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Donegal Group Inc.

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FY2013 Annual Report · Donegal Group Inc.
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DONEGAL GROUP

2013   
ANNUAL   
REPORT

Our long-range strategy for growth and success

Financial  Highlights

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

INCOME  STATEMENT  DATA

Premiums earned

Investment income, net

Realized investment gains

Total revenues

 $  515,291,944 

 $  475,002,222 

 $  431,470,184 

$  378,030,129

$  355,025,477

 18,795,239

 20,168,919

 20,858,179 

19,949,714

20,630,583

 2,423,442 

 6,859,439 

 12,281,267 

4,395,720

4,479,558

 547,110,065 

 514,982,585 

 475,017,619 

408,549,446

386,733,407

Income (loss) before income taxes (benefit)

32,710,265

27,858,260

 (6,739,313)

9,844,149

20,676,689

Income taxes (benefit)

Net income 

6,388,273

 4,765,640

 (7,192,266)

26,321,992

 23,092,620 

 452,953 

(1,623,030)

11,467,179

1,846,611

18,830,078

Basic earnings per share - Class A

Diluted earnings per share - Class A

Cash dividends per share - Class A

Basic earnings per share - Class B

Diluted earnings per share - Class B

Cash dividends per share - Class B

BALANCE  SHEET  DA TA  AT  YEAR  END

Total investments

Total assets

Debt obligations

Stockholders’ equity

Book value per share

1.04

1.02

0.51

0.94

 0.94 

 0.46 

 0.92 

 0.91 

 0.49

 0.83 

 0.83 

 0.44 

 0.02 

 0.02 

 0.48 

 0.01 

 0.01 

 0.43 

.46

.46

.46

.41

.41

.41

.76

.76

.45

.68

.68

.40

 $  791,808,307 

 $  806,429,032 

 $  785,308,991 

$  728,541,814

$  666,835,186

 1,385,410,502 

 1,336,889,187 

 1,290,793,478 

1,174,619,523

935,601,927

63,000,000

 72,465,000 

 74,965,000 

56,082,371

15,465,000

396,877,111

 400,034,094

 383,451,592 

380,102,810

385,505,699

15.02

 15.63 

 15.01 

14.86

15.12

TOTAL  REVENUES
[ i[ i[[ n mn mmn millillionions ]s ]

NET  INCOME
ionionionioions ]s ]s ]]]
[ i[ i[ ii[ n mn mmn mn millillllili

STOCKHOLDERS’  EQUITY 
[ i[ i[ in mn mn millillillionionions ]s ]s ]

$ 550

$ 500

$ 450

$ 400

$ 30 

$ 20

$ 10

$ 400

$ 350

$ 300

$ 250

$ 350

090909099

1010100010

111111111

12121212

1313

$ 0

099

10100

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

1212

1313

$ 200

0909009

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1313

2013   
ANNUAL  
REPORT

DONEGAL GROUP

Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company 

that offers property and casualty insurance through its

wholly owned insurance subsidiaries and through a pooling 

agreement with Donegal Mutual Insurance Company. The insur-

ance operations, rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company, market

full  lines  of personal and commercial insurance products through a 

network of independent insurance agencies in 22 states.

As an effective acquirer of small to medium-sized “main street” property and casualty 

insurers, Donegal Group has grown profitably for more than two decades. As reported

by Forbes, Donegal Group was named to a list of 100 Most Trustworthy Companies for 2013 

and 2012, ranking the company among firms that have consistently demonstrated transparent

and conservative accounting practices and solid corporate governance and management.

Donegal Group employs a multi-faceted strategy that includes prudent organic and

acquisition growth, conservative underwriting, pricing discipline, superior tech-

nological capabilities, efficient operations and conservative investing. This 

strategy is designed to allow Donegal Group to achieve its long-standing 

goal to outperform the property and casualty insurance industry in

terms of service, profitability and book value growth. Achiev-

ing that goal provides value to its insurance subsidiaries’ 

policyholders and to its stockholders.

Our long-range strategy for growth and success

1

To Our Stockholders

Since our inception in 1986, Donegal Group has followed a consistent business  

strategy with a steady focus on our long-term objectives of prudent premium growth,  

2013

underwriting profitability and book value growth. 

MILESTONES

6.2

PERCENT

TOTAL  
REVENUES

14.0

PERCENT

NET  
INCOME

We compete for quality property and casualty insurance business within  
an industry that continues to face external and internal challenges. Those  
global challenges include a continuing low interest rate environment that has  
constricted investment returns and excess capital levels that have contributed  
to a competitive premium rate environment in most lines of business.

In light of the continuing challenges our industry faces, we were pleased  
to achieve several significant milestones in 2013. Our total revenues for 2013  
increased 6.2 percent to $547.1 million, compared to $515.0 million for  
2012. We achieved 2013 net income of $26.3 million, or $1.02 per share of  
our Class A common stock on a diluted basis, compared to $23.1 million,  
or $.91 per share of our Class A common stock on a diluted basis, for 2012.  
Our net income for 2013 represented our highest level of annual earnings  
in the past five years, an accomplishment that reflects our substantial  
efforts to enhance our profitability over that time period.

We continue to expand our product offerings, leverage existing agency relationships and  

appoint additional commercially-focused agents. 

8.5

PERCENT

14.1

PERCENT

NET PREMIUMS 
EARNED

COMMERCIAL 
PREMIUMS

Our net premiums earned increased by a healthy 8.5 percent, representing  
a combination of solid organic growth in our commercial lines of insurance  
and the benefits of the premium rate increases we have implemented  
in the past two years. 

Our strategic efforts led to a 14.1 percent increase in net premiums written 
within our commercial insurance segment in 2013. We achieved this organic 
growth through a combination of renewal premium increases and new com-
mercial lines accounts throughout our operating regions. We will continue  
to seek to strengthen our relationships with our independent agents by  
providing excellent service, competitive compensation and state-of-the-art 
technology to facilitate efficient communications with them. 

2

DONEGAL GROUP

We also continue to pursue acquisitions as a core element of our forward strategy,  

searching for suitable acquisitions and affiliations to build on the ten transactions we  

have completed over the past 25 years. 

Our 2013 premium growth reflected continuing benefits from our December 
2010 acquisition of Michigan Insurance Company. At the time of our acquisi-
tion, Michigan reinsured 50 percent of its premiums through a quota-share 
reinsurance agreement with third parties. Since our acquisition, Michigan  
has gradually reduced the amount of its premiums it reinsures as we have  
integrated Michigan into our operations. For 2012 and 2013, Michigan  
reduced its external reinsurance to 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. 
For 2014, Michigan has reduced further the level of its external quota-share 
reinsurance from 30 percent to 20 percent, which we estimate will add  
another $10 million to our net premiums written, not counting any growth  
from new business or rate increases. This strategy has continued to provide  
us acquisition-driven premium growth over a multi-year time horizon.

$10

MILLION

ESTIMATED 
ACQUISITION 
NET PREMIUM
INCREASE 
IN 2014

Increased premium revenue from strategic growth initiatives and higher premium rates  

was a key component of our improved underwriting results.  

Our statutory combined ratio for 2013 improved to 97.4 percent, comparing 
favorably to our statutory combined ratio of 99.8 percent for 2012 and A.M. 
Best Company’s projected industry statutory combined ratio of 97.6 percent 
for 2013. Fewer weather losses and a lower frequency of casualty losses  
also contributed to the improvement in our underwriting profitability.

97.4

PERCENT

STATUTORY  
COMBINED RATIO

We continue to view underwriting profitability as our primary revenue source, but we  

also strive to supplement that income with stable investment income. 

As a result of increases in market interest rates during 2013, we experienced 
a decrease in the market value of our fixed-maturity investment portfolio.  
That decrease led to a modest decrease in our book value to $15.02 per  
share of our common stock at December 31, 2013, compared to  
$15.63 at December 31, 2012.

2013   
ANNUAL  
REPORT

3

Our affiliation with Donegal Mutual Insurance Company provides our insurance subsidiaries  

2013

access to state-of-the-art technology tools.  

MILESTONES

These technology tools allow our insurance subsidiaries to improve operational 
efficiency and to provide excellent service to their agents and customers.  

During 2013, we fully integrated Michigan Insurance Company’s systems into 
those of Donegal Mutual. This integration reduced Michigan’s operating costs 
and enhanced its service levels to agents and customers. We also introduced  
a new mobile application during 2013 that allows our insurance subsidiaries’  
customers to access their policy information, pay their premiums and report 
claims from their mobile phones. During 2014, Donegal Mutual has begun  
to develop a new policy billing system and a new personal lines rating system  
that will replace its legacy systems and significantly enhance our combined  
insurance operations when fully implemented.

CUSTOMER 
MOBILE APP

We reaffirm our long-held belief that substantial opportunity exists for a well-capitalized  

regional insurance group with a solid business strategy to grow profitably and compete  

effectively with national property and casualty insurance companies. 

OUR  
LONG-RANGE 
STRATEGY

We remain focused on expanding our insurance operations within our  
regional insurance markets. We believe we can continue to excel as a regional 
provider of quality property and casualty insurance products. We believe we 
have established a successful track record of growth and profitability, and we 
remain committed to achieving our long-standing goals to outperform the  
property and casualty insurance industry in terms of service, profitability  
and book value growth.

We are executing our long-range strategy for growth and success that we  
believe will enhance the value of our stockholders’ investment. We appreciate 
your confidence as we manage operations to achieve our long-term objectives.

Donald H. Nikolaus
PRESIDENT

4

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013

OR

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 0-15341

DONEGAL GROUP INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

1195 River Road, Marietta, Pennsylvania

(Address of principal executive offices)

23-2424711

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

17547

(Zip code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (888) 877-0600

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act: Yes 

. No 

.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes 

. No 

.

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 

. No 

.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File 
required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes 

. No 

.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to 
the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements we incorporate by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any 
amendment to this Form 10-K. 

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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” or “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

Large accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company. Yes 

. No 

.

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the 
common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently 
completed second fiscal quarter. $191,025,187.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 20,870,231 shares of 
Class A common stock and 5,576,775 shares of Class B common stock outstanding on March 1, 2014.

The registrant incorporates by reference portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to registrant’s annual meeting of 

stockholders to be held April 17, 2014 into Part III of this report.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DONEGAL GROUP INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-K REPORT

PART I

Item 1.

Business

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 4.

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Reserved

Executive Officers of the Company

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 

Securities

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8.

Item 9.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Item 9B. Other Information

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of the Registrant

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Page

1

22

33

33

33

33

34

35

38

39
54

56

92

92

92

94

94

94

94

94

95

(i)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

Item 1.     Business.

Introduction

PART I

Donegal Group Inc., or DGI, is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries offer personal and commercial 

lines of property and casualty insurance to businesses and individuals in 22 Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England and 
Southern states. As used herein, the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Donegal Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company, or Donegal Mutual, organized us as an insurance holding company on August 26, 

1986. At December 31, 2013, Donegal Mutual held approximately 37% of our outstanding Class A common stock and 
approximately 76% of our outstanding Class B common stock. This ownership provides Donegal Mutual with approximately 
65% of the aggregate voting power of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock and our outstanding shares of Class B 
common stock. Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual have interrelated operations due to a pooling agreement and 
other intercompany agreements and transactions we describe in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 
While maintaining the separate corporate existence of each company, our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual conduct 
business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. As such, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share the same 
business philosophy, the same management, the same employees and the same facilities and offer the same types of insurance 
products. 

We have been an effective consolidator of smaller “main street” property and casualty insurance companies, and we expect 
to continue to acquire other insurance companies to expand our business in a given region or to commence operations in a new 
region. Since 1995, we have completed six acquisitions of property and casualty insurance companies or began to participate in 
their business through Donegal Mutual's entry into quota-share reinsurance agreements with them.

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual provide their policyholders with a selection of insurance products at 

competitive rates, while pursuing profitability by adhering to a strict underwriting discipline. Our insurance subsidiaries derive 
a substantial portion of their insurance business from smaller to mid-sized regional communities. We believe this focus 
provides our insurance subsidiaries with competitive advantages in terms of local market knowledge, marketing, underwriting, 
claims servicing and policyholder service. At the same time, we believe our insurance subsidiaries have cost advantages over 
many smaller regional insurers that result from economies of scale they realize through centralized accounting, administrative, 
data processing, investment and other services.

We believe we have a substantial opportunity, as a well-capitalized regional insurance holding company with a solid 
business strategy, to grow profitably and compete effectively with national property and casualty insurers. Our downstream 
holding company structure, with Donegal Mutual holding approximately 65% of the aggregate voting power of our common 
stock, has proven its effectiveness and success over the past 28 years of our existence. Over that time frame, we have grown 
significantly in terms of revenue and financial strength, and the Donegal Insurance Group has developed an excellent 
reputation as a regional group of property and casualty insurers.

We own 48.2% of Donegal Financial Services Corporation, or DFSC. DFSC is a grandfathered unitary savings and loan 
holding company that owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Union Community Bank, a state savings bank, or UCB. UCB 
has 13 banking offices, all of which are located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Donegal Mutual owns the remaining 51.8% 
of DFSC. For further information regarding DFSC, we refer to "Business - Donegal Financial Services Corporation" in this 
Form 10-K Annual Report. 

We have four segments: our investment function, our personal lines of insurance, our commercial lines of insurance and our 
investment in DFSC. We set forth financial information about these segments in Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements. The personal lines products of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of homeowners and private passenger 
automobile policies. The commercial lines products of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of commercial automobile, 
commercial multi-peril and workers' compensation policies. 

Available Information

You may obtain our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, including this Form 10-K Annual Report, our quarterly reports on 
Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, our proxy statement and our other filings pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, or the Exchange Act, without charge by viewing our website at www.donegalgroup.com. You may also view our Code 
of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of our executive committee, our audit committee, our compensation committee 
-1-

and our nominating committee on our website. Upon request to our corporate secretary, we will also provide printed copies of 
any of these documents to you without charge. We have provided the address of our website solely for the information of 
investors. We do not intend the reference to our website address to be an active link or to otherwise incorporate the contents of 
our website into this Form 10-K Annual Report.

History and Organizational Structure

In the mid-1980's, Donegal Mutual recognized the desirability, as a mutual insurance company, of developing additional 
sources of capital and surplus so it could remain competitive and have the surplus to expand its business and ensure its long-
term viability.  Donegal Mutual determined to implement a downstream holding company structure as one of its business 
strategies.  Accordingly, in 1986, Donegal Mutual formed us as a downstream holding company.  Initially, Donegal Mutual 
owned all of our outstanding common stock.  After Donegal Mutual formed us, we in turn formed Atlantic States as our wholly 
owned property and casualty insurance company subsidiary.  

In connection with the establishment of Atlantic States and our downstream insurance holding company system, Donegal 

Mutual and DGI entered into a proportional reinsurance agreement, or pooling agreement, that became effective October 1, 
1986.  Under the pooling agreement, Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States pool substantially all of their respective premiums, 
losses and loss expenses to the reinsurance pool, and the reinsurance pool, acting through Donegal Mutual, then cedes a portion 
of the pooled business, currently 80%, to our subsidiary, Atlantic States.  Since we established Atlantic States in 1986, Donegal 
Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries have conducted business together as the Donegal Insurance Group, while retaining their 
separate legal and corporate existences.  Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States share the underwriting results in proportion to 
their respective participation in the underwriting pool.  As the Donegal Insurance Group, Donegal Mutual and our insurance 
subsidiaries share a combined business plan to enhance market penetration and underwriting profitability objectives.  As such, 
Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share the same business philosophies, the same management, the same 
employees and the same facilities and offer the same types of insurance products.  We believe Donegal Mutual's majority 
interest in the combined voting power of our Class A common stock and of our Class B common stock fosters our ability to 
implement our business philosophies, enjoy management continuity, maintain superior employee relations and provide a stable 
environment within which we can grow our businesses.  

The products Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries offer are generally complementary, which permits the 
Donegal Insurance Group to offer a broad range of products in a given market and to expand the Donegal Insurance Group's 
ability to service an entire personal lines or commercial lines account.  Distinctions within the products Donegal Mutual and 
our insurance subsidiaries offer generally relate to specific risk profiles within similar classes of business, such as preferred tier 
products versus standard tier products.  Donegal Mutual and we do not allocate all of the standard risk gradients to one 
company.  As a result, the underwriting profitability of the business the individual companies write directly will vary.  
However, the underwriting pool homogenizes the risk characteristics of all business Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States write 
directly.  We receive 80% of the results of the underwriting pool because Atlantic States has an 80% participation in the pool.  
The business Atlantic States derives from the underwriting pool represents a significant percentage of our total consolidated 
revenues.  However, that percentage has gradually decreased over the past few years as we have acquired a number of other 
property and casualty insurance companies in other jurisdictions that do not participate in the underwriting pool. 

As the capital of Atlantic States and our other insurance subsidiaries has increased, the underwriting capacity of our 

insurance subsidiaries, including Atlantic States, has proportionately increased.  The size of the underwriting pool has increased 
substantially.  Therefore, as we originally planned in the mid-1980s, Atlantic States has successfully raised the capital necessary 
to support the growth of its direct business as well as to accept increases in its allocation of business from the underwriting 
pool.  In addition, the portion of the underwriting pool allocated to Atlantic States has increased from an initial allocation of 
35% in 1986 to an 80% allocation since March 1, 2008.  We do not anticipate any further change in the pooling agreement 
between Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual in the foreseeable future, including any change in the percentage participation of 
Atlantic States in the underwriting pool.

In addition to Atlantic States, our insurance subsidiaries include Southern Insurance Company of Virginia, or Southern, Le 

Mars Insurance Company, or Le Mars, The Peninsula Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Peninsula 
Indemnity Company, or collectively, Peninsula, Sheboygan Falls Insurance Company, or Sheboygan, and Michigan Insurance 
Company, or MICO. We also benefit from Donegal Mutual’s 100% quota-share reinsurance agreement with Southern Mutual 
Insurance Company, or Southern Mutual, and Donegal Mutual’s placement of its assumed business from Southern Mutual into 
the pooling agreement. 

-2-

The following chart depicts our organizational structure. The chart depicts all of our property and casualty insurance 
subsidiaries, Southern Mutual and our interest in DFSC:

Because of the different relative voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, our public stockholders 

(1) 
hold approximately 34.6% of the aggregate voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock and Donegal Mutual 
holds approximately 65.4% of the aggregate voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock.

Relationship with Donegal Mutual

Donegal Mutual provides facilities, personnel and other services to us and our insurance subsidiaries. Donegal Mutual 
allocates certain related expenses to Atlantic States in relation to the relative participation of Donegal Mutual and Atlantic 
States in the underwriting pool. Our insurance subsidiaries other than Atlantic States reimburse Donegal Mutual for their 
respective personnel costs and bear their proportionate share of information services costs based on their respective percentage 
of the total written premiums of the Donegal Insurance Group. Charges for these services totaled $94.0 million, $78.8 million 
and $64.7 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Our insurance subsidiaries have various reinsurance arrangements with Donegal Mutual. These agreements include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

excess of loss reinsurance agreements with Le Mars, Peninsula, Sheboygan and Southern;

catastrophe reinsurance agreements with Atlantic States, Le Mars and Southern;

a quota-share reinsurance agreement with Le Mars;

a quota-share reinsurance agreement with Peninsula; and

a quota-share reinsurance agreement with MICO.

The purpose of the excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance agreements is to lessen the effects of a single large loss, or 

an accumulation of smaller losses arising from one event, to levels that are appropriate given each subsidiary's size, 
underwriting profile and surplus position.

The purpose of the quota-share reinsurance agreement with Le Mars is to transfer to Le Mars 100% of the premiums and 

losses related to certain products Donegal Mutual offers in certain Midwest states, which provide the availability of 
complementary products to Le Mars' commercial accounts.

The purpose of the quota-share reinsurance agreement with Peninsula is to transfer to Donegal Mutual 100% of the 
premiums and losses related to the workers' compensation product line of Peninsula in certain states, which provides the 

-3-

availability of an additional workers' compensation tier to Donegal Mutual's commercial accounts. Donegal Mutual places its 
assumed business from Peninsula into the underwriting pool.

The purpose of the quota-share reinsurance agreement with MICO is to transfer to Donegal Mutual 25% of the premiums 

and losses related to MICO's business. Donegal Mutual places its assumed business from MICO into the underwriting pool.

Effective November 1, 2012, Donegal Mutual and Southern terminated their quota-share reinsurance agreement on a run-
off basis. The intent of the quota-share reinsurance agreement with Southern was to transfer to Southern 100% of the premiums 
and losses related to certain personal lines products Donegal Mutual offered in Virginia through the use of its automated policy 
quoting and issuance system.

We and Donegal Mutual have maintained a coordinating committee since our formation in 1986. The coordinating 
committee consists of two members of our board of directors, neither of whom is a member of Donegal Mutual’s board of 
directors, and two members of Donegal Mutual’s board of directors, neither of whom is a member of our board of directors. 
The purpose of the coordinating committee is to establish and maintain a process for an annual evaluation of the transactions 
between Donegal Mutual, our insurance subsidiaries and us. The coordinating committee considers the fairness of each 
intercompany transaction to Donegal Mutual and its policyholders and to us and our stockholders.

A new agreement or any change to a previously approved agreement must receive coordinating committee approval. The 

coordinating committee approval process for a new agreement between Donegal Mutual and us or one of our insurance 
subsidiaries or a change in such an agreement is as follows:

• 

• 

• 

• 

both of our members on the coordinating committee must determine that the new agreement or the change in an 
existing agreement is fair and equitable to us and in the best interests of our stockholders;

both of Donegal Mutual’s members on the coordinating committee must determine that the new agreement or the 
change in an existing agreement is fair and equitable to Donegal Mutual and in the best interests of its policyholders;

the new agreement or the change in an existing agreement must be approved by our board of directors; and

the new agreement or the change in an existing agreement must be approved by Donegal Mutual's board of directors.

The coordinating committee also meets annually to review each existing agreement between Donegal Mutual and us or our 

insurance subsidiaries, including all reinsurance agreements between Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries. The 
purpose of this annual review is to examine the results of the agreements over the past year and, in the case of reinsurance 
agreements, over a five-year period and to determine if the results of the existing agreements remain fair and equitable to us 
and our stockholders and fair and equitable to Donegal Mutual and its policyholders or if Donegal Mutual and we should 
mutually agree to certain adjustments. In the case of these reinsurance agreements, the annual adjustments typically relate to 
the reinsurance premiums, losses and reinstatement premiums. These agreements are ongoing in nature and will continue in 
effect throughout 2014 in the ordinary course of business.

Our members on the coordinating committee, as of the date of this Form 10-K Annual Report, are Robert S. Bolinger and 
John J. Lyons. Donegal Mutual’s members on the coordinating committee as of such date are Dennis J. Bixenman and John E. 
Hiestand. We refer to our proxy statement for our annual meeting of stockholders on April 17, 2014 for further information 
about the members of the coordinating committee. 

We believe our relationships with Donegal Mutual offer us and our insurance subsidiaries a number of competitive 

advantages, including the following:

• 

• 

• 

enabling our stable management, the consistent underwriting discipline of our insurance subsidiaries, external growth, 
long-term profitability and financial strength;

creating operational and expense synergies from the combination of resources and integrated operations of Donegal 
Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries;

enhancing our opportunities to expand by acquisition because of the ability of Donegal Mutual to affiliate with and 
acquire control of other mutual insurance companies and, thereafter, demutualize them and combine them with us;

-4-

 
• 

• 

• 

producing more stable and uniform underwriting results for our insurance subsidiaries over extended periods of time 
than we could achieve without our relationship with Donegal Mutual;

providing opportunities for growth because of the ability of Donegal Mutual to enter into reinsurance agreements with 
other mutual insurance companies and place the business it assumes into the pooling agreement; and

providing Atlantic States with a significantly larger underwriting capacity because of the underwriting pool Donegal 
Mutual and Atlantic States have maintained since 1986.

In the latter portion of the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, our board of directors and the board of 
directors of Donegal Mutual each undertook a review of the relationships of Donegal Mutual and DGI and determined that 
continuing the current relationships and the current corporate structure of Donegal Mutual and DGI is in the best interests of 
DGI and its various constituencies.

Business Strategy

Our strategy is designed to allow our insurance subsidiaries to achieve their longstanding goal of outperforming the United 

States property and casualty insurance industry in terms of profitability and service, thereby providing value to the 
policyholders of our insurance subsidiaries and, ultimately, providing value to our stockholders. The annual net premiums 
earned of our insurance subsidiaries have increased from $265.8 million in 2004 to $515.3 million in 2013, a compound annual 
growth rate of 7.6%. Over the same time period, our insurance subsidiaries have generally achieved a statutory combined ratio 
more favorable than that of the United States property and casualty insurance industry as a whole. 

The combined ratio of our insurance subsidiaries and that of the United States property and casualty insurance industry as 
computed using United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and statutory accounting principles, or SAP, 
for the years 2009 through 2013 are shown in the following table:

Our GAAP combined ratio (1)
Our SAP combined ratio
Industry SAP combined ratio (2)

2013
98.8%

97.4

97.6

2012
101.6%

99.8

102.2

2011
110.6%

107.9

106.7

2010
104.7%

102.9

101.2

2009
102.2%

101.1

99.5

(1)  Our GAAP combined ratio for 2011 was adversely affected by accounting adjustments related to the acquisition of MICO. 
(2)  As reported or projected by A.M. Best Company.

We and Donegal Mutual believe we can continue to expand our insurance operations over time through organic growth and 

acquisitions of, or affiliations with, other insurance companies. We and Donegal Mutual have enhanced the performance of 
companies we have acquired, while leveraging the acquired companies' core strengths and local market knowledge to expand 
their operations. Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual also seek to increase their premium base by making quality 
independent agency appointments, enhancing their competitive position within each agency, introducing new and enhanced 
insurance products and developing and maintaining automated systems to improve service, communications and efficiency.

We translate these initiatives into our book value growth in a number of ways, including the following:

•  maintaining a conservative underwriting culture and pricing discipline to sustain our record of underwriting 

profitability;

• 

continuing our investment in technology to achieve operating efficiencies that lower expenses, enhance the service we 
provide to agencies and policyholders and increase the speed of our communications with agencies and policyholders; 
and

•  maintaining a conservative investment approach.

-5-

A detailed review of our business strategies follows:

•  Achieving underwriting profitability.

Our insurance subsidiaries focus on achieving a combined ratio of less than 100%. Our insurance subsidiaries achieved that 

objective in 2013, and we remain committed to achieving consistent underwriting profitability. We believe that underwriting 
profitability is a fundamental component of our long-term financial strength because it allows our insurance subsidiaries to 
generate profits without relying exclusively on their investment income. Our insurance subsidiaries seek to enhance their 
underwriting results by:

• 

• 

carefully selecting the product lines they underwrite;

carefully selecting the individual risks they underwrite;

•  minimizing their individual exposure to catastrophe-prone areas; and

• 

evaluating their claims history on a regular basis to ensure the adequacy of their underwriting guidelines and 
product pricing.

Our insurance subsidiaries have no material exposures to asbestos and environmental liabilities. Our insurance subsidiaries 

seek to provide more than one policy to a given personal lines or commercial lines customer because this “account selling” 
strategy diversifies their risk and has historically improved their underwriting results. Our insurance subsidiaries also use 
reinsurance to manage their exposure and limit their maximum net loss from large single risks or risks in concentrated areas. 
Our insurance subsidiaries believe these practices are key factors in their ability to maintain a statutory combined ratio that has 
generally been more favorable than the combined ratio of the United States property and casualty insurance industry.

•  Pursuing profitable growth by organic expansion within the traditional operating territories of our insurance 

subsidiaries through developing and maintaining quality agency representation.

We believe that continued expansion of our insurance subsidiaries within their existing markets will be a key source of their 

continued premium growth and that maintaining an effective and growing network of independent agencies is integral to their 
expansion. Our insurance subsidiaries seek to be among the top three insurers within each of the independent agencies for the 
lines of business our insurance subsidiaries write by providing a consistent, competitive and stable market for their products. 
We believe that the consistency of their product offerings enables our insurance subsidiaries to compete effectively for agents 
with other insurers whose product offerings fluctuate based on industry conditions. Our insurance subsidiaries offer a 
competitive compensation program to their independent agents that rewards them for producing profitable growth for our 
insurance subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries provide their independent agents with ongoing support to enable them to 
better attract and service customers, including:

• 

fully automated underwriting and policy issuance systems for both personal, commercial and farm lines of 
insurance;

• 

training programs;

•  marketing support;

• 

• 

availability of a service center that provides comprehensive service for our personal lines policyholders; and

field visitations by marketing and underwriting personnel and senior management of our insurance subsidiaries.

Our insurance subsidiaries appoint independent agencies with a strong underwriting and growth track record. We believe 

that our insurance subsidiaries, by carefully selecting, motivating and supporting their independent agencies, will drive 
continued long-term growth.

-6-

•  Acquiring property and casualty insurance companies to augment the organic growth of our insurance subsidiaries 

in existing markets and to expand into new geographic regions.

We have been an effective consolidator of smaller “main street” property and casualty insurance companies, and we expect 
to continue to acquire other insurance companies to expand our business in a given region or to commence operations in a new 
region. 

Since 1995, we have completed six acquisitions of property and casualty insurance companies or participated in their 
business through Donegal Mutual's entry into quota-share reinsurance agreements with them. We intend to continue our growth 
by pursuing affiliations and acquisitions that meet our criteria. Our primary criteria are:

• 

• 

• 

• 

location in regions where our insurance subsidiaries are currently conducting business or that offer an attractive 
opportunity to conduct profitable business;

a mix of business similar to the mix of business of our insurance subsidiaries;

premium volume up to $100.0 million; and

fair and reasonable transaction terms.

We believe that our interrelationship with Donegal Mutual assists us in pursuing affiliations with, and subsequent 
acquisitions of, mutual insurance companies because, through Donegal Mutual, we understand the concerns and issues that 
mutual insurance companies face. In particular, Donegal Mutual has had success affiliating with underperforming mutual 
insurance companies, and we have either acquired them following their conversion to a stock company or benefited from their 
underwriting results as a result of Donegal Mutual's entry into a 100% quota-share reinsurance agreement with them and 
placement of its assumed business into the pooling agreement. We have utilized our strengths and financial position to improve 
the operations of those underperforming insurance companies significantly. We evaluate a number of areas for operational 
synergies when considering acquisitions, including product underwriting, expenses, the cost of reinsurance and technology.

We and Donegal Mutual have the ability to employ a number of acquisition and affiliation methods. Our prior acquisitions 

and affiliations have taken one of the following forms:

• 

• 

• 

• 

purchase of all of the outstanding stock of a stock insurance company;

purchase of a book of business;

quota-share reinsurance transaction; or

two-step acquisition of a mutual insurance company in which:

• 

• 

as the first step, Donegal Mutual purchases a surplus note from the mutual insurance company, Donegal 
Mutual enters into a services agreement with the mutual insurance company and Donegal Mutual’s 
designees become a majority of the members of the board of directors of the mutual insurance company; 
and

as the second step, the mutual insurance company enters into a quota-share reinsurance agreement with 
Donegal Mutual or demutualizes, or converts, into a stock insurance company. Upon the demutualization 
or conversion, we purchase the surplus note from Donegal Mutual and exchange it for all of the stock of 
the stock insurance company resulting from the demutualization or conversion.

We believe that our ability to make direct acquisitions of stock insurance companies and to make indirect acquisitions of 

mutual insurance companies through a sponsored conversion or a quota-share reinsurance agreement provides us with 
flexibility that is a competitive advantage in making acquisitions. We also believe our historic record clearly demonstrates our 
ability to acquire control of an underperforming insurance company, re-underwrite its book of business, reduce its cost structure 
and return it to sustained profitability.

While Donegal Mutual and we generally engage in preliminary discussions with potential direct or indirect acquisition 
candidates on an almost continuous basis and are so engaged at the date of this Form 10-K Report, neither Donegal Mutual nor 

-7-

we make any public disclosure regarding a proposed acquisition until Donegal Mutual or we have entered into a definitive 
acquisition agreement.

The following table highlights our history of insurance company acquisitions and affiliations since 1988:

Company Name

Southern Mutual Insurance

Company and now Southern
Insurance Company of Virginia

Pioneer Mutual Insurance 

Company and then Pioneer 
Insurance Company (1)(2)

State of Domicile
Virginia

Year Control
Acquired
1984

Ohio

1992

Delaware Mutual Insurance 

Delaware

1993

Company and then Delaware 
Atlantic Insurance Company (1)(2)

New York

1995

Pioneer Mutual Insurance 

Company and then Pioneer 
Insurance Company (1)(2)

Southern Heritage Insurance 

Company (2)

Method of Acquisition/Affiliation
Surplus note investment by Donegal Mutual in 1984;
demutualization in 1988; acquisition of stock by us in
1988.

