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 June 30, 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 x 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 July 30, 2010: 9,770,154

Markel Corporation

Form 10-Q

Index


		Page Number
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets— June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009		3

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)— Quarters and Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009		4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity— Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009		5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows— Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009		6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		7

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		27

Critical Accounting Estimates		27

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		36

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		37

Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement		37

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		40

Item 6. Exhibits		40

Signatures		41

Exhibit Index		42

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets


	June 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Investments, available-for-sale, at estimated fair value:
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $5,175,271 in 2010 and $4,961,745 in 2009)	$	5,427,805	$	5,112,136
Equity securities (cost of $939,589 in 2010 and $843,841 in 2009)		1,404,314		1,349,829
Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost)		360,869		492,581
Investments in affiliates		0		43,633

Total Investments		7,192,988		6,998,179

Cash and cash equivalents		686,675		850,494
Receivables		332,587		279,879
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		874,465		886,442
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		61,223		65,703
Deferred policy acquisition costs		172,479		156,797
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		72,057		68,307
Goodwill and intangible assets		501,479		502,833
Other assets		430,508		433,262

Total Assets	$	10,324,461	$	10,241,896


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	5,327,268	$	5,427,096
Unearned premiums		785,009		717,728
Payables to insurance companies		66,837		46,853
Senior long-term debt and other debt (estimated fair value of $1,075,000 in 2010 and $1,011,000 in 2009)		1,003,576		963,648
Other liabilities		275,328		294,857

Total Liabilities		7,458,018		7,450,182

Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		871,887		872,876
Retained earnings		1,553,547		1,514,398
Accumulated other comprehensive income		424,559		387,086

Total Shareholders’ Equity		2,849,993		2,774,360
Noncontrolling interests		16,450		17,354

Total Equity		2,866,443		2,791,714

Total Liabilities and Equity	$	10,324,461	$	10,241,896

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)


	Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
OPERATING REVENUES
Earned premiums	$	416,688		$	455,214		$	828,823		$	912,460
Net investment income		64,384			64,070			132,786			132,813
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairment losses		(3,916	)		(11,763	)		(5,701	)		(67,237	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		3			3,757			(563	)		3,757

Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income		(3,913	)		(8,006	)		(6,264	)		(63,480	)
Net realized investment gains (losses), excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses		1,484			(7,430	)		19,578			(7,139	)

Net realized investment gains (losses)		(2,429	)		(15,436	)		13,314			(70,619	)
Other revenues		36,771			18,584			77,210			42,955

Total Operating Revenues		515,414			522,432			1,052,133			1,017,609

OPERATING EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		251,235			286,139			511,405			539,550
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		179,106			166,394			335,774			348,231
Amortization of intangible assets		3,856			1,434			7,814			2,906
Other expenses		32,969			16,211			68,366			38,760

Total Operating Expenses		467,166			470,178			923,359			929,447

Operating Income		48,248			52,254			128,774			88,162

Interest expense		18,334			11,842			36,293			23,659

Income Before Income Taxes		29,914			40,412			92,481			64,503
Income tax expense		8,997			7,382			28,358			15,037

Net Income	$	20,917		$	33,030		$	64,123		$	49,466

Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		86			232			723			310

Net Income to Shareholders	$	20,831		$	32,798		$	63,400		$	49,156

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes:
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	$	(49,927	)	$	121,385		$	47,514		$	66,351
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period		170			(3,082	)		901			(3,082	)
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income		(3,099	)		13,447			(13,639	)		48,950

Change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes		(52,856	)		131,750			34,776			112,219
Change in currency translation adjustments, net of taxes		(2,259	)		6,938			1,960			7,819
Change in net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes		336			383			686			679

Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		(54,779	)		139,071			37,422			120,717

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	(33,862	)	$	172,101		$	101,545		$	170,183
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		41			232			909			310

Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Shareholders	$	(33,903	)	$	171,869		$	100,636		$	169,873

NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic	$	2.13		$	3.34		$	6.47		$	5.01
Diluted	$	2.12		$	3.34		$	6.46		$	5.00

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2010			2009
	(dollars in thousands)
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of period	$	872,876		$	869,744
Issuance of common stock		6,664			0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(8,345	)		0
Restricted stock units expensed		692			1,375
Other		0			503

Balance at end of period	$	871,887		$	871,622

RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,514,398		$	1,297,901
Net income to shareholders		63,400			49,156
Cumulative effect of adoption of FASB ASC 320-10, net of taxes		0			15,300
Repurchases of common stock		(24,251	)		0

Balance at end of period	$	1,553,547		$	1,362,357

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		32,286			115,301

Balance at end of period		465,527			173,953
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities, net of taxes:
Balance at beginning of period		(15,452	)		0
Cumulative effect of adoption of FASB ASC 320-10, net of taxes		0			(15,300	)
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities, net of taxes		2,490			(3,082	)

Balance at end of period		(12,962	)		(18,382	)
Cumulative translation adjustments, net of taxes:
Balance at beginning of period		3,772			(15,416	)
Change in currency translation adjustments, net of taxes		2,011			7,819

Balance at end of period		5,783			(7,597	)
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		686			679

Balance at end of period		(33,789	)		(29,528	)

Balance at end of period	$	424,559		$	118,446

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AT END OF PERIOD	$	2,849,993		$	2,352,425

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Balance at beginning of period	$	17,354		$	261
Net income		723			310
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(1,557	)		0
Other		(70	)		59

Balance at end of period	$	16,450		$	630

TOTAL EQUITY AT END OF PERIOD	$	2,866,443		$	2,353,055

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2010			2009
	(dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	64,123		$	49,466
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities		(557	)		65,818

