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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 Quarter Ended September 30, 2005.
     
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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes þ       No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o       No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
On October 31, 2005, there were approximately 105.8 million shares of common stock, $1.00 par value issued and outstanding.
 
 

 


HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
INDEX
         
    Page No.  
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
Item 1. Financial Statements
       
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    6  
 
       
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    23  
 
       
    34  
 
       
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    36  
 Certification by CEO
 Certification by CFO
 Certification with respect to quarterly report
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 future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, growth of our business and operations, plans 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 impact the matters addressed in these forward-looking statements, which could affect our future financial results and performance, including, among other things:
    the occurrence of additional terrorist activities;
 
    changing legal and social trends and inherent uncertainties (including but not limited to those uncertainties associated with our reserves) in the loss estimation process can adversely impact the adequacy of loss reserves and the allowance for reinsurance recoverables;

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    industry and economic conditions can affect the ability and/or willingness of reinsurers to pay balances due and our ability to obtain adequate reinsurance;
 
    catastrophic losses, including hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms, tsunamis, explosions, severe winter weather, fires and man-made events;
 
    state, federal and foreign regulations can impede our ability to charge adequate rates and efficiently allocate capital;
 
    economic conditions, interest rates, and foreign exchange rate volatility can have a significant impact on the fair value of fixed maturity investments as well as the carrying value of other assets and liabilities;
 
    assessments by states for high risk or otherwise uninsured individuals;
 
    changes in our assigned financial strength ratings;
 
    our ability to receive dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries to meet our cash flow, debt, dividend and other corporate expense obligations;
 
    our ability to effectively integrate acquired operations and to continue to expand our business through the acquisition of insurance industry related companies;
 
    assessments by the Federal or state governments based on tax audits;
 
    our ability to maintain adequate internal controls and procedures; and
 
    the effects of state and other regulatory investigations into the practices and procedures of the insurance industry.
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 which are included in this report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and 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)
                 
    September 30, 2005     December 31, 2004  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Investments:
               
Fixed income securities, at fair value (cost: 2005 - $2,115,472; 2004 - $1,682,421)
  $ 2,114,792     $ 1,703,171  
Short-term investments, at cost, which approximates fair value
    719,077       729,985  
Other investments, at fair value (cost: 2005 - $116,796; 2004 - $34,137)
    118,651       35,335  
 
           
Total investments
    2,952,520       2,468,491  
Cash
    90,254       69,933  
Restricted cash and cash investments
    183,628       188,510  
Premium, claims and other receivables
    951,139       923,638  
Reinsurance recoverables
    1,262,604       1,098,999  
Ceded unearned premium
    261,340       317,055  
Ceded life and annuity benefits
    73,675       74,627  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    154,219       139,199  
Goodwill
    468,601       444,031  
Other assets
    230,953       208,954  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 6,628,933     $ 5,933,437  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
 
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable
  $ 2,629,397     $ 2,089,199  
Life and annuity policy benefits
    73,675       74,627  
Reinsurance balances payable
    202,820       228,998  
Unearned premium
    811,294       741,706  
Deferred ceding commissions
    71,379       94,896  
Premium and claims payable
    794,422       795,576  
Notes payable
    309,679       311,277  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    259,083       273,493  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    5,151,749       4,609,772  
 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250.0 million shares authorized (shares issued and outstanding: 2005 – 105,725; 2004 – 102,057)
    105,725       68,038  
Additional paid-in capital
    593,029       566,776  
Retained earnings
    758,790       651,216  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    19,640       37,635  
 
           
 
               
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,477,184       1,323,665  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 6,628,933     $ 5,933,437  
 
           
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)
                                 
    Nine months ended September 30,     Three months ended September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
REVENUE
                               
 
                               
Net earned premium
  $ 995,901     $ 717,323     $ 338,058     $ 248,190  
Fee and commission income
    102,452       135,836       32,073       45,891  
Net investment income
    70,039       45,614       24,998       16,212  
Net realized investment gain
    2,038       4,495       38       3,926  
Other operating income
    26,116       14,217       16,864       7,978  
 
                       
 
                               
Total revenue
    1,196,546       917,485       412,031       322,197  
 
                       
 
                               
EXPENSE
                               
 
                               
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net
    679,932       476,079       295,768       202,317  
Policy acquisition costs, net
    185,696       157,815       65,708       55,312  
Other operating expense
    135,884       114,726       40,403       38,975  
Interest expense
    5,848       6,018       2,070       2,060  
 
                       
 
                               
Total expense
    1,007,360       754,638       403,949       298,664  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense
    189,186       162,847       8,082       23,533  
 
                               
Income tax expense on continuing operations
    60,567       56,039       839       7,907  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings from continuing operations
    128,619       106,808       7,243       15,626  
 
                               
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
    707       (22 )     707       177  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings
  $ 129,326     $ 106,786     $ 7,950     $ 15,803  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic earnings per share data:
                               
 
                               
Earnings from continuing operations
  $ 1.23     $ 1.10     $ 0.07     $ 0.16  
Earnings from discontinued operations
    0.01             0.01        
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings
  $ 1.24     $ 1.10     $ 0.08     $ 0.16  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding
    104,617       96,740       105,623       97,019  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted earnings per share data:
                               
 
                               
Earnings from continuing operations
  $ 1.19     $ 1.09     $ 0.06     $ 0.16  
Earnings from discontinued operations
    0.01             0.01        
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings
  $ 1.20     $ 1.09     $ 0.07     $ 0.16  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding
    108,003       98,361       109,818       98,409  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash dividends declared, per share
  $ 0.207     $ 0.157     $ 0.075     $ 0.057  
 
                       
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
Nine months ended September 30, 2005
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
                                         
                            Accumulated        
            Additional             other     Total  
    Common     paid-in     Retained     comprehensive     shareholders’  
    stock     capital     earnings     income     equity  
Balance at December 31, 2004
  $ 68,038     $ 566,776     $ 651,216     $ 37,635     $ 1,323,665  
 
                                       
Net earnings
                129,326             129,326  
 
                                       
Other comprehensive loss
                      (17,995 )     (17,995 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Comprehensive income
                                    111,331  
 
                                       
Issuance of 2,203 shares for exercise of options, including tax benefit of $7,072
    1,550       38,206                   39,756  
 
                                       
Issuance of 1,465 shares for purchased companies
    1,068       23,116                   24,184  
 
                                       
Three-for-two stock split
    35,069       (35,069 )                  
 
                                       
Cash dividends declared, $0.207 per share
                (21,752 )           (21,752 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Balance at September 30, 2005
  $ 105,725     $ 593,029     $ 758,790     $ 19,640     $ 1,477,184  
 
                             
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, except per share data)
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                               
Net earnings
  $ 129,326     $ 106,786     $ 7,950     $ 15,803  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Change in premium, claims and other receivables
    (37,538 )     (31,521 )     39,121       37,218  
Change in reinsurance recoverables
    (156,477 )     (192,811 )     (138,947 )     (128,039 )
Change in ceded unearned premium
    65,591       (24,795 )     14,648       (18,153 )
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable
    521,365       392,111       396,478       222,886  
Change in reinsurance balances payable
    (34,966 )     (19,412 )     15,744       9,391  
Change in unearned premium
    42,994       109,675       17,458       23,492  
Change in premium and claims payable, net of restricted cash
    3,728       44,165       5,188       (33,524 )
Change in trading portfolio
    (54,654 )     5,623       (16,600 )     4,174  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    11,063       11,671       3,703       4,303  
Other, net
    (37,178 )     (50,913 )     (10,326 )     (606 )
 