Surplus note investment by Donegal Mutual in 1992;
demutualization in 1993; acquisition of stock by us in
1997.

Surplus note investment by Donegal Mutual in 1993;
demutualization in 1994; acquisition of stock by us in
1995.

Surplus note investment by Donegal Mutual in 1995;
demutualization in 1998; acquisition of stock by us in
2001.

Georgia

1998

Purchase of stock by us in 1998.

Le Mars Mutual Insurance 

Company of Iowa and now Le 
Mars Insurance Company (1)

Iowa

Peninsula Insurance Group

Sheboygan Falls Mutual Insurance 
Company and now Sheboygan 
Falls Insurance Company (1)

Maryland

Wisconsin

Southern Mutual Insurance 

Company (3)

Georgia

Michigan Insurance Company

Michigan

2002

2004

2007

2009

2010

Surplus note investment by Donegal Mutual in 2002;
demutualization in 2004; acquisition of stock by us in
2004.

Purchase of stock by us in 2004.

Contribution note investment by Donegal Mutual in
2007; demutualization in 2008; acquisition of stock
by us in 2008.

Surplus note investment by Donegal Mutual and
quota-share reinsurance in 2009.

Purchase of stock by us and surplus note investment
by Donegal Mutual in 2010.

(1)  Each of these acquisitions initially took the form of an affiliation with Donegal Mutual. Donegal Mutual provided surplus note 

financing to the insurance company, and, in connection therewith, sufficient designees of Donegal Mutual were appointed so as to 
constitute a majority of the members of the board of directors of the insurance company. Donegal Mutual and the insurance 
company simultaneously entered into a services agreement whereby Donegal Mutual provided services to improve the operations of 
the insurance company. Once the insurance company's results of operations improved to the satisfaction of Donegal Mutual, 
Donegal Mutual sponsored the demutualization of the insurance company. Upon the consummation of the demutualization, 
Donegal Mutual converted the surplus note to capital stock of the newly demutualized insurance company. We then purchased all of 
the capital stock of the insurance company from Donegal Mutual and made an additional capital contribution in cash to assure 
compliance with minimum capital and surplus requirements and to provide adequate surplus to support the insurance company's 
planned premium growth. 

(2)  To reduce administrative and compliance costs and expenses, these subsidiaries subsequently merged into one of our existing 

insurance subsidiaries.

(3)  Control acquired by Donegal Mutual.

•  Providing responsive and friendly customer and agent service to enable our insurance subsidiaries to attract new 

policyholders and retain existing policyholders.

We believe that excellent policyholder service is important in attracting new policyholders and retaining existing 

policyholders. Our insurance subsidiaries work closely with their independent agents to provide a consistently responsive level 
of claims service, underwriting and customer support. Our insurance subsidiaries seek to respond expeditiously and effectively 
to address customer and independent agent inquiries in a number of ways, including:

-8-

• 

• 

• 

• 

availability of a customer call center for claims reporting;

availability of a secure website for access to policy information and documents, payment processing and other 
features;

timely replies to information requests and policy submissions; and

prompt responses to and processing of claims.

Our insurance subsidiaries periodically conduct policyholder surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of their service to 
policyholders. The management of our insurance subsidiaries meets on a regular basis with the personnel of the independent 
insurance agents our insurance subsidiaries appoint to seek service improvement recommendations, react to service issues and 
better understand local market conditions.

•  Maintaining premium rate adequacy to enhance the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries, while 

maintaining their existing book of business and preserving their ability to write new business.

Our insurance subsidiaries seek discipline in their pricing by effecting rate increases to maintain or improve their 

underwriting profitability without unduly affecting their customer retention. In addition to appropriate pricing, our insurance 
subsidiaries seek to ensure that their premium rates are adequate relative to the amount of risk they insure. Our insurance 
subsidiaries review loss trends on a periodic basis to identify changes in the frequency and severity of their claims and to assess 
the adequacy of their rates and underwriting standards. Our insurance subsidiaries also carefully monitor and audit the 
information they use to price their policies for the purpose of enabling them to receive an adequate level of premiums for the 
risk they assume. For example, our insurance subsidiaries inspect substantially all commercial lines risks and a substantial 
number of personal lines property risks before they commit to insure them to determine the adequacy of the insured amount to 
the value of the insured property, assess property conditions and identify any liability exposures. Our insurance subsidiaries 
audit the payroll data of their workers’ compensation customers to verify that the assumptions used to price a particular policy 
were accurate. By implementing appropriate rate increases and understanding the risks our insurance subsidiaries agree to 
insure, they are generally able to achieve their strategy of achieving consistent underwriting profitability.

•  Focusing on expense controls and utilization of technology to increase the operating efficiency of our insurance 

subsidiaries.

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain stringent expense controls under direct supervision of their senior management. We 

centralize many processing and administrative activities of our insurance subsidiaries to realize operating synergies and better 
control expenses. Our insurance subsidiaries utilize technology to automate much of their underwriting and to facilitate agency 
and policyholder communications on an efficient, timely and cost-effective basis. We operate on a paperless basis. As a result 
of our focus on expense control, our insurance subsidiaries have reduced their expense ratio from 36.6% in 1999 to 31.8% in 
2013. Our insurance subsidiaries have also increased their annual premium per employee, a measure of efficiency that our 
insurance subsidiaries use to evaluate their operations, from approximately $470,000 in 1999 to approximately $915,000 in 
2013.

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain technology comparable to that of the largest of their competitors. “Ease of doing 
business” is an increasingly important component of an insurer’s value to an independent agency. Our insurance subsidiaries 
provide a fully automated personal lines underwriting and policy issuance system called “WritePro®.” WritePro® is a web-
based user interface that substantially eases data entry and facilitates the quoting and issuance of policies for the independent 
agents of our insurance subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries also provide a similar commercial business system called 
“WriteBiz®.” WriteBiz® is a web-based user interface that provides the independent agents of our insurance subsidiaries with 
an online ability to quote and issue commercial automobile, workers’ compensation, business owners and tradesman policies 
automatically. WriteFarm® is a web-based user interface that provides the independent agents of our insurance subsidiaries with 
an online ability to quote and issue farm policies. As a result, applications of the independent agents for our insurance 
subsidiaries can become policies without further re-entry of information. These systems also interface with the policy 
management systems of the independent agents of our insurance subsidiaries.

•  Maintaining a conservative investment approach.

Return on invested assets is an important element of the financial results of our insurance subsidiaries. The investment 

strategy of our insurance subsidiaries is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on invested assets while 
minimizing credit risk through investments in high-quality securities. As a result, our insurance subsidiaries seek to invest a 

-9-

high percentage of their assets in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity instruments. The fixed-maturity 
portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries consist of both taxable and tax-exempt securities. Our insurance subsidiaries maintain a 
portion of their portfolios in short-term securities to provide liquidity for the payment of claims and operation of their 
respective businesses. Our insurance subsidiaries maintain a negligible percentage (1.5% at December 31, 2013) of their 
portfolios in equity securities. 

Competition

The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive on the basis of both price and service. Numerous 

companies compete for business in the geographic areas where our insurance subsidiaries operate. Many of these other 
insurance companies are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than those of our insurance subsidiaries. In 
addition, because our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual market their respective insurance products exclusively 
through independent insurance agencies, most of which represent more than one insurance company, our insurance subsidiaries 
face competition within agencies, as well as competition to retain qualified independent agents.

Products and Underwriting

We report the results of our insurance operations in two segments: personal lines of insurance and commercial lines of 

insurance. The personal lines our insurance subsidiaries write consist primarily of private passenger automobile and 
homeowners insurance. The commercial lines our insurance subsidiaries write consist primarily of commercial automobile, 
commercial multi-peril and workers’ compensation insurance. We describe these lines of insurance in greater detail below:

Personal

• 

Private passenger automobile — policies that provide protection against liability for bodily injury and property 
damage arising from automobile accidents and protection against loss from damage to automobiles owned by the 
insured.

•  Homeowners — policies that provide coverage for damage to residences and their contents from a broad range of 
perils, including fire, lightning, windstorm and theft. These policies also cover liability of the insured arising from 
injury to other persons or their property while on the insured’s property and under other specified conditions.

Commercial

•  Commercial automobile — policies that provide protection against liability for bodily injury and property damage 

arising from automobile accidents and protection against loss from damage to automobiles owned by the insured.

•  Commercial multi-peril — policies that provide protection to businesses against many perils, usually combining 

liability and physical damage coverages.

•  Workers’ compensation — policies employers purchase to provide benefits to employees for injuries sustained during 

employment. The workers’ compensation laws of each state determine the extent of the coverage we provide.

-10-

     
     
The following table sets forth the net premiums written of our insurance subsidiaries by line of insurance for the periods 

indicated:

(dollars in thousands)

Personal lines:

Automobile

Homeowners

Other

Total personal lines

Commercial lines:

Automobile

Workers’ compensation

Commercial multi-peril

Other

Total commercial lines

Total business

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

$ 196,363

36.8% $ 195,132

39.3% $ 186,677

41.1%

106,420

15,915

318,698

58,165

77,589

74,516

4,463

214,733

20.0

3.0

59.8

10.9

14.5

14.0

0.8

40.2

97,120

16,319

308,571

51,261

65,390

64,476

6,749

187,876

19.6

3.3

62.2

10.3

13.2

13.0

1.3

37.8

89,405

14,983

291,065

46,168

51,849

57,988

6,981

162,986

19.7

3.3

64.1

10.2

11.4

12.8

1.5

35.9

$ 533,431

100.0% $ 496,447

100.0% $ 454,051

100.0%

The personal lines and commercial lines underwriting departments of our insurance subsidiaries evaluate and select those 
risks that they believe will enable our insurance subsidiaries to achieve an underwriting profit. The underwriting departments 
have significant interaction with the independent agents regarding the underwriting philosophy and the underwriting guidelines 
of our insurance subsidiaries. Our underwriting personnel also assist the research and development department in the 
development of quality products at competitive prices to promote growth and profitability.

In order to achieve underwriting profitability on a consistent basis, our insurance subsidiaries:

• 

• 

• 

• 

assess and select quality standard and preferred risks;

adhere to disciplined underwriting and re-underwriting guidelines;

inspect substantially all commercial lines risks and a substantial number of personal lines property risks; and

utilize various types of risk management and loss control services.

Our insurance subsidiaries also review their existing policies and accounts to determine whether those risks continue to 

meet their underwriting guidelines. If a given policy or account no longer meets those underwriting guidelines, our insurance 
subsidiaries will take appropriate action regarding that policy or account, including raising premium rates or non-renewing the 
policy to the extent applicable law permits.

As part of the effort of our insurance subsidiaries to maintain acceptable underwriting results, they conduct annual reviews 

of agencies that have failed to meet their underwriting profitability criteria. The review process includes an analysis of the 
underwriting and re-underwriting practices of the agency, the completeness and accuracy of the applications the agency 
submits, the adequacy of the training of the agency’s staff and the agency’s record of adherence to the underwriting guidelines 
and service standards of our insurance subsidiaries. Based on the results of this review process, the marketing and underwriting 
personnel of our insurance subsidiaries develop, together with the agency, a plan to improve its underwriting profitability. Our 
insurance subsidiaries monitor the agency’s compliance with the plan and take other measures as required in the judgment of 
our insurance subsidiaries, including the termination to the extent applicable law permits of agencies that are unable to achieve 
acceptable underwriting profitability.

-11-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution

Our insurance subsidiaries market their products primarily in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England and Southern 
regions through approximately 2,600 independent insurance agencies. At December 31, 2013, the Donegal Insurance Group 
actively wrote business in 22 states (Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New 
Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin). We believe the relationships of our insurance subsidiaries with their independent agents 
are valuable in identifying, obtaining and retaining profitable business. Our insurance subsidiaries maintain a stringent agency 
selection procedure that emphasizes appointing agencies with proven marketing strategies for the development of profitable 
business, and our insurance subsidiaries only appoint agencies with a strong underwriting history and potential growth 
capabilities. Our insurance subsidiaries also regularly evaluate the independent agencies that represent them based on their 
profitability and performance in relation to the objectives of our insurance subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries seek to be 
among the top three insurers within each of their agencies for the lines of business they write.

The following table sets forth the percentage of direct premiums our insurance subsidiaries write, including 80% of the 

direct premiums Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States write, in each of the states where they conducted a significant portion of 
their business in 2013:

Pennsylvania

Michigan

Virginia

Maryland

Delaware

Georgia

Ohio

Wisconsin

Iowa

Tennessee

Nebraska

South Dakota

Ten other states

Total

37.3%

18.1

9.0

8.5

5.6

5.1

3.3

2.9

2.5

2.2

2.0

1.0

2.5

100.0%

Our insurance subsidiaries employ a number of policies and procedures that we believe enable them to attract, retain and 

motivate their independent agents. The consistency, competitiveness and stability of the product offerings of our insurance 
subsidiaries assist them in competing effectively for independent agents with other insurers whose product offerings may 
fluctuate based upon industry conditions. Our insurance subsidiaries have a competitive profit-sharing plan for their 
independent agents, consistent with applicable state laws and regulations, under which the independent agents may earn 
additional commissions based upon the volume of premiums produced and the profitability of the business our insurance 
subsidiaries receive from that agency. 

Our insurance subsidiaries encourage their independent agents to focus on “account selling,” or serving all of a particular 
insured’s property and casualty insurance needs, which our insurance subsidiaries believe generally results in more favorable 
loss experience than covering a single risk for an individual insured.

Technology

Donegal Mutual owns the majority of the technology systems our insurance subsidiaries use. The technology systems 
consist primarily of an integrated central processing computer system, a series of server-based computer networks and various 
communication systems that allow the home office of our insurance subsidiaries and their branch offices to utilize the same 
systems for the processing of business. Donegal Mutual maintains backup facilities and systems at the office of one of our 
insurance subsidiaries and through a contract with a leading provider of computer disaster recovery sites and tests these backup 
facilities and systems on a regular basis. Our insurance subsidiaries bear their proportionate share of information services 
expenses based on their respective percentage of the total net written premiums of the Donegal Insurance Group.

-12-

The business strategy of our insurance subsidiaries depends on the use, development and implementation of integrated 

technology systems. These systems enable our insurance subsidiaries to provide a high level of service to agents and 
policyholders by processing business in a timely and efficient manner, communicating and sharing data with agents, providing 
a variety of methods for the payment of premiums and allowing for the accumulation and analysis of information for the 
management of our insurance subsidiaries.

We believe the availability and use of these technology systems has resulted in improved service to agents and 

policyholders, increased efficiencies in processing the business of our insurance subsidiaries and lower operating costs. Key 
components of these integrated technology systems are the agency interface system, the WritePro®, WriteBiz® and WriteFarm® 
systems, a claims processing system and an imaging system. The agency interface system provides our insurance subsidiaries 
with a high level of data sharing both to and from agents’ systems and also provides agents with an integrated means of 
processing new business. The WritePro®, WriteBiz® and WriteFarm® systems are fully automated underwriting and policy 
issuance systems that provide agents with the ability to generate underwritten quotes and automatically issue policies that meet 
the underwriting guidelines of our insurance subsidiaries with limited or no intervention by their personnel. The claims 
processing system allows our insurance subsidiaries to process claims efficiently and in an automated environment. The 
imaging system eliminates the need to handle paper files, while providing greater access to the same information by a variety of 
personnel. We believe our technology systems compare favorably to those of many national property and casualty insurance 
carriers in terms of quality and service levels.

Claims

The management of claims is a critical component of the philosophy of our insurance subsidiaries to achieve underwriting 

profitability on a consistent basis and is fundamental to the successful operations of our insurance subsidiaries and their 
dedication to excellent service. Our senior claims management oversees the claims processing units of each of our insurance 
subsidiaries to assure consistency in the claims settlement process. The field office staff of our insurance subsidiaries receives 
support from home office technical, litigation, material damage, subrogation and medical audit personnel.

The claims departments of our insurance subsidiaries rigorously manage claims to assure that they settle legitimate claims 

quickly and fairly and that they identify questionable claims for defense. In the majority of cases, the personnel of our 
insurance subsidiaries, who have significant experience in the property and casualty insurance industry and know the service 
philosophy of our insurance subsidiaries, adjust claims. Our insurance subsidiaries provide various means of claims reporting 
on a 24-hours a day, seven-days a week basis, including toll-free numbers and electronic reporting through our website. Our 
insurance subsidiaries strive to respond to notifications of claims promptly, generally within the day reported. Our insurance 
subsidiaries believe that, by responding promptly to claims, they provide quality customer service and minimize the ultimate 
cost of the claims. Our insurance subsidiaries engage independent adjusters as needed to handle claims in areas in which the 
volume of claims is not sufficient to justify the hiring of internal claims adjusters by our insurance subsidiaries. Our insurance 
subsidiaries also employ private adjusters and investigators, structural experts and various outside legal counsel to supplement 
their internal staff and to assist in the investigation of claims. Our insurance subsidiaries have a special investigative unit 
staffed by former law enforcement officers that attempts to identify and prevent fraud and abuse and to control questionable 
claims.

The management of the claims departments of our insurance subsidiaries develops and implements policies and procedures 

for the establishment of adequate claim reserves. Our insurance subsidiaries employ an actuarial staff that regularly reviews 
their reserves for incurred but not reported claims. The management and staff of the claims departments resolve policy 
coverage issues, manage and process reinsurance recoveries and handle salvage and subrogation matters. The litigation and 
personal injury sections of our insurance subsidiaries manage all claims litigation. Branch office claims above certain 
thresholds require home office review and settlement authorization. Our insurance subsidiaries provide their claims adjusters 
reserving and settlement authority based upon their experience and demonstrated abilities. Larger or more complicated claims 
require consultation and approval of senior department management.

Liabilities for Losses and Loss Expenses

Liabilities for losses and loss expenses are estimates at a given point in time of the amounts an insurer expects to pay with 
respect to incurred policyholder claims based on facts and circumstances then known. At the time of establishing its estimates, 
an insurer recognizes that its ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses will exceed or be less than such estimates. Our 
insurance subsidiaries base their estimates of liabilities for losses and loss expenses on assumptions as to future loss trends and 
expected claims severity, judicial theories of liability and other factors. However, during the loss adjustment period, our 
insurance subsidiaries may learn additional facts regarding individual claims, and, consequently, it often becomes necessary for 
our insurance subsidiaries to refine and adjust their estimates of liability. We reflect any adjustments to our insurance 

-13-

subsidiaries’ liabilities for losses and loss expenses in our operating results in the period in which our insurance subsidiaries 
record the changes in their estimates.

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain liabilities for the payment of losses and loss expenses with respect to both reported 
and unreported claims. Our insurance subsidiaries establish these liabilities for the purpose of covering the ultimate costs of 
settling all losses, including investigation and litigation costs. Our insurance subsidiaries base the amount of their liability for 
reported losses primarily upon a case-by-case evaluation of the type of risk involved, knowledge of the circumstances 
surrounding each claim and the insurance policy provisions relating to the type of loss their policyholder incurred. Our 
insurance subsidiaries determine the amount of their liability for unreported claims and loss expenses on the basis of historical 
information by line of insurance. Our insurance subsidiaries account for inflation in the reserving function through analysis of 
costs and trends and reviews of historical reserving results. Our insurance subsidiaries closely monitor their liabilities and 
recompute them periodically using new information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. Our insurance 
subsidiaries do not discount their liabilities for losses.

Reserve estimates can change over time because of unexpected changes in assumptions related to our insurance 

subsidiaries’ external environment and, to a lesser extent, assumptions as to our insurance subsidiaries’ internal operations. For 
example, our insurance subsidiaries have experienced a decrease in claims frequency on workers’ compensation claims during 
the past several years while claims severity has gradually increased. These trend changes give rise to greater uncertainty as to 
the pattern of future loss settlements on workers’ compensation claims. Related uncertainties regarding future trends include the 
cost of medical technologies and procedures and changes in the utilization of medical procedures. Assumptions related to our 
insurance subsidiaries’ external environment include the absence of significant changes in tort law and legal decisions that 
increase liability exposure, consistency in judicial interpretations of insurance coverage and policy provisions and the rate of 
loss cost inflation. Internal assumptions include consistency in the recording of premium and loss statistics, consistency in the 
recording of claims, payment and case reserving methodology, accurate measurement of the impact of rate changes and 
changes in policy provisions, consistency in the quality and characteristics of business written within a given line of business 
and consistency in reinsurance coverage and the collectability of reinsured losses, among other items. To the extent our 
insurance subsidiaries determine that underlying factors impacting their assumptions have changed, our insurance subsidiaries 
attempt to make appropriate adjustments for such changes in their reserves. Accordingly, our insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate 
liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses will likely differ from the amount recorded at December 31, 2013. For every 1% 
change in our insurance subsidiaries’ loss and loss expense reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable, the effect on our pre-tax 
results of operations would be approximately $2.7 million.

The establishment of appropriate liabilities is an inherently uncertain process, and we can provide no assurance that our 
insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate liability will not exceed our insurance subsidiaries’ loss and loss expense reserves and have an 
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing, frequency and 
extent of adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries’ estimated future liabilities, since the historical conditions and events that 
serve as a basis for our insurance subsidiaries’ estimates of ultimate claim costs may change. As is the case for substantially all 
property and casualty insurance companies, our insurance subsidiaries have found it necessary in the past to increase their 
estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses in certain periods, and, in other periods, their estimates have exceeded 
their actual liabilities. Changes in our insurance subsidiaries’ estimate of their liability for losses and loss expenses generally 
reflect actual payments and the evaluation of information received since the prior reporting date. Our insurance subsidiaries 
recognized an increase (decrease) in their liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years of $10.4 million, $7.6 million and
($168,460) in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our insurance subsidiaries made no significant changes in their reserving 
philosophy, key reserving assumptions or claims management personnel, and have made no significant offsetting changes in 
estimates that increased or decreased their loss and loss expense reserves in these years. The 2013 development represented 
4.1% of the December 31, 2012 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from higher-than-expected severity in the private 
passenger automobile liability, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile and workers' compensation lines of business 
in accident years prior to 2013. The majority of the 2013 development related to increases in the liability for losses and loss 
expenses of prior years for Atlantic States and Southern. The 2012 development represented 3.1% of the December 31, 2011 
net carried reserves and resulted primarily from higher-than-expected severity in the private passenger automobile liability and 
workers' compensation lines of business in accident years prior to 2012. The majority of the 2012 development related to 
increases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Atlantic States and Southern. The 2011 development 
represented an immaterial percentage of the December 31, 2010 net carried reserves. 

Excluding the impact of catastrophic weather events, our insurance subsidiaries have noted stable amounts in the number 

of claims incurred and slight downward trends in the number of claims outstanding at period ends relative to their premium 
base in recent years across most of their lines of business. However, the amount of the average claim outstanding has increased 
gradually over the past several years as the property and casualty insurance industry has experienced increased litigation trends 
and economic conditions that have extended the estimated length of disabilities and contributed to increased medical loss costs 
-14-

and a general slowing of settlement rates in litigated claims. Our insurance subsidiaries could be required to make further 
adjustments to their estimates in the future. However, on the basis of our insurance subsidiaries’ internal procedures which 
analyze, among other things, their prior assumptions, their experience with similar cases and historical trends such as reserving 
patterns, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions and 
public attitudes, we believe that our insurance subsidiaries have made adequate provision for their liability for losses and loss 
expenses at December 31, 2013.

Differences between liabilities reported in our financial statements prepared on a GAAP basis and our insurance 
subsidiaries’ financial statements prepared on a SAP basis result from anticipating salvage and subrogation recoveries for 
GAAP but not for SAP. These differences amounted to $13.1 million, $12.0 million and $11.2 million at December 31, 2013, 
2012 and 2011, respectively.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the beginning and ending GAAP net liability of our insurance subsidiaries 

for unpaid losses and loss expenses for the periods indicated:

(in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

Gross liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses at beginning of year

$

458,827

$

442,408

$

Less reinsurance recoverable

Net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses at beginning of year
Provision for net losses and loss expenses for claims incurred in the

current year

Change in provision for estimated net losses and loss expenses for claims

incurred in prior years

Total incurred

Net losses and loss payments for claims incurred during:

The current year

Prior years

Total paid

Net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year

Plus reinsurance recoverable

207,891

250,936

199,393

243,015

10,358

343,128

201,782

126,677

328,459

265,605

230,014

7,596

332,872

205,876

119,074

324,950

250,936

207,891

Gross liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year

$

495,619

$

458,827

$

332,770

325,276

340,671

383,319

165,422

217,897

(168)
340,503

219,183

96,202

315,385

243,015

199,393

442,408

The following table sets forth the development of the liability for net unpaid losses and loss expenses of our insurance 
subsidiaries from 2003 to 2013. Loss data in the table includes business Atlantic States received from the underwriting pool.

“Net liability at end of year for unpaid losses and loss expenses” sets forth the estimated liability for net unpaid losses and 
loss expenses recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years. This liability represents the estimated amount 
of net losses and loss expenses for claims arising in the current and all prior years that are unpaid at the balance sheet date, 
including losses incurred but not reported.

The “Net liability re-estimated as of” portion of the table shows the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded 
liability based on experience for each succeeding year. The estimate increases or decreases as payments are made and more 
information becomes known about the severity of the remaining unpaid claims. For example, the 2005 liability has developed a 
redundancy after eight years because we expect the re-estimated net losses and loss expenses to be $21.8 million less than the 
estimated liability we initially established in 2005 of $173.0 million.

The “Cumulative (excess) deficiency” shows the cumulative excess or deficiency at December 31, 2013 of the liability 
estimate shown on the top line of the corresponding column. An excess in liability means that the liability established in prior 
years exceeded the amount of actual payments and currently re-estimated unpaid liability remaining. A deficiency in liability 
means that the liability established in prior years was less than the amount of actual payments and currently re-estimated 
remaining unpaid liability.

The “Cumulative amount of liability paid through” portion of the table shows the cumulative net losses and loss expense 

payments made in succeeding years for net losses incurred prior to the balance sheet date. For example, the 2005 column 

-15-

 
 
 
 
indicates that at December 31, 2013 payments equal to $146.9 million of the currently re-estimated ultimate liability for net 
losses and loss expenses of $151.2 million had been made.

Amounts shown in the 2004 column of the table include information for Le Mars and Peninsula for all accident years prior 

to 2004. Amounts shown in the 2008 column of the table include information for Sheboygan for all accident years prior to 
2008. Amounts shown in the 2010 column of the table include information for MICO for the month of December 2010.

(in thousands)

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Year Ended December 31,

Net liability at end of
year for unpaid
losses and loss
expenses

Net liability re-

estimated as of:

$138,896

$171,431

$173,009

$163,312

$150,152

$161,307

$180,262

$217,896

$243,015

$250,936

$265,605

One year later

136,434

162,049

159,393

153,299

152,836

171,130

177,377

217,728

250,611

261,294

Two years later

130,030

152,292

153,894

150,934

154,435

167,446

177,741

217,355

255,612

Three years later

123,399

148,612

151,792

150,078

152,315

166,756

178,403

218,449

Four years later

120,917

147,280

150,183

148,745

151,120

166,852

179,909

Five years later

119,968

145,874

150,087

148,407

151,287

166,788

Six years later

119,731

146,101

150,555

149,031

151,739

Seven years later

120,425

146,739

151,161

149,487

Eight years later

120,768

147,597

151,243

Nine years later

121,505

147,705

Ten years later

121,631

Cumulative (excess)

deficiency

Cumulative amount
of liability paid
through:

(17,265)

(23,726)

(21,766)

(13,825)

1,587

5,481

(353)

553

12,597

10,358

One year later

$ 51,965

$ 67,229

$ 71,718

$ 72,499

$ 71,950

$ 79,592

$ 84,565

$ 96,202

$119,074

$126,677

Two years later

Three years later

81,183

99,910

102,658

107,599

104,890

105,576

116,035

123,204

148,140

181,288

123,236

125,926

121,711

124,659

136,837

147,165

178,073

Four years later

109,964

133,844

133,805

132,698

135,392

148,243

161,363

Five years later

113,684

136,377

139,935

138,878

140,280

155,331

Six years later

114,499

139,847

143,309

141,752

143,778

Seven years later

116,727

142,016

145,492

143,784

Eight years later

118,169

143,894

146,894

Nine years later

119,123

144,565

Ten years later

119,509

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

$265,730

$259,022

$226,432

$239,809

$263,599

$383,317

$442,408

$458,827

$495,619

92,721

95,710

76,280

78,502

83,337

165,421

199,393

207,891

230,014

173,009

163,312

150,152

161,307

180,262

217,896

243,015

250,936

265,605

243,402

241,395

232,173

253,815

207,525

370,297

473,949

488,557

92,159

91,908

80,434

87,027

27,616

151,848

218,337

227,263

151,243

149,487

151,739

166,788

179,909

218,449

255,612

261,294

Gross liability at end

of year

Reinsurance

recoverable

Net liability at end of

year

Gross re-estimated

liability

re-estimated

recoverable
Net re-estimated

liability

Gross cumulative
deficiency
(excess)

(22,328)

(17,627)

5,741

14,006

(56,074)

(13,020)

31,542

29,730

-16-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third-Party Reinsurance

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual purchase certain third-party reinsurance on a combined basis. Le Mars, 
Peninsula, Sheboygan and MICO also have separate reinsurance programs that provide certain coverage that is commensurate 
with their relative size and exposures. Our insurance subsidiaries use several different reinsurers, all of which, consistent with 
the requirements of our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual, have an A.M. Best rating of A- (Excellent) or better or, 
with respect to foreign reinsurers, have a financial condition that, in the opinion of our management, is equivalent to a company 
with at least an A- (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.

The external reinsurance our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual purchase includes:

• 

• 

“excess of loss reinsurance,” under which their losses are automatically reinsured, through a series of contracts, over a 
set retention (generally $1,000,000 for 2013 and 2012 and $750,000 for 2011); and

catastrophe reinsurance, under which Donegal Mutual, Atlantic States and Southern recover, through a series of 
reinsurance agreements, 100% of an accumulation of many losses resulting from a single event, including natural 
disasters, over a set retention (generally $5.0 million) and after exceeding an annual aggregate deductible ($5.0 million 
in 2013 and $0 in 2012 and 2011) up to aggregate losses of $145.0 million per occurrence.

The amount of coverage each of these types of reinsurance provides depends upon the amount, nature, size and location of 

the risk being reinsured.

For property insurance, our insurance subsidiaries have excess of loss treaties that provide for coverage of $4.0 million per 

loss over a set retention of $1.0 million. For liability insurance, our insurance subsidiaries have excess of loss treaties that 
provide for coverage of $49.0 million per occurrence over a set retention of $1.0 million. For workers’ compensation insurance, 
our insurance subsidiaries have excess of loss treaties that provide for coverage of $9.0 million on any one life over a set 
retention of $1.0 million.

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual also purchase facultative reinsurance to cover exposures from property and 

casualty losses that exceed the limits provided by their respective treaty reinsurance.

MICO maintains a quota-share reinsurance agreement with third-party reinsurers to reduce its net exposures. Effective 
from December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011, the quota-share reinsurance percentage was 50%. Effective January 1, 2012, 
MICO reduced the quota-share reinsurance percentage from 50% to 40%. Effective January 1, 2013, MICO reduced the quota-
share reinsurance percentage from 40% to 30%. Effective January 1, 2014, MICO reduced the quota-share reinsurance 
percentage from 30% to 20%.

Investments

At December 31, 2013, 100% of all debt securities our insurance subsidiaries held had an investment-grade rating. The 

investment portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries did not contain any mortgage loans or any non-performing assets at 
December 31, 2013.

The following table shows the composition of the debt securities (at carrying value) in the investment portfolios of our 

insurance subsidiaries, excluding short-term investments, by rating at December 31, 2013:

(dollars in thousands)

(1)

Rating
U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency securities(2)
Aaa or AAA

Aa or AA

A

BBB

Total

December 31, 2013

Amount

Percent

$

202,494

31.4%

35,814

255,117

140,949

9,648

5.6

39.6

21.9

1.5

$

644,022

100.0%

(1)  Ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Corporation.
(2)  Includes mortgage-backed securities of $140.2 million.

