Edgar Filing: MARKEL CORP

Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

¨	Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-15811

MARKEL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia

54-1959284

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4521 Highwoods Parkway, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6148

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(804) 747-0136

(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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at April 30, 2010: 9,806,051

Markel Corporation

Form 10-Q

Index


		Page Number
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

	Consolidated Balance Sheets—March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009	3

	Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	4

	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity—Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	5

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	6

	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		23

	Critical Accounting Estimates	23

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		30

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		31

Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement		32

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		34

Item 6. Exhibits		34

Signatures		35

Exhibit Index		36

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets


	March 31, 2010		December 31, 2009
	*(dollars in thousands)*
ASSETS
Investments, available-for-sale, at estimated fair value:
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $5,263,852 in 2010 and $4,961,745 in 2009)	$	5,451,154	$	5,112,136
Equity securities (cost of $930,153 in 2010 and $843,841 in 2009)		1,544,543		1,349,829
Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost)		342,002		492,581
Investments in affiliates		—		43,633

Total Investments		7,337,699		6,998,179

Cash and cash equivalents		637,672		850,494
Receivables		303,735		279,879
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		852,791		886,442
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		66,562		65,703
Deferred policy acquisition costs		165,976		156,797
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		67,288		68,307
Goodwill and intangible assets		501,301		502,833
Other assets		406,927		433,262

Total Assets	$	10,339,951	$	10,241,896


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	5,368,766	$	5,427,096
Unearned premiums		745,869		717,728
Payables to insurance companies		70,551		46,853
Senior long-term debt and other debt (estimated fair value of $1,052,000 in 2010 and $1,011,000 in 2009)		996,386		963,648
Other liabilities		235,920		294,857

Total Liabilities		7,417,492		7,450,182

Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		872,587		872,876
Retained earnings		1,552,580		1,514,398
Accumulated other comprehensive income		479,056		387,086

Total Shareholders’ Equity		2,904,223		2,774,360
Noncontrolling interests		18,236		17,354

Total Equity		2,922,459		2,791,714

Total Liabilities and Equity	$	10,339,951	$	10,241,896

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010			2009
	*(dollars in thousands,* *except per share data)*
OPERATING REVENUES
Earned premiums	$	412,135		$	457,246
Net investment income		68,402			68,743
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairment losses		(1,785	)		(55,474	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(566	)		—

Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income		(2,351	)		(55,474	)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses		18,094			291

Net realized investment gains (losses)		15,743			(55,183	)
Other revenues		40,439			24,371

Total Operating Revenues		536,719			495,177

OPERATING EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		260,170			253,411
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		156,668			181,837
Amortization of intangible assets		3,958			1,472
Other expenses		35,397			22,549

Total Operating Expenses		456,193			459,269

Operating Income		80,526			35,908

Interest expense		17,959			11,817

Income Before Income Taxes		62,567			24,091
Income tax expense		19,361			7,655

Net Income	$	43,206		$	16,436

Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		637			78

Net Income to Shareholders	$	42,569		$	16,358

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes:
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	$	97,441		$	(55,034	)
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period		731			—
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income		(10,540	)		35,503

Change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes		87,632			(19,531	)
Change in currency translation adjustments, net of taxes		4,219			881
Change in net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes		350			296

Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		92,201			(18,354	)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	135,407		$	(1,918	)
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		868			78

Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Shareholders	$	134,539		$	(1,996	)

NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic	$	4.34		$	1.67
Diluted	$	4.33		$	1.67

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010			2009
	*(dollars in thousands)*
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of period	$	872,876		$	869,744
Restricted stock units expensed		(289	)		830
Other		—			572

Balance at end of period	$	872,587		$	871,146


RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,514,398		$	1,297,901
Net income to shareholders		42,569			16,358
Repurchases of common stock		(4,387	)		—

Balance at end of period	$	1,552,580		$	1,314,259


ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net unrealized holding gains on investments, net of taxes:
Balance at beginning of period	$	433,241		$	58,652
Change in net unrealized holding gains on investments, net of taxes		85,312			(19,531	)

Balance at end of period		518,553			39,121

Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities, net of taxes:
Balance at beginning of period		(15,452	)		—
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities, net of taxes		2,320			—

Balance at end of period		(13,132	)		—

Cumulative translation adjustments, net of taxes:
Balance at beginning of period		3,772			(15,416	)
Change in currency translation adjustments, net of taxes		3,988			881

Balance at end of period		7,760			(14,535	)

Net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes:
Balance at beginning of period		(34,475	)		(30,207	)
Change in net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes		350			296

Balance at end of period		(34,125	)		(29,911	)

Balance at end of period	$	479,056		$	(5,325	)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AT END OF PERIOD	$	2,904,223		$	2,180,080


NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Balance at beginning of period	$	17,354		$	261
Net income		637			78
Other		245			59

Balance at end of period	$	18,236		$	398

TOTAL EQUITY AT END OF PERIOD	$	2,922,459		$	2,180,478

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010			2009
	*(dollars in thousands)*
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	43,206		$	16,436
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities		(38,887	)		(3,733	)

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities		4,319			12,703


INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities		77,690			10,314
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of fixed maturities		79,616			59,612
Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased		(498,987	)		(8,474	)
Net change in short-term investments		148,411			(135,967	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(23,046	)		(3,326	)
Other		(14,237	)		25,396

Net Cash Used By Investing Activities		(230,553	)		(52,445	)


FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to senior long-term debt and other debt		23,476			153,915
Repayments of senior long-term debt and other debt		(1,318	)		(102,182	)
Repurchases of common stock		(4,387	)		—
Other		—			59

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities		17,771			51,792


Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(4,359	)		(4,389	)


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(212,822	)		7,661
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		850,494			640,379

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	637,672		$	648,040

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets.

The consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2010, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of such consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal, recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 was derived from Markel Corporation’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation and all subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company accounted for its two non-insurance subsidiaries as investments in affiliates under the equity method of accounting. The Company had determined that the differences between the equity method of accounting and consolidation accounting for these two entities were immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company acquired two additional businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace and, as a result, the Company consolidated the two entities that had previously been accounted for as investments in affiliates. This change had no impact on the Company’s net income to shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The Company consolidates the results of its non-insurance subsidiaries on a one-month lag.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes. Readers are urged to review the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete description of the Company’s business and accounting policies.

2. Net Income per Share

Net income per share was determined by dividing net income to shareholders by the applicable weighted average shares outstanding.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(in thousands, except per share amounts)*	2010		2009
Net income to shareholders	$	42,569		$16,358


Basic common shares outstanding		9,813		9,814
Dilutive potential common shares		10		9

Diluted shares outstanding		9,823		9,823

Basic net income per share	$	4.34	$	1.67

Diluted net income per share	$	4.33	$	1.67

3. Reinsurance

The following table summarizes the effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010						2009
	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	409,391		$	404,470		$	407,218		$	462,892
Assumed		80,793			51,798			79,618			50,874
Ceded		(43,682	)		(44,133	)		(48,781	)		(56,520	)

Net premiums	$	446,502		$	412,135		$	438,055		$	457,246

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses were net of reinsurance recoverables (ceded incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses) of $7.9 million and $16.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

4. Investments

a) The following tables summarize the Company’s available-for-sale investments.


