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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For The Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2004
Commission File No. 34-0-26512

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Bermuda 98-014-1974
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification Number)

Renaissance House, 8-12 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19 Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices)

(441) 295-4513

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes (X) No ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes (X) No ( )

The number of outstanding shares of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.'s common shares, par value US $1.00 per share, as of July 31, 2004 was 70,775,614.

Total number of pages in this report: 39




RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q


Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 — Financial Statements 3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at June 30, 2004
(Unaudited) and December 31, 2003
3
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for
the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
4
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders'
Equity for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
5
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
6
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 7
Item 2 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 11
Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 33
Item 4 — Controls and Procedures 35
Part II — OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1 — Legal Proceedings 36
Item 2 — Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities 36
Item 3 — Defaults Upon Senior Securities 36
Item 4 — Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 36
Item 5 — Other Information 37
Item 6 — Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 37
Signature — RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. 39


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Part I — Financial Information

Item 1 — Financial Statements

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of United States Dollars)


  At
  June 30, 2004 December 31, 2003
  (Unaudited) (Audited)
Assets            
Fixed maturity investments available for sale, at fair value $ 3,117,925   $ 2,947,841  
Short term investments   1,009,011     660,564  
Other investments   503,884     369,242  
Cash and cash equivalents   74,130     63,397  
Total managed investment portfolio and cash   4,704,950     4,041,044  
Equity investments in reinsurance company, at fair value   147,962     145,535  
Investments in other ventures, under equity method   178,052     41,130  
Total investments and cash   5,030,964     4,227,709  
Premiums receivable   404,676     167,996  
Ceded reinsurance balances   88,326     56,852  
Losses recoverable   90,055     149,201  
Accrued investment income   31,811     22,793  
Deferred acquisition costs   107,718     75,261  
Other assets   39,498     29,890  
Total assets $ 5,793,048   $ 4,729,702  
Liabilities, Minority Interest and Shareholders' Equity            
Liabilities            
Reserve for claims and claim expenses $ 1,100,159   $ 977,892  
Reserve for unearned premiums   696,608     349,824  
Debt   350,000     350,000  
Subordinated obligation to capital trust   103,093     103,093  
Reinsurance balances payable   88,741     131,629  
Net payable on investments purchased   166,772      
Other liabilities   88,773     52,123  
Total liabilities   2,594,146     1,964,561  
Minority Interest – DaVinciRe   398,214     430,498  
Shareholders' Equity            
Preference shares   500,000     250,000  
Common shares and additional paid-in capital   308,852     314,414  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   75,168     113,382  
Retained earnings   1,916,668     1,656,847  
Total shareholders' equity   2,800,688     2,334,643  
Total liabilities, minority interest, and shareholders' equity $ 5,793,048   $ 4,729,702  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

3




RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
For the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands of United States Dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


  Three months ended Six months ended
  2004 2003 2004 2003
Revenues                        
Gross premiums written $ 326,876   $ 212,560   $ 1,107,164   $ 897,727  
Net premiums written $ 262,842   $ 160,223   $ 968,863   $ 750,593  
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums   81,142     115,312     (315,310   (211,584
Net premiums earned   343,984     275,535     653,553     539,009  
Net investment income   29,833     34,109     64,883     65,543  
Net foreign exchange gains   786     7,640     2,873     11,591  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures   4,923     6,493     11,443     12,561  
Other income (loss)   (689   745     420     182  
Net realized gains (losses) on investments   (26,920   49,660     5,601     70,772  
Total revenues   351,917     374,182     738,773     699,658  
Expenses                        
Claims and claim expenses incurred   120,737     100,076     232,915     182,856  
Acquisition expenses   64,047     40,704     122,078     82,837  
Operational expenses   16,502     16,332     28,878     31,239  
Corporate expenses   4,986     4,677     9,538     8,145  
Interest expense   6,334     5,335     12,605     9,834  
Total expenses   212,606     167,124     406,014     314,911  
Income before minority interest and taxes   139,311     207,058     332,759     384,747  
Minority interest – Capital Securities       1,827         3,282  
Minority interest – DaVinciRe   14,492     20,150     32,482     41,035  
Income before taxes   124,819     185,081     300,277     340,430  
Income tax benefit               55  
Net income   124,819     185,081     300,277     340,485  
Dividends on preference shares   8,609     4,917     13,713     9,036  
Net income available to Common Shareholders $ 116,210   $ 180,164   $ 286,564   $ 331,449  
Net income available to common shareholders per Common Share – basic $ 1.67   $ 2.62   $ 4.12   $ 4.82  
Net income available to common shareholders
per Common Share – diluted
$ 1.62   $ 2.54   $ 4.00   $ 4.68  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4




RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands of United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)


  2004 2003
Preference Shares
Balance — January 1 $ 250,000   $ 150,000  
Issuance of Preference Shares   250,000     100,000  
Balance — June 30   500,000     250,000  
Common Stock and additonal paid-in capital            
Balance — January 1   314,414     320,936  
Exercise of options, and issuance of stock and restricted
stock awards
  2,620     6,939  
Offering expenses   (8,182   (3,150
Reversal of unearned stock grant compensation       (18,468
Balance — June 30   308,852     306,257  
Unearned stock grant compensation            
Balance — January 1       (18,468
Reversal of unearned stock grant compensation       18,468  
Balance — June 30        
Accumulated other comprehensive income            
Balance — January 1   113,382     95,234  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of adjustment (see disclosure below)   (38,214   17,713  
Balance — June 30   75,168     112,947  
Retained earnings            
Balance — January 1   1,656,847     1,094,333  
Net income   300,277     340,485  
Dividends paid on Common Shares   (26,743   (21,021
Dividends paid on Preference Shares   (13,713   (9,036
Balance — June 30   1,916,668     1,404,761  
Total Shareholders' Equity $ 2,800,688   $ 2,073,965  
Comprehensive income (1)            
Net income $ 300,277   $ 340,485  
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (38,214   17,713  
Comprehensive income $ 262,063   $ 358,198  
Disclosure regarding net unrealized gains (losses)            
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period $ (32,613 $ 88,485  
Net realized gains included in net income   (5,601   (70,772
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities $ (38,214 $ 17,713  
(1) Comprehensive income was $81.4 million and $202.0 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands of United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)


  2004 2003
Cash flows provided by operating activities
Net income $ 300,277   $ 340,485  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities            
Amortization and depreciation   9,407     6,546  
Net unrealized gains included in investment income   (4,906   (9,381
Net realized investment gains   (5,601   (70,772
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures   (11,443   (12,561
Minority interest   32,482     41,035  
Change in:            
Premiums receivable   (236,680   (181,653
Ceded reinsurance balances   (31,474   (10,025
Deferred acquisition costs   (32,457   (30,893
Reserve for claims and claim expenses, net   181,413     162,570  
Reserve for unearned premiums   346,784     221,762  
Reinsurance balances payable   (42,888   27,074  
Other   15,325     (15,325
Net cash provided by operating activities   520,239     468,862  
             
Cash flows used in investing activities            
Net purchases of short-term investments   (348,447   (564,688
Net purchases of other investments   (129,736   (51,443
Net sales (purchases) of investments in other ventures   (125,479   22,685  
Proceeds from sales of investments   8,885,301     6,128,817  
Purchases of investments available for sale   (8,931,712   (6,172,108
Net cash used in investing activities   (650,073   (636,737
             
Cash flows provided by financing activities            
Sale of preference shares, net of expenses   242,259     96,850  
DaVinciRe share repurchase   (61,236    
Dividends paid — common shares   (26,743   (21,021
Dividends paid — preference shares   (13,713   (9,036
Issuance of senior debt, net of expenses       99,144  
Payment of bank loan — Glencoe U.S.       (25,000
Net cash provided by financing activities   140,567     140,937  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   10,733     (26,938
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   63,397     87,067  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 74,130   $ 60,129  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
(Unaudited)

1.  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. This report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. ("RenaissanceRe" or the "Company"), was formed under the laws of Bermuda on June 7, 1993. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides reinsurance and insurance to a broad range of customers.

•  Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd. ("Renaissance Reinsurance") is the Company's principal subsidiary and provides property catastrophe and specialty reinsurance coverages to insurers and reinsurers on a worldwide basis.
•  The Company also manages property catastrophe and specialty reinsurance business written on behalf of joint ventures, principally including Top Layer Reinsurance Ltd. ("Top Layer Re") and DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. ("DaVinci"). The results of DaVinci, and the results of DaVinci's parent, DaVinciRe Holdings Ltd. ("DaVinciRe"), are consolidated in the Company's financial statements. Renaissance Underwriting Managers, Ltd. ("Renaissance Underwriting Managers"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, acts as exclusive underwriting manager for these joint ventures in return for fee-based income and profit participation.
•  The Company's Individual Risk operations include direct insurance written on both an admitted basis through Stonington Insurance Company ("Stonington"), and on an excess and surplus lines basis through Glencoe Insurance Ltd. ("Glencoe") and Lantana Insurance Ltd. ("Lantana"), and also provide reinsurance coverage, principally on a quota share basis, which is analyzed on an individual risk basis.

All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation.

The Company owns a minority equity interest in, but controls a majority of the outstanding voting power of, DaVinciRe. Minority interests represent the interests of external parties with respect to net income and shareholders' equity of DaVinciRe. The Company also invests in certain other investments, including an investment in ChannelRe Holdings Ltd. ("Channel Re"), which is reported using the equity method, and an investment in Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. ("Platinum"), which is publicly traded and reported at fair value.

Certain comparative information has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Because of the seasonality of the Company's business, the results of operations and cash flows for any interim period will not necessarily be indicative of results of operations and cash flows for the full fiscal year or subsequent quarters.