-17-

Our insurance subsidiaries invest in both taxable and tax-exempt securities as part of their strategy to maximize after-tax 

income. This strategy considers, among other factors, the alternative minimum tax. Tax-exempt securities made up 
approximately 59.0%, 59.8% and 63.8% of the debt securities in the combined investment portfolios of our insurance 
subsidiaries at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The following table shows the classification of our investments and the investments of our insurance subsidiaries at 

December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (at carrying value):

2013

December 31,

2012

2011

Percent of

Percent of

Percent of

Amount

Total

Amount

Total

Amount

Total

(dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturities(1):
Held to maturity:

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of

U.S. government corporations and agencies $

47,946

6.1% $

1,000

0.1% $

1,000

0.1%

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

108,435

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Total held to maturity

Available for sale:

14,875

69,114

240,370

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of

U.S. government corporations and agencies

14,334

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

277,547

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Total available for sale

Total fixed maturities
Equity securities(2)
Investments in affiliates(3)
Short-term investments(4)
Total investments

13.7

1.9

8.7

30.4

1.8

35.1

5.1

8.9

50.9

81.3

1.6

4.5

12.6

40,909

—

191

42,100

71,311

416,987

77,356

128,856

694,510

736,610

8,757

37,236

23,826

5.1

—

—

5.2

8.8

51.7

9.6

16.0

86.1

91.3

1.1

4.6

3.0

56,966

250

274

58,490

60,978

398,877

64,113

122,630

646,598

705,088

7,438

32,322

40,461

7.3

—

—

7.4

7.8

50.8

8.2

15.6

82.4

89.8

1.0

4.1

5.1

40,672

71,099

403,652

644,022

12,423

35,685

99,678

$ 791,808

100.0% $ 806,429

100.0% $ 785,309

100.0%

(1)  We refer to Notes 1 and 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We value those fixed maturities we classify as held to maturity 

at amortized cost; we value those fixed maturities we classify as available for sale at fair value. The total fair value of fixed 
maturities we classified as held to maturity was $238.8 million at December 31, 2013, $43.7 million at December 31, 2012 and 
$61.4 million at December 31, 2011. The amortized cost of fixed maturities we classified as available for sale was $390.3 million at 
December 31, 2013, $655.2 million at December 31, 2012 and $614.3 million at December 31, 2011.

(2)  We value equity securities at fair value. Total cost of equity securities was $12.2 million at December 31, 2013, $8.7 million at 

December 31, 2012 and $7.2 million at December 31, 2011.

(3)  We value investments in affiliates at cost, adjusted for our share of earnings and losses of our affiliates as well as changes in equity 

of our affiliates due to unrealized gains and losses.

(4)  We value short-term investments at cost, which approximates fair value.

-18-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth the maturities (at carrying value) in the fixed maturity portfolio of our insurance subsidiaries 

at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:

(dollars in thousands)
Due in(1):
One year or less

Over one year through three years

Over three years through five years

Over five years through ten years

Over ten years through fifteen years

Over fifteen years

Mortgage-backed securities

2013

Percent
of

Total

Amount

December 31,

2012

Percent
of

Total

Amount

2011

Percent
of

Total

Amount

$

8,257

1.3% $

10,004

1.4% $

16,181

2.3%

22,424

40,234

190,440

166,186

76,267

140,214

3.5

6.2

29.6

25.8

11.8

21.8

31,176

64,839

201,953

191,179

108,412

129,047

4.2

8.8

27.4

26.0

14.7

17.5

27,912

71,820

188,523

172,956

104,792

122,904

4.0

10.2

26.7

24.5

14.9

17.4

$ 644,022

100.0% $ 736,610

100.0% $ 705,088

100.0%

(1)  Based on stated maturity dates with no prepayment assumptions. Actual maturities will differ because borrowers may have the right 

to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

As shown above, our insurance subsidiaries held investments in mortgage-backed securities having a carrying value of 

$140.2 million at December 31, 2013. The mortgage-backed securities consist primarily of investments in governmental agency 
balloon pools with stated maturities between one and 24 years. The stated maturities of these investments limit the exposure of 
our insurance subsidiaries to extension risk in the event that interest rates rise and prepayments decline. Our insurance 
subsidiaries perform an analysis of the underlying loans when evaluating a mortgage-backed security for purchase, and they 
select those securities that they believe will provide a return that properly reflects the prepayment risk associated with the 
underlying loans.

The following table sets forth the investment results of our insurance subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2013, 

2012 and 2011:

(dollars in thousands)
Invested assets(1)
Investment income(2)
Average yield

Average tax-equivalent yield

Year Ended December 31,

$

2013
799,119

18,795

$

2012
795,869

20,169

$

2011
756,925

20,858

2.4%

3.3

2.5%

3.5

2.8%

3.8

(1)  Average of the aggregate invested amounts at the beginning and end of the period.
(2)  Investment income is net of investment expenses and does not include realized investment gains or losses or provision for income 

taxes.

A.M. Best Rating

Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries have an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent), based upon the respective 
current financial condition and historical statutory results of operations of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries. We 
believe that the A.M. Best rating of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries is an important factor in their marketing of 
the products to their agents and customers. A.M. Best’s ratings are industry ratings based on a comparative analysis of the 
financial condition and operating performance of insurance companies. A.M. Best’s classifications are A++ and A+ (Superior), 
A and A- (Excellent), B++ and B+ (Good), B and B- (Fair), C++ and C+ (Marginal), C and C- (Weak), D (Poor) and E (Under 
Regulatory Supervision), F (Liquidation) and S (Suspended). A.M. Best bases its ratings upon factors relevant to the payment 
of claims of policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors in insurance companies. According to A.M. 
Best, the “Excellent” rating that the Donegal Insurance Group maintains is assigned to those companies that, in A.M. Best’s 
opinion, have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders.

-19-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulation

The supervision and regulation of insurance companies consists primarily of the laws and regulations of the various states 

in which the insurance companies transact business, with the primary regulatory authority being the insurance regulatory 
authorities in the state of domicile of the insurance company. Such supervision and regulation relate to numerous aspects of an 
insurance company’s business and financial condition. The primary purpose of such supervision and regulation is the protection 
of policyholders. The authority of the state insurance departments includes the establishment of standards of solvency that 
insurers must meet and maintain, the licensing of insurers and insurance agents to do business, the nature of, and limitations on, 
investments, premium rates for property and casualty insurance, the provisions that insurers must make for current losses and 
future liabilities, the deposit of securities for the benefit of policyholders, the approval of policy forms, notice requirements for 
the cancellation of policies and the approval of certain changes in control. State insurance departments also conduct periodic 
examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and require the filing of annual and other reports relating to the financial 
condition of insurance companies.

In addition to state-imposed insurance laws and regulations, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or the 

NAIC, has established a risk-based capital system, or RBC, for assessing the adequacy of statutory capital and surplus that 
augments the states’ current fixed dollar minimum capital requirements for insurance companies. At December 31, 2013, our 
insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual each exceeded the minimum levels of statutory capital the RBC rules require by a 
substantial margin.

Generally, every state has guaranty fund laws under which insurers licensed to do business in that state can be assessed on 

the basis of premiums written by the insurer in that state in order to fund policyholder liabilities of insolvent insurance 
companies. Under these laws in general, an insurer is subject to assessment, depending upon its market share of a given line of 
business, to assist in the payment of policyholder claims against insolvent insurers. Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal 
Mutual have made accruals for their portion of assessments related to such insolvencies based upon the most current 
information furnished by the guaranty associations.

We are part of an insurance holding company system of which Donegal Mutual is the ultimate controlling person. All of 

the states in which our insurance companies and Donegal Mutual maintain a domicile have legislation that regulates insurance 
holding company systems. Each insurance company in the insurance holding company system must register with the insurance 
supervisory agency of its state of domicile and furnish information concerning the operations of companies within the 
insurance holding company system that may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition of the insurers 
within the system. Pursuant to these laws, the respective insurance departments in which our subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual 
maintain a domicile may examine our insurance subsidiaries or Donegal Mutual at any time, require disclosure of material 
transactions by the holding company with another member of the insurance holding company system and require prior notice or 
prior approval of certain transactions, such as “extraordinary dividends” from the insurance subsidiaries to the holding 
company. We have insurance subsidiaries domiciled in Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Holding Companies Act, which generally applies to Donegal Mutual, us and our insurance 

subsidiaries, requires that all transactions within an insurance holding company system to which an insurer is a party must be 
fair and reasonable and that any charges or fees for services performed must be reasonable. Any management agreement, 
service agreement, cost sharing arrangement and material reinsurance agreement must be filed with the Pennsylvania Insurance 
Department, or the Department, and is subject to the Department's review. We have filed the pooling agreement between 
Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States that established the underwriting pool and all material agreements between Donegal 
Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries with the Department.

Approval of the applicable insurance commissioner is also required prior to consummation of transactions affecting the 
control of an insurer. In virtually all states, including Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin, where 
our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, the acquisition of 10% or more of the outstanding capital stock of an insurer or its 
holding company or the intent to acquire such an interest creates a rebuttable presumption of a change in control. Pursuant to an 
order issued in April 2003, the Department approved Donegal Mutual’s ownership of up to 70% of our outstanding Class A 
common stock and up to 100% of our outstanding Class B common stock.

Our insurance subsidiaries have the legal obligation under state insurance laws to participate in involuntary insurance 
programs for automobile insurance, as well as other property and casualty insurance lines, in the states in which they conduct 
business. These programs include joint underwriting associations, assigned risk plans, fair access to insurance requirements 
plans, reinsurance facilities, windstorm plans and tornado plans. Legislation establishing these programs requires all companies 
that write lines covered by these programs to provide coverage, either directly or through reinsurance, for insureds who are 
unable to obtain insurance in the voluntary market. The legislation creating these programs usually allocates a pro rata portion 
-20-

of risks attributable to such insureds to each company on the basis of the direct premiums it has written in that state or the 
number of automobiles it insures in that state. Generally, state law requires participation in these programs as a condition to 
obtaining a certificate of authority. Our loss ratio on insurance we write under these involuntary programs has traditionally been 
significantly greater than our loss ratio on insurance we voluntarily write in those states.

Regulatory requirements, including RBC requirements, may impact our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends. 

The amount of statutory capital and surplus necessary for our insurance subsidiaries to satisfy regulatory requirements, 
including RBC requirements, was not significant in relation to our insurance subsidiaries' statutory capital and surplus at 
December 31, 2013. Generally, the maximum amount that an insurance subsidiary may pay to us as ordinary dividends during 
any year after notice to, but without prior approval of, the insurance commissioner of its domiciliary state is limited to a stated 
percentage of that subsidiary’s statutory capital and surplus at December 31 of the preceding fiscal year or the net income of 
that subsidiary for its preceding fiscal year. Our insurance subsidiaries paid dividends to us of $12.5 million, $7.0 million and 
$16.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the amount of dividends our insurance subsidiaries 
could pay to us during 2014, without the prior approval of their respective domiciliary insurance commissioners, is shown in 
the following table.

Name of Insurance Subsidiary

Atlantic States
Southern

Le Mars

Peninsula

Sheboygan

MICO

Total

Ordinary
Dividend
Amount

$ 18,660,666
4,195,635

2,762,791

4,189,149

1,086,411

4,159,470

$ 35,054,122

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company

Donegal Mutual organized as a mutual fire insurance company in Pennsylvania in 1889. At December 31, 2013, Donegal 

Mutual had admitted assets of $383.8 million and policyholders’ surplus of $204.5 million. At December 31, 2013, Donegal 
Mutual had total liabilities of $179.4 million, including reserves for net losses and loss expenses of $48.7 million and unearned 
premiums of $44.2 million. Donegal Mutual’s investment portfolio of $228.9 million at December 31, 2013 consisted primarily 
of investment-grade bonds of $16.7 million, its investment in DFSC's common stock and its investment in our common stock. 
At December 31, 2013, Donegal Mutual owned 7,755,953 shares, or approximately 37%, of our Class A common stock, which 
Donegal Mutual carried on its books at $101.0 million, and 4,235,539 shares, or approximately 76%, of our Class B common 
stock, which Donegal Mutual carried on its books at $55.1 million. We present Donegal Mutual’s financial information in 
accordance with SAP as the NAIC Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual requires. Donegal Mutual does not, nor is it 
required to, prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

Donegal Financial Services Corporation

In 2000, we and Donegal Mutual formed DFSC as a unitary thrift holding company and its wholly owned subsidiary, 

Province Bank FSB, as a federal savings bank. In May 2011, DFSC merged with Union National Financial Corporation, or 
UNNF, with DFSC as the surviving company in the merger. Under the merger agreement, Province Bank FSB and Union 
National Community Bank, which UNNF owned, also merged to form UCB. UCB is a state savings bank with 13 branch 
offices in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and approximately $512.8 million in assets at December 31, 2013.

Because Donegal Mutual and we together own all of the outstanding capital stock of DFSC, the Board of Governors of the 

Federal Reserve System, or the FRB, regulates Donegal Mutual, DFSC and us as grandfathered savings and loan holding 
companies. As a result, Donegal Mutual, DFSC and we are subject to regulation by the FRB under the holding company 
provisions of the federal Home Owners’ Loan Act, or HOLA. However, if any of Donegal Mutual, DFSC or we were to lose 
this grandfathered status, they or we would become a bank holding company regulated by the FRB under the Bank Holding 
Company Act. UCB, as a state-chartered stock savings bank, is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania 
Department of Banking and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The primary purpose of the statutory and regulatory 
supervision of financial institutions is to protect depositors, the financial institutions and the financial system as a whole rather 

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than the stockholders of financial institutions or their holding companies. UCB converted from a federally-chartered stock 
savings bank to a Pennsylvania-chartered stock savings bank during 2013.

Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act impose quantitative and qualitative restrictions on transactions between a 

savings association and its “affiliates.” Affiliates of a savings association include, among other entities, the savings 
association’s holding company and non-banking companies under common control with the savings association such as 
Donegal Mutual and us. These restrictions on transactions with affiliates apply to transactions between DFSC and UCB, on the 
one hand, and Donegal Mutual and us and our insurance subsidiaries, on the other hand. These restrictions also apply to 
transactions among DFSC, UCB and Donegal Mutual.  Because DFSC directly controls UCB and Donegal Mutual and we 
indirectly control UCB, DFSC, Donegal Mutual and we are subject to the Change in Bank Control Act.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-K Annual Report and the documents we incorporate by reference in this Form 10-K Annual Report contain 

“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-
looking statements include certain discussions relating to underwriting, premium and investment income volumes, business 
strategies, reserves, profitability and business relationships and our other business activities during 2013 and beyond. In some 
cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” 
“plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “objective,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” “goal” and similar 
expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events, our current assumptions and are 
subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our results, performance or achievements to differ 
materially from those we anticipate or imply by our forward-looking statements. We cannot control or predict many of the 
factors that could determine our future financial conditions or results of operations. Such factors may include those we describe 
under “Risk Factors.” The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report reflect our views and assumptions only as 
of the date of this Form 10-K Report. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update, and we assume no responsibility 
for updating, any forward-looking statements we have made. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these 
cautionary statements.

Item 1A.     Risk Factors.

Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Us and Our Business

Donegal Mutual is our controlling stockholder.  Donegal Mutual and its directors and executive officers have potential 

conflicts of interest between the best interests of our stockholders and the best interests of the policyholders of Donegal 
Mutual.

Donegal Mutual controls the election of all of the members of our board of directors. Six of the 11 members of our board 
of directors are also directors of Donegal Mutual. Donegal Mutual and we share the same executive officers. These common 
directors and executive officers have a fiduciary duty to our stockholders and also have a fiduciary duty to the policyholders of 
Donegal Mutual. Among the potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these separate fiduciary duties are the 
following:

•  We and Donegal Mutual periodically review the percentage participation of Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual in the 

underwriting pool that Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States have maintained since 1986;

•  Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual annually review and then establish the terms of certain reinsurance 

agreements between them with the objective, over the long-term, of having an approximately equal balance between 
payments and recoveries;

•  We and Donegal Mutual periodically allocate certain shared expenses among ourselves and our insurance subsidiaries 

in accordance with various inter-company expense-sharing agreements; and

•  Our insurance subsidiaries may enter into other transactions or contractual relationships with Donegal Mutual, 
including, for example, our purchases from time to time from Donegal Mutual of the surplus note of a mutual 
insurance company that will convert into a stock insurance company and ultimately become one of our wholly owned 
subsidiaries.

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Donegal Mutual has sufficient voting power to determine the outcome of all matters submitted to our stockholders for 

approval.

Each share of our Class A common stock has one-tenth of a vote per share and generally votes as a single class with our 
Class B common stock. Our Class B common stock has one vote per share. Donegal Mutual has the right to vote approximately 
65% of the aggregate voting power of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock and has sufficient voting 
control to:

• 

• 

elect all of the members of our board of directors, who determine our management and policies; and

control the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders for approval, 
including mergers or other acquisition proposals and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, in each case 
regardless of how all of our other stockholders other than Donegal Mutual vote their shares.

The interests of Donegal Mutual in maintaining this greater-than-majority control of us may have an adverse effect on the 

price of our Class A common stock and the price of our Class B common stock because of the absence of any potential 
“takeover” premium and may, therefore, be inconsistent with the interests of our stockholders other than Donegal Mutual.

 Donegal Mutual’s majority voting control, certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and 
certain provisions of Delaware law make it remote that anyone could acquire actual control of us unless Donegal Mutual 
were in favor of the acquisition of actual control.

Donegal Mutual’s majority voting control, certain anti-takeover provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws 

and certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, could delay or prevent the removal of members 
of our board of directors and could make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us more expensive as well as 
unlikely to succeed, even if such events were in the best interests of our stockholders other than Donegal Mutual. These factors 
could also discourage a third party from attempting to acquire actual control of us. In particular, our certificate of incorporation 
and by-laws include the following anti-takeover provisions:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our board of directors is classified into three classes, so that our stockholders elect only one-third of the members of 
our board of directors each year;

our stockholders may remove our directors only for cause;

our stockholders may not take stockholder action except at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders;

the request of stockholders holding at least 20% of the aggregate voting power of our Class A common stock and our 
Class B common stock is required for a stockholder to call a special meeting of our stockholders;

our by-laws require that stockholders provide advance notice to us to nominate candidates for election to our board of 
directors or to propose any other item of stockholder business at a stockholders’ meeting;

•  we do not permit cumulative voting rights in the election of our directors;

• 

• 

our certificate of incorporation does not provide for preemptive rights in connection with any issuance of securities by 
us; and

our board of directors may issue, without stockholder approval unless otherwise required by law, preferred stock with 
such terms as our board of directors may determine.

We have authorized preferred stock that we could issue without stockholder approval to make it more difficult for a 

third party to acquire us.

We have 2.0 million authorized shares of preferred stock that we could issue in one or more series without further 
stockholder approval, unless the DGCL or the NASDAQ Global Select Market otherwise requires, and upon such terms and 
conditions, and having such rights, privileges and preferences, as our board of directors may determine our potential issuance 
of preferred stock and that may make it difficult for a third party to acquire control of us.     

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Because we are an insurance holding company, no person can acquire or seek to acquire a 10% or greater interest in 
us without first obtaining approval of the insurance commissioners of the states of domicile of our insurance subsidiaries.

We own insurance subsidiaries domiciled in the states of Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and 
Wisconsin, and Donegal Mutual controls an insurance company domiciled in Georgia. The insurance laws of each of these 
states provide that no person can acquire or seek to acquire a 10% or greater interest in us without first filing specified 
information with the insurance commissioner of that state and obtaining the prior approval of the proposed acquisition of a 10% 
or greater interest in us by the state insurance commissioner based on statutory standards designed to protect the safety and 
soundness of the insurance holding company and its subsidiary.

Because we are a grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding company, no person can acquire or seek to acquire 
more than a 10% interest in either class of our common stock without first obtaining approval of, or an exemption from, the 
FRB.

We own 48.2% of the outstanding stock of DFSC, which owns all of the outstanding stock of UCB. As a result of our 

ownership interest in DFSC, we are a grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding company regulated by the FRB under 
HOLA.  No person may lawfully acquire more than 10% of any class of voting security of a unitary savings and loan holding 
company registered under the Exchange Act without first filing specified information with the FRB and obtaining the FRB's 
prior approval of the proposed acquisition or an exemption from the FRB.

Our insurance subsidiaries currently conduct business in a limited number of states, with a concentration of business in 

Pennsylvania, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia. Any single catastrophe occurrence or other condition affecting losses in 
these states could adversely affect the results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries.

Our insurance subsidiaries conduct business in 22 states located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England 

and Southern states. A substantial portion of their business consists of private passenger and commercial automobile, 
homeowners and workers’ compensation insurance in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia. While our insurance 
subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual actively manage our respective exposure to catastrophes through their underwriting process 
and the purchase of reinsurance, a single catastrophic occurrence, destructive weather pattern, general economic trend, terrorist 
attack, regulatory development or other condition affecting one or more of the states in which our insurance subsidiaries 
conduct substantial business could materially adversely affect their business, financial condition and results of operations. 
Common catastrophic events include hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wind and hail storms, fires, explosions and severe 
winter storms. 

If the independent agents who market the products of our insurance subsidiaries do not maintain their current levels of 
premium writing with us, fail to comply with established underwriting guidelines of our insurance subsidiaries or otherwise 
inappropriately market the products of our insurance subsidiaries, the business, financial condition and results of 
operations of our insurance subsidiaries could be adversely affected.

Our insurance subsidiaries market their insurance products solely through a network of approximately 2,600 independent 
insurance agencies. This agency distribution system is one of the most important components of the competitive profile of our 
insurance subsidiaries. As a result, our insurance subsidiaries depend to a material extent upon their independent agents, each of 
whom has the authority to bind our insurance subsidiaries to insurance coverage. To the extent that such independent agents’ 
marketing efforts fail to result in the maintenance of their current levels of volume and quality or they bind our insurance 
subsidiaries to unacceptable insurance risks, fail to comply with the established underwriting guidelines of our insurance 
subsidiaries or otherwise inappropriately market the products of our insurance subsidiaries, the business, financial condition 
and results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries could suffer.

The business of our insurance subsidiaries may not continue to grow and may be materially adversely affected if our 
insurance subsidiaries cannot retain existing, and attract new, independent agents or if insurance consumers increase their 
use of insurance marketing systems other than independent agents.

Our insurance subsidiaries' ability to retain existing, and to attract new, independent agents is essential to the continued 
growth of the business of our insurance subsidiaries. If independent agents find it easier to do business with the competitors of 
our insurance subsidiaries, our insurance subsidiaries could find it difficult to retain their existing business or to attract new 
business. While our insurance subsidiaries believe they maintain good relationships with the independent agents they have 
appointed, our insurance subsidiaries cannot be certain that these independent agents will continue to sell the products of our 
insurance subsidiaries to the consumers these independent agents represent. Some of the factors that could adversely affect the 
ability of our insurance subsidiaries to retain existing, and attract new, independent agents include:

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• 

• 

• 

• 

the significant competition among insurance companies to attract independent agents;

the labor-intensive and time-consuming process of selecting new independent agents;

the insistence of our insurance subsidiaries that independent agents adhere to consistent underwriting standards; and

the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay competitive and attractive commissions, bonuses and other incentives 
to independent agents.

While our insurance subsidiaries sell insurance to policyholders solely through their network of independent agencies, 
many competitors of our insurance subsidiaries sell insurance through a variety of delivery methods, including independent 
agencies, captive agencies, the Internet and direct sales. To the extent that current and potential policyholders change their 
marketing system preference, the business, financial condition and results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries may be 
adversely affected.

We are dependent on dividends from our insurance subsidiaries for the payment of our operating expenses, our debt 

service and dividends to our stockholders; however, there are regulatory restrictions and business considerations that 
regulate the amount of dividends our insurance subsidiaries may pay to us.

As a holding company, we rely primarily on dividends from our insurance subsidiaries as a source of funds to meet our 
corporate obligations and to pay dividends to our stockholders. The amount of dividends our insurance subsidiaries can pay to 
us is subject to regulatory restrictions and depends on the amount of surplus our insurance subsidiaries maintain. From time to 
time, the NAIC and various state insurance regulators consider modifying the method of determining the amount of dividends 
that an insurance company may pay without prior regulatory approval. The maximum amount of ordinary dividends that our 
insurance subsidiaries can pay to us in 2014 without prior regulatory approval is approximately $35.1 million. Other business 
and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus that could affect the ratings of our insurance 
subsidiaries, competitive conditions, RBC requirements, the investment results of our insurance subsidiaries and the amount of 
premiums that our insurance subsidiaries write could also adversely impact the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay 
dividends to us.

If A.M. Best downgrades the rating it has assigned to Donegal Mutual or any of our insurance subsidiaries, it would 

adversely affect their competitive position.

Industry ratings are a factor in establishing and maintaining the competitive position of insurance companies. A.M. Best, 

an industry-accepted source of insurance company financial strength ratings, rates Donegal Mutual and our insurance 
subsidiaries. A.M. Best ratings provide an independent opinion of an insurance company’s financial health and its ability to 
meet its obligations to its policyholders. We believe that the financial strength rating of A.M. Best is material to the operations 
of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries. Currently, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries each have an A 
(Excellent) rating from A.M. Best. If A.M. Best were to downgrade the rating of Donegal Mutual or any of our insurance 
subsidiaries, it would adversely affect the competitive position of Donegal Mutual or that insurance subsidiary and make it 
more difficult for it to market its products and retain its existing policyholders.

Our strategy to grow in part through acquisitions of smaller insurance companies exposes us to risks that could 

adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The affiliation with and acquisition of smaller, and often undercapitalized, insurance companies involves risks that could 
adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. The risks associated with these affiliations and acquisitions 
include:

• 

• 

• 

the potential inadequacy of reserves for losses and loss expenses;

the need to supplement management with additional experienced personnel;

conditions imposed by regulatory agencies that make the realization of cost-savings through integration of operations 
more difficult;

• 

a need for additional capital that was not anticipated at the time of the acquisition; and

-25-

     
     
     
• 

the use of more of our management’s time in improving operation of the subsidiary than we originally anticipated.

If we cannot obtain sufficient capital to fund the organic growth of our insurance subsidiaries and to make 

acquisitions, we may not be able to expand our business.

Our strategy is to expand our business through the organic growth of our insurance subsidiaries and through our strategic 
acquisitions of regional insurance companies. Our insurance subsidiaries will require additional capital in the future to support 
this strategy. If we cannot obtain sufficient capital on satisfactory terms and conditions, we may not be able to expand the 
business of our insurance subsidiaries or to make future acquisitions. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on a 
number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. For example, we may not be able to obtain additional debt or equity 
financing because we or our insurance subsidiaries may already have substantial debt at the time, because we or our insurance 
subsidiaries do not have sufficient cash flow to service or repay our existing or additional debt or because financial institutions 
are not making financing available. In addition, any equity capital we obtain in the future could be dilutive to our existing 
stockholders.     

A number of the competitors of our insurance subsidiaries have greater financial strength than our insurance 

subsidiaries, and these competitors may be able to offer their products at lower prices than our insurance subsidiaries can 
afford to offer their products.

The property and casualty insurance industry is intensely competitive. Competition can be based on many factors, 

including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the perceived financial strength of the insurer;

premium rates;

policy terms and conditions;

policyholder service;

reputation; and

experience.

Our insurance subsidiaries compete with many regional and national property and casualty insurance companies, including 

direct sellers of insurance products, insurers having their own agency organizations and other insurers represented by 
independent agents. Many of these insurers have greater capital than our insurance subsidiaries, have substantially greater 
financial, technical and operating resources and have equal or higher ratings from A.M. Best than our insurance subsidiaries. In 
addition, our competitors may become increasingly better capitalized in the future as the property and casualty insurance 
industry continues to consolidate.

The greater capitalization of many of the competitors of our insurance subsidiaries enables them to operate with lower 
profit margins and, therefore, allows them to market their products more aggressively, to take advantage more quickly of new 
marketing opportunities and to offer lower premium rates. Our insurance subsidiaries may not be able to maintain their current 
competitive position in the markets in which they operate if their competitors offer prices for their products that are lower than 
the prices our insurance subsidiaries are prepared to offer. Moreover, if these competitors lower the price of their products and 
our insurance subsidiaries meet their pricing, the profit margins and revenues of our insurance subsidiaries may decrease and 
their ratios of claims and expenses to premiums may increase. All of these factors could materially adversely affect the 
financial condition and results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries and their A.M. Best ratings.

Because the investment portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of fixed-income securities, their 

investment income and the fair value of their investment portfolios could decrease as a result of a number of factors.

Our insurance subsidiaries invest the premiums they receive from their policyholders and maintain investment portfolios 

that consist primarily of fixed-income securities. The management of these investment portfolios is an important component of 
the profitability of our insurance subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries derive a significant portion of their operating income 
from the income they receive on their invested assets. A number of factors may affect the quality and/or yield of their 
portfolios, including the general economic and business environment, government monetary policy, changes in the credit 
quality of the issuers of the fixed-income securities our insurance subsidiaries own, changes in market conditions and 

-26-

     
     
regulatory changes. The fixed-income securities our insurance subsidiaries own consist primarily of securities issued by 
domestic entities that are backed either by the credit or collateral of the underlying issuer. Factors such as an economic 
downturn, disruption in the credit market or the availability of credit, a regulatory change pertaining to a particular issuer’s 
industry, a significant deterioration in the cash flows of the issuer or a change in the issuer’s marketplace may adversely affect 
the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to collect principal and interest from the issuer in which they invest.

The investments of our insurance subsidiaries are also subject to risk resulting from interest rate fluctuations. Increasing 

interest rates or a widening in the spread between interest rates available on U.S. Treasury securities and corporate debt or 
asset-backed securities, for example, will typically have an adverse impact on the market values of fixed-rate securities. If 
interest rates remain at historically low levels, our insurance subsidiaries will generally have a lower overall rate of return on 
investments of cash their operations generate. In addition, in the event of the call or maturity of investments in a low interest 
rate environment, our insurance subsidiaries may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities with comparable interest 
rates. Changes in interest rates may reduce both the profitability and the return on the invested capital of our insurance 
subsidiaries. 

We and our insurance subsidiaries depend on key personnel. The loss of any member of our executive management or 

the senior management of our insurance subsidiaries could negatively affect the continuation of our business strategies and 
achievement of our growth objectives.

The loss of, or failure to attract, key personnel could significantly impede the financial plans, growth, marketing and other 

objectives of us and our insurance subsidiaries. The continued success of our insurance subsidiaries depends to a substantial 
extent on the ability and experience of their senior management. Our insurance subsidiaries and we believe that our future 
success is dependent on our ability to attract and retain additional skilled and qualified personnel and to expand, train and 
manage our employees. We and Donegal Mutual have two to five year automatically renewing employment agreements with 
our senior officers, including all of our named executive officers.

The reinsurance agreements on which our insurance subsidiaries rely do not relieve our insurance subsidiaries from 

their primary liability to their policyholders, and our insurance subsidiaries face a risk of non-payment from their 
reinsurers as well as the non-availability of reinsurance in the future.

Our insurance subsidiaries rely on reinsurance agreements to limit their maximum net loss from large single catastrophic 
risks or excess of loss risks in areas where our insurance subsidiaries may have a concentration of policyholders. Reinsurance 
also enables our insurance subsidiaries to increase their capacity to write insurance because it has the effect of leveraging the 
surplus of our insurance subsidiaries. Although the reinsurance our insurance subsidiaries maintain provides that the reinsurer is 
liable to them for any reinsured losses, the reinsurance agreements do not generally relieve our insurance subsidiaries from 
their primary liability to their policyholders if the reinsurer fails to pay the reinsurance claims of our insurance subsidiaries. To 
the extent that a reinsurer is unable to pay losses for which it is liable to our insurance subsidiaries, our insurance subsidiaries 
remain liable for such losses. At December 31, 2013, our insurance subsidiaries had approximately $128.4 million of 
reinsurance receivables from third-party reinsurers relating to paid and unpaid losses. Any insolvency or inability of these 
reinsurers to make timely payments to our insurance subsidiaries under the terms of their reinsurance agreements would 
adversely affect the results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries.

Michigan law requires MICO to provide unlimited lifetime medical benefits under the personal injury protection, or PIP, 

coverage of the personal automobile and commercial automobile policies it writes in the State of Michigan. Michigan law also 
requires MICO to be a member of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, or MCCA, in order to write automobile 
insurance.  The MCCA receives funding through assessments that its members collect from policyholders in the state and 
provides reinsurance for PIP claims that exceed a set retention. At December 31, 2013, MICO had approximately $46.2 million 
of reinsurance receivables from MCCA relating to paid and unpaid losses. The MCCA has generated significant operating 
deficits in recent years.  Although we currently consider the risk to be remote, should the MCCA be unable to fulfill its 
payment obligations to MICO in the future, MICO's financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. 

In addition, our insurance subsidiaries face a risk of the non-availability of reinsurance or an increase in reinsurance costs 
that could adversely affect their ability to write business or their results of operations. Market conditions beyond the control of 
our insurance subsidiaries, such as the amount of surplus in the reinsurance market and the frequency and severity of natural 
and man-made catastrophes, affect both the availability and the cost of the reinsurance our insurance subsidiaries purchase. If 
our insurance subsidiaries cannot maintain their current level of reinsurance or purchase new reinsurance protection in amounts 
that our insurance subsidiaries consider sufficient, our insurance subsidiaries would either have to accept an increase in their 
net risk retention or reduce their insurance writings, which would adversely affect them.