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities		63,566			115,284


INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities		186,435			42,823
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of fixed maturities		206,214			166,117
Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased		(679,387	)		(107,718	)
Net change in short-term investments		125,397			(246,899	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(35,317	)		(2,481	)
Other		(12,643	)		19,936

Net Cash Used By Investing Activities		(209,301	)		(128,222	)


FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to senior long-term debt and other debt		30,697			156,373
Repayments of senior long-term debt and other debt		(1,549	)		(102,242	)
Repurchases of common stock		(24,251	)		0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(3,001	)		0
Other		(11,294	)		59

Net Cash Provided (Used) By Financing Activities		(9,398	)		54,190


Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(8,686	)		9,049


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(163,819	)		50,301
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		850,494			640,379

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	686,675		$	690,680

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 June 30, 2010, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated statements of changes in equity and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 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 quarter and six months ended June 30, 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

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


	Quarter Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2010		2009		2010		2009
Net income to shareholders	$	20,831	$	32,798	$	63,400	$	49,156


Basic common shares outstanding		9,794		9,815		9,803		9,814
Dilutive potential common shares		13		10		11		10

Diluted shares outstanding		9,807		9,825		9,814		9,824

Basic net income per share	$	2.13	$	3.34	$	6.47	$	5.01

Diluted net income per share	$	2.12	$	3.34	$	6.46	$	5.00

b) The Markel Corporation Omnibus Incentive Plan (Omnibus Incentive Plan) provides for grants or awards of cash, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance grants and other stock-based awards to employees and directors. The Omnibus Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (Compensation Committee) and will terminate on March 5, 2013. In May 2010, the Compensation Committee awarded 26,410 restricted stock units to certain associates and executive officers. The restricted stock units had a grant-date fair value of $9.5 million. Each restricted stock unit will ultimately allow the recipient to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. The restricted stock units are designed to assist the Company in retaining the services of key employees. Twenty percent of the restricted stock units vest after one year, and the balance after five years, with pro rata vesting in case of death, disability or retirement. Shares will be issued in respect of the initial twenty percent of the restricted stock units promptly after vesting. The remaining shares will be issued only following termination of employment, except that issuance of a portion of the shares may occur earlier if designated share price targets are attained. Violation of non-competition agreements contained in the award agreement may result in cancellation of the award, even after vesting.

3. Reinsurance

The following tables summarize the effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned.


	Quarter Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010						2009
	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	448,302		$	415,553		$	446,515		$	452,277
Assumed		68,052			57,599			59,160			55,161
Ceded		(62,125	)		(56,464	)		(49,482	)		(52,224	)

Net premiums	$	454,229		$	416,688		$	456,193		$	455,214


	Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010						2009
	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	857,693		$	820,023		$	853,733		$	915,169
Assumed		148,845			109,397			138,778			106,035
Ceded		(105,807	)		(100,597	)		(98,263	)		(108,744	)

Net premiums	$	900,731		$	828,823		$	894,248		$	912,460

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses were net of reinsurance recoverables (ceded incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses) of $55.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 and $63.8 million and $16.8 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. Both periods of 2010 included $43.2 million of estimated reinsurance recoverables related to the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion.

4. Investments

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


	June 30, 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	$	338,365	$	25,695	$	0		$	0		$	364,060
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,176,010		84,534		(4,189	)		0			2,256,355
Foreign governments		464,870		28,128		(386	)		0			492,612
Residential mortgage-backed securities		418,743		34,873		(653	)		(11,778	)		441,185
Asset-backed securities		22,544		908		0			0			23,452
Public utilities		115,394		8,209		0			0			123,603
Convertible bonds		16,687		0		0			0			16,687
All other corporate bonds		1,622,658		96,853		(2,185	)		(7,475	)		1,709,851

Total fixed maturities		5,175,271		279,200		(7,413	)		(19,253	)		5,427,805
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		381,072		261,790		(5,842	)		0			637,020
Industrial, consumer and all other		558,517		212,175		(3,398	)		0			767,294

Total equity securities		939,589		473,965		(9,240	)		0			1,404,314
Short-term investments		360,848		21		0			0			360,869

Investments, available-for-sale	$	6,475,708	$	753,186	$	(16,653	)	$	(19,253	)	$	7,192,988


	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	)	$	0		$	376,322
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,068,714		65,824		(8,798	)		0			2,125,740
Foreign governments		410,435		14,912		(2,335	)		0			423,012
Residential mortgage-backed securities		419,707		24,223		(1,534	)		(12,342	)		430,054
Asset-backed securities		27,052		244		(1,001	)		0			26,295
Public utilities		136,302		7,317		0			0			143,619
Convertible bonds		30,750		0		0			0			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	)		0			578,517
Industrial, consumer and all other		505,472		266,165		(325	)		0			771,312

Total equity securities		843,841		509,834		(3,846	)		0			1,349,829
Short-term investments		492,563		20		(2	)		0			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.