	March 31, 2010
*(dollars in thousands)*	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	361,397	$	19,318	$	(57	)	$	—		$	380,658
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,174,317		65,502		(8,665	)		—			2,231,154
Foreign governments		467,661		19,665		(1,014	)		—			486,312
Residential mortgage-backed securities		441,280		28,467		(994	)		(11,775	)		456,978
Asset-backed securities		23,156		598		(1	)		—			23,753
Public utilities		131,461		8,159		—			—			139,620
Convertible bonds		32,906		—		—			—			32,906
All other corporate bonds		1,631,674		81,981		(6,168	)		(7,714	)		1,699,773

Total fixed maturities		5,263,852		223,690		(16,899	)		(19,489	)		5,451,154
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		382,975		303,886		(1,093	)		—			685,768
Industrial, consumer and all other		547,178		311,686		(89	)		—			858,775

Total equity securities		930,153		615,572		(1,182	)		—			1,544,543
Short-term investments		342,000		7		(5	)		—			342,002

Investments, available-for-sale	$	6,536,005	$	839,269	$	(18,086	)	$	(19,489	)	$	7,337,699


	December 31, 2009
*(dollars in thousands)*	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	358,360	$	18,053	$	(91	)	$	—		$	376,322
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,068,714		65,824		(8,798	)		—			2,125,740
Foreign governments		410,435		14,912		(2,335	)		—			423,012
Residential mortgage-backed securities		419,707		24,223		(1,534	)		(12,342	)		430,054
Asset-backed securities		27,052		244		(1,001	)		—			26,295
Public utilities		136,302		7,317		—			—			143,619
Convertible bonds		30,750		—		—			—			30,750
All other corporate bonds		1,510,425		70,285		(13,942	)		(10,424	)		1,556,344

Total fixed maturities		4,961,745		200,858		(27,701	)		(22,766	)		5,112,136
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		338,369		243,669		(3,521	)		—			578,517
Industrial, consumer and all other		505,472		266,165		(325	)		—			771,312

Total equity securities		843,841		509,834		(3,846	)		—			1,349,829
Short-term investments		492,563		20		(2	)		—			492,581

Investments, available-for-sale	$	6,298,149	$	710,712	$	(31,549	)	$	(22,766	)	$	6,954,546

b) The following tables summarize gross unrealized investment losses by the length of time that securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position.


	March 31, 2010
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
*(dollars in thousands)*	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	24,837	$	(57	)	$	—	$	—		$	24,837	$	(57	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		300,121		(3,132	)		152,870		(5,533	)		452,991		(8,665	)
Foreign governments		77,760		(1,014	)		—		—			77,760		(1,014	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		33,920		(11,854	)		12,032		(915	)		45,952		(12,769	)
Asset-backed securities		—		—			6		(1	)		6		(1	)
All other corporate bonds		295,532		(12,381	)		35,182		(1,501	)		330,714		(13,882	)

Total fixed maturities		732,170		(28,438	)		200,090		(7,950	)		932,260		(36,388	)
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		24,646		(1,093	)		—		—			24,646		(1,093	)
Industrial, consumer and all other		3,346		(89	)		—		—			3,346		(89	)

Total equity securities		27,992		(1,182	)		—		—			27,992		(1,182	)
Short-term investments		76,550		(5	)		—		—			76,550		(5	)

Total	$	836,712	$	(29,625	)	$	200,090	$	(7,950	)	$	1,036,802	$	(37,575	)

At March 31, 2010, the Company held 198 securities with a total estimated fair value of $1.0 billion and gross unrealized losses of $37.6 million. Of these 198 securities, 62 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than one year and had a total estimated fair value of $200.1 million and gross unrealized losses of $8.0 million. All 62 securities were fixed maturities where the Company expects to receive all interest and principal payments when contractually due. The Company does not intend to sell or believe it will be required to sell these fixed maturities before recovery of their amortized cost.


	December 31, 2009
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
*(dollars in thousands)*	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	23,798	$	(91	)	$	—	$	—		$	23,798	$	(91	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		214,792		(2,388	)		148,570		(6,410	)		363,362		(8,798	)
Foreign governments		92,166		(2,335	)		—		—			92,166		(2,335	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		33,223		(12,748	)		11,162		(1,128	)		44,385		(13,876	)
Asset-backed securities		—		—			10,607		(1,001	)		10,607		(1,001	)
All other corporate bonds		217,072		(18,890	)		143,057		(5,476	)		360,129		(24,366	)

Total fixed maturities		581,051		(36,452	)		313,396		(14,015	)		894,447		(50,467	)
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		45,917		(3,521	)		—		—			45,917		(3,521	)
Industrial, consumer and all other		10,943		(325	)		—		—			10,943		(325	)

Total equity securities		56,860		(3,846	)		—		—			56,860		(3,846	)
Short-term investments		4,298		(2	)		—		—			4,298		(2	)

Total	$	642,209	$	(40,300	)	$	313,396	$	(14,015	)	$	955,605	$	(54,315	)

At December 31, 2009, the Company held 190 securities with a total estimated fair value of $955.6 million and gross unrealized losses of $54.3 million. Of these 190 securities, 78 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than one year and had a total estimated fair value of $313.4 million and gross unrealized losses of $14.0 million. All 78 securities were fixed maturities.

The Company completes a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether the decline in the fair value of any investment below its cost basis is deemed other-than-temporary. All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed. The Company considers many factors in completing its quarterly review of securities with unrealized losses for other-than-temporary impairment, including the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. For equity securities, the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery is considered. For fixed maturities, the Company considers whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the implied yield-to-maturity, the credit quality of the issuer and the ability to recover all amounts outstanding when contractually due.

For equity securities, a decline in fair value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. For fixed maturities where the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, a decline in fair value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security

at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. If the decline in fair value of a fixed maturity below its amortized cost is considered to be other-than-temporary based upon other considerations, the Company compares the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost of the security. The extent to which the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security represents the credit-related portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in net income, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. Any remaining decline in fair value represents the non-credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The discount rate used to calculate the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is the effective interest rate implicit for the security at the date of purchase.

When assessing whether it intends to sell a fixed maturity or if it is likely to be required to sell a fixed maturity before recovery of its amortized cost, the Company evaluates facts and circumstances including, but not limited to, decisions to reposition the investment portfolio, potential sales of investments to meet cash flow needs and potential sales of investments to capitalize on favorable pricing. Additional information on the methodology and significant inputs, by security type, that the Company used to determine the amount of credit loss recognized on fixed maturities with declines in fair value below amortized cost that were considered to be other-than-temporary is provided below.