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Our equity investment in DFSC subjects us to certain risks inherent to community banking organizations.

Our equity in the earnings of DFSC primarily reflects the underlying profitability of UCB. UCB is subject to a number of 

risks, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

variations in interest rates that may negatively affect UCB's financial performance;

inherent risks associated with UCB's lending activities;

a significant decline in general economic conditions in the specific markets in which UCB operates;

the potential adverse impact of extensive federal and state regulation and supervision;

potential declines in the value of UCB's investments that are considered other than temporary;

competition for loans and deposits with numerous regional and national banks and other financial institutions; and

•  UCB's inability to attract and retain qualified key personnel.

Risks Relating to the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry

Industry trends, such as increased litigation against the insurance industry and individual insurers, the willingness of 

courts to expand covered causes of loss, rising jury awards, escalating medical costs and increasing loss severity may 
contribute to increased costs and result in the deterioration of the reserves of our insurance subsidiaries.

Loss severity in the property and casualty insurance industry has increased in recent years, principally driven by larger 

court judgments and increasing medical costs. In addition, many classes of complainants have brought legal actions and 
proceedings that tend to increase the size of judgments. The propensity of policyholders and third-party claimants to litigate 
and the willingness of courts to expand causes of loss and the size of awards to eliminate exclusions and to increase coverage 
limits may make the loss reserves of our insurance subsidiaries inadequate for current and future losses.

Loss or significant restriction of the use of credit scoring in the pricing and underwriting of the personal lines 

insurance products by our insurance subsidiaries could adversely affect their future profitability.

Our insurance subsidiaries use credit scoring as a factor in making risk selection and pricing decisions where allowed by 
state law for personal lines insurance products. Recently, some consumer groups and regulators have questioned whether the 
use of credit scoring unfairly discriminates against people with low incomes, minority groups and the elderly. These consumer 
groups and regulators often call for the prohibition or restriction on the use of credit scoring in underwriting and pricing. Laws 
or regulations enacted in a number of states that significantly curtail the use of credit scoring in the underwriting process could 
reduce the future profitability of our insurance subsidiaries.

Changes in applicable insurance laws or regulations or changes in the way regulators administer those laws or 
regulations could adversely affect the operating environment of our insurance subsidiaries and increase their exposure to 
loss or put them at a competitive disadvantage.

Property and casualty insurers are subject to extensive supervision in their domiciliary states and in the states in which they 

do business. This regulatory oversight includes matters relating to:

• 

• 

licensing and examination;

approval of premium rates;

•  market conduct;

• 

• 

• 

policy forms;

limitations on the nature and amount of certain investments;

claims practices;

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•  mandated participation in involuntary markets and guaranty funds;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

reserve adequacy;

insurer solvency;

transactions between affiliates;

the amount of dividends that insurers may pay; and

restrictions on underwriting standards.

Such regulation and supervision are primarily for the benefit and protection of policyholders rather than stockholders. For 
instance, our insurance subsidiaries are subject to involuntary participation in specified markets in various states in which they 
operate and the premium rates our insurance subsidiaries may charge do not always correspond with the underlying costs of 
providing that coverage.

The NAIC and state insurance regulators are re-examining existing laws and regulations, specifically focusing on:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

insurance company investments;

issues relating to the solvency of insurance companies;

risk-based capital guidelines;

restrictions on the terms and conditions included in insurance policies;

certain methods of accounting;

reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes;

the values at which insurance companies may carry investment securities and the definition of other-than-temporary 
impairment; and

• 

interpretations of existing laws and the development of new laws. 

Changes in state laws and regulations, as well as changes in the way state regulators view related-party transactions in 
particular, could change the operating environment of our insurance subsidiaries and have an adverse effect on their business. 
The state insurance regulatory framework has recently come under increased federal scrutiny. Congress is considering 
proposals that it should create an optional federal charter for insurers. Federal chartering has the potential to create an uneven 
playing field for insurers by subjecting federally-chartered and state-chartered insurers to different regulatory requirements. 
Federal chartering also raises the possibility of duplicative or conflicting federal and state requirements. In addition, if federal 
legislation repeals the partial exemption for the insurance industry from federal antitrust laws, our ability to collect and share 
loss cost data with the industry could adversely affect the results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries.

Insurance companies are subject to assessments, based on their market share in a given line of business, to assist in the 

payment of unpaid claims and related costs of insolvent insurance companies. Such assessments could adversely affect the 
financial condition of our insurance subsidiaries.

Our insurance subsidiaries must pay assessments pursuant to the guaranty fund laws of the various states in which they 
conduct business. Generally, under these laws, our insurance subsidiaries can be assessed, depending upon the market share of 
our insurance subsidiaries in a given line of insurance business, to assist in the payment of unpaid claims and related costs of 
insolvent insurance companies in those states. We cannot predict the number and magnitude of future insurance company 
failures in the states in which our insurance subsidiaries conduct business, but future assessments could adversely affect the 
business, financial condition and results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries.

-29-

     
     
Our insurance subsidiaries must establish premium rates and loss and loss expense reserves from forecasts of the 
ultimate costs they expect will arise from risks underwritten during the policy period, and the profitability of our insurance 
subsidiaries could be adversely affected if their premium rates or reserves are insufficient to satisfy their ultimate costs.

One of the distinguishing features of the property and casualty insurance industry is that it prices its products before it 
knows its costs, since insurers generally establish their premium rates before they know the amount of losses they will incur. 
Accordingly, our insurance subsidiaries establish premium rates from forecasts of the ultimate costs they expect to arise from 
risks they have underwritten during the policy period. These premium rates may not be sufficient to cover the ultimate losses 
incurred. Further, our insurance subsidiaries must establish reserves for losses and loss expenses as balance sheet liabilities 
based upon estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections at a given time of what our insurance subsidiaries expect 
their ultimate liability to be. Significant periods of time often elapse from the occurrence of an insured loss to the reporting of 
the loss and the payment of that loss. It is possible that our insurance subsidiaries' ultimate liability could exceed these 
estimates because of the future development of known losses, the existence of losses that have occurred but are currently 
unreported and larger than historical settlements on pending and unreported claims. The process of estimating reserves is 
inherently judgmental and can be influenced by a number of factors, including the following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

trends in claim frequency and severity;

changes in operations;

emerging economic and social trends;

inflation; and

changes in the regulatory and litigation environments.

If our insurance subsidiaries have insufficient premium rates or reserves, insurance regulatory authorities may require 
increases to these reserves. An increase in reserves results in an increase in losses and a reduction in net income for the period 
in which the deficiency in reserves exists. Accordingly, if an increase in reserves is not sufficient, it may adversely impact their 
business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

The financial results of our insurance subsidiaries depend primarily on their ability to underwrite risks effectively and 

to charge adequate rates to policyholders.

The financial condition, cash flows and results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries depend on their ability to 

underwrite and set rates accurately for a full spectrum of risks across a number of lines of insurance. Rate adequacy is 
necessary to generate sufficient premium to pay losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses and to earn a 
profit.

The ability to underwrite and set rates effectively is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the availability of sufficient, reliable data;

the ability to conduct a complete and accurate analysis of available data;

the ability to recognize in a timely manner changes in trends and to project both the severity and frequency of losses 
with reasonable accuracy;

uncertainties generally inherent in estimates and assumptions;

the ability to project changes in certain operating expense levels with reasonable certainty;

the development, selection and application of appropriate rating formulae or other pricing methodologies;

the use of modeling tools to assist with correctly and consistently achieving the intended results in underwriting and 
pricing;

• 

the ability to innovate with new pricing strategies and the success of those innovations on implementation;

-30-

     
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the ability to secure regulatory approval of premium rates on an adequate and timely basis;

the ability to predict policyholder retention accurately;

unanticipated court decisions, legislation or regulatory action;

unanticipated changes in our claim settlement practices;

changes in driving patterns for auto exposures;

changes in weather patterns for property exposures;

changes in the medical sector of the economy;

unanticipated changes in auto repair costs, auto parts prices and used car prices;

the impact of inflation and other factors on the cost of construction materials and labor;

the ability to monitor property concentration in catastrophe-prone areas, such as hurricane, earthquake and wind/hail 
regions; and

• 

the general state of the economy in the states in which our insurance subsidiaries operate.

Such risks may result in the premium rates of our insurance subsidiaries being based on inadequate or inaccurate data or 

inappropriate assumptions or methodologies and may cause our estimates of future changes in the frequency or severity of 
claims to be incorrect. As a result, our insurance subsidiaries could underprice risks, which would negatively affect our 
margins, or our insurance subsidiaries could overprice risks, which could reduce their volume and competitiveness. In either 
event, underpricing or overpricing risks could adversely impact our operating results, financial condition and cash flows.

The cyclical nature of the property and casualty insurance industry may reduce the revenues and profit margins of our 

insurance subsidiaries.

The property and casualty insurance industry is highly cyclical with respect to both individual lines of business and the 
overall insurance industry. Premium rate levels relate to the availability of insurance coverage, which varies according to the 
level of surplus available in the insurance industry. The level of surplus in the industry varies with returns on invested capital 
and regulatory barriers to withdrawal of surplus. Increases in surplus may result in increased price competition among property 
and casualty insurers. If our insurance subsidiaries find it necessary to reduce premiums or limit premium increases due to 
these competitive pressures on pricing, our insurance subsidiaries may experience a reduction in their profit margins and 
revenues, an increase in their ratios of losses and expenses to premiums and, therefore, lower profitability.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock may be adversely affected by its low trading volume.

Our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock have limited liquidity. Reported average daily trading volume 

for our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock for the year ended December 31, 2013 was approximately 
26,148 shares and approximately 823 shares, respectively. This limited liquidity could subject our shares of Class A common 
stock and our shares of Class B common stock to greater price volatility.

Donegal Mutual’s ownership of our stock, anti-takeover provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and 

certain state laws make it unlikely anyone could acquire control of us unless Donegal Mutual were in favor of the 
acquisition of control.

Donegal Mutual’s ownership of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, certain anti-takeover provisions of 

our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, certain provisions of Delaware law and the insurance laws and regulations of 
Iowa, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin could delay or prevent the removal of members of 
our board of directors and could make it more difficult for a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us to succeed, even 
if our stockholders other than Donegal Mutual believed any of such events would be beneficial to them. These factors could 

-31-

     
     
     
also discourage a third party from attempting to acquire control of us. The classification of our board of directors could also 
have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control.

In addition, we have 2,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock that we could issue in one or more series without 

stockholder approval, to the extent applicable law permits, and upon such terms and conditions, and having such rights, 
privileges and preferences, as our board of directors may determine. Our ability to issue preferred stock could make it difficult 
for a third party to acquire us. We have no current plans to issue any preferred stock.

Moreover, the DGCL contains provisions that prohibit certain business combination transactions under certain 

circumstances. In addition, state insurance laws and regulations generally prohibit any person from acquiring, or seeking to 
acquire, a 10% or greater interest in an insurance company without the prior approval of the state insurance commissioner of 
the state of domicile of the insurer.  Because of our indirect control of UCB, HOLA also prohibits the acquisition of a 10% or 
greater interest in either our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock without the prior approval of the FRB or the 
granting of an exemption by the FRB.

-32-

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

We have no unresolved written comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") staff regarding our 

filings under the Exchange Act.

Item 2.     Properties.

We and our insurance subsidiaries share administrative headquarters with Donegal Mutual in a building in Marietta, 
Pennsylvania that Donegal Mutual owns. Donegal Mutual charges us and our insurance subsidiaries for an appropriate portion 
of the building expenses under an inter-company allocation agreement. The Marietta headquarters has approximately 230,000 
square feet of office space. Southern owns a facility of approximately 10,000 square feet in Glen Allen, Virginia. Le Mars owns 
a facility of approximately 25,500 square feet in Le Mars, Iowa, Peninsula owns a facility of approximately 14,600 square feet 
in Salisbury, Maryland and Sheboygan owns a facility of approximately 8,800 square feet in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings.

Our insurance subsidiaries are parties to routine litigation that arises in the ordinary course of their insurance business. We 

believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of 
operations of our insurance subsidiaries.

Item 4.     Reserved.

Not applicable.

-33-

Executive Officers of the Company

The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers of Donegal Mutual and us, each of whom has 

served with us for more than 10 years:

Name
Donald H. Nikolaus

Age

Kevin G. Burke

Cyril J. Greenya

Jeffrey D. Miller

Sanjay Pandey

Position

71 President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Mutual since 1981; President

and Chief Executive Officer of us since 1986. Chairman of our board of directors
since April 2012.

48 Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Donegal Mutual and us since 2005;
Vice President of Human Resources of Donegal Mutual and us from 2001 to 2005;
other positions from 2000 to 2001.

69 Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer of Donegal Mutual and us

since 2005; Senior Vice President, Underwriting, of Donegal Mutual from 1997 to
2005; other positions from 1986 to 2005.

49 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Donegal Mutual and us since
2005; Vice President and Controller of Donegal Mutual and us from 2000 to 2005;
other positions from 1995 to 2005.

47 Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Donegal Mutual and us

since 2013; Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Donegal Mutual and
us from 2009 to 2013; other positions from 2000 to 2009.

Robert G. Shenk

60 Senior Vice President, Claims, of Donegal Mutual and us since 1997; other

positions from 1986 to 1997.

Daniel J. Wagner

53 Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Donegal Mutual and us since 2005; Vice
President and Treasurer of Donegal Mutual and us from 2000 to 2005; other
positions from 1993 to 2005.

-34-

PART II

Item 5.      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities.

Our Class A common stock and Class B common stock trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols 
“DGICA” and “DGICB,” respectively. The following table shows the dividends paid per share and the stock price range for 
both classes of stock for each quarter during 2013 and 2012: 

Quarter

2013 - Class A

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

2013 - Class B

1st
2nd

3rd

4th

2012 - Class A

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

2012 - Class B

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

High

Low

Cash
Dividend
Declared
Per Share

$ 16.52

$ 12.93   $

—

15.59

14.90

16.88

13.90   0.1275

13.35   0.1275

14.15   0.2550

$ 28.49
27.85

$ 17.92   $

—
19.00   0.1150

24.03

26.00

18.00   0.1150

19.21   0.2300

$ 16.00

$ 12.73   $

—

15.36

14.93

14.69

12.87   0.1225

12.91   0.1225

12.25   0.2450

$ 17.89

$ 14.74   $

—

18.00

18.22

23.00

16.85   0.1100

16.04   0.1100

16.51   0.2200

At the close of business on March 3, 2014, we had approximately 1,926 holders of record of our Class A common stock 

and approximately 340 holders of record of our Class B common stock.

We declared dividends of $0.51 per share on our Class A common stock and $0.46 per share on our Class B common stock 
in 2013, compared to $0.49 per share on our Class A common stock and $0.44 per share on our Class B common stock in 2012.

-35-

 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
Between October 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013, we and Donegal Mutual purchased shares of our Class A common stock 

and Class B common stock as set forth in the table below:

Period

(a) Total Number of Shares
(or Units Purchased

(b) Average Price Paid per
Share (or Unit)

(c) Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased as Part
of Publicly Announced
Plans of Programs

(d) Maximum Number (or 
Approximate Dollar Value) 
of Shares (or Units) that May 
Yet Be Purchased Under the 
Plans or Programs (1)

Month #1

October 1-31, 2013

  Class A — —
  Class B — —

  Class A — $—
  Class B — $—

  Class A — —
  Class B — —

Month #2

November 1-30, 2013

  Class A — —
  Class B — —

  Class A — $—
  Class B — $—

  Class A — —
  Class B — —

Month #3

December 1-31, 2013

  Class A — 20,000
  Class B — 13,000

  Class A — $15.82
  Class B — $23.62

  Class A — 20,000
  Class B — 13,000

(1)

(2)

Total

  Class A — 20,000
  Class B — 13,000

  Class A — $15.82
  Class B — $23.62

  Class A — 20,000
  Class B — 13,000

(1) We purchased these shares pursuant to our announcement first made on February 23, 2009 that we will purchase up to 

300,000 shares of our Class A common stock at market prices prevailing from time to time in the open market subject to the 
provisions of SEC Rule 10b-18 and in privately negotiated transactions. We may purchase up to 4,068 additional shares of our 
Class A common stock under this stock repurchase program.

(2) Donegal Mutual purchased these shares pursuant to its announcement first made on August 17, 2004 that it will, at its 
discretion, purchase shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock at market prices prevailing from time to 
time in the open market subject to the provisions of SEC Rule 10b-18 and in privately negotiated transactions. Such 
announcement did not stipulate a maximum number of shares that may be purchased under this program.

-36-

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
Stock Performance Chart.

The following graph provides an indicator of cumulative total stockholder returns on our Class A common stock and our 
Class B common stock for the period beginning on December 31, 2008 and ending on December 31, 2013, compared to the 
Russell 2000 Index and a peer group comprised of seven property and casualty insurance companies over the same period.  The 
peer group consists of Cincinnati Financial Corp., EMC Insurance Group Inc., Hanover Insurance, Horace Mann Educators, 
Selective Insurance Group Inc., State Auto Financial Corp. and United Fire and Casualty Co.  The graph shows the change in 
value of an initial $100 investment on December 31, 2008, assuming reinvestment of all dividends.

Donegal Group Inc. Class A

Donegal Group Inc. Class B

Russell 2000 Index

Peer Group

2008
$100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

2009
$95.41

100.85

125.22

90.53

2010
$91.93

108.23

156.90

108.19

2011
$93.33

103.50

148.35

100.42

2012
$95.84

116.23

170.06

127.24

2013
$112.39

155.94

232.98

181.94

Value Line Publishing LLC prepared the foregoing performance graph and data. The performance graph and accompanying 

data shall not be deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K Annual Report for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or 
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section and should not be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing we 
make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate the 
performance graph and accompanying data by reference into such filing.

-37-

Item 6.     Selected Financial Data.

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Income Statement Data

Premiums earned

Investment income, net

Realized investment gains

Total revenues
Income (loss) before income taxes

(benefit)

Income taxes (benefit)

Net income

Basic earnings per share - Class A

Diluted earnings per share - Class A
Cash dividends per share - Class A

Basic earnings per share - Class B

Diluted earnings per share - Class B

Cash dividends per share - Class B

Balance Sheet Data at Year End

Total investments

Total assets

Debt obligations

Stockholders' equity

Book value per share

$ 515,291,944   $ 475,002,222   $ 431,470,184   $ 378,030,129   $ 355,025,477

18,795,239  

20,168,919  

20,858,179  

19,949,714  

20,630,583

2,423,442  

6,859,439  

12,281,267  

4,395,720

4,479,558

547,110,065  

514,982,585  

475,017,619  

408,549,446   386,733,407

32,710,265  

27,858,260  

6,388,273  

4,765,640  

26,321,992  

23,092,620  

(6,739,313)  
(7,192,266)  
452,953  

9,844,149  
(1,623,030)  
11,467,179  

20,676,689

1,846,611

18,830,078

1.04  

1.02  
0.51  

0.94  

0.94  

0.46  

0.92  

0.91  
0.49  

0.83  

0.83  

0.44  

0.02  

0.02  
0.48  

0.01  

0.01  

0.43  

0.46  

0.46  
0.46  

0.41  

0.41  

0.41  

0.76

0.76
0.45

0.68

0.68

0.40

$ 791,808,307   $ 806,429,032   $ 785,308,991   $ 728,541,814   $ 666,835,186

1,385,410,502   1,336,889,187   1,290,793,478   1,174,619,523   935,601,927

63,000,000  

72,465,000  

74,965,000  

56,082,371  

15,465,000

396,877,111  

400,034,094  

383,451,592  

380,102,810   385,505,699

15.02  

15.63  

15.01  

14.86  

15.12

-38-

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

Overview

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company (“Donegal Mutual”) organized us as an insurance holding company on August 26, 

1986. See “Business - History and Organizational Structure” for more information. Our insurance subsidiaries, Atlantic States 
Insurance Company (“Atlantic States”), Southern Insurance Company of Virginia (“Southern”), Le Mars Insurance Company 
(“Le Mars”), The Peninsula Insurance Company and Peninsula Indemnity Company (collectively, “Peninsula”), Sheboygan 
Falls Insurance Company (“Sheboygan Falls”) and Michigan Insurance Company (“MICO”) write personal and commercial 
lines of property and casualty coverages exclusively through a network of independent insurance agents in certain Mid-
Atlantic, Midwest, New England and Southern states. The personal lines products of our insurance subsidiaries consist 
primarily of homeowners and private passenger automobile policies. The commercial lines products of our insurance 
subsidiaries consist primarily of commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and workers' compensation policies. We also 
own 48.2% of the outstanding stock of Donegal Financial Services Corporation (“DFSC”), a grandfathered unitary savings and 
loan holding company. Donegal Mutual owns the remaining 51.8% of the outstanding stock of DFSC. 

 At December 31, 2013, Donegal Mutual held approximately 37% of our outstanding Class A common stock and 

approximately 76% of our outstanding Class B common stock. This ownership provides Donegal Mutual with approximately 
65% of the aggregate voting power of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock and our outstanding shares of Class B 
common stock. 

Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States entered into a proportional reinsurance agreement, or pooling agreement, effective 

October 1, 1986. Under this pooling agreement, Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States pool and then share proportionately 
substantially all of their respective premiums, losses and expenses. Atlantic States' participation in the pool has been 80%  since 
March 1, 2008. The operations of our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual are interrelated due to the pooling agreement 
and other factors. While maintaining the separate corporate existence of each company, our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal 
Mutual conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. As such, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries 
share the same business philosophy, the same management, the same employees and the same facilities and offer the same 
types of insurance products. See “Business - History and Organizational Structure” for more information regarding the pooling 
agreement and other transactions with our affiliates. 

In May 2011, DFSC and Union National Financial Corporation (“UNNF”) merged, with DFSC as the surviving company 
in the merger. Under the merger agreement, Province Bank FSB, which DFSC owned, and Union National Community Bank, 
which UNNF owned, also merged and began doing business as Union Community Bank FSB (“UCB”). UCB became a state 
savings bank in 2013. UCB had 13 branch offices in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and $512.8 million in assets at December 
31, 2013. Donegal Mutual contributed $22.1 million and we contributed $20.6 million to DFSC as additional capital to 
facilitate the mergers. We use the equity method of accounting for our investment in DFSC. Under the equity method, we 
record our investment at cost, with adjustments for our share of DFSC's earnings and losses as well as changes in DFSC's 
equity due to DFSC's unrealized gains and losses. 

In February 2009, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program, pursuant to which we may purchase up to 
300,000 shares of our Class A common stock at prices prevailing from time to time in the open market subject to the provisions 
of Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 10b-18 and in privately negotiated transactions. We purchased 24,240 
and 135,064 shares of our Class A common stock under this program during 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 
2013, we had the authority remaining to purchase 4,068 shares under this program. 

On July 18, 2013, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program pursuant to which we have the authority to 

purchase up to 500,000 additional shares of our Class A common stock at prices prevailing from time to time in the open 
market subject to the provisions of the SEC Rule 10b-18 and in privately negotiated transactions. We did not purchase shares 
under this program during 2013.

At our annual meeting of stockholders on April 18, 2013, our stockholders approved an amendment to our certificate of 

incorporation that increased the number of shares of our Class A common stock we have the authority to issue from 30.0 
million shares to 40.0 million shares.

-39-

 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

We combine our financial statements with those of our insurance subsidiaries and present them on a consolidated basis in 

accordance with GAAP. 

Our insurance subsidiaries make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts and disclosures 

we report in our financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to the reserves of our insurance subsidiaries for 
property and casualty insurance unpaid losses and loss expenses, valuation of investments and determination of other-than-
temporary investment impairments and the policy acquisition costs of our insurance subsidiaries. While we believe our 
estimates and the estimates of our insurance subsidiaries are appropriate, the ultimate amounts may differ from the estimates 
we provided. We regularly review our methods for making these estimates and we reflect any adjustment we consider necessary 
in our current results of operations.

Liability for Losses and Loss Expenses 

Liabilities for losses and loss expenses are estimates at a given point in time of the amounts an insurer expects to pay with 

respect to policyholder claims based on facts and circumstances then known. At the time of establishing its estimates, an insurer 
recognizes that its ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses will exceed or be less than such estimates. Our insurance 
subsidiaries base their estimates of liabilities for losses and loss expenses on assumptions as to future loss trends, expected 
claims severity, judicial theories of liability and other factors. However, during the loss adjustment period, our insurance 
subsidiaries may learn additional facts regarding individual claims, and, consequently, it often becomes necessary for our 
insurance subsidiaries to refine and adjust their estimates of liability. We reflect any adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries' 
liabilities for losses and loss expenses in our consolidated results of operations in the period in which our insurance subsidiaries 
make the changes in estimates. 

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain liabilities for the payment of losses and loss expenses with respect to both reported 
and unreported claims. Our insurance subsidiaries establish these liabilities for the purpose of covering the ultimate costs of 
settling all losses, including investigation and litigation costs. Our insurance subsidiaries base the amount of their liability for 
reported losses primarily upon a case-by-case evaluation of the type of risk involved, knowledge of the circumstances 
surrounding each claim and the insurance policy provisions relating to the type of loss the policyholder incurred. Our insurance 
subsidiaries determine the amount of their liability for unreported claims and loss expenses on the basis of historical 
information by line of insurance. Our insurance subsidiaries account for inflation in the reserving function through analysis of 
costs and trends and reviews of historical reserving results. Our insurance subsidiaries closely monitor their liabilities and 
recompute them periodically using new information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. Our insurance 
subsidiaries do not discount their liabilities for losses.

Reserve estimates can change over time because of unexpected changes in assumptions related to our insurance 

subsidiaries' external environment and, to a lesser extent, assumptions related to our insurance subsidiaries' internal operations. 
For example, our insurance subsidiaries have experienced a decrease in claims frequency on workers' compensation claims 
during the past several years while claims severity has gradually increased. These trend changes give rise to greater uncertainty 
as to the pattern of future loss settlements on workers' compensation claims. Related uncertainties regarding future trends 
include the cost of medical technologies and procedures and changes in the utilization of medical procedures. Assumptions 
related to our insurance subsidiaries' external environment include the absence of significant changes in tort law and the legal 
environment that increase liability exposure, consistency in judicial interpretations of insurance coverage and policy provisions 
and the rate of loss cost inflation. Internal assumptions include consistency in the recording of premium and loss statistics, 
consistency in the recording of claims, payment and case reserving methodology, accurate measurement of the impact of rate 
changes and changes in policy provisions, consistency in the quality and characteristics of business written within a given line 
of business and consistency in reinsurance coverage and collectability of reinsured losses, among other items. To the extent our 
insurance subsidiaries determine that underlying factors impacting their assumptions have changed, our insurance subsidiaries 
attempt to make appropriate adjustments for such changes in their reserves. Accordingly, our insurance subsidiaries' ultimate 
liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses will likely differ from the amount recorded at December 31, 2013. For every 1% 
change in our insurance subsidiaries' estimate for loss and loss expense reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable, the effect on 
our pre-tax results of operations would be approximately $2.7 million. 

The establishment of appropriate liabilities is an inherently uncertain process and we can provide no assurance that our 
insurance subsidiaries' ultimate liability will not exceed our insurance subsidiaries' loss and loss expense reserves and have an 
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing, frequency and 
extent of adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries' estimated future liabilities, since the historical conditions and events that 
serve as a basis for our insurance subsidiaries' estimates of ultimate claim costs may change. As is the case for substantially all 
-40-

 
 
property and casualty insurance companies, our insurance subsidiaries have found it necessary in the past to increase their 
estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses in certain periods and, in other periods, their estimates of future 
liabilities have exceeded their actual liabilities. Changes in our insurance subsidiaries' estimate of their liability for losses and 
loss expenses generally reflect actual payments and their evaluation of information received since the prior reporting date. Our 
insurance subsidiaries recognized an increase (decrease) in their liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years of $10.4 
million, $7.6 million and ($168,460) in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our insurance subsidiaries made no significant 
changes in their reserving philosophy, key reserving assumptions or claims management personnel, and have made no 
significant offsetting changes in estimates that increased or decreased their loss and loss expense reserves in these years. The 
2013 development represented 4.1% of the December 31, 2012 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from higher-than-
expected severity in the private passenger automobile liability, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile and workers' 
compensation lines of business in accident years prior to 2013. 

Excluding the impact of weather events, our insurance subsidiaries have noted stable amounts in the number of claims 
incurred and a slight downward trend in the number of claims outstanding at period ends relative to their premium base in 
recent years across most of their lines of business. However, the amount of the average claim outstanding has increased 
gradually over the past several years as the United States property and casualty insurance industry has experienced increased 
litigation trends and economic conditions that have extended the estimated length of disabilities and contributed to increased 
medical loss costs. We have also experienced a general slowing of settlement rates in litigated claims. Our insurance 
subsidiaries could have to make further adjustments to their estimates in the future. However, on the basis of our insurance 
subsidiaries' internal procedures, which analyze, among other things, their prior assumptions, their experience with similar 
cases and historical trends such as reserving patterns, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well 
as court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes, we believe that our insurance subsidiaries have made adequate 
provision for their liability for losses and loss expenses. 

Atlantic States' participation in the pool with Donegal Mutual exposes it to adverse loss development on the business of 

Donegal Mutual that the pool includes. However, pooled business represents the predominant percentage of the net 
underwriting activity of both companies, and Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States proportionately share any adverse risk 
development of the pooled business. The business in the pool is homogeneous and each company has a pro-rata share of the 
entire pool. Since substantially all of the business of Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual is pooled and the results shared by 
each company according to its participation level under the terms of the pooling agreement, the intent of the underwriting pool 
is to produce a more uniform and stable underwriting result from year to year for each company than either would experience 
individually and to spread the risk of loss between the companies. 

Our insurance subsidiaries' liability for losses and loss expenses by major line of business at December 31, 2013 and 2012 

consisted of the following:

Commercial lines:

Automobile

Workers' compensation

Commercial multi-peril

Other

2013

2012

(in thousands)

$

36,017

$

32,012

79,932

39,822

2,716

67,715

39,645

4,142

Total commercial lines

158,487

143,514

Personal lines:

Automobile

Homeowners

Other

92,280

13,367

1,471

93,966

11,643

1,813

Total personal lines

107,118

107,422

Total commercial and personal lines

Plus reinsurance recoverable

265,605

230,014

250,936

207,891

Total liability for losses and loss expenses

$ 495,619

$ 458,827

-41-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We have evaluated the effect on our insurance subsidiaries' loss and loss expense reserves and our stockholders' equity in 

the event of reasonably likely changes in the variables we consider in establishing loss and loss expense reserves. We 
established the range of reasonably likely changes based on a review of changes in accident year development by line of 
business and applied it to our insurance subsidiaries' loss reserves as a whole. The selected range does not necessarily indicate 
what could be the potential best or worst case or the most-likely scenario. The following table sets forth the effect on our 
insurance subsidiaries' loss and loss expense reserves and our stockholders' equity in the event of reasonably likely changes in 
the variables considered in establishing loss and loss expense reserves: 

Change in Loss and Loss
Expense Reserves Net of
Reinsurance

Adjusted Loss and Loss
Expense Reserves Net of
Reinsurance at
December 31, 2013

Percentage Change in
Equity at
December 31, 2013(1)

(dollars in thousands)

Adjusted Loss and Loss
Expense Reserves Net of
Reinsurance at
December 31, 2012

Percentage Change in
Equity at
December 31, 2012(1)

-10.0%

$239,045

4.4%

$225,842

4.1%

-7.5

-5.0

-2.5

Base

2.5
5.0

7.5

10.0

245,685

252,325

258,965

265,605

272,245
278,885

285,525

292,166

(1)  Net of income tax effect.

3.3

2.2

1.1

—

-1.1
-2.2

-3.3

-4.4

232,116

238,389

244,663

250,936

257,209
263,483

269,756

276,030

3.1

2.0

1.0

—

-1.0
-2.0

-3.1

-4.1

Our insurance subsidiaries base their reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses on current trends in loss and loss 

expense development and reflect their best estimates for future amounts needed to pay losses and loss expenses with respect to 
incurred events currently known to them plus incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. Our insurance subsidiaries develop 
their reserve estimates based on an assessment of known facts and circumstances, review of historical loss settlement patterns, 
estimates of trends in claims severity, frequency, legal and regulatory changes and other assumptions. Our insurance 
subsidiaries consistently apply actuarial loss reserving techniques and assumptions, which rely on historical information as 
adjusted to reflect current conditions, including consideration of recent case reserve activity. Our insurance subsidiaries use the 
most-likely number their actuaries determine. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the actuaries developed a range from a 
low of $238.8 million to a high of $295.5 million and with a most-likely number of $265.6 million. The actuaries' range of 
estimates for commercial lines in 2013 was $142.5 million to $176.2 million, and the actuaries selected the most-likely number 
of $158.5 million. The actuaries' range of estimates for personal lines in 2013 was $96.2 million to $119.3 million, and the 
actuaries selected the most-likely number of $107.1 million.  For the year ended December 31, 2012, the actuaries developed a 
range from a low of $228.7 million to a high of $275.3 million and with a most-likely number of $250.9 million. The actuaries' 
range of estimates for commercial lines in 2012 was $130.9 million to $157.4 million, and the actuaries selected the most-likely 
number of $143.5 million. The actuaries' range of estimates for personal lines in 2012 was $97.8 million to $117.9 million, and 
the actuaries selected the most-likely number of $107.4 million.