	June 30, 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	$	0	$	0		$	0	$	0		$	0	$	0
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		136,370		(1,300	)		88,083		(2,889	)		224,453		(4,189	)
Foreign governments		5,978		(358	)		4,224		(28	)		10,202		(386	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		7,099		(9,935	)		15,262		(2,496	)		22,361		(12,431	)
Asset-backed securities		0		0			0		0			0		0
All other corporate bonds		69,601		(8,302	)		26,835		(1,358	)		96,436		(9,660	)

Total fixed maturities		219,048		(19,895	)		134,404		(6,771	)		353,452		(26,666	)
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		74,368		(3,198	)		21,602		(2,644	)		95,970		(5,842	)
Industrial, consumer and all other		72,852		(3,398	)		0		0			72,852		(3,398	)

Total equity securities		147,220		(6,596	)		21,602		(2,644	)		168,822		(9,240	)
Short-term investments		0		0			0		0			0		0

Total	$	366,268	$	(26,491	)	$	156,006	$	(9,415	)	$	522,274	$	(35,906	)

At June 30, 2010, the Company held 99 securities with a total estimated fair value of $522.3 million and gross unrealized losses of $35.9 million. Of these 99 securities, 46 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than one year and had a total estimated fair value of $156.0 million and gross unrealized losses of $9.4 million. Of these securities, 45 securities were fixed maturities where the Company expects to receive all interest and principal payments when contractually due and one was an equity security. The Company does not intend to sell or believe it will be required to sell these fixed maturities before recovery of their amortized cost. The equity security had a fair value of 89% of its cost basis at June 30, 2010.


	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	)	$	0	$	0		$	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	)		0		0			92,166		(2,335	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		33,223		(12,748	)		11,162		(1,128	)		44,385		(13,876	)
Asset-backed securities		0		0			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	)		0		0			45,917		(3,521	)
Industrial, consumer and all other		10,943		(325	)		0		0			10,943		(325	)

Total equity securities		56,860		(3,846	)		0		0			56,860		(3,846	)
Short-term investments		4,298		(2	)		0		0			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 June 30, 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	$	49,226	$	50,035
Due after one year through five years		168,755		183,807
Due after five years through ten years		116,366		125,973
Due after ten years		4,018		4,245

Total		338,365		364,060

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:
Due in one year or less		0		0
Due after one year through five years		59,847		61,910
Due after five years through ten years		658,717		689,762
Due after ten years		1,457,446		1,504,683

Total		2,176,010		2,256,355

Foreign governments:
Due in one year or less		7,634		7,716
Due after one year through five years		172,131		180,668
Due after five years through ten years		285,105		304,228
Due after ten years		0		0

Total		464,870		492,612

Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Due in one year or less		1,484		1,507
Due after one year through five years		10,312		10,758
Due after five years through ten years		38,282		39,487
Due after ten years		368,665		389,433

Total		418,743		441,185

Asset-backed securities:
Due in one year or less		0		0
Due after one year through five years		10,819		11,189
Due after five years through ten years		1,000		1,148
Due after ten years		10,725		11,115

Total		22,544		23,452

Public utilities:
Due in one year or less		25,623		26,154
Due after one year through five years		72,072		77,994
Due after five years through ten years		17,699		19,455
Due after ten years		0		0

Total		115,394		123,603

Convertible bonds and all other corporate bonds:
Due in one year or less		142,287		147,991
Due after one year through five years		654,696		695,819
Due after five years through ten years		565,568		602,274
Due after ten years		276,794		280,454

Total		1,639,345		1,726,538

Total fixed maturities:
Due in one year or less		226,254		233,403
Due after one year through five years		1,148,632		1,222,145
Due after five years through ten years		1,682,737		1,782,327
Due after ten years		2,117,648		2,189,930

Total fixed maturities	$	5,175,271	$	5,427,805

d) The following tables summarize 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 (loss).


	Quarter Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Cumulative credit loss, beginning balance	$	10,231		$	0
Adoption of FASB ASC 320-10		0			237

Additions:
Other-than-temporary impairment losses not previously recognized		0			4,413
Increases related to other-than-temporary impairment losses previously recognized		76			1,564

Total additions		76			5,977

Reductions:
Sales of fixed maturities on which credit losses were recognized		0			0

Cumulative credit loss, ending balance	$	10,307		$	6,214


	Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Cumulative credit loss, beginning balance	$	9,141		$	0
Adoption of FASB ASC 320-10		0			237

Additions:
Other-than-temporary impairment losses not previously recognized		0			4,413
Increases related to other-than-temporary impairment losses previously recognized		1,185			1,564

Total additions		1,185			5,977
Reductions:
Sales of fixed maturities on which credit losses were recognized		(19	)		0

Cumulative credit loss, ending balance	$	10,307		$	6,214

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


	Quarter Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Realized gains:
Sales of fixed maturities	$	6,529		$	873
Sales of equity securities		1,965			618
Other		0			5,250

Total realized gains		8,494			6,741

Realized losses:
Sales of fixed maturities		(92	)		(14,171	)
Sales of equity securities		0			0
Other-than-temporary impairments		(3,913	)		(8,006	)
Other		(6,918	)		0

Total realized losses		(10,923	)		(22,177	)

Net realized investment losses	$	(2,429	)	$	(15,436	)

Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Fixed maturities	$	65,232		$	75,302
Equity securities		(149,665	)		102,987
Short-term investments		19			(45	)

Net increase (decrease)	$	(84,414	)	$	178,244


	Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Realized gains:
Sales of fixed maturities	$	13,461		$	2,701
Sales of equity securities		12,263			631
Other		1,966			4,687

Total realized gains		27,690			8,019

Realized losses:
Sales of fixed maturities		(650	)		(15,145	)
Sales of equity securities		0			(13	)
Other-than-temporary impairments		(6,264	)		(63,480	)
Other		(7,462	)		0

Total realized losses		(14,376	)		(78,638	)

Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	13,314		$	(70,619	)

Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Fixed maturities	$	102,143		$	124,489
Equity securities		(41,263	)		23,288
Short-term investments		3			(41	)