                       
Cash provided by operating activities
    453,254       350,579       334,417       136,945  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Sales of fixed income securities
    163,841       199,491       49,071       65,797  
Maturity or call of fixed income securities
    133,391       110,425       34,923       38,085  
Cost of securities acquired
    (733,400 )     (629,001 )     (235,256 )     (222,738 )
Change in short-term investments
    36,234       4,979       (145,482 )     13,786  
Payments for purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash received
    (44,288 )     (78,446 )     (9,407 )     (7,408 )
Sale of subsidiary
    10,448             10,448        
Other, net
    (6,869 )     7,289       4,509       2,546  
 
                       
Cash used by investing activities
    (440,643 )     (385,263 )     (291,194 )     (109,932 )
 
                       
 
                               
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Issuance of notes payable
    36,000       2,000       3,000        
Payments on notes payable
    (37,554 )     (2,287 )     (23,089 )     (102 )
Sale of common stock
    32,684       14,639       3,847       1,569  
Dividends paid
    (19,606 )     (14,484 )     (7,890 )     (4,848 )
Other
    (3,814 )                  
 
                       
Cash provided (used) by financing activities
    7,710       (132 )     (24,132 )     (3,381 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    20,321       (34,816 )     19,091       23,632  
 
                               
Cash at beginning of period
    69,933       96,416       71,163       37,968  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash at end of period
  $ 90,254     $ 61,600     $ 90,254     $ 61,600  
 
                       
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 (we, us and our) include domestic and foreign property and casualty and life insurance companies, underwriting agencies and reinsurance brokers. We provide specialized property and casualty, surety, and group life, accident and health insurance coverages and related agency and reinsurance brokerage services to commercial customers and individuals. We market our products both directly to customers and through a network of independent and affiliated agents and brokers. Our lines of business include diversified financial products (which includes directors’ and officers’ liability, errors and omissions, employment practices liability and surety); group life, accident and health; aviation; our London market account (which includes energy, marine, property, and accident and health); and other specialty lines of insurance. We operate primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Bermuda, 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 and include the accounts of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. We have made all adjustments which, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods. All adjustments made to the interim periods are of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements for periods reported herein should be read in conjunction with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and related notes. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
    Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our financial statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. Certain amounts in our 2004 condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on our consolidated net earnings, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.
 
    See Note (2) for discussion of our 2005 acquisitions. During 2004, we completed several acquisitions. The results of operations of the acquired entities are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements beginning on the effective date of each acquisition. Thus, our condensed consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2004 do not contain any operations of the entities acquired in 2005 or 2004 prior to their acquisition dates.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
    Large Loss Events
 
    During the third quarter of 2005, catastrophic events occurred related to two major hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, and two minor ones, Dennis and Emily (collectively, the 2005 hurricanes). We recognized a pre-tax loss after reinsurance of $74.4 million in our insurance company segment. This loss included $53.7 million recorded in loss and loss adjustment expense and $20.7 million for premiums to reinstate our excess of loss reinsurance protection, which reduced net earned premium. Net earnings were reduced $48.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.
 
    Also during the third quarter of 2005, we reached agreements with various reinsurers to commute certain reinsurance recoverables relating to our discontinued accident and health line of business. We received cash payments of $119.6 million, which were less than the related recoverables, from the reinsurers in consideration for discounting the recoverables and reassuming the associated loss reserves. A pre-tax loss of $26.0 million related to these commutations was included in loss and loss adjustment expense in our insurance company segment. Net earnings were reduced $16.9 million, or $0.16 per diluted share.
 
    During the third quarter of 2004, catastrophic events occurred related to four major hurricanes: Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne (collectively, the 2004 hurricanes). We recognized a pre-tax loss after reinsurance of $55.0 million in our insurance company segment. This loss included $47.9 million recorded in loss and loss adjustment expense and $7.1 million for premiums to reinstate our excess of loss reinsurance protection, which reduced net earned premium. Net earnings were reduced $35.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted share.
 
    Stock Split
 
    In May 2005, the Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split in the form of a 50% stock dividend on our shares of $1.00 par value common stock, payable to shareholders of record on July 1, 2005. The distribution, consisting of 35.1 million newly issued shares, was reflected as of June 30, 2005 in our condensed consolidated financial statements. The distribution had no impact on consolidated shareholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows. All references in the financial statements and notes to the number of shares outstanding, per share amounts, and stock option and convertible debt data have been restated to reflect the effect of the stock split for all periods presented.
 
    The terms of our convertible debt have been changed as a result of the stock split. Each $1,000 principal amount of our 1.30% Convertible Notes due 2023 will be convertible into 44.1501 shares of our common stock. Holders may surrender notes for conversion under certain conditions if the closing price of our common stock is more than $29.45 for a specified period. Each $1,000 principal amount of our 2.00% Convertible Exchange Notes due 2021 is convertible into 46.8823 shares of our common stock. Holders may surrender notes for conversion under certain conditions if the closing price of our common stock is more than $25.60 for a specified period.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
    Income Tax
 
    For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the income tax provision was calculated based on an estimated effective tax rate for each fiscal year. Our effective tax rate differs from the United States Federal statutory rate primarily due to tax exempt municipal bond interest, state income taxes and a one-time tax benefit in 2005. During the first nine months of 2005, we recorded a $2.1 million tax benefit in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 109-2, Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. This benefit resulted because we previously provided deferred taxes on certain foreign earnings at the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 now allows a rate of 5.25% on earnings to be repatriated in 2005 only. This benefit is subject to adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2005 based on actual repatriated foreign earnings for the year.
 
    Stock Options
 
    We account for stock options granted to employees using the intrinsic value method, in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. All options have been granted at fixed exercise prices at the market price of our common stock on the grant date and no options have been repriced. Thus, no stock-based employee compensation expense is reflected in our reported net earnings. Options vest over a period of up to seven years and expire four to ten years after grant date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we issued 2.2 million shares of our common stock and generated $32.7 million of cash from options exercised. In accordance with our policy of periodically granting options to our employees, during the third quarter of 2005 we granted 2.9 million options to purchase our common stock at market prices ranging from $25.88 to $27.02, and vesting over three to five years.
 
    The following table illustrates what the effect on net earnings and earnings per share would be if we had used the fair value method of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to value stock options.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Reported net earnings
  $ 129,326     $ 106,786     $ 7,950     $ 15,803  
Stock-based compensation using fair value method, net of income taxes
    (4,617 )     (3,713 )     (1,927 )     (1,260 )
 
                       
 
                               
Pro forma net earnings
  $ 124,709     $ 103,073     $ 6,023     $ 14,543  
 
                       
 
                               
Reported basic earnings per share
  $ 1.24     $ 1.10     $ 0.08     $ 0.16  
Fair value stock-based compensation
    (0.05 )     (0.03 )     (0.02 )     (0.01 )
 
                       
 
                               
Pro forma basic earnings per share
  $ 1.19     $ 1.07     $ 0.06     $ 0.15  
 
                       
 
                               
Reported diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.20     $ 1.09     $ 0.07     $ 0.16  
Fair value stock-based compensation
    (0.05 )     (0.04 )     (0.02 )     (0.01 )
 
                       
 
                               
Pro forma diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.15     $ 1.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.15  
 
                       

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
    The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which requires stock-based employee compensation to be deducted from net income beginning January 1, 2006. We are currently reviewing the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R), including the valuation methods permitted. Using the Black-Scholes single option pricing model that we utilized for the SFAS No. 123 calculations above, compensation costs related to nonvested awards approximated $40.6 million at September 30, 2005. If we ultimately utilize the Black-Scholes model for purposes of SFAS No. 123(R), this cost will be recognized through the last vesting period in 2010, although approximately 81% will be recognized through 2008.
 
    Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
    In September 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) approved issuance of FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 115-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” to be released in the fourth quarter of 2005. The FSP will require recognition of an impairment loss on a debt security no later than when the investor deems the impairment is other than temporary, even if the investor has not decided to sell the security. This standard will replace current guidance in Issue 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. The new standard will be effective January 1, 2006. We expect that adoption of this FSP will have an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
(2)   ACQUISITIONS
 
    On February 25, 2005, we issued 1.2 million shares of our common stock to acquire all of the shares of USSC Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United States Surety Company, a Maryland-domiciled company specializing in contract bonding for small and medium sized contractors. The results of operations of United States Surety Company were included in our condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 1, 2005.
 
    On July 14, 2005, we acquired the remaining 66% of De Montfort Group Limited that we did not own for $10.5 million cash and 274 thousand shares of our common stock. We acquired our 34% interest in January 2005. We recorded our share of De Montfort’s earnings through the second quarter of 2005 using the equity method of accounting. Effective July 1, 2005, we consolidated De Montfort and included 100% of its earnings in our condensed consolidated financial statements. De Montfort provides surety and credit insurance to small and medium size companies throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
 
    Both of these acquisitions were made to expand our surety business and are reported in our insurance company segment and our diversified financial products line of business. The approximate fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were $124.9 million and $80.4 million, respectively. Goodwill resulting from these acquisitions approximated $25.5 million at September 30, 2005 and will not be deductible for United States Federal income tax purposes. We are still in the process of valuing certain agreements to complete the purchase price allocations.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
    The financial information included in our condensed consolidated financial statements related to these two acquisitions and pro forma financial information for periods prior to the respective acquisitions are not material individually or in the aggregate to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
(3)   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 primary 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  
Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 1,322,105     $ 1,260,309     $ 977,749  
Reinsurance assumed
    217,897       225,010       202,306  
Reinsurance ceded
    (432,559 )     (489,418 )     (500,123 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 1,107,443     $ 995,901     $ 679,932  
 
                 
 
                       
Nine months ended September 30, 2004
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 1,252,358     $ 1,138,226     $ 732,232  
Reinsurance assumed
    218,562       219,476       231,036  
Reinsurance ceded
    (670,511 )     (640,379 )     (487,189 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 800,409     $ 717,323     $ 476,079  
 
                 

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
                         
                    Loss and loss  
    Written     Earned     adjustment  
    premium     premium     expense  
Three months ended September 30, 2005
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 458,029     $ 431,573     $ 513,382  
Reinsurance assumed
    67,418       74,146       103,473  
Reinsurance ceded
    (153,749 )     (167,661 )     (321,087 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 371,698     $ 338,058     $ 295,768  
 
                 
 
                       
Three months ended September 30, 2004
                       
 
                       
Direct business
  $ 423,554     $ 394,490     $ 315,347  
Reinsurance assumed
    66,595       70,565       101,415  
Reinsurance ceded
    (234,556 )     (216,865 )     (214,445 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net amounts
  $ 255,593     $ 248,190     $ 202,317  
 
                 
    The table below shows the components of reinsurance recoverables in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
                 
    September 30, 2005     December 31, 2004  
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
  $ 97,984     $ 89,508  
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses
    427,741       509,512  
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses
    751,214       520,404  
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance
    (14,335 )     (20,425 )
 
           
Total reinsurance recoverables
  $ 1,262,604     $ 1,098,999  
 
           
 
Our U.S. domiciled insurance companies require their reinsurers not authorized by the respective states of domicile of our insurance companies to collateralize their reinsurance obligations due to us. The table below shows the amounts of letters of credit and cash deposits held by us as collateral, plus other credits available for potential offset. We are in the process of obtaining additional letters of credit for the 2005 hurricane losses that occurred in September 2005.
 
                 
    September 30, 2005     December 31, 2004  
Payables to reinsurers
  $ 327,120     $ 350,514  
Letters of credit
    243,563       265,152  
Cash deposits
    64,289       68,307  
 
           
Total credits
  $ 634,972     $ 683,973  
 
           

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
    The tables below present the calculation of net reserves, net unearned premium and net deferred policy acquisition costs.
                 
    September 30, 2005     December 31, 2004  
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable
  $ 2,629,397     $ 2,089,199  
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses
    (427,741 )     (509,512 )
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses
    (751,214 )     (520,404 )
 
           
 
               
Net reserves
  $ 1,450,442     $ 1,059,283  
 
           
 
               
Unearned premium
  $ 811,294     $ 741,706  
Ceded unearned premium
    (261,340 )     (317,055 )
 
           
 
               
Net unearned premium
  $ 549,954     $ 424,651  
 
           
 
               
Deferred policy acquisition costs
  $ 154,219     $ 139,199  
Deferred ceding commissions
    (71,379 )     (94,896 )
 
           
 
               
Net deferred policy acquisition costs
  $ 82,840     $ 44,303  
 
           
    Certain reinsurers have delayed or suspended payment of amounts recoverable under reinsurance contracts to which we are a party. We limit our liquidity exposure by holding funds, letters of credit or other security, such that net balances due are significantly less than the gross balances shown in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We are currently in negotiations with most of these parties but, if such negotiations do not result in a satisfactory resolution of the matters in question, we may seek or be involved in litigation or arbitration. During the third quarter of 2005, we resolved certain arbitrations. Amounts with respect to the remaining arbitration and litigation proceedings that we initiated are not material.
 
    We have a reserve of $14.3 million at September 30, 2005 for potential collectibility issues related to reinsurance recoverables, including disputed amounts and associated expenses. While we believe the reserve is adequate based on information currently available, conditions may change or additional information might be obtained which may require us to change the reserve in the future. We periodically review our financial exposure to the reinsurance market and the level of our reserve and continue to take actions in an attempt to mitigate our exposure to possible loss.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
(4)   EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
    The following table details the numerator and denominator used in the earnings per share calculations.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Net earnings
  $ 129,326     $ 106,786     $ 7,950     $ 15,803  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    104,617       96,740       105,623       97,019  
 
                               
Dilutive effect of outstanding options (determined using the treasury stock method)
    1,584       1,620       1,636       1,389  
 
                               
Dilutive effect of convertible debt (determined using the treasury stock method)
    1,802       1       2,559       1  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average common shares and potential common shares outstanding
    108,003       98,361       109,818       98,409  
 
                       
 
                               
Anti-dilutive stock options not included in treasury stock method computation
    680             13       143  
 
                       
(5)   SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
    The performance of each segment is evaluated by our management based on net earnings. Net earnings is calculated after tax and after all corporate expense allocations, including interest expense on debt incurred for the purchase of subsidiaries. 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. Effective January 1, 2005, we consolidated our largest underwriting agency (agency segment) into our life insurance company (insurance company segment).

