927     $ 134,620     $     $ 313,547  
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
          1,059,426             1,059,426  
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
          1,146,334             1,146,334  
Corporate fixed income securities
          686,170       151       686,321  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
          944,182             944,182  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
          143,412       2,805       146,217  
Asset-backed securities
          13,059       1,306       14,365  
Foreign government securities
          227,681             227,681  
 
                       
Total fixed income securities
    178,927       4,354,884       4,262       4,538,073  
Other investments
    14                   14  
Other assets
                432       432  
 
                       
 
                               
Total assets measured at fair value
  $ 178,941     $ 4,354,884     $ 4,694     $ 4,538,519  
 
                       
 
                               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $     $ (2,367 )   $     $ (2,367 )
 
                       
 
                               
Total liabilities measured at fair value
  $     $ (2,367 )   $     $ (2,367 )
 
                       
    We excluded from our fair value disclosures our held to maturity investment portfolio measured at amortized cost and two other investments measured at cost, which were redeemed in the second quarter of 2010. Our held to maturity portfolio had a fair value of $174.7 million at June 30, 2010 and $104.0 million at December 31, 2009. The two other investments collectively were valued at $4.1 million at December 31, 2009.
 
    The following table presents the changes in fair value of our Level 3 assets.
                                                 
    2010     2009  
    Fixed                     Fixed              
    income     Other             income     Other        
    securities     assets     Total     securities     assets     Total  
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 4,262     $ 432     $ 4,694     $ 6,515     $ 16,100     $ 22,615  
Net redemptions
    (495 )     (8,342 )     (8,837 )     (1,263 )           (1,263 )
Gains and (losses) — unrealized
    206       38       244       531       3,657       4,188  
Gains and (losses) — realized
          8,342       8,342       30             30  
Transfers into Level 3
                      1,915             1,915  
Transfers out of Level 3
                      (1,746 )           (1,746 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Balance at June 30
  $ 3,973     $ 470     $ 4,443     $ 5,982     $ 19,757     $ 25,739  
 
                                   

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
                                                 
    2010     2009  
    Fixed                     Fixed              
    income     Other             income     Other        
    securities     assets     Total     securities     assets     Total  
Balance at March 31
  $ 4,224     $ 291     $ 4,515     $ 5,085     $ 16,463     $ 21,548  
Net redemptions
    (395 )           (395 )     (982 )           (982 )
Gains and (losses) — unrealized
    144       179       323       (36 )     3,294       3,258  
Transfers into Level 3
                      1,915             1,915  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Balance at June 30
  $ 3,973     $ 470     $ 4,443     $ 5,982     $ 19,757     $ 25,739  
 
                                   
Unrealized gains and losses on our Level 3 fixed income securities are reported in other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity, and unrealized gains and losses on our Level 3 other assets are reported in other operating income. We transferred an investment into Level 3 in the second quarter of 2009 due to our inability to obtain a fair value using inputs based on observable market data. We transferred investments from Level 3 to Level 2 in 2009 because we were able to determine their fair value using inputs based on observable market data in the quarter transferred.
(3)   Investments
    Substantially all of our fixed income securities are investment grade and 97% are rated “A” or better. The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gain or loss, and fair value of investments in fixed income securities that are classified as available for sale were as follows:
                                 
    Cost or     Gross     Gross        
    amortized     unrealized     unrealized        
    cost     gain     loss     Fair value  
June 30, 2010
                               
U.S. government and government agency securities
  $ 340,147     $ 10,937     $     $ 351,084  
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    1,036,365       54,873       (1,080 )     1,090,158  
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    1,337,135       56,387       (786 )     1,392,736  
Corporate fixed income securities
    625,600       33,213       (1,024 )     657,789  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    1,007,753       59,509       (2,963 )     1,064,299  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    143,121       5,641       (860 )     147,902  
Asset-backed securities
    11,751       607       (812 )     11,546  
Foreign government securities
    176,391       11,313       (12 )     187,692  
 
                       
 
                               
Total available for sale fixed income securities
  $ 4,678,263     $ 232,480     $ (7,537 )   $ 4,903,206  
 
                       

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
                                 
    Cost or     Gross     Gross        
    amortized     unrealized     unrealized        
    cost     gain     loss     Fair value  
December 31, 2009
                               
U.S. government and government agency securities
  $ 308,618     $ 6,255     $ (1,326 )   $ 313,547  
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    1,012,262       49,491       (2,327 )     1,059,426  
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    1,101,566       46,551       (1,783 )     1,146,334  
Corporate fixed income securities
    657,653       28,785       (117 )     686,321  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    915,203       35,130       (6,151 )     944,182  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    151,357       630       (5,770 )     146,217  
Asset-backed securities
    15,118       445       (1,198 )     14,365  
Foreign government securities
    219,985       7,914       (218 )     227,681  
 
                       
 
                               
Total available for sale fixed income securities
  $ 4,381,762     $ 175,201     $ (18,890 )   $ 4,538,073  
 
                       
    The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed income securities that are classified as held to maturity were as follows:
                                 
    June 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Amortized             Amortized        
    cost     Fair value     cost     Fair value  
U.S. government and government agency securities
  $ 19,812     $ 20,209     $ 14,988     $ 15,257  
Corporate fixed income securities
    93,383       94,111       7,594       7,685  
Foreign government securities
    59,154       60,333       80,210       81,066  
 
                       
 
                               
Total held to maturity fixed income securities
  $ 172,349     $ 174,653     $ 102,792     $ 104,008  
 
                       

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
    All fixed income securities were income producing in 2010. The following table displays the gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated.
                                                 
    Less than 12 months     12 months or more     Total  
            Unrealized             Unrealized             Unrealized  
    Fair value     losses     Fair value     losses     Fair value     losses  
June 30, 2010
                                               
 
                                               
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
  $ 38,338     $ (465 )   $ 11,833     $ (615 )   $ 50,171     $ (1,080 )
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    79,536       (340 )     23,150       (446 )     102,686       (786 )
Corporate fixed income securities
    22,602       (1,024 )                 22,602       (1,024 )
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    12,822       (96 )     37,822       (2,867 )     50,644       (2,963 )
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    1,224       (5 )     16,551       (855 )     17,775       (860 )
Asset-backed securities
    773       (147 )     4,568       (665 )     5,341       (812 )
Foreign government securities
    4,483       (12 )                 4,483       (12 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total
  $ 159,778     $ (2,089 )   $ 93,924     $ (5,448 )   $ 253,702     $ (7,537 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
December 31, 2009
                                               
 
                                               
U.S. government and government agency securities
  $ 101,542     $ (1,326 )   $     $     $ 101,542     $ (1,326 )
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    48,836       (985 )     19,816       (1,342 )     68,652       (2,327 )
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    76,305       (1,305 )     25,261       (478 )     101,566       (1,783 )
Corporate fixed income securities
    13,773       (117 )                 13,773       (117 )
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    147,621       (2,018 )     40,568       (4,133 )     188,189       (6,151 )
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    30,209       (418 )     73,451       (5,352 )     103,660       (5,770 )
Asset-backed securities
    2,476       (246 )     7,532       (952 )     10,008       (1,198 )
Foreign government securities
    4,153       (130 )     8,593       (88 )     12,746       (218 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total
  $ 424,915     $ (6,545 )   $ 175,221     $ (12,345 )   $ 600,136     $ (18,890 )
 
                                   
    A security has an impairment loss when its fair value is less than its cost or amortized cost at the balance sheet date. We evaluate the securities in our fixed income securities portfolio for possible other-than-temporary impairment losses at each quarter end. During 2010 and 2009, our reviews covered all impaired securities where the loss exceeded $0.5 million and the loss either exceeded 10% of cost or the security had been in a loss position for longer than twelve consecutive months.
    For other-than-temporary impairment losses, we recognize an other-than-temporary impairment loss in earnings in the period that we determine: 1) we intend to sell the security, 2) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or 3) the security has a credit loss. We recognized no other-than-temporary impairment credit losses in 2010, compared to $5.0 million and $1.8 million in the six months and three months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
    Since April 1, 2009, when we adopted the new accounting standard for other-than-temporary impairment losses, we have recognized $3.8 million in credit losses on impaired fixed income securities in earnings for which a portion of the total impairment was recorded in other comprehensive income. This amount has not changed since December 31, 2009 because we had no additional credit losses on these previously-impaired securities and no sales or maturities of these securities in 2010. We had $5.0 million after-tax of other-than-temporary impairments, primarily related to mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, included in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2010.
 