Net increase	$	60,883		$	147,736

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


	Quarter Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Corporate bonds	$	0		$	(3,844	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		(76	)		(646	)
Other		0			(1,487	)

Total fixed maturities		(76	)		(5,977	)
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		(2,872	)		(2,004	)
Industrial, consumer and all other		(965	)		(25	)

Total equity securities		(3,837	)		(2,029	)

Other		0			0

Total	$	(3,913	)	$	(8,006	)


	Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Corporate bonds	$	0		$	(5,712	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		(1,185	)		(2,035	)
Other		0			(1,487	)

Total fixed maturities		(1,185	)		(9,234	)
Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		(2,872	)		(15,698	)
Industrial, consumer and all other		(965	)		(38,548	)

Total equity securities		(3,837	)		(54,246	)

Other		(1,242	)		0

Total	$	(6,264	)	$	(63,480	)

Net realized investment losses for the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 included $3.9 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments. Net realized investment gains for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and net realized investment losses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 included $6.3 million and $63.5 million, respectively, 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. Revolving Credit Facility

On June 9, 2010, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility, which provides $270 million of capacity for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company may increase the capacity of the revolving credit facility to $350 million subject to certain terms and conditions. The Company may select from

two interest rate options for balances outstanding under the facility and pays a commitment fee (0.50% at June 30, 2010) on the unused portion of the facility based on the Company’s debt to equity leverage ratio as calculated under the agreement. At June 30, 2010, the Company had no borrowings outstanding related to the facility. This facility replaced the Company’s previous $375 million revolving credit facility and expires in June 2013.

6. 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.

Quarter Ended June 30, 2010


(dollars in thousands)	Excess and Surplus Lines			Specialty Admitted			London Insurance Market			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)			Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	242,644		$	86,513		$	187,154		$	43		$	0		$	516,354
Net written premiums		217,207			80,565			156,416			41			0			454,229

Earned premiums		210,270			75,563			130,814			41			0			416,688
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current year		(137,223	)		(46,155	)		(104,474	)		0			0			(287,852	)
Prior years		26,510			4,576			10,128			(4,597	)		0			36,617
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(91,576	)		(32,068	)		(55,548	)		86			0			(179,106	)

Underwriting profit (loss)		7,981			1,916			(19,080	)		(4,470	)		0			(13,653	)

Net investment income		0			0			0			0			64,384			64,384
Net realized investment losses		0			0			0			0			(2,429	)		(2,429	)
Other revenues (insurance)		0			0			1,724			0			0			1,724
Other expenses (insurance)		0			0			(1,878	)		0			0			(1,878	)

Segment profit (loss)	$	7,981		$	1,916		$	(19,234	)	$	(4,470	)	$	61,955		$	48,148

Other revenues (non-insurance)																	35,047
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(31,091	)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(3,856	)
Interest expense																	(18,334	)

Income before income taxes																$	29,914

U.S. GAAP combined ratio⁽¹⁾		96	%		97	%		115	%		NM	⁽²⁾					103	%

Quarter Ended June 30, 2009


(dollars in thousands)	Excess and Surplus Lines			Specialty Admitted			London Insurance Market			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)			Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	255,342		$	77,095		$	173,234		$	4		$	0		$	505,675
Net written premiums		230,591			72,413			153,478			(289	)		0			456,193

Earned premiums		241,563			76,793			137,147			(289	)		0			455,214
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current year		(176,798	)		(49,010	)		(98,057	)		0			0			(323,865	)
Prior years		5,415			4,168			22,816			5,327			0			37,726
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(93,277	)		(23,172	)		(49,593	)		(352	)		0			(166,394	)

Underwriting profit (loss)		(23,097	)		8,779			12,313			4,686			0			2,681

Net investment income		0			0			0			0			64,070			64,070
Net realized investment losses		0			0			0			0			(15,436	)		(15,436	)

Segment profit (loss)	$	(23,097	)	$	8,779		$	12,313		$	4,686		$	48,634		$	51,315

Other revenues (non-insurance)																	18,584
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(16,211	)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(1,434	)
Interest expense																	(11,842	)

Income before income taxes																$	40,412

U.S. GAAP combined ratio⁽¹⁾		110	%		89	%		91	%		NM	⁽²⁾					99	%

⁽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.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010


(dollars in thousands)	Excess and Surplus Lines			Specialty Admitted			London Insurance Market			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)			Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	454,327		$	156,846		$	395,322		$	43		$	0	$	1,006,538
Net written premiums		410,536			143,678			346,474			43			0		900,731

Earned premiums		414,165			147,604			267,011			43			0		828,823
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current year		(277,495	)		(91,800	)		(217,188	)		0			0		(586,483	)
Prior years		50,712			914			25,883			(2,431	)		0		75,078
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(170,540	)		(58,157	)		(107,089	)		12			0		(335,774	)

Underwriting profit (loss)		16,842			(1,439	)		(31,383	)		(2,376	)		0		(18,356	)

Net investment income		0			0			0			0			132,786		132,786
Net realized investment gains		0			0			0			0			13,314		13,314
Other revenues (insurance)		0			0			4,915			0			0		4,915
Other expenses (insurance)		0			0			(4,864	)		0			0		(4,864	)

Segment profit (loss)	$	16,842		$	(1,439	)	$	(31,332	)	$	(2,376	)	$	146,100	$	127,795

Other revenues (non-insurance)																72,295
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(63,502	)
Amortization of intangible assets																(7,814	)
Interest expense																(36,293	)