Residential mortgage-backed securities. For U.S. mortgage-backed securities, credit impairment is assessed by estimating future cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans and interest payments. The cash flow estimate incorporates actual cash flows from the mortgage-backed securities through the current period and then projects the remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions, including prepayment rates, default rates, recovery rates on foreclosed properties and loss severity assumptions. Management develops specific assumptions using market data and internal estimates, as well as estimates from rating agencies and other third party sources. Default rates are estimated by considering current underlying mortgage loan performance and expectations of future performance. Estimates of future cash flows are discounted to present value. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost, the Company recognizes the estimated credit loss in net income.

Corporate bonds. For corporate bonds, credit impairment is assessed by evaluating the underlying issuer. As part of this assessment, the Company analyzes various factors, including the following:

•

fundamentals of the issuer, including current and projected earnings, current liquidity position and ability to raise capital;

•

fundamentals of the industry in which the issuer operates;

•

expectations of defaults and recovery rates;

•

changes in ratings by the rating agencies;

•

other relevant market considerations; and

•

receipt of interest payments

Default probabilities and recovery rates from rating agencies are key factors used in calculating the credit loss. Additional research of the industry and issuer is completed to determine if there is any current information that may affect the fixed maturity or its issuer in a negative manner and require an adjustment to the cash flow assumptions.

c) The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at March 31, 2010 are shown below by contractual maturity and investment type.


*(dollars in thousands)*	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies:
Due in one year or less	$	44,135	$	44,806
Due after one year through five years		171,563		183,673
Due after five years through ten years		141,620		147,993
Due after ten years		4,079		4,186

Total		361,397		380,658

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:
Due in one year or less		—		—
Due after one year through five years		52,197		53,848
Due after five years through ten years		644,294		668,268
Due after ten years		1,477,826		1,509,038

Total		2,174,317		2,231,154

Foreign governments:
Due in one year or less		3,053		3,063
Due after one year through five years		165,396		172,496
Due after five years through ten years		290,336		301,950
Due after ten years		8,876		8,803

Total		467,661		486,312

Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Due in one year or less		1,448		1,451
Due after one year through five years		12,049		12,649
Due after five years through ten years		33,078		34,054
Due after ten years		394,705		408,824

Total		441,280		456,978

Asset-backed securities:
Due in one year or less		—		—
Due after one year through five years		10,986		11,233
Due after five years through ten years		1,000		1,110
Due after ten years		11,170		11,410

Total		23,156		23,753

Public utilities:
Due in one year or less		34,031		34,864
Due after one year through five years		76,798		82,467
Due after five years through ten years		20,632		22,289
Due after ten years		—		—

Total		131,461		139,620

Convertible bonds and all other corporate bonds:
Due in one year or less		186,391		193,147
Due after one year through five years		642,824		681,159
Due after five years through ten years		630,212		656,068
Due after ten years		205,153		202,305

Total		1,664,580		1,732,679

Total fixed maturities:
Due in one year or less		269,058		277,331
Due after one year through five years		1,131,813		1,197,525
Due after five years through ten years		1,761,172		1,831,732
Due after ten years		2,101,809		2,144,566

Total fixed maturities	$	5,263,852	$	5,451,154

d) The following table summarizes the activity for credit losses recognized in net income on fixed maturities where other-than-temporary impairment was identified and a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was included in other comprehensive income.


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
*(dollars in thousands)*	Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
Cumulative credit loss, beginning balance	$	9,141

Additions:
Increases related to other-than-temporary impairment losses previously recognized		1,109
Reductions:
Sales of fixed maturities on which credit losses were recognized		(19	)


Cumulative credit loss, ending balance	$	10,231

e) The following table presents net realized investment gains (losses) and the change in net unrealized gains on investments.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010			2009
Realized gains:
Sales of fixed maturities	$	6,949		$	1,954
Sales of equity securities		10,298			12
Other		4,122			—

Total realized gains		21,369			1,966

Realized losses:
Sales of fixed maturities		(575	)		(1,101	)
Sales of equity securities		—			(13	)
Other-than-temporary impairments		(2,351	)		(55,474	)
Other		(2,700	)		(561	)

Total realized losses		(5,626	)		(57,149	)

Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	15,743		$	(55,183	)

Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Fixed maturities	$	36,911		$	49,186
Equity securities		108,402			(79,699	)
Short-term investments		(16	)		4

Net increase (decrease)	$	145,297		$	(30,509	)

f) The following table presents other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment gains (losses) by investment type.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Corporate bonds	$	—		$	(1,867	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		(1,109	)		(1,389	)

Total fixed maturities		(1,109	)		(3,256	)
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		—			(13,694	)
Industrial, consumer and all other		—			(38,524	)

Total equity securities		—			(52,218	)

Other		(1,242	)		—

Total	$	(2,351	)	$	(55,474	)

Net realized investment gains for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 included $2.4 million of write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments. Net realized investment losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 included $55.5 million of write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments.

g) The merger of First Market Bank with Union Bankshares Corporation was completed in the first quarter of 2010 and formed Union First Market Bankshares Corporation (Union). As a result of this merger, the Company received 3.5 million shares of common stock in Union for the Company’s investment in First Market Bank. Prior to the merger, the Company’s investment in First Market Bank was included in investments in affiliates on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s investment in Union is included in equity securities on the consolidated balance sheet.

5. Segment Reporting Disclosures

The Company operates in three segments of the specialty insurance marketplace: the Excess and Surplus Lines, the Specialty Admitted and the London markets. The Company considers many factors, including the nature of its insurance products, production sources, distribution strategies and regulatory environment in determining how to aggregate operating segments.

All investing activities related to our insurance operations are included in the Investing segment. For purposes of segment reporting, the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment includes lines of business that have been discontinued in conjunction with an acquisition. The Company’s non-insurance operations consist of controlling interests in various businesses, principally manufacturing operations. For purposes of segment reporting, the Company’s non-insurance operations are not considered to be an operating segment.

Segment profit or loss for each of the Company’s operating segments is measured by underwriting profit or loss. The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. Underwriting profit or loss does not replace operating income or net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of profitability. Underwriting profit or loss provides a basis for management to evaluate the Company’s underwriting performance. Segment profit for the Investing segment is measured by net investment income and net realized investment gains or losses.