    We do not consider the $7.5 million of gross unrealized losses in our fixed income securities portfolio at June 30, 2010 to be other-than-temporary impairments as of that date because: 1) we received substantially all contractual interest and principal payments on these securities as of June 30, 2010, 2) we do not intend to sell the securities, 3) it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases and 4) the unrealized loss relates to non-credit factors, such as interest rate changes and market conditions.
 
    The amortized cost and fair value of our fixed income securities at June 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below. 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. The weighted-average life of our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities at June 30, 2010 was 2.8 years.
                                 
    Available for sale     Held to maturity  
    Cost or                    
    amortized cost     Fair value     Amortized cost     Fair value  
Due in 1 year or less
  $ 268,234     $ 272,713     $ 23,758     $ 23,981  
Due after 1 year through 5 years
    1,070,303       1,126,852       137,148       138,823  
Due after 5 years through 10 years
    836,824       887,794       11,443       11,849  
Due after 10 years through 15 years
    726,382       757,952              
Due after 15 years
    613,895       634,148              
 
                       
Securities with fixed maturities
    3,515,638       3,679,459       172,349       174,653  
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
    1,162,625       1,223,747              
 
                       
 
                               
Total fixed income securities
  $ 4,678,263     $ 4,903,206     $ 172,349     $ 174,653  
 
                       
    The sources of net investment income were as follows:
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Fixed income securities
  $ 99,080     $ 92,912     $ 50,481     $ 47,474  
Short-term investments
    360       1,470       170       586  
Other
    2,042       1,051       534       1,103  
 
                       
Total investment income
    101,482       95,433       51,185       49,163  
Investment expense
    (2,016 )     (1,804 )     (968 )     (752 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net investment income
  $ 99,466     $ 93,629     $ 50,217     $ 48,411  
 
                       

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
     Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments, which exclude other-than-temporary impairment losses, were as follows:
                                                 
    Six months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
    Gains     Losses     Net     Gains     Losses     Net  
Fixed income securities
  $ 7,593     $ (599 )   $ 6,994     $ 5,633     $ (2,167 )   $ 3,466  
Other
    2       (156 )     (154 )     683       (161 )     522  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Realized investment gain (loss)
  $ 7,595     $ (755 )   $ 6,840     $ 6,316     $ (2,328 )   $ 3,988  
 
                                   
                                                 
    Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
    Gains     Losses     Net     Gains     Losses     Net  
Fixed income securities
  $ 2,692     $ (376 )   $ 2,316     $ 1,967     $ (1,020 )   $ 947  
Other
          (1 )     (1 )           (14 )     (14 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Realized investment gain (loss)
  $ 2,692     $ (377 )   $ 2,315     $ 1,967     $ (1,034 )   $ 933  
 
                                   
(4)   Earnings Per Share
    The following table details the numerator and denominator used in our earnings per share calculations.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Net earnings
  $ 154,734     $ 174,755     $ 83,380     $ 91,585  
Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units
    (1,679 )     (899 )     (927 )     (503 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings available to common stock
  $ 153,055     $ 173,856     $ 82,453     $ 91,082  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    113,805       112,286       113,935       111,776  
Dilutive effect of outstanding options (determined using treasury stock method)
    322       259       253       277  
Dilutive effect of convertible debt (determined using treasury stock method)
          365             467  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding
    114,127       112,910       114,188       112,520  
 
                       
 
                               
Anti-dilutive stock options not included in treasury stock method computation
    4,392       6,336       4,680       5,734  
 
                       

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
(5)   Segment and Geographic Data
    The performance of each segment is evaluated by our management based on net earnings. Net earnings is calculated on an after-tax basis and after corporate expense allocations, interest expense on debt incurred for acquired companies and intercompany eliminations have been charged or credited to our individual segments. All stock-based compensation is included in the corporate segment because it is not included in management’s evaluation of the other segments. All contractual and discretionary bonuses are expensed in the respective employee’s segment in the year the bonuses are earned. Any such bonuses that will be paid by restricted stock awards, which will be granted by the Compensation Committee in the following year, are reversed on the corporate segment, which will record the appropriate stock-based compensation expense as the awards vest in future years.
    The following tables show information by business segment and geographic location. Geographic location is determined by physical location of our offices and does not represent the location of insureds or reinsureds from whom the business was generated.

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
Six months ended June 30, 2010    company     Agency     operations     Corporate     Total  
 
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 906,448     $ 22,375     $ 3,455     $ 1,362     $ 933,640  
Foreign
    235,417       5,382                   240,799  
Inter-segment
          39,353       473             39,826  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 1,141,865     $ 67,110     $ 3,928     $ 1,362       1,214,265  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (39,826 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 1,174,439  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings (loss):
                                       
Domestic
  $ 137,331     $ (683 )   $ 1,385     $ (14,496 )   $ 123,537  
Foreign
    28,489       (715 )                 27,774  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings (loss)
  $ 165,820     $ (1,398 )   $ 1,385     $ (14,496 )     151,311  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    3,423  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 154,734  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 97,978     $ 117     $ 1     $ 1,370     $ 99,466  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,545       3,732       45       1,927       8,249  
Interest expense
    363       7,815             2,449       10,627  
Capital expenditures
    986       1,768       1       6,650       9,405  
 
                                       
Tax expense:
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 67,808     $ (284 )   $ 503     $ (2,371 )   $ 65,656  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    2,388  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense
                                  $ 68,044  
 
                                     

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
Six months ended June 30, 2009    company     Agency     operations     Corporate     Total  
 
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 924,553     $ 30,989     $ 4,737     $ 1,521     $ 961,800  
Foreign
    207,800       12,274                   220,074  
Inter-segment
          50,803       487             51,290  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 1,132,353     $ 94,066     $ 5,224     $ 1,521       1,233,164  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (51,290 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 1,181,874  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings (loss):
                                       
Domestic
  $ 138,925     $ 7,379     $ 2,161     $ (13,664 )   $ 134,801  
Foreign
    38,257       1,134                   39,391  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings (loss)
  $ 177,182     $ 8,513     $ 2,161     $ (13,664 )     174,192  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    563  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 174,755  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 91,727     $ 334     $ 7     $ 1,561     $ 93,629  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,576       3,669       44       1,363       7,652  
Interest expense (benefit)
    537       7,343       (13 )     400       8,267  
Capital expenditures
    2,156       3,686       13       3,061       8,916  
 
                                       
Tax expense:
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 77,614     $ 6,739     $ 1,148     $ (4,454 )   $ 81,047  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    205  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense
                                  $ 81,252  
 
                                     

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
Three months ended June 30, 2010    company     Agency     operations     Corporate     Total  
 
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 445,970     $ 11,449     $ 1,536     $ 679     $ 459,634  
Foreign
    118,454       2,091                   120,545  
Inter-segment
          24,646       288             24,934  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 564,424     $ 38,186     $ 1,824     $ 679       605,113  
 
                             
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (24,934 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 580,179  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings (loss):
                                       
Domestic
  $ 66,637     $ 2,643     $ 570     $ (9,045 )   $ 60,805  
Foreign
    22,499       374                   22,873  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings (loss)
  $ 89,136     $ 3,017     $ 570     $ (9,045 )     83,678  
 
                             
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (298 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 83,380  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 49,480     $ 58     $     $ 679     $ 50,217  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,375       1,877       23       1,003       4,278  
Interest expense
    103       3,569             1,565       5,237  
Capital expenditures
    179       879             4,523       5,581  
 
                                       
Tax expense:
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 35,276     $ 2,510     $ 247     $ (1,646 )   $ 36,387  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (14 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense
                                  $ 36,373  
 
                                     

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
Three months ended June 30, 2009    company     Agency     operations     Corporate     Total  
 
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 454,167     $ 12,979     $ 2,459     $ 869     $ 470,474  
Foreign
    104,697       5,965                   110,662  
Inter-segment
          27,056       233             27,289  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 558,864     $ 46,000     $ 2,692     $ 869       608,425  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (27,289 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 581,136  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings (loss):
                                       
Domestic
  $ 69,012     $ 4,218     $ 1,148     $ (6,058 )   $ 68,320  
Foreign
    22,255       919                   23,174  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings (loss)
  $ 91,267     $ 5,137     $ 1,148     $ (6,058 )     91,494  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    91  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 91,585  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 47,507     $ 124     $ 3     $ 777     $ 48,411  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,450       1,922       22       679       4,073  
Interest expense (benefit)
    258       3,609       (6 )     (233 )     3,628  
Capital expenditures
    1,660       1,598       3       2,173       5,434  
 
                                       
Tax expense:
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 39,378     $ 3,363     $ 559     $ (1,975 )   $ 41,325  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    254  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense
                                  $ 41,579  
 