2.  The Company purchases reinsurance to reduce its exposure to large losses. The Company currently has in place contracts that provide for recovery of a portion of certain claims and claims expenses from reinsurers in excess of various retentions and loss warranties. The Company would remain liable to the extent that any third-party reinsurance company fails to meet its obligations. The earned reinsurance premiums ceded were $106.8 million and $137.0 million for the six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In addition to loss recoveries, certain of the Company's ceded reinsurance contracts provide for recoveries of additional premiums, reinstatement premiums and for unrecovered no claims bonuses which are unrecoverable when losses are ceded to other reinsurance contracts.

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Total recoveries netted against claims and claim expenses incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $18.3 million compared to $13.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

3.  Effective December 31, 2003, we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities — an interpretation of ARB No. 51" ("FIN 46"). FIN 46 requires consolidation of all Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") by the investor that will absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses or residual returns. RenaissanceRe Capital Trust (the "Capital Trust") was determined to be a VIE under FIN 46 and the Company was determined not to be the primary beneficiary of the Capital Trust. Accordingly, the Capital Trust was deconsolidated effective December 31, 2003. As a result, the accounts of the Capital Trust, principally the Capital Securities previously classified as minority interest, are not included in our consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. Our $103.1 million subordinated obligation to the Capital Trust, previously eliminated in consolidation, is recorded on our consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 as a liability. The dividends from the Capital Trust that were previously reported as minority interest expense — Capital Securities have been reclassified with effect from December 31, 2003 and the dividends are currently reflected as interest expense.
4.  Effective June 30, 2004, we adopted the recognition and measurement guidance of EITF Issue No. 03-01, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments" ("EITF 03-01"). EITF O3-01 is applicable to our debt and equity securities within the scope of Statement 115 that are classified as available for sale. EITF 03-01 provides guidance as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether the impairment is other than temporary and determining the amount of the impairment loss. The guidance also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The adoption of EITF 03-01 did not have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In accordance with EITF 03-01, we will adopt the disclosure provisions for our annual financial statements.
5.  Basic earnings per share is based on weighted average common shares and excludes any dilutive effects of options and restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share assumes the exercise of all dilutive stock options and restricted stock grants. The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

Three months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except share and per share data)      
Numerator:      
Net income available to common shareholders $ 116,210   $ 180,164  
Denominator:      
Denominator for basic earnings per common share – Weighted average common shares   69,663,586     68,913,845  
Per common share equivalents of employee stock options and restricted shares   2,019,615     2,141,980  
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share – Adjusted weighted average common shares and assumed conversions   71,683,201     71,055,825  
Basic earnings per common share $ 1.67   $ 2.62  
Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.62   $ 2.54  

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Six months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except share and per share data)            
Numerator:            
Net income available to common shareholders $ 286,564   $ 331,449  
Denominator:            
Denominator for basic earnings per common share – Weighted average common shares   69,553,758     68,753,500  
Per common share equivalents of employee stock options and restricted shares   2,083,785     2,056,556  
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share – Adjusted weighted average common shares and assumed conversions   71,637,543     70,810,056  
Basic earnings per common share $ 4.12   $ 4.82  
Diluted earnings per common share $ 4.00   $ 4.68  
6.  The Board of Directors of RenaissanceRe declared, and RenaissanceRe paid, a dividend of $0.19 per share to shareholders of record on each of March 9 and June 1, 2004. A dividend of $0.19 per share has been declared, payable on September 1, 2004 to shareholders of record on September 1, 2004.

The Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program of $150 million. This authorization included the remaining amounts available under prior authorizations. RenaissanceRe's decision to repurchase common shares will depend on, among other matters, the market price of the common shares and capital requirements of RenaissanceRe (see Part II — Other Information — Item 2).

7.  Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted, prospectively, the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), for all stock-based employee compensation granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2003. Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123, the Company estimates the fair value of employee stock options and other stock-based compensation on the date of grant and amortizes this value as an expense over the vesting period.

Under the prospective method of adoption selected by the Company under the provisions of SFAS 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure," compensation cost recognized in 2003 includes all employee awards granted, modified, or settled after the beginning of the fiscal year. Results for prior periods have not been restated. The following tables illustrate the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period.

9





Three months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)            
Net income available to common shareholders, as reported $ 116,210   $ 180,164  
add: stock based employee compensation cost included in
     determination of net income
  3,906     3,078  
less: fair value compensation cost under SFAS 123   4,532     4,343  
Pro forma net income available to common shareholders $ 115,584   $ 178,899  
Earnings per share            
Basic – as reported $ 1.67   $ 2.62  
Basic – pro forma $ 1.66   $ 2.60  
Diluted – as reported $ 1.62   $ 2.54  
Diluted – pro forma $ 1.61   $ 2.52  

Six months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)            
Net income available to common shareholders, as reported $ 286,564   $ 331,449  
add: stock based employee compensation cost included in
     determination of net income
  7,366     5,201  
less: fair value compensation cost under SFAS 123   9,025     7,660  
Pro forma net income available to common shareholders $ 284,905   $ 328,990  
Earnings per share            
Basic – as reported $ 4.12   $ 4.82  
Basic – pro forma $ 4.10   $ 4.79  
Diluted – as reported $ 4.00   $ 4.68  
Diluted – pro forma $ 3.98   $ 4.65  
8.  In March 2004, RenaissanceRe issued 10,000,000 $1.00 par value Series C preference shares at $25 per share. The shares may be redeemed at $25 per share at RenaissanceRe's option on or after March 23, 2009. Dividends are cumulative from the date of original issuance and are payable quarterly in arrears at 6.08% when, if, and as declared by the Board of Directors. If RenaissanceRe submits a proposal to our shareholders concerning an amalgamation or submits any proposal that, as a result of any changes to Bermuda law, requires approval of the holders of these preference shares to vote as a single class, RenaissanceRe may redeem the shares prior to March 23, 2009 at $26 per share. The preference shares have no stated maturity and are not convertible into any other securities of RenaissanceRe.
9.  During the first quarter of 2004, RenaissanceRe amended its shareholders' agreement with Top Layer Re, and as a result RenaissanceRe is obligated to make a mandatory capital contribution of up to $50.0 million to Top Layer Re in the event that a loss reduces Top Layer Re's capital below a specified level.
10.  On July 29, 2004, the Company filed a Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to a Special General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on August 31, 2004. At the Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve the Company's 2004 Stock Incentive Plan ("The 2004 Plan"), which has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors as a means of retaining key executive personnel. Under The 2004 Plan, options in respect of 6,000,000 common shares could be issued, but exclusively at a price not less than 150% of fair market value at the time of grant. The 2004 Plan also provides that all of such options will not vest prior to the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.


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Item 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and financial condition as of June 30, 2004. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the attached unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. We also caution readers regarding certain forward-looking statements made in this 10-Q and direct readers to the Safe Harbor Disclosure included in this filing.

GENERAL

RenaissanceRe was established in 1993 to write property catastrophe reinsurance. By pioneering the use of sophisticated computer models to construct our portfolio, we have become one of the world's largest and most successful catastrophe reinsurers. We are seeking to leverage our expertise to establish leading franchises in additional selected areas of insurance and reinsurance.

Since a substantial portion of the reinsurance and insurance we write provides protection from damages relating to natural and man-made catastrophes, our results depend to a large extent on the frequency and severity of such catastrophic events, and the coverages we offer to clients impacted by these events.

Our revenues are principally derived from three sources: 1) net premiums earned from the reinsurance and insurance policies we sell; 2) net investment income and realized gains and losses from investments; and 3) other income received from our joint ventures and other structured products.

Our expenses primarily consist of: 1) claims and claim expenses incurred on the policies of reinsurance and insurance we sell; 2) acquisition costs which consist principally of ceding commissions paid to ceding clients and brokerage expenses, and typically represent a negotiated percentage of the premiums on our reinsurance and insurance contracts written; 3) operational expenses which primarily consist of personnel expenses, rent and other operating expenses; and 4) interest and dividend costs related to our debt, preference shares and subordinated obligation to capital trust. Our operating and interest costs are relatively more fixed in nature and correlate less with the amount of our premiums written.

The operating results, also known as the underwriting results, of an insurance or reinsurance company are discussed frequently by reference to its claims and claim expense ratio, underwriting expense ratio and combined ratio. The claims and claim expense ratio is the result of dividing claims and claim expenses incurred by net premiums earned. The underwriting expense ratio is the result of dividing underwriting expenses (acquisition expenses and operational expenses) by net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the claims and claim expense ratio and the underwriting expense ratio. A combined ratio below 100% generally indicates profitable underwriting prior to the consideration of investment income. A combined ratio over 100% generally indicates unprofitable underwriting prior to the consideration of investment income.

We conduct our business through two reportable segments, Reinsurance and Individual Risk. Those segments are more fully described as follows:

Reinsurance

Our Reinsurance segment has three main components:

1)  Property catastrophe reinsurance written for our own account — our traditional core business. Our subsidiary, Renaissance Reinsurance, is one of the world's premier providers of this coverage. This coverage protects against large natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, as well as claims arising from other natural and man-made catastrophes such as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, tornadoes and explosions. We offer this coverage to insurance companies and other reinsurers primarily on an excess of loss basis. This means that we begin paying when our customers' paid claims from a catastrophe exceed a certain retained amount.

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2)  Specialty reinsurance written for our own account covering certain targeted classes of business where we believe we have a sound basis for underwriting and pricing the risk that we assume; our portfolio includes various lines of business, such as catastrophe exposed workers' compensation, surety and terrorism. We believe that we are seen as a market leader in certain of these classes of business and that we have a growing reputation as a "first call" market in these lines.
3)  Through Renaissance Underwriting Managers, we pursue joint ventures and other structured relationships. Our three principal business activities in this area are: 1) catastrophe-oriented joint ventures which we manage, such as Top Layer Re and DaVinci; 2) specialized reinsurance transactions, such as offering non-traditional participations in our catastrophe portfolio; and 3) investments in initiatives directed at other classes of risk, where we partner with other market participants, such as our investments in Channel Re and Platinum. Only business activities that appear in our consolidated underwriting results, such as DaVinci and certain specialized reinsurance transactions, are included in our Reinsurance segment results; Top Layer Re, Channel Re and Platinum are included in the Other category of our segment results.