For management reporting purposes, the Company allocates assets to its underwriting, investing and non-insurance operations. Underwriting assets are all assets not specifically allocated to the Investing segment or to the Company’s non-insurance operations. Underwriting assets are not allocated to the Excess and Surplus Lines, Specialty Admitted, London Insurance Market or Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segments since the Company does not manage its assets by operating segment. Invested assets and net investment income related to our insurance operations are allocated to the Investing segment since these assets are available for payment of losses and expenses for all operating segments. The Company does not allocate capital expenditures for long-lived assets to any of its operating segments for management reporting purposes.

a) The following tables summarize the Company’s segment disclosures.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010


*(dollars in thousands)*	Excess and Surplus Lines			Specialty Admitted			London Insurance Market			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)			Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	211,683		$	70,333		$	208,168		$	—		$	—	$	490,184
Net written premiums		193,329			63,113			190,058			2			—		446,502

Earned premiums		203,895			72,041			136,197			2			—		412,135
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current year		(140,274	)		(45,644	)		(112,714	)		—			—		(298,632	)
Prior years		24,204			(3,663	)		15,755			2,166			—		38,462
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(78,964	)		(26,089	)		(51,541	)		(74	)		—		(156,668	)

Underwriting profit (loss)		8,861			(3,355	)		(12,303	)		2,094			—		(4,703	)

Net investment income		—			—			—			—			68,402		68,402
Net realized investment gains		—			—			—			—			15,743		15,743
Other revenues (insurance)		—			—			3,191			—			—		3,191
Other expenses (insurance)		—			—			(2,986	)		—			—		(2,986	)

Segment profit (loss)	$	8,861		$	(3,355	)	$	(12,098	)	$	2,094		$	84,145	$	79,647

Other revenues (non-insurance)																37,248
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(32,411	)
Amortization of intangible assets																(3,958	)
Interest expense																(17,959	)

Income before income taxes															$	62,567

U.S. GAAP combined ratio⁽¹⁾		96	%		105	%		109	%		NM	⁽²⁾		—		101	%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009


*(dollars in thousands)*	Excess and Surplus Lines			Specialty Admitted			London Insurance Market			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)			Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	238,353		$	63,456		$	184,965		$	62		$	—		$	486,836
Net written premiums		216,409			57,459			164,078			109			—			438,055

Earned premiums		249,240			76,696			131,201			109			—			457,246
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current year		(164,926	)		(50,473	)		(94,720	)		—			—			(310,119	)
Prior years		45,606			(3,740	)		15,081			(239	)		—			56,708
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(103,683	)		(30,203	)		(47,556	)		(395	)		—			(181,837	)

Underwriting profit (loss)		26,237			(7,720	)		4,006			(525	)		—			21,998

Net investment income		—			—			—			—			68,743			68,743
Net realized investment losses		—			—			—			—			(55,183	)		(55,183	)

Segment profit (loss)	$	26,237		$	(7,720	)	$	4,006		$	(525	)	$	13,560		$	35,558

Other revenues (non-insurance)																	24,371
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(22,549	)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(1,472	)
Interest expense																	(11,817	)

Income before income taxes																$	24,091

U.S. GAAP combined ratio⁽¹⁾		89	%		110	%		97	%		NM	⁽²⁾		—			95	%

⁽¹⁾	The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾	NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

b) The following table reconciles segment assets to the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.


*(dollars in thousands)*	March 31, 2010		December 31, 2009
Segment Assets:
Investing	$	7,972,392	$	7,844,052
Underwriting		2,148,634		2,214,991

Total Segment Assets	$	10,121,026	$	10,059,043

Non-insurance operations		218,925		182,853

Total Assets	$	10,339,951	$	10,241,896

6. Derivatives

The Company is a party to a credit default swap agreement, under which third party credit risk is transferred from a counterparty to the Company. The Company entered into the credit default swap agreement for investment purposes. At March 31, 2010, the notional amount of the credit default swap was $33.1 million, which represented the Company’s aggregate exposure to losses if specified credit events involving third party reference entities occur. These third party reference entities are specified under the terms of the agreement and represent a portfolio of names upon which the Company has assumed credit risk from the counterparty. The Company’s exposure to loss from any one reference entity is limited to $20.0 million. The credit default swap has a scheduled termination date of December 2014.

The credit default swap is accounted for as a derivative instrument and is recorded at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded in net investment income. At March 31, 2010, the credit default swap had a fair value of $26.6 million. The fair value of the credit default swap is determined by the Company using an external valuation model that is dependent upon several inputs, including changes in interest rates, credit spreads, expected default rates, changes in credit quality, future expected recovery rates and other market factors. The fair value of the credit default swap is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 included a favorable change in the fair value of the credit default swap of $0.3 million. Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 included a favorable change in the fair value of the credit default swap of less than $0.1 million.

The Company had no other material derivative instruments at March 31, 2010.

7. Employee Benefit Plans

a) Expenses relating to all of the Company’s defined contribution plans were $3.3 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

b) The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Terra Nova Pension Plan, a defined benefit plan.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010			2009
Service cost	$	311		$	381
Interest cost		1,714			1,361
Expected return on plan assets		(2,175	)		(1,550	)
Amortization of net actuarial pension loss		486			455

Net periodic benefit cost	$	336		$	647

The Company contributed $5.7 million to the Terra Nova Pension Plan during the first quarter of 2010. The Company expects plan contributions to total $6.6 million in 2010.

8. Contingencies

On February 10, 2009, Guaranty Bank, an insured under a program written by the Company covering financial institutions against defaults on second mortgages and home equity loans, filed a lawsuit against the Company’s subsidiary, Evanston Insurance Company (Evanston), and the managing general agent for the program, Universal Assurors Agency, Inc., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Wisconsin insurance code relating to Guaranty Bank’s policy, which has been in force since 2004, and seeks, among other things, the return of all premiums paid under the policy and a declaration requiring continued coverage of losses notwithstanding the claim for return of premiums paid.

Premiums paid from inception of Guaranty Bank’s policy through March 31, 2010 have been approximately $65 million and covered losses have been approximately $49 million. At March 31, 2010, the policy insured a portfolio of loans totaling approximately $528 million, and the limit of the Company’s liability for additional losses with respect to the covered loans is estimated to be approximately $109 million.

On March 23, 2009, Guaranty Bank filed a motion for a preliminary injunction with the court, asking that it be relieved from paying premiums while the litigation is pending, with Evanston still being required to pay losses. On July 14, 2009, the court issued an order denying the motion for a preliminary injunction.

In October 2009, the Company was separately notified that the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Wisconsin had undertaken an investigation and was alleging that the insurance policies written by Evanston in Wisconsin, including Guaranty Bank’s policy, were mortgage guaranty insurance and could not be written on a surplus lines basis in that state. In settlement of the allegations and without admitting any violation, Evanston agreed to pay a fine of $100,000 and to refrain from writing similar policies in the future. The Guaranty Bank policy accounts for over 95% of the premiums written under this program in Wisconsin.

Evanston has been notified that Guaranty Bank intends to file an amended complaint alleging additional grounds upon which it contends that it is entitled to a refund of past premiums and a reduction in the future premiums that can be charged under the policy. Guaranty Bank has stated that the proposed amended complaint would add new claims for damages based on allegations of fraud, misrepresentation and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and Wisconsin Organized Crime Control Act, and that it intends to assert that it is entitled to recover, among other things, treble damages, interest and attorneys’ fees. Although the proposed amended complaint has not yet been filed, the court has entered an order granting Guaranty Bank leave to file it.