                                     

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Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
    The following tables present selected revenue items by line of business and major product lines.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Diversified financial products
                               
Directors’ and officers’
  $ 183,639     $ 172,488     $ 90,721     $ 89,686  
Errors and omissions
    106,691       118,282       52,798       58,877  
Other
    21,364       20,767       9,538       9,791  
U.S. surety and credit
    98,620       89,727       51,871       45,235  
International surety and credit
    35,884       32,651       17,695       16,242  
 
                       
 
    446,198       433,915       222,623       219,831  
 
                       
 
                               
Group life, accident and health
                               
Medical stop-loss
    323,558       315,842       161,792       156,359  
Other medical
    50,618       66,229       25,597       33,176  
Other
    12,597       16,100       5,742       7,548  
 
                       
 
    386,773       398,171       193,131       197,083  
 
                       
 
                               
Aviation
    58,298       65,461       29,355       32,647  
 
                       
 
                               
London market account
                               
Energy
    26,789       22,439       10,602       13,204  
Property treaty
    15,609             8,855        
Other
    29,215       26,940       15,988       12,501  
 
                       
 
    71,613       49,379       35,445       25,705  
 
                       
 
                               
Other specialty lines
                               
Public risk
    22,926       17,807       11,436       9,187  
HCC Lloyd’s
    19,187       20,940       9,002       10,150  
Other
    10,945       18,703       5,403       7,389  
 
                       
 
    53,058       57,450       25,841       26,726  
 
                       
 
                               
Discontinued lines
    32       (10 )     (10 )     (14 )
 
                       
 
                               
Total net earned premium
  $ 1,015,972     $ 1,004,366     $ 506,385     $ 501,978  
 
                       
 
                               
 
                               
Property and casualty
  $ 34,326     $ 45,697     $ 16,646     $ 21,279  
Accident and health
    5,842       10,729       2,529       4,853  
 
                       
 
                               
Fee and commission income
  $ 40,168     $ 56,426     $ 19,175     $ 26,132  
 
                       

23


Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
(6)   Reinsurance
    In the normal course of business, our insurance companies cede a portion of their premium to domestic and foreign reinsurers through treaty and facultative reinsurance agreements. Although ceding for reinsurance purposes does not discharge the direct insurer from liability to its policyholder, our insurance companies participate in such agreements in order to limit their loss exposure, protect them against catastrophic loss and diversify their business. The following table presents the effect of such reinsurance transactions on our premium and loss and loss adjustment expense.
                         
                    Loss and loss  
    Written     Earned     adjustment  
    premium     premium     expense  
Six months ended June 30, 2010
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 1,131,637     $ 1,139,036     $ 718,869  
Reinsurance assumed
    182,437       141,148       105,789  
Reinsurance ceded
    (269,021 )     (264,212 )     (199,151 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 1,045,053     $ 1,015,972     $ 625,507  
 
                 
 
                       
Six months ended June 30, 2009
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 1,150,471     $ 1,105,248     $ 696,623  
Reinsurance assumed
    133,233       124,963       65,003  
Reinsurance ceded
    (249,102 )     (225,845 )     (153,490 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 1,034,602     $ 1,004,366     $ 608,136  
 
                 
 
                       
Three months ended June 30, 2010
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 622,445     $ 567,074     $ 357,918  
Reinsurance assumed
    69,133       71,908       52,954  
Reinsurance ceded
    (144,776 )     (132,597 )     (111,886 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 546,802     $ 506,385     $ 298,986  
 
                 
 
                       
Three months ended June 30, 2009
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 618,439     $ 556,211     $ 334,353  
Reinsurance assumed
    62,878       60,823       28,338  
Reinsurance ceded
    (137,965 )     (115,056 )     (70,121 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 543,352     $ 501,978     $ 292,570  
 
                 
Ceding commissions that are netted against policy acquisition costs in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings were $32.6 million and $25.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The comparable amounts were $16.2 million and $12.9 million for the second quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

24


Table of Contents

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
    The table below shows the components of reinsurance recoverables in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2010     2009  
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
  $ 97,315     $ 82,887  
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses
    485,101       495,964  
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses
    475,188       440,505  
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance
    (2,945 )     (2,945 )
 
           
 
               
Total reinsurance recoverables
  $ 1,054,659     $ 1,016,411  
 
           
    The tables below present the calculation of net reserves, net unearned premium and net deferred policy acquisition costs.
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2010     2009  
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable
  $ 3,528,606     $ 3,492,309  
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses
    (485,101 )     (495,964 )
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses
    (475,188 )     (440,505 )
 
           
 
               
Net reserves
  $ 2,568,317     $ 2,555,840  
 
           
 
               
Unearned premium
  $ 1,069,355     $ 1,044,747  
Ceded unearned premium
    (271,783 )     (270,436 )
 
           
 
               
Net unearned premium
  $ 797,572     $ 774,311  
 
           
 
               
Deferred policy acquisition costs
  $ 216,988     $ 208,463  
Deferred ceding commissions
    (68,657 )     (71,595 )
 
           
 
               
Net deferred policy acquisition costs
  $148,331   $ 136,868  
 
           
(7)   Supplemental Information
    Supplemental information was as follows:
                                      
    Six months ended June 30,   Three months ended June 30,
    2010   2009   2010   2009
Income taxes paid
  $ 66,215     $ 88,816     $ 53,365     $ 68,602  
Interest paid
    9,563       6,249       9,341       2,807  
Proceeds from sales of available for sale fixed income securities
    133,856       199,744       66,167       80,652  
Comprehensive income
    182,751       218,707       114,814       111,171  

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands except per share data)
(8)   Commitments and Contingencies
    Catastrophe and Large Loss Exposure
 
    We have exposure to catastrophic losses caused by natural perils (such as hurricanes and earthquakes), as well as from man-made events (such as terrorist attacks). The incidence, timing and severity of catastrophic losses are unpredictable. We assess our exposures in areas most vulnerable to natural catastrophes and apply procedures to ascertain our probable maximum loss from a single event. We maintain reinsurance protection that we believe is sufficient to limit our exposure to a foreseeable event. In the first quarter of 2010, we recognized gross losses from catastrophic events, primarily the Chilean earthquake, of $31.9 million. After reinsurance, our pretax loss was $20.6 million. In the second quarter of 2010, we recognized gross losses for the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster of $28.2 million. Due to significant facultative reinsurance, our pretax net loss was minimal.
 
    Litigation
 
    We are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer or reinsurer, the liabilities for which, we believe, have been adequately included in our loss reserves. Also, from time to time, we are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that relate to disputes with third parties, or that involve alleged errors and omissions on the part of our subsidiaries. We have provided accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, based on present information, the availability of insurance coverage and advice received from our outside legal counsel, we believe the resolution of any such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
    Indemnifications
 
    In conjunction with the sales of business assets and subsidiaries, we have provided indemnifications to the buyers. Certain indemnifications cover typical representations and warranties related to our responsibilities to perform under the sales contracts. Under other indemnifications, we agree to reimburse the purchasers for taxes or ERISA-related amounts, if any, assessed after the sale date but related to pre-sale activities. We cannot quantify the maximum potential exposure covered by all of our indemnifications because the indemnifications cover a variety of matters, operations and scenarios. Certain of these indemnifications have no time limit. For those with a time limit, the longest such indemnification expires in 2025. We accrue a loss when a valid claim is made by a purchaser and we believe we have potential exposure. At June 30, 2010, we have recorded a liability of $11.8 million and have provided a $3.0 million escrow account and $9.7 million of letters of credit to cover our obligations or anticipated payments under these indemnifications.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto.
Overview
We are a specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland, transacting business in approximately 150 countries. Our group consists of insurance companies, underwriting agencies and 100% participation in an active Lloyd’s of London syndicate that we manage. Our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange and closed at $24.76 on June 30, 2010. We had a market capitalization of $2.9 billion at July 31, 2010.
We underwrite a variety of relatively non-correlated specialty lines of business identified as diversified financial products; group life, accident and health; aviation; London market account; and other specialty lines of business. Products in each segment are marketed by our insurance companies, agencies and the syndicate through a network of independent agents and brokers, directly to customers or through third party administrators. The majority of our business is low limit or small premium business that has less intense price competition, as well as lower catastrophe and volatility risk. We reinsure a significant portion of our catastrophic exposure to hurricanes, earthquakes and large losses to minimize the impact on our net earnings and shareholders’ equity.
Our major domestic and international insurance companies have a financial strength rating of “AA (Very Strong)” from Standard & Poor’s Corporation. Our major domestic insurance companies have a financial strength rating of “AA (Very Strong)” from Fitch Ratings, “A1 (Good Security)” from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and “A+ (Superior)” from A.M. Best Company, Inc.
Key facts about our consolidated group as of and for the six months and quarter ended June 30, 2010 are as follows:
    We had consolidated shareholders’ equity of $3.2 billion. Our book value per share increased in the first six months to $27.78.
 