Individual Risk

We define our Individual Risk segment to include underwriting that involves understanding the characteristics of the original underlying insurance policy. Our principal products include: 1) commercial and homeowners property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed lines; 2) commercial liability coverages, including general, automobile, professional and various specialty lines; and 3) reinsurance to other insurers on a quota share basis.

Our Individual Risk business is primarily produced through three distribution channels: 1) Program Managers — where we write primary insurance through specialized program managers, who produce business pursuant to agreed-upon underwriting guidelines and provide related back-office functions; 2) Quota Share Reinsurance — where we write quota share reinsurance with primary insurers who, similar to our program managers, provide most of the back-office and support functions; and 3) Brokers — where we write primary insurance through brokers on a risk-by-risk basis.

Our Individual Risk business is written by the Glencoe Group through its operating subsidiaries Glencoe and Lantana, on an excess and surplus lines basis, and Stonington, on an admitted basis. We rely on third parties for services including the generation of premium, the issuance of policies and the processing of claims. We oversee our third-party partners through an operations review team at Glencoe Group Services Inc., which conducts initial due diligence as well as periodic reviews.

New Business

In addition to the potential growth of our existing reinsurance and insurance businesses, from time to time, we consider opportunistic diversification into new ventures, either through organic growth, the formation of new joint ventures, or the acquisition of other companies or books of business of other companies. This potential diversification includes opportunities to write targeted classes of non-catastrophe business, both directly for our own account and through possible new joint venture opportunities.

In evaluating such new ventures, we seek an attractive return on equity, the ability to develop or capitalize on a competitive advantage, and opportunities that will not detract from our core Reinsurance and Individual Risk operations. Accordingly, we regularly review strategic opportunities and periodically engage in discussions regarding possible transactions, although there can be no assurance that we will complete any such transactions or that any such transaction would contribute materially to our results of operations or financial condition.

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SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Claims and Claim Expense Reserves

We believe that the most significant accounting judgment made by management is our estimate of our claims and claim expense reserves. Claims reserves represent estimates, including actuarial and statistical projections at a given point in time, of the ultimate settlement and administration costs of claims incurred, and it is likely that the ultimate liability will exceed or be less than such estimates. It is also possible that this variance will be material. Such estimates are not precise in that, among other things, they are based on predictions of future developments and estimates of future trends in claim severity and frequency and other variable factors such as inflation. Generally, the uncertainty inherent in the reserving process is even greater for reinsurance operations, which constitute the majority of our business, than it is for primary insurance operations. This is largely (but not exclusively) because of the dependence on information from the ceding company, the time lag inherent in reporting information from the primary insurer to the reinsurer, and differing reserving practices among ceding companies.

Adjustments to our prior year estimated ultimate claims reserves will impact our current year net income by increasing our net income if the prior year estimated ultimate claims reserves are determined to be overstated, or by reducing our net income if the prior year estimated ultimate claims reserves prove to be insufficient. During the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, changes to prior year estimated ultimate claims reserves had the following impact on our net income: during the first six months of 2004, prior years estimated ultimate claims reserves were reduced by $51.4 million and accordingly, our net income for the first six months of 2004 was increased by $51.4 million; and during the first six months of 2003, prior years estimated ultimate claims reserves were reduced by $24.4 million, and our net income for the first six months of 2003 was increased by $24.4 million. (Also see — "Reserves for Claims and Claim Expenses")

For our property catastrophe reinsurance operations, we initially set our claims reserves based on case reserves and other reserve estimates reported by insureds and ceding companies. We then add to these case reserves, our estimates for additional case reserves, and an estimate for incurred but not reported reserves ("IBNR"). These estimates are generally based upon our experience with similar claims, our knowledge of potential industry loss levels for each loss, and industry information which we gather and retain in our REMS© modeling system. The estimation of claims resulting from catastrophic events is inherently difficult because of the variability and uncertainty associated with property catastrophe claims. During 2003, with the accumulation of 10 years of historical information on our claims and claim expenses, we adopted a new system to reassess our property catastrophe reserves on our older accident years.

The uncertainty inherent in loss estimation is greater for the casualty coverages we offer through our Specialty Reinsurance and Individual Risk operations, because these coverages are subject to greater uncertainties, over a longer period of time, relating to factors such as economic inflation and changes in the social and legal environment. In reserving for our specialty reinsurance and Individual Risk coverages we do not have the benefit of a significant amount of our own historical experience in these lines. We estimate our IBNR for these coverages by utilizing an actuarial method known as the Bornhuetter-Ferguson technique, a widely used method for lines of business in which a company may have limited historical loss experience. The utilization of the Bornhuetter-Ferguson technique requires a company to estimate an ultimate claims and claim expense ratio and select an estimated loss reporting pattern for each line of business that it offers. The expected loss ratio is modified to the extent that reported losses at a given point in time differ from what would be expected based on the selected loss reporting pattern. This method gives more weight to the actual reported loss experience as the underwriting period matures. We select our estimates of the ultimate claims and claim expense ratios and estimated loss reporting patterns by reviewing industry standards and adjusting these standards based upon the coverages and terms of the coverages we offer.

Because any reserve estimate is simply an insurer's estimate of its ultimate liability, and because there are numerous factors which affect reserves but can not be determined with certainty in advance, our

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ultimate payments will vary, perhaps materially, from our initial estimate of reserves. Therefore, because of these inherent uncertainties, we have developed a reserving philosophy which attempts to incorporate prudent assumptions and estimates. During the remainder of 2004, assuming future reported and paid claims activity is consistent with that of recent quarters, and barring unforeseen circumstances, we believe that, as our reserves on older accident years continue to age, we may experience further reduction to our older accident year reserves.

All of our estimates are reviewed annually with an independent actuarial firm. We also review our assumptions and our methodologies on a quarterly basis. If we determine that an adjustment to an earlier estimate is appropriate, such adjustments are recorded in the quarter in which they are identified. Although we believe we are cautious in our assumptions, and in the application of our methodologies, we cannot be certain that our ultimate payments will not vary, perhaps materially, from the estimates we have made.

At June 30, 2004, our total gross reserves for claims and claim expenses was $1,100.2 million and our estimated IBNR reserve was $739.2 million. A 5% change in such IBNR reserves would equate to a $37.0 million adjustment to claims and claim expenses incurred, which would represent 1.3% of shareholders' equity at June 30, 2004.

Premiums

We recognize premiums as income over the terms of the related contracts and policies. Our written premiums are based on policy and contract terms and include estimates based on information received from both insureds and ceding companies. We record adjustment premiums in the period in which they occur.

We book premiums on non-proportional contracts in accordance with the contract terms. Premiums written on losses occurring contracts are typically earned over the contract period. Premiums on risks attaching contracts are generally earned as reported by the cedants, which may be over a period more than twice as long as the contract period. Management makes estimates based on judgment and historical experience for periods during which information has not yet been received. Such estimates are subject to adjustment in subsequent periods when actual figures are recorded.

The minimum and deposit premium on excess policies are usually set in the language of the contract. In the absence of defined amounts in the contract, management estimates written premium on these contracts based on historical experience and judgment. Actual amounts are determined in subsequent periods based on actual exposures and any adjustments are recorded in the period in which they occur.

In our Individual Risk business, it is often necessary to estimate portions of premiums written from quota-share contracts and by program managers. Management estimates this premium based on discussions with ceding companies and program managers and also based on historical experience and judgment. Total premiums estimated for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 were $30.1 million and $84.1 million, respectively.

We record ceded premiums on the same basis as assumed premiums. Reinstatement premiums are estimated by management, based on the contract terms, at the time of the loss occurrence giving rise to the reinstatement.

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SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2003

A summary of the significant components of our revenues and expenses is as follows:


Three months ended June 30, 2004 Reinsurance Individual Risk Other Total
(in thousands)        
Gross premiums written (1) $ 215,284   $ 111,592   $   $ 326,876  
Net premiums written $ 153,162   $ 109,680       $ 262,842  
Net premiums earned $ 235,862   $ 108,122       $ 343,984  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   65,016     55,721         120,737  
Acquisition expenses   27,936     36,111         64,047  
Operational expenses   10,624     5,878         16,502  
Underwriting income $ 132,286   $ 10,412         142,698  
Net investment income               29,833     29,833  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures               4,923     4,923  
Other income (loss)               (689   (689
Interest and preference share dividends               (14,943   (14,943
Minority interest — DaVinciRe               (14,492   (14,492
Other items, net               (4,200   (4,200
Net realized losses on investments               (26,920   (26,920
Net income available to common shareholders             $ (26,488 $ 116,210  
Claims and claim expense ratio   27.6   51.6         35.1
Underwriting expense ratio   16.3   38.8         23.4
Combined ratio   43.9   90.4         58.5
(1) Reinsurance segment gross premiums written excludes $0.8 million of premiums ceded from the Individual Risk segment.

Three months ended June 30, 2003 Reinsurance Individual Risk Other Total
(in thousands)        
Gross premiums written (1) $ 114,872   $ 97,688   $   $ 212,560  
Net premiums written $ 65,424   $ 94,799       $ 160,223  
Net premiums earned $ 208,905   $ 66,630       $ 275,535  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   61,100     38,976         100,076  
Acquisition expenses   22,220     18,484         40,704  
Operational expenses   13,107     3,225         16,332  
Underwriting income $ 112,478   $ 5,945         118,423  
Net investment income               34,109     34,109  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures               6,493     6,493  
Other income (loss)               745     745  
Interest, preference share dividends, Capital Securities minority interest               (12,079   (12,079
Minority interest — DaVinciRe               (20,150   (20,150
Other items, net               2,963     2,963  
Net realized gains on investments               49,660     49,660  
Net income available to common shareholders             $ 61,741   $ 180,164  
Claims and claim expense ratio   29.2   58.5         36.3
Underwriting expense ratio   16.9   32.6         20.7
Combined ratio   46.1   91.1         57.0
(1) Reinsurance segment gross premiums written excludes $1.0 million of premiums ceded from the Individual Risk segment.

