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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997 Commission File No. 0-3681
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California 95-221-1612
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4484 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90010
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (213)937-1060
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
Title of Class Name of Exchange on Which Registered
-------------- -------------------------------------
Common Stock New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act
NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or 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 X No ____
-----
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the Registrant's voting stock held by non-
affiliates of the Registrant at March 16, 1998, was approximately $1,636,718,299
-------------
(based upon the closing sales price of such date, as reported by the Wall Street
Journal).
At March 16, 1998, the Registrant had issued and outstanding an aggregate of
55,219,513 shares of its Common Stock.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Registrant to be held
on May 13, 1998 (only portions of which are incorporated by reference).
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
--------
GENERAL
Mercury General Corporation ("Mercury General") and its subsidiaries
(collectively, the Company) are engaged primarily in writing all risk
classifications of automobile insurance in California, which in 1997 accounted
for approximately 88% of the Company's direct premiums written. In 1990, the
Company commenced writing small amounts of automobile insurance in Georgia and
Illinois. In December 1996 the Company acquired the American Fidelity Insurance
Group ("AFI"), which is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1997, the
name was changed to American Mercury Insurance Group (AMI). AMI is licensed in
36 states but writes predominantly in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. AMI's primary
lines of insurance are private passenger and commercial automobile and
automobile mechanical breakdown. The full year and one month of AMI's operations
are included in the Company's 1997 and 1996 consolidated financial statements,
respectively. During 1997, private passenger automobile insurance and commercial
automobile insurance accounted for 90.5% and 4.3%, respectively, of the
Company's direct premiums written. The Company also writes homeowners insurance,
mechanical breakdown insurance, commercial and dwelling fire insurance and
commercial property insurance. The non-automobile lines of insurance accounted
for 5.2% of direct premiums written in 1997, of which approximately 60% was in
commercial lines. During 1998, the Company began writing private passenger
automobile coverage in Florida.
The Company offers automobile policyholders the following types of
coverage: bodily injury liability, underinsured and uninsured motorist,
property damage liability, comprehensive, collision and other hazards specified
in the policy. The Company's published maximum limits of liability for bodily
injury are $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and, for property damage,
$250,000 per accident. Subject to special underwriting approval, the combined
policy limits may be as high as $1,000,000 for vehicles written under the
Company's commercial automobile plan. Under the majority of the Company's
automobile policies, however, the limits of liability are less than $100,000 per
person, $300,000 per accident and $50,000 for property damage.
In 1997, A.M. Best & Co. ("A.M. Best") rated Mercury Casualty Company
("Mercury Casualty") and Mercury Insurance Company ("Mercury Insurance"), the
Company's chief operating subsidiaries, A+ (Superior). This is the second
highest of the fifteen rating categories in the A.M. Best rating system, which
range from A++ (Superior) to F (In Liquidation). AMI was rated A- (Excellent)
in 1997 by A.M. Best.
The principal executive offices of Mercury General are located in Los
Angeles, California. The home office of its California insurance subsidiaries
and the Company's computer and operations center is located in Brea, California.
The Company maintains branch offices in a number of locations in California as
well as a branch office opened in Clearwater, Florida during 1997. The non-
California subsidiaries maintain offices in Vernon Hills, Illinois, Atlanta,
Georgia, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Cimarron, Kansas. The Company has
approximately 2,100 employees.
2
ORGANIZATION
Mercury General, an insurance holding company, is the parent of Mercury
Casualty, a California automobile insurer founded in 1961 by George Joseph, its
Chief Executive Officer. Its insurance operations in California are conducted
through three California insurance company subsidiaries, Mercury Casualty,
Mercury Insurance, and California Automobile Insurance Company. Two
subsidiaries, Mercury Insurance Company of Georgia and Mercury Insurance Company
of Illinois, received authority in late 1989 to write automobile insurance in
those two states. In 1992, Mercury Indemnity Company of Georgia and Mercury
Indemnity Company of Illinois were formed to write preferred risk automobile
insurance in those two states. Through the Company's first acquisition in
December 1996, three additional subsidiaries have been added to the group:
American Fidelity Insurance Company, domiciled in Oklahoma; Cimarron Insurance
Company, domiciled in Kansas; and AFI Management Company, Inc., a Texas
corporation which serves as the attorney-in-fact for American Fidelity Lloyds
Insurance Company, a Texas insurer. Accordingly, their operations are included
in the consolidated financial statements of the Company effective December 1,
1996. During 1997, the names of American Fidelity Insurance Company and American
Fidelity Lloyds Insurance Company were changed to American Mercury Insurance
Company ("AMIC") and American Mercury Lloyds Insurance Company ("AML"),
respectively.
Mercury General furnishes management services to its California, Georgia,
Illinois and Oklahoma subsidiaries. Mercury General, its subsidiaries, and AML
are referred to as the "Company" unless the context indicates otherwise.
Mercury General Corporation individually is referred to as "Mercury General."
The term "California Companies" refers to Mercury Casualty, Mercury Insurance
and California Automobile Insurance Company.
UNDERWRITING
The Company sets its own automobile insurance premium rates, subject to
rating regulations issued by the Insurance Commissioners of the applicable
states. Automobile insurance rates on voluntary business in California have
been subject to approval by the California Department of Insurance ("DOI") since
November 1989. The Company uses its own extensive data base to establish rates
and classifications.
On February 25, 1994, the California DOI approved a revised rating plan and
rates for the California Companies which became effective on May 1, 1994. These
rates were designed to improve the California Companies' competitive position
for new insureds and included a modest overall rate reduction. Further rate
modifications were approved and made effective on October 15, 1995, April 15,
1996 and October 1, 1997. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview."
In September 1996 the California DOI issued new rating factor regulations,
replacing expired emergency regulations issued in 1989. See "Regulation -
Automobile Insurance Rating Factor Regulations."
3
Approximately 80% of the Company's new applications for automobile
insurance in California during 1997 were placed in the lowest risk
classifications, known as "good drivers" (as defined by the California Insurance
Code), while approximately 20% of new applications were accepted in higher
risk classifications at increased rate levels. Policies are reclassified at the
time of renewal and may be changed to a higher or lower risk classification.
At December 31, 1997, "good drivers" accounted for approximately 80% of all
voluntary private passenger automobile policies in force in California, while
the higher risk categories accounted for approximately 20%. The renewal rate
in California (the rate of acceptance of offers to renew) averages approximately
95%.
AMI's private passenger automobile business in force is predominantly
standard and preferred type risks, although they plan to offer more non-standard
programs in the future.
PRODUCTION AND SERVICING OF BUSINESS
The Company sells its policies through more than 1,600 independent agents,
of which approximately 800 are located in California and approximately 650
others represent AMI in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. Approximately half of the
agents in California have represented the Company for more than ten years. The
agents, most of whom also represent one or more competing insurance companies,
are independent contractors selected and appointed by the Company.
One agency produced approximately 14%, 17% and 15% during 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively, of the Company's total direct premiums written. No other
agent accounted for more than 2% of direct premiums written.
The Company believes that its agents' compensation is higher than the
industry average. During 1997 total commissions and bonuses incurred averaged
16.2% of direct premiums written. The Company is not responsible for any of
its agents' expenses.
Traditionally, any advertising has been handled by the individual agents.
During the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company began its first advertising
program in major newspapers in Southern California. While the Company plans,
coordinates and executes the program, the agents are responsible for the cost of
the advertisements. The program has been satisfactory and was expanded to
Northern California in early 1996. The program was temporarily suspended during
the first half of 1997 due to a large influx of new business. See "Regulation-
California Financial Responsibility Law." The program was reinstated during the
third quarter of 1997.
CLAIMS
Claims operations are supervised by the Company. The claims staff in
California, Georgia, Illinois and Oklahoma administers all claims and directs
all legal and adjustment aspects of the claims process. The Company adjusts
most claims without the assistance of outside adjusters.
4
LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES
The Company maintains reserves for the payment of losses and loss
adjustment expenses for both reported and unreported claims. Loss reserves are
estimated based upon a case-by-case evaluation of the type of claim involved and
the expected development of such claim. The amount of loss reserves and loss
adjustment expense reserves for unreported claims are determined on the basis of
historical information by line of insurance. Inflation is reflected in the
reserving process through analysis of cost trends and reviews of historical
reserving results.
The ultimate liability may be greater or lower than stated loss reserves.
Reserves are closely monitored and are analyzed quarterly by the Company's
actuarial consultants using new information on reported claims and a variety of
statistical techniques. The Company does not discount to a present value that
portion of its loss reserves expected to be paid in future periods. The Tax
Reform Act of 1986 does, however, require the Company to discount loss reserves
for Federal income tax purposes.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending
reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance deductions,
as shown on the Company's consolidated financial statements for the periods
indicated.
Year ended December 31,
---------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------
(Amounts in thousands)
Net reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses, beginning of year................................ $311,754 250,990 $223,392
Reserves acquired from purchase of American
Mercury Insurance Company................................... -- 24,231 --
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Provision for insured events of the
current year........................................ 641,911 505,726 423,264
Increase (decrease) in provision for
Insured events of prior years....................... 12,818 (3,868) (6,708)
-------- ------- -------
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment
expenses.......................................... 654,729 501,858 416,556
-------- ------- -------
Payments:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses attribu-
table to insured events of the current
year................................................. 373,823 298,099 243,294
Losses and loss adjustment expenses attribu-
table to insured events of prior years............... 206,390 167,226 145,664
-------- ------- -------
Total payments....................................... 580,213 465,325 388,958
-------- ------- -------
Net reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses at the end of the period........................... 386,270 311,754 250,990
Reinsurance recoverable...................................... 22,791 24,931 2,556
-------- ------- -------
Gross liability at end of year............................... $409,061 $336,685 $253,546
======== ======== ========
5
The AMI purchase agreement includes an indemnification by the seller on the
loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of AMI at the acquisition date,
excluding the mechanical breakdown line, to avoid any impact on the Company's
financial statements from any future adverse development on the acquisition date
loss reserves.
The difference between the reserves reported in the Company's consolidated
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") and those reported in the statements filed with the
Department of Insurance in accordance with statutory accounting principles
("SAP") is shown in the following table:
December 31,
-----------------------------
1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- --------
(Amounts in thousands)
Reserves reported on a SAP basis......... $386,270 $311,754 $250,990
Reinsurance recoverable.................. 22,791 24,931 2,556
-------- -------- --------
Reserves reported on a GAAP basis........ $409,061 $336,685 $253,546
======== ======== ========
The following table represents the development of loss reserves for the
period 1988 through 1997. The top line of the table shows the reserves at the
balance sheet date net of reinsurance recoverable for each of the indicated
years. This represents the estimated amount of losses and loss adjustment
expenses for claims arising in all prior years that are unpaid at the balance
sheet date, including losses that had been incurred but not yet reported to the
Company. The upper portion of the table shows the cumulative amounts paid as of
successive years with respect to that reserve liability. The lower portion of
the table shows the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded reserves
based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year, including cumulative
payments made since the end of the respective year. The estimate changes as more
information becomes known about the frequency and severity of claims for
individual years. A redundancy (deficiency) exists when the original reserve
estimate is greater (less) than the re-estimated reserves at December 31, 1997.
In evaluating the information in the table, it should be noted that each
amount includes the effects of all changes in amounts for prior periods. This
table does not present accident or policy year development data. Conditions and
6
trends that have affected development of the liability in the past may not
necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to
extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on this table.
As of December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
Net reserves for
losses and loss
adjustment expenses................ $241,037 $291,408 $301,354 $280,157 $239,203
Paid (cumulative) as of:
One year later.................... 139,874 167,850 181,781 151,866 135,188
Two years later................... 195,453 227,503 238,030 197,640 184,119
Three years later................. 218,335 249,371 254,884 213,824 197,371
Four years later.................. 226,384 256,659 261,058 218,067 201,365
Five years later.................. 229,168 259,147 263,011 220,057 202,383
Six years later................... 229,773 259,781 262,741 220,313
Seven years later................. 229,815 259,769 262,770
Eight years later................. 229,693 259,769
Nine years later.................. 229,793
Net reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later.................... 230,249 269,934 285,212 230,991 204,479
Two years later................... 233,607 269,652 265,618 218,404 204,999
Three years later................. 234,757 259,635 259,624 220,620 203,452
Four years later.................. 228,909 256,694 264,259 221,118 204,603
Five years later.................. 228,326 260,365 264,127 221,264 203,705
Six years later................... 230,102 260,402 263,336 220,721
Seven years later................. 229,998 260,098 263,045
Eight years later................. 229,809 260,031
Nine years later.................. 229,882
Net Cumulative Redundancy
(deficiency)...................... 11,155 31,377 38,309 59,436 35,498
As of December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
Net reserves for
losses and loss
adjustment expenses................ $214,525 $223,392 $250,990 $311,754 $386,270
Paid (cumulative) as of:
One year later.................... 143,272 145,664 167,226 206,390
Two years later................... 187,641 198,967 225,158
Three years later................. 204,606 214,403
Four years later.................. 207,704
Five years later..................
Six years later...................
Seven years later.................
Eight years later.................
Nine years later..................
Net reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later.................... 204,451 216,684 247,122 324,572
Two years later................... 207,089 222,861 254,920
Three years later................. 210,838 221,744
Four years later.................. 210,890
Five years later..................
Six years later...................
Seven years later.................
Eight years later.................
Nine years later..................
Net Cumulative Redundancy
(deficiency)...................... 3,635 1,648 (3,930) (12,818)
As of December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
Gross liability - end of year 240,183
Reinsurance recoverable (980)
-------
Net liability - end of year 239,203
Gross re-estimated liability =======
- latest 209,107
Re-estimated recoverable -
latest (5,402)
Net re-estimated liability - -------
latest 203,705
Gross cumulative redundancy =======
(deficiency) 31,076
=======
As of December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
Gross liability - end of year 215,301 227,499 253,546 336,685 409,061
Reinsurance recoverable (776) (4,107) (2,556) (24,931) (22,791)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net liability - end of year 214,525 223,392 250,990 311,754 386,270
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Gross re-estimated liability
- latest 217,333 233,462 263,084 350,435
Re-estimated recoverable -
latest (6,443) (11,718) (8,164) (25,863)
Net re-estimated liability - ------- ------- ------- -------
latest 210,890 221,744 254,920 324,572
Gross cumulative redundancy ======= ======= ======= =======
(deficiency) (2,032) (5,963) (9,538) (13,750)
======= ======= ======= =======
For the calendar years 1995 and 1996, the Company's previously estimated
loss reserves produced minor deficiencies. These deficiencies relate to
increases in the Company's ultimate estimates for loss adjustment expenses. The
initial estimates were based principally on the Company's actual experience and
did not fully reflect the increases in the legal expenses of defending the
Company's insureds arising from the Company's policy of aggressively defending,
including litigating, exaggerated bodily injury claims arising from minimal
impact automobile accidents.