Our insurance subsidiaries seek to enhance their underwriting results by carefully selecting the product lines they 
underwrite. For personal lines products, our insurance subsidiaries insure standard and preferred risks in private passenger 
automobile and homeowners lines. For commercial lines products, the commercial risks that our insurance subsidiaries 
primarily insure are business offices, wholesalers, service providers, contractors, artisans and light manufacturing operations. 
Our insurance subsidiaries have limited exposure to asbestos and other environmental liabilities. Our insurance subsidiaries 
write no medical malpractice liability risks. Through the consistent application of this disciplined underwriting philosophy, our 
insurance subsidiaries have avoided many of the “long-tail” issues other insurance companies have faced. We consider workers' 
compensation to be a “long-tail” line of business, in that workers' compensation claims tend to be settled over a longer time 
frame than those in the other lines of business of our insurance subsidiaries. 

-42-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents 2013 and 2012 claim count and payment amount information for workers' compensation. 

Workers' compensation losses primarily consist of indemnity and medical costs for injured workers. 

Number of claims pending, beginning of period

(dollars in thousands)

Number of claims reported

Number of claims settled or dismissed

Number of claims pending, end of period

Losses paid

Loss expenses paid

Investments

For the Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2,345  

6,869  

6,605  

2,609  

2,430

6,114

6,199

2,345

$

32,419   $

7,365  

30,860

6,518

We make estimates concerning the valuation of our investments and the recognition of other-than-temporary declines in the 

value of our investments. For equity securities, we write down the investment to its fair value and we reflect the amount of the 
write-down as a realized loss in our results of operations when we consider the decline in value of an individual investment to 
be other than temporary. We individually monitor all investments for other-than-temporary declines in value. Generally, we 
assume there has been an other-than-temporary decline in value if an individual equity security has depreciated in value by 
more than 20% of original cost and has been in such an unrealized loss position for more than six months. We held four equity 
securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2013. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions 
and underlying factors impacting these equity securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary. With respect to 
a debt security that is in an unrealized loss position, we first assess if we intend to sell the debt security. If we determine we 
intend to sell the debt security, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we do not intend to sell the debt 
security, we determine whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovery. If we 
determine it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we recognize an 
impairment loss in our results of operations. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the 
debt security prior to recovery, we then evaluate whether a credit loss has occurred. We determine whether a credit loss has 
occurred by comparing the amortized cost of the debt security to the present value of the cash flows we expect to collect. If we 
expect a cash flow shortfall, we consider that a credit loss has occurred. If we determine that a credit loss has occurred, we 
consider the impairment to be other than temporary. We then recognize the amount of the impairment loss related to the credit 
loss in our results of operations, and we recognize the remaining portion of the impairment loss in our other comprehensive 
income, net of applicable taxes. In addition, we may write down securities in an unrealized loss position based on a number of 
other factors, including when the fair value of an investment is significantly below its cost, when the financial condition of the 
issuer of a security has deteriorated, the occurrence of industry, company or geographic events that have negatively impacted 
the value of a security and rating agency downgrades. We held 216 debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position at 
December 31, 2013. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions and underlying factors impacting these debt 
securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary. We did not recognize any impairment losses in 2013, 2012 or 
2011. 

We held fixed maturities and equity securities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at 

December 31, 2013 as follows: 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

$ 50,802,809   $

821,941   $ 4,642,775   $

104,331

Less than 12 months

12 months or longer

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

65,170,891  

363,240   13,404,781  

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities

Totals

98,676

71,802

16,693,759  

83,535  

6,851,898  

72,878,347  

535,944   19,013,889  

213,414

1,628,893  

92,867  

—  

—

$ 207,174,699   $ 1,897,527   $43,913,343   $

488,223

-43-

 
 
 
 
We held fixed maturities and equity securities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at 

December 31, 2012 as follows: 

Less than 12 months

12 months or longer

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

$ 12,308,333   $

43,951   $

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

22,134,226  

606,065  

—   $

—  

—

—

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities

Totals

12,271,750  

79,136  

2,958,520  

29,573

22,491,562  

66,443  

2,226,050  

106,748  

—  

—  

—

—

$ 71,431,921   $

902,343   $ 2,958,520   $

29,573

We present our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at estimated fair value. The estimated 

fair value of a security may differ from the amount that could be realized if we sold the security in a forced transaction. In 
addition, the valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid, increasing the potential 
that the estimated fair value does not reflect the price at which an actual transaction would occur. We utilize nationally 
recognized independent pricing services to estimate fair values or obtain market quotations for substantially all of our fixed 
maturity and equity investments. We generally obtain one price per security. The pricing services utilize market quotations for 
fixed maturity and equity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. For fixed maturity securities that generally do not 
trade on a daily basis, the pricing services prepare estimates of fair value measurements based predominantly on observable 
market inputs. The pricing services do not use broker quotes in determining the fair values of our investments. Our investment 
personnel review the estimates of fair value the pricing services provide to determine if the estimates we obtain are
representative of fair values based upon their general knowledge of the market, their research findings related to unusual 
fluctuations in value and their comparison of such values to execution prices for similar securities. Our investment personnel 
monitor the market and are familiar with current trading ranges for similar securities and pricing of specific investments. Our 
investment personnel review all pricing estimates that we receive from the pricing services against their expectations with 
respect to pricing based on fair market curves, security ratings, coupon rates, security type and recent trading activity. Our
investment personnel review documentation with respect to the pricing services’ pricing methodology that they obtain 
periodically to determine if the primary pricing sources, market inputs and pricing frequency for various security types are 
reasonable. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we received one estimate per security from one of the pricing services, and we 
priced substantially all of our Level 1 and Level 2 investments using those prices. In our review of the estimates the pricing 
services provided at December 31, 2013 and 2012, we did not identify any discrepancies, and we did not make any adjustments 
to the estimates the pricing services provided. 

We had no sales or transfers from the held to maturity portfolio in 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Policy Acquisition Costs 

We defer our insurance subsidiaries' policy acquisition costs, consisting primarily of commissions, premium taxes and 

certain other underwriting costs, reduced by ceded commissions, that vary with and relate directly to the production of 
business. We amortize these costs over the period in which our insurance subsidiaries earn the premiums on that business. The 
method our insurance subsidiaries follow in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred 
costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and 
loss expenses and certain other costs we expect to incur as our insurance subsidiaries earn the premium. 

Management Evaluation of Operating Results 

Despite headwinds from economic uncertainty, challenging insurance market conditions and unusually adverse weather 

conditions that affected our results in recent years, we believe that our focused business strategy, including our insurance 
subsidiaries' disciplined underwriting practices, have positioned us well for 2014 and beyond. 

The property and casualty insurance industry is highly cyclical, and individual lines of business experience their own 

cycles within the overall property and casualty insurance industry cycle. Premium rate levels relate to the availability of 
insurance coverage, which varies according to the level of surplus in the insurance industry and other factors. The level of 
surplus in the industry varies with returns on capital and regulatory barriers to the withdrawal of surplus. Increases in surplus 
have generally been accompanied by increased price competition among property and casualty insurers. If our insurance 

-44-

 
 
 
subsidiaries were to find it necessary to reduce premiums or limit premium increases due to competitive pressures on pricing, 
our insurance subsidiaries could experience a reduction in profit margins and revenues, an increase in ratios of losses and 
expenses to premiums and, therefore, lower profitability. The cyclicality of the insurance market and its potential impact on our 
results is difficult to predict with any significant reliability. We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal 
lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory 
accounting practices (“SAP”), which our management uses to measure performance for the total business of our insurance 
subsidiaries. 

-45-

We use the following financial data to monitor and evaluate our operating results:

(in thousands)

Net premiums written:

Personal lines:

Automobile

Homeowners

Other

Total personal lines

Commercial lines:

Automobile

Workers' compensation

Commercial multi-peril

Other

Total commercial lines

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

$ 196,363

  $ 195,132

  $ 186,677

106,420

15,915

318,698

58,165

77,589

74,516

4,463

97,120

16,319

89,405

14,983

308,571

291,065

51,261

65,390

64,476

6,749

46,168

51,849

57,988

6,981

214,733

187,876

162,986

Total net premiums written

$ 533,431

  $ 496,447

  $ 454,051

Components of GAAP combined ratio:

Loss ratio

Expense ratio

Dividend ratio

GAAP combined ratio

Revenues:

Premiums earned:

Personal lines

Commercial lines

SAP premiums earned

GAAP adjustments

GAAP premiums earned

Net investment income

Realized investment gains

Equity in earnings of DFSC

Other

Total revenues

66.6%

31.8

0.4

70.1%

31.2

0.3

78.9%

31.4

0.3

98.8%

101.6%

110.6%

$ 312,309

  $ 300,272

  $ 282,498

202,983

515,292

—

515,292

18,795

2,423

2,908

7,692

174,735

475,007
(5)
475,002

20,169

6,859

4,533

8,420

152,247

434,745
(3,275)
431,470

20,858

12,281

2,023

8,386

$ 547,110

  $ 514,983

  $ 475,018

-46-

 
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)

Components of net income:

Underwriting income (loss):

Personal lines

Commercial lines

SAP underwriting income (loss)

GAAP adjustments

GAAP underwriting income (loss)

Net investment income

Realized investment gains

Equity in earnings of DFSC

Other

Income (loss) before income tax (expense) benefit

Income tax (expense) benefit

Net income

Statutory Combined Ratios 

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

$

$

1,654
(524)
1,130

5,175

6,305

18,795

2,423

2,908

2,279

32,710
(6,388)
26,322

$

$

(18,236) $
5,251
(12,985)
5,545
(7,440)
20,169

6,859

4,533

3,737

27,858
(4,765)
23,093

$

(40,739)
(6,560)
(47,299)
1,532
(45,767)
20,858

12,281

2,023

3,866
(6,739)
7,192

453

We evaluate our insurance operations by monitoring certain key measures of growth and profitability. In addition to using 
GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are valuable in 
managing our business and for comparison to our peers. These non-GAAP measures are underwriting (loss) income, statutory 
combined ratio and net premiums written. An insurance company's statutory combined ratio is a standard measure of 
underwriting profitability. This ratio is the sum of the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums 
earned; the ratio of expenses incurred for commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written and the 
ratio of dividends to policyholders to premiums earned. The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, 
federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A ratio of less than 100 percent generally indicates 
underwriting profitability. The statutory combined ratio differs from the GAAP combined ratio. In calculating the GAAP 
combined ratio, installment payment fees are not deducted from incurred expenses and the expense ratio is based on premiums 
earned instead of premiums written. The following table sets forth our insurance subsidiaries' statutory combined ratios by 
major line of business for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

104.9%

94.5%

105.4%

96.9

92.9
NM1
95.7

103.2

93.0

80.5

98.8

97.4

98.1

90.5

15.0

91.2

108.1

100.9

89.4

105.0

99.8

96.0

103.0

46.1

99.0

106.9

126.3

103.6

112.6

107.9

Commercial lines:

Automobile

Workers' compensation

Commercial multi-peril

Other

Total commercial lines

Personal lines:

Automobile

Homeowners

Other

Total personal lines

Total commercial and personal lines

  _____________ 

1Not meaningful

-47-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
Results of Operations

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 

Net Premiums Written 

Our insurance subsidiaries' 2013 net premiums written increased 7.5% to $533.4 million, compared to $496.4 million for 

2012. We primarily attribute the increase to a reduction in MICO’s quota-share reinsurance, the impact of premium rate 
increases and an increase in the writing of commercial lines of insurance. Effective January 1, 2013, MICO reduced its external 
quota-share reinsurance percentage from 40% to 30%. Commercial lines net premiums written increased $26.6 million, or 
14.1%, for 2013 compared to 2012. The increase includes $5.6 million related to the reduction in the amount of premium 
MICO reinsured in 2013, with the remainder attributable to increased writings of new accounts in the commercial automobile, 
commercial multi-peril and workers' compensation lines of business. Personal lines net premiums written increased 
$10.4 million, or 3.4%, for 2013 compared to 2012. The increase includes $4.2 million resulting from the reduction in the 
amount of premium MICO reinsured in 2013, with the remainder primarily attributable to premium rate increases our 
subsidiaries implemented throughout 2012 and 2013 and reduced reinsurance reinstatement premiums. 

Net Premiums Earned

Our insurance subsidiaries' net premiums earned increased to $515.3 million for 2013, an increase of $40.3 million, or 
8.5%, over 2012, reflecting increases in net premiums written during 2012 and 2013. Our insurance subsidiaries earn premiums 
and recognize them as income over the terms of the policies they issue. Such terms are generally one year or less in duration. 
Therefore, increases or decreases in net premiums earned generally reflect increases or decreases in net premiums written in the 
preceding twelve-month period compared to the same period one year earlier. 

Investment Income 

For 2013, our net investment income was $18.8 million, a $1.4 million decrease from 2012. An increase in our average 
invested assets from $795.9 million in 2012 to $799.1 million in 2013 was offset by a decrease in our annualized average rate 
of return to 2.4% in 2013, compared to 2.5% in 2012. 

Installment Payment Fees 

Our insurance subsidiaries' installment fees decreased primarily as a result of their customers' increased usage of payment 

plans that have lower installment payment fees during 2013. 

Net Realized Investment Gains/Losses 

Our net realized investment gains in 2013 and 2012 were $2.4 million and $6.9 million, respectively. The net realized 
investment gains in 2013 and 2012 resulted from normal turnover within our investment portfolio.  We did not recognize any 
impairment losses during 2013 or 2012.

Equity in Earnings of DFSC

Our equity in the earnings of DFSC in 2013 and 2012 was $2.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively. The decrease in 
DFSC’s earnings resulted from a lesser benefit from acquisition accounting adjustments and lower net realized gains during 
2013 compared to 2012.

Losses and Loss Expenses 

Our insurance subsidiaries' loss ratio, which is the ratio of incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums earned, was 
66.6% in 2013, compared to 70.1% in 2012. Our insurance subsidiaries' commercial lines loss ratio increased to 67.1% in 2013, 
compared to 65.5% in 2012. This increase resulted primarily from the commercial automobile loss ratio increasing to 73.0% in 
2013, compared to 63.8% in 2012, and the commercial multi-peril ratio increasing to 61.5% in 2013, compared to 60.2% in 
2012. The personal lines loss ratio decreased to 66.3% in 2013, compared to 72.8% in 2012, primarily as a result of a decrease 
in the homeowners loss ratio to 57.7% in 2013, compared to 66.1% in 2012, as a result of a decrease in weather-related claims. 
Our insurance subsidiaries experienced unfavorable loss reserve development of approximately $10.4 million during 2013 in 
their reserves for prior accident years, compared to unfavorable loss reserve development of approximately $7.6 million during 

-48-

2012. The change in loss reserve development patterns occurred primarily within our insurance subsidiaries’ workers’ 
compensation, commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and personal automobile reserves.

Underwriting Expenses 

Our insurance subsidiaries' expense ratio, which is the ratio of policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses to 

premiums earned, was 31.8% in 2013, compared to 31.2% in 2012. 

Combined Ratio 

Our insurance subsidiaries' combined ratio was 98.8% and 101.6% in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The combined ratio 
represents the sum of the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the dividend ratio, which is the ratio of workers' compensation policy 
dividends incurred to premiums earned. 

Interest Expense 

Our interest expense in 2013 was $1.6 million, compared to $2.4 million in 2012. The decrease was related to a lower 

average interest rate on borrowings during 2013 compared to 2012 due to the utilization of Federal Home Loan Bank 
(“FHLB”)  borrowings to prepay $15.5 million of subordinated debentures during the first quarter of 2013.

Income Taxes 

Our income tax expense was $6.4 million in 2013, compared to $4.8 million in 2012. Our effective tax rate for 2013 was 

19.5%, compared to 17.1% for 2012. The change in effective tax rates is primarily due to tax-exempt interest income 
representing a smaller proportion of income before income tax expense in 2013 compared to 2012.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share 

Our net income in 2013 was $26.3 million, or $1.02 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.94 per 
share of Class B common stock, compared to $23.1 million, or $.91 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and 
$.83 per share of Class B common stock, in 2012. We had 20.8 million and 20.0 million Class A shares outstanding at 
December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  We had 5.6 million Class B shares outstanding for both periods. There are no 
outstanding securities that dilute our shares of Class B common stock.

Book Value Per Share and Return on Equity 

Our stockholders' equity decreased by $3.2 million in 2013. We attribute the decrease to net after-tax unrealized losses 
within our available-for-sale fixed maturity investment portfolio during 2013. Book value per share decreased to $15.02 at 
December 31, 2013, compared to $15.63 a year earlier. Our return on average equity was 6.6% for 2013, compared to 5.9% for 
2012. 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 

Net Premiums Written 

Our insurance subsidiaries' 2012 net premiums written increased 9.3% to $496.4 million, compared to $454.1 million for 

2011. We primarily attribute the increase to a change in MICO’s quota-share reinsurance, the impact of premium rate increases 
and an increase in the writing of commercial lines of insurance. Effective January 1, 2012, MICO reduced its external quota-
share reinsurance percentage from 50% to 40%. Commercial lines net premiums written increased $26.7 million, or 16.5%, for 
2012 compared to 2011. The increase includes $5.3 million related to the reduction in the amount of premium MICO reinsured 
in 2012, with the remainder attributable to increased writings of new accounts in the commercial automobile, commercial 
multi-peril and workers' compensation lines of business. Personal lines net premiums written increased $15.7 million, or 5.4%, 
for 2012 compared to 2011. The increase includes $4.6 million resulting from the reduction in the amount of premium MICO 
reinsured in 2012, with the remainder primarily attributable to premium rate increases our subsidiaries implemented throughout 
2011 and 2012  and reduced reinsurance reinstatement premiums. 

-49-

 
Net Premiums Earned

Our insurance subsidiaries' net premiums earned increased to $475.0 million for 2012, an increase of $43.5 million, or 

10.1%, over 2011, reflecting increases in net premiums written during 2011 and 2012. Our insurance subsidiaries earn 
premiums and recognize them as income over the terms of the policies they issue. Such terms are generally one year or less in 
duration. Therefore, increases or decreases in net premiums earned generally reflect increases or decreases in net premiums 
written in the preceding twelve-month period compared to the same period one year earlier. 

Investment Income 

For 2012, our net investment income was $20.2 million, a slight decrease from 2011. An increase in our average invested 
assets from $756.9 million in 2011 to $795.9 million in 2012 was offset by a decrease in our annualized average rate of return 
to 2.5% in 2012, compared to 2.8% in 2011. 

Installment Payment Fees 

Our insurance subsidiaries' installment fees increased primarily as a result of increases in policy counts during 2012. 

Net Realized Investment Gains/Losses 

Our net realized investment gains in 2012 and 2011 were $6.9 million and $12.3 million, respectively. The net realized 
investment gains in 2012 resulted from normal turnover within our investment portfolio. The net realized investment gains for 
2011 included $8.0 million in gains that resulted from the previously planned periodic sales of a portion of our holdings of an 
equity security that we obtained in an initial public offering and for which a selling restriction expired during 2011. We did not 
recognize any impairment losses during 2012 or 2011.

Equity in Earnings of DFSC

Our equity in the earnings of DFSC in 2012 and 2011 was $4.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The increase in 

DFSC's earnings reflects the impact of the merger of UNNF and DFSC.

Losses and Loss Expenses 

Our insurance subsidiaries' loss ratio, which is the ratio of incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums earned, was 
70.1% in 2012, compared to 78.9% in 2011. Our insurance subsidiaries' commercial lines loss ratio decreased to 65.5% in 
2012, compared to 71.8% in 2011. This decrease resulted primarily from the commercial automobile loss ratio decreasing to 
63.8% in 2012, compared to 72.4% in 2011, and the commercial multi-peril ratio decreasing to 60.2% in 2012, compared to 
74.8% in 2011, as a result of decreased claim severity. The personal lines loss ratio decreased to 72.8% in 2012, compared to 
82.8% in 2011, primarily as a result of a decrease in the homeowners loss ratio to 66.1% in 2012, compared to 97.1% in 2011, 
as a result of a decrease in weather-related claims. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced unfavorable loss reserve 
development of approximately $7.6 million during 2012 in their reserves for prior accident years, compared to virtually no 
development for 2011. The change in loss reserve development patterns occurred primarily within our insurance subsidiaries’ 
workers’ compensation and personal automobile reserves.

Underwriting Expenses 

Our insurance subsidiaries' expense ratio, which is the ratio of policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses to 

premiums earned, was 31.2% in 2012, compared to 31.4% in 2011. 

Combined Ratio 

Our insurance subsidiaries' combined ratio was 101.6% and 110.6% in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The combined ratio 

represents the sum of the loss ratio, expense ratio and dividend ratio, which is the ratio of workers' compensation policy 
dividends incurred to premiums earned. 

Interest Expense 

Our interest expense in 2012 was $2.4 million, compared to $2.1 million in 2011. The higher interest expense in 2012 

reflected an increase in our borrowings under our line of credit. 

-50-

 
Income Taxes 

Our income tax expense was $4.8 million in 2012, compared to a tax benefit of $7.2 million in 2011. Our effective tax rate 

for 2012 was 17.1%.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share 

Our net income in 2012 was $23.1 million, or $.91 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.83 per 
share of Class B common stock, compared to $452,953, or $.02 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.01 
per share of Class B common stock, in 2011. We had 20.0 million Class A shares and 5.6 million Class B shares outstanding for 
both periods. There are no outstanding securities that dilute our shares of Class B common stock.

Book Value Per Share and Return on Equity 

Our stockholders' equity increased by $16.6 million in 2012. We attribute the increase to our net income of $23.1 million 
and an increase in our net after-tax unrealized gains within our available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity investment portfolio 
from $23.5 million at December 31, 2011 to $26.4 million at December 31, 2012. Book value per share increased by 4.1% to 
$15.63 at December 31, 2012, compared to $15.01 a year earlier. Our return on average equity was 5.9% for 2012, compared to 
0.1% for 2011. 

Financial Condition 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Liquidity is a measure of an entity's ability to secure enough cash to meet its contractual obligations and operating needs as 

they arise. Our major sources of funds from operations are the net cash flows generated from our insurance subsidiaries' 
underwriting results, investment income and maturing investments. 

We have historically generated sufficient net positive cash flow from our operations to fund our commitments and build 
our investment portfolio, thereby increasing future investment returns. The pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual historically 
has been cash flow positive because of the profitability of the underwriting pool. Because we settle the pool monthly, cash 
flows are substantially similar to cash flows that would result from the underwriting of direct business. We maintain a high 
degree of liquidity in our investment portfolio in the form of marketable fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term 
investments. We structure our fixed-maturity investment portfolio following a “laddering” approach so that projected cash 
flows from investment income and principal maturities are evenly distributed from a timing perspective. This laddering 
provides an additional measure of liquidity to meet our obligations and the obligations of our insurance subsidiaries should an 
unexpected variation occur in the future. Net cash flows provided by operating activities in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were 
$46.0 million, $25.0 million and $21.1 million, respectively. 

In June 2013, we renewed our existing credit agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T”) relating 

to a $60.0 million unsecured, revolving line of credit. The line of credit now expires in July 2016. We have the right to request 
a one-year extension of the credit agreement as of each anniversary date of the agreement. At December 31, 2013, we had 
$43.0 million in outstanding borrowings and had the ability to borrow an additional $17.0 million at interest rates equal to 
M&T’s current prime rate or the then current LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. The interest rate on our outstanding borrowings is 
adjustable quarterly. At December 31, 2013, the interest rate on our outstanding borrowings was 2.42%. We pay a fee of 0.2% 
per annum on the loan commitment amount regardless of usage. The credit agreement requires our compliance with certain 
covenants. These covenants include minimum levels of our net worth, leverage ratio, statutory surplus and the A.M. Best 
ratings of our insurance subsidiaries. We complied with all requirements of the credit agreement during 2013.

MICO has an agreement with the FHLB of Indianapolis. Through its membership, MICO has the ability to issue debt to 

the FHLB of Indianapolis in exchange for cash advances. There were no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2013 or 
2012. 

Atlantic States is a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh. Through its membership, Atlantic States has the ability to issue 
debt to the FHLB of Pittsburgh in exchange for cash advances. During 2013, Atlantic States issued secured debt in the principal 
amount of $15.0 million to the FHLB of Pittsburgh in exchange for cash advances in the amount of $15.0 million. The interest 
-51-

rate on the advances was .26% at December 31, 2013. Atlantic States then loaned $15.0 million to us. We used the proceeds of 
our loan from Atlantic States to fund our prepayment of our subordinated debentures. Atlantic States had no outstanding 
borrowings with the FHLB of Pittsburgh at December 31, 2012. 

The following table shows expected payments for our significant contractual obligations at December 31, 2013: 

(in thousands)

Net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses of our

insurance subsidiaries

Subordinated debentures

Borrowings under line of credit

Total contractual obligations

Total

Less than 1
year

1-3 years

4-5 years

After 5
years

$ 265,605   $ 125,781   $ 118,706   $

9,713   $

11,405

5,000  

—  

—  

58,000  

15,000  

43,000  

—  

—  

5,000

—

$ 328,605   $ 140,781   $ 161,706   $

9,713   $

16,405

We estimated the timing of the amounts for the net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses of our insurance 
subsidiaries based on historical experience and expectations of future payment patterns. We have shown the liability net of 
reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses to reflect expected future cash flows related to such liability. 
Assumed amounts from the underwriting pool with Donegal Mutual represent a substantial portion of our insurance 
subsidiaries' gross liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses, and ceded amounts to the underwriting pool represent a 
substantial portion of our insurance subsidiaries' reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses. We include cash 
settlements of Atlantic States' assumed liability from the pool in our monthly settlements of pooled activity. In these monthly 
settlements, we net amounts ceded to and assumed from the pool. Although Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States do not 
anticipate any further changes in the pool participation levels in the foreseeable future, any such change would be prospective 
in nature and therefore would not impact the timing of expected payments for Atlantic States' proportionate liability for pooled 
losses occurring in periods prior to the effective date of such change. 

We estimated the timing of the amounts for the borrowings under our lines of credit based on their contractual maturities 
that we discuss in Note 9 - Borrowings. Our borrowings under our lines of credit carry interest rates that vary as discussed in 
Note 9 - Borrowings. Based upon the interest rates in effect at December 31, 2013, our annual interest cost associated with our 
borrowings under our lines of credit is approximately $1.1 million. For every 1% change in the interest rate associated with our 
borrowings under our lines of credit, the effect on our annual interest cost would be approximately $580,000. 

Cash dividends declared to stockholders totaled $13.0 million, $12.3 million and $12.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, 
respectively. There are no regulatory restrictions on our payment of dividends to our stockholders, although there are state law 
restrictions on the payment of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries to us. Our insurance subsidiaries are required by law 
to maintain certain minimum surplus on a statutory basis and are subject to regulations under which their payment of dividends 
from statutory surplus is restricted and may require prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities. Our 
insurance subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements. The amount of statutory capital and surplus 
necessary for our insurance subsidiaries to satisfy regulatory requirements, including the RBC requirements, was not significant 
in relation to our insurance subsidiaries' statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2013. In 2014, amounts available for 
distribution as dividends to us from our insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory 
authorities are $18.7 million from Atlantic States, $4.2 million from Southern, $2.8 million from Le Mars, $4.2 million from 
Peninsula, $1.1 million from Sheboygan and $4.1 million from MICO, or a total of approximately $35.1 million.

. 

-52-

Investments 

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, our investment portfolio of primarily investment-grade bonds, common stock, short-term 

investments and cash totaled $819.4 million and $826.2 million, respectively, representing 59.1% and 61.8%, respectively, of 
our total assets (see “Business - Investments” for more information). 

2013

December 31,

2012

2011

Percent of

Percent of

Percent of

Amount

Total

Amount

Total

Amount

Total

(dollars in thousands)

Fixed maturities:

  Total held to maturity

$ 240,370

30.4% $

42,100

5.2% $

58,490

7.4%

  Total available for sale

Total fixed maturities

Equity securities

Investments in affiliates

Short-term investments

403,652

644,022

12,423

35,685

99,678

51.0

81.4

1.5

4.5

12.6

694,510

736,610

8,757

37,236

23,826

86.1

91.3

1.1

4.6

3.0

646,598

705,088

7,438

32,322

40,461

82.3

89.7

1.0

4.1

5.2

Total investments

$ 791,808

100.0% $ 806,429

100.0% $ 785,309

100.0%

The carrying value of our fixed maturity investments represented 81.4% and 91.3% of our total invested assets at 

December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 

Our fixed maturity investments consisted of high-quality marketable bonds, of which 100.0% and 99.0% were rated at 

investment-grade levels at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 

At December 31, 2013, the net unrealized gain on available-for-sale fixed maturity investments, net of deferred taxes, 

amounted to $8.7 million, compared to $25.6 million at December 31, 2012. 

At December 31, 2013, the net unrealized gain on our equity securities, net of deferred taxes, amounted to $165,573, 

compared to $61,149 at December 31, 2012. 

Impact of Inflation 

Our insurance subsidiaries establish their property and casualty insurance premium rates before they know the amount of 

losses and loss settlement expenses or the extent to which inflation may impact such expenses. Consequently, our insurance 
subsidiaries attempt, in establishing rates, to anticipate the potential impact of inflation. 

Impact of New Accounting Standards 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that requires an entity to provide 

information about amounts it reclassifies out of accumulated other comprehensive income. If GAAP requires an entity to 
reclassify amounts out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, 
the guidance requires an entity to present significant amounts it reclassifies out of accumulated other comprehensive income by 
the respective line items of net income, either on the face of the statement where the entity presents net income or in the notes 
to the entity’s financial statements,. For other amounts that GAAP does not require an entity to reclassify to net income in their 
entirety, the guidance requires an entity to cross-reference such amounts to other disclosures GAAP requires that provide 
additional detail about those amounts. The guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods after December 15, 
2012. We adopted this new guidance as of January 1, 2013. Our adoption of this new guidance did not impact our financial 
position, results of operations or cash flows.

-53-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7A.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, to changes in fair values of investments and to credit risk. 

In the normal course of business, we employ established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to changes in 
interest rates, fluctuations in the fair market value of our debt and equity securities and credit risk. We seek to mitigate these 
risks by various actions described below. 

Interest Rate Risk 

Our exposure to market risk for a change in interest rates is concentrated in our investment portfolio. We monitor this 

exposure through periodic reviews of our asset and liability positions. We regularly monitor estimates of cash flows and the 
impact of interest rate fluctuations relating to the investment portfolio. Generally, we do not hedge our exposure to interest rate 
risk because we have the capacity to, and do, hold fixed maturity investments to maturity. 

Principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by stated maturity dates for financial instruments sensitive 

to interest rates at December 31, 2013 are as follows: 

(in thousands)

Fixed maturity and short-term investments:

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Thereafter

Total

Fair value

Debt:

2014

2015

Thereafter

Total

Fair value

Principal
Cash Flows

Weighted-
Average
Interest Rate

$

107,794  

0.38%

4.35

4.05

3.88

4.38

3.62

0.26%

2.42

5.00

9,664  

13,265  

20,015  

21,535  

569,970  

742,243  

742,120  

15,000

43,000  

5,000  

63,000  

63,000  

$

$

$

$

$

Actual cash flows from investments may differ from those depicted above as a result of calls and prepayments. 

Equity Price Risk 

Our portfolio of equity securities, which we carry on our consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value, has exposure 
to price risk, which is the risk of potential loss in estimated fair value resulting from an adverse change in prices. Our objective 
is to earn competitive relative returns by investing in a diverse portfolio of high-quality, liquid securities. 

Credit Risk 

Our objective is to earn competitive returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities. Our portfolio of fixed 
maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, short-term investments is subject to credit risk. We define this risk as the potential 
loss in fair value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower's ability to repay the debt. We manage this risk by performing 
an analysis of prospective investments and through regular reviews of our portfolio by our investment staff. We also limit the 
amount of our total investment portfolio that we invest in any one security. 

-54-

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Our insurance subsidiaries provide property and liability insurance coverages through independent insurance agencies 
located throughout their operating areas. Our insurance subsidiaries bill the majority of this business directly to the insured, 
although our insurance subsidiaries bill a portion of their commercial business through their agents, to whom they extend credit 
in the normal course of business. 