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Summary Overview

For the three months ended June 30, 2004, our gross premiums written increased by $114.3 million or 53.8% compared to the same period in 2003, primarily due to certain timing differences of recording our property catastrophe premiums and an increase in certain lines of our specialty reinsurance premiums (see -— "Reinsurance" segment below).

Our net earned premiums increased by $68.4 million or 24.8% primarily as a result of the increases in gross premiums written noted above and also the growth in our net written premiums that we experienced in 2003.

The decline in our investment income was primarily due to a decrease in our return from our hedge fund and private equity investments.

Our net income was also negatively impacted by the $76.6 million decrease in net realized gains and losses on investments principally resulting from the rising interest rate environment of the second quarter. We do not view these gains and losses as part of our primary operating results since they result from the normal turnover of the investments in our investment portfolio and the realized gains or losses are typically the result of the prevailing investment market conditions which we have no ability to influence.

Underwriting Results by Segment

We conduct our business through two reportable segments, Reinsurance and Individual Risk. Our Reinsurance segment provides reinsurance through our catastrophe reinsurance and specialty reinsurance business units and through joint ventures and other activities managed by Renaissance Underwriting Managers. Our Individual Risk segment provides primary insurance and quota share reinsurance. The Company does not manage its assets by segment; accordingly, investment income and total assets are not allocated to the individual segments.

A discussion of our underwriting results by segment is provided below.

Reinsurance Segment

Our Reinsurance operations are comprised of three business units: 1) property catastrophe reinsurance, primarily written through Renaissance Reinsurance and DaVinci; 2) specialty reinsurance, also primarily written through Renaissance Reinsurance and DaVinci; and 3) certain activities of Renaissance Underwriting Managers.

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The following table summarizes the underwriting results and ratios for the Reinsurance segment for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003:


Three months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands)    
Property catastrophe premium (1)            
Renaissance $ 120,405   $ 64,211  
DaVinci (2)   29,885     16,402  
Total property catastrophe premium   150,290     80,613  
Specialty premium            
Renaissance   60,675     33,557  
DaVinci   4,319     702  
Total specialty premium   64,994     34,259  
Total Reinsurance gross premium written $ 215,284   $ 114,872  
Net premium written $ 153,162   $ 65,424  
Net premium earned — property catastrophe $ 121,958   $ 116,939  
Net premium earned — specialty   113,904     91,966  
Total net premium earned   235,862     208,905  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   65,016     61,100  
Acquisition expenses   27,936     22,220  
Operational expenses   10,624     13,107  
Underwriting income $ 132,286   $ 112,478  
Claims and claim expenses incurred — current accident year $ 92,375   $ 66,270  
Claims and claim expenses incurred — prior years   (27,359   (5,170
Net claims and claim expenses incurred — total $ 65,016   $ 61,100  
Claims and claim expense ratio — accident year   39.2   31.7
Claims and claim expense ratio — calendar year   27.6   29.2
Underwriting expense ratio   16.3   16.9
Combined ratio   43.9   46.1
(1) Excludes combined gross premiums assumed from the Individual Risk segment of $0.8 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
(2) Excludes premiums ceded to Renaissance of $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004.

Premiums

Property catastrophe — During the second quarter of 2004 our property catastrophe premiums increased by $69.7 million or 86.4%, primarily due to timing differences in the booking of premiums in 2004 versus 2003. We expect a portion of these timing differences to cause a decrease in our reported property catastrophe gross premiums written in the third quarter of 2004. These timing differences were primarily caused by: 1) late signings of second quarter 2003 premiums which were recorded in the third quarter of 2003 but were not delayed in 2004, and were therefore reported in the second quarter of 2004; 2) the late reporting of certain premiums incepting in the first quarter of 2004, but not recorded until the second quarter of 2004; and 3) an increase in the number of reinsurance programs restructured during the quarter.

Offsetting the impact of these timing differences, we continue to see price declines, and increasingly we have had to turn down business that does not meet our return requirements. We believe this declining price environment is the result of the relatively low level of catastrophe losses during 2002 and 2003 and increased competition in the market. Barring the occurrence of a large catastrophe loss or other

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dislocating event, we expect that the pricing environment for the property catastrophe reinsurance market will remain under pressure for the remainder of 2004.

Specialty Reinsurance — During the second quarter of 2004 we experienced strong growth in our specialty reinsurance premiums, which increased by $30.7 million or 89.7%. This increase was primarily due to higher-than-expected growth across several of our existing lines of business, supported by our increased professional staff and market presence. We continue to focus on a few targeted areas of this market.

Underwriting Results

The $19.8 million or 17.6% increase in our net underwriting income from our Reinsurance segment was primarily the result of two factors: 1) an increase in net earned premiums, primarily due to the growth in written premiums during 2003; and 2) lower operating expenses, principally due to the reversal of an executive bonus accrual.

Also affecting our underwriting results is the increase in our accident year loss ratio. The accident year loss ratio increased due to the growth in our specialty reinsurance book of business, which in most years we would expect to produce a higher loss ratio than our property catastrophe book of business. Partially offsetting this increase are greater reductions of loss reserves related to older accident years which are the result of the reduced level of paid and reported losses from both our property catastrophe and specialty reinsurance books of business.

Individual Risk Segment

We define our Individual Risk segment to include underwriting that involves understanding the characteristics of the original underlying insurance policy. Our principal products include: 1) commercial and homeowners property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed lines; 2) commercial liability coverages, including general, automobile, professional and various specialty lines; and 3) reinsurance to other insurers on a quota share basis. We operate through the Glencoe Group of companies, whose principal operating subsidiaries are Glencoe, Stonington and Lantana.

The following table summarizes the underwriting results and ratios for the Individual Risk segment for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003:


Three months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands)    
Gross premium written $ 111,592   $ 97,688  
Net premium written $ 109,680   $ 94,799  
Net premium earned $ 108,122   $ 66,630  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   55,721     38,976  
Acquisition expenses   36,111     18,484  
Operational expenses   5,878     3,225  
Underwriting income $ 10,412   $ 5,945  
Claims and claim expenses incurred — current accident year $ 58,060   $ 46,563  
Claims and claim expenses incurred — prior years   (2,339   (7,587
Net claims and claim expenses incurred — total $ 55,721   $ 38,976  
Claims and claim expense ratio — accident year   53.7   69.9
Claims and claim expense ratio — calendar year   51.6   58.5
Underwriting expense ratio   38.8   32.6
Combined ratio   90.4   91.1

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Premiums

The increase in gross written premiums from our Individual Risk operations of $13.9 million or 14.2% in the second quarter of 2004 was the result of our addition of new programs and expansion of existing programs compared to the prior year. This increase was affected by the timing of a one-time unearned premium transfer of $18.0 million in the second quarter of 2004 which decreased our gross written premium by the same amount.

Underwriting Results

The increase in underwriting income from $5.9 million to $10.4 million was a result of the growth in net earned premiums. The combined ratio decreased from 91.1% to 90.3% from the second quarter of 2003 to the second quarter of 2004. Our underwriting expense ratio has increased from 32.6% to 38.8% as our Individual Risk segment continues to grow and as we have built out our infrastructure and resources over the past year.

Other Income (Loss) and Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Ventures

The fee income, equity pick up and other items as reported in other income and in equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures are detailed below:


Three months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands)    
Fee income $ 1,074   $ 1,250  
Other items   (1,763   (505
Total other income (loss)   (689   745  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures   4,923     6,493  
Total $ 4,234   $ 7,238  

Our other income and equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures is principally generated from the annual management fee we receive from Platinum, the equity pickup of our investments in our joint ventures Top Layer Re and Channel Re, earnings from a joint venture focused on trading weather-sensitive commodities and securities, the underwriting of contracts related to physical variables, and other miscellaneous activities.

Despite including the earnings from the equity pickup of our investments in Channel Re and the joint venture focused on trading weather-sensitive commodities and securities, overall equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures has decreased largely due to a decrease in Top Layer Re's earnings, caused by higher costs for ceded reinsurance and foreign exchange losses. Therefore, our equity pickup has decreased in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003.

In February 2004 we consummated our $119.7 million investment in Channel Re. This investment has been reflected in the balance sheet under the caption "investments in other ventures, under the equity method", which also includes our investment in Top Layer Re. The earnings on our investment in Channel Re are recorded one quarter in arrears; our second quarter results reflect $1.0 million in earnings from Channel Re, which represents our pro-rata share of the net income of Channel Re from its initial one and a half months of operations, including some non-recurring start-up costs.

We also generate fees from our joint venture with DaVinci; however, because DaVinci is consolidated in our financial statements, these fees are not recorded in other income, but are instead recorded in our consolidated underwriting results. We also receive fees from certain placements of structured quota share reinsurance agreements for participations in our property catastrophe book of business. These fees are also not recorded in other income, but instead are recorded as reductions to acquisition costs and underwriting expenses.

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Other Items

A description of the changes in other non-underwriting income and expense items is as follows:

•  Net investment income decreased by $4.3 million to $29.8 million from $34.1 million primarily due to a reduction in investment income and mark-to-market adjustments of our hedge funds and private equity fund investments.
•  The $2.9 million increase in interest, preferred share dividends, and, in 2003, Capital Securities minority interest is due to the issuance of $250 million of 6.08% Series C preference shares in March 2004. We expect these costs to stabilize at this level for the remainder of 2004.
•  Minority interest — DaVinciRe decreased by $5.7 million, from $20.2 million to $14.5 million due to lower net income in DaVinciRe driven primarily by higher profit commissions expense and net realized losses on investments in the second quarter of 2004 compared to net realized gains in the second quarter of 2003. Partially offsetting the higher profit commissions was a lower loss ratio in DaVinci in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003.
•  Our corporate expenses have increased, driven by factors including the costs of compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulation and developments, and as a result of the increased complexity and scale of our businesses, including higher staffing levels.
•  See — "Summary Overview" above for discussion of changes in net realized investment gains (losses).