    We had year-to-date net earnings of $154.7 million, or $1.34 per diluted share. Our second quarter earnings were $83.4 million, or $0.72 per diluted share.
 
    We produced total revenue of $1.2 billion and $580.2 million in the first half and second quarter, respectively.
 
    In the first quarter, we recognized gross losses from catastrophic events, primarily from the Chilean earthquake, of $31.9 million. After reinsurance, our pretax loss was $20.6 million. In the second quarter, we recognized gross losses for the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster of $28.2 million. Due to significant facultative reinsurance, our pretax net loss was minimal. The catastrophe losses increased our net loss ratio and combined ratio by 2.0 percentage points and decreased net earnings by $0.12 per diluted share for the six-month period.
 
    Our year-to-date net loss ratio, including the catastrophic losses, was 61.6% and our combined ratio was 88.0%.
 
    We declared dividends of $0.27 per share and paid $31.0 million of dividends in the first six months of 2010.
 
    We hold a $5.1 billion portfolio of fixed income securities with an average rating of AA+, and a total investment portfolio of $5.6 billion.
 
    We purchased $1.2 million of our common stock at an average cost of $24.38 per share during the quarter.
Comparisons in the following sections refer to the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, unless otherwise noted. Amounts in tables are in thousands, except for earnings per share, percentages, ratios and number of employees.
Results of Operations
Net earnings were $154.7 million ($1.34 per diluted share) in the first half of 2010, compared to $174.8 million ($1.54 per diluted share) in the same period of 2009 and $83.4 million ($0.72 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2010, compared to $91.6 million

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($0.81 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2009. Net earnings for the first six months of 2010 included $20.6 million (pretax) of net catastrophic losses, primarily from the Chilean earthquake, partially offset by a $5.0 million pretax gain, net of related expenses, that we realized from commuting a derivative contract. The year-to-date 2009 net earnings included a $15.6 million pretax gain, net of related expenses, from the commutation of a reinsurance contract with Mortgage Guarantee Insurance Corporation (MGIC). Net earnings decreased quarter-over-quarter primarily due to redundant reserve development in the 2009 quarter.
These items are described more fully below:
  We had net adverse reserve development of $2.2 million in the first six months of 2010, compared to $11.3 million of net redundant development in first six months of 2009. We had net redundant development of $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared to $16.0 million in the comparable 2009 period. See the “Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” section below for further discussion of these reserve changes.
 
  In the first quarter of 2010, we commuted our interest in a long-term mortgage impairment insurance contract that had been accounted for as a derivative financial instrument. The contract was denominated in British pound sterling. We received £5.6 million ($8.3 million) of cash and recognized a gain of $8.0 million, which was included in other operating income, and incurred related expenses of $3.0 million, which were included in other operating expense in the year-to-date condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
 
  In the first quarter of 2009, we commuted, loss-free, all liability under a contract with MGIC to provide reinsurance coverage for certain residential mortgage guaranty contracts. We had been recording revenue under this contract using the deposit method of accounting because we determined the contract did not transfer significant underwriting risk. We received a cash termination payment of $25.0 million. As a result of the termination, our year-to-date other operating income increased $20.5 million, and fee and commission income increased $5.0 million. This additional revenue was partially offset by $9.9 million of expenses for reinsurance and other direct costs, which were recorded in other operating expense.
The following table sets forth the relationships of income statement line items as a percent of total revenue.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,   Three months ended June 30,
    2010   2009   2010   2009
Net earned premium
    86.5 %     85.0 %     87.3 %     86.4 %
Fee and commission income
    3.4       4.8       3.3       4.5  
Net investment income
    8.5       7.9       8.7       8.3  
Other operating income
    1.0       2.4       0.3       1.0  
Net realized investment gain
    0.6       0.3       0.4       0.1  
Other-than-temporary impairment loss
          (0.4 )           (0.3 )
 
                               
Total revenue
    100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net
    53.3       51.5       51.5       50.4  
Policy acquisition costs, net
    15.9       15.1       16.1       15.5  
Other operating expense
    10.9       11.0       10.9       10.6  
Interest expense
    0.9       0.7       0.9       0.6  
 
                               
Earnings before income tax expense
    19.0       21.7       20.6       22.9  
Income tax expense
    5.8       6.9       6.2       7.1  
 
                               
Net earnings
    13.2 %     14.8 %     14.4 %     15.8 %
 
                               
Revenue
Total revenue decreased $7.4 million in the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, due to: 1) the $25.0 million from the 2009 commutation of the MGIC reinsurance contract, partially offset by 2) higher net earned premium in 2010 and 3) $8.0 million of revenue in 2010 related to the gain on the commutation of a derivative contract.
Gross written premium, net written premium and net earned premium are detailed below. Growth in written premium occurred primarily in our London market account line of business, directly related to property treaty business that we began to write in late

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2009. The increase in net earned premium was primarily due to growth in our directors’ and officers’ liability business in 2009 and 2010. There were offsetting increases and decreases in net earned premium in our other lines of business. See the “Insurance Company Segment” section below for further discussion of the relationship and changes in premium revenue.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,
    2010   2009   2010   2009
Gross written premium
  $ 1,314,074     $ 1,283,704     $ 691,578     $ 681,317  
Net written premium
    1,045,053       1,034,602       546,802       543,352  
Net earned premium
    1,015,972       1,004,366       506,385       501,978  
The table below shows the source of our fee and commission income, which decreased 29% year-over-year. The decrease in 2010 primarily related to the sale of our U.K. reinsurance broker and the sale of the operations of our commercial marine agency business, both in 2009, and a $5.0 million termination payment from the 2009 commutation of the MGIC reinsurance contract.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three month ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Agencies
  $ 28,949     $ 44,033     $ 13,888     $ 19,457  
Insurance companies
    11,219       12,393       5,287       6,675  
 
                       
Fee and commission income
  $ 40,168     $ 56,426     $ 19,175     $ 26,132  
 
                       
The sources of net investment income are detailed below.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Fixed income securities
                               
Taxable
  $ 54,803     $ 52,099     $ 27,935     $ 26,994  
Exempt from U.S. income taxes
    44,277       40,813       22,546       20,480  
 
                       
Total fixed income securities
    99,080       92,912       50,481       47,474  
Short-term investments
    360       1,470       170       586  
Other
    2,042       1,051       534       1,103  
 
                       
Total investment income
    101,482       95,433       51,185       49,163  
Investment expense
    (2,016 )     (1,804 )     (968 )     (752 )
 
                       
Net investment income
  $ 99,466     $ 93,629     $ 50,217     $ 48,411  
 
                       
Net investment income increased 6% year-over-year and 4% quarter-over-quarter, primarily due to higher income from fixed income securities, generated from an increased amount of investments. Our fixed income securities portfolio increased 11% from $4.6 billion at June 30, 2009 to $5.1 billion at June 30, 2010. The growth in fixed income securities resulted primarily from cash flow from operations and reinvestment of funds that were held in short-term investments at December 31, 2009. Short-term investment income declined in the three and six month periods, due to lower average short-term investment balances and lower short-term market interest rates. Other interest income for the six month periods included $0.6 million of interest related to a tax refund in 2010, and a $1.0 million loss on hedge fund investments in 2009, which were liquidated in late 2008.
Other operating income was $12.0 million in the first half of 2010, compared to $28.4 million in the first half of 2009 and $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared to $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2009. The first half of 2010 included an $8.0 million gain related to commuting a derivative contract. The first half of 2009 included $20.5 million from the commutation of the MGIC reinsurance contract. Period to period comparisons of our other operating income may vary substantially, depending on earnings generated by new transactions or investments, income or loss related to changes in the fair value of certain investments, and gains or losses related to dispositions.