Because the pooling agreement does not relieve Atlantic States of primary liability as the originating insurer, Atlantic 
States is subject to a concentration of credit risk arising from business ceded to Donegal Mutual. Our insurance subsidiaries 
maintain reinsurance agreements with Donegal Mutual and with a number of other major unaffiliated authorized reinsurers. 

Through November 30, 2010, MICO and West Bend were parties to quota-share reinsurance agreements whereby MICO 

ceded 75%  of its business to West Bend. MICO and West Bend terminated the reinsurance agreement in effect at  
November 30, 2010 on a run-off basis. West Bend's obligations related to all past reinsurance agreements with MICO remain in 
effect for all policies with effective dates prior to December 1, 2010. West Bend and MICO entered into a trust agreement on 
December 1, 2010. Under the terms of the trust agreement, West Bend placed into trust, for the sole benefit of MICO, assets 
with a fair value equal to the amount of unearned premiums and unpaid losses and loss expenses, reduced by any net premium 
balances not yet paid by MICO, that West Bend had assumed pursuant to such reinsurance agreements at November 30, 2010. 
The amount of assets required to be held in trust adjusts monthly based upon the remaining net obligations of West Bend. West 
Bend may terminate the trust agreement on the earlier of December 1, 2020 or the date on which the obligations of West Bend 
are equal to or less than $5.0 million. As of December 31, 2013, West Bend's net obligations under the reinsurance agreements 
were approximately $15.9 million, and the fair value of assets held in trust was approximately $17.9 million. 

-55-

Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Consolidated Financial Statements

57

58

59

60

61

91

-56-

 
Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets 

December 31,

2013

2012

Assets
Investments

Fixed maturities

Held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $238,790,476 and $43,735,739 ). . . . . . $ 240,370,277
403,651,965
Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost $390,254,251 and $655,173,806) . . . .
12,422,837
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost $12,168,110 and $8,663,183). . . .
35,685,433
Investments in affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
99,677,795
Short-term investments, at cost, which approximates fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
791,808,307
Total investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27,636,416
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,423,531
Accrued investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
123,904,629
Premiums receivable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
244,239,113
Reinsurance receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43,627,510
Deferred policy acquisition costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20,310,558
Deferred tax asset, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
112,663,942
Prepaid reinsurance premiums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,424,703
Property and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,187,866
Accounts receivable - securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
420,952
Federal income taxes recoverable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,625,354
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
958,010
1,179,611
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,385,410,502

$

42,100,196
694,509,821
8,757,258
37,235,530
23,826,227
806,429,032
19,801,290
6,332,085
117,196,478
215,893,322
40,121,697
6,267,536
111,156,162
5,953,833
—
—
5,625,354
958,010
1,154,388
$ 1,336,889,187

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities

Losses and loss expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 495,619,269
382,734,642
Unearned premiums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19,265,097
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17,948,808
Reinsurance balances payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58,000,000
Borrowings under lines of credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,299,182
Cash dividends declared to stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,000,000
Subordinated debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
751,641
Accounts payable - securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
Federal income taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,170,225
Due to affiliate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,386,285
Drafts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,358,242
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
988,533,391
Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 458,827,395
363,088,103
17,140,832
13,941,337
52,000,000
3,066,532
20,465,000
—
583,977
4,579,437
863,589
2,298,891
936,855,093

Stockholders' Equity

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued . . . . . . . . . . . .
Class A common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 40,000,000 and 30,000,000 shares,

issued 21,786,765 and 20,941,821 shares and outstanding 20,845,903 and 20,025,199
shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Class B common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued 5,649,240
shares and outstanding 5,576,775 shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury stock, at cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56,492
189,116,410
(2,312,890)
222,888,887
(13,089,656)
396,877,111
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,385,410,502

56,492
176,416,585
26,394,577
209,670,214
(12,713,193)
400,034,094
$ 1,336,889,187

—

—

217,868

209,419

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

-57-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income 

Years Ended December 31,
2012

2011

2013

Statements of Income

Revenues

Net premiums earned (includes affiliated reinsurance of $156,938,714,

$142,608,940 and $130,555,613 - see note 3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 515,291,944
18,795,239

$ 475,002,222

$ 431,470,184

20,168,919

20,858,179

Investment income, net of investment expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installment payment fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lease income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net realized investment gains (includes $2,423,442 accumulated other
comprehensive income reclassification) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity in earnings of DFSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6,841,778

7,465,532

7,427,509

849,795

953,216

957,353

2,423,442

2,907,867

6,859,439

4,533,257

12,281,267

2,023,127

547,110,065

514,982,585

475,017,619

Expenses

Net losses and loss expenses (includes affiliated reinsurance of

$86,962,750, $81,219,926 and $87,950,502 - see note 3). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other underwriting expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policyholder dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income before income tax expense (benefit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expense (benefit) (includes $823,970 income tax expense from
reclassification items) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

343,127,951

332,871,584

340,502,777

81,753,000

74,314,000

68,571,000

82,196,700

73,914,514

66,923,764

1,909,569

1,635,323

3,777,257

1,342,582

2,358,711

2,322,934

1,240,079

2,126,784

2,392,528

514,399,800

487,124,325

481,756,932

32,710,265

27,858,260

(6,739,313)

6,388,273

4,765,640

(7,192,266)

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 26,321,992

$ 23,092,620

$

452,953

Basic earnings per common share:

Class A common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Class B common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Diluted earnings per common share:

Class A common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Class B common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1.04

0.94

1.02

0.94

$

$

$

$

0.92

0.83

0.91

0.83

$

$

$

$

0.02

0.01

0.02

0.01

Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 26,321,992
Other comprehensive (loss) income,  net of tax

Unrealized (loss) gain on securities:

$ 23,092,620

$

452,953

Unrealized holding (loss) gain arising during the period, net of income

tax (benefit) expense of ($14,633,895), $4,833,143 and 12,237,669 . .

(27,107,995)

9,171,817

23,077,997

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of

(4,527,230)
income tax of $823,970 $2,332,209 and $4,175,631. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,644,587
Other comprehensive (loss) income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive (loss) income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (2,385,475) $ 27,737,207

(1,599,472)
(28,707,467)

(8,105,636)
14,972,361
$ 15,425,314

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 
-58-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 

Common Stock

Class A
Shares

Class B
Shares

Class A
Amount

Class B
Amount

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Total
Stockholders'
Equity

Balance, January 1,

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20,656,527

5,649,240

$ 206,566

$

56,492

$ 167,093,504

$

8,561,086

$213,435,095

$ (9,249,933) $380,102,810

Issuance of common

stock (stock
compensation plans) .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash dividends . . . . . . . .

Grant of stock options . .

Purchase of treasury

stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other comprehensive

income . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance, December 31,

96,472

964

1,459,579

2,283,860

452,953

(11,999,488)

(2,283,860)

1,460,543

452,953

(11,999,488)

—

(1,537,587)

(1,537,587)

14,972,361

14,972,361

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20,752,999

5,649,240

$ 207,530

$

56,492

$ 170,836,943

$ 23,533,447

$199,604,700

$(10,787,520) $383,451,592

Issuance of common

stock (stock
compensation plans) .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash dividends . . . . . . . .

Grant of stock options . .

Tax benefit on exercise

of stock options . . . . .

Purchase of treasury

stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other comprehensive

income . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance, December 31,

188,822

1,889

2,995,622

23,092,620

(12,278,965)

(2,531,598)

2,531,598

52,422

2,997,511

23,092,620

(12,278,965)

—

52,422

(1,925,673)

(1,925,673)

4,644,587

(1,783,457)

1,783,457

4,644,587

—

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20,941,821

5,649,240

209,419

56,492

176,416,585

26,394,577

209,670,214

(12,713,193)

400,034,094

Issuance of common

stock (stock
compensation plans) .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash dividends . . . . . . . .

Grant of stock options . .

Tax benefit on exercise

of stock options . . . . .

Purchase of treasury

stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other comprehensive

loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance, December 31,

844,944

8,449

12,108,468

26,321,992

(13,043,121)

(60,198)

60,198

531,159

12,116,917

26,321,992

(13,043,121)

—

531,159

(376,463)

(376,463)

(28,707,467)

(28,707,467)

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21,786,765

5,649,240

$ 217,868

$

56,492

$ 189,116,410

$

(2,312,890) $222,888,887

$(13,089,656) $396,877,111

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

-59-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donegal Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31,
2012

2011

2013

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 26,321,992
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

$ 23,092,620

$

452,953

activities:
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net realized investment gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity in earnings of DFSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,049,101
(2,423,442)
(2,907,867)

3,950,693
(6,859,439)
(4,533,257)

4,106,561
(12,281,267)
(2,023,127)

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

Losses and loss expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unearned premiums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Premiums receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred policy acquisition costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reinsurance receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amounts due to affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reinsurance balances payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid reinsurance premiums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36,791,874
19,646,539
2,124,265
(6,708,151)
(3,505,813)
1,414,843
(28,345,791)
908,554
(2,409,212)
4,007,471
(1,507,780)
(1,004,929)
556,815
19,686,477
46,008,469

16,419,780
26,150,842
(3,815,717)
(12,481,151)
(3,696,742)
1,151,250
(6,069,415)
380,953
(806,954)
(6,098,002)
(4,706,144)
3,245,785
(360,477)
1,872,005
24,964,625

59,088,943
39,665,100
(330,857)
(8,247,378)
(1,979,376)
(5,922,491)
(35,987,161)
652,133
2,460,287
899,017
(17,084,247)
(1,713,483)
(674,296)
20,628,358
21,081,311

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

Purchases of fixed maturities:

Available for sale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales of fixed maturities:

(148,486,404)
(47,156,954)

(241,343,085)
(31,254,324)

(189,111,596)
(23,857,802)

Available for sale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

133,890,611

90,484,097

122,873,102

Maturity of fixed maturities:

Held to maturity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available for sale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales of equity securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of MICO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net decrease (increase) in investment in affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net purchases of property and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Issuance of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of treasury stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments on subordinated debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments on line of credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Borrowings under lines of credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13,767,271
52,675,833
43,204,703
—
1,139,800
(1,254,767)
(75,851,568)
(28,071,475)

12,550,066
(12,810,471)
(376,463)
(15,465,000)
(15,500,000)
21,500,000
(10,101,868)

16,061,587
115,501,507
30,001,187
—
(100,000)
(744,082)
16,635,183
(4,757,930)

2,983,399
(12,208,509)
(1,925,673)
—
(6,000,000)
3,500,000
(13,650,783)

5,888,236
53,763,701
27,036,422
(7,207,471)
(20,570,000)
(238,538)
314,583
(31,109,363)

1,460,543
(11,874,367)
(1,537,587)
—
(3,617,371)
22,500,000
6,931,218

7,835,126
Net increase (decrease) in cash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19,801,290
Cash at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 27,636,416

6,555,912
13,245,378
$ 19,801,290

(3,096,834)
16,342,212
$ 13,245,378

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 
-60-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donegal Group Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Organization and Business 

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company (”Donegal Mutual”) organized us as an insurance holding company on August 26, 1986. 
Our  insurance  subsidiaries, Atlantic  States  Insurance  Company  (“Atlantic  States”),  Southern  Insurance  Company  of Virginia 
(“Southern”), Le Mars Insurance Company (“Le Mars”), the Peninsula Insurance Group (“Peninsula”), which consists of Peninsula 
Indemnity Company and The Peninsula Insurance Company, Sheboygan Falls Insurance Company (“Sheboygan”) and Michigan 
Insurance Company (“MICO”), write personal and commercial lines of property and casualty coverages exclusively through a 
network of independent insurance agents in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England and Southern states. We also own 
48.2% of the outstanding stock of Donegal Financial Services Corporation (“DFSC”), a grandfathered unitary savings and loan 
holding company that owns Union Community Bank (“UCB”), a state savings bank. UCB has 13 banking offices, all of which 
are located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Donegal Mutual owns the remaining 51.8% of the outstanding stock of DFSC. 

We have four segments: our investment function, our personal lines of insurance, our commercial lines of insurance and our 
investment  in  DFSC. The  personal  lines  products  of  our  insurance  subsidiaries  consist  primarily  of  homeowners  and  private 
passenger  automobile  policies. The  commercial  lines  products  of  our  insurance  subsidiaries  consist  primarily  of  commercial 
automobile, commercial multi-peril and workers' compensation policies. 

At December 31, 2013, Donegal Mutual held approximately 37% of our outstanding Class A common stock and 

approximately 76% of our outstanding Class B common stock. This ownership provides Donegal Mutual with approximately 
65% of the total voting power of our common stock. Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual have interrelated 
operations due to a pooling agreement and other intercompany agreements and transactions. While each company maintains its 
separate corporate existence, our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual conduct business together as the Donegal 
Insurance Group. As such, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share the same business philosophy, the same 
management, the same employees and the same facilities and offer the same types of insurance products. 

Atlantic States, our largest subsidiary, participates in a pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual. Under the pooling 
agreement, the two companies pool their insurance business and each company receives an allocated percentage of the pooled 
business. Atlantic States has an 80% share of the results of the pooled business, and Donegal Mutual has a 20% share of the 
results of the pooled business. 

The same executive management and underwriting personnel administer products, classes of business underwritten, 
pricing practices and underwriting standards of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries. In addition, as the Donegal 
Insurance Group, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share a combined business plan to achieve market penetration 
and underwriting profitability objectives. The products our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual market are generally 
complementary, thereby allowing the Donegal Insurance Group to offer a broader range of products to a given market and to 
expand the Donegal Insurance Group's ability to service an entire personal lines or commercial lines account. Distinctions 
within the products of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries generally relate to specific risk profiles targeted within 
similar classes of business, such as preferred tier versus standard tier products, but we do not allocate all of the standard risk 
gradients to one company. Therefore, the underwriting profitability of the business the individual companies write directly will 
vary. However, as the risk characteristics of all business Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States write directly are homogenized 
within the underwriting pool, Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States share the underwriting results in proportion to their 
respective participation in the pool. Pooled business represents the predominant percentage of the net underwriting activity of 
both Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States. We refer to Note 3 - Transactions with Affiliates for more information regarding the 
pooling agreement. 

In May 2011, DFSC and Union National Financial Corporation (“UNNF”) merged, with DFSC as the surviving company 
in the merger. Under the merger agreement, Province Bank FSB, which DFSC owned, and Union National Community Bank, 
which UNNF owned, also merged and began doing business as UCB. Donegal Mutual contributed $22.1 million and we 
contributed $20.6 million to DFSC as additional capital to facilitate the mergers. We use the equity method of accounting for 
our investment in DFSC. Under the equity method, we record our investment at cost, with adjustments for our share of DFSC's 
earnings and losses as well as changes in DFSC's equity due to unrealized gains and losses. 

-61-

Basis of Consolidation 

Our consolidated financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally 

accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), include our accounts and those of our wholly owned subsidiaries. We have 
eliminated all significant inter-company accounts and transactions in consolidation. The terms “we,” “us,” “our” or the 
“Company” as used herein refer to the consolidated entity. 

Use of Estimates 

In preparing our consolidated financial statements, our management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual 
results could differ significantly from those estimates. 

We make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts and disclosures we report in our 

consolidated financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to our insurance subsidiaries' reserves for property and 
casualty insurance unpaid losses and loss expenses, valuation of investments and determination of other-than-temporary 
impairment and our insurance subsidiaries' policy acquisition costs. While we believe our estimates and the estimates of our 
insurance subsidiaries are appropriate, the ultimate amounts may differ from the estimates provided. We regularly review our 
methods for making these estimates as well as the continuing appropriateness of the estimated amounts, and we reflect any 
adjustment we consider necessary in our current results of operations. 

Investments 

We classify our debt and equity securities into the following categories: 

Held to Maturity - Debt securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity; reported at amortized 
cost. 

Available for Sale - Debt and equity securities not classified as held to maturity; reported at fair value, with unrealized 
gains and losses excluded from income and reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity (net of tax 
effects). 

Short-term investments carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. 

We make estimates concerning the valuation of our investments and the recognition of other-than-temporary declines in the 

value of our investments. For equity securities, we write down the investment to its fair value and we reflect the amount of the 
write-down as a realized loss in our results of operations when we consider the decline in value of an individual investment to 
be other than temporary. We individually monitor all of our investments for other-than-temporary declines in value. Generally, 
we assume there has been an other-than-temporary decline in value if an individual equity security has depreciated in value by 
more than 20% of original cost and has been in such an unrealized loss position for more than six months. With respect to a 
debt security that is in an unrealized loss position, we first assess if we intend to sell the debt security. If we determine we 
intend to sell the debt security, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we do not intend to sell the debt 
security, we determine whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery. If 
we determine it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we recognize an 
impairment loss in our results of operations. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the 
debt security prior to recovery, we then evaluate whether a credit loss has occurred. We determine whether a credit loss has 
occurred by comparing the amortized cost of the debt security to the present value of the cash flows we expect to collect. If we 
expect a cash flow shortfall, we consider that a credit loss has occurred. If we determine that a credit loss has occurred, we 
consider the impairment to be other than temporary. We then recognize the amount of the impairment loss related to the credit 
loss in our results of operations, and we recognize the remaining portion of the impairment loss in our other comprehensive 
income, net of applicable taxes. In addition, we may write down securities in an unrealized loss position based on a number of 
other factors, including when the fair value of an investment is significantly below its cost, when the financial condition of the 
issuer of a security has deteriorated, the occurrence of industry, company or geographic events that have negatively impacted 
the value of a security and rating agency downgrades. 

We amortize premiums and discounts on debt securities over the life of the security as an adjustment to yield using the 

effective interest method. We compute realized investment gains and losses using the specific identification method. 

We amortize premiums and discounts for mortgage-backed debt securities using anticipated prepayments. 

-62-

We account for investments in affiliates using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, we record our 
investment at cost, with adjustments for our share of the affiliate's earnings and losses as well as changes in the affiliate's equity 
due to unrealized gains and losses. 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments 

We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating our fair value disclosures:

Investments - We present our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at estimated fair value. 

The estimated fair value of a security may differ from the amount that could be realized if we sold the security in a forced 
transaction. In addition, the valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid, increasing 
the potential that the estimated fair value does not reflect the price at which an actual transaction would occur. We utilize 
nationally recognized independent pricing services to estimate fair values for our fixed maturity and equity investments. We 
generally obtain one price per security. The pricing services utilize market quotations for fixed maturity and equity securities 
that have quoted prices in active markets. For fixed maturity securities that generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing 
services prepare estimates of fair value measurements based predominantly on observable market inputs. The pricing services 
do not use broker quotes in determining the fair values of our investments. Our investment personnel review the estimates of 
fair value the pricing services provide to determine if the estimates obtained are representative of fair values based upon their 
general knowledge of the market, their research findings related to unusual fluctuations in value and their comparison of such 
values to execution prices for similar securities. Our investment personnel monitor the market and are familiar with current 
trading ranges for similar securities and pricing of specific investments. Our investment personnel review all pricing estimates 
that we receive from the pricing services against their expectations with respect to pricing based on fair market curves, security 
ratings, coupon rates, security type and recent trading activity.  Our investment personnel review documentation with respect to 
the pricing services'  pricing methodology that they obtain periodically to determine if the primary pricing sources, market 
inputs and pricing frequency for various security types are reasonable. We refer to Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements for more 
information regarding our methods and assumptions in estimating fair values. 

Cash and Short-Term Investments - The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments 
approximate their fair values. 

Premiums and Reinsurance Receivables and Payables - The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these 
instruments related to premiums and paid losses and loss expenses approximate their fair values. 

Subordinated Debentures - The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their 
fair values. 

Revenue Recognition 

Our insurance subsidiaries recognize insurance premiums as income over the terms of the policies they issue. Our 

insurance subsidiaries calculate unearned premiums on a daily pro-rata basis.  

Policy Acquisition Costs 

We defer our insurance subsidiaries' policy acquisition costs, consisting primarily of commissions, premium taxes and 

certain other underwriting costs, reduced by ceding commissions, that vary with and relate directly to the production of 
business. We amortize these deferred policy acquisition costs over the period in which our insurance subsidiaries earn the 
premiums. The method we follow in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to 
their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss 
expenses and certain other costs we expect to incur as our insurance subsidiaries earn the premium. Estimates in the calculation 
of policy acquisition costs have not shown material variability because of uncertainties in applying accounting principles or as 
a result of sensitivities to changes in key assumptions. 

Property and Equipment 

We report property and equipment at depreciated cost that we compute using the straight-line method based upon estimated 

useful lives of the assets. 

-63-

 
Losses and Loss Expenses 

Liabilities for losses and loss expenses are estimates at a given point in time of the amounts an insurer expects to pay with 

respect to policyholder claims based on facts and circumstances then known. At the time of establishing its estimates, an insurer 
recognizes that its ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses will exceed or be less than such estimates. Our insurance 
subsidiaries base their estimates of liabilities for losses and loss expenses on assumptions as to future loss trends and expected 
claims severity, judicial theories of liability and other factors. However, during the loss adjustment period, our insurance 
subsidiaries may learn additional facts regarding certain claims, and consequently, it often becomes necessary for our insurance 
subsidiaries to refine and adjust their estimates of liability. We reflect any adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries' liabilities 
for losses and loss expenses in our operating results in the period in which our insurance subsidiaries record the changes in 
estimates. 

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain liabilities for the payment of losses and loss expenses with respect to both reported 
and unreported claims. Our insurance subsidiaries establish these liabilities for the purpose of covering the ultimate costs of 
settling all losses, including investigation and litigation costs. Our insurance subsidiaries base the amount of their liability for 
reported losses primarily upon a case-by-case evaluation of the type of risk involved, knowledge of the circumstances 
surrounding each claim and the insurance policy provisions relating to the type of loss their policyholder incurred. Our 
insurance subsidiaries determine the amount of their liability for unreported claims and loss expenses on the basis of historical 
information by line of insurance. Our insurance subsidiaries account for inflation in the reserving function through analysis of 
costs and trends and reviews of historical reserving results. Our insurance subsidiaries closely monitor their liabilities and 
recompute them periodically using new information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. Our insurance 
subsidiaries do not discount their liabilities for losses. 

Reserve estimates can change over time because of unexpected changes in assumptions related to our insurance 

subsidiaries' external environment and, to a lesser extent, assumptions as to our insurance subsidiaries' internal operations. For 
example, our insurance subsidiaries have experienced a decrease in claims frequency on workers' compensation claims during 
the past several years while claims severity has gradually increased. These trend changes give rise to greater uncertainty as to 
the pattern of future loss settlements on workers' compensation claims. Related uncertainties regarding future trends include the 
cost of medical technologies and procedures and changes in the utilization of medical procedures. Assumptions related to our 
insurance subsidiaries' external environment include the absence of significant changes in tort law and the legal environment 
that increase liability exposure, consistency in judicial interpretations of insurance coverage and policy provisions and the rate 
of loss cost inflation. Internal assumptions include consistency in the recording of premium and loss statistics, consistency in 
the recording of claims, payment and case reserving methodology, accurate measurement of the impact of rate changes and 
changes in policy provisions, consistency in the quality and characteristics of business written within a given line of business 
and consistency in reinsurance coverage and collectibility of reinsured losses, among other items. To the extent our insurance 
subsidiaries determine that underlying factors impacting their assumptions have changed, our insurance subsidiaries attempt to 
make appropriate adjustments for such changes in their reserves. Accordingly, our insurance subsidiaries' ultimate liability for 
unpaid losses and loss expenses will likely differ from the amount recorded.

Our insurance subsidiaries seek to enhance their underwriting results by carefully selecting the product lines they 
underwrite. Our insurance subsidiaries' personal lines products include standard and preferred risks in private passenger 
automobile and homeowners lines. Our insurance subsidiaries' commercial lines products primarily include business offices, 
wholesalers, service providers, contractors, artisans and light manufacturing operations. Our insurance subsidiaries have limited 
exposure to asbestos and other environmental liabilities. Our insurance subsidiaries write no medical malpractice liability risks.  

Income Taxes 

We currently file a consolidated federal income tax return. 

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The objective of the asset and liability method is to 
establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis 
of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when we realize or settle such amounts. 

Credit Risk 

Our objective is to earn competitive returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities. Our portfolio of fixed 
maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, short-term investments is subject to credit risk. We define this risk as the potential 
loss in fair value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower's ability to repay the debt. We manage this risk by performing 
-64-

 
an analysis of prospective investments and through regular reviews of our portfolio by our investment staff. We also limit the 
amount of our total investment portfolio that we invest in any one security. 

Our insurance subsidiaries provide property and liability insurance coverages through independent insurance agencies 

located throughout their operating areas. Our insurance subsidiaries bill the majority of this business directly to their 
policyholders, although our insurance subsidiaries bill a portion of their commercial business through their agents, to whom 
they extend credit in the normal course of business. 

Our insurance subsidiaries have reinsurance agreements with Donegal Mutual and with a number of major unaffiliated 

reinsurers. 

Reinsurance Accounting and Reporting 

Our insurance subsidiaries rely upon reinsurance agreements to limit their maximum net loss from large single risks or 

risks in concentrated areas and to increase their capacity to write insurance. Reinsurance does not relieve our insurance 
subsidiaries from liability to their respective policyholders. To the extent that a reinsurer cannot pay losses for which it is liable 
under the terms of a reinsurance agreement with one of our insurance subsidiaries, our insurance subsidiaries retain continued 
liability for such losses. However, in an effort to reduce the risk of non-payment, our insurance subsidiaries require all of their 
reinsurers to have an A.M. Best rating of A- or better or, with respect to foreign reinsurers, to have a financial condition that, in 
the opinion of management, is equivalent to a company with an A.M. Best rating of A- or better. We refer to Note 10 - 
Reinsurance for more information regarding our reinsurance agreements. 

Stock-Based Compensation 

We measure all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, using a fair-value-based method and 

record such expense in our results of operations. In determining the expense we record for stock options granted to directors 
and employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates, we estimate the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the 
Black-Scholes option pricing model. The significant assumptions we utilize in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model 
are the risk-free interest rate, expected term, dividend yield and expected volatility. 

In 2013 and 2012, we realized $531,159 and $52,422, respectively in tax benefits upon the exercise of stock options. We 

did not realize any tax benefits upon the exercise of stock options in 2011. 

Earnings per Share 

We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares 
outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to 
issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

We have two classes of common stock, which we refer to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Our 
Class A common stock is entitled to the declaration and payment of cash dividends that are at least 10% higher than those we 
declare and pay on our Class B common stock. Accordingly, we use the two-class method for the computation of earnings per 
common share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share separately for each 
class of common stock based on dividends declared and an allocation of remaining undistributed earnings using a participation 
percentage that reflects the dividend rights of each class.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the underlying fair value of acquired entities. When completing 

acquisitions, we seek also to identify separately identifiable intangible assets that we have acquired. We assess goodwill and 
intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for impairment annually. We also assess goodwill and other intangible assets for 
impairment upon the occurrence of certain events. In making our assessment, we consider a number of factors including 
operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and current market data. Inherent 
uncertainties exist with respect to these factors and to our judgment in applying them when we make our assessment. 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets could result from changes in economic and operating conditions in future 
periods. 

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2 - Impact of New Accounting Standards 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that requires an entity to provide 

information about amounts it reclassifies out of accumulated other comprehensive income. If GAAP requires an entity to 
reclassify amounts out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, 
the guidance requires an entity to present significant amounts it reclassifies out of accumulated other comprehensive income by 
the respective line items of net income, either on the face of the statement where the entity presents net income or in the notes 
to the entity’s financial statements,. For other amounts that GAAP does not require an entity to reclassify to net income in their 
entirety, the guidance requires an entity to cross-reference such amounts to other disclosures GAAP requires that provide 
additional detail about those amounts. The guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods after December 15, 
2012. We adopted this new guidance as of January 1, 2013. Our adoption of this new guidance did not impact our financial 
position, results of operations or cash flows.

3 - Transactions with Affiliates 

Our insurance subsidiaries conduct business and have various agreements with Donegal Mutual that we describe in the 

following subparagraphs: 

a. Reinsurance Pooling and Other Reinsurance Arrangements 

Atlantic States, our largest insurance subsidiary, and Donegal Mutual have a pooling agreement under which both 
companies contribute all of their direct written business to the pool and receive an allocated percentage of their combined 
underwriting results, excluding certain reinsurance Donegal Mutual assumes from our insurance subsidiaries. Atlantic States 
has an 80% share of the results of the pool, and Donegal Mutual has a 20% share of the results of the pool. The intent of the 
pooling agreement is to produce more uniform and stable underwriting results from year to year for each pool participant than 
they would experience individually and to spread the risk of loss between the participants based on each participant's relative 
amount of surplus and relative access to capital. Each participant in the pool has at its disposal the capacity of the entire pool, 
rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with its own capital and surplus. 

The following amounts represent reinsurance Atlantic States ceded to the pool during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Premiums earned

Losses and loss expenses

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

Liability for losses and loss expenses

2013

2012
$ 145,678,744   $ 132,876,094   $ 118,812,725

2011

95,037,273  

92,459,147  

97,130,846

75,232,651  

70,572,281  

64,214,378

88,035,924  

83,623,652  

77,312,645

The following amounts represent reinsurance Atlantic States assumed from the pool during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Premiums earned

Losses and loss expenses

Unearned premiums

Liability for losses and loss expenses

2013

2012
$ 337,548,492   $ 298,803,060   $ 266,687,610

2011

198,785,775  

187,415,893  

206,907,170

176,845,395  

157,140,642  

141,880,039

175,497,405  

162,863,045  

156,941,512

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Donegal Mutual and Le Mars have a quota-share reinsurance agreement whereby Le Mars assumes 100% of the premiums 

and losses related to certain products Donegal Mutual offers in certain Midwestern states, which provide the availability of 
complementary products to Le Mars' commercial accounts. Until October 31, 2012, Donegal Mutual and Southern had a quota-
share reinsurance agreement whereby Southern assumed 100% of the premiums and losses related to personal lines products 
Donegal Mutual offered in Virginia through the use of its automated policy quoting and issuance system. The following 
amounts represent reinsurance Southern and Le Mars assumed from Donegal Mutual pursuant to the quota-share reinsurance 
agreements during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Premiums earned

Losses and loss expenses

Unearned premiums

Liability for losses and loss expenses

2013

2012
$ 12,170,155   $ 22,189,399   $ 17,757,409

2011

10,839,444  

19,620,587  

14,983,405

1,831,672  

9,926,381  

10,225,922

7,838,274  

8,873,592  

7,770,053

Donegal Mutual and MICO have a quota-share reinsurance agreement whereby Donegal Mutual assumes 25% of the 

premiums and losses related to the business of MICO. Donegal Mutual and Peninsula have a quota-share reinsurance 
agreement whereby Donegal Mutual assumes 100% of the premiums and losses related to the workers' compensation product 
line of Peninsula in certain states. The business Donegal Mutual assumes becomes part of the pooling agreement between 
Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States. 

The following amounts represent reinsurance ceded to Donegal Mutual pursuant to these quota-share reinsurance 

agreements during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Premiums earned

Losses and loss expenses

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

Liability for losses and loss expenses

2013

2012
$ 34,992,435   $ 33,046,914   $ 22,123,229

2011

25,301,470  

22,569,557  

16,038,590

16,032,985  

15,457,605  

14,181,338

25,298,464  

18,285,182  

11,868,641

Atlantic States, Southern and Le Mars each have a catastrophe reinsurance agreement with Donegal Mutual that provides 

coverage under any one catastrophic occurrence above a set retention ($2,500,000, $2,000,000 and $500,000 for Atlantic 
States, Southern and Le Mars, respectively), with a combined retention of $5,000,000 for a catastrophe involving a 
combination of these subsidiaries, up to the amount Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries retain under catastrophe 
reinsurance agreements with unaffiliated reinsurers . Donegal Mutual and Southern have an excess of loss reinsurance 
agreement in which Donegal Mutual assumes up to $500,000 ($350,000 in 2011) of losses in excess of $500,000 ($400,000 in 
2011). 