For the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2003

A summary of the significant components of our revenues and expenses is as follows:


Six months ended June 30, 2004 Reinsurance Individual Risk Other Total
(in thousands)        
Gross premiums written (1) $ 875,634   $ 231,530   $   $ 1,107,164  
Net premiums written $ 749,400   $ 219,463       $ 968,863  
Net premiums earned $ 444,655   $ 208,898       $ 653,553  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   123,555     109,360         232,915  
Acquisition expenses   51,747     70,331         122,078  
Operational expenses   16,750     12,128         28,878  
Underwriting income $ 252,603   $ 17,079         269,682  
Net investment income               64,883     64,883  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures               11,443     11,443  
Other income (loss)               420     420  
Interest and preference share dividends               (26,318   (26,318
Minority interest — DaVinciRe               (32,482   (32,482
Other items, net               (6,665   (6,665
Net realized gains on investments               5,601     5,601  
Net income available to common shareholders             $ 16,882   $ 286,564  
Claims and claim expense ratio   27.8   52.4         35.6
Underwriting expense ratio   15.4   39.5         23.1
Combined ratio   43.2   91.9         58.7
(1) Reinsurance segment gross premiums written excludes $0.8 million of premiums ceded from the Individual Risk segment.

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Six months ended June 30, 2003 Reinsurance Individual Risk Other Total
(in thousands)        
Gross premiums written (1) $ 736,196   $ 161,531   $   $ 897,727  
Net premiums written $ 623,277   $ 127,316       $ 750,593  
Net premiums earned $ 409,338   $ 129,671       $ 539,009  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   117,996     64,860         182,856  
Acquisition expenses   45,077     37,760         82,837  
Operational expenses   25,191     6,048         31,239  
Underwriting income $ 221,074   $ 21,003         242,077  
Net investment income               65,543     65,543  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures               12,561     12,561  
Other income (loss)               182     182  
Interest, preference share dividends, Capital Securities minority interest               (22,152   (22,152
Minority interest — DaVinciRe               (41,035   (41,035
Other items, net               3,501     3,501  
Net realized gains on investments               70,772     70,772  
Net income available to common shareholders             $ 89,372   $ 331,449  
Claims and claim expense ratio   28.8   50.0         33.9
Underwriting expense ratio   17.2   33.8         21.2
Combined ratio   46.0   83.8         55.1
(1) Reinsurance segment gross premiums written excludes $5.7 million of premiums ceded from the Individual Risk segment.

Summary Overview

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, our gross and net premiums written have increased due to: 1) timing differences in the reporting of our property catastrophe premiums (see discussion of the three month results of our Reinsurance segment above); 2) an increase in premiums written in our specialty reinsurance book of business due to growth across several of our existing lines of business; and 3) the addition of new programs and expansion of existing programs in our Individual Risk segment.

Our net earned premiums increased by $114.5 million or 21.3% due to the growth in gross and net premiums written discussed above, as well as our growth in gross premiums written during 2003.

Our net income was negatively impacted by the $65.2 million decrease in net realized gains on investments (see discussion of the three month results above).

Underwriting Results by Segment

A discussion of our underwriting results by segment is provided below.

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Reinsurance Segment

The following table summarizes the underwriting results and ratios for the Reinsurance segment for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003:


Six months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands)
Property catastrophe premium (1)            
Renaissance $ 419,541   $ 372,930  
DaVinci (2)   133,081     123,218  
Total property catastrophe premium   552,622     496,148  
Specialty premium            
Renaissance   291,130     219,639  
DaVinci   31,882     20,409  
Total specialty premium   323,012     240,048  
Total Reinsurance gross premium written $ 875,634   $ 736,196  
Net premium written $ 749,400   $ 623,277  
Net premium earned – property catastrophe $ 254,132   $ 236,080  
Net premium earned – specialty   190,523     173,258  
Total net premium earned   444,655     409,338  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   123,555     117,996  
Acquisition expenses   51,747     45,077  
Operational expenses   16,750     25,191  
Underwriting income $ 252,603   $ 221,074  
Claims and claim expenses incurred – current accident year $ 167,785   $ 135,784  
Claims and claim expenses incurred – prior years   (44,230   (17,788
Net claims and claim expenses incurred – total $ 123,555   $ 117,996  
Claims and claim expense ratio – accident year   37.7   33.2
Claims and claim expense ratio – calendar year   27.8   28.8
Underwriting expense ratio   15.4   17.2
Combined ratio   43.2   46.0
(1) Excludes combined gross premiums assumed from the Individual Risk segment of $0.8 million and $5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
(2) Excludes premium ceded to Renaissance of $8.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004

Premiums

Property catastrophe — During the first six months of 2004 our property catastrophe premiums increased by $56.5 million or 11.4%, primarily due to timing differences in the booking of premiums in 2004 versus 2003 (see discussion of three month Reinsurance segment results above). Offsetting the impact of these timing differences, we continue to see price declines, and increasingly we have had to turn down business that does not meet our return requirements. We believe this declining price environment is the result of the relatively low level of catastrophe losses during 2002 and 2003 and increased competition in the market. We expect that the declining price environment and the impact of the timing differences will cause third quarter premium to decrease relative to the third quarter of 2003 and, barring the occurrence of a large catastrophe loss, we expect that the pricing environment for the property catastrophe reinsurance market will remain under pressure for the remainder of 2004.

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Specialty Reinsurance — During the first six months of 2004 our specialty reinsurance premiums increased by $83.0 million or 34.6%. This increase was primarily due to higher-than-expected growth across several of our existing lines of business. We continue to focus on a few targeted areas of this market and also continue to hire additional resources in our specialty underwriting group, which has facilitated our expansion into select lines of business.

Underwriting Results

The $31.5 million or 14.3% increase in our net underwriting income from our Reinsurance segment was primarily the result of two factors: 1) an increase in net earned premiums, primarily due to the growth in our written premiums during 2003 and the timing differences on catastrophe premiums as noted above; and 2) lower operating expenses, principally due to the benefit of reversals of accruals for incentive compensation expense. In future periods we would expect our expense ratio to return to higher levels.

Also affecting our underwriting results are the reductions of our loss reserves related to prior accident years (see our three month Reinsurance segment results above).

Individual Risk Segment

The following table summarizes the underwriting results and ratios for the Individual Risk segment for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003:


Six months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands)
Gross premium written $ 231,530   $ 161,531  
Net premium written $ 219,463   $ 127,316  
Net premium earned $ 208,898   $ 129,671  
Claims and claim expenses incurred   109,360     64,860  
Acquisition expenses   70,331     37,760  
Operational expenses   12,128     6,048  
Underwriting income $ 17,079   $ 21,003  
Claims and claim expenses incurred – current accident year $ 116,517   $ 71,555  
Claims and claim expenses incurred – prior years   (7,157   (6,695
Net claims and claim expenses incurred – total $ 109,360   $ 64,860  
Claims and claim expense ratio – accident year   55.8   55.2
Claims and claim expense ratio – calendar year   52.4   50.0
Underwriting expense ratio   39.5   33.8
Combined ratio   91.9   83.8

Premiums

The increase in gross written premiums from our Individual Risk operations of $70.0 million or 43.3% in the first six months of 2004 was primarily the result of our addition of new programs and expansion of existing programs compared to the prior year, and continuing improvement in the market environment.

Underwriting Results

The decrease in underwriting income from $21.0 million to $17.1 million was a result of the increase in the combined ratio from 83.8% to 91.9% reflecting the growth in the infrastructure to support this business.

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Other Income (Expenses) and Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Ventures

The fee income, equity pick up and other items as reported in other income and in equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures are detailed below:


Six months ended June 30, 2004 2003
(in thousands)
Fee income $ 2,189   $ 2,478  
Other items   (1,769   (2,296
Total other income   420     182  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures   11,443     12,561  
Total $ 11,863   $ 12,743  

Despite including the earnings from the equity pickup of our investments in Channel Re and the joint venture focused on trading weather-sensitive commodities and securities, overall equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures has decreased due to a decrease in Top Layer Re's earnings, caused by higher costs for ceded reinsurance and foreign exchange losses.

Other Items

A description of the changes in other non-underwriting income and expense items is as follows:

•  The $4.2 million increase in interest, preferred share dividends, and, in 2003, Capital Securities minority interest is due to the issuance of the Series B preference shares and the 5.875% Senior Notes in January and February 2003, respectively. A full six months of expense is included in the 2004 results whereas only a partial expense was included in the 2003 six month results. Also increasing the cost is the issuance of $250 million 6.08% Series C preference shares in March 2004.
•  Minority interest – DaVinciRe decreased by $8.6 million, from $41.0 million to $32.5 million due to lower net income in DaVinciRe driven primarily by driven primarily by higher profit commissions expense and net realized losses on investments in the second quarter of 2004 compared to net realized gains in the second quarter of 2003.
•  Our corporate expenses have increased, driven by factors including the costs of compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulation and developments, and as a result of the increased complexity and scale of our businesses, including higher staffing levels.
•  See – "Summary Overview" above for a discussion of changes in net realized gains (losses) on investments.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

RenaissanceRe is a holding company, and we therefore rely on dividends from our subsidiaries and investment income to make principal, interest and dividend payments on our debt and capital securities, and to make dividend payments to our preference shareholders and common shareholders.