For the calendar years 1988 through 1994, the Company's previously
estimated loss reserves produced redundancies. The Company attributes this
favorable loss development to several factors. First, the Company had completed
its development of a full complement of claims personnel early in this period.
Second, during 1988, the California Supreme Court reversed what was known as the
7
"Royal Globe" doctrine, which, since 1978, had permitted third party plaintiffs
to sue insurers for alleged "bad faith" in resolving claims, even when the
plaintiff had voluntarily agreed to a settlement. This doctrine had placed
undue pressures on claims representatives to settle legitimate disputes at
unfairly high settlement amounts. After the reversal of Royal Globe, the
Company believes that it has been able to achieve fairer settlements, because
both parties are in a more equal bargaining position. Third, during the years
1988 through 1990, the volume of business written in the Assigned Risk Program
expanded substantially as rates were suppressed at grossly inadequate levels.
Following the California Insurance Commissioner's approval of an 85% temporary
rate increase in September 1990, the volume of assigned risk business has
declined by nearly 80%. Many of the claims associated with the high volume of
assigned risk business in the 1988-1990 period were later found to be fraudulent
or grossly exaggerated and were settled in subsequent periods for substantially
less than had been initially reserved.
OPERATING RATIOS
Loss and Expense Ratios
-----------------------
Loss and underwriting expense ratios are used to interpret the
underwriting experience of property and casualty insurance companies. Losses
and loss adjustment expenses, on a statutory basis, are stated as a percentage
of premiums earned because losses occur over the life of a policy. Underwriting
expenses on a statutory basis are stated as a percentage of premiums written
rather than premiums earned because most underwriting expenses are incurred when
policies are written and are not spread over the policy period. The statutory
underwriting profit margin is the extent to which the combined loss and
underwriting expense ratios are less than 100%. The Company's loss ratio,
expense ratio and combined ratio, and the private passenger automobile industry
combined ratio, on a statutory basis, are shown in the following table. The
Company's ratios include lines of insurance other than private passenger
automobile written by Mercury Casualty and AMI. Since these other lines
represent only a small percentage of premiums written, the Company believes its
ratios can be compared to the industry ratios included in the table.
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------- ------- ------ ------ ------
Loss Ratio........................... 63.5% 66.6% 67.8% 68.4% 61.3%
Expense Ratio........................ 24.7 24.0 24.0 24.6 24.8
---- ----- ----- ----- ----
Combined Ratio....................... 88.2% 90.6% 91.8% 93.0% 86.1%
==== ===== ===== ===== =====
Industry combined ratio (all
writers) (1)....................... 98.0%(2) 101.0% 101.3% 101.3% 101.7%
Industry combined ratio (excluding
direct writers) (1)................ N.A. 102.6% 102.0% 101.3% 103.2%
- -----------------
(1) Source: A.M. Best, Aggregates & Averages (1997), for all property and
casualty insurance companies (private passenger automobile line only, after
policyholder dividends).
(2) Source: A.M. Best, "Best's Review, January 1998," "Review Preview."
(N.A.) Not available.
8
Premiums to Surplus Ratio
-------------------------
The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the insurance
companies' statutory ratios of net premiums written to policyholders' surplus.
While there is no statutory requirement applicable to the Company which
establishes a permissible net premium writings to surplus ratio, widely
recognized guidelines established by the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners ("NAIC") indicate that this ratio should be no greater than 3 to
1.
Year ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands, except ratios)
Net premiums written......$1,086,241 $795,873 $636,590 $550,838 $484,097
Policyholders' surplus... $ 679,359 $594,799 $479,114 $411,898 $314,136
Ratio..................... 1.6 to 1 1.3 to 1 1.3 to 1 1.3 to 1 1.5 to 1
Risk-Based Capital Requirements
-------------------------------
In December 1993, the NAIC adopted a risk-based capital formula for
casualty insurance companies which establishes recommended minimum capital
requirements for casualty companies. The formula has been designed to capture
the widely varying elements of risks undertaken by writers of different lines of
insurance having differing risk characteristics, as well as writers of similar
lines where differences in risk may be related to corporate structure,
investment policies, reinsurance arrangements and a number of other factors.
Based on the formula adopted by the NAIC, the Company has estimated the Risk-
Based Capital Requirements of each of its insurance subsidiaries as of December
31, 1997. Each of the companies exceeded the highest level of recommended
capital requirements.
INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT RESULTS
The investments of the Company are made by the Company's Chief Investment
Officer under the supervision of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company
follows an investment policy which is regularly reviewed and revised. The
Company's policy emphasizes investment grade, fixed income securities and
maximization of after-tax yields. The Company does not invest with a view to
achieving realized gains, and does not maintain a trading account. However,
sales of securities are undertaken, with resulting gains or losses, in order to
enhance after-tax yield and keep its portfolio in line with current market
conditions. Tax considerations are important in portfolio management, and have
been made more so since 1986 when the alternative minimum tax was imposed on
casualty companies. Changes in loss experience, growth rates and profitability
produce significant changes in the Company's exposure to alternative minimum tax
liability, requiring appropriate shifts in the investment asset mix between
taxable bonds, tax-exempt bonds and equities in order to maximize after-tax
yield. The optimum asset mix is subject to continuous review. At year-end,
approximately 75% of the Company's portfolio, at market values, was invested in
medium to long term, investment grade tax-exempt revenue and municipal bonds.
The average Standard & Poor's rating of the Company's bond holdings was AA- at
December 31, 1997.
9
The nominal average maturity of the bond portfolio, was 16.5 years at
December 31, 1997, but the call-adjusted average maturity of the portfolio is
shorter, approximately 7.5 years, because holdings are heavily weighted with
high coupon issues which are expected to be called prior to maturity. The
modified duration of the bond portfolio reflecting anticipated early calls was
6.1 years at December 31, 1997. Duration is a measure of how long it takes, on
average, to receive all the cash flows produced by a bond, including
reinvestment of interest. Because of its sensitivity to interest rates, it is a
proxy for a bond's price volatility. The longer the duration, the greater the
price volatility in relation to changes in interest rates.
Holdings of lower than investment grade bonds constitute approximately 1%
of total investments. Equity holdings consist primarily of perpetual preferred
stocks and relatively high yielding electric utility common stocks on which
dividend income is partially tax-sheltered by the 70% corporate dividend
exclusion.
The following table summarizes the investment results of the Company for
the five years ended December 31, 1997.
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1996(1) 1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
Averaged invested assets (includes
short-term cash investments).(2)...................... $1,262,925 $975,058 $827,861 $727,866 $683,874
Net investment income:
Before income taxes............................. 86,812 70,180 62,964 54,586 54,121
After income taxes.............................. 77,917 63,371 57,035 49,787 48,223
Average annual return on investments:
Before income taxes............................. 6.9% 7.2% 7.6% 7.5% 7.9%
After income taxes.............................. 6.2% 6.5% 6.9% 6.8% 7.1%
Net realized investment gains
(losses) after income taxes........................... 3,232 (2,062) 681 (6,485) 1,954
Net increase (decrease) in un-
realized gains on all invest-
ments after income taxes.............................. $ 27,175 $ (6,271) $ 37,960 $(36,503) $ 556
(1) Includes AMI for the month of December 1996 and the full year 1997.
(2) Fixed maturities at cost, equities at market.
10
The following table sets forth the composition of the investment portfolio
of the Company at the dates indicated:
December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
------------------------ ------------------------- -------------------
Amortized Market Amortized Market Amortized Market
Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value
---- ----- ---- ----- ---- -----
(Amounts in thousands)
Taxable Bonds.................. $ 50,096 $ 50,662 $ 76,494 $ 76,113 $ 21,518 $ 22,539
Tax-Exempt State and
Municipal Bonds............... 1,021,259 1,085,613 781,586 808,761 630,811 663,163
Sinking Fund Preferred
Stocks........................ 76,239 78,711 66,713 69,234 90,080 94,081
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Total Fixed Maturity
Investments................ 1,147,594 1,214,986 924,793 954,108 742,409 779,783
Equity Investments incl.
Perpetual Preferred
Stocks........................ 169,943 173,522 148,264 148,112 113,478 114,915
Short-term Cash Invest-
ments......................... 59,740 59,740 66,067 66,067 28,496 28,496
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Total Investments.............. $1,377,277 $1,448,248 $1,139,124 $1,168,287 $884,383 $923,194
========== ========== ========== ========== ======== ========
At December 31, 1997, the Company had a net unrealized gain on all investments
of $70,971,000 before income taxes.
COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS
The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive. The
insurance industry consists of a large number of companies, many of which
operate in more than one state, offering automobile, homeowners and commercial
property insurance, as well as insurance coverage in other lines. Many of the
Company's competitors have larger volumes of business and greater financial
resources than the Company. Based on estimates taken from regularly published
statistical compilations and other public filings, the Company in 1997 was the
sixth largest writer of private passenger automobile insurance in California.
All of the insurance companies having greater shares of the California market
sell insurance either directly or through exclusive agents, rather than through
independent agents.
The property and casualty insurance industry is highly cyclical, character-
ized by periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity
followed by periods of severe price competition and excess capacity. In the
Company's view, competitive pressures have become more pronounced in the last
several years. The current level of profits makes the market attractive for new
companies, although some of the small companies who entered the California
private passenger automobile market in recent years have already experienced
unsatisfactory results.
11
Price and reputation for service are the principal means by which the
Company competes with other automobile insurers. The Company believes that it
has a good reputation for service, and it has, historically, been among the
lowest-priced insurers doing business in California according to surveys
conducted by the California DOI. In the most recent survey conducted in 1996,
the Company's rates for most classes of insureds were among the lowest available
in most territories throughout the state. In addition to good service and
competitive pricing, for those insurers dealing through independent agents, as
the Company does, the marketing efforts of agents is a means of competition.
The current and future competitive climate for private passenger automobile
insurance in California remains uncertain. All rates charged by private
passenger automobile insurers are subject to the prior approval of the
California Insurance Commissioner. New rating factor regulations have recently
been issued and the filings required under those regulations have been approved.
See "Regulation - Automobile Insurance Rating Factor Regulations."
AMI encounters similar competition in each state in which it principally
operates.
REINSURANCE
The Company no longer maintains reinsurance for its liability coverage in
California. Effective January 1, 1994, the Company terminated its liability
reinsurance coverage with Employers Reinsurance Corporation ("ERC") because of
rising premiums and under utilization of such coverage. The Company regularly
evaluates the need for liability reinsurance.
The Company maintains property reinsurance under a treaty which was
effective April 1, 1995 with National Reinsurance Corporation, which is rated A+
by A.M. Best. The treaty provides $900,000 coverage in excess of $100,000 for
each risk subject to a maximum of $2,700,000 for any one occurrence. A second
layer of coverage provides an additional $1,000,000 in excess of the first
$1,000,000 per risk subject to a maximum of $2,000,000 for any one occurrence.
Prior to February 1, 1995, ERC provided catastrophe reinsurance for
property and auto physical damage business. Under the treaty, ERC agreed to pay
95% of $9,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000 for any single occurrence and 95% of
$18,000,000 for all occurrences in one calendar year. Effective February 1,
1995, the treaty with ERC was amended to provide coverage for 95% of $7,500,000
in excess of $5,000,000 each occurrence subject to an aggregate limit of 95% of
$15,000,000 for all occurrences. Effective April 1, 1995 this treaty was
replaced with a new catastrophe treaty covering all physical damage and property
lines with several reinsurers arranged through E.W. Blanch Company, a
reinsurance intermediary. The main reinsurers are rated A or better by A.M.
Best. Under the new treaty, the first layer of protection is 95% of $7,500,000
in excess of $10,000,000, for a single occurrence, with a second layer providing
95% of $12,500,000 in excess of $17,500,000. Effective September 1, 1996 the
treaty was replaced to provide coverage under two new layers through the same
principal reinsurers. Under the new treaty coverage is provided for 95% of
$10,000,000 in excess of $15,000,000 per occurrence in the first layer and 95%
of $15,000,000
12
in excess of $25,000,000 in the second layer. This treaty was renewed October 1,
1997 with the same principal reinsurers and coverage limits.
ERC reinsures AMI through working layer treaties for property and casualty
losses in excess of $150,000. For the years 1990 through 1996 the mechanical
breakdown line of business was reinsured with Constitution Reinsurance
Corporation through a quota-share treaty covering 50%-85% of the business
written depending on the year the policy incepted. For policies effective on or
after January 1, 1997, AMI is retaining the full exposure. AMI has other
reinsurance treaties and facultative arrangements in place for various smaller
lines of business.
If the reinsurers were unable to perform their obligations under the
reinsurance treaty, the Company would be required, as primary insurer, to
discharge all obligations to its insureds in their entirety.
REGULATION
The Company's business in California is subject to regulation and
supervision by the California DOI, which has broad regulatory, supervisory and
administrative powers.
The powers of the California DOI primarily include the prior approval of
insurance rates and rating factors and the establishment of standards of
solvency which must be met and maintained. The regulation and supervision by
the California DOI are designed principally for the benefit of policyholders and
not for insurance company shareholders. The California DOI conducts periodic
examinations of the Company's insurance subsidiaries. The last examination
conducted of the California Companies was as of December 31, 1994. The reports
on the results of that examination recommended no adjustments to the statutory
financial statements as filed by the Company.
The insurance subsidiaries outside California, including AMI, are subject
to the regulatory powers of the insurance departments of those states. Those
powers are similar to the regulatory powers in California enumerated above.
Generally, the regulations relate primarily to standards of solvency and are
designed for the benefit of policyholders and not for insurance company
shareholders.