Income before income taxes															$	92,481

U.S. GAAP combined ratio⁽¹⁾		96	%		101	%		112	%		NM	⁽²⁾				102	%

Six Months Ended June 30, 2009


(dollars in thousands)	Excess and Surplus Lines			Specialty Admitted			London Insurance Market			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)			Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	493,695		$	140,551		$	358,199		$	66		$	0		$	992,511
Net written premiums		447,000			129,872			317,556			(180	)		0			894,248

Earned premiums		490,803			153,489			268,348			(180	)		0			912,460
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current year		(341,724	)		(99,483	)		(192,777	)		0			0			(633,984	)
Prior years		51,021			428			37,897			5,088			0			94,434
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(196,960	)		(53,375	)		(97,149	)		(747	)		0			(348,231	)

Underwriting profit		3,140			1,059			16,319			4,161			0			24,679

Net investment income		0			0			0			0			132,813			132,813
Net realized investment losses		0			0			0			0			(70,619	)		(70,619	)

Segment profit	$	3,140		$	1,059		$	16,319		$	4,161		$	62,194		$	86,873

Other revenues (non-insurance)																	42,955
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(38,760	)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(2,906	)
Interest expense																	(23,659	)

Income before income taxes																$	64,503

U.S. GAAP combined ratio⁽¹⁾		99	%		99	%		94	%		NM	⁽²⁾					97	%

⁽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)	June 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
Segment Assets:
Investing	$	7,875,004	$	7,844,052
Underwriting		2,211,465		2,214,991

Total Segment Assets	$	10,086,469	$	10,059,043

Non-insurance operations		237,992		182,853

Total Assets	$	10,324,461	$	10,241,896

7. 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 both June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, 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. The fair value of the credit default swap was $28.4 million at June 30, 2010 and $27.0 million at December 31, 2009. 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. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, net investment income included an adverse change in the fair value of the credit default swap of $1.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009, net investment income included a favorable change in the fair value of the credit default swap of $2.3 million.

The Company had no other material derivative instruments at June 30, 2010.

8. Employee Benefit Plans

a) Expenses relating to all of the Company’s defined contribution plans were $3.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 and $2.9 million and $6.0 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2009.

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


	Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Service cost	$	300		$	413		$	611		$	794
Interest cost		1,648			1,379			3,362			2,740
Expected return on plan assets		(2,092	)		(1,680	)		(4,267	)		(3,230	)
Amortization of net actuarial pension loss		467			590			953			1,045

Net periodic benefit cost	$	323		$	702		$	659		$	1,349

The Company contributed $5.9 million to the Terra Nova Pension Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2010. The Company expects plan contributions to total $6.5 million in 2010.

9. 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 June 30, 2010 have been approximately $72 million and covered losses have been approximately $54 million. At June 30, 2010, the policy insured a portfolio of loans totaling approximately $508 million, and the limit of the Company’s liability for additional losses with respect to the covered loans is estimated to be approximately $103 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 any lawsuit cannot be predicted at this time. On July 19-20, 2010, the parties engaged in mediation in an attempt to reach a settlement. Settlement discussions have continued since the mediation.

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.

10. 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 11.

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.

In March 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-11, Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives, which clarifies that the only type of embedded credit derivatives that are exempt from bifurcation requirements are those that relate to the subordination of one financial instrument to another. This guidance requires analysis of embedded credit derivative features other than subordination to determine if they require bifurcation and separate accounting treatment. ASU No. 2010-11 became effective for the Company on July 1, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

11. 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 7 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 June 30, 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	$	0	$	364,060	$	0	$	364,060
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions		0		2,256,355		0		2,256,355
Foreign governments		0		492,612		0		492,612
Residential mortgage-backed securities		0		441,185		0		441,185
Asset-backed securities		0		23,452		0		23,452
Public utilities		0		123,603		0		123,603
Convertible bonds		0		16,687		0		16,687
All other corporate bonds		0		1,709,851		0		1,709,851

Total fixed maturities		0		5,427,805		0		5,427,805


Equity securities:
Insurance companies, banks and trusts		637,020		0		0		637,020
Industrial, consumer and all other		767,294		0		0		767,294

Total equity securities		1,404,314		0		0		1,404,314


Short-term investments		307,552		53,317		0		360,869

Total investments available-for-sale		1,711,866		5,481,122		0		7,192,988


Liabilities:
Derivative contracts	$	0	$	0	$	28,397	$	28,397

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


	Quarter Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Derivatives, Beginning of Period	$	26,625		$	29,958
Total losses (gains) included in:
Net income		1,772			(2,328	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		0			0
Transfers into Level 3		0			0
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0

Derivatives, End of Period	$	28,397		$	27,630


Net unrealized losses (gains) included in net income relating to liabilities held at June 30, 2010 and 2009	$	1,772	⁽¹⁾	$	(2,328	)⁽¹⁾


	Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009
Derivatives, Beginning of Period	$	26,968		$	29,964
Total losses (gains) included in:
Net income		1,429			(2,334	)
Other comprehensive income		0			0
Transfers into Level 3		0			0
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0

Derivatives, End of Period	$	28,397		$	27,630


Net unrealized losses (gains) included in net income relating to liabilities held at June 30, 2010 and 2009	$	1,429	⁽¹⁾	$	(2,334	)⁽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 quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010. The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the six months ended June 30, 2010. At June 30, 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 2008 and 2009.

12. Acquisitions

On July 12, 2010, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Aspen Holdings, Inc. (Aspen), a Nebraska-based privately held insurance group that provides workers’ compensation insurance and related services, principally to small businesses in 31 states. Aspen’s subsidiaries collectively underwrite more than $300 million of gross written premium annually. The subsidiaries operate through a network of over 9,000 retail agents and have more than 500 employees based in Nebraska, Rhode Island, Nevada, California and Florida.