The following amounts represent reinsurance that our insurance subsidiaries ceded to Donegal Mutual pursuant to these 

reinsurance agreements during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Premiums earned

Losses and loss expenses

Liability for losses and loss expenses

2013

2012
$ 12,108,754   $ 12,460,511   $ 12,953,452

2011

2,323,726  

10,787,850  

20,770,637

2,366,370  

2,206,786  

3,980,024

The following amounts represent the effect of affiliated reinsurance transactions on net premiums our insurance 

subsidiaries earned during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Assumed

Ceded

Net

2013
$ 349,718,647
(192,779,933)
$ 156,938,714

2012
$ 320,992,459
(178,383,519)
$ 142,608,940

2011
$ 284,445,019
(153,889,406)
$ 130,555,613

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The following amounts represent the effect of affiliated reinsurance transactions on net losses and loss expenses our 

insurance subsidiaries incurred during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Assumed

Ceded

Net

b. Expense Sharing

2013

2012
$ 209,625,219   $ 207,036,480   $ 221,890,575
(133,940,073)
(125,816,554)
$ 86,962,750   $ 81,219,926   $ 87,950,502

(122,662,469)

2011

Donegal Mutual provides facilities, management and other services to us and our insurance subsidiaries. Donegal Mutual 

allocates certain related expenses to Atlantic States in relation to the relative participation of Atlantic States and Donegal 
Mutual in the pooling agreement. Our insurance subsidiaries other than Atlantic States reimburse Donegal Mutual for their 
personnel costs and bear their proportionate share of information services costs based on their percentage of the total written 
premiums of the Donegal Insurance Group. Charges for these services totalled $94,021,056, $78,778,333 and $64,711,860 for 
2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. 

c. Lease Agreement 

We lease office equipment and automobiles with terms ranging from 3 to 10 years to Donegal Mutual under a 10-year lease 

agreement dated January 1, 2011. 

d. Legal Services 

Donald H. Nikolaus, our Chairman of the Board and President and one of our directors, is a partner in the law firm of 
Nikolaus & Hohenadel. Such firm has served as our general counsel since 1986, principally in connection with the defense of 
claims litigation arising in Lancaster, Dauphin and York counties of Pennsylvania. We pay such firm its customary fees for such 
services. 

e. Union Community Bank 

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had $24,001,726 and $18,806,576, respectively, in checking accounts with UCB, a 

wholly owned subsidiary of DFSC. We earned $1,954, $1,591 and $1,019 in interest on these accounts during 2013, 2012 and 
2011, respectively.

4 - Investments 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as 

follows: 

Held to Maturity

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

2013

Amortized Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated Fair
Value

$ 47,945,882

$

— $

869,683

$ 47,076,199

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

108,435,110

465,309

446,695

108,453,724

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Totals

14,874,969  

69,114,316

17,337  

32,810

111,957  

14,780,349

666,922

68,480,204

$ 240,370,277

$

515,456

$

2,095,257

$ 238,790,476

-68-

 
 
 
Available for Sale

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

2013

Amortized Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated Fair
Value

$ 14,272,550   $

117,736   $

56,589   $ 14,333,697

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

265,783,151  

11,778,794  

15,221  

277,546,724

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Fixed maturities

Equity securities

Totals

Held to Maturity

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

Mortgage-backed securities

Totals

39,939,873  

70,258,677  

775,430  

923,380  

43,380  

40,671,923

82,436  

71,099,621

390,254,251  

13,595,340  

197,626  

403,651,965

12,168,110  

347,594  

92,867  

12,422,837

$ 402,422,361   $ 13,942,934   $

290,493   $ 416,074,802

2012

Amortized Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated Fair
Value

$

1,000,000
40,909,132

$

191,064

$

11,510
1,609,211

14,822

$ 42,100,196

$

1,635,543

$

— $
—

1,011,510
42,518,343

—

205,886

— $ 43,735,739

Available for Sale

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

2012

Amortized Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated Fair
Value

$ 70,253,846   $

1,101,208   $

43,951   $ 71,311,103

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

385,371,983  

32,221,045  

606,065  

416,986,963

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Fixed maturities

Equity securities

Totals

73,941,532  

3,522,954  

108,709  

77,355,777

125,606,445  

3,315,976  

66,443  

128,855,978

655,173,806  

40,161,183  

825,168  

694,509,821

8,663,183  

200,823  

106,748  

8,757,258

$ 663,836,989   $ 40,362,006   $

931,916   $ 703,267,079

At December 31, 2013, our holdings of obligations of states and political subdivisions included general obligation bonds 

with an aggregate fair value of $294.1 million and an amortized cost of $284.9 million. Our holdings also included special 
revenue bonds with an aggregate fair value of $91.9 million and an amortized cost of $89.3 million. With respect to both 
categories, we held no securities of any issuer that comprised more than 10% of the category at December 31, 2013. Education 
bonds and water and sewer utility bonds represented 56% and  23%, respectively, of our total investments in special revenue 
bonds based on their carrying values at December 31, 2013. Many of the issuers of the special revenue bonds we held at 
December 31, 2013 have the authority to impose ad valorem taxes. In that respect, many of the special revenue bonds we held 
are similar to general obligation bonds.

At December 31, 2012, our holdings of obligations of states and political subdivisions included general obligation bonds 

with an aggregate fair value of $358.5 million and an amortized cost of $332.4 million. Our holdings also included special 
revenue bonds with an aggregate fair value of $101.0 million and an amortized cost of $93.9 million. With respect to both 
categories, we held no securities of any issuer that comprised more than 10% of the category at December 31, 2012. Education 
bonds and water and sewer utility bonds represented 54% and 19%, respectively, of our total investments in special revenue 
bonds based on their carrying values at December 31, 2012. Many of the issuers of the special revenue bonds we held at 

-69-

 
 
 
December 31, 2012 have the authority to impose ad valorem taxes. In that respect, many of the special revenue bonds we held 
are similar to general obligation bonds.

We made reclassifications from available for sale to held to maturity of fixed maturities at fair value on November 30, 

2013. We present the impact of the transfers in the following table, summarized by type of securities, at November 30, 2013:

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Totals

Amortized Cost

Estimated Fair
Value

$ 50,627,225   $ 47,914,311

88,456,842

79,866,801

15,745,976  

14,879,294

72,465,250  

69,567,883

$ 227,295,293   $ 212,228,289

We have segregated within accumulated other comprehensive loss the net unrealized losses of $15.1 million arising 

prior to the November 30, 2013 reclassification date for fixed maturities reclassified from available for sale to held to maturity.  
We will amortize this balance over the remaining life of the related securities as an adjustment of yield in a manner consistent 
with the accretion of discount on the same fixed maturities. 

We set forth below the amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at December 31, 2013 by contractual 

maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay 
obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. 

Held to maturity

Due after one year through five years

Due after five years through ten years

Due after ten years

Mortgage-backed securities

Total held to maturity

Available for sale

Due in one year or less

Due after one year through five years

Due after five years through ten years

Due after ten years

Mortgage-backed securities

Total available for sale

Amortized Cost

Estimated Fair
Value

$ 26,553,403   $ 26,883,591

65,434,886  

64,537,687

79,267,672  

78,888,994

69,114,316  

68,480,204

$ 240,370,277   $ 238,790,476

$

8,172,570   $

8,256,627

35,310,675  

36,104,054

119,933,647  

125,005,089

156,578,682  

163,186,574

70,258,677  

71,099,621

$ 390,254,251   $ 403,651,965

The amortized cost of fixed maturities on deposit with various regulatory authorities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 

amounted to $10,553,953 and $10,565,116, respectively. 

Investments in affiliates consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012: 

DFSC

Other

Total

2013

2012

$ 35,685,433   $ 36,770,530

—  

465,000

$ 35,685,433   $ 37,235,530

We account for investments in our affiliates using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, we record our 
investment at cost, with adjustments for our share of our affiliates' earnings and losses as well as changes in our affiliates' equity 
due to unrealized gains and losses. Our investments in affiliates at December 31, 2013 represented our 48.2% ownership interest 

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in DFSC. In May 2011, DFSC merged with UNNF, with DFSC as the surviving company in the merger. Under the merger 
agreement, Province Bank FSB, which DFSC owned, and Union National Community Bank, which UNNF owned, also merged 
and began doing business as UCB. Donegal Mutual contributed $22.1 million and we contributed $20.6 million to DFSC as 
additional capital to facilitate the mergers. We made an additional equity investment in DFSC in the amount of $100,000 during 
2012.

We include our share of DFSC's net income in our results of operations. We have compiled the following summary 

financial information for DFSC at December 31, 2013 and 2012 from the financial statements of DFSC. 

Balance sheets:

Total assets

Total liabilities

Stockholders' equity

December 31,

2013

2012

$ 512,577,883

$ 509,670,100

$ 438,649,355

$ 433,490,583

73,928,528

76,179,517

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 512,577,883

$ 509,670,100

Income statements:

Net income

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

$ 6,030,292

$ 9,401,001

$ 4,196,054

 Other comprehensive (loss) income in our statements of comprehensive income includes net unrealized (losses) gains of 

($2.2 million), $138,771 and $479,401 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, representing our share of DFSC's unrealized 
investment gains or losses. 

At December 31, 2012,  our investments in affiliates included our investments in statutory trusts that held our subordinated 

debentures that we discuss in Note 9 - Borrowings. 

We derive net investment income, consisting primarily of interest and dividends, from the following sources: 

Fixed maturities

Equity securities

Short-term investments

Other

Investment income

Investment expenses

Net investment income

2013
$ 23,621,977

2012
$ 24,642,897

2011
$ 25,044,316

122,603

98,817

41,608

85,905

34,482

44,874

162,934

57,296

48,588

23,885,005
(5,089,766)
$ 18,795,239

24,808,158
(4,639,239)
$ 20,168,919

25,313,134
(4,454,955)
$ 20,858,179

-71-

 
We present below gross realized gains and losses from investments, including those we classified as held to maturity, and 

the change in the difference between fair value and cost of investments: 

Gross realized gains:

Fixed maturities

Equity securities

Gross realized losses:

Fixed maturities

Equity securities

Net realized gains

Change in difference between fair value and cost of

investments:

Fixed maturities

Equity securities

Totals

2013

2012

2011

$ 4,774,437

$ 6,730,331

$ 4,959,707

1,634,315

6,408,752

926,053

8,760,511

7,656,384

13,720,218

3,091,538

893,772

3,985,310

42,135

754,810

796,945

163,316

1,275,635

1,438,951

$ 2,423,442

$ 6,859,439

$ 12,281,267

$(29,153,645) $ 5,739,506
(104,660)
$(28,992,993) $ 5,634,846

160,652

$ 29,646,545
(7,459,314)
$ 22,187,231

We held fixed maturities and equity securities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at 

December 31, 2013 as follows: 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

$ 50,802,809   $

821,941   $ 4,642,775   $

104,331

Less than 12 months

12 months or longer

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

65,170,891  

363,240  

13,404,781  

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities

Totals

16,693,759  

83,535  

6,851,898  

72,878,347

535,944  

19,013,889  

213,414

1,628,893  

92,867  

—  

—

$207,174,699   $ 1,897,527   $ 43,913,343   $

488,223

98,676

71,802

We held fixed maturities and equity securities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at 

December 31, 2012 as follows: 

Less than 12 months

12 months or longer

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

$ 12,308,333   $

43,951   $

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

22,134,226  

606,065  

—   $

—  

—

—

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities

Totals

12,271,750  

79,136  

2,958,520  

29,573

22,491,562

66,443  

2,226,050  

106,748  

—  

—  

—

—

$ 71,431,921   $

902,343   $ 2,958,520   $

29,573

We make estimates concerning the valuation of our investments and the recognition of other-than-temporary declines in the 
value of our investments. For equity securities, we write down the investment to its fair value, and we reflect the amount of the 
write-down as a realized loss in our results of operations when we consider the decline in value of an individual investment to 
be other than temporary. We individually monitor all investments for other-than-temporary declines in value. Generally, we 
assume there has been an other-than-temporary decline in value if an individual equity security has depreciated in value by more 

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than 20% of original cost and has been in such an unrealized loss position for more than six months. We held four equity 
securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2013. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions 
and underlying factors impacting these equity securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary. With respect to 
a debt security that is in an unrealized loss position, we first assess if we intend to sell the debt security. If we determine we 
intend to sell the debt security, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we do not intend to sell the debt 
security, we determine whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery. If we 
determine it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we recognize an 
impairment loss in our results of operations. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the 
debt security prior to recovery, we then evaluate whether a credit loss has occurred. We determine whether a credit loss has 
occurred by comparing the amortized cost of the debt security to the present value of the cash flows we expect to collect. If we 
expect a cash flow shortfall, we consider that a credit loss has occurred. If we determine that a credit loss has occurred, we 
consider the impairment to be other than temporary. We then recognize the amount of the impairment loss related to the credit 
loss in our results of operations, and we recognize the remaining portion of the impairment loss in our other comprehensive 
income, net of applicable taxes. In addition, we may write down securities in an unrealized loss position based on a number of 
other factors, including when the fair value of an investment is significantly below its cost, when the financial condition of the 
issuer of a security has deteriorated, the occurrence of industry, company or geographic events that have negatively impacted the 
value of a security and rating agency downgrades. We held 216 debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position at 
December 31, 2013. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions and underlying factors impacting these debt 
securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary. 

We did not recognize any impairment losses in 2013, 2012 or 2011. We had no sales or transfers from the held to maturity 

portfolio in 2013, 2012 or 2011. We have no derivative instruments or hedging activities.

5 - Fair Value Measurements

We account for financial assets using a framework that establishes a hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of 
inputs, or assumptions, used in the determination of fair value and we classify financial assets and liabilities carried at fair 
value in one of the following three categories: 

     Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; 

     Level 2 - directly or indirectly observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices; and 

     Level 3 - unobservable inputs not corroborated by market data. 

For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, we use the quoted market price as fair value and include 

these investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify publicly traded equity securities as Level 1. When quoted 
market prices in active markets are not available, we base fair values on quoted market prices of comparable instruments or 
price estimates we obtain from independent pricing services. We classify our fixed maturity investments as Level 2. Our fixed 
maturity investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies,
obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities.

We present our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at estimated fair value. The estimated 

fair value of a security may differ from the amount that could be realized if we sold the security in a forced transaction. In 
addition, the valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid, increasing the potential 
that the estimated fair value does not reflect the price at which an actual transaction would occur. We utilize nationally 
recognized independent pricing services to estimate fair values or obtain market quotations for substantially all of our fixed 
maturity and equity investments. We generally obtain one price per security. The pricing services utilize market quotations for 
fixed maturity and equity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. For fixed maturity securities that generally do not 
trade on a daily basis, the pricing services prepare estimates of fair value measurements based predominantly on observable 
market inputs. The pricing services do not use broker quotes in determining the fair values of our investments. Our investment 
personnel review the estimates of fair value the pricing services provide to determine if the estimates we obtain are
representative of fair values based upon their general knowledge of the market, their research findings related to unusual 
fluctuations in value and their comparison of such values to execution prices for similar securities. Our investment personnel 
monitor the market and are familiar with current trading ranges for similar securities and pricing of specific investments. Our 
investment personnel review all pricing estimates that we receive from the pricing services against their expectations with 
respect to pricing based on fair market curves, security ratings, coupon rates, security type and recent trading activity. Our

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investment personnel review documentation with respect to the pricing services’ pricing methodology that they obtain 
periodically to determine if the primary pricing sources, market inputs and pricing frequency for various security types are 
reasonable. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we received one estimate per security from one of the pricing services, and we 
priced substantially all of our Level 1 and Level 2 investments using those prices. In our review of the estimates the pricing 
services provided at December 31, 2013 and 2012, we did not identify any discrepancies, and we did not make any adjustments 
to the estimates the pricing services provided. 

We present our cash and short-term investments at estimated fair value. The carrying values in the balance sheet for 
premium receivables and reinsurance receivables and payables for premiums and paid losses and loss expenses approximate 
their fair values. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for our subordinated debentures and borrowings under 
lines of credit approximate their fair values. We classify these items as Level 3. We evaluate our assets and liabilities on a 
recurring basis to determine the appropriate level at which to classify them for each reporting period.

We evaluate our assets and liabilities on a regular basis to determine the appropriate level at which to classify them for 

each reporting period. Based on our review of the methodology and summary of inputs the pricing services use, we have 
concluded that our Level 1 and Level 2 investments were classified properly at December 31, 2013 and 2012.

The following table presents our fair value measurements for our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and 

equity securities at December 31, 2013: 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities

Totals

Fair Value Measurements Using

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Fair Value

$ 14,333,697   $

—   $ 14,333,697   $

277,546,724  

40,671,923  

71,099,621  

—  

277,546,724  

—

40,671,923  

—  

71,099,621  

12,422,837  

6,467,766  

5,955,071  

$ 416,074,802   $

6,467,766   $ 409,607,036   $

—

—

—

—

—

—

The following table presents our fair value measurements for our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and 

equity securities at December 31, 2012: 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

government corporations and agencies

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

Corporate securities

Mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities

Totals

Fair Value Measurements Using

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Fair Value

$ 71,311,103   $

—   $ 71,311,103   $

416,986,963  

77,355,777  

128,855,978  

—  

416,986,963  

—

77,355,777  

—  

128,855,978  

8,757,258  

5,365,721  

3,391,537  

$ 703,267,079   $

5,365,721   $ 697,901,358   $

—

—

—

—

—

—

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6 - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs 

Changes in our insurance subsidiaries' deferred policy acquisition costs are as follows: 

Balance, January 1

Acquisition costs deferred

Amortization charged to earnings

Balance, December 31

7 - Property and Equipment 

2013
$ 40,121,697

2012
$ 36,424,955

2011
$ 34,445,579

85,258,813
(81,753,000)
$ 43,627,510

78,010,742
(74,314,000)
$ 40,121,697

70,550,376
(68,571,000)
$ 36,424,955

Property and equipment at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:

Office equipment

Automobiles

Real estate

Software

Accumulated depreciation

2013
9,116,070   $

2012
8,863,377  

$

Estimated Useful
Life
5-15 years

2,106,116  

2,010,762  

3 years

5,911,129  

5,356,705   15-50 years

2,717,205  

2,717,206  

5 years

19,850,520  
(13,425,817)

18,948,050    
(12,994,217)

$

6,424,703   $

5,953,833    

Depreciation expense for 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $783,897, $944,632 and $1.0 million, respectively. 

8 - Liability for Losses and Loss Expenses

The establishment of an appropriate liability for losses and loss expenses is an inherently uncertain process, and we can 

provide no assurance that our insurance subsidiaries' ultimate liability will not exceed their loss and loss expense reserves and 
have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing, 
frequency and extent of adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries' estimated future liabilities, because the historical conditions 
and events that serve as a basis for our insurance subsidiaries' estimates of ultimate claim costs may change. As is the case for 
substantially all property and casualty insurance companies, our insurance subsidiaries have found it necessary in the past to 
increase their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses in certain periods, and, in other periods, their estimates 
have exceeded their actual liabilities. Changes in our insurance subsidiaries' estimate of their liability for losses and loss 
expenses generally reflect actual payments and their evaluation of information received since the prior reporting date.

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We summarize activity in our insurance subsidiaries' liability for losses and loss expenses as follows: 

Balance at January 1

Less reinsurance recoverable

Net balance at January 1

Incurred related to:

Current year

Prior years

Total incurred

Paid related to:

Current year

Prior years

Total paid

Net balance at December 31

Plus reinsurance recoverable

Balance at December 31

2013
$ 458,827,395
(207,891,560)
250,935,835

2012
$ 442,407,615
(199,392,836)
243,014,779

2011
$ 383,318,672
(165,422,373)
217,896,299

332,770,088

325,275,882

10,357,863

7,595,702

343,127,951

332,871,584

340,671,237
(168,460)
340,502,777

201,781,955

205,876,331

219,183,102

126,676,599

119,074,197

96,201,195

328,458,554

324,950,528

315,384,297

265,605,232

250,935,835

243,014,779

230,014,037

207,891,560

199,392,836

$ 495,619,269

$ 458,827,395

$ 442,407,615

Our insurance subsidiaries recognized an increase (decrease) in their liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years of 

$10.4 million, $7.6 million and ($168,460) in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our insurance subsidiaries made no 
significant changes in their reserving philosophy, key reserving assumptions or claims management personnel, and they have 
made no significant offsetting changes in estimates that increased or decreased their loss and loss expense reserves in these 
years. The 2013 development represented 4.1% of the December 31, 2012 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from 
higher-than-expected severity in the private passenger automobile liability, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile 
and workers' compensation lines of business in accident years prior to 2013. The majority of the 2013 development related to 
increases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Atlantic States and Southern. The 2012 development 
represented 3.1% of the December 31, 2011 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from higher-than-expected severity in 
the private passenger automobile liability and workers' compensation lines of business in accident years prior to 2012. The 
majority of the 2012 development related to increases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Atlantic 
States and Southern. The 2011 development represented an immaterial percentage of the December 31, 2010 net carried 
reserves. 

9 - Borrowings 

Lines of Credit 

In June 2013, we renewed our existing credit agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T”) relating 

to a $60.0 million unsecured, revolving line of credit. The line of credit now expires in July 2016. We have the right to request 
a one-year extension of the credit agreement as of each anniversary date of the agreement. At December 31, 2013, we had 
$43.0 million in outstanding borrowings and had the ability to borrow an additional $17.0 million at interest rates equal to 
M&T’s current prime rate or the then current LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. The interest rate on our outstanding borrowings is 
adjustable quarterly. At December 31, 2013, the interest rate on our outstanding borrowings was 2.42%. We pay a fee of 0.2% 
per annum on the loan commitment amount regardless of usage. The credit agreement requires our compliance with certain 
covenants. These covenants include minimum levels of our net worth, leverage ratio, statutory surplus and the A.M. Best 
ratings of our insurance subsidiaries. We complied with all requirements of the credit agreement during 2013.

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MICO has an agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Indianapolis. Through its membership, MICO 
has the ability to issue debt to the FHLB of Indianapolis in exchange for cash advances. There were no outstanding borrowings 
at December 31, 2013 or 2012. The table below presents the amount of FHLB of Indianapolis stock MICO purchased, 
collateral pledged and assets related to MICO's agreement at December 31, 2013.

FHLB stock purchased and owned as part of the agreement

$

252,100

Collateral pledged, at par (carrying value $2,789,386)

Borrowing capacity currently available

3,700,000

2,413,882

Atlantic States is a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh. Through its membership, Atlantic States has the ability to issue 
debt to the FHLB of Pittsburgh in exchange for cash advances. During 2013, Atlantic States issued secured debt in the principal 
amount of $15.0 million to the FHLB of Pittsburgh in exchange for cash advances in the amount of $15.0 million. Atlantic 
States then loaned $15.0 million to us. We used the proceeds of our loan from Atlantic States to fund our prepayment of our 
subordinated debentures, as we discuss below. The interest rate on the advances was .26% at December 31, 2013. Atlantic 
States had no outstanding borrowings with the FHLB of Pittsburgh at December 31, 2012. The table below presents the amount 
of FHLB of Pittsburgh stock Atlantic States purchased, collateral pledged and assets related to Atlantic States’ membership in 
the FHLB of Pittsburgh at December 31, 2013.

FHLB stock purchased and owned as part of the agreement

$

870,300

Collateral pledged, at par (carrying value $15,305,496)

Borrowing capacity currently available

19,000,000

305,496

Subordinated Debentures 

On October 29, 2003, we received $10.0 million in net proceeds from the issuance of subordinated debentures. The 
debentures had a maturity date of October 29, 2033 and were callable at our option, at par. The debentures carried an interest 
rate equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.85%. On January 28, 2013, we prepaid these subordinated debentures in full 
and liquidated our investment in the statutory trust.

On May 24, 2004, we received $5.0 million in net proceeds from the issuance of subordinated debentures. The debentures 
had a maturity date of May 24, 2034 and were callable at our option, at par. The debentures carried an interest rate equal to the 
three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.85%. On February 25, 2013, we prepaid these subordinated debentures in full and liquidated 
our investment in the statutory trust.

In January 2002, West Bend purchased a surplus note from MICO for $5.0 million to increase MICO's statutory surplus. 
On December 1, 2010, Donegal Mutual purchased the surplus note from West Bend at face value. The surplus note carries an 
interest rate of 5.00%, and any repayment of principal or interest requires prior insurance regulatory approval. Upon receipt of 
regulatory approval, MICO paid $250,000 in interest to Donegal Mutual during each of 2013 and 2012.

10 - Reinsurance

Unaffiliated Reinsurers 

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual purchase certain third-party reinsurance on a combined basis. Le Mars, 

MICO, Peninsula and Sheboygan also have separate third-party reinsurance programs that provide certain coverage that is 
commensurate with their relative size and exposures. Our insurance subsidiaries use several different reinsurers, all of which, 
consistent with the requirements of our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual, have an A.M. Best rating of A- (Excellent) 
or better, or, with respect to foreign reinsurers, have a financial condition that, in the opinion of our management, is equivalent 
to a company with at least an A- rating from A.M. Best. The external reinsurance our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal 
Mutual purchase includes “excess of loss reinsurance,” under which their losses are automatically reinsured, through a series of 
contracts, over a set retention (generally $1.0 million for 2013 and 2012 and $750,000 prior to 2012), and “catastrophic 
reinsurance,” under which they recover, through a series of contracts, 100% of an accumulation of many losses resulting from a 
single event, including natural disasters, over a set retention (generally $5.0 million) and after exceeding an annual aggregate 
deductible ($5.0 million in 2013 and $0 in 2012 and 2011) up to aggregate losses of $145.0 million per occurrence. For 

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property insurance, our insurance subsidiaries had excess of loss treaties that provided for coverage up to $5.0 million per loss. 
For liability insurance, our insurance subsidiaries had excess of loss treaties that provided for coverage up to $40.0 million per 
occurrence. For workers' compensation insurance, our insurance subsidiaries had excess of loss treaties that provided for 
coverage up to $10.0 million on any one life. Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual had property catastrophe 
coverage through a series of layered treaties up to aggregate losses of $150.0 million for any single event. As many as 25 
reinsurers provided coverage on any one treaty with no reinsurer taking more than 30.0% of any one treaty. The amount of 
coverage provided under each of these types of reinsurance depends upon the amount, nature, size and location of the risks 
being reinsured. Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries also purchased facultative reinsurance to cover exposures from 
losses that exceeded the limits provided by the treaty reinsurance Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries purchased. In 
order to write automobile insurance in the State of Michigan, MICO is required to be a member of the Michigan Catastrophic 
Claims Association ("MCCA").  The MCCA provides reinsurance to MICO for personal automobile and commercial 
automobile personal injury claims in the State of Michigan over a set retention.

Through December 1, 2010, MICO and West Bend were parties to quota-share reinsurance agreements whereby MICO 

ceded 75% of its business to West Bend. MICO and West Bend agreed to terminate the reinsurance agreement in effect at 
November 30, 2010 on a run-off basis. West Bend's obligations related to all past reinsurance agreements with MICO remain in 
effect for all policies effective prior to December 1, 2010. 

MICO maintains a quota-share reinsurance agreement with third-party reinsurers to reduce its net exposures. Effective 
from December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011, the quota-share reinsurance percentage was 50%. Effective January 1, 2012, 
MICO reduced the quota-share reinsurance percentage from 50% to 40%. Effective January 1, 2013, MICO reduced the quota-
share reinsurance percentage from 40% to 30%. Effective January 1, 2014, MICO reduced the quota-share reinsurance 
percentage from 30% to 20%.  

The following amounts represent ceded reinsurance transactions with unaffiliated reinsurers during 2013, 2012 and 2011:

Premiums written

Premiums earned

Losses and loss expenses

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

Liability for losses and loss expenses

Total Reinsurance

2013

2012
$ 69,776,461   $ 76,736,510   $ 80,265,127

2011

73,504,433  

79,680,782  

88,297,408

58,556,283  

56,179,284  

82,836,893

21,398,306  

25,126,276  

28,054,302

114,313,279  

103,775,940  

106,231,527

The following amounts represent our total ceded reinsurance transactions with both affiliated and unaffiliated reinsurers 

during 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Premiums earned
Losses and loss expenses

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

Liability for losses and loss expenses

2013

2012
$ 266,284,366   $ 258,064,301   $ 242,186,814
216,776,966

181,995,838  

181,218,752  

2011

112,663,942  

111,156,162  

106,450,018

230,014,037  

207,891,560  

199,392,836

The following amounts represent the effect of reinsurance on premiums written for 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Direct

Assumed

Ceded

Net premiums written

2013

2012
$ 441,469,330   $ 419,811,847   $ 397,810,566

2011

359,753,517  
(267,792,144)

306,416,861
339,389,274  
(250,176,390)
(262,754,201)
$ 533,430,703   $ 496,446,920   $ 454,051,037

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The following amounts represent the effect of reinsurance on premiums earned for 2013, 2012 and 2011: 

Direct

Assumed

Ceded

Net premiums earned

2013

2012
$ 431,788,593   $ 408,846,530   $ 385,737,801

2011

349,787,717  
(266,284,366)

287,919,197
324,219,993  
(242,186,814)
(258,064,301)
$ 515,291,944   $ 475,002,222   $ 431,470,184

11 - Income Taxes 

Our provision for income tax consists of the following:

Current

Deferred

Federal income tax (benefit) provision

2013
4,973,430   $

1,414,843

6,388,273

$

$

$

2011

2012
3,614,390   $ (1,269,775)
(5,922,491)
1,151,250
$ (7,192,266)

4,765,640

Our effective tax rate is different from the amount computed at the statutory federal rate of 35% for 2013, 2012 and 2011. 

The reasons for such difference and the related tax effects are as follows: 

Income (loss) before income taxes

Computed “expected” taxes (benefit)

Tax-exempt interest

Proration

Other, net

Federal income tax (benefit) provision

2013

2012

2011

$ 32,710,265   $ 27,858,260   $

11,448,593  
(5,789,963)
868,306
(138,663)
6,388,273

$

9,750,391  
(5,824,281)
869,551
(30,021)
4,765,640

$

$

(6,739,313)
(2,358,760)
(6,038,463)
905,326

299,631
(7,192,266)

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax 

liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows: 

Deferred tax assets:

Unearned premium

Loss reserves

Net operating loss carryforward

Net operating loss carryforward - Le Mars

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward

Net unrealized losses

Other

Total gross deferred assets

Less valuation allowance

Net deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:

Deferred policy acquisition costs

Net unrealized gains

Other

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax asset

-79-

2013

2012

$ 18,875,418   $ 17,613,415

6,966,581  

—  

1,665,748  

7,275,091

1,942,128

1,797,194

10,011,483  

7,964,853

1,245,400

—

1,261,546  

1,413,285

40,026,176  
(440,778)
39,585,398  

38,005,966
(440,778)
37,565,188

15,269,629  

14,042,594

—  

14,212,465

4,005,211  

3,042,593

19,274,840  

31,297,652

$ 20,310,558   $

6,267,536

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
We provide a valuation allowance when we believe it is more likely than not that we will not realize some portion of the 

tax asset. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we established a valuation allowance of $440,778 related to a portion of the net 
operating loss carryforward of Le Mars that we acquired on January 1, 2004. We determined that we were not required to 
establish a valuation allowance for the other net deferred tax assets of $39.6 million and $37.6 million at December 31, 2013 
and 2012, respectively, since it is more likely than not that we will realize these deferred tax assets through reversals of existing 
temporary differences, future taxable income and the implementation of tax-planning strategies. 

Tax years 2010 through 2013 remained open for examination at December 31, 2013. The net operating loss carryforward 

of $4.8 million from Le Mars will begin to expire in 2020 if not utilized and is subject to an annual limitation of approximately 
$376,000. We also had an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $10.0 million with an indefinite life. 

12 - Stockholders' Equity 

On April 19, 2001, our stockholders approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation. Among other things, the 
amendment reclassified our common stock as Class B common stock and effected a one-for-three reverse split of our Class B 
common stock effective April 19, 2001. The amendment also authorized a new class of common stock with one-tenth of a vote 
per share designated as Class A common stock. Our board of directors also declared a dividend of two shares of Class A 
common stock for each share of Class B common stock, after the one-for-three reverse split, held of record at the close of 
business April 19, 2001. 

At our annual meeting of stockholders on April 18, 2013, our stockholders approved an amendment to our certificate of 

incorporation that increased the number of shares of our Class A common stock we have the authority to issue from 30.0 
million shares to 40.0 million shares.

Each share of Class A common stock outstanding at the time of the declaration of any dividend or other distribution 
payable in cash upon the shares of Class B common stock is entitled to a dividend or distribution payable at the same time and 
to stockholders of record on the same date in an amount at least 10% greater than any dividend declared upon each share of 
Class B common stock. In the event of our merger or consolidation with or into another entity, the holders of Class A common 
stock and the holders of Class B common stock are entitled to receive the same per share consideration in such merger or 
consolidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, any assets available to common stockholders will be 
distributed pro-rata to the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock after payment of all of our obligations. 

In February 2009, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program, pursuant to which we may purchase up to 

300,000 shares of our Class A common stock at market prices prevailing from time to time in the open market subject to the 
provisions of Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Rule 10b-18 and in privately negotiated transactions. We 
purchased 24,240 and 135,064 shares of our Class A common stock under this program during 2013 and 2012, respectively. At 
December 31, 2013, we had the authority remaining to purchase 4,068 shares under this program.