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
    Company     Agency     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                                       
 
                                       
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 892,697     $ 46,532     $ 22,067     $ 1,974     $ 963,270  
Foreign
    203,278       29,998                   233,276  
Inter-segment
    153       65,789                   65,942  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 1,096,128     $ 142,319     $ 22,067     $ 1,974       1,262,488  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (65,942 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 1,196,546  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 77,736     $ 20,592     $ 13,716     $ 1,378     $ 113,422  
Foreign
    9,466       3,908                   13,374  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings
  $ 87,202 (1)   $ 24,500     $ 13,716     $ 1,378       126,796  
 
                               
 
                                       
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    1,823  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes
                                    707  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 129,326  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 63,222     $ 4,820     $ 767     $ 1,230     $ 70,039  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,500       5,603       343       1,617       11,063  
Interest expense (benefit)
    313       6,859       564       (1,888 )     5,848  
Capital expenditures
    1,520       2,745       249       2,038       6,552  
 
                                       
Income tax expense
    34,721       17,769       6,524       626       59,640  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    927  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense on continuing operations
                                  $ 60,567  
 
                                     
 
(1)   Includes $48.3 million after-tax loss due to the 2005 hurricanes and $16.9 million after-tax loss due to commutations.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
    Company     Agency     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Nine months ended September 30, 2004
                                       
 
                                       
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 628,929     $ 64,946     $ 9,330     $ 2,540     $ 705,745  
Foreign
    176,838       34,902                   211,740  
Inter-segment
    464       69,575                   70,039  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 806,231     $ 169,423     $ 9,330     $ 2,540       987,524  
 
                               
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (70,039 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 917,485  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings (loss):
                                       
Domestic
  $ 58,644     $ 27,431     $ 5,665     $ (803 )   $ 90,937  
Foreign
    8,844       12,731                   21,575  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings (loss)
  $ 67,488 (1)   $ 40,162     $ 5,665     $ (803 )     112,512  
 
                               
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (5,704 )
Loss from discontinued operations
                                    (22 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 106,786  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 41,950     $ 2,508     $ 619     $ 537     $ 45,614  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,864       6,564       379       864       11,671  
Interest expense (benefit)
    527       6,402       565       (1,476 )     6,018  
Capital expenditures
    2,109       1,214       16       2,379       5,718  
 
                                       
Income tax expense
    30,320       26,484       2,043       1,238       60,085  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (4,046 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense on continuing operations
                                  $ 56,039  
 
                                     
 
(1)   Includes $35.7 million after-tax loss due to the 2004 hurricanes.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
    Company     Agency     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Three months ended September 30, 2005
                                       
 
                                       
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 312,271     $ 16,668     $ 15,682     $ 769     $ 345,390  
Foreign
    58,253       8,388                   66,641  
Inter-segment
    12       21,065                   21,077  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 370,536     $ 46,121     $ 15,682     $ 769       433,108  
 
                               
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (21,077 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 412,031  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings (loss):
                                       
Domestic
  $ 2,276     $ 4,049     $ 9,821     $ 3,594     $ 19,740  
Foreign
    (13,162 )     659                   (12,503 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings (loss)
  $ (10,886 )(1)   $ 4,708     $ 9,821     $ 3,594       7,237  
 
                               
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    6  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes
                                    707  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 7,950  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 22,607     $ 1,924     $ 79     $ 388     $ 24,998  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,164       1,708       128       703       3,703  
Interest expense (benefit)
    47       2,514       186       (677 )     2,070  
Capital expenditures
    757       1,211       172       1,119       3,259  
 
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (9,875 )     3,937       5,174       1,742       978  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (139 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense on continuing operations
                                  $ 839  
 
                                     
 
(1)   Includes $48.3 million after-tax loss due to the 2005 hurricanes and $16.9 million after-tax loss due to commutations.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
                                         
    Insurance             Other              
    Company     Agency     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Three months ended September 30, 2004
                                       
 
                                       
Revenue:
                                       
Domestic
  $ 226,297     $ 22,480     $ 4,503     $ 1,716     $ 254,996  
Foreign
    56,450       10,751                   67,201  
Inter-segment
    113       25,368                   25,481  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment revenue
  $ 282,860     $ 58,599     $ 4,503     $ 1,716       347,678  
 
                               
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (25,481 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated total revenue
                                  $ 322,197  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Net earnings (loss):
                                       
Domestic
  $ 10,193     $ 10,637     $ 2,808     $ 58     $ 23,696  
Foreign
    (9,475 )     4,060                   (5,415 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Total segment net earnings
  $ 718 (1)   $ 14,697     $ 2,808     $ 58       18,281  
 
                               
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (2,655 )
Earnings from discontinued operations
                                    177  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated net earnings
                                  $ 15,803  
 
                                     
 
                                       
Other items:
                                       
Net investment income
  $ 14,596     $ 1,000     $ 433     $ 183     $ 16,212  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,739       1,992       141       431       4,303  
Interest expense (benefit)
    161       2,340       188       (629 )     2,060  
Capital expenditures
    582       469             844       1,895  
 
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (1,499 )     9,356       1,137       879       9,873  
Inter-segment eliminations
                                    (1,966 )
 
                                     
 
                                       
Consolidated income tax expense on continuing operations
                                  $ 7,907  
 
                                     
 
(1)   Includes $35.7 million after-tax loss due to the 2004 hurricanes.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
The following tables present selected revenue items by line of business.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Diversified financial products
  $ 371,414     $ 207,684     $ 143,084     $ 77,571  
Group life, accident and health
    380,681       245,945       125,079       86,055  
Aviation
    101,817       92,283       35,008       35,016  
London market account
    66,402       83,572       8,784       22,050  
Other specialty lines
    69,574       46,845       25,023       18,554  
 
                       
 
    989,888       676,329       336,978       239,246  
Discontinued lines
    6,013       40,994       1,080       8,944  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earned premium
  $ 995,901     $ 717,323     $ 338,058     $ 248,190  
 
                       
 
                               
Property and casualty
  $ 87,137     $ 90,374     $ 26,813     $ 30,024  
Accident and health
    15,315       45,462       5,260       15,867  
 
                       
 
                               
Fee and commission income
  $ 102,452     $ 135,836     $ 32,073     $ 45,891  
 
                       
(6)   SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
    Supplemental cash flow information was as follows.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Interest paid
  $ 5,756     $ 5,848     $ 3,140     $ 2,326  
Income taxes paid
    63,138       96,284       13,579       24,275  
Comprehensive income (loss)
    111,331       112,697       (4,647 )     38,188  
Ceding commissions netted with policy acquisition costs
    80,588       80,216       25,957       26,536  

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
(7)   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    Litigation
 
    We are 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 over contractual relationships 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.
 
    We are presently engaged in litigation initiated by the appointed liquidator of a former reinsurer concerning payments made to us prior to the date of appointment of the liquidator. The disputed payments, totaling $10.3 million, were made by the now insolvent reinsurer in connection with a commutation agreement. Our understanding is that such litigation is similar to other actions brought by the liquidator. We continue to vigorously contest the action.
 
    Although the ultimate outcome of the matters mentioned above 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 these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
    A reinsurance broker subsidiary was named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to a discontinued workers’ compensation reinsurance facility commonly known as the Unicover Pool. In 2005, we entered into settlement agreements with the insurance company participants, which will have no impact on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows as the claims were covered by insurance.
 
    We previously received subpoenas and other inquiries from various state officials and regulatory bodies concerning on-going investigations of insurance marketing and sales practices. We received no additional inquiries during the third quarter of 2005. Published press reports indicate that numerous inquiries of this nature were sent to insurance companies as part of industry-wide investigations. We have cooperated fully with all such investigations and have provided responsive information to all inquiries. Based on presently available information, we do not expect any adverse results from such investigations.

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HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited, tables in thousands, except per share data, continued)
    Leases
 
    We lease administrative office facilities and transportation equipment under long-term non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2016. Future minimum rental payments required under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases, excluding certain expenses payable by us, are as follows:
         
Three months ended December 31, 2005
  $ 2,224  
Year ended December 31, 2006
    8,515  
Year ended December 31, 2007
    8,190  
Year ended December 31, 2008
    7,017  
Year ended December 31, 2009
    5,083  
Thereafter
    17,065  
 
     
Total future minimum rental payments
  $ 48,094  
 
     
    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. Other indemnifications 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, since 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 on December 31, 2009.
 