The payment of dividends by our Bermuda subsidiaries is, under certain circumstances, limited under Bermuda insurance law, which requires our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain measures of solvency and liquidity. At June 30, 2004, the statutory capital and surplus of our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries was $2,249.0 million, and the amount of capital and surplus required to be maintained was $425.4 million. Our U.S. insurance subsidiary, Stonington, is also required to maintain certain measures of solvency and liquidity. At June 30, 2004, the statutory capital and surplus of Stonington was $30.1 million and the maximum dividend it could pay without prior approval was $2.7 million.

In total, our operating subsidiaries have historically produced sufficient cash flows to meet their expected claims payments and operational expenses and to provide dividend payments to us. Our subsidiaries also maintain a concentration of investments in high quality liquid securities, which

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management believes will provide sufficient liquidity to meet extraordinary claims payments should the need arise. Additionally, we maintain a $400.0 million revolving credit facility to meet additional capital requirements, if necessary.

CASH FLOWS

Cash flows from operations in the first six months of 2004 were $520.2 million, which principally consisted of net income (prior to dividends on preference shares) of $300.3 million, plus $346.8 million for increases in reserves for unearned premiums, plus $181.4 million for increases in reserves for claims and claim expenses (net), partially offset by an increase of $236.7 million in premiums receivable.

Because a large portion of the coverages we provide typically can produce losses of high severity and low frequency, it is not possible to accurately predict our future cash flows from operating activities. As a consequence, cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate, perhaps significantly, between individual quarters and years.

We have generated cash flows from operations in 2003 and the first six months of 2004, significantly in excess of our operating commitments. To the extent that capital is not utilized in our Reinsurance or Individual Risk segments, we will consider using such capital to invest in new opportunities. We would also consider returning capital to shareholders in the form of share repurchases under certain circumstances.

RESERVES FOR CLAIMS AND CLAIM EXPENSES

As discussed in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, for insurance and reinsurance companies, the most significant accounting judgment made by management is the estimation of the claims and claim expense reserves. Because of the variability and uncertainty associated with loss estimation, it is possible that our individual case reserves are incorrect, possibly materially.

A large portion of our coverages provide protection from natural and man-made catastrophes which are generally infrequent, but can be significant, such as losses from hurricanes and earthquakes. Our claims and claim expense reserves will generally fluctuate, sometimes materially, based upon the occurrence of a significant natural or man-made catastrophic loss for which we provide reinsurance. Our claims reserves will also fluctuate based on the payments we make for these large loss events. The timing of our payments on loss events can be affected by the event causing the loss, the location of the loss, and whether our losses are from policies with insurers or reinsurers.

During 2003 and continuing in the first six months of 2004, we increased our specialty reinsurance and Individual Risk gross written premiums (see — "Summary of Results of Operations"). The addition of these lines of business adds complexity to our claims reserving process and therefore adds uncertainty to our claims reserve estimates, as the reporting of information, the setting of initial reserves and the loss settlement process for these lines of business vary from our traditional property catastrophe line of business.

For our Reinsurance and Individual Risk operations, our estimates of claims reserves include case reserves reported to us as well as our estimate additional case reserves and IBNR. Our case reserves and our estimates for IBNR reserves are based on 1) claims reports from insureds and program managers, 2) our underwriters' experience in setting claims reserves, 3) the use of computer models where applicable and 4) historical industry claims experience. For some classes of business we also use statistical and actuarial methods to estimate ultimate expected claims and claim expenses. We review our claims reserves on a regular basis. (Also see — "Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates".)

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CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our total capital resources as at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 were as follows:


(in thousands of U.S. dollars) At June 30,
2004
At December 31,
2003
Common shareholders' equity $ 2,300,688   $ 2,084,643  
Preference shares   500,000     250,000  
Total shareholders' equity   2,800,688     2,334,643  
7.0% Senior Notes   150,000     150,000  
5.875% Senior Notes   100,000     100,000  
DaVinci revolving credit facility – borrowed   100,000     100,000  
8.54% subordinated obligation to capital trust   103,093     103,093  
Revolving credit facility – unborrowed   400,000     400,000  
Total Capital Resources $ 3,653,781   $ 3,187,736  

During the first six months of 2004, our capital resources increased primarily as a result of: 1) our net income available to common shareholders of $286.6 million; and 2) the issuance of $250 million of Series C preference shares.

In March 2004, we raised $250 million through the issuance of 10 million Series C preference shares, in February 2003, we raised $100 million through the issuance of 4 million Series B preference shares, and in November 2001, we raised $150 million through the issuance of 6 million Series A preference shares. The Series C, Series B and Series A preference shares may be redeemed at $25 per share at our option on or after March 23, 2009, February 4, 2008 and November 19, 2006, respectively; however, we have no current intentions to redeem the shares. Dividends on the Series C, Series B and Series A preference shares are cumulative from the date of original issuance and are payable quarterly in arrears at 6.08%, 7.3% and 8.1%, respectively, when, if, and as declared by the Board of Directors. If RenaissanceRe submits a proposal to our shareholders concerning an amalgamation or submit any proposal that, as a result of any changes to Bermuda law, requires approval of the holders of RenaissanceRe preference shares to vote as a single class, RenaissanceRe may redeem the Series C, Series B and Series A preference shares prior to March 23, 2009, February 4, 2008 and November 19, 2006, respectively, at $26 per share. The preference shares have no stated maturity and are not convertible into any other of our securities.

In January 2003, RenaissanceRe issued $100 million of 5.875% Senior Notes due February 15, 2013, with interest on the notes payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year. In July 2001, RenaissanceRe issued $150 million of 7.0% Senior Notes due July 15, 2008 with interest on the notes payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The notes can be redeemed by RenaissanceRe prior to maturity subject to payment of a "make-whole" premium; however, we have no current intentions of calling the notes. The notes, which are senior obligations, contain various covenants, including limitations on mergers and consolidations, restriction as to the disposition of stock of designated subsidiaries and limitations on liens on the stock of designated subsidiaries. RenaissanceRe was in compliance with the related covenants at June 30, 2004.

Our Capital Trust has issued Capital Securities which pay cumulative cash distributions at an annual rate of 8.54%, payable semi-annually. During the first six months of 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, RenaissanceRe did not purchase any of the Capital Securities. RenaissanceRe has purchased an aggregate $15.4 million of the Capital Securities since their issuance in 1997. The sole asset of the Capital Trust consists of our junior subordinated debentures. The Indenture relating to these junior subordinated debentures contains certain covenants, including a covenant prohibiting us from the payment of dividends if we are in default under the Indenture. We were in compliance with all of the covenants of the Indenture at June 30, 2004. The Capital Securities mature on March 1, 2027.

During May 2004, DaVinciRe amended and restated its credit agreement providing for a $100 million committed revolving credit facility and maintained as outstanding the full $100 million available under

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this facility. Neither RenaissanceRe nor Renaissance Reinsurance is a guarantor of this facility and the lenders have no recourse against us or our subsidiaries other than DaVinciRe and its subsidiary under the DaVinciRe facility. Pursuant to the terms of the $400 million facility maintained by RenaissanceRe, a default by DaVinciRe on its obligations will not result in a default under the RenaissanceRe facility. Interest rates on the facility are based on a spread above LIBOR, and averaged approximately 2.0% during the first six months of 2004 (2003 – 2.3%). As amended, the credit agreement contains certain covenants requiring DaVinciRe to maintain a debt to capital ratio of 30% or below and a minimum net worth of $250 million. At June 30, 2004, DaVinciRe was in compliance with the covenants of this agreement. The amended and restated agreement extended the term of the facility to May 25, 2007.

Under the terms of certain reinsurance contracts, we may be required to provide letters of credit to reinsureds in respect of reported claims and/or unearned premiums. Our principal letter of credit facility is a $600 million syndicated secured facility which accepts as collateral shares issued by our subsidiary Renaissance Investment Holdings Ltd. ("RIHL"), whose assets consist of high grade fixed income securities. Our participating operating subsidiaries and our managed joint ventures have pledged (and must maintain) RIHL shares issued to them with a sufficient collateral value to support their respective obligations under the facility, including reimbursement obligations for outstanding letters of credit. The participating subsidiaries and joint ventures also have the option to post alternative forms of collateral. In addition, for liquidity purposes, each participating subsidiary and joint venture must maintain additional unpledged RIHL shares that have a net asset value at least equal to 15% of its facility usage, and in the aggregate the net asset value of all unpledged RIHL shares must be maintained at least equal to 15% of all of the outstanding RIHL shares. In the case of a default under the facility, or in other circumstances in which the rights of our lenders to collect on their collateral may be impaired, the lenders may exercise certain remedies under the facility agreement, in accordance with and subject to its terms, including redemption of pledged shares and conversion of the collateral into cash or eligible marketable securities. The redemption of shares by the collateral agent takes priority over any pending redemption of unpledged shares by us or other holders. In March 2004, the facility was increased to $600 million from $485 million and the term was extended to March 30, 2005. At June 30, 2004, we had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $386.6 million.

Also, in connection with our Top Layer Re joint venture we have committed $37.5 million of collateral to support a letter of credit and are obligated to make a mandatory capital contribution of up to $50.0 million in the event that a loss reduces Top Layer Re's capital below a specified level.

During August 2003, we amended and restated our committed revolving credit agreement to increase the facility from $310 million to $400 million and to make certain other changes. The interest rates on this facility are based on a spread above LIBOR. No balance was outstanding at June 30, 2004. As amended, the agreement contains certain financial covenants. These covenants generally provide that consolidated debt to capital shall not exceed the ratio (the "Debt to Capital Ratio") of 0.35:1 and that the consolidated net worth (the "Net Worth Requirements") of RenaissanceRe and Renaissance Reinsurance shall equal or exceed $1 billion and $500 million, respectively, subject to certain adjustments under certain circumstances in the case of the Debt to Capital Ratio and certain grace periods in the case of the Net Worth Requirements, all as more fully set forth in the agreement. The scheduled commitment termination date under the amended agreement was August 8, 2006. On August 6, 2004, we closed an amended and restated facility that increased the size of the facility to $500 million and extended the term to August 6, 2009. We have the right, subject to certain conditions, to increase the size of the facility to $600 million.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

During the first six months of 2004, our consolidated shareholders' equity, including preference shares, increased by $466.0 million to $2.8 billion as of June 30, 2004, from $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2003. The significant components of the change in shareholders' equity included net income available to common shareholders of $286.6 million and the issuance of $250 million of Series C preference shares.