In California, insurance rates have required prior approval since November
1989. Georgia and Kansas are also prior approval states, while Illinois only
requires that rates be filed with the Department of Insurance prior to their
use. Texas and Oklahoma have a modified version of prior approval laws. In all
states, the insurance code provides that rates must not be "excessive,
inadequate or unfairly discriminatory."
The Georgia DOI recently conducted an examination of Mercury Insurance
Company of Georgia and Mercury Indemnity Company of Georgia as of December 31,
1994. The reports on that audit have recommended no changes to the statutory
financial statements as filed. The Illinois DOI conducted an examination of
Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois and Mercury Indemnity Company of Illinois
13
as of December 31, 1995. The reports on that audit have recommended no changes
to the statutory financial statements as filed. The states of Oklahoma, Kansas
and Texas will also conduct periodic examinations of AMI.
The operations of the Company are dependent on the laws of the state in
which it does business and changes in those laws can materially affect the
revenue and expenses of the Company. The Company retains its own legislative
advocates in California. The Company also makes financial contributions to
officeholders and candidates. In 1997 and 1996, those contributions amounted to
$96,000 and $548,000, respectively. The Company believes in supporting the
political process and intends to continue to make such contributions in amounts
which it determines are appropriate.
Insurance Guarantee Association
-------------------------------
In 1969, the California Insurance Guarantee Association (the "Association")
was created pursuant to California law to provide for payment of claims for
which insolvent insurers of most casualty lines are liable but which cannot be
paid out of such insurers' assets. The Company is subject to assessment by the
Association for its pro-rata share of such claims based on premiums written in
the particular line in the year preceding the assessment by insurers writing
that line of insurance in California. Such assessments are based upon estimates
of losses to be incurred in liquidating an insolvent insurer. In a particular
year, the Company cannot be assessed an amount greater than 1% of its premiums
written in the preceding year. The only assessment imposed during the past five
years was an immaterial amount in 1994. Assessments are recouped through a
mandated surcharge to policyholders the year after the assessment. Insurance
subsidiaries in the other states are subject to the provisions of similar
insurance guaranty associations. No material assessments were imposed in the
last five years in those states either.
Holding Company Act
-------------------
The California Companies are subject to regulation by the California DOI
pursuant to the provisions of the California Insurance Holding Company System
Regulatory Act (the "Holding Company Act"). Pursuant to the Holding Company
Act, the California DOI may examine the affairs of each company at any time.
The Holding Company Act requires disclosure of any material transactions by or
among the companies. Certain transactions defined to be of an "extraordinary"
type may not be effected without the prior approval of the California DOI. Such
transactions include, but are not limited to, sales, purchases, exchanges, loans
and extensions of credit, and investments made within the immediately preceding
12 months involving, in the net aggregate, more than the lesser of 5% of the
company's admitted assets or 25% of surplus as to policyholders, as of the
preceding December 31. Effective January 1, 1997 the threshold for a material
or extraordinary transaction was amended to a single measure of one half of one
percent of admitted assets as of the preceding December 31st. There will no
longer be any aggregation of transactions in the determination of the threshold
except in the case of dividends. An extraordinary dividend is a dividend which,
together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12
months, exceeds the greater of 10% of the insurance company's policyholders'
14
surplus as of the preceding December 31 or the insurance company's net income
for the preceding calendar year. An insurance company is also required to
notify the California DOI of any dividend after declaration, but prior to
payment.
The Holding Company Act also provides that the acquisition or change of
"control" of a California domiciled insurance company or of any person who
controls such an insurance company cannot be consummated without the prior
approval of the Insurance Commissioner. In general, a presumption of "control"
arises from the ownership of voting securities and securities that are
convertible into voting securities, which in the aggregate constitute 10% or
more of the voting securities of a California insurance company or of a person
that controls a California insurance company, such as Mercury General. A person
seeking to acquire "control," directly or indirectly, of the Company must
generally file with the Insurance Commissioner an application for change of
control containing certain information required by statute and published
regulations and provide a copy of the application to the Company. The Holding
Company Act also effectively restricts the Company from consummating certain
reorganizations or mergers without prior regulatory approval.
The insurance subsidiaries in Georgia, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas
are subject to holding company acts in those states, the provisions of which are
substantially similar to those of the Holding Company Act. Regulatory approval
was obtained from California, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas before the acquisition
of AMI was completed.
Assigned Risks
--------------
Automobile liability insurers in California are required to sell bodily
injury liability, property damage liability, medical expense and uninsured
motorist coverage to a proportionate number (based on the insurer's share of the
California automobile casualty insurance market) of those drivers applying for
placement as "assigned risks." Drivers seek placement as assigned risks because
their driving records or other relevant characteristics, as defined by
Proposition 103, make them difficult to insure in the voluntary market. During
the last five years, approximately 0.9% of the direct automobile insurance
premium written by the Company was for assigned risk business. In 1997,
assigned risks represented 0.9% of total automobile direct premiums written and
0.8% of total automobile direct premium earned. Premium rates for assigned risk
business are set by the California DOI. In October 1990, more stringent rules
for gaining entry into the plan were approved, resulting in a substantial
reduction in the number of assigned risks insured by the Company since 1991.
Effective January 1, 1994, the California Insurance Code requires that rates
established for the plan be adequate to support the plan's losses and expenses.
The last rate increase approved by the Commissioner approximated 4.8% and became
effective June 1, 1995.
Automobile Insurance Rating Factor Regulations
----------------------------------------------
Commencing November 8, 1989, Proposition 103 required that property and
casualty insurance rates must be approved by the Insurance Commissioner prior to
their use, and that no rate shall be approved which is excessive, inadequate,
15
unfairly discriminatory or otherwise in violation of the provisions of the
initiative. The proposition specified three statutory factors required to be
applied in "decreasing order of importance" in determining rates for private
passenger automobile insurance: (1) the insured's driving safety record, (2)
the number of miles the insured drives annually, and (3) the number of years of
driving experience of the insured. The new law also gave the Insurance
Commissioner discretion to adopt other factors by regulation that have a
substantial relationship to risk of loss. The new statute further provided that
insurers are required to give at least a 20% discount to "good drivers," as
defined, from rates that would otherwise be charged to such drivers and that no
insurer may refuse to insure a "good driver."
The Company, and most other insurers, historically charged different rates
for residents of different geographical areas within California. The rates for
urban areas, particularly in Los Angeles, have been generally substantially
higher than for suburban and rural areas. The Company's geographical rate
differentials have been derived by actuarial analysis of the claims costs in a
given area.
In September 1996, the California Insurance Commissioner issued new
permanent rating factor regulations which replaced the emergency regulations
which have been in use since their issuance in 1989. They required all
automobile insurers in California to submit new rating plans complying with the
regulations in early 1997. The Company submitted its new proposed rating plan
on March 11, 1997.
The Company's plan, and the new plans of most other California automobile
insurers, were approved by the Department in October 1997. The Company's plan
became effective October 1, 1997. The rate changes resulting from
implementation of the new plan did not have a material effect on the Company's
competitive position or its profitability.
California Financial Responsibility Law
---------------------------------------
Effective January 1, 1997 California has a new law which requires proof of
insurance for the registration (new or renewal) of a motor vehicle. It also
provides for substantial penalties for failure to supply proof of insurance if
one is stopped for a traffic violation. Media attention to the new law
resulted in a surge of new business applications during the first half of 1997.
The persistence of this new business is uncertain, but the new law could produce
additional growth considering the large proportion of uninsured motorists in
California. The Company suspended its advertising program for the first two
quarters of 1997 while it worked to eliminate the backlog of new business.
In November 1996 an initiative sponsored by the California Insurance
Commissioner was overwhelmingly approved by the California voters. It provides
that uninsured drivers who are injured in an automobile accident are able to
recover only actual, out-of-pocket medical expenses and lost wages and are not
entitled to receive awards for general damages, i.e., "pain and suffering."
This restriction also applies to drunk drivers and fleeing felons. The law has
helped in controlling loss costs, but its constitutionality is being challenged
by an
16
association of attorneys. In the first appellate decision, an intermediate
California appellate court held the law constitutional.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
----------
The home office of the California insurance subsidiaries and the Company's
computer facilities are located in Brea, California in an 80,000 square foot
office building owned by the Company.
Since December 1986, Mercury General's executive offices are located in a
36,000 square foot office building in Los Angeles, California, owned by Mercury
Casualty. The Company occupies approximately 95% of the building and leases the
remaining office space to others.
In October 1992 the Company purchased a 158,000 square foot office building
in Brea, California. The Company occupies approximately 59% of the facility and
leases the remaining office space to others.
The Company leases all of its other offices under short-term leases.
Office location is not material to the Company's operations, and the Company
anticipates no difficulty in extending these leases or obtaining comparable
office space.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
-----------------
The Company is from time to time named as a defendant in various lawsuits
incidental to its insurance business. In most of these actions, plaintiffs
assert claims for punitive damages which are not insurable under California
judicial decisions. The Company vigorously defends these actions, unless a
reasonable settlement appears appropriate. The Company believes that adverse
results, if any, in the actions currently pending should not have a material
effect on the Company's operations or financial position.
17
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
---------------------------------------------------
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders by the Company
during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the executive
officers of the Company as of March 16, 1998:
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
George Joseph 76 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Michael D. Curtius 48 President and Chief Operating Officer
Cooper Blanton, Jr. 71 Executive Vice President
Keith L. Parker 70 Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Bruce E. Norman 49 Vice President in charge of Marketing
Joanna Y. Moore 42 Vice President and Chief Claims Officer
Kenneth G. Kitzmiller 51 Vice President in charge of Underwriting
Gabriel Tirador 33 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Judy A. Walters 51 Secretary
Mr. Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairman of its
Board of Directors, has served in those capacities since 1961. Mr. Joseph has
more than 45 years experience in the property and casualty insurance business.
Mr. Curtius, President and Chief Operating Officer, has been employed by
the Company since 1977. In October 1987, Mr. Curtius was named Vice President
and Chief Claims Officer, and in August 1991 he was appointed Executive Vice
President. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of Mercury
General and the California Companies in May 1995 and elected to the Board of
Directors of Mercury General and the California Companies in 1996. In December
of 1996 he was appointed Vice Chairman of AMIC. Mr. Curtius has over 20 years
of experience in the insurance industry.
Mr. Blanton, Executive Vice President, joined the Company in 1966 and
supervised its underwriting activities from 1967 until September 1995. He was
appointed Executive Vice President of Mercury Casualty and Mercury Insurance in
1983 and was named Executive Vice President of Mercury General in 1985. In May
1995 he was named President of the Georgia and Illinois insurance company
subsidiaries and in February 1996 he was elected to the Board of Directors of
those companies. Mr. Blanton has over 40 years of experience in underwriting
and other aspects of the property and casualty insurance business.
Mr. Parker, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, has been
employed by the Company or its subsidiaries since 1970 and has held his present
position since October 1985. Mr. Parker has over 40 years of investment
management experience and has been primarily responsible for management of the
Company's investment portfolio since 1972.
18
Mr. Norman, Vice President in charge of Marketing, has been employed by the
Company since 1971. Mr. Norman was named to this position in October 1985, and
has been a Vice President of Mercury Casualty since 1983. Mr. Norman has
supervised the selection and training of agents and managed relations between
agents and the Company since 1977. In February 1996 he was elected to the Board
of Directors of the California Companies.
Ms. Moore, Vice President & Chief Claims Officer, joined the Company in the
claims department in March 1981. She was named Vice President of Claims of
Mercury General in August 1991 and has held her present position since July
1995.
Mr. Kitzmiller, Vice President in charge of Underwriting, has been employed
by the Company in the underwriting department since 1972. In August 1991 he
was appointed Vice President of Underwriting of Mercury General and has
supervised the underwriting activities of the Company since early 1996.
Mr. Tirador, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, served as the
Company's assistant controller from March 1994 to December 1996. During January
1997 to February 1998 he served as the Vice President and Controller of the
Automobile Club of Southern California. He rejoined the Company in February
1998 in his current capacity. Mr. Tirador has over eleven years experience in
the property and casualty insurance industry and is a Certified Public
Accountant.
Ms. Walters has been employed by the Company since 1967, and has served as
its Secretary since 1982.
19
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MATTERS
-------
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
The following table shows the price range per share in each quarter as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market until October 9, 1996 and on the New York
Stock Exchange since that date. These quotations do not include adjustments for
retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions. The quotations have been adjusted
for a two-for-one stock split that was effective September 16, 1997.
High Low
---- ---
1996
1st Quarter.......................... $ 26.000 $ 20.750
2nd Quarter.......................... $ 23.875 $ 20.375
3rd Quarter.......................... $ 23.875 $ 19.875
4th Quarter.......................... $ 29.125 $ 23.500
High Low
---- ---
1997
1st Quarter.......................... $ 32.750 $ 26.125
2nd Quarter.......................... $ 38.094 $ 29.250
3rd Quarter.......................... $ 45.875 $ 36.000
4th Quarter.......................... $ 55.500 $ 40.750
1998
1st Quarter (January 1 - March 16)... $ 60.750 $ 45.688
DIVIDENDS
Following the public offering of its common stock in November 1985, the
Company has paid regular quarterly dividends on its common stock. On February
6, 1998, the Board of Directors declared a $.175 quarterly dividend ($.70
annually) payable on March 31, 1998 to stockholders of record on March 16, 1998.
The dividend rate has been increased fourteen times since dividends were
initiated in January, 1986, at an annual rate of $0.05, adjusted for the two-
for-one stock splits in September 1992 and September 1997. For financial
statement purposes, the Company records dividends on the declaration date. The
Company expects to continue the payment of quarterly dividends. The continued
payment and amount of cash dividends will depend upon, among other factors, the
Company's operating results, overall financial condition, capital requirements
and general business conditions.
As a holding company, Mercury General is largely dependent upon dividends
from its subsidiaries to pay dividends to its shareholders. These subsidiaries
are subject to state laws that restrict their ability to distribute dividends.
The state laws permit a casualty insurance company to pay dividends and advances
within any 12-month period, without any prior regulatory approval, in an amount
up to the greater of 10% of statutory earned surplus at the preceding December
20
31, or net income for the calendar year preceding the date the dividend is paid.
Under this test, the direct insurance subsidiaries of the Company are entitled
to pay dividends to Mercury General during 1998 of up to approximately $67
million. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and "Business
- -- Regulation -- Holding Company Act."
SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD
The approximate number of holders of record of the Company's common stock
as of March 16, 1998 was 255. The approximate number of beneficial holders as
of March 16, 1998 was 7,746 according to the Bank of New York, the Company's
transfer agent.
21
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------- --------- --------- --------- --------
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
INCOME DATA:
Premiums earned..................................... $1,031,280 $754,724 $616,326 $529,390 $474,093
Net investment income............................... 86,812 70,180 62,964 54,586 54,121
Realized investment gains(losses) 4,973 (3,173) 1,048 (9,853) 3,006
Other............................................... 4,881 3,233 3,341 3,123 2,544
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Revenues.................................. 1,127,946 824,964 683,679 577,246 533,764
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Losses and loss adjustment
expenses.......................................... 654,729 501,858 416,556 360,557 289,208
Policy acquisition costs............................ 224,883 160,019 128,743 112,682 99,738
Other operating expenses............................ 33,579 24,493 22,017 20,566 18,564
Interest............................................ 4,976 2,004 2,040 1,025 793
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Expenses................................... 918,167 688,374 569,356 494,830 408,303
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes.......................... 209,779 136,590 114,323 82,416 125,461
Income taxes........................................ 53,473 30,826 24,022 16,121 29,252
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Income....................................... $ 156,306 $105,764 $ 90,301 $ 66,295 $ 96,209
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
PER SHARE DATA:
Basic earnings per share *.......................... $2.84 $1.93 $ 1.65 $ 1.22 $ 1.76
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted earnings per share *........................ 2.82 1.92 1.65 1.21 1.75
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
Dividends paid *.................................... $.58 $.48 $ .40 $ .35 $ .30
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total investments................................... $1,448,248 $1,168,287 $923,194 $751,614 $740,480
Premiums receivable................................. 104,216 83,748 58,902 48,741 38,227
Total assets........................................ 1,725,532 1,419,927 1,081,656 911,693 863,962
Unpaid losses and loss adjust-
ment expenses...................................... 409,061 336,685 253,546 227,499 215,301
Unearned premiums................................... 309,376 260,878 168,404 148,654 128,828
Notes payable....................................... 75,000 75,000 25,000 25,000 15,000
Deferred income tax liability
(asset)........................................... 19,722 6,349 10,158 (10,190) 8,758
Shareholders' equity................................ 799,592 641,222 565,188 457,161 450,275
Book value per share *.............................. 14.51 11.69 10.34 8.38 8.22
*Adjusted for a two-for-one stock split effective September 1997.
__________________
22
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
---------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
---------------------
OVERVIEW
- --------
The operating results of property and casualty insurance companies are
subject to significant fluctuations from quarter-to-quarter and from year-to-
year due to the effect of competition on pricing, the frequency and severity of
losses, including the effect of natural disasters on losses, general economic
conditions, the general regulatory environment in those states in which an
insurer operates, state regulation of premium rates and other factors such as
changes in tax laws. The property and casualty industry has been highly
cyclical, with periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting
capacity followed by periods of severe price competition and excess capacity.
The Company did business only in the state of California until 1990, when
it began operations in Georgia and Illinois. In December 1996, the American
Fidelity Insurance Group (AFI), now American Mercury Insurance Group (AMI), was
acquired for cash. The 1996 results of operations of AMI for the month of
December only are included in the Company's 1996 consolidated statement of
income. The full year results of AMI for 1997 are included in the Company's 1997
consolidated statement of income. AMI writes automobile (approximately 57% of
AMI's direct premiums) and other casualty lines of insurance principally in
Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Total direct premiums written by AMI in 1997 were $87.3 million. Total direct
premiums written by AMI in 1996 were $90.4 million; of that amount $5.5 million
of premiums were written in December and included in the results of operations
of the Company in 1996. AMI is licensed in 36 states. In early 1998, the Company
also commenced operations in Florida.
During 1997, approximately 90% of the Company's direct premiums written,
including AMI, were derived from California.
In California, as in various other states, all property and casualty rates
must be approved by the Insurance Commissioner before they can be used.
In February 1994, the California Insurance Commissioner approved new rates
which were designed to improve the Company's competitive position for new
insureds. These rate changes, which became effective on May 1, 1994, provided
for decreases in premium rates for new insureds. Further rate modifications
were approved and made effective on October 15, 1995, April 15, 1996 and October
1, 1997. The rate changes made over the last several years have been
substantially revenue-neutral overall, with physical damage rates being
increased and bodily injury liability rates decreased. The rate changes have
resulted in a substantial increase in new business being submitted to the
Company. Since March 31, 1994, Private Passenger Automobile ("PPA") policies in
force in California have increased by approximately 350,000 to 650,000 at
December 31, 1997, an annual rate of increase of over 20%.
In September 1996, the California Insurance Commissioner issued new
permanent rating factor regulations designed to implement the requirements that
automobile insurance rates be determined by (1) driving safety record, (2) years
23
of driving experience, (3) miles driven per year and (4) whatever optional
factors are determined by the Insurance Commissioner to have a substantial
relationship to the risk of loss and adopted by regulation. The law further
requires that each of the four factors be applied in decreasing order of
importance.
The new permanent regulations replaced emergency regulations which had been
in use since their issuance in 1989. The new regulations required all
automobile insurers in California to submit new rating plans complying with the
regulations in early 1997. The Company submitted its new proposed rating plan
on March 11, 1997.
The Company's plan, and the new plans of most other California automobile
insurers, were approved by the California DOI in October 1997. The Company's
plan became effective November 1, 1997. Although the rate changes produced some
minor dislocations, implementation of the new plan has not thus far had a
material effect on the Company's overall competitive position or its
profitability.
In February 1998, the Company filed new reduced rates with the California
DOI. The overall rate reduction of approximately 7% will become effective on
April 1, 1998.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 1997 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1996
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Premiums earned in 1997 of $1,031.3 million (including $65.1 million
contributed by AMI) increased 36.6%, primarily reflecting unit growth. Average
premium per policy for the year declined slightly. Net premiums written in 1997
of $1,086.2 million (including $72.8 million contributed by AMI) increased 36.5%
over a year earlier, continuing a growth trend which began in the second quarter
of 1993. Growth in written premiums in California of 28.5% for all of 1997 was
aided by a new California law that became effective January 1, 1997 which
requires proof of insurance for the registration (new or renewal) of a motor
vehicle. The greater part of the new business generated by the new law occurred
in the first half of 1997, and provided for only the minimum liability coverage
required by law. The average premium on this business was substantially less
than that produced by full coverage policies, which constitute a majority of
the Company's total premium volume.
The loss ratio in 1997 (loss and loss adjustment expenses related to
premiums earned) was 63.5%, compared with 66.5% in 1996. The improvement in
loss experience in 1997 is in large part related to the effectiveness of
Proposition 213, an initiative passed by a large majority of California voters
in November 1996 which prohibits recovery of non-economic losses by uninsured
motorists or drunk drivers injured in automobile accidents. The 1997 loss ratio
reflects deficiencies from unfavorable development on allocated loss adjustment
expenses from prior periods. The initial estimates were based principally on
the Company's actual experience and did not fully reflect the increases in the
legal expenses of defending the Company's insureds arising from the Company's
policy
24
of aggressively defending, including litigating, exaggerated bodily
injury claims arising from minimal impact automobile accidents.
The expense ratio (policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses
related to premiums earned) was 25.1% in 1997 and 24.5% 1996. The increase in
the expense ratio in 1997 reflects increased provisions for profit-related
bonuses to both agents and employees and the inclusion of the operating results
of AMI for a full year.
Total losses and expenses in 1997, excluding interest expense of $5.0
million, were $913.2 million, resulting in an underwriting gain for the period
of $118.1 million, compared with an underwriting gain of $68.4 million in 1996.
Investment income in 1997, including a contribution from AMI of $6.3
million, was $86.8 million, compared with $70.2 million in 1996. The after-tax
yield on average investments of $1,262.9 million, including AMI, (fixed
maturities at cost, equities at market) was 6.17%, compared with 6.50% on
average investments of $975.1 million in 1996. The effective tax rate on
investment income was 10.3% in 1997, compared with 9.7% in 1996. The effective
tax rate was increased, and the effective after-tax yield was reduced slightly,
by the inclusion of AMI for the full year 1997. The slightly higher tax rate on
investment income in 1997 reflects an increase in the proportion of investment
income derived from taxable bonds held by AMI and dividends on equities,
principally perpetual preferred stocks. The redemption of bonds acquired during
higher interest periods has been a negative influence on realized yields in each
of the last several years and will continue in 1998. Bonds matured and called in
1997 totaled $54.0 million, compared with $72.9 million in 1996. Approximately
$65.3 million of bonds are expected to mature or be called in 1998. Average
yields being obtained during the first quarter of 1998 on new investments are 50
to 75 basis points lower than the average yield realized in 1997.
Realized investment gains in 1997 were $5.0 million, compared with realized
losses of $3.2 million in 1996. The gains and losses in both years reflect
principally income-enhancing swaps of both fixed maturities and equity
securities, including perpetual preferred stocks. The losses realized in 1996
were designed to utilize expiring capital gains tax benefits.
The income tax provision of $53.5 million in 1997 represented an effective
tax rate of 25.5%, compared with an effective rate of 22.6% in 1996. The
increase in the rate is attributable to the increased proportion of realized
gains and the increase in underwriting gains, both of which are taxed at the
full corporate rate of 35%, in contrast to investment income which consists
primarily of tax-exempt interest and tax sheltered dividend income.
Net income in 1997 was $156.3 million, or $2.84 per share, (basic),
compared with $105.8 million, or $1.93 per share, (basic), in 1996. Basic share
results are based on 55.0 million average shares in 1997 and 54.8 million
average shares in 1996, adjusted for a two-for-one stock split effective
September 16, 1997. Diluted per share results, calculated in accordance with
new accounting standards, were $2.82 in 1997 and $1.92 in 1996.
25
Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1995
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Premiums earned in 1996 of $754.7 million (including $5.2 million
contributed by AMI in December 1996) increased 22.5% over premiums earned in
1995, primarily reflecting unit growth. Average premium per policy for the year
was substantially unchanged. Net premiums written in 1996 of $795.9 million
(including $4.5 million contributed by AMI) increased 25.0% over a year earlier,
continuing a growth trend which began in the second quarter of 1993.
The loss ratio in 1996 was 66.5%, compared with 67.6% in 1995. The 1996
and 1995 loss ratios reflect small contributions from favorable loss reserve
development from prior periods.
The expense ratio was 24.4% in 1996 and 1995. The consolidation of one
month of operating results of AMI in 1996 had no material effect on either the
loss or expense ratios.
Total losses and expenses in 1996, excluding interest expense of $2.0
million, were $686.4 million, resulting in an underwriting gain for the period
of $68.4 million, compared with an underwriting gain of $49.0 million in 1995.
Investment income in 1996, including a contribution from AMI of $400,000
for the final month of the year, was $70.2 million, compared with $63.0 million
in 1995. The after-tax yield on average investments of $975.1 million, including
AMI, was 6.50%, compared with 6.89% on average investments of $827.9 million in
1995. The effective tax rate on investment income was 9.7% in 1996, compared
with 9.4% in 1995. The effective tax rate was increased and the effective after-
tax yield was reduced slightly by the inclusion of AMI for the month of December
1996. The effective tax rate on investment income in 1996, excluding AMI, was
9.6%, and the after-tax yield was 6.56%. The slightly higher tax rate on
investment income in 1996 reflects an increase in the proportion of investment
income derived from dividends on equities, principally perpetual preferred
stocks. Bonds matured and called in 1996 totaled $72.9 million, compared with
$71.0 million in 1995. Average yields obtained during 1997 on new investments
were approximately some 50 basis points lower than the average yield realized in
1996.
Realized investment losses in 1996 were $3.2 million, compared with
realized gains of $1.0 million in 1995. The 1996 losses reflect principally
yield-enhancing swaps of both fixed maturities and equity securities, including
perpetual preferred stocks, designed to utilize expiring capital gains tax
benefits. The 1995 gains arose in part from the early redemption of fixed-
maturity investments.
The income tax provision of $30.8 million in 1996 represented an effective
tax rate of 22.6%, compared with an effective rate of 21.0%, in 1995. The
increase in the rate is attributable principally to the greater contribution
from underwriting gains, which are fully taxable and increased by $19.4 million
during 1996, whereas the predominantly tax-free investment income increased $7.2
million.
26
Net income in 1996 was $105.8 million, or $1.93 per share (Basic), compared
with $90.3 million, or $1.65 per share (Basic), in 1995. Basic per share
results are based on 54.8 million average shares in 1996 and 54.6 million
average shares in 1995 adjusted for a two-for-one stock split effective
September 16, 1997. Diluted per share results, calculated in accordance with
new accounting standards, were $1.92 in 1996 and $1.65 in 1995.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash provided from operating activities in 1997, was $268.2 million,
while funds derived from the sale, redemption or maturity of investments was
$734.0 million, of which approximately 80% was represented by the sale of equity
securities. The amortized cost of fixed-maturity investments increased by
$222.8 million during the year. Equity investments, including perpetual
preferred stocks, increased by $21.7 million at cost, while short-term cash
investments decreased by $6.3 million. The amortized cost of fixed-maturities
available for sale that were sold, called or matured during the year was $142.4
million.
The market value of all investments held at market as "Available for Sale"
exceeded the amortized cost of $1,377.3 million at December 31, 1997 by $71.0
million. That unrealized gain, reflected in shareholders' equity net of
applicable tax effects, was $46.1 million at December 31, 1997 compared with an
unrealized gain of $19.0 million at December 31, 1996. The increase in market
values since December 31, 1996 reflects principally the substantial decline in
intermediate and long term interest rates during 1997.
The Company's cash and short term investments totaled $62.8 million at
December 31, 1997. Together with funds generated internally, such liquid assets
are more than adequate to pay claims without the sale of long term investments.
Traditionally, it has been the Company's policy not to invest in high yield
or "junk" bonds. In 1995, the Company adopted a policy to place a small
proportion of its investments in the taxable sector in bonds rated lower than
investment grade, but not lower than Ba by Moody's or BB by Standard & Poor's.