    We accrue a loss related to our indemnifications when a valid claim is made by a buyer and we believe we have potential exposure. We currently have several claims under indemnifications that cover certain net losses alleged to have been incurred in periods prior to our sale of certain subsidiaries or otherwise alleged to be covered under indemnification agreements related to such sales. As of September 30, 2005, we have recorded a liability of $14.1 million to cover our anticipated payments under these indemnifications.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We primarily receive our revenue from earned premium derived from our insurance company operations, fee and commission income generated by our agency operations, ceding commissions in excess of policy acquisition costs earned by our insurance company operations, and investment income earned by all of our operations. Our core underwriting activities involve providing insurance products in the diversified financial products, group life, accident and health, aviation, London market account and other specialty lines of business, each of which is marketed by our insurance companies and agencies either through a network of independent agents and brokers or directly to customers.
During the past several years, we substantially increased our shareholders’ equity through retaining most of our earnings. With this additional equity, we increased the underwriting capacity of our insurance companies and made acquisitions, adding new lines of business and emphasizing lines of business and individual opportunities with favorable underwriting characteristics. As an insurer, we also purchase reinsurance for some of our lines of business. We purchase different types of reinsurance in amounts we consider appropriate for our individual lines of business based on market conditions and the level of risk we wish to retain.
In the third quarter of both 2005 and 2004, the insurance industry suffered record losses from eight hurricanes that affected the Gulf Coast of the United States. Although we estimate we will incur gross losses of $295.0 million from the 2005 hurricanes and $85.4 million from the 2004 hurricanes, we estimate that our net ultimate losses will be reduced to $74.4 million and $27.3 million, respectively, due to our effective reinsurance programs. Despite these large hurricane losses, we generated a profit from our expanding operations in both of these quarters.
After a three year period in which premium rates rose substantially, premium rates in several of our lines of business became more competitive during the past two years. The rate decreases were more gradual than the prior rate increases; thus, our underwriting activities remain profitable. During the past several years, we expanded our underwriting activities and increased our retentions in response to these market conditions. During 2005, we again increased our retentions on certain of our lines of business. These higher retention levels increased our net written and earned premium and contributed additional underwriting profits to our net earnings. We expect premium rates to increase in the future, reflecting the significant losses from the increased frequency and severity of recent catastrophic events.
In May 2005, the Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split in the form of a 50% stock dividend on our shares of common stock, payable to shareholders of record on July 1, 2005. The distribution of the 35.1 million shares was reflected as of June 30, 2005 in our condensed consolidated financial statements. The distribution had no impact on our consolidated shareholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows. All per share and weighted average share amounts were restated to reflect the effect of the stock split on a retroactive basis.
The following section discusses our key operating results. The reasons for any significant variations between the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 are the same as those discussed below for the respective nine month periods, unless otherwise noted. Amounts in the following tables are in thousands, except for earnings per share, percentages, number of employees and ratios.

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Results of Operations
Net earnings increased 21% to $129.3 million and net earnings per diluted share increased 10% to $1.20 in the first nine months of 2005, from $106.8 million and $1.09 per diluted share in the same period of 2004. Net earnings were $8.0 million and net earnings per diluted share were $0.07 in the third quarter of 2005, compared to $15.8 million and $0.16 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2004.
During the third quarter of 2005 and 2004, catastrophic events occurred related to eight hurricanes: Katrina, Rita, Dennis and Emily (collectively, the 2005 hurricanes) and Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne (collectively, the 2004 hurricanes). In addition, in the current quarter, we commuted certain reinsurance recoverables, primarily related to our discontinued accident and health line of business. In consideration of discounting the recoverables and reassuming the associated loss reserves, we received cash payments of $119.6 million, which were less than the related recoverables and recognized a loss for the difference. The following table shows the indicated amounts, as well as the effect of the hurricanes and commutations on those amounts.
                                 
                    Effect of   Effect of
    Nine months ended   Three months ended   hurricanes   commutations
    September 30, 2005   September 30, 2005   (both periods)   (both periods)
Gross incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
  $ 1,180,055     $ 616,855     $ 295,026     $  
Net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
    679,932       295,768       53,683       26,041  
Ceded earned premium
    489,418       167,661       20,746        
Net earnings (loss)
    129,326       7,950       (48,264 )     (16,927 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share – year to date
    1.20               (0.45 )     (0.16 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share – third quarter
            0.07       (0.44 )     (0.15 )
                         
                    Effect of
    Nine months ended   Three months ended   hurricanes
    September 30, 2004   September 30, 2004   (both periods)
Gross incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
  $ 963,268     $ 416,762     $ 110,000  
Net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
    476,079       202,317       47,918  
Ceded earned premium
    640,379       216,865       7,082  
Net earnings (loss)
    106,786       15,803       (35,673 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
    1.09       0.16       (0.36 )

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The following table shows our net loss, expense and combined ratios and the effect that the losses related to the hurricanes and commutations had on these ratios. To determine the effect of the hurricanes and commutations, we calculated the 2005 and 2004 net loss ratios by excluding $79.7 million and $47.9 million, respectively, of losses from the numerator and $20.7 million and $7.1 million, respectively, of reinstatement premium from the denominator of the net loss ratio.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Ratios:
                               
Net loss ratio
    68.3 %     66.4 %     87.5 %     81.5 %
Expense ratio
    26.0       26.5       25.3       26.3  
 
                       
Combined ratio
    94.3 %     92.9 %     112.8 %     107.8 %
 
                       
 
                               
Effect of hurricanes and commutations:
                               
Net loss ratio
    9.3 %     7.3 %     27.3 %     21.0 %
Expense ratio
    0.5       0.3       1.4       0.7  
 
                       
Combined ratio
    9.8 %     7.6 %     28.7 %     21.7 %
 
                       
The following table sets forth the relationships of certain income statement items as a percent of total revenue.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Net earned premium
    83.2 %     78.2 %     82.0 %     77.0 %
Fee and commission income
    8.6       14.8       7.8       14.3  
Net investment income
    5.8       5.0       6.1       5.0  
Net realized investment gain
    0.2       0.5             1.2  
Other operating income
    2.2       1.5       4.1       2.5  
 
                       
Total revenue
    100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net
    56.8       51.9       71.8       62.8  
Policy acquisition costs, net
    15.5       17.2       15.9       17.2  
Other operating expense
    11.4       12.5       9.8       12.1  
Interest expense
    0.5       0.7       0.5       0.6  
 
                       
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense
    15.8       17.7       2.0       7.3  
Income tax expense
    5.1       6.1       0.2       2.5  
 
                       
Earnings from continuing operations
    10.7 %     11.6 %     1.8 %     4.8 %
 
                       
Total revenue increased 30% to $1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2005 and 28% to $412.0 million in the third quarter of 2005, driven by significant growth in net earned premium in our two largest lines, diversified financial products and group life, accident and health. Approximately 10% of the increase in year-to-date 2005 revenue was due to the acquisition of subsidiaries and startup of new operations. We acquired United States Surety Company and De Montfort Group Limited in 2005 and several other entities in 2004. The results of operations of these companies are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements beginning on the effective date of each acquisition. We expect total revenue to continue to grow through 2006.

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Gross written premium, net written premium and net earned premium are detailed below. We have experienced increases in premium due to increased retentions, growth of the surety business within our diversified financial products line of business, and acquisitions. See the Insurance Company Segment section below for further discussion of the relationship and changes in premium revenue.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Gross written premium
  $ 1,540,002     $ 1,470,920     $ 525,447     $ 490,149  
Net written premium
    1,107,443       800,409       371,698       255,593  
Net earned premium
    995,901       717,323       338,058       248,190  
The table below shows the source of our fee and commission income.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Agencies
  $ 72,162     $ 97,543     $ 23,533     $ 32,341  
Insurance companies
    30,290       38,293       8,540       13,550  
 
                       
Fee and commission income
  $ 102,452     $ 135,836     $ 32,073     $ 45,891  
 
                       
Fee and commission income decreased to $102.5 million in the first nine months of 2005 and to $32.1 million in the third quarter of 2005, as expected, since we decreased the level of ceded reinsurance by our insurance company subsidiaries in certain lines of business. These reductions reduced the revenue from our reinsurance brokers and the ceding commissions earned by our insurance companies and underwriting agencies. Also, effective January 1, 2005, we consolidated the operations of our largest underwriting agency into our life insurance company. The higher levels of retentions resulted in increased underwriting revenue and profitability in our insurance company subsidiaries.
The sources of net investment income are detailed below.
                                 