Subject to the terms of the merger agreement, Aspen shareholders will receive upfront consideration of approximately $135 million, as well as contingent value rights that may result in the payment of additional cash consideration depending, among other things, upon the development of Aspen’s loss reserves and loss sensitive profit commissions over time. As part of this consideration, outstanding options to purchase shares of Aspen’s common stock will be converted into options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of Aspen’s shareholders, and is expected to close before year end. Upon completion of the acquisition, Aspen’s operating results will be included in the Specialty Admitted segment.

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 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 President and Chief Investment Officer. The financial results of those companies in which we own controlling interests have been consolidated in our financial statements. The financial results of those companies in which we hold a noncontrolling interest are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Our strategy in making 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. During the second quarter of 2010, we acquired a controlling interest in a manufacturer of food processing equipment, and we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a real estate investment fund manager.

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.


	Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(13,653	)	$	2,681		$	(18,356	)	$	24,679
Net investment income		64,384			64,070			132,786			132,813
Net realized investment gains (losses)		(2,429	)		(15,436	)		13,314			(70,619	)
Other revenues		36,771			18,584			77,210			42,955
Amortization of intangible assets		(3,856	)		(1,434	)		(7,814	)		(2,906	)
Other expenses		(32,969	)		(16,211	)		(68,366	)		(38,760	)
Interest expense		(18,334	)		(11,842	)		(36,293	)		(23,659	)
Income tax expense		(8,997	)		(7,382	)		(28,358	)		(15,037	)
Noncontrolling interests		(86	)		(232	)		(723	)		(310	)

Net income to shareholders	$	20,831		$	32,798		$	63,400		$	49,156

Net income to shareholders for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 decreased 36% compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to a deterioration in underwriting results and higher interest expense, which were offset in part by improved investment returns in 2010 compared to 2009. Net income to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased 29% compared to the same period of 2009 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. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the improved investment returns were partially offset by a deterioration in underwriting results due in part to higher losses from catastrophes compared to the same period of 2009. 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.


	Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Gross premium volume	$	516,354		$	505,675		$	1,006,538		$	992,511
Net written premiums	$	454,229		$	456,193		$	900,731		$	894,248
Net retention		88	%		90	%		89	%		90	%
Earned premiums	$	416,688		$	455,214		$	828,823		$	912,460
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	251,235		$	286,139		$	511,405		$	539,550
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	$	179,106		$	166,394		$	335,774		$	348,231
Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(13,653	)	$	2,681		$	(18,356	)	$	24,679


U.S. GAAP Combined Ratios⁽¹⁾
Excess and Surplus Lines		96	%		110	%		96	%		99	%
Specialty Admitted		97	%		89	%		101	%		99	%
London Insurance Market		115	%		91	%		112	%		94	%
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)		NM	⁽²⁾		NM	⁽²⁾		NM	⁽²⁾		NM	⁽²⁾
Markel Corporation (Consolidated)		103	%		99	%		102	%		97	%

⁽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 103% and 102%, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 99% and 97%, respectively, for the same periods in 2009. For the second quarter of 2010, the increase in the combined ratio was due to a higher expense ratio, which was partially offset by a lower current accident year loss ratio compared to the same period of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the increase in the combined ratio was due to a higher expense ratio, higher current accident year loss ratio and less favorable development of prior years’ loss reserves compared to the same period of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the combined ratio included $32.7 million, or 4 points, of underwriting loss on the Chilean earthquake and the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion, which occurred in February 2010 and April 2010, respectively. The expense ratio for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to a decline in earned premiums and higher profit sharing costs. The expense ratio in both periods of 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 both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 110% and 99%, respectively, for the same periods in 2009. The combined ratio for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased due to a lower current accident year loss ratio and greater favorable development of prior years’ loss reserves, which were partially offset by a higher expense ratio. For the second quarter of 2010, the decrease in the current accident year loss ratio was primarily due to improved results on certain professional liability programs, most notably our architects and engineers and lawyers books of business, which experienced higher than expected incurred losses in 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the decrease in the current accident year loss ratio was due in part to our mix of business as we maintained underwriting discipline and reduced our premium volume in less profitable books of business. The expense ratio for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to a decline in earned premiums and higher profit sharing costs.

The Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s combined ratio for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 included $26.5 million and $50.7 million, respectively, of favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves compared to $5.4 million and $51.0 million of favorable development for the same periods in 2009. The

redundancies on prior years’ loss reserves experienced within the Excess and Surplus Lines segment during both periods of 2010 and 2009 were primarily on our professional and products liability programs. The redundancies on prior years’ loss reserves for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 were partially offset by $20.3 million and $34.1 million, respectively, of adverse loss reserve 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. The redundancies on prior years’ loss reserves for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009 were partially offset by adverse loss reserve development in our casualty product lines, resulting primarily from higher than expected losses on reported claims. Contributing significantly to the higher than expected losses in both periods of 2009 were unfavorable court rulings on two coverage litigation matters.

The combined ratio for the Specialty Admitted segment was 97% and 101%, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 89% and 99%, respectively, for the same periods in 2009. The combined ratio for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased due to a higher expense ratio, which was partially offset by a lower current accident year loss ratio and greater favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves. The higher expense ratio in both periods of 2010 was due in part to higher profit sharing costs and increased policy acquisition costs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the expense ratio benefitted from a $4.0 million anticipated recovery under our corporate insurance program, which was recognized in the first quarter. The Specialty Admitted segment’s combined ratio for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 included $4.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves compared to $4.2 million and $0.4 million of favorable development for the same periods in 2009.