At December 31, 1997 bond holdings rated below investment grade totaled $15.0
million at market (cost $14.0 million), or 1% of total investments. The average
rating of the $1,071.4 million bond portfolio (at amortized cost) was AA-, while
the average effective maturity, giving effect to anticipated early call,
approximates 7.5 years. The modified duration of the bond portfolio at year-end
was 6.1 years, reflecting the heavy weighting of high coupon issues, including
housing issues subject to sinking funds, and other issues which are pre-refunded
or are expected to be called prior to their maturity. Duration measures the
length of time it takes to receive all the cash flows produced by a bond,
including reinvestment of interest. Because it measures four factors (maturity,
coupon rate, yield and call terms) which determine sensitivity to changes in
interest rates, modified duration is a much better indicator of price volatility
than simple maturity alone. Bond holdings are broadly diversified
geographically, and, within the tax-exempt sector, consist largely of high
coupon revenue issues, many of which have been pre-refunded and escrowed with
U.S. Treasuries. General obligation bonds of the large eastern cities have
generally been avoided.
27
Holdings in the taxable sector consist largely of senior public utility
issues. Fixed-maturity investments of $1,147.6 million (amortized cost),
include $76.2 million (amortized cost) of sinking fund preferreds, principally
utility issues. The market value of all fixed maturities exceeded cost by $67.4
million at December 31, 1997. The only securities held which may be considered
derivatives are a small amount of adjustable rate preferred stocks.
Except for Company-occupied buildings, the Company has no direct
investments in real estate and no holdings of mortgages secured by commercial
real estate.
Equity holdings of $173.5 million at market (cost $169.9 million),
including perpetual preferred issues, are largely confined to the public utility
and banking sectors and represent about 21.7% of total shareholders' equity.
The only significant debt of the Company at December 31, 1997 was a three
year, $75,000,000 revolving credit bank loan. The loan agreement requires the
Company to meet numerous affirmative and negative covenants. The proceeds of
the loan were used to repay a prior loan and to acquire AMI, with the balance
contributed to the Company's new insurance subsidiaries. The loan agreement may
be extended annually for additional periods of one year each to maintain the
three year maturity date. The interest rate is variable and is optionally
related to the Federal Funds Rate, Bank of New York Rate (prime rate) or the
Eurodollar London Interbank Rate (LIBOR). Based on the rates effective through
November 23, 1998, LIBOR plus .50, the net interest cost on the loan
approximates 6.125%.
In March 1994, the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "Plan")
purchased 322,000 shares of Mercury General's common stock in the open market at
a price of $14.875 per share, adjusted for the two-for-one stock split effective
September 16, 1997. The purchases were funded by a five year term bank loan of
$5.0 million to the Plan which is guaranteed by the Company. The shares have
been allocated to employees over the amortization period of the loan, with the
initial allocation made in December 1994. The remaining balance of the loan of
$2.0 million is being retired in March 1998 with the proceeds of contributions
to the Plan by the Company for the year 1997, and the remaining unallocated
shares were credited to employees' ESOP balances at December 31, 1997. A new
$5.0 million ESOP loan is currently being arranged with an amortization period
of not more than five years. The proceeds of that loan will be used to purchase
the Company's shares in the open market, with the shares to be allocated to
employees over the amortization period beginning in December 1998. Since
dividends on unallocated shares held by the Plan are tax deductible if they are
used for debt service, as are Company contributions to the Plan, the net, after-
tax interest cost to the Company for the borrowed funds used for the Plan stock
purchase is less than the nominal fixed rate of interest on the loan, which, in
1997, was 6.98%.
In December 1993, the NAIC adopted a risk-based capital formula for
casualty insurance companies which establishes recommended minimum capital
requirements for casualty companies. The formula has been designed to capture
the widely varying elements of risks undertaken by writers of different lines of
28
insurance having differing risk characteristics, as well as writers of similar
lines where differences in risk may be related to corporate structure,
investment policies, reinsurance arrangements and a number of other factors.
The Company has estimated the Risk-Based Capital Requirements of each of its
insurance subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997. Each of the companies'
policyholders' surplus exceeded the highest level of recommended capital
requirements.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had no material commitments for
capital expenditures.
Industry and regulatory guidelines suggest that the ratio of a property and
casualty insurer's annual net premiums written to statutory policyholders'
surplus should not exceed 3.0 to 1. Based on the combined surplus of all of the
licensed insurance subsidiaries of $679.4 million at December 31, 1997, and net
written premiums for the twelve months ended on that date of $1,086.2 million,
the ratio of writings to surplus was approximately 1.6 to 1.
YEAR 2000
The Year 2000 Issue is the result of computer programs being written using
two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Any computer
programs that have date-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as
the year 1900 rather than the year 2000, or as no date. This could result in a
system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including,
among other things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send
invoices, or engage in similar normal business activities.
The Company is nearing completion of the modifications to its computer
programs and systems to resolve the problems created by the impending year 2000.
The conversion of the most critical systems should be completed within the first
quarter of 1998. The cost of this conversion has been charged to current
operations and will not have a material effect on the financial condition of the
Company.
While the Year 2000 considerations are not expected to materially impact
the Company's internal operations, they may have an effect on some of the
Company's agents, suppliers and financial institutions with whom the Company
conducts business, and thus indirectly affect the Company. It is not possible
to quantify the aggregate cost to the Company with respect to external Year 2000
problems, although the Company does not anticipate it will have a material
adverse impact on its business.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The foregoing discussion contains forward-looking statements regarding the
Company, its business, prospects and results of operations that are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties posed by factors and events that could cause the
Company's actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ
materially from the historical information contained herein and from those that
may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others, the success
of the Company in integrating and profitably operating the business of AMI, and
29
in expanding generally in states outside of California, the impact of the
permanent rating factor regulations recently adopted by the California Insurance
Commissioner for private passenger automobile policies issued in California and
the level of investment yields obtainable in the Company's investment portfolio
in comparison to recent yields, as well as the cyclical and competitive nature
of the property and casualty insurance industry and general uncertainties
regarding loss reserve estimates and legislative and regulatory changes. Such
risks and uncertainties and other factors are discussed above and in periodic
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Summarized quarterly financial data for 1997 and 1996 is as follows (in
thousands except per share data):
Quarter Ended
--------------------------------------------
March 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31
----------- -------- -------- --------
1997
- ----
Earned premiums..................... $235,579 $255,119 $267,212 $273,370
Income before income taxes.......... $ 39,870 $ 47,967 $ 55,198 $ 66,744
Net income.......................... $ 30,818 $ 35,893 $ 40,754 $ 48,841
Basic earnings per share............ $ .56 $ .65 $ .74 $ .89
Diluted earnings per share.......... $ .56 $ .65 $ .74 $ .88
Dividends declared per share........ $ .145 $ .145 $ .145 $ .145
1996
- ----
Earned premiums..................... $169,563 $181,254 $193,298 $210,609
Income before income taxes ......... $ 27,421 $ 34,185 $ 38,078 $ 36,906
Net income.......................... $ 21,911 $ 26,583 $ 28,993 $ 28,277
Basic earnings per share.......... $ .40 $ .49 $ .53 $ .52
Diluted earnings per share.......... $ .40 $ .48 $ .53 $ .51
Dividends declared per share........ $ .12 $ .12 $ .12 $ .12
30
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
Independent Auditors' Report............................................ 32
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996...... 33
Consolidated Statements of Income for Each of the Years in the
Three-Year Period Ended December 31, 1997......................... 34
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for Each of the
Years in the Three-Year Period Ended December 31, 1997........... 35
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Each of the Years in
the Three-Year Period Ended December 31, 1997..................... 36
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................ 38
31
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Mercury General Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mercury
General Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mercury
General Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 13, 1998
32
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS
A S S E T S
1997 1996
---------- ----------
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale (amortized cost
$1,147,594 in 1997 and $924,793 in 1996)................ $1,214,986 $ 954,108
Equity securities available for sale (cost $169,943 in
1997 and $148,264 in 1996).............................. 173,522 148,112
Short-term cash investments, at cost, which approxi-
mates market............................................ 59,740 66,067
---------- ----------
Total investments............................. 1,448,248 1,168,287
Cash........................................................ 3,011 3,605
Receivables:
Premiums receivable...................................... 104,216 83,748
Premium notes............................................ 13,562 12,395
Accrued investment income................................ 21,895 18,410
Other.................................................... 26,476 29,655
---------- ----------
166,149 144,208
Deferred policy acquisition costs........................... 57,264 46,783
Fixed assets, net........................................... 30,493 30,060
Other assets................................................ 20,367 26,984
---------- ----------
$1,725,532 $1,419,927
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Losses and loss adjustment expenses........................ $ 409,061 $ 336,685
Unearned premiums.......................................... 309,376 260,878
Notes payable.............................................. 75,000 75,000
Loss drafts payable........................................ 32,058 29,032
Accounts payable and accrued expenses...................... 50,742 36,463
Current income taxes....................................... 3,317 1,590
Deferred income taxes...................................... 19,722 6,349
Other liabilities.......................................... 26,664 32,708
---------- ----------
Total liabilities............................ 925,940 778,705
---------- ----------
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock without par value or stated value.
Authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
55,124,579 shares in 1997 and 55,007,850 in 1996...... 47,412 42,644
Net unrealized investment gains......................... 46,131 18,956
Unearned ESOP compensation.............................. -- (2,000)
Retained earnings....................................... 706,049 581,622
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity................... 799,592 641,222
---------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies........................... $1,725,532 $1,419,927
========== ==========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
33
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
1997 1996 1995
----------- --------- --------
Revenues:
Earned premiums.............................. $1,031,280 $754,724 $616,326
Net investment income........................ 86,812 70,180 62,964
Net realized investment gains (losses)....... 4,973 (3,173) 1,048
Other........................................ 4,881 3,233 3,341
---------- -------- --------
Total revenues........................... 1,127,946 824,964 683,679
---------- -------- --------
Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses.......... 654,729 501,858 416,556
Policy acquisition costs..................... 224,883 160,019 128,743
Other operating expenses..................... 33,579 24,493 22,017
Interest..................................... 4,976 2,004 2,040
---------- -------- --------
Total expenses.......................... 918,167 688,374 569,356
---------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes................... 209,779 136,590 114,323
Income taxes................................... 53,473 30,826 24,022
---------- -------- --------
Net income.................................... $ 156,306 $105,764 $ 90,301
========== ======== ========
Basic earnings per share....................... $ 2.84 $ 1.93 $ 1.65
========== ======== ========
Diluted earnings per share..................... $ 2.82 $ 1.92 $ 1.65
========== ======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
34
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------
Common stock, beginning of year................................................. $ 42,644 $ 40,895 $ 40,250
Proceeds of stock options exercised............................................. 999 1,104 384
Tax benefit on sales of incentive stock
options........................................................................ 401 220 74
Release of common stock by the ESOP............................................. 3,368 425 187
-------- -------- --------
Common stock, end of year....................................................... 47,412 42,644 40,895
-------- -------- --------
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) on
securities, beginning of year.................................................. 18,956 25,227 (12,733)
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized invest-
ment gains (losses) on securities.............................................. 27,175 (6,271) 37,960
-------- -------- --------
Net unrealized investment gains on
securities, end of year........................................................ 46,131 18,956 25,227
-------- -------- --------
Unearned ESOP compensation relating to common
stock purchases by ESOP........................................................ (2,000) (3,084) (4,042)
Amortization of unearned ESOP compensation...................................... 2,000 1,084 958
-------- -------- --------
Unearned ESOP compensation, end of year......................................... -- (2,000) (3,084)
-------- -------- --------
Retained earnings, beginning of year............................................ 581,622 502,150 433,686
Net income...................................................................... 156,306 105,764 90,301
Dividends paid to shareholders.................................................. (31,879) (26,292) (21,837)
-------- -------- --------
Retained earnings, end of year.................................................. 706,049 581,622 502,150
-------- -------- --------
Total shareholders' equity............................................... $799,592 $641,222 $565,188
======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
35
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 156,306 $ 105,764 $ 90,301
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided from operating activities:
Increase in unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses 72,376 35,947 26,047
Increase in unearned premiums 48,498 42,276 19,750
Increase in premium notes receivable (1,167) (667) (166)
Increase in premiums receivable (20,468) (15,460) (10,161)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs (10,481) (7,080) (3,741)
Increase in loss drafts payable 3,026 5,179 2,292
Increase in accrued income taxes,
excluding deferred tax on change in unrealized
gain 469 1,016 4,995
Increase in accounts payable and accrued
expenses 14,279 8,385 3,487
Depreciation 5,157 4,067 3,736
Net realized investment (gains) losses (4,973) 3,173 (1,048)
Bond amortization, net (2,295) (1,112) (103)
Other, net 7,479 15,136 1,169
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided from operating activities 268,206 196,624 136,558
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases (362,932) (243,779) (204,360)
Sales 71,313 41,353 47,824
Calls or maturities 72,515 91,834 70,954
Equity securities available for sale:
Purchases (608,260) (437,128) (386,343)
Sales 590,155 398,306 365,696
Purchase of AFI, less cash acquired -- (33,629) --
Decrease (increase) in short-term cash investments,
net 6,327 (32,077) (5,801)
Purchase of fixed assets (6,854) (5,971) (4,115)
Sale of fixed assets 1,165 167 494
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities $(236,571) $(220,924) $(115,651)
(Continued)
36
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(CONTINUED)
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Additions to notes payable $ -- $ 75,000 $ --
Principal payments on notes payable -- (25,000) --
Payment of American Mercury Insurance Company
indemnification holdback (1,750) -- --
Dividends paid to shareholders (31,879) (26,291) (21,837)
Proceeds from stock options exercised 1,400 1,324 458
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities (32,229) 25,033 (21,379)
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash (594) 733 (472)
Cash:
Beginning of the year 3,605 2,872 3,344
-------- -------- --------
End of the year $ 3,011 $ 3,605 $ 2,872
======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
37
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation and Presentation
The Company is primarily engaged in the underwriting of private passenger
automobile insurance in the state of California.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mercury
General Corporation (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Mercury
Casualty Company, Mercury Insurance Company, California Automobile Insurance
Company, California General Underwriters Insurance Company, Inc., Mercury
Insurance Company of Georgia, Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois, Mercury
Indemnity Company of Georgia and Mercury Indemnity Company of Illinois.