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The following table details the components of our other operating income.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Contract using deposit accounting
  $     $ 20,532     $     $  
Financial instruments
    8,379       3,657       179       3,294  
Strategic investments
    557       1,855       147       1,105  
Other
    3,057       2,375       1,761       1,124  
 
                       
Other operating income
  $ 11,993     $ 28,419     $ 2,087     $ 5,523  
 
                       
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expense increased year-over-year primarily due to the $20.6 million of net catastrophic losses incurred in the first quarter of 2010. Our loss ratio for the first six months of 2010 was 61.6% (which included 2.0 percentage points for the catastrophes), compared to 60.5% in the first six months of 2009. The loss ratio was 59.0% and 58.3% in the second quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Policy acquisition costs increased 4% year-over-year because: 1) our 2009 policy acquisition costs were lower due to the effect of a $3.8 million premium deficiency reserve recorded at December 31, 2008, which reduced the amount of policy acquisition costs recognized throughout 2009 and 2) the higher amount of premium earned in 2010. See the “Insurance Company Segment” section below for further discussion of the changes in our loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs.
Other operating expense, which includes compensation expense, decreased 1% year-over-year and increased 2% quarter-over-quarter. We had 1,893 employees at June 30, 2010 compared to 1,922 a year earlier. In 2009, we sold our U.K. reinsurance broker and the operations of our commercial marine agency business, which primarily accounts for the reduction in other operating expense and the number of employees in 2010. In addition, year-to-date other operating expense for 2010 and 2009 included $3.0 million and $9.9 million of expense for costs directly related to the commutations of a derivative contract and the MGIC reinsurance contract, respectively. Currency conversion expense was $2.7 million and $1.2 million in the first six months and the second quarter of 2010, respectively, compared to a $0.2 million and $0.1 million benefit in the first six months and the second quarter of 2009, respectively.
Other operating expense includes $7.3 million and $7.9 million in the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense, after the effect of the deferral and amortization of policy acquisition costs related to stock-based compensation for our underwriters. In the first half of 2010, we granted $19.3 million of restricted stock awards and units, with a weighted-average life of 6.5 years. At June 30, 2010, there was approximately $27.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested options and restricted stock awards and units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 4.0 years.
Our effective income tax rate was 30.5% for the first six months of 2010, compared to 31.7% for the first six months of 2009. The lower effective rate in 2010 related to the increased benefit from tax-exempt investment income relative to a lower pretax income base.
At June 30, 2010, total assets were $9.0 billion and shareholders’ equity was $3.2 billion, compared to $8.8 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2009. Our book value per share was $27.78, which increased from $26.58 at December 31, 2009.
Segments
Insurance Company Segment
Net earnings of our insurance company segment decreased $11.4 million, or 6%, and $2.1 million, or 2%, in the first six months and second quarter of 2010, compared to the same periods in 2009. We recognized catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2010 of $20.6 million (pretax and net of reinsurance). In addition, the commutation of the MGIC reinsurance contract generated $20.5 million in insurance company revenue in the first quarter of 2009. These two items more than offset the effect of higher net earned premium and greater investment income recognized in the first six months of 2010, as well as the gain in the first half of 2010 from the commutation of a derivative contract.

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Premium
Gross written premium was 2% higher in the first six months and second quarter of 2010, compared to the same periods in 2009, due to the addition of our property treaty business, which we began writing in late 2009, partially offset by reductions in other lines of business due to the soft insurance market. The overall percentage of retained premium, as measured by the percent of net written premium to gross written premium, was 80% and 81% in the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The following tables provide premium information by line of business.
                                 
    Gross     Net     NWP     Net  
    written     written     as % of     earned  
Six months ended June 30, 2010    premium     premium     GWP     premium  
 
Diversified financial products
                               
Directors’ and officers’
  $ 219,740     $ 146,699       67 %   $ 183,639  
Errors and omissions
    113,499       96,478       85       106,691  
Other
    32,339       24,225       75       21,364  
U.S. surety and credit
    117,170       107,559       92       98,620  
International surety and credit
    40,245       36,673       91       35,884  
 
                       
 
    522,993       411,634       79       446,198  
 
                       
 
                               
Group life, accident and health
                               
Medical stop-loss
    323,558       323,558       100       323,558  
Other medical
    49,356       49,356       100       50,618  
Other
    38,010       10,067       26       12,597  
 
                       
 
    410,924       382,981       93       386,773  
 
                       
 
                               
Aviation
    76,908       53,750       70       58,298  
 
                       
 
                               
London market account
                               
Energy
    80,322       47,465       59       26,789  
Property treaty
    55,095       49,046       89       15,609  
Other
    63,610       41,250       65       29,215  
 
                       
 
    199,027       137,761       69       71,613  
 
                       
 
                               
Other specialty lines
                               
Public risk
    34,691       23,650       68       22,926  
HCC Lloyd’s
    27,369       24,898       91       19,187  
Other
    42,130       10,347       25       10,945  
 
                       
 
    104,190       58,895       57       53,058  
 
                       
 
                               
Discontinued lines
    32       32       nm       32  
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 1,314,074     $ 1,045,053       80 %   $ 1,015,972  
 
                       

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    Gross     Net     NWP     Net  
    written     written     as % of     earned  
Six months ended June 30, 2009    premium     premium     GWP     premium  
 
Diversified financial products
                               
Directors’ and officers’
  $ 232,710     $ 167,141       72 %   $ 172,488  
Errors and omissions
    127,857       111,359       87       118,282  
Other
    44,581       35,433       79       20,767  
U.S. surety and credit
    96,339       91,794       95       89,727  
International surety and credit
    39,575       35,135       89       32,651  
 
                       
 
    541,062       440,862       81       433,915  
 
                       
 
                               
Group life, accident and health
                               
Medical stop-loss
    315,844       315,842       100       315,842  
Other medical
    63,459       63,459       100       66,229  
Other
    46,026       15,370       33       16,100  
 
                       
 
    425,329       394,671       93       398,171  
 
                       
 
                               
Aviation
    83,751       60,876       73       65,461  
 
                       
 
                               
London market account
                               
Energy
    77,632       47,735       61       22,439  
Property treaty
                       
Other
    56,589       32,806       58       26,940  
 
                       
 
    134,221       80,541       60       49,379  
 
                       
 
                               
Other specialty lines
                               
Public risk
    35,877       27,851       78       17,807  
HCC Lloyd’s
    23,613       18,917       80       20,940  
Other
    39,861       10,894       27       18,703  
 
                       
 
    99,351       57,662       58       57,450  
 
                       
 
                               
Discontinued lines
    (10 )     (10 )     nm       (10 )
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 1,283,704     $ 1,034,602       81 %   $ 1,004,366  
 
                       

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    Gross     Net     NWP     Net  
    written     written     as % of     earned  
Three months ended June 30, 2010    premium     premium     GWP     premium  
 
Diversified financial products
                               
Directors’ and officers’
  $ 135,572     $ 90,743       67 %   $ 90,721  
Errors and omissions
    57,151       48,515       85       52,798  
Other
    15,927       11,304       71       9,538  
U.S. surety and credit
    63,149       60,140       95       51,871  
International surety and credit
    18,940       17,037       90       17,695  
 
                       
 
    290,739       227,739       78       222,623  
 
                       
 
                               
Group life, accident and health
                               
Medical stop-loss
    161,792       161,792       100       161,792  
Other medical
    27,038       27,038       100       25,597  
Other
    15,712       4,919       31       5,742  
 
                       
 
    204,542       193,749       95       193,131  
 
                       
 
                               
Aviation
    39,387       27,729       70       29,355  
 
                       
 
                               
London market account
                               
Energy
    63,740       37,623       59       10,602  
Property treaty
    17,465       13,789       79       8,855  
Other
    23,860       17,799       75       15,988  
 
                       
 
    105,065       69,211       66       35,445  
 
                       
 
                               
Other specialty lines
                               
Public risk
    17,979       14,445       80       11,436  
HCC Lloyd’s
    9,767       8,625       88       9,002  
Other
    24,109       5,314       22       5,403  
 
                       
 
    51,855       28,384       55       25,841  
 
                       
 
                               
Discontinued lines
    (10 )     (10 )     nm       (10 )
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 691,578     $ 546,802       79 %   $ 506,385  
 
                       

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    Gross     Net     NWP     Net  
    written     written     as % of     earned  
Three months ended June 30, 2009    premium     premium     GWP     premium  
 
Diversified financial products
                               
Directors’ and officers’
  $ 138,426     $ 99,674       72 %   $ 89,686  
Errors and omissions
    65,498       56,707       87       58,877  
Other
    18,807       13,601       72       9,791  
U.S. surety and credit
    52,206       49,392       95       45,235  
International surety and credit
    21,013       18,125       86       16,242  
 
                       
 
    295,950       237,499       80       219,831  
 
                       
 
                               
Group life, accident and health
                               
Medical stop-loss
    156,358       156,358       100       156,359  
Other medical
    31,853       31,853       100       33,176  
Other
    20,125       7,404       37       7,548  
 
                       
 
    208,336       195,615       94       197,083  
 
                       
 
                               
Aviation
    41,799       30,265       72       32,647  
 
                       
 