The combined ratio for the London Insurance Market segment was 115% and 112%, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 91% and 94%, respectively, for the same periods in 2009. The combined ratio for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 included $15.7 million, or 12 points and 6 points, respectively, of underwriting loss related to the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion. In addition to the underwriting loss on Deepwater Horizon, the combined ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2010 included $17.0 million, or 6 points, of underwriting loss related to the Chilean earthquake. Excluding the effects of losses from these two catastrophes, the London Insurance Market segment’s combined ratio for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased primarily due to lower favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves.

The London Insurance Market segment’s combined ratio for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 included $10.1 million and $25.9 million, respectively, of favorable development on prior years’ loss reserves compared to $22.8 million and $37.9 million of favorable development for the same period in 2009. The redundancies on prior years’ loss reserves experienced within the London Insurance Market segment during both periods of 2010 were primarily on our professional liability programs at the Retail and Professional and Financial Risks divisions. The loss reserve redundancies for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 were partially offset by adverse loss reserve development on prior year’s loss reserves in the Professional and Financial Risks division related to medical malpractice coverage for Italian hospitals and professional indemnity coverage for construction professionals in Australia. During the second quarter of 2010, actual claims experience for both of these books of business was greater than expected and as a result, our actuaries increased their estimates of ultimate losses, and management increased prior years’ loss reserves by $28.8 million. In late 2008, we ceased writing medical malpractice coverage at Markel International and in June 2010 we ceased writing coverage on construction professionals in Australia.

In addition to the underwriting results of Markel International, results for the London Insurance Market segment for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 also included the results of Elliott Special Risks (ESR), a

Canadian managing general agent that we acquired in October 2009. During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, ESR produced approximately $25 million of premium volume, including $13.2 million of premiums for Markel Syndicate 3000, and had operating revenues of $1.7 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, ESR produced approximately $47 million of premium volume, including $15.7 million of premiums for Markel Syndicate 3000, and had operating revenues of $4.9 million. Operating revenues for both periods of 2010 were primarily related to commission income from third party insurance entities. 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 underwriting losses of $4.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to underwriting profits of $4.7 million and $4.2 million for the same periods of 2009.

Premiums and Net Retentions

The following tables summarize gross premium volume, net written premiums and earned premiums by segment.

Gross Premium Volume


Quarter Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
2010		2009		(dollars in thousands)	2010		2009
$	242,644	$	255,342	Excess and Surplus Lines	$	454,327	$	493,695
	86,513		77,095	Specialty Admitted		156,846		140,551
	187,154		173,234	London Insurance Market		395,322		358,199
	43		4	Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)		43		66

$	516,354	$	505,675	Total	$	1,006,538	$	992,511

Gross premium volume for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased 2% and 1%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2009. The increase in both periods was primarily the result of higher gross premium volume in the London Insurance Market segment, which was due in part to our acquisition of ESR. The increase in gross premium volume in the London Insurance Market segment was partially offset 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, most notably within the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, has declined and, if the competitive environment does not improve, could decline further in the future.

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, gross premium volume in both the Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted segments was impacted by the transfer of certain programs from the Excess and Surplus Lines segment to the Specialty Admitted segment. This transfer 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 and six months ended June 30, 2010, the Specialty Admitted segment included approximately $8 million and $17 million, respectively, of gross premium volume on these transferred programs.

Net Written Premiums


Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
2010		2009			(dollars in thousands)	2010		2009
$	217,207	$	230,591		Excess and Surplus Lines	$	410,536	$	447,000
	80,565		72,413		Specialty Admitted		143,678		129,872
	156,416		153,478		London Insurance Market		346,474		317,556
	41		(289	)	Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)		43		(180	)

$	454,229	$	456,193		Total	$	900,731	$	894,248

Net retention of gross premium volume for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 was 88% and 89%, respectively, compared to 90% for each of the same periods of 2009. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, net written premiums in the London Insurance Market segment were reduced by $10.7 million of additional reinsurance costs resulting from the Deepwater Horizon loss. 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.

Earned Premiums


Quarter Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
2010	2009			(dollars in thousands)	2010		2009
$210,270	$	241,563		Excess and Surplus Lines	$	414,165	$	490,803
75,563		76,793		Specialty Admitted		147,604		153,489
130,814		137,147		London Insurance Market		267,011		268,348
41		(289	)	Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)		43		(180	)

$416,688	$	455,214		Total	$	828,823	$	912,460

Earned premiums for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased 8% and 9%, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009. The decrease in both periods of 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. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, earned premiums in the London Insurance Market segment were reduced by $10.7 million of additional reinsurance costs resulting from the Deepwater Horizon loss.

Investing Results

Net investment income for the second quarter of 2010 was $64.4 million compared to $64.1 million for the second quarter of 2009. Net investment income was $132.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the six months ended June 30, 2009. For both periods of 2010, lower investment yields were offset by having higher average invested assets compared to the same periods of 2009. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, net investment income included an adverse change in the fair value of our credit default swap of $1.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively, compared to a favorable change in the fair value of our credit default swap of $2.3 million in the same periods of 2009.

Net realized investment losses for the second quarter of 2010 were $2.4 million compared to $15.4 million for the second quarter of 2009. Net realized investment losses included $3.9 million and $8.0 million of write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments for the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, net realized investment gains were $13.3 million compared to net realized investment losses of $70.6 million for the same period of 2009. Net realized investment gains for the six months ended June 30, 2010 included $6.3 million of write downs for

other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments. Net realized investment losses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 included $63.5 million of write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments.