Effective December 1, 1996 the financial statements also include newly acquired
companies American Mercury Insurance Company, Cimarron Insurance Company, Inc.,
AFI Management Company, Inc. (AFIMC), and American Mercury Lloyds Insurance
Company (AML). AML is not owned by MGC, but is controlled by MGC through its
attorney-in-fact, AFIMC. The acquisition is discussed further in Note 8.
Collectively, the newly-acquired companies, including AML, are referred to as
AMI. All of the subsidiaries as a group, including AML, but excluding AFIMC,
are referred to as the Insurance Companies. The consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) which differ in some respects from those filed in reports to
insurance regulatory authorities. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Investments
Fixed maturities available for sale include those securities that
management intends to hold for indefinite periods, but which may be sold in
response to changes in interest rates, tax planning considerations or other
aspects of asset/liability management. Fixed maturities available for sale,
which include bonds and sinking fund preferred stocks, are carried at market.
Short-term investments are carried at cost, which approximates market.
Investments in equity securities, which include common stocks and non-redeemable
preferred stocks, are carried at market.
38
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
In most cases, the market valuations were drawn from standard trade data
sources. In no case were any valuations made by the Company's management.
Equity holdings, including non sinking fund preferred stocks, are, with minor
exceptions, actively traded on national exchanges, and were valued at the last
transaction price.
Temporary unrealized investment gains and losses on securities available
for sale are credited or charged directly to shareholders' equity, net of
applicable tax effects. When a decline in value of fixed maturities or equity
securities is considered other than temporary, a loss is recognized in the
consolidated statement of income. Realized gains and losses are included in the
consolidated statements of income based upon the specific identification method.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures about
Fair Value of Financial Instruments", and Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 119, "Disclosure about Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair
Value of Financial Instruments", require disclosure of estimated fair value
information about financial instruments, for which it is practicable to estimate
that value. Under SFAS No. 115, the Company categorizes all of its investments
in debt and equity securities as available for sale. Accordingly, all
investments, including cash and short-term cash investments, are carried on the
balance sheet at their fair value. The carrying amounts and fair values for
investment securities are disclosed in Note 2 and were drawn from standard trade
data sources such as market and broker quotes. The carrying value of
receivables, accounts payable and other liabilities is equivalent to the
estimated fair value of those items. The estimated fair value of notes payable
equals their carrying value, which was based on borrowing rates currently
available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and maturities. The
terms of the notes are discussed in Note 5.
Premium Income Recognition
Insurance premiums are recognized as income ratably over the term of the
policies. Unearned premiums are computed on the monthly pro rata basis.
Unearned premiums are stated gross of reinsurance deductions, with the
reinsurance deduction recorded in other assets.
Net premiums written during 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $1,086,241,000,
$795,873,000 and $636,590,000, respectively.
39
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
One agent produced direct premiums written of approximately 14%, 17% and
15% of the Company's total direct premiums written during 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
Premium Notes
Premium notes receivable represent the balance due to the Company from
policyholders who elect to finance their premiums over the policy term. The
Company requires both a downpayment and monthly payments as part of its
financing program. Premium finance fees are charged to policyholders who elect
to finance premiums. The fees are charged at rates that vary with the amount
of premium financed. Premium finance fees are recognized over the term of the
premium note based upon the effective yield.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Acquisition costs related to unearned premiums, which consist of
commissions, premium taxes and certain other underwriting costs, which vary
directly with and are directly related to, the production of business, are
deferred and amortized to income ratably over the terms of the policies.
Deferred acquisition costs are limited to the amount which will remain after
deducting from unearned premiums and anticipated investment income, the
estimated losses and loss adjustment expenses and the servicing costs that will
be incurred as the premiums are earned.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses is based upon the
accumulation of individual case estimates for losses reported prior to the close
of the accounting period, plus estimates, based upon past experience, of
ultimate developed costs which may differ from case estimates and of unreported
claims. The liability is stated net of anticipated salvage and subrogation
recoveries. The amount of reinsurance recoverable is included in other
receivables.
Estimating loss reserves is a difficult process as there are many factors
that can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the
reserve that is needed. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical
costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can all impact ultimate
claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving
determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the
payment or
40
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can
be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be
more reasonably predictable than long-tail liability claims. Management
believes that the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses is adequate
to cover the ultimate net cost of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
to date. Since the provisions are necessarily based upon estimates, the
ultimate liability may be more or less than such provisions.
Depreciation
Buildings and furniture and equipment are depreciated over 30-year and 5-
year to 10-year periods, respectively, on a combination of straight-line and
accelerated methods. Automobiles are depreciated over 5 years, using an
accelerated method.
Earnings per Share
During 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share", which requires
presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share for all publicly traded
companies effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 1997. Note 14
contains the required disclosures which make up the calculation of basic and
diluted earnings per share.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 (SFAS No. 130),
"Reporting Comprehensive Income," and Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 131 (SFAS No. 131), "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information," were issued in June 1997 and are effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for
the reporting and display of comprehensive income, which includes net income and
changes in equity except those resulting from investments by, or distributions
to stockholders. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for disclosures related to
business operating segments. The Company is currently evaluating the impact
that these statements will have on the consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the recognition
of income and expense for tax and financial reporting purposes.
41
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Reinsurance
In accordance with SFAS No. 113, "Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance
of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts," the liabilities for unearned
premiums and unpaid losses are stated in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements before deductions for ceded reinsurance. The ceded amounts are
immaterial and are carried in other assets and other receivables. Earned
premiums are stated net of deductions for ceded reinsurance.
The Insurance Companies, as primary insurers, would be required to pay
losses in their entirety in the event that the reinsurers were unable to
discharge their obligations under the reinsurance agreements.
Statements of Cash Flows
Interest paid during 1997, 1996, and 1995 was $5,077,000, $1,882,000, and
$1,970,000, respectively. Income taxes paid were $52,611,000 in 1997,
$30,550,000 in 1996, and $18,954,000 in 1995.
The balance sheet of AMI at the acquisition date included the following
assets: investments of $75,310,000, cash of $1,362,000, receivables of
$44,418,000 and other assets of $31,124,000. Liabilities assumed in the
acquisition included unearned premiums of $50,199,000, loss and loss adjustment
expense reserves of $47,039,000 and other liabilities of $19,985,000.
On December 30, 1997, the Company paid $1,750,000 of principal plus $87,500
of interest to the seller of AMI. This amount represented repayment of a one
year note which secured the seller's guaranty of the collectibility of certain
assets of AMI.
Stock-Based Compensation
During October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"), which is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation
under the accounting methods prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB)
Opinion No. 25, as allowed by SFAS No. 123. Disclosure of stock-based
compensation determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123 is presented in Footnote
13. Accordingly, adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material effect
on the financial statements of the Company.
42
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year balances to
conform to the current year presentation.
(2) INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME
A summary of net investment income is shown in the following table:
Year ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
-----------------------------
1997 1996 1995
------- -------- --------
Interest and dividends on fixed maturities................................ $67,948 $55,132 $50,099
Dividends on equity securities............................................ 16,317 13,385 11,855
Interest on short-term cash investments................................... 3,321 2,126 1,456
------- ------- -------
Total investment income.............................................. 87,586 70,643 63,410
Investment expense........................................................ 774 463 446
------- ------- -------
Net investment income................................................ $86,812 $70,180 $62,964
======= ======= =======
A summary of net realized investment gains (losses) is as follows:
Year ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
-----------------------------
1997 1996 1995
------- -------- --------
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Fixed maturities..................................................... $1,400 $ 963 $ (57)
Equity securities.................................................... 3,573 (4,136) 1,105
------ ------- -------
$4,973 $(3,173) $ 1,048
====== ======= =======
Gross gains and losses realized on the sales of investments (excluding
calls) are shown below:
Year ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
-----------------------------
1997 1996 1995
------- -------- --------
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Gross realized gains................................................. $ 849 $ 515 $ 346
Gross realized losses................................................ (389) (1,237) (822)
------- ------- -------
Net............................................................. $ 460 $ (722) $ (476)
======= ======= =======
Equity securities available for sale:
Gross realized gains................................................. $ 7,257 $ 2,925 $ 5,154
Gross realized losses................................................ (3,565) (7,115) (4,049)
------- ------- -------
Net............................................................. $ 3,692 $(4,190) $ 1,105
======= ======= =======
43
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(2) INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME (CONTINUED)
A summary of the net increase (decrease) in unrealized investment gains
and losses less applicable income tax expense (benefit), is as follows:
Year ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
-----------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Net increase (decrease) in net unrealized
investment gains and losses:
Fixed maturities available for sale......................... $38,077 $ (8,059) $ 49,859
Income tax expense (benefit)................................ 13,327 (2,821) 17,451
------- -------- --------
$24,750 $ (5,238) $ 32,408
======= ======== ========
Equity securities........................................... $ 3,731 $ (1,589) $ 8,541
Income tax expense (benefit)................................ 1,306 (556) 2,989
------- -------- --------
$ 2,425 $ (1,033) $ 5,552
======= ======== ========
Accumulated unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale
follows:
December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
----------------------
1997 1996
---- ----
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Unrealized gains................................................ $ 68,718 $ 34,555
Unrealized losses............................................... (1,326) (5,240)
Tax effect...................................................... (23,587) (10,260)
-------- --------
$ 43,805 $ 19,055
-------- --------
Equity securities available for sale:
Unrealized gains................................................ $ 5,006 $ 2,347
Unrealized losses............................................... (1,427) (2,499)
Tax effect...................................................... (1,253) 53
-------- --------
$ 2,326 $ (99)
-------- --------
Net unrealized investment gains............................... $ 46,131 $ 18,956
======== ========
44
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(2) INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME (CONTINUED)
The amortized costs and estimated market values of investments in fixed
maturities available for sale as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:
Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
(Amounts in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. government
corporations and agencies........... $ 19,700 $ 123 $ 16 $ 19,807
Obligations of states and political
subdivisions........................ 1,021,259 64,908 554 1,085,613
Public utilities...................... 11,383 151 5 11,529
Corporate securities.................. 19,013 324 11 19,326
Redeemable preferred stock............ 76,239 3,212 740 78,711
---------- ------- ------ ----------
Totals........................... $1,147,594 $68,718 $1,326 $1,214,986
========== ======= ====== ==========
The amortized costs and estimated market values of investments in fixed
maturities available for sale as of December 31, 1996 are as follows:
Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market
Cost Gains Losses Value
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------
(Amounts in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. government
corporations and agencies......... $ 34,218 $ 33 $ 366 $ 33,885
Obligations of states and political
subdivisions...................... 781,586 30,817 3,642 808,761
Public utilities................................ 12,908 229 87 13,050
Corporate securities............................ 29,368 114 304 29,178
Redeemable preferred stock...................... 66,713 3,362 841 69,234
-------- ------- -------- --------
Totals..................................... $924,793 $34,555 $ 5,240 $954,108
======== ======= ======== ========
Traditionally, it has been the Company's policy not to invest in high yield or
non-investment grade bonds. In 1995, the Company adopted a policy allowing a
small percentage of its investments to be placed in bonds rated lower than
investment grade, but not lower than Ba by Moody's or BB by Standard & Poor's.
45
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(2) INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 1997 bond holdings rated below investment grade totaled
approximately 1.0% of total investments. The average Standard and Poor's
rating of the bond portfolio is AA-.
The amortized cost and estimated market value of fixed maturities available for
sale at December 31, 1997, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected
maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have
the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment
penalties.
Estimated
Amortized Market
Cost Value
------------ ----------
(Amounts in thousands)
-------------------------
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Due in one year or less .................... $ 12,117 $ 12,230
Due after one year through five years....... 78,682 79,795
Due after five years through ten years...... 65,455 68,505
Due after ten years......................... 991,340 1,054,456
---------- ----------
$1,147,594 $1,214,986
========== ==========
The Company utilizes repurchase agreements for investing funds overnight. All
repurchase agreements utilized require U.S. Treasury securities or obligations
of U.S. government corporations or agencies as collateral.
(3) FIXED ASSETS
A summary of fixed assets follows:
December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
-------------------------
1997 1996
---- ----
Land............................. $ 6,084 $ 6,128
Buildings........................ 21,802 21,430
Furniture and equipment.......... 27,819 23,287
Leasehold improvements........... 391 1,238
------ -------
56,096 52,083
Less accumulated depreciation.... (25,603) (22,023)
Net fixed assets........... ------- -------
$ 30,493 $ 30,060
====== =======
46
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(4) DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
Policy acquisition costs incurred and amortized to income are as follows:
Years ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
---------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Balance, beginning of year......... $ 46,783 $ 33,809 $ 30,068
DAC acquired in purchase of AFI.... -- 5,850 --
Costs deferred during the year..... 235,364 167,143 132,484
Amortization charged to expense.... (224,883) (160,019) (128,743)
--------- --------- ---------
Balance, end of year............... $ 57,264 $ 46,783 $ 33,809
========= ========= =========
(5) NOTES PAYABLE
Notes payable at December 31, 1997 consists of three unsecured notes
payable under a credit agreement dated November 21, 1996. The combined principal
amount on the notes of $75,000,000 is payable on November 21, 2000. The loan
agreement may be extended annually for additional periods of one year each to
maintain the three year maturity date. The interest rate is variable and is
optionally related to the Federal Funds rate, Bank of New York prime rate or the
Eurodollar London Interbank rate (LIBOR). Based on the rates effective through
November 23, 1998, the net interest cost on the loan at December 31, 1997 is
approximately 6.125%.
The terms of the loan agreement include certain affirmative and negative
covenants, all of which are met by the Company at December 31, 1997.
(6) INCOME TAXES
The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated Federal income tax
return.