                               
London market account
                               
Energy
    62,818       41,558       66       13,204  
Property treaty
                       
Other
    26,654       12,589       47       12,501  
 
                       
 
    89,472       54,147       61       25,705  
 
                       
 
                               
Other specialty lines
                               
Public risk
    15,943       12,735       80       9,187  
HCC Lloyd’s
    12,391       9,236       75       10,150  
Other
    17,440       3,869       22       7,389  
 
                       
 
    45,774       25,840       56       26,726  
 
                       
 
                               
Discontinued lines
    (14 )     (14 )     nm       (14 )
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 681,317     $ 543,352       80 %   $ 501,978  
 
                       
 
nm — Not meaningful
The changes in premium volume and retention levels resulted principally from the following factors:
    Diversified financial products — Gross written premium was higher in 2009 because we wrote more directors’ and officers’ liability and errors and omissions liability business due to the perception in the market place at that time about the financial strength of some of our competitors. In addition, pricing on these product lines was lower in 2010. The pricing for credit insurance improved in 2010, and our premium has increased accordingly. Our retention rate was lower in 2010 due to lower quota share retention on our international directors’ and officers’ liability business, as well as additional reinsurance on our U.S. business in order to increase gross maximum limits per account. Net earned premium increased in 2010 primarily due to the high volume of directors’ and officers’ liability business written in 2009, primarily in the second half of the year.

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    Group life, accident and health — The decrease in premium was due to our discontinuance of the provider excess business in late 2009.
 
    Aviation — We wrote less aviation premium in 2010 due to continuing competition for U.S. business. Our international writings were stable due to improved pricing in the international market.
 
    London market account — Premium increased primarily due to our new property treaty business, which we started writing in late 2009. On a full year basis, our retention on the property treaty business is expected to approximate 80%.
 
    Other specialty lines — Although premium and retention ratios by product changed year-over-year due to changes in the mix of business, total premium and the overall retention rate were essentially flat for our other specialty lines.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Our gross loss ratio was 64.4% and 61.9% in the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 64.3% and 58.8% in the second quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The 2010 year-to-date and second quarter gross loss ratios included 4.7 percentage points and 4.4 percentage points, respectively, for the catastrophe losses that occurred in the first quarter and the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster that occurred in the second quarter.
The table below shows the composition of net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense.
                                                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
            Loss             Loss             Loss             Loss  
    Amount     ratio     Amount     ratio     Amount     ratio     Amount     ratio  
2010 catastrophes
  $ 20,588       2.0 %   $       %   $       %   $       %
(Redundant) adverse reserve development
    2,166       0.2       (11,272 )     (1.1 )     (2,844 )     (0.6 )     (15,999 )     (3.2 )
All other net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
    602,753       59.4       619,408       61.6       301,830       59.6       308,569       61.5  
 
                                               
Net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
  $ 625,507       61.6 %   $ 608,136       60.5 %   $ 298,986       59.0 %   $ 292,570       58.3 %
 
                                               
Our adverse development for the six months of 2010 primarily resulted from the effect of: 1) a $3.0 million increase in reserves on our discontinued assumed accident and health line, due to receipt of new claims information and 2) re-estimation of our net claims exposure for products in the life, accident and health line of business, partially offset by reduction of our reserves for the 2005 and 2008 hurricanes. The redundant development in the six months of 2009 primarily resulted from reduction of our loss reserves for: 1) the 2005 hurricanes, 2) the U.K. professional indemnity business for the 2004 — 2006 underwriting years and 3) our aviation business for the 2001 — 2006 underwriting years. This redundancy was partially offset by adverse development related to re-estimation of claims exposure for certain products in the life, accident and health line of business. Deficiencies and redundancies in reserves occur as we review our loss reserves with our actuaries, increasing or reducing loss reserves as a result of such reviews and as losses are finally settled or claims exposures change.
We provide directors’ and officers’ liability, errors and omissions liability and fiduciary liability coverage for certain financial institutions, which have potential exposure to shareholders’ lawsuits related to subprime issues. During the second quarter of 2010, there were no new subprime-related claims. We have no material exposure to environmental or asbestos losses.

We believe we have provided for all material net incurred losses as of June 30, 2010.

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The following table provides comparative net loss ratios by line of business and major product lines.
                                                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    Net     Net     Net     Net     Net     Net     Net     Net  
    earned     loss     earned     loss     earned     loss     earned     loss  
    premium     ratio     premium     ratio     premium     ratio     premium     ratio  
Diversified financial products
                                                               
Directors’ and officers’
  $ 183,639       62.5 %   $ 172,488       62.1 %   $ 90,721       61.9 %   $ 89,686       63.4 %
Errors and omissions
    106,691       56.6       118,282       49.5       52,798       56.1       58,877       43.8  
Other
    21,364       41.3       20,767       47.7       9,538       50.3       9,791       45.2  
U.S. surety and credit
    98,620       28.3       89,727       30.9       51,871       29.9       45,235       31.4  
International surety and credit
    35,884       38.4       32,651       55.4       17,695       32.7       16,242       57.7  
 
                                               
 
    446,198       50.6       433,915       51.0       222,623       50.2       219,831       50.3  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Group life, accident and health
                                                               
Medical stop-loss
    323,558       73.9       315,842       73.5       161,792       74.0       156,359       74.4  
Other medical
    50,618       68.6       66,229       78.7       25,597       60.5       33,176       68.7  
Other
    12,597       58.3       16,100       58.4       5,742       63.3       7,548       59.8  
 
                                               
 
    386,773       72.7       398,171       73.8       193,131       71.9       197,083       72.9  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Aviation
    58,298       59.3       65,461       57.0       29,355       61.9       32,647       52.7  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
London market account
                                                               
Energy
    26,789       36.7       22,439       7.7       10,602       (26.1 )     13,204       (7.6 )
Property treaty
    15,609       103.5                   8,855       47.5              
Other
    29,215       60.8       26,940       42.6       15,988       44.4       12,501       35.5  
 
                                               
 
    71,613       61.1       49,379       26.7       35,445       24.1       25,705       13.4  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Other specialty lines
                                                               
Public risk
    22,926       69.6       17,807       66.4       11,436       69.2       9,187       64.2  
HCC Lloyd’s
    19,187       62.1       20,940       65.1       9,002       63.2       10,150       62.6  
Other
    10,945       87.6       18,703       91.2       5,403       96.7       7,389       72.6  
 
                                               
 
    53,058       70.6       57,450       74.0       25,841       72.9       26,726       65.9  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Discontinued lines
    32       nm       (10 )     nm       (10 )     nm       (14 )     nm  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Totals
  $ 1,015,972       61.6 %   $ 1,004,366       60.5 %   $ 506,385       59.0 %   $ 501,978       58.3 %
 
                                                       
 
                                                               
Expense ratio
            26.4               25.0               26.6               25.5  
 
                                                       
 
                                                               
Combined ratio
            88.0 %             85.5 %             85.6 %             83.8 %
 
                                                       
 
nm — Not meaningful

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The changes in net loss ratios between periods resulted principally from the following factors:
    Group life, accident and health — The lower 2010 loss ratios for the other medical products resulted from improvements in our medical excess business.
 
    Aviation — The 2009 loss ratios included favorable prior year development, which reduced the year-to-date and second quarter loss ratio by 7.6 percentage points and 15.4 percentage points, respectively.
 