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 June 30, 2010, we held securities with gross unrealized losses of $35.9 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 June 30, 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), Ellicott Dredge Enterprises, LLC (effective November 2009), Solbern, Inc. (effective May 2010) and Markel Eagle Partners, LLC (effective May 2010). 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 $35.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 compared to $18.6 million for the same period of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, revenues for our non-insurance operations were $72.3 million compared to $43.0 million for the same period of 2009.

Interest Expense and Income Taxes

Interest expense for the second quarter of 2010 increased to $18.3 million from $11.8 million in the same period of 2009. Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased to $36.3 million from $23.7 million in the same period of 2009. For both periods of 2010, the increase compared to the same periods of 2009 was 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 23% as of June 30, 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. The increase in the estimated annual effective tax rate was primarily due to having a higher effective tax rate related to our foreign operations in 2010 compared to 2009.

Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Shareholders

Comprehensive loss to shareholders was $33.9 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to comprehensive income to shareholders of $171.9 million for the same period of 2009. Comprehensive loss to shareholders for the second quarter of 2010 included a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $52.9 million and net income to shareholders of $20.8 million. Comprehensive income to shareholders for the second quarter of 2009 included an increase in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $131.8 million and net income to shareholders of $32.8 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, comprehensive income to shareholders was $100.6 million compared to $169.9 million for the same period in

2009. Comprehensive income to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2010 included an increase in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $34.8 million and net income to shareholders of $63.4 million. Comprehensive income to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2009 included an increase in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $112.2 million and net income to shareholders of $49.2 million.

Financial Condition

Invested assets were $7.9 billion at June 30, 2010 compared to $7.8 billion at December 31, 2009. Net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, were $452.6 million at June 30, 2010 compared to $417.8 million at December 31, 2009. Equity securities were $1.4 billion, or 18% of invested assets, at June 30, 2010 compared to $1.3 billion, or 17% of invested assets, at December 31, 2009.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $63.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $115.3 million for the same period of 2009. In 2009, net cash provided by operating activities included the receipt of $33.6 million related to our 2008 federal income tax refund.

Net cash used by investing activities was $209.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $128.2 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 six months 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 half of 2009. During 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 six months of 2010, cash of $25.9 million was used by ParkLand Ventures, Inc., a subsidiary of Markel Ventures, to acquire additional manufactured housing communities and cash of $9.4 million was used to acquire Solbern, Inc., a manufacturer of food processing equipment.

Net cash used by financing activities was $9.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $54.2 million for the same period of 2009. During the first six months of 2010, cash of $24.3 million was used to repurchase 70,100 shares of our common stock. During the first six months of 2009, net borrowings under our revolving credit facility increased $50 million.

On June 9, 2010, we entered into a new revolving credit facility, which provides $270 million of capacity for working capital and other general corporate purposes. This facility replaced our previous $375 million revolving credit facility and expires in June 2013. At June 30, 2010, we had no borrowings outstanding related to the facility.

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 26% at both June 30, 2010 and 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.

On July 12, 2010, we entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Aspen Holdings, Inc. (Aspen), a Nebraska-based privately held insurance group that provides workers’ compensation insurance and related services, principally to small businesses in 31 states. Aspen’s subsidiaries collectively underwrite more than $300 million of gross written premium annually.

Subject to the terms of the merger agreement, Aspen shareholders will receive upfront consideration of approximately $135 million, as well as contingent value rights that may result in the payment of additional cash consideration depending, among other things, upon the development of Aspen’s loss reserves and loss sensitive profit commissions over time. As part of the consideration, outstanding options to purchase shares of Aspen’s common stock will be converted into options to purchase shares of our common stock. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of Aspen’s shareholders, and is expected to close before year end.

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.

At June 30, 2010, our holding company had $936.5 million of invested assets compared to $1.0 billion of invested assets at December 31, 2009.

Shareholders’ equity was $2.8 billion at both June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Book value per share increased to $291.71 at June 30, 2010 from $282.55 at December 31, 2009 primarily due to $100.6 million of comprehensive income to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 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 six months ended June 30, 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 92% 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 June 30, 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 June 30, 2010 was $7.9 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. 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 June 30, 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 2008 and 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 second 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 slowdown; 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; changes in tax policy; and the effects of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and regulations to be adopted thereunder); 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 have recently completed a number of acquisitions, have other acquisitions pending 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

In May 2010, we issued an aggregate of 19,542 unregistered common shares in exchange for all the outstanding shares of AMF Holdco, Inc., a Virginia corporation, not already owned by our wholly-owned subsidiary Markel Ventures, Inc. The common shares were issued under the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

The following table summarizes our common stock repurchases for the quarter ended June 30, 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)

April 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010	0		0	0	$	59,031

May 1, 2010 through May 31, 2010	57,000	$	348.42	57,000	$	39,171

June 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010	0		0	0	$	39,171


Total	57,000	$	348.42	57,000	$	39,171

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 6^th day of August 2010.


Markel Corporation

By		/s/ Alan I. Kirshner
		Alan I. Kirshner
		Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

By		/s/ Anne G. Waleski
		Anne G. Waleski
		Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial 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 as of June 9, 2010 among Markel Corporation, the lenders party thereto and SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent*

		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 June 30, 2010 and the respective Notes thereto, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

10.1		Form of Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Executive Officers*

10.2		Restricted Stock Units Deferral Election Form*

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*

101		The following consolidated financial statements from Markel Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, filed on August 6, 2010, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheet, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.*

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 May 14, 2010.

*	Filed with this report.