47
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(6) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following
components:
Year ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- --------
Federal
Current....................... $54,447 $31,880 $24,016
Deferred...................... (1,265) (1,139) (92)
------- ------- -------
$53,182 $30,741 $23,924
======= ======= =======
State
Current....................... $ 291 $ 85 $ 98
Deferred...................... -- -- --
------- ------- -------
$ 291 $ 85 $ 98
======= ======= =======
Total
Current....................... $54,738 $31,965 $24,114
Deferred...................... (1,265) (1,139) (92)
------- ------- -------
Total..................... $53,473 $30,826 $24,022
======= ======= =======
The income tax provision reflected in the consolidated statements of income
is less than the expected federal income tax on income before income taxes as
shown in the table below:
Year ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
---------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------
Computed tax expense at 35% ........................................ $ 73,423 $ 47,807 $ 40,013
Tax-exempt interest income.......................................... (19,188) (15,626) (13,718)
Dividends received deduction........................................ (5,389) (4,949) (4,936)
Reduction of losses incurred deduction for 15% of
income on securities purchased after August 7, 1986 3,640 2,974 2,546
Other, net.......................................................... 987 620 117
-------- -------- --------
Income tax expense ............................................ $ 53,473 $ 30,826 $ 24,022
======== ======== ========
48
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(6) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The "temporary differences" that give rise to a significant portion of the
deferred tax asset (liability) relate to the following:
December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
-------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
-------- --------- --------
Deferred tax assets
Discounting of loss reserves and salvage
and subrogation recoverable for tax
purposes.................................... $ 6,930 $ 6,123 $ 5,030
Other deferred tax assets.................... 1,085 1,358 638
-------- -------- --------
Total gross deferred tax assets............ 8,015 7,481 5,668
Less valuation allowance.................. -- -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net deferred tax assets................... 8,015 7,481 5,668
-------- -------- --------
Deferred tax liabilities
Tax liability on net unrealized gain on
securities carried at market value.......... (24,840) (10,207) (13,584)
Tax depreciation in excess of book
depreciation................................ (1,467) (1,270) (1,184)
Accretion on bonds........................... (1,061) (784) (742)
Other deferred tax liabilities............... (369) (1,569) (316)
-------- -------- --------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities...... (27,737) (13,830) (15,826)
-------- -------- --------
Net deferred tax liabilities............... $(19,722) $ (6,349) $(10,158)
======== ======== ========
49
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(7) RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
Activity in the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses is
summarized as follows:
Year ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
--------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Gross reserves for losses and loss
adjustment expenses at beginning of year..... $336,685 $253,546 $227,499
Less reinsurance recoverable................ (24,931) (2,556) (4,107)
-------- -------- --------
Net reserves, beginning of year............... 311,754 250,990 223,392
Reserves acquired in purchase of AMI.......... -- 24,231 --
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
related to:
Current year.............................. 641,911 505,726 423,264
Prior years............................... 12,818 (3,868) (6,708)
-------- -------- --------
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment
expenses................................... 654,729 501,858 416,556
-------- -------- --------
Loss and loss adjustment expense payments
related to:
Current year.............................. 373,823 298,099 243,294
Prior years............................... 206,390 167,226 145,664
-------- -------- --------
Total payments................................ 580,213 465,325 388,958
-------- -------- --------
Net reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses at end of year...................... 386,270 311,754 250,990
Reinsurance recoverable....................... 22,791 24,931 2,556
-------- -------- --------
Gross reserves, end of year................... 409,061 $336,685 $253,546
======== ======== ========
Increases in incurred losses in 1997 relating to prior years reflects increases
in the Company's estimates for loss adjustment expenses.
Decreases in incurred losses relating to 1996 and 1995 reflects the favorable
loss experience during these years attributable to a number of combined factors
which have produced favorable frequency and severity trends.
50
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(8) ACQUISITION OF AMERICAN FIDELITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Effective November 30, 1996 the Company acquired all of the issued and
outstanding common stock of American Mercury Insurance Company, including its
subsidiaries as described in Note 1, for $35.0 million. The acquisition was
paid for in cash with funds raised by increasing the Company's notes payable
under the bank credit agreement discussed in Note 5. On December 30, 1996 the
Company contributed an additional $15.0 million to AMI. The acquisition was
accounted for using the purchase method and resulted in a minimal amount of
goodwill. The purchase agreement includes an indemnification by the seller on
the loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of AMI at the acquisition date,
excluding the mechanical breakdown line, to avoid any impact on the Company's
financial statements from any future adverse development on the acquisition date
loss reserves.
AMI writes property and casualty insurance, primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and
Texas, where the companies are domiciled. Its primary lines are automobile and
mechanical breakdown insurance. The results of operations for the month of
December 1996 and all of 1997 are included in the consolidated financial
statements of the Company.
The following unaudited proforma consolidated results of operations for 1996
give effect to the acquisition as though it had occurred at the beginning of
each year presented:
Pro Forma Results for the year ended
December 31,
(Amounts in thousands,
except per share data)
------------------------------------
1996 1995
---- ----
Revenues $891,243 $756,728
Pretax operating income $136,912 $117,092
Income before income taxes $133,691 $118,293
Basic earnings per share $ 1.89 $ 1.70
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.88 $ 1.69
(9) DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
The Insurance Companies are subject to the financial capacity guidelines
established by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of their domicile
states. The payment of dividends from statutory unassigned surplus of the
Insurance Companies is restricted, subject to certain statutory limitations.
For the year 1998, the direct insurance subsidiaries of the Company are
permitted to pay approximately $67.0 million in dividends to the Company without
the prior
51
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(9) Dividend Restrictions (Continued)
approval of the Commissioner of Insurance of the state of domicile. The above
statutory regulations may have the effect of indirectly limiting the ability of
the Company to pay dividends.
(10) STATUTORY BALANCES AND ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
The Insurance Companies prepare their statutory financial statements in
accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the various
state insurance departments. Prescribed statutory accounting practices include
a variety of publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
(NAIC), as well as state laws, regulations, and general administrative rules.
Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not
so prescribed. As of December 31, 1997, there were no material permitted
statutory accounting practices utilized by the Insurance Companies. The NAIC is
working on a project to codify statutory accounting practices, the result of
which is expected to constitute the only source of "prescribed" statutory
accounting practices. When complete, that project will most likely change the
definition of prescribed versus permitted statutory accounting practices and may
result in changes to the accounting policies that insurance enterprises use to
prepare their statutory financial statements.
The Insurance Companies' statutory net income, as reported to regulatory
authorities, was $147,255,000, $97,979,000, and $86,210,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The statutory policyholders'
surplus of the Insurance Companies, as reported to regulatory authorities, as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996 was $679,359,000 and $594,799,000, respectively.
The Company has estimated the Risk-Based Capital Requirements of each of its
insurance subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 according to the formula issued
by the NAIC. Each of the companies' policyholders' surplus exceeded the highest
level of recommended capital requirements.
(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is obligated under various noncancellable lease agreements
providing for office space and equipment rental that expire at various dates
through the year 2002. Total rent expense under these lease agreements, all of
which are operating leases, was $1,885,000, $1,583,000 and $1,461,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
52
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
Mercury Casualty Company will receive minimum future rentals on various
noncancellable operating leases on a building in Brea, California. The annual
rental commitments, expressed in thousands, are shown as follows:
Rent Rent
YEAR Expense Income
---- ------- ------
1998.................... $1,947 $ (330)
1999.................... $2,025 $ (263)
2000.................... $1,350 $ (91)
2001.................... $ 856 $ --
2002.................... $ 267 $ --
Thereafter.............. $ -- $ --
The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in various lawsuits generally
incidental to their business. In most of these actions, plaintiffs assert
claims for exemplary and punitive damages which are not insurable under
California judicial decisions. The Company vigorously defends these actions,
unless a reasonable settlement appears appropriate. Management does not expect
the ultimate disposition of these lawsuits to have a material effect on the
Company's consolidated operations or financial position.
(12) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
The Company, at the option of the Board of Directors, may make annual con-
tributions to an employee profit sharing plan. The contributions are not to
exceed the greater of the Company's net income for the plan year or its retained
earnings at that date. In addition, the annual contributions may not exceed an
amount equal to 15% of the compensation paid or accrued during the year to all
participants under the plan. The annual contribution was $1,000,000 for each of
the plan years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.
The Profit Sharing Plan also includes an option for employees to make salary
deferrals under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Company matching
contributions, at a rate set by the Board of Directors, totaled $1,349,000,
$955,000, and $773,000 for the plan years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995.
Effective March 11, 1994 the Profit Sharing Plan also includes a leveraged
employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) that covers substantially all employees.
The Company makes annual contributions to the ESOP equal to the ESOP's debt
53
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(12) PROFIT SHARING PLAN (CONTINUED)
service less dividends received by the ESOP. Dividends received by the ESOP on
unallocated shares are used to pay debt service and the ESOP shares serve as
collateral for its debt. As the debt is repaid, shares are released from
collateral and allocated to employees, based on the proportion of debt service
paid in the year. The Company accounts for its ESOP in accordance with
Statement of Position 93-6. Accordingly, the debt of the ESOP, which was
$2,000,000, $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively, is recorded in the balance sheet as other liabilities. The shares
pledged as collateral are reported as unearned ESOP compensation in the
shareholders' equity section of the balance sheet. As shares are committed to
be released from collateral, the Company reports compensation expense equal to
the current market price of the shares, and reduces unearned ESOP compensation
by the original cost of the shares. The difference between the market price and
cost of the shares is charged to common stock. As shares are committed to be
released from collateral, the shares become outstanding for earnings-per-share
computations. Dividends on allocated ESOP shares are recorded as a reduction of
retained earnings; dividends on unallocated ESOP shares are recorded as a
reduction of accrued interest. ESOP compensation expense was $5,368,000,
$1,509,000 and $1,145,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The ESOP shares
as of December 31 were as follows:
1997 1996
-------- ----------
Allocated shares 193,200 128,800
Shares committed-to-be released 128,800 64,400
Unreleased shares -- 128,800
-------- ----------
Total ESOP shares 322,000 322,000
======== ==========
Market value of unreleased shares at
December 31, $ -- $3,381,000
======== ==========
(13) COMMON STOCK
In September 1997, the common stock of the Company was split two-for-one.
All share information has been adjusted accordingly.
The Company adopted a stock option plan in October 1985 (the "1985 Plan")
under which 5,400,000 shares were reserved for issuance. Options granted during
1985 were exercisable immediately. Subsequent options granted become
exercisable 20% per year beginning one year from the date granted. All options
were granted at the market price on the date of the grant and expire in 10
years.
In May 1995 the Company adopted The 1995 Equity Participation Plan (the "1995
Plan") which succeeds the Company's 1985 Plan. Under the 1995 Plan,
54
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(13) COMMON STOCK (CONTINUED)
5,400,000 shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance upon exercise of
options, stock appreciation rights and other awards, or upon vesting of
restricted or deferred stock awards. During 1995, the Company granted incentive
stock options under both the 1995 Plan and the 1985 Plan. The options granted
during 1997, 1996 and 1995 become exercisable 20% per year beginning one year
from the date granted and were granted at the market price on the date of the
grant. The options expire in 10 years.
As explained in Note 1, the Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting
for its stock option plan. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized in the Statements of Income. Had compensation cost for the Company's
Plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with
the method of SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income would have been reduced by
$363,000, $295,000 and $116,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and
earnings per share (basic and diluted) would have remained the same in 1997,
been reduced by .01 (basic and diluted) in 1996 and diluted would have been
reduced by .01 in 1995 and basic would have remained the same in 1995.
Calculations of the fair value under the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123 were
made using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-
average assumptions used for grants in 1997, 1996 and 1995: dividend yield of
2.0 percent for all years, expected volatility of 30 percent for all years and
expected lives of 7 years for all years. The risk-free interest rates used were
6.4 percent for the options granted during 1997, 5.5 and 6.4 percent for the
options granted during 1996, and 7.4 and 6.4 percent for the options granted
during 1995.
A summary of the status of the Company's plans as of December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 and changes during the years ending on those dates is presented below:
1997 1996 1995
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price
--------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Outstanding at beginning of year 723,350 $14.452 730,650 $12.117 475,850 $ 9.301
Granted during the year 45,000 27.406 120,000 23.078 310,000 15.545
Exercised during the year (116,729) 8.553 (122,500) 7.713 (55,200) 7.089
Canceled or expired (16,000) 21.750 (4,800) 13.500 -- --
-------- -------
Outstanding at end of year 635,621 16.269 723,350 14.452 730,650 12.115
======== ======== =======
Options exercisable at year-end 281,021 268,150 283,450
Weighted-average fair value of
options granted during the year $ 9.91 $ 8.11 $5.75
55
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(13) COMMON STOCK (CONTINUED)
The following table summarizes information regarding the stock options
outstanding at December 31, 1997:
Number Weighted Avg. Weighted Avg. Number Weighted Avg.
Range of Outstanding Remaining Exercise Exercisable Exercise
Exercise Prices at 12/31/97 Contractual Life Price at 12/31/97 Price
- ------------------ ----------- ---------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
$3.906 to 3.906 70,600 1.33 years $ 3.906 70,600 $ 3.906
$15.00 to 15.9375 416,021 6.64 15.409 186,421 15.354
$21.75 to 27.4006 149,000 8.32 24.528 24,000 23.078
------- -------
$3.906 to 27.406 635,621 6.44 16.269 281,021 13.138
======= =======
(14) EARNINGS PER SHARE
A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator, adjusted for a two-for-one
stock split effective September 1997, used in the basic and diluted earnings per
share calculation is presented below:
1997 1996 1995
----------------------------- ---------------------------- -----------------------
(000's) (000's) (000's) (000's) (000's) (000's)
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Income Shares Income Shares Income Shares
(Numera- (Denomi- Per-Share (Numera- (Denomi- Per-Share (Numera- (Denomi- Per-Share
tor) nator) Amount tor) nator) Amount tor) nator) Amount
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Basic EPS
- ---------
Income available to
common stockholders $156,306 54,997 $2.84 $105,764 54,794 $1.93 $90,301 54,623 $1.65
Effect of dilutive
securities
Options -- 386 -- 304 -- 252
Diluted EPS
- -----------
Income available to
common stockholders
after assumed
conversions $156,306 55,383 $2.82 $105,764 55,098 $1.92 $90,301 54,875 $1.65
======== ====== ===== ======== ====== ===== ======= ====== =====
56
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
---------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
--------------------
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
--------------------------------------------------
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
----------------------
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
----------------------------------------------
Information regarding executive officers of the Company is included in Part
I. For this and other information called for by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13,
reference is made to the Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual
Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on May 13, 1998, which will be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 1997,
and which is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
---------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1. Financial Statements: The Consolidated Financial Statements for the year
ended December 31, 1997 are contained herein as listed in the Index to
Consolidated Financial Statements on page 31.
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
TITLE
-----
Auditors' Report on Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule I -- Summary of Investments -- Other than Investments in
Related Parties
Schedule II -- Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Schedule IV -- Reinsurance
All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable
or the information is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or
Notes thereto.