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INVESTMENTS AND CASH

At June 30, 2004, we held investments and cash totaling $5.0 billion, compared to $4.2 billion at December 31, 2003.

The table below shows the aggregate amounts of our invested assets:


(in thousands of U.S. dollars) At June 30,
2004
At December 31,
2003
Fixed maturity investments available for sale, at fair value $ 3,117,925   $ 2,947,841  
Short term investments   1,009,011     660,564  
Other investments   503,884     369,242  
Cash and cash equivalents   74,130     63,397  
Total managed investments and cash   4,704,950     4,041,044  
Equity investments in reinsurance company, at fair value   147,962     145,535  
Investments in other ventures, under equity method   178,052     41,130  
Total investments and cash $ 5,030,964   $ 4,227,709  

The $803.3 million growth in our total investments and cash for the six months ended June 30, 2004 resulted primarily from net cash provided by operating activities of $520.2 million and the proceeds from our sale of $250 million of Series C preference shares.

Because our coverages include substantial protection for damages resulting from natural and man-made catastrophes, we may become liable for substantial claim payments on short-term notice. Accordingly, our investment portfolio is structured to preserve capital and provide a high level of liquidity which means that the large majority of our investment portfolio consists of highly rated fixed income securities, including U.S. Treasuries, highly-rated sovereign and supranational securities, high-grade corporate securities and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. At June 30, 2004, our invested asset portfolio of fixed maturities and short term investments had a dollar weighted average rating of AA, an average duration of 2.2 years and an average yield to maturity of 3.5%.

The other investments consist mainly of investments in hedge funds, private equity funds, a fund that invests in senior secured bank loans, a high yield credit fund, an investment in a medium term note which, represent an interest in a pool of European fixed income securities, and catastrophe bonds. During the quarter, the increase in such investments was primarily the result of additional investments in hedge funds and the fund that invests in senior secured bank loans. At June 30, 2004, we have committed capital to private equity partnerships of $180.9 million, of which $42.8 million has been contributed at June 30, 2004.

The equity investments in reinsurance company relates to our November 1, 2002 purchase of 3,960,000 common shares of Platinum in a private placement transaction. In addition, we received a 10-year warrant to purchase up to 2.5 million additional common shares of Platinum for $27.00 per share. We purchased the common shares and warrant for an aggregate price of $84.2 million. At June 30, 2004, we own 9.2% of Platinum's outstanding common shares. We have recorded our investments in Platinum at fair value, and at June 30, 2004 the aggregate fair value was $148.0 million, compared to $145.5 million at December 31, 2003. The aggregate unrealized gain of $63.8 million on the Platinum investments is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, of which $27.5 million represents our estimate of the value of the warrant.

The investments in other ventures, under equity method primarily represents our investments in Channel Re, Top Layer Re and other unconsolidated ventures. The increase in this balance is primarily due to our $119.7 million funding of Channel Re in February 2004.

At June 30, 2004, $22.2 million of cash and cash equivalents were invested in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which represented less than 1% of our total investments and cash.

A portion of our investment assets are directly held by our subsidiary RIHL, a Bermuda company we organized for the primary purpose of holding the investments in high quality marketable securities for

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RenaissanceRe, our operating subsidiaries and certain of our joint venture affiliates. We believe that RIHL permits us to consolidate and substantially facilitate our investment management operations. RenaissanceRe and each of our participating operating subsidiaries and affiliates have transferred to RIHL marketable securities or other assets, in return for a subscription of RIHL equity interests. Each RIHL share is redeemable by the subscribing companies for cash or in marketable securities. Over time, the subsidiaries and joint ventures which participate in RIHL are expected to both subscribe for additional shares and redeem outstanding shares, as our and their respective liquidity needs change. RIHL is currently rated AAAf/S2 by S&P.

NON-INDEMNITY INDEX TRANSACTIONS

We have assumed risk through derivative instruments under which losses could be triggered by an industry loss index or geological or physical variables. During the first six months of 2004, we recorded a loss on non-indemnity index transactions of $0.2 million, compared to a loss of $1.6 million for the same period in 2003. We report these gains or losses in other income.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

The effects of inflation could cause the severity of claims to rise in the future. The Company's estimates for losses and loss expenses include assumptions about future payments for settlement of claims and claims handling expenses, such as litigation costs and the costs of medical treatments. To the extent inflation causes these costs to increase above reserves established for these claims, the Company will be required to increase the reserve for losses and loss expenses with a corresponding reduction in its earnings in the period in which the deficiency is identified. With respect to our catastrophe exposed businesses, the potential exists, after a catastrophe loss, for the development of inflationary pressures in a local or regional economy. The anticipated effects on us are considered in our catastrophe loss models. The effects of inflation are also considered in pricing and in estimating reserves for unpaid claims and claim expenses. The actual effects of this post-event inflation on our results cannot be accurately known until claims are ultimately settled. Inflation could also impair the value of our investment assets.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET AND SPECIAL PURPOSE ENTITY ARRANGEMENTS

As of June 30, 2004, we have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

At June 30, 2004, there have been no material changes in the Company's significant contractual obligations as disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

CURRENT OUTLOOK

Although prices in the property insurance and reinsurance markets are continuing to decline, and the prices of the casualty insurance and reinsurance markets are flattening and in some cases are beginning to decline, we believe that the principal components of our operations continue to display strong fundamentals. We currently anticipate the following developments in our business:

Reinsurance segment

While pricing in the property markets generally increased significantly after the World Trade Center disaster, the property markets are becoming increasingly competitive, partially due to the lack of catastrophic losses during 2002 and 2003 and partially due to the increase in the new capital which entered the market subsequent to the World Trade Center disaster. Accordingly, we believe prices in these markets will continue to decline. As a result, we expect that our property catastrophe reinsurance premium will continue to decline because the declining price environment will result in fewer transactions that meet our hurdle rate.

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Following a period of rate increases, prices in many but not all lines of the specialty market are beginning to show signs of softening. However, conditions vary significantly by line of business and certain lines are attractive to us while others are not. We expect that our 2004 specialty reinsurance premium will reflect significant growth compared to 2003 but currently expect our 2005 specialty premium to be roughly flat compared to 2004.

Individual Risk segment

We expect prices in the property insurance markets to decrease in 2004, and prices in certain specialty casualty insurance markets to be stable in 2004, having increased significantly in 2003. Accordingly, in 2004 we expect our property insurance premiums to decrease but we expect our premiums from the casualty insurance market to increase as we increase our capacity to serve this market. We believe that our infrastructure, our strong credit ratings and our financial strength will enable us to attract additional program managers who control attractive books of business and who, among other things, are currently concerned with the credit ratings of their current insurance carriers. Because of these opportunities, we believe that our premiums in our Individual Risk segment for the full year 2004 will increase significantly as compared to the total Individual Risk premiums for 2003.

Because of our desire to be selective in which programs we choose to accept and our focus on programs with large premium volumes, it is probable that our quarterly premiums in our Individual Risk segment will reflect the timing of entering, or exiting, into these agreements and therefore we can expect to experience fluctuations in the comparison of our premiums written from quarter to quarter.

New Business

We believe that our position in the reinsurance and insurance markets we target is increasingly strong as a result of our reputation for service, prompt claims payments, proprietary analytic tools and financial strength. Additionally, the long term credit quality of insurance and reinsurance companies, and the related credit ratings of those companies are becoming an increasing concern of many insurance and reinsurance customers. We believe that these factors will continue to offer opportunities to companies such as ours with strong credit ratings, a seasoned management team, and a history of successful performance.

The current market environment is also providing us with selective opportunities for our joint venture and structured product initiatives. In evaluating these initiatives, we may consider opportunities in other areas of the insurance and reinsurance markets, or in other financial markets, either through organic growth, the formation of new joint ventures, or the acquisition of other companies or books of business of other companies. We are currently in the process of reviewing certain opportunities and periodically engage in discussions regarding possible transactions, although there can be no assurance that we will complete any such transactions or that any such transaction would contribute materially to our results of operations or financial condition. It is also possible that new ventures we pursue will have different return characteristics than our traditional businesses, including greater volatility.

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Safe Harbor Disclosure

In connection with, and because it desires to take advantage of, the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions readers regarding certain forward-looking statements contained in this report.

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which, with respect to future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us.