While the Company does not believe Guaranty Bank is entitled to the relief it is seeking, the final outcome of the lawsuit cannot be predicted at this time.

Other contingencies arise in the normal conduct of the Company’s operations and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. However, adverse outcomes are possible and could negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

9. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective in the first quarter of 2010, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which expands disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 requires disclosure of the amounts of and reasons for significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. This guidance also requires gross rather than net disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 fair value measurements. Disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements are required as well. Since ASU No. 2010-06 addresses financial statement disclosures only, the adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has included the disclosures required by ASU No. 2010-06 in note 10.

In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (Statement) No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R). In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-17, Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, to amend their codification for Statement No. 167. This guidance removes the scope exception for qualifying special-purpose entities, includes new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and increases the frequency of required assessments to determine whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. In January 2010, the FASB decided to indefinitely defer the consolidation requirements of ASU No. 2009-17 for

interests in certain investment entities. The FASB also decided to revise the provisions of ASU No. 2009-17 for determining whether service-provider or decision-maker fee arrangements represent a variable interest. Both the provisions of ASU No. 2009-17 as issued and the subsequent revisions to this guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

10. Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the Company determines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods, including the market, income and cost approaches. The Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure assets and liabilities at fair value, including an indication of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which each asset or liability is generally classified.

Investments available-for-sale. Investments available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and include fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments. Short-term investments include certificates of deposit, commercial paper, discount notes and treasury bills with original maturities of one year or less. Fair value for investments available-for-sale is determined by the Company after considering various sources of information, including information provided by a third party pricing service. The pricing service provides prices for substantially all of the Company’s fixed maturities and equity securities. In determining fair value, the Company generally does not adjust the prices obtained from the pricing service. The Company obtains an understanding of the pricing service’s valuation methodologies and related inputs, which include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, duration, credit ratings, estimated cash flows and prepayment speeds. The Company validates prices provided by the pricing service by reviewing prices from other pricing sources and analyzing pricing data in certain instances.

Fair value for investments available-for-sale is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets, if available. Due to variations in trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, the fair value of fixed maturities is normally derived through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable data described above. If there are no recent reported trades, the fair value of fixed maturities may be derived through the use of matrix pricing or model processes, where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate.

The Company has evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Level 1 investments include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 2 investments include U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, municipal bonds, foreign government bonds, residential mortgage-backed securities and corporate debt securities.

Derivatives. Derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and include a credit default swap. The fair value of the credit default swap is measured by the Company using a third party pricing model. See note 6 for a discussion of the valuation model for the credit default swap, including the key inputs and assumptions to the model. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs required in measuring the fair value of the credit default swap, the credit default swap has been classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010, by level within the fair value hierarchy.


*(dollars in thousands)*	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	380,658	$	—	$	380,658
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		—		2,231,154		—		2,231,154
Foreign governments		—		486,312		—		486,312
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		456,978		—		456,978
Asset-backed securities		—		23,753		—		23,753
Public utilities		—		139,620		—		139,620
Convertible bonds		—		32,906		—		32,906
All other corporate bonds		—		1,699,773		—		1,699,773

Total fixed maturities		—		5,451,154		—		5,451,154


Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		685,768		—		—		685,768
Industrial, consumer and all other		858,775		—		—		858,775

Total equity securities		1,544,543		—		—		1,544,543


Short-term investments		288,199		53,803		—		342,002

Total investments available-for-sale		1,832,742		5,504,957		—		7,337,699


Liabilities:
Derivative contracts	$	—	$	—	$	26,625	$	26,625

The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010			2009
Derivatives, Beginning of Period	$	26,968		$	29,964
Total gains included in:
Net income		(343	)		(6	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—
Transfers into Level 3		—			—
Transfers out of Level 3		—			—

Derivatives, End of Period	$	26,625		$	29,958


Net unrealized gains included in net income relating to liabilities held at March 31, 2010 and 2009	$	343	⁽¹⁾	$	6	⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾	Included in net investment income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss).

There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2010. The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2010. At March 31, 2010, the Company did not hold material investments in auction

rate securities, loans held for sale or mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime or Alt-A collateral, which were financial instruments whose valuations, in many cases, were significantly affected by the lack of market liquidity during the first quarter of 2009.

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation and all subsidiaries.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Critical accounting estimates are those estimates that both are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require us to exercise significant judgment. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of material contingent assets and liabilities, including litigation contingencies. These estimates, by necessity, are based on assumptions about numerous factors.

We review our critical accounting estimates and assumptions quarterly. These reviews include evaluating the adequacy of reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, the reinsurance allowance for doubtful accounts and income tax liabilities, as well as analyzing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, assessing goodwill for impairment and evaluating the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Readers are urged to review our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete description of our critical accounting estimates.

Our Business

We market and underwrite specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets and believe that our specialty product focus and niche market strategy enable us to develop expertise and specialized market knowledge. We seek to differentiate ourselves from competitors by our expertise, service, continuity and other value-based considerations. We compete in three segments of the specialty insurance marketplace: the Excess and Surplus Lines, the Specialty Admitted and the London markets. Our financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.

Our Excess and Surplus Lines segment writes property and casualty insurance outside of the standard market for hard-to-place risks including catastrophe-exposed property, professional liability, products liability, general liability, commercial umbrella and other coverages tailored for unique exposures. In March 2009, we transitioned the four underwriting units included in our Excess and Surplus Lines segment to a customer-focused regional office model as part of our “One Markel” initiative. Under this new model, each regional office is responsible for serving the wholesale producers located in its region. The underwriters at our regional offices have access to and expertise in all of our product offerings and are located closer to our producers.

Our Specialty Admitted segment writes risks that, although unique and hard-to-place in the standard market, must remain with an admitted insurance company for marketing and regulatory reasons. Our underwriting units in this segment write specialty program insurance for well-defined niche markets and personal and commercial property and liability coverages. Our Specialty Admitted segment is comprised of two underwriting units, the Markel Specialty and Markel American Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines units. Our Specialty Admitted segment included a third underwriting unit, Markel Global Marine and Energy, until late 2008 when we decided to close that unit and place its programs into run-off.

Our London Insurance Market segment writes specialty property, casualty, professional liability, equine and marine insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis. We participate in the London market through Markel International, which includes Markel Capital Limited and Markel International Insurance Company Limited, wholly-owned subsidiaries. Markel Capital Limited is the corporate capital provider for Markel Syndicate 3000 at Lloyd’s, which is managed by Markel Syndicate Management Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary.

For purposes of segment reporting, the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment includes lines of business that have been discontinued in conjunction with an acquisition.

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary Markel Ventures, Inc., we own controlling interests in various businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace. These businesses are viewed by management as separate and distinct from our insurance operations. Local management teams oversee the day-to-day operations of these companies, while strategic decisions are made in conjunction with members of our executive management team, principally our Chief Investment Officer. The financial results of these companies have been consolidated in our financial statements.