 On July 18, 2013, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program pursuant to which we have the authority 

to purchase up to 500,000 additional shares of our Class A common stock at prices prevailing from time to time in the open 
market subject to the provisions of SEC Rule 10b-18 and in privately negotiated transactions. We did not purchase shares under 
this program during 2013.

 At December 31, 2013, our treasury stock consisted of 940,862 and 72,465 shares of Class A common stock and Class B 

common stock, respectively. At December 31, 2012, our treasury stock consisted of 916,622 and 72,465 shares of Class A 
common stock and Class B common stock, respectively.

13 - Stock Compensation Plans 

Equity Incentive Plans 

During 1996, we adopted an Equity Incentive Plan for Employees. During 2001, we adopted a nearly identical plan that 

made a total of 2,666,667 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance to employees of our subsidiaries and 
affiliates. During 2005, we amended the plan to make a total of 4,000,000 shares of Class A common stock available for 
issuance. During 2007, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made a total of 3,500,000 shares of Class A common stock 
available for issuance to employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates. During 2011, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made 
a total of 3,500,000 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance to employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates. 
During 2013, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made a total of 4,500,000 shares of Class A common stock available for 
issuance to employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates. Each plan provides for the granting of awards by our board of directors 
-80-

in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or any combination of the above. The plans provide that 
stock options may become exercisable up to ten years from date of grant, with an option price not less than fair market value on 
date of grant. We have not granted any stock appreciation rights. 

During 1996, we adopted an Equity Incentive Plan for Directors. During 2001, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made 

355,556 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance to our directors and those of our subsidiaries and affiliates. 
During 2007, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made 400,000 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance to 
our directors and the directors of our subsidiaries and affiliates. During 2011, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made 
400,000 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance to our directors and the directors of our subsidiaries and 
affiliates. During 2013, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made 600,000 shares of Class A common stock available for 
issuance to our directors and the directors of our subsidiaries and affiliates. We may make awards in the form of stock options. 
The plan also provides for the issuance of 400 shares of restricted stock on the first business day of January in each year to each 
of our directors and each director of Donegal Mutual who does not serve as one of our directors. We issued 6,800, 6,800 and 
5,598 shares of restricted stock on January 2, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. 

We measure all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, using a fair-value-based 
method and record such expense in our results of operations. In determining the expense we record for stock options granted to 
directors and employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates, we estimate the fair value of each option award on the date of grant 
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The significant assumptions we utilize in applying the Black-Scholes option 
pricing model are the risk-free interest rate, expected term, dividend yield and expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate is 
the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term 
used as the assumption in the model. We base the expected term of an option award on our historical experience for similar 
awards. We determine the dividend yield by dividing the per share dividend by the grant date stock price. We base the expected 
volatility on the volatility of our stock price over a historical period comparable to the expected term. 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during 2013 was $2.20. We calculated this fair value based 
upon a risk-free interest rate of 1.63%, expected life of five years, expected volatility of 23% and expected dividend yield of 
3%.  

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during 2012 was $2.85. We calculated this fair value based 
upon a risk-free interest rate of .43%, expected life of five years, expected volatility of 33% and expected dividend yield of 3%.  

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during 2011 was $1.90. We calculated this fair value based 
upon a risk-free interest rate of .75%, expected life of five years, expected volatility of 31% and expected dividend yield of 4%. 

We charged compensation expense for our stock compensation plans against income before income taxes of $547,374, 
$420,735 and $283,811 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, with a corresponding income tax 
benefit of $186,107, $143,050 and $96,496. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, our total unrecognized compensation cost related 
to non-vested share-based compensation granted under our stock compensation plans was $1.1 million and $1.2 million, 
respectively. We expect to recognize this cost over a weighted average period of 1.0 years. 

During 2013, we received cash from option exercises under all stock compensation plans of $9.7 million. We realized actual 

tax benefits for the tax deductions from option exercises of share-based compensation of $531,159 for 2013. During 2012, we 
received cash from option exercises under all stock compensation plans of $1.1 million. We realized actual tax benefits for the 
tax deductions from option exercises of share-based compensation of $52,422 for 2012. We did not receive any cash from 
option exercises in 2011. No further shares are available for future option grants for plans in effect prior to 2013.

-81-

 
 
Information regarding activity in our stock option plans follows: 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

Granted - 2011

Forfeited - 2011

Expired - 2011

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

Granted - 2012

Exercised - 2012

Forfeited - 2012

Expired - 2012

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

Granted - 2013

Exercised - 2013

Forfeited - 2013
Expired - 2013

Outstanding at December 31, 2013

Exercisable at:

December 31, 2011

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2013

Number of
Options
3,998,667   $

2,321,000  
(52,000)
(958,667)  
5,309,000  

1,593,600  
(82,102)  
(109,673)  
(10,000)  
6,700,825  

2,543,500  
(722,322)  
(116,669)  
(1,204,000)  
7,201,334   $

1,821,333   $

3,072,970   $

3,028,619   $

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share

16.80

12.52

15.63

21.00

14.18

14.50

13.01

13.84

21.00

14.27

15.90

13.45

13.65
17.52

14.39

16.42

15.03

13.47

Shares available for future option grants at December 31, 2013 totaled 2,556,500 shares under all plans. 

The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013: 

Exercise Price
$12.50

14.00

14.50

15.00

15.90

17.50

Total

Number of
Options
Outstanding

1,863,627  

1,284,207  

1,502,000

3,000  

Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
8.0 years

2.0 years

9.0 years

2.0 years

2,543,500

10.0 years

5,000  

0.25 years

7,201,334    

Number of
Options
Exercisable

1,242,417

1,277,540

500,662

3,000

—

5,000

3,028,619

Employee Stock Purchase Plans 

During 1996, we adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. During 2001, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made 
533,333 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance. During 2011, we adopted another nearly identical plan that 
made 300,000 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance.

The 2011 plan extends over a 10-year period and provides for shares to be offered to all eligible employees at a purchase 

price equal to the lesser of 85% of the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the last day before the first day of 
each enrollment period (June 1 and December 1 of each year) under the plan or 85% of the fair market value of our common 
stock on the last day of each subscription period (June 30 and December 31 of each year). 

-82-

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A summary of plan activity follows: 

January 1, 2011

July 1, 2011

January 1, 2012

July 1, 2012

January 1, 2013

July 1, 2013

$

Shares Issued

Price

Shares

11.02  

10.88  

11.91

11.29  

11.93

11.76  

13,243

11,371

10,523

19,031

16,485

19,805

On January 1, 2014, we issued an additional 16,964 shares at a price of $12.58 per share under this plan.

Agency Stock Purchase Plans 

During 1996, we adopted an Agency Stock Purchase Plan. During 2001, we adopted a nearly identical plan that made 

533,333 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance. During 2011, we adopted another nearly identical plan that 
made 300,000 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance. The plan provides for agents of our insurance 
subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual to invest up to $12,000 per subscription period (April 1 to September 30 and October 1 to 
March 31 of each year) under various methods. We issue stock at the end of each subscription period at a price equal to 90% of 
the average market price during the last ten trading days of each subscription period. During 2013, 2012 and 2011, we issued 
79,532, 70,366 and 66,260 shares, respectively, under this plan. Expense recognized under the plan was not material. 

-83-

 
 
 
14 - Statutory Net Income, Capital and Surplus and Dividend Restrictions 

The following table presents selected information, as filed with insurance regulatory authorities, for our insurance 
subsidiaries as determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by such insurance regulatory 
authorities: 

Atlantic States:

Statutory capital and surplus

Statutory unassigned surplus

Statutory net income (loss)

Southern:

Statutory capital and surplus

Statutory unassigned surplus

Statutory net income (loss)

Le Mars:

Statutory capital and surplus

Statutory unassigned surplus
Statutory net income (loss) 

Peninsula:

Statutory capital and surplus

Statutory unassigned surplus

Statutory net income

Sheboygan:

Statutory capital and surplus

Statutory unassigned surplus (deficit) 

Statutory net income (loss)

MICO:

Statutory capital and surplus

Statutory unassigned surplus

Statutory net income

2013

2012

2011

$ 186,606,655   $ 180,465,658   $ 173,505,872

131,028,806  

124,924,794  

12,596,844  

12,507,540  

113,497,280
(7,729,040)

62,702,432  

58,841,059  

60,876,093

11,701,045  

4,195,635

7,843,473  
(1,539,943)

9,364,037

1,795,195

27,627,914  

26,803,140  

24,720,327

15,032,372  
790,147

14,210,400  
2,423,225

11,373,158
(1,661,327)

41,891,487  

42,471,092  

40,744,215

24,089,092  

24,671,678  

22,601,043

1,481,670  

1,478,823  

1,210,247

12,085,839  

52,211

1,374,543

10,944,235  
(1,087,936)
(33,316)

10,800,499
(1,437,493)
(1,237,478)

41,594,701  

42,443,200  

39,264,423

15,588,110  

16,440,388  

12,689,880

1,170,008  

2,698,257  

2,889,619

Our principal source of cash for payment of dividends is dividends from our insurance subsidiaries. State insurance laws 
require our insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain minimum capital and surplus amounts on a statutory basis. Our insurance 
subsidiaries are subject to regulations that restrict the payment of dividends from statutory surplus and may require prior 
approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities. Our insurance subsidiaries are also subject to risk based capital 
("RBC") requirements that may further impact their ability to pay dividends. Our insurance subsidiaries' statutory capital and 
surplus at December 31, 2013 exceeded the amount of statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy regulatory 
requirements, including the RBC requirements, by a significant margin. Amounts available for distribution to us as dividends 
from our insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities in 2014 are $18.7 million from 
Atlantic States, $4.2 million from Southern, $2.8 million from Le Mars, $4.2 million from Peninsula, $1.1 million from 
Sheboygan and $4.1 million from MICO, or a total of approximately $35.1 million.

-84-

 
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
15 - Reconciliation of Statutory Filings to Amounts Reported Herein 

Our insurance subsidiaries must file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities using accounting 
principles and practices prescribed or permitted by those authorities. We refer to these accounting principles and practices as 
statutory accounting principles (“SAP”). Accounting principles used to prepare these SAP financial statements differ from 
those used to prepare financial statements on the basis of GAAP. 

Reconciliations of statutory net income and capital and surplus, as determined using SAP, to the amounts included in the 

accompanying GAAP financial statements are as follows: 

Statutory net income (loss) of insurance subsidiaries

Increases (decreases):

Deferred policy acquisition costs

Deferred federal income taxes

Salvage and subrogation recoverable

Amortization of MICO fair value adjustments

Consolidating eliminations and adjustments
Parent-only net income

Year Ended December 31,

2013
$ 21,608,847

2012
$ 17,534,586

2011

$

(4,732,784)

3,505,813
(1,414,843)
1,059,400

—
(10,648,834)
12,211,609

3,696,742
(1,151,250)
772,600
(5,416)
(5,421,779)
7,667,137

1,979,376

5,922,490

1,273,000
(3,275,777)
(15,080,164)
14,366,812

Net income as reported herein

$ 26,321,992

$ 23,092,620

$

452,953

Statutory capital and surplus of insurance subsidiaries

Increases (decreases):

Deferred policy acquisition costs

Deferred federal income taxes

Salvage and subrogation recoverable

Non-admitted assets and other adjustments, net

Fixed maturities

Parent-only equity and other adjustments

Stockholders' equity as reported herein

16 - Supplementary Cash Flow Information 

Year Ended December 31,

2013
$ 372,509,028

2012
$ 361,968,384

2011
$ 349,911,429

43,627,510
(12,251,398)
13,060,000

40,121,697
(25,682,004)
12,000,600

36,424,955
(21,007,223)
11,228,000

2,363,038
(1,465,363)
(20,965,704)
$ 396,877,111

2,005,603

1,478,988

39,607,340
(29,987,526)
$ 400,034,094

33,165,065
(27,749,622)
$ 383,451,592

The following table reflects net income taxes and interest paid during 2013, 2012 and 2011:

Income taxes

Interest

2013
5,450,000   $

2012
1,626,965   $

$

2011
324,291

1,527,037  

2,128,693  

1,793,366

-85-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17 - Earnings Per Share 

We have two classes of common stock, which we refer to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Our 
Class A common stock is entitled to be paid cash dividends that are at least 10% higher than the cash we pay on our Class B 
common stock. Accordingly, we use the two-class method for the computation of earnings per common share. The two-class 
method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share separately for each class of common stock based 
on dividends declared and an allocation of remaining undistributed earnings using a participation percentage reflecting the 
dividend rights of each class. 

We present below a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators we used in the basic and diluted per share 

computations for our Class A common stock: 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:

Numerator:

Allocation of net income

Denominator:

Weighted-average shares outstanding

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share:

Numerator:

Allocation of net income

Denominator:

Number of shares used in basic computation
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities
Add: Director and employee stock options

Number of shares used in per share computations

Diluted earnings per share

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

$

$

$

21,110   $

18,455   $

390

20,363,677  

20,031,455  

1.04   $

0.92   $

19,997,146
0.02

21,110   $

18,455   $

390

20,363,677  

20,031,455  

19,997,146

398,708  
20,762,385  

274,103  
20,305,558  

$

1.02   $

0.91   $

36,499
20,033,645
0.02

We used the following information in the basic and diluted per share computations for our Class B common stock: 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Basic and diluted earnings per share:

Numerator:

Allocation of net income

Denominator:

Weighted-average shares outstanding

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Year Ended December 31,

2013

2012

2011

$

$

5,212   $

4,638   $

63

5,576,775  

5,576,775  

5,576,775

0.94   $

0.83   $

0.01

During 2013, 2012 and 2011, we did not include certain options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock in the 
computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of 
our Class A common stock. The following table reflects such options that remained outstanding at December 31, 2013, 2012 
and 2011: 

Options excluded from diluted earnings per share

2013
2,548,500  

2012
1,209,000  

2011
1,238,000

-86-

 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
18 - Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company 

December 31,
Assets

Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands) 

2013

2012

Investment in subsidiaries/affiliates (equity method)

$

457,886   $

470,565

Short-term investments

Cash

Property and equipment

Other

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Liabilities

149  

1,604  

927  

586  

326

805

883

304

$

461,152   $

472,883

Cash dividends declared to stockholders

$

3,299   $

Borrowings under lines of credit

Subordinated debentures

Other

Total liabilities

Stockholders' equity

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

58,000  

—  

2,976  

64,275  

3,067

52,000

15,465

2,316

72,848

396,877  

400,035

$

461,152   $

472,883

Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(in thousands) 

Year Ended December 31,
Statements of Income

Revenues

Dividends from subsidiaries

Other

Total revenues

Expenses

Operating expenses

Interest

Total expenses

Income before income tax (benefit) expense and equity in

undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries

Income tax (benefit) expense
Income before equity in undistributed net income (loss) of

subsidiaries

Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries

Net income

Statements of Comprehensive Income

Net income

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

Unrealized (loss) gain - subsidiaries

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

Comprehensive (loss) income

-87-

2013

2012

2011

$

12,500

$

7,000

$

16,000

3,758

16,258

3,777

1,488

5,265

10,993
(1,219)

12,212

14,110

5,487

12,487

2,323

2,118

4,441

8,046

378

7,668

15,425

26,322

$

23,093

$

2,995

18,995

2,392

1,864

4,256

14,739

372

14,367
(13,914)
453

26,322

$

23,093

$

453

(28,707)
(28,707)
(2,385) $

4,644

4,644

27,737

$

14,972

14,972

15,425

$

$

$

 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

Adjustments:

Equity in undistributed net (income) loss of subsidiaries

Other

Net adjustments

Net cash provided

Cash flows from investing activities:

Net sale of short-term investments

Net purchase of property and equipment

Investment in subsidiaries

Other

Net cash provided (used)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Cash dividends paid

Issuance of common stock

Payments on subordinated debentures

Payments on line of credit

Borrowings under lines of credit

Repurchase of treasury stock

Net cash (used) provided

Net change in cash

Cash at beginning of year

Cash at end of year

2013

2012

2011

$

26,322

$

23,093

$

453

(14,110)
(2,200)
(16,310)
10,012

176
(420)
990

44

790

(12,809)
12,648
(15,465)
(15,500)
21,500
(377)
(10,003)
799

805

$

1,604

$

(15,425)
(2,624)
(18,049)
5,044

8,932
(147)
(100)
44

8,729

(12,208)
2,983

—
(6,000)
3,500
(1,927)
(13,652)
121

684

805

13,914
(396)
13,518

13,971

6,437
(380)
(27,777)
43
(21,677)

(11,874)
1,461

—
(3,000)
22,500
(1,538)
7,549
(157)
841

$

684

-88-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19 - Segment Information 

We have four reportable segments, which consist of our investment function, our personal lines of insurance, our 
commercial lines of insurance and our investment in DFSC. Using independent agents, our insurance subsidiaries market 
personal lines of insurance to individuals and commercial lines of insurance to small and medium-sized businesses. 

We evaluate the performance of the personal lines and commercial lines primarily based upon our insurance subsidiaries' 

underwriting results as determined under SAP for our total business. 

We do not allocate assets to the personal and commercial lines and review the two segments in total for purposes of 
decision-making. We operate only in the United States and no single customer or agent provides 10 percent or more of our 
revenues. 

Financial data by segment is as follows: 

Revenues:

Premiums earned:

Commercial lines
Personal lines

SAP premiums earned

GAAP adjustments

GAAP premiums earned

Net investment income

Realized investment gains

Equity in earnings of DFSC

Other

Total revenues

Income before income taxes:

Underwriting income (loss):

Commercial lines

Personal lines

SAP underwriting income (loss)

GAAP adjustments

GAAP underwriting income (loss)

Net investment income

Realized investment gains

Equity in earnings of DFSC

Other

2013

2012

2011

(in thousands)

$

$

202,983
312,309

515,292

—

515,292

18,795

2,423

2,908

7,692

$

174,735
300,272

475,007
(5)
475,002

20,169

6,859

4,533

8,420

152,247
282,498

434,745
(3,275)
431,470

20,858

12,281

2,023

8,386

$

547,110

$

514,983

$

475,018

2013

2012

2011

(in thousands)

$

(524) $
1,654

1,130

5,175

6,305

18,795

2,423

2,908

2,279

$

5,251
(18,236)
(12,985)
5,545
(7,440)
20,169

6,859

4,533

3,737

(6,560)
(40,739)
(47,299)
1,532
(45,767)
20,858

12,281

2,023

3,866
(6,739)

Income (loss) before income taxes

$

32,710

$

27,858

$

20 - Guaranty Fund and Other Insurance-Related Assessments

Our insurance subsidiaries' liabilities for guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments were $1,511,186 and 

$1,403,829 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These liabilities included $527,241 and $433,994 related to 
surcharges collected by our insurance subsidiaries on behalf of regulatory authorities for 2013 and 2012, respectively. 

-89-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21 - Interim Financial Data (unaudited) 

Net premiums earned

Total revenues

Net losses and loss expenses

Net income

Net earnings per common share:

Class A common stock - basic

Class A common stock - diluted

Class B common stock - basic and diluted

Net premiums earned

Total revenues
Net losses and loss expenses

Net income

Net earnings per common share:

Class A common stock - basic

Class A common stock - diluted

Class B common stock - basic and diluted

2013

First Quarter

Fourth Quarter
$ 124,702,041   $ 126,963,328   $ 130,645,011   $ 132,981,564

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

133,872,592  

135,507,635  

138,334,960  

139,394,878

85,533,016  

89,519,350  

84,882,734  

83,192,851

6,475,436  

2,628,987  

7,653,734  

9,563,835

0.26  

0.25

0.23  

0.10  

0.10

0.09  

2012

0.30  

0.30

0.27  

0.38

0.37

0.35

First Quarter

Fourth Quarter
$ 114,691,791   $ 117,569,122   $ 120,916,960   $ 121,824,349

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

125,348,162  
76,609,219  

127,299,190  
86,385,353  

130,431,531  
82,105,094  

131,903,702
87,771,918

8,010,147  

2,023,067  

6,839,384  

6,220,022

0.32  

0.31

0.29  

0.08  

0.08

0.07  

0.27  

0.27

0.25  

0.25

0.25

0.22

-90-

 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Donegal Group Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Donegal Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as 
of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders' 
equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial 
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 
consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of Donegal Financial Services 
Corporation (a 48.2 percent owned investee company). The Company's investment in Donegal Financial Services Corporation 
at December 31, 2013 and 2012, was $35,685,433 and $36,770,530, respectively, and its equity in earnings of Donegal 
Financial Services Corporation was $2,907,867 and $4,533,257 for the years 2013 and 2012, respectively. The financial 
statements of Donegal Financial Services Corporation were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, 
and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Donegal Financial Services Corporation, is based solely on the 
report of the other auditors.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial 
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates 
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the 
report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the other auditors, the consolidated financial statements referred to 

above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Donegal Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 
2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States), Donegal 

Group Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based on the criteria established in Internal 
Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO), and our report dated March 14, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal 
control over financial reporting.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
March 14, 2014 

-91-

 
 
 
Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A.     Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the 

effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 
Exchange Act) at December 31, 2013 covered by this Form 10-K Report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive 
Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, at December 31, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures are 
effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information we are required to disclose in the 
reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and our disclosure controls and procedures are also effective to ensure 
that information we disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our 
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding 
required disclosure.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as that 

term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief 
Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, our management has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our 
internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated 
Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the "COSO 
Framework"). Based on our evaluation under the COSO Framework, our management has concluded that our internal control 
over financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2013. 

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2013 has been audited by KPMG LLP, 
an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in this Form 10-K Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We did not make any changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) 
and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely 
to affect materially, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.     Other Information.

None.

-92-

     
     
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Donegal Group Inc. 

We have audited Donegal Group Inc.'s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, 

based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Donegal Group Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining 
effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial 
reporting included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility 
is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective 
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding 
of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the 
design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other 
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our 
opinion. 

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures 
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit 
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the 
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or 
disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 

projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

In our opinion, Donegal Group Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 

as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the consolidated balance sheets of Donegal Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the 
related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the 
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, and our report dated March 14, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion 
on those consolidated financial statements.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 14, 2014

-93-

 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of the Registrant.

PART III

We incorporate the response to this Item 10 by reference to our proxy statement we will file with the SEC on or about 
March 18, 2014 relating to our annual meeting of stockholders that we will hold on April 17, 2014, or our Proxy Statement. We 
respond to this Item with respect to our executive officers by reference to Part I of this Form 10-K Report.

We incorporate the full text of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by reference to Exhibit 14 to this Form 10-K 

Report.

Item 11.     Executive Compensation.

We incorporate the response to this Item 11 by reference to our Proxy Statement. Neither the Report of our Compensation 
Committee nor the Report of our Audit Committee included in our Proxy Statement shall constitute or be deemed to constitute 
a filing with the SEC under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or be deemed to have been incorporated by reference into 
any filing we make under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate the Report of 
Our Compensation Committee or the Report of Our Audit Company by reference.

Item 12.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

We incorporate the response to this Item 12 by reference to our Proxy Statement.

Item 13.     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.

We incorporate the response to this Item 13 by reference to our Proxy Statement.

Item 14.     Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

We incorporate the response to this Item 14 by reference to our Proxy Statement.

-94-

PART IV

Item 15.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule.

(a)  Financial statements, financial statement schedule and exhibits filed:

(a)  Consolidated Financial Statements

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries:

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for each of the years in the three-year period

ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended

December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,

2013, 2012 and 2011

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report and Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(Filed as Exhibit 23.1)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(Filed as Exhibit 23.2)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(Filed as Exhibit 23.3)

(b)  Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule III — Supplementary Insurance Information

Consolidated Financial Statements of Donegal Financial Services Corporation

Page

91

57

58

59

60

61

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

We have omitted all other schedules since they are not required, not applicable or the information is included in the 

financial statements or notes to the financial statements.

(c)  Exhibits

Description of Exhibits

  Reference

Exhibit No.

3.1

3.2

Certificate of Incorporation of Donegal Group Inc., as amended.

Amended and Restated By-laws of Donegal Group Inc.

Management Contracts and Compensatory Plans or Arrangements

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

Donegal Group Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan for Employees.

Donegal Group Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan for Directors.

Donegal Group Inc. 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Donegal Group Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for Employees.

Donegal Group Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for Directors.

-95-

(a)

(i)

(c)

(c)

(c)

(c)

(c)

 
 
 
10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

10.17

10.18

10.19

Employment Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Donald H. Nikolaus.

Consulting Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Donald H. Nikolaus.

Employment Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Kevin G. Burke.

Employment Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Cyril J. Greenya.

Employment Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Jeffrey D. Miller.

(d)

(d)

(d)

(d)

(d)

Employment Agreement dated as of July 18, 2013 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Sanjay Pandey.

Filed
herewith

Employment Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Robert G. Shenk.

Employment Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 among Donegal Mutual Insurance Company,
Donegal Group Inc. and Daniel J. Wagner.

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k) Plan.

Amendment No. 1 effective January 1, 2000 to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k) Plan.

Amendment No. 2 effective January 6, 2000 to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k) Plan.

Amendment No. 3 effective July 23, 2001 to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k) Plan.

Amendment No. 4 effective January 1, 2002 to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k) Plan.

Amendment No. 5 effective December 31, 2001 to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k)
Plan.

10.20

  Amendment No. 6 effective July 1, 2002 to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company 401(k) Plan.

10.21

  Donegal Group Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan for Employees.

10.22

  Donegal Group Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan for Directors.

10.23

  Donegal Group Inc. Incentive Compensation Program.

Other Material Contracts

10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27

10.28

10.29

10.30

  Reinsurance and Retrocession Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between Donegal Mutual Insurance
Company and Southern Insurance Company of Virginia.

Surplus Note Purchase Agreement dated September 8, 2009 between Donegal Mutual Insurance
Company and Southern Mutual Insurance Company.

Quota-share Reinsurance Agreement dated October 30, 2009 but effective 11:59 p.m. on
October 31, 2009 between Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and Southern Mutual Insurance
Company.

Services and Affiliation Agreement dated October 30, 2009 between Donegal Mutual Insurance
Company and Southern Mutual Insurance Company.

Technology License Agreement dated October 30, 2009 between Donegal Mutual Insurance
Company and Southern Mutual Insurance Company.

Amended and Restated Proportional Reinsurance Agreement dated March 1, 2010 between
Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and Atlantic States Insurance Company.

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 19, 2010, and as amended May 20, 2010, among
Donegal Acquisition Inc., Donegal Financial Services Corporation, Donegal Group Inc. and Union
National Financial Corporation; amended dated September 1, 2010; amended dated December 8,
2010.

-96-

(d)

(d)

(e)

(e)

(b)

(b)

(b)

(b)

(h)

(j)

(j)

(k)

(f)

(l)

(l)

(l)

(l)

(l)

(m)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.31

10.32

10.33

10.34

10.35

10.36

10.37

10.38

14

21

Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 6, 2010 among Michigan
Insurance Company, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company, Donegal Group Inc. and DGI
Acquisition Corp.

Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement dated December 1, 2010 among Donegal Group
Inc., Atlantic States Insurance Company, Southern Insurance Company of Virginia, Le Mars
Insurance Company, The Peninsula Insurance Company, Peninsula Indemnity Company and
Michigan Insurance Company.

Amended and Restated Services Allocation Agreement dated December 1, 2010 among Donegal
Group Inc., Atlantic States Insurance Company, Southern Insurance Company of Virginia, Le Mars
Insurance Company, The Peninsula Insurance Company, Peninsula Indemnity Company and
Michigan Insurance Company.

Quota-share Reinsurance Agreement dated December 1, 2010 between Donegal Mutual Insurance
Company and Michigan Insurance Company.

Donegal Group Inc. 2011 Agency Stock Purchase Plan.

Credit Agreement dated June 21, 2010 between Donegal Group Inc. and Manufacturers and
Traders Trust Company, First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated October 12, 2010 and
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated June 1, 2011.

Third Amendment to Credit Agreement between Donegal Group Inc. and Manufacturers and
Traders Trust Company dated June 1, 2012 and Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated
December 5, 2012.

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement between Donegal Group Inc. and Manufacturers and
Traders Trust Company dated June 1, 2013.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23.1

Report and Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.3

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

32.2

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

Exhibit 10
1.INS

Exhibit 10
1.SCH

Exhibit 10
1.PRE

Exhibit 10
1.CAL

Exhibit 10
1.LAB

XBRL Instance Document

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

-97-

(n)

(o)

(o)

(o)

(p)

(q)

(r)

Filed
herewith

(g)

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

Filed
herewith

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10
1.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

Filed
herewith

(a)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

March 31, 2013.

(b)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Report for the year ended 

December 31, 2001.

(c)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated April 22, 2011.
(d)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated August 3, 2011.
(e)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Report for the year ended 

December 31, 1999.

(f)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Report for the year ended 

December 31, 1996.

(g)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended 

December 31, 2003.

(h)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended 

December 31, 2002.

(i)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 8-K Report dated July 18, 2008.
(j)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-numbered exhibit in Registrant’s Form 8-K Report dated April 20, 2007.
(k)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the description of such plan in Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its Annual 

Meeting of Stockholders held on April 21, 2011 filed on March 18, 2011.

(l)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended 

December 31, 2009.

(m)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form S-4 registration statement filed June 25, 

2010, Registrant’s Form 8-K Report dated September 1, 2010 and Registrant’s Form 8-K Report dated December 8, 2010.
(n)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 8-K Report dated December 8, 2010.
(o)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended 

December 31, 2010.

(p)  We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit filed in Registrant's Form S-3 registration statement filed on 

May 27, 2011.

(q)    We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended 

December 31, 2011.

 (r)    We incorporate such exhibit by reference to the like-described exhibit in Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended 

December 31, 2012.

-98-

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused 

this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

DONEGAL GROUP INC.
By:   /s/ Donald H. Nikolaus  

Donald H. Nikolaus, President 

Date: March 14, 2014

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons 

on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

/s/ Donald H. Nikolaus

  President and a Director

Donald H. Nikolaus

(principal executive officer)

/s/ Jeffrey D. Miller

Jeffrey D. Miller

/s/ Scott A. Berlucchi

Scott A. Berlucchi

/s/ Robert S. Bolinger

Robert S. Bolinger

/s/ Patricia A. Gilmartin

Patricia A. Gilmartin

  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)

  Director 

  Director 

Director 

/s/ Philip H. Glatfelter, II

Director 

Philip H. Glatfelter, II

/s/ Jack L. Hess

Jack L. Hess

/s/ Kevin M. Kraft, Sr.

Kevin M. Kraft, Sr.

/s/ John J. Lyons

John J. Lyons

/s/ Jon M. Mahan

Jon M. Mahan

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

/s/ S. Trezevant Moore, Jr.

Director 

S. Trezevant Moore, Jr.

/s/ Richard D. Wampler, II

Director 

Richard D. Wampler, II

Date

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

-99-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

2013   
ANNUAL   
REPORT

Corporate Information

DONEGAL GROUP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Donald H. Nikolaus 

Chairman of the Board  
and a Director
Director
Scott A. Berlucchi 
Director
Robert S. Bolinger 
Director
Patricia A. Gilmartin 
Director
Philip H. Glatfelter, II 
Director
Jack L. Hess 
Director
Kevin M. Kraft, Sr. 
Director
John J. Lyons 
Director
Jon M. Mahan 
S. Trezevant Moore, Jr.  Director
Director
Richard D. Wampler, II 

OFFICERS 

Donald H. Nikolaus  

Kevin G. Burke 
Cyril J. Greenya 
Jeffrey D. Miller 

Sanjay Pandey 
Robert G. Shenk 
Sheri O. Smith 
Christina M. Springer 
V. Anthony Viozzi 

Daniel J. Wagner 

President and Chief  
Executive Officer
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President 
Senior Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President
Secretary
Vice President
Senior Vice President and
Chief Investment Officer
Senior Vice President  
and Treasurer

ANNUAL MEETING

April 17, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the  
Heritage Hotel Lancaster 
500 Centerville Road  
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601

CORPORATE OFFICES

1195 River Road 
P.O. Box 302 
Marietta, Pennsylvania 17547-0302 
(800) 877-0600 
E-mail Address:  info@donegalgroup.com 
Donegal Web Site:  www.donegalgroup.com

TRANSFER AGENT

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
P.O. Box 43078 
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078 
(800) 317-4445 
Web Site:  www.computershare.com 
Hearing Impaired:  TDD:  800-952-9245

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT  
AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

The Company offers a dividend reinvestment  
and stock purchase plan through its transfer agent. 
For information contact: 
Donegal Group Inc.  
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan 
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
P.O. Box 43078 
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078

STOCKHOLDERS

The following represent the number of  
common stockholders of record  
as of December 31, 2013:

Class A common stock 
Class B common stock 

1,921 
344

 
 
 
 
 
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