In particular, statements using words such as "may", "should", "estimate", "expect", "anticipate", "intends", "believe", "predict" or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements. In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in all future projections, the inclusion of forward-looking statements in this report should not be considered as a representation by the Company or any other person that its objectives or plans will be achieved. Numerous factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those addressed by the forward-looking statements, including the following:

1.  the occurrence of natural or man-made catastrophic events with a frequency or severity exceeding our estimates;
2.  risks associated with implementing our business strategies and initiatives for organic growth, including risks relating to managing that growth;
3.  risks associated with the growth of our specialty reinsurance and Individual Risk businesses, particularly the development of our infrastructure to support this growth;
4.  risks relating to our strategy of relying on program managers, third party administrators, and other vendors to support our Individual Risk operations;
5.  other risks of doing business with program managers, including the risk we might be bound to policyholder obligations beyond our underwriting intent, and the risk that our program managers or agents may elect not to continue or renew their programs with us;
6.  possible challenges in maintaining our fee-based operations, including risks associated with retaining our existing partners and attracting potential new partners;
7.  acts of terrorism, war or political unrest;
8.  the inherent uncertainties in our reserving process, which we believe are increasing as we diversify into new product classes;
9.  emerging claim and coverage issues, which could expand our obligations beyond the amount we intend to underwrite;
10.  a decrease in the level of demand for our reinsurance or insurance business, or increased competition in the industry;
11.  changes in economic conditions, including interest rate, currency, equity and credit conditions which could affect our investment portfolio;
12.  extraordinary events affecting our clients, such as bankruptcies and liquidations, and the risk that we may not retain or replace our large clients;
13.  a contention by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that our Bermuda subsidiaries, including Renaissance Reinsurance and Glencoe, are subject to U.S. taxation;
14.  the lowering or loss of any of the financial or claims-paying ratings of RenaissanceRe or of one or more of our subsidiaries or changes in the policies or practices of the rating agencies;

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15.  loss of services of any one of our key executive officers;
16.  risks relating to the collectibility of our reinsurance, including both our Reinsurance and Individual Risk operations, as well as risks relating to the availability of coverage from creditworthy providers;
17.  failures of our reinsurers, brokers or program managers to honor their obligations, including their obligations to make third party payments for which we might be liable;
18.  changes in insurance regulations in the U.S. or other jurisdictions in which we operate, including potential challenges to Renaissance Reinsurance's claim of exemption from insurance regulation under current laws, and the risk of increased global regulation of the insurance and reinsurance industry;
19.  the passage of federal or state legislation subjecting Renaissance Reinsurance to supervision or regulation, including additional tax regulation, in the U.S. or other jurisdictions in which we operate; and
20.  actions of competitors, including industry consolidation, the launch of new entrants and the development of competing financial products.

The factors listed above should not be construed as exhaustive. Certain of these factors are described in more detail from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any future revisions we may make to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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Item 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are principally exposed to four types of market risk: interest rate risk, equity price risk, foreign currency risk and credit risk. The Company's investment guidelines permit, subject to specific approval, investments in derivative instruments such as futures, options and foreign currency forward contracts for purposes other than trading. The Company anticipates that any such investments would be limited to duration management, foreign currency exposure management or to obtain an exposure to a particular financial market.

Interest Rate Risk

Our investment portfolio includes fixed maturity investments available for sale and short-term investments, whose market values will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. We attempt to maintain adequate liquidity in our fixed maturities investment portfolio to fund operations, pay reinsurance and insurance liabilities and claims and provide funding for unexpected events. We seek to manage our credit risk through means including industry and issuer diversification, and interest rate risk by monitoring the duration and structure of our investment portfolio.

The aggregate hypothetical loss generated from an immediate adverse parallel shift in the treasury yield curve of 100 basis points would cause a decrease in total return of 2.2%, which equated to a decrease in market value of approximately $90.8 million on a portfolio valued at $4,126.9 million at June 30, 2004. At December 31, 2003, the decrease in total return would have been 2.0%, which equated to a decrease in market value of approximately $72.2 million on a portfolio valued at $3,608.4 million. The foregoing reflects the use of an immediate time horizon, since this presents the worst-case scenario. Credit spreads are assumed to remain constant in these hypothetical examples.

Equity Price Risk

We are exposed to equity price risk due to our investment in the common shares and warrant to purchase additional common shares of Platinum (see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" — "Investments"), which we carry on our balance sheet at fair value. The risk is the potential for loss in fair value resulting from the adverse changes in Platinum's common stock. The aggregate fair value of this investment in Platinum was $148.0 million as at June 30, 2004 compared to $145.5 million as at December 31, 2003. A hypothetical 10% decline in the price of Platinum stock, holding all other factors constant, would have resulted in a $18.2 million decline in fair value, which would be recorded in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities and included in other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity.

Foreign Currency Risk

Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. We write a substantial portion of our business in currencies other than U.S. dollars and may, from time to time, experience exchange gains and losses and incur underwriting losses in currencies other than U.S. dollars, which will in turn affect our consolidated financial statements.

Our foreign currency policy is generally to hold foreign currency assets, including cash, investments and receivables, that approximate the foreign currency liabilities, including claims and claim expense reserves and reinsurance balances payable. We may have short-term accumulations of non-dollar assets or liabilities. All changes in exchange rates are recognized currently in our statements of income. When necessary, the Company will use foreign currency forward and option contracts to minimize the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on the value of non-U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2004, the Company had notional exposure of $186.6 million related to foreign currency forward and option contracts. These contracts are recorded at fair value which is determined principally by obtaining quotes from independent dealers and counterparties. The fair value of these contracts as of June 30, 2004 was gain of $1.1 million. The Company had no investments in these foreign currency derivative instruments as of December 31, 2003.

Credit Risk

Our exposure to credit risk is primarily due to our fixed maturity investments available for sale and short term investments, and to a lesser extent, reinsurance premiums receivable and ceded reinsurance

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balances. At June 30, 2004, our invested asset portfolio had a dollar weighted average rating of AA. From time to time we purchase credit default swaps to hedge our exposures in the insurance industry and to assist in managing the credit risk associated with ceded reinsurance. At June 30, 2004, the maximum payments we were obligated to make under these credit default swaps was $6.6 million. We account for these credit derivatives at fair value and record them on our consolidated balance sheet as other assets or other liabilities depending on the rights or obligations. The fair value of these credit derivatives, as recognized in other liabilities in our balance sheet, at June 30, 2004 and 2003 was a liability of $3.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively. During the first six months of 2004 and 2003, we recorded losses of $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in our consolidated statement of income, which are included in the $3.2 million and $0.8 million liability on the balance sheets at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The fair value of the credit derivatives are determined using industry valuation models. The fair value of these credit derivatives can change based on a variety of factors including changes in credit spreads, default rates and recovery rates, the correlation of credit risk between the referenced credit and the counterparty, and market rate inputs such as interest rates.

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Item 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls:    We have designed various disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, to help ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic Exchange Act reports, such as this quarterly report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely and accurate basis. Our disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the issuer; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the issuer are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the issuer; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the issuer's assets that could have a material effect on financial statements.

Limitations on the effectiveness of controls:    Our Board of Directors and management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, we believe that the design of any prudent control system must reflect appropriate resource constraints, such that the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, there can be no absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, applicable to us have been or will be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some individuals, by collusion of more than one person, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Evaluation:    An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded, subject to the limitations noted above, that at June 30, 2004, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed in this Report has been made known to them in a timely fashion. There has been no change in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting during the six months ended June 30, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

We are, from time to time, a party to litigation and arbitration that arises in the normal course of our business operations. We are also subject to other potential litigation, disputes, and regulatory or governmental inquiry. While any proceeding contains an element of uncertainty, we believe that we are not presently a party to any such litigation or arbitration that is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business or operations.

Item 2 — Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

Below is a summary of stock repurchases for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 (in thousands, except average price per share). RenaissanceRe's Board has authorized a share repurchase program of $150 million. No shares were repurchased under this program in the quarter ended June 30, 2004. See Note 6 of our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding RenaissanceRe's stock repurchase plan.


  Shares
purchased
Average price
per share
Maximum
shares still
available for
repurchase (1)
Beginning shares available to be repurchased           2,900  
April 1 – 30, 2004           N/A  
May 1 – 31, 2004                  
From employees (2)   34   $ 51.00     N/A  
Open market           N/A  
June 1 – 30, 2004                  
From employees (2)   6   $ 53.61     N/A  
Open market           N/A  
Total   40   $ 51.38     2,900  
1. Calculated with reference to the closing price of RenaissanceRe's common shares on August 4, 2004.
2. These repurchases exclusively represent withholdings from employees surrendered in respect of withholding tax obligations on the vesting of restricted stock, or in lieu of cash payments for the exercise price of employee stock options.

Item 3 — Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4 — Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

(a)  Our 2004 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 28, 2004.
(b)  Proxies were solicited by our management pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; there was no solicitation of opposition to our nominees listed in the proxy statement; the reelected directors were re-elected for three year terms as described in item (c)(1) below.

The other directors, whose term of office as a director continued after the meeting are:

James N. Stanard
Thomas A. Cooper
Edmund B. Greene
Brian R. Hall
W. James MacGinnitie
Scott E. Pardee

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(c)  The following matters were voted upon at the Annual General Meeting with the voting results indicated:
(1)  The Board Nominees Proposal

Our Bye-laws provide for a classified Board, divided into three classes of approximately equal size. At the 2004 Annual Meeting, the shareholders elected three of Class III Directors, who shall serve until our 2007 Annual Meeting.


Nominee Votes For Votes Abstained Votes Against
William I. Riker   58,472,037     24,760     266,001  
William F. Hecht   58,471,396     25,401     266,642  
Nicholas L. Trivisonno   58,493,469     3,328     244,569  
(2)  The Auditors Proposal

Our shareholders voted to approve the appointment of Ernst & Young as our independent auditors for the 2004 fiscal year.


Votes For Votes Against Votes Abstained
57,430,578   320,160     987,200  

Item 5 — Other Information

None

Item 6 — Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

a.    Exhibits:


10.1 Sixth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2004, between RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and James N. Stanard.
10.2 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2004, between RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and John M. Lummis.
10.3 Letter of Resignation of David A. Eklund, dated June 22, 2004.
10.4 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2004, by and among DaVinciRe Holdings Ltd., as borrower, the lenders named therein, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as sole lead arranger and book manager, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders.
31.1 Certification of James N. Stanard, Chief Executive Officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2 Certification of John M. Lummis, Chief Financial Officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1 Certification of James N. Stanard, Chief Executive Officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 Certification of John M. Lummis, Chief Financial Officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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b.    Current Reports on Form 8-K:

On May 5, 2004, the Company furnished a report on Form 8-K containing the Company's press release, issued on May 4, 2004, reporting its preliminary results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2004. In accordance with Item 12 of Form 8-K, the Form 8-K and the press release attached as an exhibit thereto were furnished and not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

   


By: /s/ John M. Lummis
  John M. Lummis
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Date:  August 9, 2004

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