Our strategy in acquiring controlling interests in these private equity investments is similar to our strategy for purchasing equity securities. We seek to invest in profitable companies, with honest and talented management, that exhibit reinvestment opportunities and capital discipline, at reasonable prices. We intend to own the businesses acquired for a long period of time.

Our non-insurance operations are comprised of a diverse portfolio of companies from various industries, including a manufacturer of dredging equipment, a manufacturer of high-speed bakery equipment, an owner and operator of manufactured housing communities and a manufacturer of laminated furniture products.

Key Performance Indicators

We measure financial success by our ability to compound growth in book value per share at a high rate of return over a long period of time. We recognize that it is difficult to grow book value consistently each year, so we measure ourselves over a five-year period. We believe that growth in book value per share is the most comprehensive measure of our success because it includes all underwriting and investing results. We measure underwriting results by our underwriting profit or loss and combined ratio. These measures are discussed in greater detail under “Results of Operations.”

Results of Operations

The following table presents the components of net income to shareholders.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010			2009
Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(4,703	)	$	21,998
Net investment income		68,402			68,743
Net realized investment gains (losses)		15,743			(55,183	)
Other revenues		40,439			24,371
Amortization of intangible assets		(3,958	)		(1,472	)
Other expenses		(35,397	)		(22,549	)
Interest expense		(17,959	)		(11,817	)
Income tax expense		(19,361	)		(7,655	)
Noncontrolling interests		(637	)		(78	)

Net income to shareholders	$	42,569		$	16,358

Net income to shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased due to improved investment returns primarily resulting from lower write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments in 2010 compared to 2009. The improved investment returns were partially offset by a decline in underwriting performance principally due to underwriting losses resulting from the earthquakes in Chile, which occurred in February 2010. The components of net income to shareholders are discussed in further detail under “Underwriting Results,” “Investing Results,” “Non-Insurance Operations” and “Interest Expense and Income Taxes.”

Underwriting Results

Underwriting profits are a key component of our strategy to grow book value per share. We believe that the ability to achieve consistent underwriting profits demonstrates knowledge and expertise, commitment to superior customer service and the ability to manage insurance risk. The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. We use underwriting profit or loss as a basis for evaluating our underwriting performance.

The following table presents selected data from our underwriting operations.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010			2009
Gross premium volume	$	490,184		$	486,836
Net written premiums	$	446,502		$	438,055
Net retention		91	%		90	%
Earned premiums	$	412,135		$	457,246
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	260,170		$	253,411
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	$	156,668		$	181,837
Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(4,703	)	$	21,998


U.S. GAAP Combined Ratios⁽¹⁾
Excess and Surplus Lines		96	%		89	%
Specialty Admitted		105	%		110	%
London Insurance Market		109	%		97	%
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)		NM	⁽²⁾		NM	⁽²⁾
Markel Corporation (Consolidated)		101	%		95	%

⁽¹⁾

The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums. A combined ratio less than 100% indicates an underwriting profit, while a combined ratio greater than 100% reflects an underwriting loss.

⁽²⁾	NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

Our combined ratio was 101% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to 95% for the same period last year. The increase in the combined ratio was due to a higher current accident year loss ratio and less favorable development of prior years’ loss reserves partially offset by a lower expense ratio for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The higher current accident year loss ratio in 2010 was primarily the result of $17.0 million, or 4 points, of underwriting loss related to the Chilean earthquakes. The expense ratio for the first quarter of both 2010 and 2009 included approximately 2 points of costs associated with the implementation of our One Markel initiative.

The combined ratio for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment was 96% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to 89% for the same period last year. The increase in the combined ratio was primarily due to less favorable development of prior years’ loss reserves in 2010 than in 2009. The Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s combined ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 included $24.2 million of favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves compared to $45.6 million of favorable development for the same period of 2009. The favorable development of prior years’ loss reserves during the first quarter of 2010 was partially offset by $13.7 million of adverse development on an errors and omissions program for mortgage servicing companies, which was impacted by the unusual conditions in the mortgage market during 2008 and 2007. Also contributing to the decrease in redundancies on prior years’ loss reserves in the first quarter of 2010 was less favorable development on our professional and products liability programs compared to the same period of 2009.

The combined ratio for the Specialty Admitted segment was 105% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to 110% for the same period of 2009. The decrease in the combined ratio was primarily due to a lower current accident year loss ratio and a lower expense ratio. The improvement in the combined ratio reflects lower underwriting losses at the former Markel Global Marine & Energy unit and improved underwriting performance at the Markel American Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines unit. In the first quarter of 2010, the expense ratio benefitted from a $4.0 million anticipated recovery under our corporate insurance program.

The combined ratio for the London Insurance Market segment was 109% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to 97% for the same period of 2009. The increase in the combined ratio in the first quarter of 2010 was primarily due to a higher current accident year loss ratio compared to the same period of 2009. The higher current accident year loss ratio in 2010 was primarily due to $17.0 million, or 12 points, of underwriting loss related to the Chilean earthquakes. The London Insurance Market segment’s combined ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 included $15.8 million of favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves compared to $15.0 million of favorable development for the same period of 2009.

In addition to the underwriting results of Markel International, results for the London Insurance Market segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 also included the results of Elliott Special Risks (ESR), a Canadian managing general agent that we acquired in October 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, ESR produced approximately $22 million of premium volume, including $2.5 million of premiums for Markel International, and had operating revenues of $3.2 million, which primarily related to commission income. Operating revenues and expenses for ESR are included in other revenues and other expenses in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income (loss).

The Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment produced an underwriting profit of $2.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to an underwriting loss of $0.5 million for the same period of 2009.

Premiums and Net Retentions

The following table summarizes gross premium volume and net written premiums by segment.


Gross Premium Volume Three Months Ended March 31,				Net Written Premiums Three Months Ended March 31,
2010	2009		*(dollars in thousands)*	2010		2009
$211,683	$	238,353	Excess and Surplus Lines	$	193,329	$	216,409
70,333		63,456	Specialty Admitted		63,113		57,459
208,168		184,965	London Insurance Market		190,058		164,078
—		62	Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)		2		109

$490,184	$	486,836	Total	$	446,502	$	438,055

Gross premium volume for the first quarter of 2010 increased 1% compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to the effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements. Had currency exchange rates remained constant between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2009, gross written premiums would have decreased 1%. Gross premium volume in the first quarter of 2010 was impacted by continued competition across many of our product lines, particularly within the Excess and Surplus Lines segment. In general, we believe prevailing rates within the property and casualty insurance marketplace are lower than our targeted pricing levels. When we believe the prevailing market price will not support our underwriting profit targets, the business is not written. As a result of our underwriting discipline, gross premium volume for many of our product lines has declined and, if the competitive environment does not improve, could decline further in the future.