57
3. Exhibits:
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date.
3.2@@ By-laws of the Company, as amended to date.
4.1* Shareholders' Agreement dated as of October 7, 1985 among the
Company, George Joseph and Gloria Joseph.
10.1 Form of Agency Contract.
10.2# Management Agreement, as amended, effective July 1, 1992, among
the Company, Mercury Casualty Company, Mercury Insurance Company and
California Automobile Insurance Company.
10.3## Profit Sharing Plan, as Amended and Restated as of March 11, 1994.
10.4## ESOP Feature Trust Agreement between the Company and Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A., as Trustee, effective March 1, 1994.
10.5## ESOP Loan Agreement between Union Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
as Trustee, of the Mercury General Corporation ESOP Feature Trust dated as of March 11, 1994.
10.6## Continuing Guaranty, dated as of March 11, 1994, executed by
Mercury General Corporation in favor of Union Bank.
10.7** Amendment 1994-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit Sharing Plan.
10.8** Amendment 1994-II to the Mercury General Corporation Profit Sharing Plan.
10.9& Amendment 1996-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit Sharing Plan.
10.10& Amendment 1997-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit Sharing Plan.
10.11 Amendment 1998-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit Sharing Plan.
10.12& Revolving Credit Agreement by and among Mercury General
Corporation, the Lenders Party Thereto and The Bank of New York, as Agent
dated as of November 21, 1996.
10.13** Property Per Risk Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between
National Reinsurance Corporation and Mercury Casualty Company, effective April 1, 1995.
10.14** Endorsement No. 1 to the Property Per Risk Excess of Loss
Agreement effective April 1, 1995.
10.15@@ Endorsement No. 2 to the Property Per Risk Excess of Loss
Agreement effective April 1, 1995.
10.16@@ Endorsement No. 3 to the Property Per Risk Excess of Loss
Agreement effective April 1, 1995.
10.17 Property Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Agreement effective
September 1, 1996.
10.18@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois.
10.19@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Indemnity Company of Illinois.
10.20@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Insurance Company of Georgia.
10.21@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Indemnity Company of Georgia.
10.22@ The 1995 Equity Participation Plan.
58
10.23& Stock Purchase Agreement between Mercury General Corporation as
Purchaser and AFC as Seller dated November 15, 1996.
10.24 Management Agreement effective January 1, 1997 between the Company
and American Mercury Insurance Company, AFI Management Co., Inc. and
Cimarron Insurance Company.
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1 Accountants' Consent.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
* This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, File No. 33-899, and is incorporated herein by this reference.
# This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
## This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
** This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
@ This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form S-8 filed on
March 8, 1996 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
@@ This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
& This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
None
59
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
By /s/ GEORGE JOSEPH
-------------------------------------
George Joseph
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
March 18, 1998
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
Chief Executive Officer
and
Chairman of the Board
/s/ GEORGE JOSEPH (Principal Executive Officer) March 18, 1998
- --------------------------
George Joseph
Senior Vice President
/s/ KEITH L. PARKER Chief Investment Officer March 18, 1998
- --------------------------
Keith L. Parker
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ GABRIEL TIRADOR (Principal Financial Officer) March 18, 1998
- --------------------------
Gabriel Tirador
/s/ NATHAN BESSIN Director March 18, 1998
- --------------------------
Nathan Bessin
/s/ BRUCE A. BUNNER Director March 18, 1998
- --------------------------
Bruce A. Bunner
/s/ MICHAEL D. CURTIUS Director March 18, 1998
- --------------------------
Michael D. Curtius
60
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ RICHARD E. GRAYSON Director March 18, 1998
- -------------------------
Richard E. Grayson
/s/ GLORIA JOSEPH Director March 18, 1998
- ------------------------
Gloria Joseph
/s/ CHARLES MCCLUNG Director March 18, 1998
- ------------------------
Charles McClung
/s/ DONALD P. NEWELL Director March 18, 1998
- ------------------------
Donald P. Newell
/s/ DONALD R. SPUEHLER Director March 18, 1998
- -------------------------
Donald R. Spuehler
61
AUDITORS' REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The Board of Directors
Mercury General Corporation:
Under date of February 13, 1998, we reported on the consolidated balance
sheets of Mercury General Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997
and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1997, as contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year
1997. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial
statements, we also have audited the related financial statement schedules as
listed under Item 14(a)2. These financial statement schedules are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our audits.
In our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 13, 1998
S-1
SCHEDULE I
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
DECEMBER 31, 1997
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
Amount at
which shown
in the
Type of Investment Cost Value balance sheet
- ---------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Fixed maturities available for sale
Bonds:
U.S. Government......................... $ 19,700 $ 19,807 $ 19,807
States, Municipalities.................. 1,021,259 1,085,614 1,085,614
Public utilities........................ 11,383 11,529 11,529
All other corporate bonds............... 19,013 19,326 19,326
Redeemable preferred stock................ 76,239 78,710 78,710
---------- ---------- ----------
Total fixed maturities available for
sale.................................. 1,147,594 1,214,986 1,214,986
---------- ---------- ----------
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Public utilities........................ 25,020 29,144 29,144
Banks, trust and insurance companies.... 567 552 552
Industrial, Miscellaneous and
all other.............................. 1,962 1,980 1,980
Nonredeemable preferred stocks............ 142,394 141,846 141,846
---------- ---------- ----------
Total equity securities available for
sale.................................. 169,943 173,522 173,522
---------- ---------- ----------
Short-term investments........................ 59,740 59,740
---------- ----------
Total investments........................ $1,377,277 $1,448,248
========== ==========
S-2
SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
DECEMBER 31, 1996
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
Amount at
which shown
in the
Type of Investment Cost Value balance sheet
- ------------------ ---- ----- -------------
Fixed maturities available for sale
Bonds:
U.S. Government......................... $ 34,218 $ 33,885 $ 33,885
States, Municipalities.................. 781,586 808,761 808,761
Public utilities........................ 12,908 13,050 13,050
All other corporate bonds............... 29,368 29,178 29,178
Redeemable preferred stock................ 66,713 69,234 69,234
---------- -------- ----------
Total fixed maturities available for
sale................................... 924,793 954,108 954,108
---------- -------- ----------
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Public utilities........................ 20,726 21,360 21,360
Banks, trust and insurance companies.... 544 493 493
Industrial, Miscellaneous and
all other.............................. 1,535 2,209 2,209
Nonredeemable preferred stocks............ 125,459 124,050 124,050
---------- -------- ----------
Total equity securities available for
sale................................... 148,264 148,112 148,112
---------- -------- ----------
Short-term investments......................... 66,067 66,067
---------- ----------
Total investments........................ $1,139,124 $1,168,287
========== ==========
S-3
SCHEDULE II
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
ASSETS
1997 1996
--------- --------
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale (amortized
cost $2,914 in 1997 and $3,003 in 1996).......... $ 2,888 $ 3,012
Equity securities, available for sale (cost
$28,398 in 1997 and $17,169 in 1996)............. 28,555 16,877
Short-term cash investments........................ 6,705 8,090
Investment in subsidiaries......................... 849,608 697,059
-------- --------
Total investments.......................... 887,756 725,038
Amounts due from affiliates.............................. 5,452 5,014
Income taxes............................................. 3,144 1,988
Other assets............................................. 1,863 2,303
-------- --------
$898,215 $734,343
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable............................................ $ 75,000 $ 75,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses.................... 18,594 12,311
Other liabilities........................................ 5,029 5,807
-------- --------
Total liabilities................................. 98,623 93,118
-------- --------
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock...................................... 47,412 42,644
Net unrealized investment gains .................. 46,131 18,959
Unearned ESOP compensation........................ -- (2,000)
Retained earnings................................. 706,049 581,622
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity................. 799,592 641,225
-------- --------
$898,215 $734,343
======== ========
See notes to condensed financial information
S-4
SCHEDULE II, CONTINUED
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
1997 1996 1995
Revenues:
Net investment income........................................................ $ 2,139 $ 1,489 $ 1,824
Management fee income from subsidiaries...................................... 162,352 118,657 101,823
Other........................................................................ -- 8 27
-------- ------- -------
Total revenues........................................................... 164,491 120,154 103,674
Expenses:
Loss adjustment expenses..................................................... 102,889 79,934 68,048
Policy acquisition costs..................................................... 31,543 20,345 17,087
Other operating expenses..................................................... 28,454 19,336 16,627
Interest..................................................................... 4,972 2,004 2,040
-------- ------- -------
Total expenses........................................................... 167,858 121,619 103,802
Loss before income taxes and equity in net
income of subsidiaries...................................................... (3,367) (1,465) (128)
Income tax benefit............................................................. (528) (536) (386)
-------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before equity in net income
of subsidiaries............................................................. (2,839) (929) 258
Equity in net income of subsidiaries........................................... 159,145 106,693 90,043
-------- ------- -------
Net income................................................................ $156,306 $105,764 $ 90,301
======== ======== ========
See notes to condensed financial information.
S-5
SCHEDULE II, CONTINUED
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
1997 1996 1995
------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided from operating activities..................... $ 40,097 $ 32,510 $ 25,526
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of American Mercury Insurance
Company........................................................ -- (34,991) --
Capital contribution to subsidiaries............................ -- (15,000) (500)
Fixed maturities, at market:
Purchases..................................................... (3,556) (807) (1,051)
Sales......................................................... 2,398 475 335
Calls or maturities........................................... 1,234 1,072 349
Equity securities:
Purchases..................................................... (71,446) (47,597) (49,390)
Sales......................................................... 59,786 42,934 48,675
Calls......................................................... 358 --- --
Increase in short term cash investments, net.................... 1,385 (3,344) (2,708)
Other, net...................................................... -- -- --
------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities....................... (9,841) (57,258) (4,290)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Additions to notes payable...................................... -- 75,000 --
Principal payments on notes payable............................. -- (25,000) --
Payment of AMI indemnification holdback......................... (1,750) -- --
Dividends paid to shareholders.................................. (31,879) (26,291) (21,837)
Stock options exercised......................................... 1,400 1,324 458
------- -------- --------
Net cash used in financing activities........................ (32,229) 25,033 (21,379)
Net increase (decrease) in cash................................... (1,973) 285 (143)
Cash:
Beginning of the year........................................... (1,056) (1,340) (1,197)
-------- -------- --------
End of the year ................................................ $ (3,029) $ (1,055) $ (1,340)
========= ======== ========
See notes to condensed financial information.
S-6
SCHEDULE II, CONTINUED
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
The accompanying condensed financial information should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in
this statement.
MANAGEMENT FEE INCOME
Under a management agreement, the Company performs management services which
include all underwriting and claims servicing functions for its subsidiaries.
The Company is compensated by monthly reimbursement of expenses incurred.
DIVIDENDS RECEIVED FROM SUBSIDIARIES
Dividends of $33,500,000, $27,700,000, and $24,500,000 were received by the
Company from its wholly-owned subsidiaries in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
and are recorded as a reduction to Investment in Subsidiaries.
CASH OVERDRAFT
At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company had cash overdrafts of $3,029,000
and $1,055,000, respectively which are classified in "other liabilities" in the
accompanying condensed balance sheet.
S-7
SCHEDULE IV
MERCURY GENERAL CORPORATION
REINSURANCE
THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
Ceded to
Gross other Net
amount companies Assumed amount
--------- --------- ------- ----------
Property and Liability insurance
1997............................ $1,055,114 $24,241 $407 $1,031,280
1996............................ $ 757,447 $ 3,138 $415 $ 754,724
1995............................ $ 619,404 $ 3,444 $366 $ 616,326
S-8
EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date.
3.2@@ By-laws of the Company, as amended to date.
4.1* Shareholders' Agreement dated as of October 7, 1985 among the
Company, George Joseph and Gloria Joseph.
10.1 Form of Agency Contract.
10.2# Management Agreement, as amended, effective July 1, 1992, among
the Company, Mercury Casualty Company, Mercury Insurance Company and
California Automobile Insurance Company.
10.3## Profit Sharing Plan, as Amended and Restated as of March 11, 1994.
10.4## ESOP Feature Trust Agreement between the Company and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, effective March 1, 1994.
10.5## ESOP Loan Agreement between Union Bank and Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A., as Trustee, of the Mercury General Corporation ESOP
Feature Trust dated as of March 11, 1994.
10.6## Continuing Guaranty, dated as of March 11, 1994, executed by
Mercury General Corporation in favor of Union Bank.
10.7** Amendment 1994-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit
Sharing Plan.
10.8** Amendment 1994-II to the Mercury General Corporation Profit
Sharing Plan.
10.9& Amendment 1996-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit
Sharing Plan.
10.10& Amendment 1997-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit
Sharing Plan.
10.11 Amendment 1998-I to the Mercury General Corporation Profit
Sharing Plan.
10.12& Revolving Credit Agreement by and among Mercury General
Corporation, the Lenders Party Thereto and The Bank of New
York, as Agent dated as of November 21, 1996.
10.13** Property Per Risk Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between
National Reinsurance Corporation and Mercury Casualty Company,
effective April 1, 1995.
10.14** Endorsement No. 1 to the Property Per Risk Excess of Loss
Agreement effective April 1, 1995.
10.15@@ Endorsement No. 2 to the Property Per Risk Excess of Loss
Agreement effective April 1, 1995.
10.16@@ Endorsement No. 3 to the Property Per Risk Excess of Loss
Agreement effective April 1, 1995.
10.17 Property Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Agreement effective
September 1, 1996.
10.18@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois.
10.19@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Indemnity Company of Illinois.
10.20@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Insurance Company of Georgia.
70
10.21@@ Management Agreement effective January 1, 1995 between the
Company and Mercury Indemnity Company of Georgia.
10.22@ The 1995 Equity Participation Plan.
10.23& Stock Purchase Agreement between Mercury General Corporation as
Purchaser and AFC as Seller dated November 15, 1996.
10.24 Management Agreement effective January 1, 1997 between the Company
and American Mercury Insurance Company, AFI Management Co., Inc. and
Cimarron Insurance Company.
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1 Accountants' Consent.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
* This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, File No. 33-899, and is incorporated herein by this reference.
# This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
## This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
** This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
@ This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form S-8 filed on
March 8, 1996 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
@@ This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
& This document was filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
None
71