    London market account — The 2010 net loss ratios for all major product lines included the effect of the first quarter catastrophe losses, which increased the year-to-date total London market account loss ratio by 28.7 percentage points. The 2010 and 2009 net loss ratios included redundant reserve development on prior year hurricanes. The redundancies reduced the total London market account loss ratio by 9.5 percentage points and 17.9 percentage points for year-to-date 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 21.5 percentage points and 30.3 percentage points in the second quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The table below provides a reconciliation of our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense payable, net of reinsurance ceded, the amount of our paid claims and our net paid loss ratios.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense payable at beginning of period
  $ 2,555,840     $ 2,416,271     $ 2,555,670     $ 2,472,475  
Net reserve additions from acquired businesses
    8,110       34,922             4,713  
Foreign currency adjustment
    (47,786 )     29,355       (20,673 )     47,627  
Incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
    625,507       608,136       298,986       292,570  
Loss and loss adjustment expense payments
    (573,354 )     (525,488 )     (265,666 )     (254,189 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense payable at end of period
  $ 2,568,317     $ 2,563,196     $ 2,568,317     $ 2,563,196  
 
                       
 
                               
Net paid loss ratio
    56.4 %     52.3 %     52.5 %     50.6 %
 
                       
The net paid loss ratio is the percentage of losses paid, net of reinsurance, divided by net earned premium for the period. The net paid loss ratio was higher in the 2010 periods, primarily due to a higher amount of claims payments for our directors’ and officers’ liability, credit and medical stop-loss businesses than in the same prior year periods.
Policy Acquisition Costs
Policy acquisition costs, which are reported net of the related portion of commissions on reinsurance ceded, as a percentage of net earned premium increased to 18.3% in the first six months of 2010 from 17.8% in the first six months of 2009, principally due to the effect of a $3.8 million premium deficiency reserve recorded at December 31, 2008, which reduced the amount of policy acquisition costs recognized throughout 2009. The GAAP expense ratio of 26.4% in the first six months of 2010 exceeded the expense ratio of 25.0% in the first six months of 2009, primarily due to higher expenses related to our international business and higher currency conversion expense. In addition, the expense ratio for the first six months of 2009 included a benefit from reversing a provision for uncollectible reinsurance.
Agency Segment
Revenue from our agency segment was $67.1 million in the first six months of 2010, compared to $94.1 million in the first six months of 2009. The reduction was expected due to the sale of our U.K. reinsurance broker and the sale of the operations of our commercial marine agency business in 2009. In addition, we had $5.0 million of revenue in the first six months of 2009 from a termination payment from the commutation of the MGIC reinsurance contract. As a result of this lower revenue, the segment had a net loss of $1.4 million in the first six months of 2010, compared to net earnings of $8.5 million in the same period of 2009. The segment had $3.0 million of net earnings in the second quarter of 2010. We expect the agency segment will generate net earnings for full year 2010 due to the seasonality of business written by our largest agency.

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Other Operations Segment
Revenue and net earnings from our other operations segment were $3.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in the first six months of 2010 compared to $5.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively, in the first six months of 2009. Results of this segment may vary substantially period to period depending on our investment in or disposition of strategic investments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Credit market disruptions in recent years have resulted in a tightening of available sources of credit and significant liquidity concerns for many companies. We believe we have sufficient sources of liquidity at a reasonable cost at the present time, based on the following:
    We held $560.3 million of cash and liquid short-term investments at June 30, 2010.
 
    Our available for sale bond portfolio had a fair value of $4.9 billion at June 30, 2010, compared to $4.5 billion at December 31, 2009, and has an average rating of AA+. We intend to hold these securities until their maturity, but we would be able to sell securities to generate cash if the need arises. Should we sell certain securities in the portfolio before their maturity, we cannot be assured that we would recoup the full reported fair value of the securities sold at the time of sale.
 
    Our insurance companies have sufficient resources to pay potential claims in 2010. As of December 31, 2009, we projected that during 2010 they will pay $1.2 billion of claims and collect approximately $314.7 million of reinsurance recoveries on claims incurred as of year-end 2009. At December 31, 2009, our insurance companies had approximately $1.2 billion of cash, short-term investments, maturing bonds, and principal payments from mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities that will be available to pay these expected claims in 2010. As of June 30, 2010, there has been no significant change in our expectations of our subsidiaries’ ability to pay claims.
 
    Our debt consists of $300.0 million principal amount of unsecured 6.30% Senior Notes due November 15, 2019. Our debt to total capital ratio was 8.5% at June 30, 2010 and 9.0% at December 31, 2009.
 
    We have a committed $575.0 million Revolving Loan Facility at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 25 basis points that matures December 19, 2011. Letters of credit issued on behalf of certain of our subsidiaries reduce available borrowing capacity under the facility. At June 30, 2010, we had $553.4 million of unused capacity, which we can draw against at any time at our request. The facility agreement contains two restrictive financial covenants, with which we were in compliance at June 30, 2010.
 
    During 2010, there was no significant change in our Standby Letter of Credit Facility used to guarantee our performance in our Lloyd’s of London syndicates.
 
    Our domestic insurance subsidiaries have the ability to pay $217.8 million in dividends in 2010 to our holding company without obtaining special permission from state regulatory authorities. Our underwriting agencies have no restrictions on the amount of dividends that can be paid to our holding company. The holding company can utilize these dividends for any purpose, including to pay down debt, pay dividends to shareholders, fund acquisitions, purchase common stock and pay operating expenses. Cash flow available to the holding company in 2010 is expected to be more than ample to cover the holding company’s required cash disbursements.
 
    We have a “Universal Shelf” registration statement that provides for the issuance of an aggregate of $1.0 billion of securities, of which we have $700.0 million of remaining capacity. These securities may be debt securities, equity securities, or a combination thereof. The shelf registration statement provides us the means to access the debt and equity markets relatively quickly, if we are satisfied with the current pricing in the financial market.
Cash Flow
We receive substantial cash from premiums, reinsurance recoverables, outward commutations, fee and commission income, proceeds

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from sales and redemptions of investments and investment income. Our principal cash outflows are for the payment of claims and loss adjustment expenses, premium payments to reinsurers, inward commutations, purchases of investments, debt service, policy acquisition costs, operating expenses, taxes, dividends and common stock purchases. Cash provided by operating activities can fluctuate due to timing differences in the collection of premiums and reinsurance recoverables and the payment of losses and premium and reinsurance balances payable and the completion of commutations.
We generated cash from operations of $139.3 million and $262.2 million in the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The components of our net operating cash flows are summarized in the following table.
                 
    Six months ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
Net earnings
  $ 154,734     $ 174,755  
Change in premium, claims and other receivables, net of reinsurance, other payables and restricted cash
    (67,355 )     (38,200 )
Change in unearned premium, net
    27,911       41,547  
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable, net of reinsurance recoverables
    39,357       73,839  
(Gain) loss on investments
    (7,329 )     1,924  
Other, net
    (7,992 )     8,311  
 
           
 
               
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 139,326     $ 262,176  
 
           
We had $47.9 million of higher claims payments in 2010, compared to 2009, which was the largest contributor to the reduction in cash provided by operating activities. Timing differences in the collection of premium and payment of reinsurance balances payable reduced our cash provided by operating activities in 2010 compared to 2009. In 2010, we received $8.3 million of cash to commute a derivative contract and in 2009, we received $25.0 million to commute the MGIC reinsurance contract. Cash provided by operating activities can fluctuate due to timing differences in the collection of premium and reinsurance recoverables and the payment of claims and premium and reinsurance balances payable.
We maintain a substantial level of cash and liquid short-term investments to meet anticipated payment obligations. During January 2010, we paid the final $64.5 million due to previous holders of our 1.3% Convertible Notes that were submitted for conversion in December 2009 using cash held as of December 31, 2009. Our combined cash and short-term investments totaled $560.3 million at June 30, 2010.

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Investments
At June 30, 2010, we had $5.6 billion of total investments, an increase of $95.9 million from December 31, 2009. This table summarizes our investments by type, substantially all of which are reported at fair value, at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
                                 
    June 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Amount     %     Amount     %  
U.S. government and government agency securities
  $ 370,896       7 %   $ 328,535       6 %
Fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    1,090,158       20       1,059,426       19  
Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
    1,392,736       25       1,146,334       21  
Corporate fixed income securities
    751,172       14       693,915       13  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    1,064,299       19       944,182       17  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    147,902       2       146,217       3  
Asset-backed securities
    11,546             14,365        
Foreign government securities
    246,846       4       307,891       6  
Short-term investments
    476,176       9       810,673       15  
Other investments
    433             4,691        
 
                       
 
                               
Total investments
  $ 5,552,164       100 %   $ 5,456,229       100 %
 
                       
This table shows the average amount of investments, net income earned, related yields and duration, and average rating of our fixed income securities.
                                 
    Six months ended June 30,   Three months ended June 30,
    2010   2009   2010   2009
Average investments, at cost
  $ 5,324,304     $ 4,968,017     $ 5,338,843     $ 5,057,271  
Net investment income *
    99,466       93,629       50,217       48,411  
Average short-term yield *
    0.1 %     0.5 %     0.1 %     0.4 %
Average long-term yield *
    4.1 %     4.2 %     4.1 %     4.3 %
Average long-term tax equivalent yield *
    5.0 %     5.1 %     5.0 %     5.2 %
Average combined tax equivalent yield *
    4.5 %     4.5 %     4.5 %     4.6 %
Weighted-average life of fixed income securities
  6.5 years   6.7 years                
Weighted-average duration of fixed income securities
  4.8 years   5.0 years                
Weighted-average combined duration
  4.4 years   4.4 years                
Average rating of fixed income securities
  AA+     AA+                  
 
*   Excluding realized and unrealized gains and losses.

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This table summarizes our investments in fixed income securities by their rating category at June 30, 2010.
                                 