    Nine months ended September 30,     Three months ended September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Fixed income securities
  $ 56,017     $ 40,360     $ 19,855     $ 14,285  
Short-term investments
    13,899       6,266       5,468       2,249  
Other investments
    2,891       718       482       330  
 
                       
Total investment income
    72,807       47,344       25,805       16,864  
Investment expense
    (2,768 )     (1,730 )     (807 )     (652 )
 
                       
Net investment income
  $ 70,039     $ 45,614     $ 24,998     $ 16,212  
 
                       
Net investment income increased 54% to $70.0 million in the first nine months of 2005 and 54% to $25.0 million in the third quarter. These increases were primarily due to higher investment assets, which increased to $3.0 billion at September 30, 2005 compared to $2.1 billion at September 30, 2004. The growth in investment assets resulted from cash flow from operations, commutations of reinsurance recoverables, our public offering of stock in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the expansion of our diversified financial products line of business, which generally has a longer time period between reporting and payment of claims. Additionally, yields on our short-term investments were higher in 2005 than 2004. During the past year, we shifted some funds from short-term investments to fixed income securities and increased the mix of tax exempt municipal bonds in our portfolio. We expect investment assets to continue to increase in the fourth quarter, consistent with our anticipated growth in

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revenue and possible additional commutations of reinsurance recoverables. If market interest rates rise, investment income will accelerate, since new funds and current maturities could be invested at higher rates.
During the third quarter of 2005, our unrealized loss on fixed income securities was $0.7 million, down from unrealized gains of $23.3 million at June 30, 2005 and $20.7 million at December 31, 2004, due to movements in market interest rates. The change in the unrealized gain or loss, net of the related income tax effect, is recorded in other comprehensive income. During October 2005, we recorded an additional unrealized loss on fixed income securities of $19.7 million due to an increase in market interest rates.
Information about our portfolio of fixed income securities was as follows:
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Average yield
    3.92 %     4.07 %     3.85 %     3.94 %
Average tax equivalent yield
    4.81 %     4.76 %     4.75 %     4.65 %
Weighted average maturity
  7.6 years   4.6 years                
Weighted average duration
  4.8 years   3.8 years                
Other operating income increased in 2005 compared to the prior year, primarily from a net gain on sales of trading securities and a gain on the sale of a dormant subsidiary. Period to period comparisons in this category may vary substantially depending on market values of and transactions in trading securities and other financial instruments and on income from strategic investments or dispositions of such investments. The following table details the components of other operating income.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Trading securities
  $ 9,210     $ 3,855     $ 7,783     $ 2,398  
Sale of dormant subsidiary
    4,271             4,271        
Financial instruments
    3,250       3,609       603       2,278  
Other
    9,385       6,753       4,207       3,302  
 
                       
Other operating income
  $ 26,116     $ 14,217     $ 16,864     $ 7,978  
 
                       
Other operating expense, which includes compensation expense, increased 18% in the first nine months of 2005 and 4% in the third quarter. The increases primarily related to higher incentive compensation based on increased profitability, operating expenses of subsidiaries acquired or formed in 2004 and 2005 and an indemnification claim expensed in the second quarter of 2005. We had 1,373 employees at September 30, 2005, compared to 1,217 a year earlier. The increase in employees was primarily due to acquisitions.
Our effective income tax rate on earnings from continuing operations was 32.0% for the nine months and 10.4% for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, compared to 34.4% and 33.6%, respectively, in the same periods of 2004. The effective tax rate decreased in 2005 because our tax exempt interest income increased as a percentage of our pre-tax income, particularly in the third quarter due to the commutation and hurricane losses, and we recorded a special $2.1 million repatriation tax benefit, mainly in the second quarter.
At September 30, 2005, book value per share was $13.97, up from $12.97 at December 31, 2004. Total assets were $6.6 billion and shareholders’ equity was $1.5 billion, up from $5.9 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2004.

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Segments
Insurance Company Segment
Net earnings of our insurance company segment increased 29% to $87.2 million in the first nine months of 2005 compared to $67.5 million in 2004. The 2005 period includes $65.2 million of after-tax losses related to commutations and hurricanes, while the 2004 period includes $35.7 million of after-tax hurricane losses. Increased retentions, which resulted in higher earned premium, and increased investment income contributed to the growth in segment net earnings. Effective January 1, 2005, we consolidated the operations of our largest underwriting agency into our life insurance company, which reduced fee and commission income of our agency segment but increased the underwriting profitability of our insurance company segment. We expect net earnings from our insurance companies to continue to grow during the fourth quarter.
The following table details premium amounts and their percentages of gross written premium.
                                                                 
    Nine months ended September 30,     Three months ended September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Direct
  $ 1,322,105       86 %   $ 1,252,358       85 %   $ 458,029       87 %   $ 423,554       86 %
Reinsurance assumed
    217,897       14       218,562       15       67,418       13       66,595       14  
 
                                               
Gross written premium
    1,540,002       100       1,470,920       100       525,447       100       490,149       100  
Reinsurance ceded
    (432,559 )     (28 )     (670,511 )     (46 )     (153,749 )     (29 )     (234,556 )     (48 )
 
                                               
Net written premium
    1,107,443       72       800,409       54       371,698       71       255,593       52  
Change in unearned premium
    (111,542 )     (7 )     (83,086 )     (5 )     (33,640 )     (7 )     (7,403 )     (1 )
 
                                               
Net earned premium
  $ 995,901       65 %   $ 717,323       49 %   $ 338,058       64 %   $ 248,190       51 %
 
                                               
The following tables provide premium information by line of business.
                                 
    Gross     Net     NWP as     Net  
    written     written     % of     earned  
    premium     premium     GWP     premium  
Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                               
 
                               
Diversified financial products
  $ 665,400     $ 480,405       72 %   $ 371,414  
Group life, accident and health
    448,378       381,367       85       380,681  
Aviation
    159,446       99,879       63       101,817  
London market account
    124,164       64,938       52       66,402  
Other specialty lines
    133,766       78,542       59       69,574  
 
                       
 
    1,531,154       1,105,131       72       989,888  
Discontinued lines
    8,848       2,312     nm       6,013  
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 1,540,002     $ 1,107,443       72 %   $ 995,901  
 
                       

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    Gross     Net     NWP as     Net  
    written     written     % of     earned  
    premium     premium     GWP     premium  
Nine months ended September 30, 2004
                               
 
                               
Diversified financial products
  $ 606,847     $ 267,997       44 %   $ 207,684  
Group life, accident and health
    441,090       249,172       56       245,945  
Aviation
    149,996       109,564       73       92,283  
London market account
    151,993       92,587       61       83,572  
Other specialty lines
    105,055       61,315       58       46,845  
 
                       
 
    1,454,981       780,635       54       676,329  
Discontinued lines
    15,939       19,774     nm       40,994  
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 1,470,920     $ 800,409       54 %   $ 717,323  
 
                       
 
                               
Three months ended September 30, 2005
                               
 
                               
Diversified financial products
  $ 241,781     $ 184,931       76 %   $ 143,084  
Group life, accident and health
    142,086       124,358       88       125,079  
Aviation
    53,090       31,597       60       35,008  
London market account
    32,366       (370 )   nm       8,784  
Other specialty lines
    49,991       30,220       60       25,023  
 
                       
 