During the first quarter of 2010, gross premium volume in both the Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted segments was impacted by the transition of certain professional liability programs from the Excess

and Surplus Lines segment to the Specialty Admitted segment. This transition had no impact on total gross premium volume and was made to better align the reporting of these programs with their distribution strategy. For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Specialty Admitted segment included approximately $6 million of gross premium volume on these transferred programs.

Net retention of gross premium volume for the first quarter of 2010 was 91% compared to 90% for the same period of 2009. As part of our underwriting philosophy, we seek to offer products with limits that do not require significant amounts of reinsurance. We purchase reinsurance in order to reduce our retention on individual risks and enable us to write policies with sufficient limits to meet policyholder needs. Net retention of gross premium volume has increased consistent with our strategy to retain more of our profitable business.

The following table summarizes earned premiums by segment.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
*(dollars in thousands)*	2010		2009
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	203,895	$	249,240
Specialty Admitted		72,041		76,696
London Insurance Market		136,197		131,201
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)		2		109

Total	$	412,135	$	457,246

Earned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2010 decreased 10% compared to the same period of 2009. The decrease in 2010 was partially offset by the effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements. Had currency exchange rates remained constant between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2009, earned premiums would have decreased 11%. Excluding the effects of foreign currency, the decrease in earned premiums in 2010 was primarily due to lower earned premiums in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment as a result of lower gross premium volume compared to 2009.

Investing Results

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $68.4 million compared to $68.7 million for the same period of 2009. For the first quarter of 2010, lower investment yields were offset by having higher average invested assets compared to the first quarter of 2009.

Net realized investment gains for the first quarter of 2010 were $15.7 million compared to net realized investment losses of $55.2 million for the first quarter of 2009. Net realized investment gains (losses) included $2.4 million and $55.5 million of write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We complete a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether the decline in the fair value of any investment below its cost basis is deemed other-than-temporary. At March 31, 2010, we held securities with gross unrealized losses of $37.6 million, or less than 1% of our total invested assets. All securities with unrealized losses were reviewed, and we believe that there were no other securities with indications of declines in estimated fair value that were other-than-temporary at March 31, 2010. However, given the volatility in the debt and equity markets, we caution readers that further declines in fair value could be significant and may result in additional other-than-temporary impairment charges in future periods. Variability in the timing of realized and unrealized gains and losses is to be expected.

Non-Insurance Operations (Markel Ventures)

Our non-insurance operations include the results of AMF Bakery Systems, ParkLand Ventures, Inc., Panel Specialists, Inc. (effective October 2009) and Ellicott Dredge Enterprises, LLC (effective November 2009). Operating revenues and expenses associated with our non-insurance operations are included in other revenues and other expenses in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). Revenues for our non-insurance operations were $37.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to $24.4 million for the same period of 2009.

Interest Expense and Income Taxes

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased to $18.0 million from $11.8 million in the same period of 2009 primarily due to our $350 million issuance of 7.125% unsecured senior notes in September 2009.

The estimated annual effective tax rate was 31% and 32% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For both periods, the estimated annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income. During the first quarter of 2010, the tax benefit related to tax-exempt investment income was partially offset by a higher effective tax rate related to our foreign operations. During the first quarter of 2009, the tax benefit related to tax-exempt investment income was partially offset by a higher effective tax rate on capital items.

Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Shareholders

Comprehensive income to shareholders was $134.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to comprehensive loss to shareholders of $2.0 million for the same period of 2009. Comprehensive income to shareholders for the first quarter of 2010 included an increase in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $87.6 million and net income to shareholders of $42.6 million. Comprehensive loss to shareholders for the first quarter of 2009 included a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $19.5 million, partially offset by net income to shareholders of $16.4 million.

Financial Condition

Invested assets were $8.0 billion at March 31, 2010 compared to $7.8 billion at December 31, 2009. Net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, were $505.4 million at March 31, 2010 compared to $417.8 million at December 31, 2009. Equity securities were $1.5 billion, or 19% of invested assets, at March 31, 2010 compared to $1.3 billion, or 17% of invested assets, at December 31, 2009.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $12.7 million for the same period of 2009. The net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of both 2010 and 2009 reflects low levels of cash flows from underwriting activities in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment as a result of declining premium volume, as well as the impact of employee profit sharing and agent incentive compensation payments and pension contributions, which were made in the first quarter of each year.

Net cash used by investing activities was $230.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $52.4 million for the same period of 2009. As a result of the significant disruptions in the financial markets, we increased our holdings of short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents during the first quarter of 2009 and as bonds matured, we reinvested the proceeds in short-term investments. Further, we did not purchase or sell significant amounts of equity securities or fixed maturities during the first quarter of 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, given the improvement in the financial markets over the latter half of 2009 and into early 2010, we increased our purchases of fixed maturities and equity securities and have been gradually shifting our investment portfolio’s allocation from short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents to higher yielding investment securities. During the first quarter of 2010, cash of $23.0 million was used by ParkLand Ventures, Inc., a subsidiary of Markel Ventures, to acquire additional manufactured housing communities.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $17.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $51.8 million for the same period of 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, ParkLand Ventures, Inc. increased its borrowings by $15.6 million in conjunction with the acquisition of additional manufactured housing communities. During the first quarter of 2010, cash of $4.4 million was used to repurchase shares of our common stock. During the first quarter of 2009, net borrowings under our revolving credit facility increased $50 million. No amounts were outstanding under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2010. We intend to seek a replacement facility for the existing revolving credit agreement prior to its expiration in December 2010.

We seek to maintain prudent levels of liquidity and financial leverage for the protection of our policyholders, creditors and shareholders. Our target capital structure includes approximately 30% debt. Our debt to total capital ratio was 25% at March 31, 2010 and 26% at December 31, 2009. From time to time, our debt to total capital ratio may increase due to business opportunities that may be financed in the short term with debt. Alternatively, our debt to total capital ratio may fall below our target capital structure, which provides us with additional borrowing capacity to respond quickly when future opportunities arise.

We have access to various capital sources, including dividends from certain of our insurance subsidiaries, holding company invested assets, undrawn capacity under our revolving credit facility and access to the debt and equity capital markets. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet our capital needs.

Our holding company had $1.0 billion of invested assets at both March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Shareholders’ equity was $2.9 billion at March 31, 2010 compared to $2.8 billion at December 31, 2009. Book value per share increased to $296.17 at March 31, 2010 from $282.55 at December 31, 2009 primarily due to $134.5 million of comprehensive income to shareholders in the first quarter of 2010.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in equity prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities with estimated fair values that

are subject to market risk. Historically, our primary market risks have been equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities, interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities and foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with our international operations. We have no material commodity risk.