    Available for sale     Held to maturity  
    at fair value     at amortized cost  
    Amount     %     Amount     %  
AAA
  $ 2,354,670       48 %   $ 83,006       48 %
AA
    1,803,499       37       26,200       15  
A
    607,169       12       61,851       36  
BBB
    99,325       2       1,292       1  
BB and below
    38,543       1              
 
                       
 
                               
Total fixed income securities
  $ 4,903,206       100 %   $ 172,349       100 %
 
                       
The overall rating of our municipal bonds (consisting of our fixed income securities of states, municipalities and political subdivisions and our special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities and political subdivisions) was AA+ at June 30, 2010. Our portfolio of special purpose revenue bonds at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 included $111.9 million and $138.7 million, respectively, of pre-refunded bonds that are supported by U.S. government debt obligations. The remaining special purpose bonds are secured by revenue sources specific to each security, such as water, sewer and utility fees; highway tolls; airport usage fees; property, sales and fuel taxes; college tuition and services fees; electric utilities and lease income. The table below summarizes our percentage holdings of special purpose revenue bonds by revenue source.
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2010   2009
Water and sewer
    26 %     27 %
Education
    16       14  
Transportation
    13       13  
Special tax
    10       11  
Pre-refunded
    9       13  
Leasing
    8       8  
Electric
    8       7  
Other
    10       7  
 
               
 
               
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
               
Many of our special purpose revenue bonds are insured by mono-line insurance companies or supported by credit enhancement programs of various states and municipalities. We view bond insurance as credit enhancement and not credit substitution. We base our investment decision on the strength of the issuer. A credit review is performed on each issuer and on the sustainability of the revenue source before we acquire a special purpose revenue bond and periodically, on an ongoing basis, thereafter. The underlying average credit rating of our special purpose revenue bond issuers, excluding any bond insurance, was AA+ at June 30, 2010. Although recent economic conditions in the United States may reduce the source of revenue to support certain of these securities, the majority are supported by revenue from essential sources, such as water and sewer, education and transportation fees, which we believe generate a stable source of revenue.
At June 30, 2010, we held a corporate bond portfolio with a carrying value of $751.2 million, an overall rating of A+, and a weighted-average life of approximately 3.2 years.
At June 30, 2010, we also held a portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities (MBSs) and collateralized mortgage-obligations (CMOs) with a fair value of $1.1 billion. Within our residential MBS/CMO portfolio, $1.0 billion of securities, or 95%, were issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), which are backed by the U.S. government. Of the remaining $52.9 million of residential mortgage-backed securities, 91% were collateralized by prime mortgages.

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At June 30, 2010, we held a commercial MBS securities portfolio with a fair value of $147.9 million, an average rating of AA+, an average loan-to-value ratio of 72%, and a weighted-average life of approximately 4.5 years. We owned no collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) or collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and we have never been counterparty to any credit default swap transactions.
This table indicates the expected maturity distribution of our fixed income securities at June 30, 2010.
                                                                 
                    Mortgage-backed and              
    Available for sale at     asset-backed at     Held to maturity at     Total fixed income  
    amortized cost     amortized cost     amortized cost     securities  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
One year or less
  $ 268,234       8 %   $ 146,347       12 %   $ 23,758       14 %   $ 438,339       9 %
One year to five years
    1,070,303       30       881,634       76       137,148       80       2,089,085       43  
Five years to ten years
    836,824       24       128,918       11       11,443       6       977,185       20  
Ten years to fifteen years
    726,382       21       5,726       1                   732,108       15  
More than fifteen years
    613,895       17                               613,895       13  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Total fixed income securities
  $ 3,515,638       100 %   $ 1,162,625       100 %   $ 172,349       100 %   $ 4,850,612       100 %
 
                                               
A security has an impairment loss when its fair value is less than its cost or amortized cost at the balance sheet date. The gross unrealized losses of the individual securities within our available for sale fixed income securities portfolios were $7.5 million at June 30, 2010, compared to $18.9 million at December 31, 2009. We evaluate the securities in our fixed income securities portfolio for possible other-than-temporary impairment losses at each quarter end. For a description of the accounting polices and procedures that we use to determine our other-than-temporary impairment losses, see Footnote 3, “Investments,” in the notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements and “Critical Accounting Policies — Other-than-temporary Impairments in Investments” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. We recognized no other-than-temporary impairment credit losses in 2010, compared to $5.0 million and $1.8 million in the first six months and second quarter of 2009, respectively.
At June 30, 2010, the net unrealized gain on our available for sale fixed income securities portfolio was $224.9 million, compared to $156.3 million at December 31, 2009. The change in the net unrealized gain, net of the related income tax effect, is recorded in other comprehensive income and fluctuates with changes in market interest rates. Our general policy has been to hold our fixed income securities, most of which are primarily classified as available for sale, through periods of fluctuating interest rates and to not realize significant gains or losses from their sale. We recognized $6.8 million and $4.0 million of pretax net realized investment gains in the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Accounting Guidance in 2010
A new accounting standard, originally issued as SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), became effective January 1, 2010. The guidance, which was incorporated into Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, Consolidation, changes various aspects of accounting for and disclosures of interests in variable interest entities. Our adoption of this guidance as of January 1, 2010 had no material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2010, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06, which incorporated changes in disclosure requirements into ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Where applicable, we have included the additional required disclosures in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
A new accounting standard, ASU 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, was issued in July 2010. The new guidance expands disclosures related to financing receivables, including the nature of credit risk in financing receivables, how that risk is analyzed in determining the related allowance for credit losses, and changes to the allowance during the reporting period. We will provide the additional required disclosures in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

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Critical Accounting Policies
We have made no changes in the identification or methods of application of our critical accounting policies from the information provided in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Act)) that are designed to ensure that required information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required timeframe, as specified in rules set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2010. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2010.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the second quarter of 2010, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II — Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer or reinsurer, the liabilities for which, we believe, have been adequately included in our loss reserves. Also, from time to time, we are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that relate to disputes with third parties, or that involve alleged errors and omissions on the part of our subsidiaries. We have provided accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, based on present information, the availability of insurance coverage and advice received from our outside legal counsel, we believe the resolution of any such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On June 20, 2008, our Board of Directors approved the purchase of up to $100.0 million of our common stock. On May 27, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a new authorization for $300.0 million and cancelled the $0.7 million remaining under the original authorization. The new share purchase plan authorizes purchases to be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time-to-time in compliance with applicable rules and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Purchases under the plan will be subject to market and business conditions, as well as the level of cash generated from our operations, cash required for acquisitions, debt covenant compliance, trading price of the stock being at or below book value and other relevant factors. The purchase plan does not obligate us to purchase any particular number of shares, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at our discretion. As of June 30, 2010, we had paid $100.0 million to purchase 4,722,911 shares of our common stock in the open market pursuant to these purchase programs.
During the second quarter of 2010, we purchased our common stock, as follows:
                                 
                    Total number of shares   Approximate dollar
                    purchased as part of   value of shares that may
    Total number of   Average price   publicly announced   yet be purchased under
Period   shares purchased   paid per share   plans or programs   the plans or programs
2008 Authorization
                               
April 1 — April 30, 2010
        $           $ 1,201,217  
May 1 — May 31, 2010
    19,650       24.00       19,650        
 
                               
2010 Authorization
                               
May 1 — May 31, 2010
        $           $ 300,000,000  
June 1 — June 30, 2010
    30,500       24.63       30,500       299,248,840  
Item 6. Exhibits
a. Exhibits
     
3.1
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 23, 1996 and May 21, 1998, respectively (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement of Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-61687) filed August 17, 1998).

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3.2
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Form 8-K filed April 3, 2008).
 
   
10.1
  First Amendment to Employment Agreement effective April 19, 2010, between HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and William T. Whamond (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Form 8-K filed April 19, 2010).*
 
   
10.2
  Employment Agreement dated May 27, 2010, between HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Brad T. Irick.*
 
   
12
  Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
   
31.1
  Certification by Chief Executive Officer.
 
   
31.2
  Certification by Chief Financial Officer.
 
   
32
  Certification with Respect to Quarterly Report.
 
   
101
  The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.**
 
*   Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements
 
**   The XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability of that section and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
 
  HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.    
 
 
 
(Registrant)
   
 
       
August 6, 2010
  /s/ John N. Molbeck, Jr.    
 
       (Date)
 
 
John N. Molbeck, Jr., President
   
 
  and Chief Executive Officer    
 
       
August 6, 2010
  /s/ Pamela J. Penny    
 
       (Date)
 
 
Pamela J. Penny, Executive Vice President
   
 
  and Chief Accounting Officer    

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