 
    519,314       370,736       71       336,978  
Discontinued lines
    6,133       962     nm       1,080  
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 525,447     $ 371,698       71 %   $ 338,058  
 
                       
 
                               
Three months ended September 30, 2004
                               
 
                               
Diversified financial products
  $ 215,184     $ 100,183       47 %   $ 77,571  
Group life, accident and health
    147,235       87,860       60       86,055  
Aviation
    53,003       34,483       65       35,016  
London market account
    34,649       10,701       31       22,050  
Other specialty lines
    41,061       22,506       55       18,554  
 
                       
 
 
    491,132       255,733       52       239,246  
Discontinued lines
    (983 )     (140 )   nm       8,944  
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 490,149     $ 255,593       52 %   $ 248,190  
 
                       
 
nm — Not meaningful comparison
Gross written premium increased 5% to $1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2005 and 7% to $525.4 million in the third quarter. We expect gross premium to continue to grow through 2006. Net written premium increased 38% to $1.1 billion and net earned premium increased 39% to $1.0 billion in the first nine months of 2005 and 45% and 36%, respectively, in the third quarter. These increases were primarily due to higher retention levels on most non-catastrophe business. The overall percentage of retained premium increased to 72% in the first nine months of 2005 from 54% in the same period of 2004. Even though there is some pricing competition in certain of our markets, due to our underwriting discipline our margins remain at an acceptable level of profitability.

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The changes in premium volume and retention levels between 2005 and 2004 resulted principally from the following factors:
    The largest gross and net premium growth was in our diversified financial products line of business. Our professional indemnity and surety business increased in 2005 due to organic growth and acquisitions. Our directors’ and officers’ liability gross written premium declined in 2005 due to our underwriting discipline following increased competition and premium rate reductions on some of our business. Our growth in net written premium was due to increased retentions resulting from a reduction of proportional reinsurance, some of which has been replaced by excess of loss reinsurance.
 
    While competition, principally from primary writers, continues to result in some premium rate reductions in our group life, accident and health line of business, profit margins remain at acceptable levels; therefore, we increased our retentions in 2005. This line of business generally is not volatile and has very little catastrophe exposure.
 
    Aviation retentions in 2005 are comparable to 2004 excluding the effect of recapture of ceded unearned premium in the second quarter of 2004. This portfolio transfer increased net, but not gross, written premium in 2004.
 
    We reduced our London market account premium writings throughout 2005, due to more selective underwriting in response to reduced premium rates from increased competition. Net written premium was reduced in the third quarter of both years by additional excess of loss premium to reinstate catastrophe reinsurance coverage, which distorts the retention percentages.
 
    We experienced organic growth in our other specialty line of business from increased writings in three products.
The table below shows the composition of net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense.
                                                                 
    Nine months ended September 30,     Three months ended September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
            Loss             Loss             Loss             Loss  
    Amount     ratio     Amount     ratio     Amount     ratio     Amount     ratio  
Net reserve deficiency (redundancy)
  $ 1,471       0.2 %   $ 7,044       1.0 %   $ (870 )     (0.3 )%   $ 4,192       1.7 %
Hurricanes
    53,683       5.4       47,918       6.7       53,683       15.9       47,918       19.3  
Commutations
    26,041       2.6                   26,041       7.7              
All other net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
    598,737       60.1`       421,117       58.7       216,914       64.2       150,207       60.5  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Net incurred loss and loss adjustment expense
  $ 679,932       68.3 %   $ 476,079       66.4 %   $ 295,768       87.5 %   $ 202,317       81.5 %
 
                                               
Our net reserve deficiencies for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2005 were $27.5 million and $25.2 million, respectively, both of which include $26.0 million due to the commutations, which primarily affected our discontinued lines of business. We reduced our net loss reserves on the 2004 hurricanes by $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2005 to reflect current estimates of our remaining liabilities. This reduction was offset by reserve increases in our London market account and group life, accident and health business. For the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2004, net reserve deficiencies of $11.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively, were recorded on certain business in our discontinued lines. This was partially offset by

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some small movements in our other lines of business. Deficiencies and redundancies in reserves occur as a result of our continuing review and as losses are finally settled or claims exposures change. We have no material exposure to environmental or asbestos losses and believe we have provided for all material net incurred losses.
Our gross loss ratio was 79.4% (including 19.9% related to hurricanes) and 70.9% (including 8.1% related to hurricanes) in the first nine months of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The gross loss ratio was 122.0% (including 58.3% related to hurricanes) and 89.6% (including 23.7% related to hurricanes) in the third quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The following table provides comparative net loss ratios by line of business.
                                                                 
    Nine months ended September 30,     Three months ended September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    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
  $ 371,414       48.1 %   $ 207,684       47.1 %   $ 143,084       48.5 %   $ 77,571       49.3 %
Group life, accident and health
    380,681       73.0       245,945       64.4       125,079       78.9       86,055       67.7  
Aviation
    101,817       73.3       92,283       69.6       35,008       100.0       35,016       86.9  
London market account
    66,402       95.1       83,572       90.3       8,784       424.3       22,050       215.5  
Other specialty lines
    69,574       76.1       46,845       70.1       25,023       111.2       18,554       84.8  
 
                                               
 
    989,888       65.4       676,329       63.4       336,978       79.6       239,246       79.5  
Discontinued lines
    6,013     nm       40,994       115.3       1,080     nm       8,944       135.4  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Totals
  $ 995,901       68.3 %   $ 717,323       66.4 %   $ 338,058       87.5 %   $ 248,190       81.5 %
 
                                                       
 
                                                               
Expense ratio
            26.0               26.5               25.3               26.3  
 
                                                       
 
                                                               
Combined ratio
            94.3 %             92.9 %             112.8 %             107.8 %
 
                                                       
 
nm – Not meaningful comparison
Comments on significant changes in net loss ratios by line of business follow:
    Group life, accident and health — Both competition and medical cost inflation is higher in 2005 than previously predicted, resulting in higher projected loss ratios in the 2004 and 2005 underwriting years, however, our underwriting margins in this line of business remain acceptable.
 
    Aviation — The 2005 hurricanes increased the loss ratios 8.2% and 24.1% for the nine months and third quarter of 2005, respectively, and the 2004 hurricanes increased the loss ratios 11.3% and 29.9% for the nine months and third quarter of 2004, respectively. Year-to-date 2005 also includes the positive impact from the release of redundant reserves related to the 2004 hurricanes. Excluding the impact of the hurricanes, the third quarter of 2005 had worse than expected underwriting experience due to some large international losses.
 
    London market account — The 2005 hurricanes increased the loss ratios 54.9% and 393.3% for the nine months and third quarter of 2005, respectively, and the 2004 hurricanes increased the loss ratios 43.3% and 165.2% for the nine months and third quarter of 2004, respectively. The London market account line of business can have relatively high quarter-to-quarter volatility due to catastrophe exposure.

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    Other specialty lines —The 2005 hurricanes increased the net loss ratios 18.6% and 51.8% for the nine months and third quarter of 2005, respectively, and the 2004 hurricanes increased the loss ratios 9.9% and 25.0% for the nine months and third quarter of 2004, respectively.
 
    Discontinued lines — The 2005 commutation losses primarily affected this line of business.
Policy acquisition costs, which are net of the related portion of commissions on reinsurance ceded, increased to $185.7 million in 2005 from $157.8 million in 2004, primarily due to the increase in net earned premium. Policy acquisition costs as a percentage of net earned premium declined to 18.6% in 2005 from 22.0% in 2004 due to a change in the mix of business, reductions in commission rates on certain lines of business, and our increased retentions, which increased our net earned premium at a higher rate than our non-commission acquisition costs. The expense ratio decreased in 2005 compared to 2004 for the same reasons, partially offset by a reduction in ceded commissions in excess of policy acquisition costs.
Agency Segment
Revenue from our agency segment decreased to $142.3 million in 2005 from $169.4 million in 2004, primarily due to the consolidation of our largest underwriting agency into our life insurance company effective January 1, 2005, less business produced in certain lines, and the overall effect of ceding less reinsurance. As a result, segment net earnings also decreased in 2005 to $24.5 million from $40.2 million in 2004. We expect the revenue and net earnings of this segment to continue to decrease in the fourth quarter of 2005 and then should stabilize in 2006. However, while these actions will result in less fee and commission income to our agency segment, they will result in increased insurance company revenue and net earnings.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We receive substantial cash from premiums, reinsurance recoverables, commutations, fee and commission income and, to a lesser extent, investment income and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments. Our principal cash outflows are for the payment of claims and loss adjustment expenses, premium payments to reinsurers, purchases of investments, debt service, policy acquisition costs, operating expenses, taxes and dividends.
Our cash provided by operating activities has been strong in recent years, principally due to our increasing net earnings, growth in net written premium and net loss reserves due to organic growth and increased retentions, commutations of selected reinsurance agreements, and expansion of our diversified financial products line of business.
Cash provided by operating activities increased $102.7 million in the nine months and $197.5 million in the third quarter of 2005 compared to comparable periods in 2004. Both increases include $119.6 million of cash we received for commutations in the third quarter of 2005. Excluding the commutations, cash provided by operating activities decreased $16.9 million year-to-date and increased $77.9 million in the third quarter. This represents an improved trend compared to the second quarter of 2005. At that time, we had not yet realized the full benefit of our increased retentions, since we were still settling reinsurance balances from 2004 when we purchased considerably more reinsurance. Cash provided by operating activities can fluctuate due to timing differences in the collection of premiums and the payment of losses. In addition, the timing of transactions in our trading portfolio, which reduced cash provided by operating activities to a greater extent in 2005, may vary substantially, up or down, depending on activity in any given period.

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The components of our net operating cash flows are detailed in the following table.
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Net earnings
  $ 129,326     $ 106,786     $ 7,950     $ 15,803  
Change in premium, claims and other receivables, net of reinsurance, other payables and restricted cash
    (68,776 )     (6,768 )     60,053       13,085  
Change in unearned premium, net
    108,585       84,880       32,106       5,339  
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable, net of reinsurance recoverables
    364,888       199,300       257,531       94,847  
Change in trading portfolio
    (54,654 )     5,623       (16,600 )     4,174  
Other, net
    (26,115 )     (39,242 )     (6,623 )     3,697  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 453,254     $ 350,579     $ 334,417     $ 136,945  
 
                       
We maintain a substantial level of cash and liquid short-term investments to meet anticipated payment obligations. Our combined cash and investment portfolio increased $504.4 million during 2005 and totaled $3.0 billion at September 30, 2005. Included in short-term investments at September 30, 2005 is $192.2 million of funds held by underwriting agencies or reinsurance brokers for the benefit of insurance or reinsurance clients. We earn the interest income on these funds.
In the first nine months of 2005, we paid $35.1 million, which had been accrued at December 31, 2004, related to contingent consideration based on the terms of prior acquisition agreements. On July 14, 2005, we acquired the remaining 66% of De Montfort Group Limited for $10.5 million cash and 274 thousand shares of our common stock.
Our $200.0 million Revolving Loan Facility allows us to borrow up to the maximum allowed by the facility on a revolving basis until the facility expires on November 30, 2009. We had no borrowings at September 30, 2005. We have filed registration statements with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that provide a shelf registration for an aggregate of $750.0 million of our securities, of which we have $525.0 million available to be issued. These securities may be debt securities, equity securities or a combination thereof.
As a result of our common stock trading at specified price levels in the third quarter, holders may elect to surrender our 2.00% Convertible Exchange Notes (Notes) in the fourth quarter for cash equal to the principal amount of the Notes ($172.4 million at September 30, 2005) and common stock for the value of the conversion premium. No Notes were surrendered in the third quarter. We expect to use the Revolving Loan Facility to fund any Notes surrendered in the fourth quarter. Assuming an average price of $28.00 for our stock, we would issue approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock should all Note holders elect conversion. The dilutive effect of these shares is included in the calculation of our diluted earnings per share in all periods. Our common stock must meet the specified price levels in each subsequent quarter in order for the Notes to be eligible for conversion in the following quarter.
The contractual obligations table in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K shows these Notes as maturing in 2007 due to a put option. Based on the change in our stock price, the Notes may be surrendered in the fourth quarter of 2005, as discussed above. In addition, as of September 30, 2005, our future lease commitments have changed, as disclosed in Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our debt to total capital ratio was 17.3% at September 30, 2005 and 19.0% at December 31, 2004.
We believe that our operating cash flows, investments, bank facility and shelf registration will provide sufficient sources of liquidity to meet our current operating needs.

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Critical Accounting Policies
We have made no changes in our methods of application of our critical accounting policies from the information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB has issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which requires stock-based employee compensation to be deducted from net income beginning January 1, 2006. We are currently reviewing the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R), including the valuation methods permitted. Using the Black-Scholes single option pricing model that we utilized for the SFAS No. 123 calculations included in Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, compensation costs related to nonvested awards approximated $40.6 million at September 30, 2005. If we ultimately utilize the Black-Scholes model for purposes of SFAS No. 123(R), this cost will be recognized through the last vesting period in 2010, although approximately 81% will be recognized through 2008.
In September 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) approved issuance of FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 115-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” to be released in the fourth quarter of 2005. The FSP will require recognition of an impairment loss on a debt security no later than when the investor deems the impairment is other than temporary, even if the investor has not decided to sell the security. This standard will replace current guidance in Issue 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. The new standard will be effective January 1, 2006. We expect that adoption of this FSP will have an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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, 2004.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
a. Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of September 30, 2005, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us to comply with our disclosure obligations under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported by us within the timeframes specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
b. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2005 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 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 over contractual relationships 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.
We are presently engaged in litigation initiated by the appointed liquidator of a former reinsurer concerning payments made to us prior to the date of appointment of the liquidator. The disputed payments, totaling $10.3 million, were made by the now insolvent reinsurer in connection with a commutation agreement. Our understanding is that such litigation is similar to other actions brought by the liquidator. We continue to vigorously contest the action.
Although the ultimate outcome of the matters mentioned above 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 these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
A reinsurance broker subsidiary was named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to a discontinued workers’ compensation reinsurance facility commonly known as the Unicover Pool. In 2005, we entered into settlement agreements with the insurance company participants, which will have no impact on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows as the claims were covered by insurance.
We previously received subpoenas and other inquiries from various state officials and regulatory bodies concerning on-going investigations of insurance marketing and sales practices. We received no additional inquiries during the third quarter of 2005. Published press reports indicate that numerous inquiries of this nature were sent to insurance companies as part of industry-wide investigations. We have cooperated fully with all such investigations and have provided responsive information to all inquiries. Based on presently available information, we do not expect any adverse results from such investigations.
Item 6. Exhibits
             
a.   Exhibits    
 
    31.1     Certification by Chief Executive Officer
 
           
 
    31.2     Certification by Chief Financial Officer
 
           
 
    32.1     Certification with respect to quarterly report

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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)
     
November 8, 2005   /s/ Stephen L. Way
     
(Date)   Stephen L. Way, Chairman of the Board,
    Chief Executive Officer and President
     
November 8, 2005   /s/ Edward H. Ellis, Jr.
     
(Date)   Edward H. Ellis, Jr., Executive Vice President
    and Chief Financial Officer

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
     
31.1
  Certification by Chief Executive Officer
 
   
31.2
  Certification by Chief Financial Officer
 
   
32.1
  Certification with respect to quarterly report

37