During the first quarter of 2010, there were no material changes to the market risk components described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

We monitor our portfolio to ensure that credit risk does not exceed prudent levels. We have consistently invested in high credit quality, investment grade securities. Our fixed maturity portfolio has an average rating of “AA,” with approximately 91% rated “A” or better by at least one nationally recognized rating organization. Our policy is to invest in investment grade securities and to minimize investments in fixed maturities that are unrated or rated below investment grade. At March 31, 2010, approximately 2% of our fixed maturity portfolio was unrated or rated below investment grade. Our fixed maturity portfolio includes securities issued with financial guaranty insurance. We purchase fixed maturities based on our assessment of the credit quality of the underlying assets without regard to insurance.

The estimated fair value of our investment portfolio at March 31, 2010 was $8.0 billion, 81% of which was invested in fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents and 19% of which was invested in equity securities. At December 31, 2009, the estimated fair value of our investment portfolio was $7.8 billion, 82% of which was invested in fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents and 18% of which was invested in equity securities and investments in affiliates.

Our fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments are recorded at fair value, which is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets, if available. We determine fair value for these investments after considering various sources of information, including information provided by a third party pricing service. The pricing service provides prices for substantially all of our fixed maturities and equity securities. In determining fair value, we generally do not adjust the prices obtained from the pricing service. We obtain an understanding of the pricing service’s valuation methodologies and related inputs, which include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, duration, credit ratings, estimated cash flows and prepayment speeds. We validate prices provided by the pricing service by reviewing prices from other pricing sources and analyzing pricing data in certain instances. At March 31, 2010, we did not hold material investments in auction rate securities, loans held for sale or mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime or Alt-A collateral, which were financial instruments whose valuations, in many cases, were significantly affected by the lack of market liquidity during the first quarter of 2009.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 (Disclosure Controls). This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure 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, the design of a control system

must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. 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.

Based upon our controls evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that effective Disclosure Controls were in place to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2010 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement

This report contains statements concerning or incorporating our expectations, assumptions, plans, objectives, future financial or operating performance and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results in forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ are often presented with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted are set forth under “Risk Factors” and “Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement” in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K or are included in the items listed below:

•

our anticipated premium volume is based on current knowledge and assumes no significant man-made or natural catastrophes, no significant changes in products or personnel and no adverse changes in market conditions;

•

we are legally required in certain instances to offer terrorism insurance and have attempted to manage our exposure; however, if there is a covered terrorist attack, we could sustain material losses;

•

the impact of the events of September 11, 2001 will depend on the resolution of on-going insurance coverage litigation and arbitrations;

•

the frequency and severity of catastrophic events is unpredictable and may be exacerbated if, as many forecast, conditions in the oceans and atmosphere result in increased hurricane or other adverse weather-related activity;

•

changing legal and social trends and inherent uncertainties (including but not limited to those uncertainties associated with our asbestos and environmental reserves) in the loss estimation process can adversely impact the adequacy of loss reserves and the allowance for reinsurance recoverables;

•

adverse developments in insurance coverage litigation could result in material increases in our estimates of loss reserves;

•

the loss estimation process may become more uncertain if we experience a period of rising inflation;

•

the costs and availability of reinsurance may impact our ability to write certain lines of business;

•

industry and economic conditions can affect the ability and/or willingness of reinsurers to pay balances due;

•

after the commutation of ceded reinsurance contracts, any subsequent adverse development in the re-assumed loss reserves will result in a charge to earnings;

•

regulatory actions can impede our ability to charge adequate rates and efficiently allocate capital;

•

economic conditions, volatility in interest and foreign currency exchange rates and changes in market value of concentrated investments can have a significant impact on the fair value of fixed maturities and equity securities, as well as the carrying value of other assets and liabilities, and this impact is heightened by the recent levels of market volatility;

•

we cannot predict the extent and duration of the current economic recession; the effects of government intervention into the markets to address the recent financial crisis (including, among other things, financial stability and recovery initiatives; the government’s ownership interest in American International Group, Inc. and the restructuring of that company; potential regulatory changes affecting the insurance and financial services industries and the securities and derivatives markets; changes in tax policy; and pending legislation overhauling the federal financial regulatory structure); and their combined impact on our industry, business and investment portfolio;

•

because of adverse conditions in the financial services industry, access to capital has generally become more difficult and/or more expensive, which may adversely affect our ability to take advantage of business opportunities as they may arise;

•

we cannot predict the impact of recently adopted U.S. health care reform legislation and regulations under that legislation on our business;

•

our OneMarkel initiative may take longer to implement and cost more than we anticipate and may not achieve some or all of its objectives;

•

we completed a number of acquisitions in late 2009 and may engage in additional acquisition activity in the future, which may increase operational and control risks for a period of time;

•

if we experience a pandemic or a localized catastrophic event in an area where we have offices, our business operations could be adversely affected;

•

loss of services of any executive officers could impact our operations; and

•

adverse changes in our assigned financial strength or debt ratings could impact our ability to attract and retain business or obtain capital.

Our premium volume, underwriting and investment results and results from our non-insurance operations have been and will continue to be potentially materially affected by these factors. By making forward-looking statements, we do not intend to become obligated to publicly update or revise any such statements whether as a result of new information, future events or other changes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as at their dates.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table summarizes our common stock repurchases for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


	(a)	(b)		(c)	(d)
Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs¹	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in thousands)

January 1, 2010 through January 31, 2010	—		—	—	$	63,417

February 1, 2010 through February 28, 2010	13,100	$	334.84	13,100	$	59,031

March 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010	—		—	—	$	59,031


Total	13,100	$	334.84	13,100	$	59,031

The Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $200 million of our common stock pursuant to a share repurchase program publicly announced on August 22, 2005 (the Program). Under the Program, we may repurchase outstanding shares of our common stock from time to time, primarily through open-market transactions. The Program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

Item 6.

Exhibits

See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed as part of this report.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, this 5^th day of May, 2010.


		Markel Corporation

		By		/S/ ALAN I. KIRSHNER
				Alan I. Kirshner
				Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

		By		/S/ RICHARD R. WHITT, III
				Richard R. Whitt, III
				Senior Vice President and
				Chief Financial Officer
				(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Exhibit Index


Number		Description

3(i)		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (3(i))a

3(ii)		Bylaws, as amended (3.1)b

4(i)		Form of Credit Agreement dated August 25, 2005, among Markel Corporation, the lenders from time to time party thereto, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender, Wachovia Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and Barclays Bank PLC and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents (4)c

4(ii)		First Amendment dated March 17, 2006 to Credit Agreement dated August 25, 2005 among Markel Corporation, the banks and financial institutions from time to time party thereto, and SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender (4(ii))d

		The registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of all instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the registrant and subsidiaries shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of the registrant at March 31, 2010 and the respective Notes thereto, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

10.1		Description of Awards under Executive Bonus Plan*

10.2		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Executive Officers*

31.1		Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*

31.2		Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*

32.1		Certification of Principal Executive Officer furnished Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*

32.2		Certification of Principal Financial Officer furnished Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*

a.	Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

b.	Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2007.

c.	Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.

d.	Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

*	Filed with this report.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents