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Fairfax Financial

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Employees 51-200
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FY2014 Annual Report · Fairfax Financial
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30JAN201416052574

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited’s 2014 Annual Report has been refiled to correct the names of the lead
underwriters on its offerings in the Chairman’s letter to shareholders on page 7 of the Annual Report.

2014 Annual Report

Contents

Fairfax Corporate Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders . . . . . . . . . .

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial
Statements and Management’s Report on
Internal Control over Financial Reporting . . .

Independent Auditor’s Report to the

Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fairfax Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . .

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

. . .

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Appendix – Fairfax Guiding Principles . . . . . . . .

Corporate Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

2

4

25

26

28

35

114

208

209

30JAN201416052574

2014 Annual Report

Fairfax Corporate Performance

(in US$ millions, except as otherwise indicated)(1)

Book
value
per
share

Closing
Net
share
price(1) Revenue earnings

Total
assets

Invest-
ments

Common
share-
Net holders’

debt

out-
equity standing

Shares Earnings
per
share

3.25(3)

As at and for the years ended December 31(2)
1.52
1985
4.25
1986
6.30
1987
8.26
1988
10.50
1989
14.84
1990
18.38
1991
18.55
1992
26.39
1993
31.06
1994
38.89
1995
63.31
1996
1997
86.28
1998 112.49
1999 155.55
2000 148.14
2001 117.03
2002 125.25
2003 163.70
2004 162.76
2005 137.50
2006 150.16
2007 230.01
2008 278.28
2009 369.80
2010 376.33
2011 364.55
2012 378.10
2013 339.00
2014 394.83

(0.6)
12.2
4.7
38.9
12.75
12.3
86.9
12.37
12.1
112.0
15.00
14.4
108.6
18.75
18.2
167.0
11.00
19.6
217.4
21.25
8.3
237.0
25.00
25.8
266.7
61.25
27.9
464.8
67.00
63.9
837.0
98.00
110.6
1,082.3
290.00
152.1
1,507.7
320.00
280.3
2,469.0
540.00
42.6
3,905.9
245.50
75.5
4,157.2
228.50
(406.5)
3,953.2
164.00
252.8
5,104.7
121.11
288.6
5,731.2
226.11
53.1
5,829.7
202.24
(446.6)
5,900.5
168.00
6,803.7
227.5
231.67
7,510.2 1,095.8
287.00
7,825.6 1,473.8
390.00
856.8
6,635.6
410.00
335.8
5,967.3
408.99
7,475.0
45.1
437.01
526.9
8,022.8
358.55
424.11
(573.4)
5,944.9
608.78 10,017.9 1,633.2

30.4
93.4
139.8
200.6
209.5
461.9
447.0
464.6
906.6
1,549.3
2,104.8
4,216.0
7,148.9
13,640.1
22,229.3
21,667.8
22,183.8
22,173.2
24,877.1
26,271.2
27,542.0
26,576.5
27,941.8
27,305.4
28,452.0
31,448.1
33,406.9
36,945.4
35,999.0
36,131.2

23.9
68.8
93.5
111.7
113.1
289.3
295.3
311.7
641.1
1,105.9
1,221.9
2,520.4
4,054.1
7,867.8
12,289.7
10,399.6
10,228.8
10,596.5
12,491.2
13,460.6
14,869.4
16,819.7
19,000.7
19,949.8
21,273.0
23,300.0
24,322.5
26,094.2
24,861.6
26,192.7

7.6
–
29.7
3.7
46.0
4.9
60.3
27.3
76.7
21.9
81.6
83.3
101.1
58.0
113.1
69.4
211.1
118.7
279.6
166.3
346.1
175.7
664.7
281.6
369.7
960.5
830.0 1,364.8
1,248.5 2,088.5
1,251.5 1,940.8
1,194.1 1,679.5
1,602.8 1,760.4
1,961.1 2,264.6
1,965.9 2,605.7
1,984.0 2,448.2
1,613.6 2,662.4
1,207.4 4,063.5
412.5 4,866.3
1,071.1 7,391.8
1,254.9 7,697.9
2,055.7 7,427.9
1,920.6 7,654.7
1,752.9 7,186.7
1,966.3 8,361.0

5.0
7.0
7.3
7.3
7.3
5.5
5.5
6.1
8.0
9.0
8.9
10.5
11.1
12.1
13.4
13.1
14.4
14.1
13.8
16.0
17.8
17.7
17.7
17.5
20.0
20.5
20.4
20.2
21.2
21.2

(1.35)
0.98
1.72
1.63
1.87
2.42
3.34
1.44
4.19
3.41
7.15
11.26
14.12
23.60
3.20
5.04
(31.93)
17.49
19.51
3.11
(27.75)
11.92
58.38
79.53
43.75
14.82
(0.31)
22.68
(31.15)
73.01

Compound annual growth
19.8%
21.1%

(1) All share references are to common shares; Closing share price is in Canadian dollars; per share amounts are in US dollars;

Shares outstanding are in millions.

(2)

IFRS  basis  for  2010  to  2014;  Canadian  GAAP  basis  for  2009  and  prior.  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  investments  were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(3) When current management took over in September 1985. 

1

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Corporate Profile

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited  is  a  holding  company  whose  corporate  objective  is  to  build  long  term
shareholder value by achieving a high rate of compound growth in book value per share over the long term. The
company has been under present management since September 1985.

Canadian insurance

Northbridge Financial, based in Toronto, provides property and casualty insurance products in the Canadian
market through its Northbridge Insurance and Federated subsidiaries. It is one of the largest commercial property
and casualty insurers in Canada based on gross premiums written. In 2014, Northbridge’s net premiums written were
Cdn$1,067.7  million.  At  year-end,  the  company  had  statutory  equity  of  Cdn$1,407.4  million  and  there  were
1,452 employees.

U.S. insurance

Crum & Forster (C&F), based in Morristown, New Jersey, is a national commercial property and casualty insurance
company  in  the  United  States  writing  a  broad  range  of  commercial  coverages.  Its  subsidiary  Seneca  Insurance
provides property and casualty insurance to small businesses and certain specialty coverages. C&F’s other specialty
niche  property  and  casualty  business  and  its  accident  and  health  insurance  business  are  carried  on  through  its
Fairmont Specialty division. In February 2011, C&F acquired First Mercury, which offers insurance products and
services primarily related to specialty commercial insurance markets, focusing on niche and underserved segments.
In July 2013, C&F acquired Hartville, which provides pet insurance through C&F’s Fairmont Specialty division. In
2014, C&F’s net premiums written were US$1,346.3 million. At year-end, the company had statutory surplus of
US$1,231.4 million and there were 1,797 employees.

Zenith  National,  based  in  Woodland  Hills,  California,  is  primarily  engaged  in  the  workers’  compensation
insurance business in the United States. In 2014, Zenith National’s net premiums written were US$720.9 million. At
year-end, the company had statutory surplus of US$564.5 million and there were 1,476 employees.

Asian insurance

First Capital, based in Singapore, writes property and casualty insurance primarily in Singapore markets. In 2014,
First  Capital’s  net  premiums  written  were  SGD  206.4  million  (approximately  SGD  1.3  =  US$1).  At  year-end,  the
company had shareholders’ equity of SGD 538.9 million and there were 155 employees.

Falcon Insurance, based in Hong Kong, writes property and casualty insurance in niche markets in Hong Kong. In
2014,  Falcon’s  net  premiums  written  were  HK$532.3  million  (approximately  HK$7.8  =  US$1).  At  year-end,  the
company had shareholders’ equity of HK$509.7 million and there were 66 employees.

Pacific Insurance, based in Malaysia, writes all classes of general insurance and medical insurance in Malaysia. In
2014,  Pacific  Insurance’s  net  premiums  written  were  MYR  153.5  million  (approximately  MYR  3.3  =  US$1).  At
year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of MYR 263.6 million and there were 235 employees.

Fairfax Indonesia, based in Indonesia, writes all classes of general insurance, specializing in automobile coverage
in Indonesia. In 2014, Fairfax Indonesia’s net premiums written were IDR 18.6 billion (approximately IDR 11,848.3 =
US$1). At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of IDR 312.7 billion and there were 40 employees.

Other insurance

Fairfax Brasil, based in S˜ao Paulo, commenced writing insurance in March 2010 in all lines of business in Brazil. In
2014, Fairfax Brasil’s net premiums written were BRL130.7 million (approximately BRL 2.3 = US$1). At year-end, the
company had shareholders’ equity of BRL 53.5 million and there were 81 employees.

Pethealth,  based  in  Toronto  with  290  employees,  provides  pet  medical  insurance,  management  software  and
pet-related database management services in North America and the United Kingdom. In 2014, Pethealth produced
gross premiums written of Cdn$72 million.

2

Reinsurance

OdysseyRe,  based  in  Stamford,  Connecticut,  underwrites  treaty  and  facultative  reinsurance  as  well  as  specialty
insurance, with principal locations in the United States, Toronto, London, Paris, Singapore and Latin America. In
2014,  OdysseyRe’s  net  premiums  written  were  US$2,393.8  million.  At  year-end,  the  company  had  shareholders’
equity of US$4,012.6 million and there were 924 employees.

Advent, based in the U.K., is a reinsurance and insurance company, operating through Syndicate 780 at Lloyd’s,
focused  on  specialty  property  reinsurance  and  insurance  risks.  In  2014,  Advent’s  net  premiums  written  were
US$153.6  million.  At  year-end,  the  company  had  shareholders’  equity  of  US$174.5  million  and  there  were
102 employees.

Polish Re, based in Warsaw, Poland, writes reinsurance in the Central and Eastern European regions. In 2014, Polish
Re’s net premiums written were PLN 129.7 million (approximately PLN 3.1 = US$1). At year-end, the company had
shareholders’ equity of PLN 284.6 million and there were 44 employees.

Group  Re  primarily  constitutes  the  participation  by  CRC  Re  and  Wentworth  (both  based  in  Barbados)  in  the
reinsurance  of  Fairfax’s  subsidiaries  by  quota  share  or  through  participation  in  those  subsidiaries’  third  party
reinsurance programs on the same terms and pricing as the third party reinsurers. Group Re also writes third party
business. In 2014, Group Re’s net premiums written were US$163.4 million. At year-end, the Group Re companies
had combined shareholders’ equity of US$540.1 million.

Runoff

The runoff business comprises the U.S. and the European runoff groups. At year-end, the runoff group had combined
shareholders’ equity of US$2,064.7 million.

The Resolution Group (TRG) and the RiverStone Group (run by TRG management) manage runoff under the
RiverStone name. At year-end, TRG/RiverStone had 265 employees in the U.S., located primarily in Manchester,
New Hampshire, and 118 employees in its offices in the United Kingdom.

Other

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel, founded in 1984 and based in Toronto, provides investment management
to the insurance, reinsurance and runoff subsidiaries of Fairfax.

Notes:

(1) All of the above companies are wholly owned (except for 98%-owned First Capital and 80%-owned Fairfax Indonesia).

(2) The  foregoing  lists  all  of  Fairfax’s  operating  subsidiaries  (many  of  which  operate  through  their  own  wholly-owned
operating  subsidiaries).  The  Fairfax  corporate  structure  also  includes  a  41.4%  interest  in  Gulf  Insurance  (a  Kuwait
company with property and casualty insurance operations in the MENA region), a 26.0% interest in ICICI Lombard
(an Indian property and casualty insurance company), a 15.0% interest in Alltrust (a Chinese property and casualty
insurance company), a 30.0% interest in Thai Re Public Company Limited, a 27.3% interest in Singapore Re, and a
40.5% interest in Falcon (Thailand) (a Thai property and casualty insurance company), as well as investments in a
number of non-insurance-related companies. The other companies in the Fairfax corporate structure, which include a
number of intermediate holding companies, have no insurance, reinsurance, runoff or other operations.

3

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

To Our Shareholders:

Our results in 2014 were the best in our 29-year history, with record underwriting profit of $552 million(1) and record
net earnings of $1.6 billion. Our combined ratio of 90.8% was the lowest in our history, with all our major insurance
companies having combined ratios less than 100%. Book value per share increased 19.5% (adjusted for the $10 per
share dividend paid) to $395 per share and our stock price increased 44% to Cdn$609. We had a good year – and it
was about time! Since we began in 1985, our book value per share has compounded at 21.1% annually while our
common stock price has compounded at 19.8% annually.

Here’s how our insurance companies performed in 2014:

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
Zenith
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia
Other Insurance and Reinsurance

Consolidated

Combined Underwriting
Profit
43
2
90
360
36
21

Ratio
95.5%
99.8%
87.5%
84.7%
86.7%
94.7%

90.8%

552

As you can see in the table, all our major insurance operations had a combined ratio less than 100%, with OdysseyRe
contributing 65% of our record underwriting profit and Zenith 16%. OdysseyRe had another outstanding year under
Brian Young’s leadership while Zenith, under Jack Miller’s leadership, had the best year since we bought it in 2010.
Fairfax Asia, under Mr. Athappan’s leadership, continued  its outstanding performance while Northbridge,  under
Silvy Wright, and Crum & Forster, under Doug Libby, performed very well.

2014 was a year in which a number of management successions took place in our insurance subsidiaries, all in the
Fairfax style – smoothly, with an internal successor. Doug Libby, after 15 years of outstanding performance at Seneca
and Crum & Forster, decided to retire. Doug celebrated 25 years with Seneca in 2014 – and what a wonderful record
he has had there. He took a virtually bankrupt company in 1989, made it profitable in three years and then had an
average combined ratio of 88.3% for the next 22 years, with average annual reserve redundancies of 6.8% per year.
Since  we  purchased  Seneca  in  2000,  it  has  had  an  average  combined  ratio  of  87.0%,  generated  cumulative
underwriting  profits  of  $230  million  and  increased  its  net  premiums  written  from  $41  million  to  $242  million.
Including investment income, Seneca has earned cumulative after-tax profits of $308 million, versus our purchase
price of $65 million. Doug moved Crum & Forster, which he took over in 2008, to a specialty line focus to better serve
its clients. Specialty lines now account for over 80% of Crum & Forster’s business, versus 5% when we purchased it,
and Doug was able to achieve a combined ratio below 100% in 2014. With much gratitude, we wish Doug, Miani and
family a happy retirement.

Doug passed the baton to Marc Adee, who has been with us since 2000 when he joined TIG Insurance in Dallas as
Chief  Actuary.  Marc  then  ran  Fairmont  (the  good  insurance  business  segments  from  our  TIG  and  Ranger
acquisitions) from 2004 with an average combined ratio of 93.0% over the past 11 years while increasing its gross
premiums written by over 300% from $206 million to $636 million. Recently, Marc took over the running of First
Mercury. We are excited about Crum & Forster’s prospects under Marc’s leadership.

Late in 2014, Jack Miller decided to pass the role of CEO at Zenith to Kari Van Gundy while retaining the role of
Chairman. Jack has done an outstanding job over the past 17 years at Zenith, being Stanley Zax’s right hand man for
the first 14 years and then taking over as CEO in 2012 when Stanley retired. Jack has been instrumental in building
Zenith’s team culture and providing outstanding customer service to its clients and brokers. It is fitting that Jack
decided to step down as CEO after the year that Zenith generated the lowest combined ratio (87.5%), with excellent
reserving, since we acquired it in 2010. Given Jack’s long experience at Zenith, he will help Andy Barnard and all of
our Presidents enhance the focus on customer service excellence at Fairfax.

(1) Amounts in this letter are in U.S. dollars unless specified otherwise. Numbers in the tables in this letter are in U.S. dollars and $ millions

except as otherwise indicated.

4

Kari has been with Zenith for 23 years, first as Chief Financial Officer of a subsidiary, then as Chief Financial Officer
of Zenith and later as Chief Operating Officer of Zenith. Over the years, Kari has been intimately involved in the
development of the company’s culture and track record of underwriting profitability. Going forward, she will be
assisted by Davidson Pattiz who will be Zenith’s Chief Operating Officer. Davidson has run the Claims Department at
Zenith for nine years. We are excited about Zenith’s prospects under Kari’s and Davidson’s leadership.

Finally, at Fairfax Brasil, as planned, Jacques Bergman passed the role of CEO to Bruno Camargo while retaining the
role  of  Chairman.  Jacques  and  Bruno  were  the  key  reasons  we  began  our  Brazilian  operations  from  scratch  in
S˜ao Paulo. We have attained critical mass in Brazil with $158 million in gross premiums written and approximately
80 employees but have not attained underwriting profitability yet. Together with Jean Cloutier at Fairfax, Jacques
will help us develop our operations in Latin America while Bruno will take the company forward. Jacques and Bruno
have worked together for the past 17 years, the last five within Fairfax. We continue to be excited about our prospects
in Brazil under Bruno’s leadership.

Andy Barnard continues to do an outstanding job overseeing all our insurance operations as the President of Fairfax
Insurance Group. It has been approximately four years since he moved from being the CEO of OdysseyRe to being
responsible for our insurance and reinsurance operations – first only in the U.S., and now worldwide. The results are
obvious for everyone to see! Even apart from benefitting from reduced catastrophes, our underwriting results have
been outstanding – and should continue to be so! Andy has helped mold our team-oriented Fairfax culture, foster
strict  underwriting  discipline  with  good  reserving  and  develop  our  talent  across  all  our  companies,  including
encouraging  executive  transfers  within  the  group.  One  of  the  key  reasons  for  our  success  over  the  years  is  our
decentralized structure where each President is responsible for the success of his or her operations. There is no better
way  to  empower  people.  Andy  has  developed  this  structure  further  by  developing  profit  centres  in  each  of  our
companies. We now have over 100 profit centres in our worldwide operations. The leaders of our profit centres, in
effect, are presidents of their own operations and are responsible for providing outstanding customer service, looking
after  their  employees  and  providing  an  underwriting  profit  with  good  reserving.  This  is  a  very  important,
empowering structure for our company, and we are excited about its possibilities. The Executive Leadership Council
(ELC), under Andy, consists of the heads of our major company groupings, plus Paul Rivett, Peter Clarke and Jean
Cloutier of Fairfax. The ELC facilitates the coordination of our diversified insurance and reinsurance operations. Our
working groups – all our claims officers, all our chief actuaries, etc. – continue to explore best practices  and take
advantage of our companies’ individual expertise. The Talent and Culture Development working group is deepening
the practice of our ‘‘fair and friendly’’ culture, with a special focus on outstanding customer service. Our special
culture – nurtured  and  preserved  over  our  29  years  and  expressed  in  our  Guiding  Principles,  which  again  are
reproduced as an Appendix to this Annual Report – will be the major reason for our long term success.

Our Fairfax Leadership Workshop, which brings together about 25 of our most promising managers from across the
globe for a week of training and networking in Toronto, is working exceptionally well. After this year’s workshop,
there will be approximately 100 of our managers from across the world who will have participated in this program. In
a decentralized operation, this is a great way to spread our culture and knowledge of our operations and to connect
key leaders across our companies. As I have said before, the future of Fairfax is in terrific hands.

During 2014, we continued to expand our insurance operations worldwide. At Fairfax Asia, under Mr. Athappan, we
did several transactions. We became partners with the Bintoro family in Indonesia, acquiring an 80% interest in PT
Batavia Mitratama Insurance, run by Arun Nanwani. We agreed to purchase MCIS Insurance Berhad in Malaysia
which, combined with Pacific Berhad, will have approximately $84 million of net premiums written in that country.
Gobi Athappan will run our Malaysian operations, while Falcon Hong Kong will be run by Cody Hui. In Sri Lanka, we
became partners with the John Keells Group, one of the most reputable companies in that country, by agreeing to
purchase from them 78% of Union Insurance PLC. We welcome all the employees of these companies to the Fairfax
family. While these companies are small, I should remind you that when we acquired First Capital in 2002, it had
$10 million (SGD$20 million) in gross premiums written and $32 million (SGD$50 million) in capital – 13 years
later,  Mr.  Athappan  has  grown  it  to  be  the  largest  insurance  company  in  Singapore,  with  $420  million  in  gross
premiums written, $400 million in capital – with no new capital injected – and an average combined ratio of 73.3%.

Last year we discussed our Hartville acquisition which brought us into the pet insurance business in the U.S. In 2014,
we acquired Pethealth, based in Toronto, which has been in the pet insurance and ancillary businesses since 1998. In
the past 17 years, Pethealth has grown to become the dominant provider of software and services, pet microchips
and,  most  importantly,  insurance  to  pets  adopted  from  animal  shelters  in  the  United  States,  Canada  and  the
United Kingdom. With 165,000 insured pets in North America (230,000 globally), the company is one of the top pet

5

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

insurers  in  North  America.  Pethealth’s  adoption  software  is  the  leader  in  the  animal  shelter  market  in  the
United States and it is installed exclusively in over 2,000 animal shelters (these shelters represent more than 50% of
all new cat and dog adoptions in North America). Pethealth is the number one distributor of pet microchips in the
world. Microchip sales through the company’s animal shelter network have grown rapidly over the last five years and
are now at 1.5 million annually (in total, the company’s microchips are embedded in approximately 9 million pets in
North  America – this  highly  accurate  database  is  owned  exclusively  by  Pethealth).  The  company’s  proprietary
database (from shelter adoption and microchip management software) contains industry data on over 20 million
animals, and the company is leveraging its distribution channels to generate increased revenue through the sale of
additional products, including pet pharmaceuticals and pet food, in order to help adopters better look after their
pets.

We were very pleased that Sean Smith joined us to lead Pethealth. Pethealth has had an average combined ratio of
94.7% in the last five years, with revenue of Cdn$52 million and gross premiums written of Cdn$72 million in 2014.
Including  underwriting  profit  and  investment  income  from  the  insurance  operations,  our  purchase  price  of
Cdn$100 million for Pethealth was approximately 10 times free cash flow. With Hartville and Pethealth, each run
separately, Fairfax has become one of the largest pet insurers in North America.

Late in the year, we agreed to acquire the insurance operations of QBE in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
These operations are well established in their respective countries with average combined ratios in the last ten years
of 97.7%. In total, these operations had net premiums written of $44 million in 2014. We like the long term potential
for the underpenetrated insurance markets in Eastern Europe and consider this an excellent platform to build on. We
were excited to have Peter Csakvari join us after a 17-year stint at AIG, mainly in the markets of Eastern Europe. We
bought these operations, which now become Fairfax Eastern Europe, for A9.75 million (the purchase includes an
office building in Budapest). In 2014, these operations earned A5 million pre-tax. Early in 2015, we agreed to acquire
QBE’s Ukrainian operations, which will be a part of Fairfax Eastern Europe, for about A5 million. Working with our
head office, Bijan Khosrowshahi was key in these Eastern European acquisitions. As a result of these acquisitions, we
welcome some 200 people to the Fairfax family.

On February 16, 2015, we agreed to make an offer to buy 100% of Brit PLC (listed on the London Stock Exchange) for
a total price of 305 pence per share, consisting of 280 pence in cash to be paid by us and Brit’s announced 2014 final
and special dividend payments of 25 pence. This total price values Brit at £1.22 billion, representing at December 31,
2014 a price to net tangible assets multiple of 1.58 times, and is approximately nine times Brit’s 2014 earnings. The
two private equity owners of Brit, Apollo and CVC, and the directors of Brit, who own 74% of the shares outstanding,
have irrevocably committed to accept our offer, which we expect to close by the third quarter of 2015.

Brit’s  position  as  a  market-leading  global  specialty  insurer  and  reinsurer,  its  major  presence  in  Lloyd’s  and  its
disciplined approach to underwriting make it an attractive choice to join Fairfax’s expanding worldwide specialty
operations. It is one of the largest syndicates at Lloyd’s and one of the leading Lloyd’s market operations, and it
benefits from the strong financial strength ratings assigned to Lloyd’s. Brit’s growing U.S. and international reach are
highly complementary to Fairfax’s existing worldwide operations, and the acquisition further diversifies Fairfax’s
group  risk  portfolio.  In  addition,  Brit  will  be  able  to  leverage  Fairfax’s  expertise  in  the  U.S.  and  international
insurance and reinsurance markets, thus enhancing Brit’s global product offering and providing it with expanded
underwriting opportunities and support.

Brit writes a diverse mix of specialty insurance and reinsurance business with a focus on direct insurance, where its
experienced underwriting teams provide specialist, complex products and support to clients globally. In 2014, direct
insurance accounted for 81% of Brit’s gross premiums written, with the remainder composed of an attractive book of
property and casualty reinsurance. Brit’s business is also diversified geographically, and since 2009 Brit has expanded
its distribution reach internationally with the development of a local service company footprint which has generated
efficient and profitable growth across the Americas, Bermuda and Asia.

Brit is led by Mark Cloutier, Chief Executive Officer, and Matthew Wilson, Deputy CEO and Chief Underwriting
Officer, and the company will continue to be run independently under Mark’s leadership post-acquisition. In 2014,
Brit had net premiums written of £1.0 billion (US$1.7 billion) and earnings of £139 million (US$229 million). The
company’s investment portfolio is approximately £2.6 billion (US$4 billion). Brit’s average combined ratio for the
last ten years has been 94% (with reserve redundancies averaging 6% each year).

This  acquisition  will  fit  well  within  Fairfax  as  it  will  significantly  raise  our  profile  within  the  attractive  Lloyd’s
marketplace. As well, Brit is a leader in areas where other companies in the Fairfax group have more limited activity.

6

Both Advent and Newline will continue to be run independently of Brit. With Brit as part of our organization, the
Fairfax group will have a significant top five position in the Lloyd’s market and will continue to write business with
the Lloyd’s A+ rating.

We have known Mark Cloutier for decades and have established a relationship of mutual trust on the deals we have
done with him, most recently our acquisition of Brit’s runoff business in October 2012.

We quickly raised $1.1 billion of the $1.7 billion (after the 25 pence per share dividend) purchase cost of Brit through
bought deals led by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc. for 1.15 million
subordinate voting shares of Fairfax (including the green shoe), Cdn$230 million of preferred shares (including the
green shoe) with a dividend rate of 4.75% per annum, and Cdn$350 million of 10-year bonds with a coupon of
4.95% per annum. With respect to the 1.15 million shares we issued, Brit’s 2014 gross premiums written constitute
$1,866 per Fairfax share (versus $349 per existing Fairfax share currently) and Brit’s investment portfolio at the end of
2014 constitutes investments of $3,510 per Fairfax share (versus $1,237 per existing Fairfax share currently).

We are very excited about the purchase of Brit PLC because of its exceptional underwriting record, and we look
forward to welcoming Mark Cloutier and the 465 Brit employees to the Fairfax family.

In  May  2014,  India’s  political  climate  changed  dramatically  for  the  better  with  the  election  of  Prime  Minister
Narendra Modi with a resounding majority. For the first time in 67 years, India has an unabashedly business friendly
government.  The  ineffectiveness  of  India’s  previous  governments  is  seen  by  the  fact  that  Canada’s  economy  at
approximately $2 trillion with 35 million people is about the same size as India’s economy with 1.2 billion people.
Mr. Modi has had great success in Gujarat, a state with 65 million people which he governed as Chief Minister for
13 years (elected three times). Gujarat had real economic growth of over 10% per year during this period while
bringing water and electricity and providing child education to virtually every household. We think Mr. Modi can
transform India, particularly if he gets re-elected for two more terms, as we think he will. He has an excellent track
record, is incorruptible and is business friendly. We expect Mr. Modi to be the Lee Kuan Yew of India!

Mr. Modi’s election led us to rethink the investment opportunities in India and our ability to fund them. While we
have $26 billion in investments at Fairfax, regulatory constraints limit our ability to invest significant amounts in
India. Given our excellent long term track record investing in India, our very significant on the ground resources
with Harsha Raghavan at Fairbridge, Madhavan Menon at Thomas Cook India, Ajit Isaac at Quess (the new name for
IKYA), Ramesh Ramanathan at Sterling Resorts and also S. Gopalakrishnan, the long serving head of investments at
ICICI Lombard, we felt it was appropriate to create a new public company, Fairfax India, to invest in India. In early
2015, Fairfax India went public, raising $1.1 billion and listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Fairfax provided
$300 million of that capital by purchasing multiple voting shares, giving it 28% of the equity and 95% of the votes. A
number of institutional investors, almost all existing long term Fairfax shareholders, invested approximately 90% of
the remaining $800 million raised. We are very excited about the long term prospects for Fairfax India under the
leadership of Chandran Ratnaswami as CEO and John Varnell as CFO.

Besides benefitting as a shareholder from its $300 million investment, Fairfax will receive fees from Fairfax India. As
we wanted the fees to be very fair for the long term investors in Fairfax India, we structured them after negotiations
with Fidelity, the largest cornerstone investor. The fees are as follows: (i) an administration and advisory fee of 1⁄2% of
undeployed capital and 11⁄2% of capital invested in India. Fairfax will bear the full compensation costs of Fairfax
India’s senior employees; and (ii) a performance fee, calculated over three-year periods, equal to 20% of any return,
calculated from inception, above a 5% annual hurdle, payable in shares of Fairfax India (if the shares are trading at
more than two times their net asset value, Fairfax has the option of taking the fee in cash).

Last  year  we  said  that  Thomas  Cook  India  would  be  our  vehicle  for  further  expansion  in  India.  For  the  reasons
mentioned  above,  we  have  now  added  Fairfax  India  as  an  investment  vehicle  in  India.  Thomas  Cook  India’s
resources may constrain the size of deals it can do, although we expect that deals in its area of expertise will continue
to be done in that company. In determining the appropriate vehicle for any investment, we will consider all of the
relevant circumstances and we will be fair, as always, in order not to disadvantage one of these vehicles.

Also last year, I mentioned how excited I was about our investment in Thomas Cook India, and through it in IKYA
Human Resources (now rechristened as Quess Human Resources) and Sterling Resorts. These wonderful businesses

7

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

continued to make significant progress in 2014. The table below shows the results of the companies comprised in
Thomas Cook India since we acquired them:

Thomas Cook India
IKYA
Sterling Resorts

Total

2012

2013(1)

2014(1)

Net

Net

Revenue
31.8
–
–

Earnings Revenue
76.9
147.5
–

2.7
–
–

Earnings Revenue
84.3
303.8
10.9

7.7
3.2
–

Net
Earnings
8.3
9.8
0.8

31.8

2.7

224.4

10.9

399.0

18.9

(1) Excludes purchase price adjustments and acquisition costs

Thomas Cook India invested heavily in online distribution, resulting in a 350% increase in inbound calls, and on the
innovation front, it launched ‘‘Holiday Savings Accounts’’, a first of a kind product under which interest-bearing
bank accounts are opened in customers’ names, enabling them to make monthly payments towards a holiday. These
accounts are aimed at accessing a new category of traveler with lower disposable income, who would not normally
approach Thomas Cook India as a customer. The unique selling proposition is that the customer pays for a future
holiday at today’s price, protecting the cost of the holiday from inflation. In another area, the foreign exchange
business grew at an outstanding pace, 85% in wholesale, 17% in retail and 222% in online sales. Madhavan Menon
continues to provide outstanding leadership at Thomas Cook India.

IKYA  Human  Resources  was  renamed  Quess  Human  Resources,  and  under  Ajit  Isaac’s  dynamic  leadership,  it
experienced a year of exceptional growth. In U.S. dollar terms, compared to full year 2013, revenues grew 41%,
EBITDA 131% and net earnings 363%! These numbers were driven by associate headcount growth of 28%, from
67,000  in  2013  to  86,000,  in  2014.  The  growth  was  achieved  both  organically  and  by  exceptionally  low-priced
acquisitions in India and North America: Quess acquired Hofincons, a market leader in industrial asset management
in India; Brainhunter, a Toronto-based IT staffing firm; and Fairfax’s own MFX IT services. Quess is well positioned
for continued dramatic growth in the years to come.

Under Ramesh Ramanathan’s exceptional leadership, Sterling Resorts increased the number of its resorts from 15 to
21 and its rooms in operation from 1,500 to 1,634, and continued the rejuvenation of its existing properties with the
refurbishment of 119 rooms (a further 551 rooms are scheduled to be refurbished in 2015). Vacation Ownership
membership grew by 55%, from 3,232 in 2013 to 4,992 in 2014, and occupancy increased from 47% in 2013 to 54%
in 2014.

The great expectations we had for our Indian businesses only continue to grow, particularly with all the positive
changes we expect to see from the government of Prime Minister Modi.

Since Bill Gregson took over running CARA last year, he and Ken Grondin have done a superb job, almost doubling
CARA’s EBITDA from Cdn$47.9 million in 2013 to Cdn$83.6 million in 2014, an amazing achievement in just their
first year. Given the opportunities in the restaurant business in Canada, Bill has decided to take CARA public in early
2015 so that it will be almost debt free. Neither Fairfax nor the Phelan family will sell any shares in that offering. John
Rothschild, one of the founders of Prime Restaurants (now part of CARA), decided to retire after 22 years with the
company. He, Nick Perpick and Grant Cobb got us into the restaurant business through Prime. John continues to be a
director and a shareholder of CARA.

Our partners, David and Patti Russell and Brian McGrath, at Sporting Life had a fantastic year in 2014, with sales
growing 24.5% to Cdn$119.4 million, the best in the company’s history! The great Canadian winter definitely filled
the sails of the business but so did organic growth, with our partners taking the major step of successfully opening
two new stores last year. The entire team at Sporting Life should be commended for this great success – and keeping
Canadians warm!

At  Keg  Restaurants  in  2014,  same  store  sales  were  up  5.8%  and  system  sales  were  a  record-breaking
Cdn$536.1 million. U.S. sales picked up 6.4% and the company opened two new restaurants, with another flagship
location  in  Toronto  at  the  King  Fashion  House.  Restaurant  earnings,  however,  were  flat  as  the  company  faced
headwinds from higher beef costs. Our partner, David Aisenstat, and his veteran team, Jamie Henderson, Doug Smith

8

and Neil Maclean, continue to build on the ‘‘Kegger’’ commitment to be the best and most consistent high-end
dining experience in the country. The brand has never been better and we owe their success to Keggers everywhere.

The tableware and kitchenware spaces continue to be extremely competitive and challenged by the lower Canadian
dollar.  Mark  Halpern  and  his  team  at  Kitchen  Stuff  Plus  have  worked  tremendously  hard  to  grow  the  business,
opening  one  new  store  and  increasing  revenue  9.1%  to  Cdn$43.1  million.  Despite  the  challenges  to  margins,
operations continued to be profitable and the company remains on its growth trajectory in the greater Toronto area.
William Ashley also faced these competitive headwinds in addition to moving the location of its iconic holiday sale.
After 38 years in one location, with much fanfare the entire holiday sale was moved to a new permanent location
north of Toronto and the company’s loyal customers followed with an increase in sales at the new location of 4.3% to
Cdn$8.5 million. Jackie Chiesa and Carole Sovran and the entire team at William Ashley should be applauded for
their tremendous effort during this transition year.

A summary of our 2014 net realized and unrealized gains (losses) is shown in the table below:

Equity and equity-related investments
Equity hedges

Net equity
Bonds
CPI-linked derivatives
Other

Total

Realized

Gains Gains (Losses)
(55.0)
596.9
(207.5)
13.0

Unrealized Net Gains
(Losses)
541.9
(194.5)

609.9
103.0
–
77.7

790.6

(262.5)
1,134.2
17.7
56.2

347.4
1,237.2
17.7
133.9

945.6

1,736.2

The table above shows the realized gains for the year and separately, the unrealized fluctuations in common stock,
bond and CPI-linked derivative prices. With IFRS accounting, these fluctuations, although unrealized, flow into the
income statement and balance sheet, necessarily producing lumpy results (the real results can only be seen over the
long term). This table is updated for you in every quarterly report and we discuss it every year in our Annual Report.

In  2014,  we  realized  $790.6  million  in  gains,  predominantly  from  common  stocks.  After  unrealized  losses  of
$262.5 million, mainly from our hedges, we had net gains of $347.4 million from common stocks. With interest rates
declining in 2014, we had an unrealized gain of $1.1 billion in our bond portfolio, reversing the loss in 2013 when
interest rates went up.

In 2014, we had a total investment return of 8.4% (versus an annual average of 3.6% over the past five years and 8.9%
over our 29-year history). If we had not hedged, our total investment return in 2014 would have been 9.8%. While
our returns in 2014 were very good, we have some way to go to make up for the below average annual return of 3.6%
over the past five years.

Our cumulative net realized and unrealized gains since we began in 1985 have amounted to $11.7 billion. As we said
last year, these gains, while unpredictable, are a major source of strength to Fairfax as they add to our capital base and
help finance our expansion. Also, as we have made clear many times, the unpredictable timing of these gains and
mark to market accounting make our quarterly (and even annual) earnings and book value very volatile, as we saw
again in 2014.

December 31, 2013
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter

Earnings Book Value
per Share
per Share
$339
369
387
404
395

$35.72
16.15
20.68
0.49

Regarding  our  investment  in  BlackBerry,  it  is  now  a  little  more  than  a  year  since  John  Chen  became  Executive
Chairman and CEO. Although the company had just lost $1 billion when he joined, he immediately set an objective
of cash flow breakeven for fiscal 2015 (ending February), and he achieved that objective by the third quarter. Cash in

9

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

the  holding  company  exceeds  $3  billion  as  he  monetized  real  estate  assets  and  tax  loss  carry  forwards.  He  has
flawlessly introduced two magnificent new products, the Passport, which I use, and the BlackBerry Classic, but he has
said the future of BlackBerry would be in the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things is a system that connects data
generators (devices that could monitor useful information) with people who want to track the data (data consumers).
BlackBerry’s QNX subsidiary, which dominates automobile infotainment systems, plans to play a major role in the
development of the Internet of Things.

Having  achieved  cash  flow  breakeven,  John  is  now  focused  on  building  the  revenue  and  profits  of  BlackBerry
organically and through acquisitions and we have no doubt he will be successful. His outstanding 15-year record at
Sybase precedes him.

I have learned that the tech world is very difficult to predict and things change very quickly. Yesterday’s hit can be
today’s dog, but with the right leadership, things can also change very quickly for the positive. We continue to be
excited to be long term shareholders of BlackBerry and have no intention of supporting a takeover of BlackBerry.

I am always amazed at the speculation that can take place in the stock market, as shown in the table below, and how
long it can last:

Social Media
Twitter
Netflix
Facebook
LinkedIn
Yelp
Yandex
Tencent Holdings

Other Tech/Web
Groupon
Service Now
Salesforce.com
Netsuite

Market Cap.
($ billions)

P/E Ratio

Price to Sales

31
29
223
33
3
9
164

6
12
40
8

(loss)
111x
73x
89x
358x
19x
46x

(loss)
(loss)
(loss)
(loss)

21x
5x
17x
15x
9x
6x
14x

2x
17x
8x
14x

The continuing speculation reflected in the stock prices of public high tech companies has moved to private high
tech companies, as shown in the table below:

Xiaomi
Uber
Palantir
SpaceX
Airbnb
Dropbox
Snapchat
Theranos
Square
Stripe

Latest
Valuation
($ billions)
46.0
41.2
15.0
12.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
6.0
3.5

Total Equity

Funding Valuation/Funding
($ billions)
1.4
2.8
1.0
1.1
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.2

32.9
14.7
15.0
10.9
12.5
16.5
16.3
22.5
12.1
18.4

The  Wall  Street  Journal  says  that  worldwide  there  are  73  companies  that  are  valued  at  more  than  $1  billion  by
venture capital investors, versus half that number prior to the dot.com crash. The third column of the table above
shows the ratio of the latest valuation of each company to its total cumulative equity funding raised from inception.
So Uber has a valuation of $41.2 billion as compared to the cumulative equity capital raised of $2.8 billion – i.e., the
valuation is a hefty 14.7 times all of the money that was raised by the company.

We’re confident that most of this will end as other speculations have – very badly!

10

Richie Boucher, at the Bank of Ireland, had an outstanding year in 2014 as the Bank earned A921 million with all
trading divisions profitable – an improvement of A1.5 billion over 2013. The Bank of Ireland made A10 billion of new
loans – an increase of over 50% from 2013 – and was the largest lender to the Irish economy during 2014. The Bank
passed the ECB stress test with substantial capital buffers. Impairment charges were reduced by A1.2 billion reflecting
improvements in asset quality and Irish mortgage writebacks of A280 million. House prices and commercial real
estate prices have begun trending up. Ireland had the highest growth in the Eurozone in 2014 at 5.0% and recently
Irish 10-year bond rates hit 0.9% – a far cry from the 14.1% in 2011 when we invested in the Bank of Ireland. We are
very grateful to Richie and his team at the Bank of Ireland.

We began our Greece odyssey in 2012 when our Wade Burton made his first trip to Athens. In Greece, if a financial
institution had bought the bonds with the highest credit rating in the country, Greek government bonds, it went
bankrupt as the government gave investors a 50% haircut. Every Greek bank, trying to play it safe by buying Greek
government bonds, went bust. Greek government bond rates went to very high levels in 2012 and market values
were pummelled. In this environment and shortly thereafter, with the election of a pro-business government, we
took major positions in some of the leading Greek companies. We purchased the following:

1. Europroperties, now called Grivalia

We own 40.6% of the total shares outstanding of the country’s world class REIT, Grivalia. Grivalia owns
some of the finest commercial buildings in Athens, fully leased to AAA tenants, and is run by an outstanding
CEO, George Chryssikos. With rental rates down 50% and property values down commensurately, at our
cost, Grivalia is yielding 7.5%, and the price we paid was 37% below replacement cost. We own 41 million
shares at A5.37 per share versus a market price of A8.59 per share currently. George took Grivalia into the
crash in Greece totally liquid (net cash, in fact) and waited patiently before buying commercial and retail
buildings  at  a  fraction  of  what  they  sold  for  a  few  years  ago.  He  continues  to  be  active  and  is  very
well financed.

2. Praktiker Greece

Through  an  introduction  by  George  Chryssikos,  and  led  by  Wade  Burton,  we  purchased  the  leading
‘‘Do-it-Yourself’’ retailer in Greece. The company is run extremely well by Ioannis Selalmalzidis. In spite of
sales dropping by 45%, Praktiker, under Ioannis and his team, continues to make money. We purchased the
company for A21 million and have received 31% of our purchase price back in cash distributions, and the
company still owns real estate with a current value in excess of our purchase price.

3. Mytilineos

Evangelos Mytilineos and his brother Yannis have done an outstanding job creating shareholder value over
the past ten years in aluminum, power generation and construction. We purchased 7 million shares or 5.9%
of the company for A4.80 per share, which was about 65% of book value and about eight times earnings. The
market price of these shares is currently A6.20 per share.

4. Eurobank

Finally, in April 2014, we led a group of investors, including Wilbur Ross of WL Ross & Co. LLC, Capital
Group, Fidelity Investments and Mackenzie Cundill Value Fund, in a A1.33 billion purchase of shares of
Eurobank, enabling Eurobank to sell in total A2.9 billion in shares, thus reducing the government’s stake in
it to 35%, the lowest among Greece’s four major banks. Fairfax’s investment was A400 million – all at 31 euro
cents per share versus a book value of 37 euro cents per share. These shares currently trade at 13 euro cents
per share.

Greece’s  banking  system  has  contracted  from  some  20  banks  to  only  four  similar  size  ones – of  which
Eurobank has always had and still has the most private ownership. After helping Eurobank successfully raise
A2.9  billion,  purchase  two  banks  and  successfully  pass  the  ECB  stress  test,  Christos  Megalou  moved  to
Toronto  to  work  with  us  while  Fokion  Karavias  took  over  as  CEO  and  Nikos  Karamouzis  as  Executive
Chairman. We continue to be excited to be shareholders of the bank.

11

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

While  Greece  has  significant  government  debt,  its  private  sector  is  relatively  unleveraged.  Prior  to  the  recent
elections, Greece was expected to have one of the best growth rates in Europe – of course, after suffering a very major
economic decline. We have met with the new government and they have assured us that they like private investment
and will be supportive of the bank. Only time will tell!

Wade Burton represents us on the Boards of Grivalia, Mytilineos and, with Brad Martin, Eurobank.

While our total Greek investments are below cost today, we expect them to do well over the long term.

We have invested $629 million in real estate investments with Kennedy Wilson over the last five years. Through
refinancings,  sale  of  some  loan  portfolios  and  gains  on  hedging  contracts  on  Japanese  yen,  we  have  received
distributions  of  $465  million.  Our  total  net  cash  investment  in  real  estate  investments  with  Kennedy  Wilson  is
therefore now $164 million, and that investment is probably worth about $350 million. We have yet to sell though,
while  our  cash  flow  return  of  11.2%  is  very  acceptable.  Also,  we  continue  to  own  10.7%  of  Kennedy  Wilson
(11.5 million shares): our cost was $11.90 per share, and the shares are currently trading at $26.19.

We acquired 70% of Ridley at Cdn$8.50 per share in November 2008 when its parent company wanted to divest it.
Since our purchase, Ridley has paid Cdn$5.50 per share in dividends and the stock currently sells at about Cdn$33
per share. It had record free cash flow in 2014 and is almost debt free. Brad Martin, as Chairman, and Chandran
Ratnaswami  are  directors  of  Ridley,  where  Steve  VanRoekel,  as  CEO,  has  done  a  magnificent  job  since  we  made
our investment.

Arbor Memorial was taken private in November 2012 by the Scanlan family in a transaction which we helped finance
by  investing  Cdn$55.5  million  in  preferred  shares  and  Cdn$49.6  million  in  common  equity.  Last  year,  Arbor
redeemed  the  preferred  shares,  and  the  common  shares  are  currently  valued  at  about  1.8  times  our  cost.  Brian
Snowden, the CEO of Arbor Memorial, continues to do an excellent job.

12

Below we update the table on our intrinsic value and stock price. As discussed in previous Annual Reports, we use
book value as a first measure of intrinsic value.

1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
1985-2014 (compound annual growth)

INTRINSIC VALUE
% Change in
US$ Book Value per Share
+180
+48
+31
+27
+41
+24
+1
+42
+18
+25
+63
+36
+30
+38
-5
-21
+7
+31
-1
-16
+9
+53
+21
+33
+2
-3
+4
-10
+16
+21.1

STOCK PRICE
% Change in
Cdn$ Price per Share
+292
-3
+21
+25
-41
+93
+18
+145
+9
+46
+196
+10
+69
-55
-7
-28
-26
+87
-11
-17
+38
+24
+36
+5
–
+7
-18
+18
+44
+19.8

We show you this table often to emphasize that in the short term, there is no correlation between growth in book
value and increase in stock price. You will note periods when our book value grew substantially faster than our stock
price and vice versa. More recently, we think the intrinsic value of our company has grown much more than its
underlying book value. In 2014, our book value increased by 16%, while our stock price increased 44%, some of it due
to the declining Canadian dollar. However, it is only in the long term that book values and stock prices compound at
similar rates. Please note that in the above table our book value changes are based on book values in U.S. dollars while
our stock price changes are based on stock prices in Canadian dollars.

13

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Insurance and Reinsurance Operations

The table below shows the recent combined ratios and the 2014 change in net premiums written of our insurance
and reinsurance operations:

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
Zenith
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia
Other Insurance and Reinsurance

Consolidated

(1) An increase of 0.5% in Canadian dollars

Combined Ratio

2014
95.5%
99.8%
87.5%
84.7%
86.7%
94.7%

2013
98.2%
101.9%
97.1%
84.0%
87.5%
96.6%

2012
106.2%
109.3%
115.6%
88.5%
87.0%
104.3%

Change in Net
Premiums
Written

2014
(6.2)%(1)
9.2%
2.9%
0.7%
8.8%
1.7%

90.8%

92.7%

99.9%

1.9%

Northbridge posted a combined ratio of 95.5% while continuing to benefit from favourable reserve development.
Northbridge’s  gross  premiums  written  (in  Canadian  dollars)  were  up  3.4%  in  the  year  and  over  5%  excluding  a
non-performing program that was cancelled during the year. Northbridge is seeing firming rates and continues to
achieve low single digit price increases. Silvy Wright and her team are focused on sustained underwriting profitability
with continued strong reserving.

Crum & Forster’s combined ratio continued to improve in 2014, down 2.1% to 99.8%. Crum & Forster is benefitting
from profitable growth in its specialty lines of business, with gross premiums written up 8.8%. Doug Libby and now
Marc Adee continue to focus on specialty business.

Zenith,  under  the  guidance  of  Jack  Miller,  produced  an  underwriting  profit  for  the  second  straight  year,  with  a
combined ratio of 87.5% benefitting from improved accident year results and favourable prior year development. In
2014, Zenith had $721 million of net premiums written, up from $524 million in 2011. Zenith’s growth in premium
has been primarily the result of year-over-year rate increases and does not reflect any significant growth in exposure.

Northbridge, Crum & Forster and Zenith all have demonstrated strong underwriting discipline over the last number
of years and this discipline can be observed in their results. At each company, the combined ratio is below 100% and
has improved year-over-year.

Led by Brian Young, OdysseyRe achieved an outstanding combined ratio of 84.7%, the second best underwriting
result in its history (only 2013 was better at 84.0%). OdysseyRe continues to maintain its disciplined underwriting in
a difficult reinsurance market and continues to leverage its strong brand based on its capabilities to write insurance
and  reinsurance  business  globally.  Once  again,  favourable  loss  development  from  prior  years  and  minimal
catastrophe activity contributed to the excellent result.

Fairfax Asia, under the leadership of Mr. Athappan, continued to produce outstanding results, with a combined ratio
of 86.7% and net premiums written up 8.8%. Fairfax Asia continues to grow throughout the region with combined
ratios well below 100% and with strong reserving.

14

All of our companies are well capitalized, as shown in the table below:

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
Zenith
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia

(1)

IFRS total equity

As of and for the Year Ended
December 31, 2014

Net Premiums
Written
967.1
1,346.3
720.9
2,393.8
280.1

Net Premiums
Statutory Written/Statutory
Surplus
0.8x
1.1x
1.3x
0.6x
0.4x

Surplus
1,215.1
1,231.4
564.5
4,012.6(1)
660.9(1)

On average we are writing at about 0.8 times net premiums written to surplus. In the hard markets of 2002 – 2005 we
wrote, on average, at 1.5 times. We have huge unused capacity currently and our strategy during the times of soft
pricing is to be patient and stand ready for the hard markets to come.

The accident year combined ratios of our companies from 2005 onwards are shown in the table below:

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia

Total

2005 – 2014

Cumulative Net
Premiums Written
($ billions)
Cdn 10.8
10.4
21.6
1.5

Average
Combined
Ratio

100.3%
102.2%
93.2%
87.3%

44.3

96.8%

The table, comprising a full decade with a hard and soft market and unprecedented catastrophe losses in 2005 and
2011, demonstrates the quality of our insurance and reinsurance companies. It shows you the cumulative business
each company has written in the past ten years and each company’s average accident year combined ratio during
those years. Results in total are excellent – but there is no complacency as our Presidents, with Andy’s help, continue
to focus on developing competitive advantages that will ensure these combined ratios are sustainable through the
ups and downs of the insurance cycle.

The table below shows the average annual reserve redundancies for our companies for the past ten years (business
written from 2004 onwards):

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia

2004 – 2013
Average Annual
Reserve
Redundancies
11.7%
3.9%
11.1%
6.7%

The table shows you how our reserves have developed for the ten accident years prior to 2014. We are very pleased
with this reserving record, but given the inherent uncertainty in setting reserves in the property casualty business, we
continue to be focused on being conservative in our reserving process. More on our reserves in the MD&A.

15

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Our runoff operations under Nick Bentley had another excellent year in 2014. During the year, Nick and his team
continued to be active in adding runoff opportunities to their business.

We have updated the float table that we show you each year for our insurance and reinsurance companies:

Year
1986

2005

2014
Weighted average last ten years
Fairfax weighted average financing differential last

ten years: 3.3%

Underwriting
profit (loss)
3

Average
float
22

Cost
(benefit)
of float
(11.6)%

Average long
term Canada
treasury bond
yield
9.6%

(438)

7,324

6.0%

552

11,707

(4.7)%
0.3%

4.4%

2.8%
3.6%

Float is essentially the sum of loss reserves, including loss adjustment expense reserves, and unearned premium
reserves, less accounts receivable, reinsurance recoverables and deferred premium acquisition costs. Our long term
goal is to increase the float at no cost, by achieving combined ratios consistently at or below 100%. This, combined
with our ability to invest the float well, is why we feel we can achieve our long term objective of compounding book
value per share by 15% per annum. In the last ten years, our float cost us 0.3% per year – significantly less than the
3.6% that it cost the Government of Canada to borrow for ten years.

The table below shows you the breakdown of our year-end float for the past five years:

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance
and

Total
Insurance
and

Year

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

Northbridge U.S.

Fairfax
Asia

2.2
2.2
2.3
2.1
1.9

2.9
3.2
3.5
3.5
3.8

0.1
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.5

OdysseyRe

Other Reinsurance Runoff

Total

($ billions)
4.8
4.7
4.9
4.7
4.5

1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.9

11.1
11.6
12.2
11.8
11.6

2.0
2.8
3.6
3.7
3.5

13.1
14.4
15.9
15.6
15.1

In the past five years our float has increased by 14.9%, due to acquisitions and organic growth in net premiums
written. The decrease in 2014 was due to foreign exchange movements and reserve releases.

At the end of 2014, we had approximately $711 per share in float. Together with our book value of $395 per share and
$131 per share in net debt, you have approximately $1,237 in investments per share working for your long term
benefit – about 5.5% higher than at the end of 2013.

16

The table below shows the sources of our net earnings (loss). This table, like various others in this letter, is set out in a
format which we have consistently used and we believe assists you in understanding Fairfax.

Underwriting
Insurance – Canada (Northbridge)

– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends – insurance and reinsurance

Operating income
Runoff (excluding net gains (losses) on investments)
Other reporting segment
Interest expense
Corporate overhead and other

Pre-tax income before net gains (losses) on investments
Net realized gains before equity hedges

Pre-tax income including net realized gains before equity hedges
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) before equity hedges
Equity hedging net losses

Pre-tax income (loss)
Income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

2014

2013

42.7
92.0
36.2
360.4
20.7

552.0
363.4

915.4
(88.5)
77.6
(206.3)
(96.5)

18.2
(5.1)
32.0
379.9
15.0

440.0
330.2

770.2
77.3
51.9
(211.2)
(125.3)

601.7
777.6

562.9
1,379.6

1,379.3
1,153.1
(194.5)

1,942.5
(961.6)
(1,982.0)

2,337.9
(673.3)

(1,001.1)
436.6

1,664.6

(564.5)

The table shows the results from our insurance and reinsurance (underwriting and interest and dividends), runoff
and  non-insurance  operations  (Other  shows  the  pre-tax  income  before  interest  of  Prime  Restaurants  (until
October 31, 2013), Ridley, Thomas Cook India (including IKYA and Sterling Resorts), Sporting Life, William Ashley,
Keg Restaurants (since February 4, 2014), Praktiker (since June 5, 2014), MFXchange (since November 3, 2014) and
Pethealth  (since  November  14,  2014)).  Net  realized  gains  before  equity  hedges,  net  change  in  unrealized  gains
(losses)  before  equity  hedges,  and  equity  hedging  net  losses  are  shown  separately  to  help  you  understand  the
composition  of  our  earnings.  After  interest  and  dividend  income,  we  had  operating  income  of  $915  million.
(See more detail in the MD&A.)

17

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Financial Position

Holding company cash, short term investments and marketable securities (net of short

sale and derivative obligations)

Holding company debt
Subsidiary debt
Other long term obligations – holding company

Total debt

Net debt

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital
Total debt/total capital
Interest coverage
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage

2014

2013

1,212.7

1,241.6

2,514.7
522.5
141.8

2,337.7
503.5
153.3

3,179.0

2,994.5

1,966.3

1,752.9

8,361.0
1,164.7
218.1

7,186.7
1,166.4
107.4

9,743.8

8,460.5

20.2%
16.8%
24.6%
12.3x
9.0x

20.7%
17.2%
26.1%
n/a
n/a

At the end of 2014 we maintained our strong financial position, continuing to hold cash and marketable securities at
the holding company of over $1 billion, and with only limited debt maturities in the next five years.

Investments

The  table  below  shows  the  time-weighted  compound  annual  returns  (including  equity  hedging)  achieved  by
Hamblin Watsa, Fairfax’s wholly-owned investment manager, on the stocks and bonds of our companies managed by
it during the past 15 years, compared to the benchmark index in each case:

Common stocks (with equity hedging)

S&P 500
Taxable bonds

Merrill Lynch U.S. corporate (1-10 year) bond index

5 Years
(2.7)%
15.5%
10.2%
5.5%

10 Years
6.5%
7.7%
11.1%
5.0%

15 Years
11.6%
4.2%
11.5%
6.1%

Hedging our common equity exposures has been very costly for us over the last five years – particularly in 2013.
However, we did warn you that we wanted to be safe rather than sorry – our time will come again!

We have worried about deflation in the past few years in our Annual Reports – it is now upon us! In spite of QE1, QE2
and QE3 and some twists, we saw deflation in the U.S. in the second half of 2014, as shown in the table below:

U.S. CPI Index

June
238.3

July August
237.9

238.3

% change
June –
September October November December Dec. 2014
-1.5%

238.0

237.4

236.2

234.8

We have had deflation at an annualized rate of 3% in the second half of 2014 in the U.S.! And it is not going away. In
fact, in January 2015, the U.S. reported its first year-over-year decline in the CPI index since 2009 of 0.1%. In Europe,
we had deflation of 0.5% in the second half of 2014, as shown in the table below:

European CPI
Index

June
117.6

July August
116.9

116.8

% change
June –
September October November December Dec. 2014
-0.5%

117.1

117.4

117.4

117.0

As of January 2015, 17 out of 19 countries in the Euro area were experiencing deflation on a year-over-year basis.

18

Given  our  concerns  about  China,  which  we  detailed  in  last  year’s  Annual  Report,  we  have  for  a  few  years  now
expected commodity prices to collapse. And collapse they did in 2014, as shown in the table below:

Oil – $/barrel
Copper – $/lb.
Iron Ore– $/tonne
Cotton – $/lb.
Corn – $/bushel

Peak in
2011
113.93
4.61
138.20
2.15
7.87

2014
53.29
2.86
69.30
0.60
3.97

%
Change
(53)%
(38)%
(50)%
(72)%
(50)%

The GSCI Commodity Index is down 48% from its peak in 2011 and is very close to the low of 307 seen in the great
crash of 2009. WTI crude is down 53%, copper is down 38%, iron ore is down 50%, cotton is down 72%, and the list
goes on.

German 30-year bond rates have collapsed to 1%, a level never before seen in that country’s history – but very similar
to what Japan has experienced in the last ten years. In fact, after Japan’s stock market and land price collapse that
began in 1990, it took almost five years for deflation to set in – and then deflation continued for the next 18 years! In
Germany,  almost  half  the  German  government  bond  market  is  yielding  negative  interest  rates – all  reflecting
deflation in our minds. In fact, on February 25, 2015, Germany, for the first time ever, issued a five-year bond with a
negative interest rate (-0.08%).

With deflation in the air, our CPI-linked derivatives, with a notional value of $112 billion, have come to life. In the
fourth quarter of 2014, these derivatives doubled in market value from $110 million to $238 million as shown in the
table below – but they are still only at  1⁄3 of our cost!

Underlying CPI Index

United States
United Kingdom
European Union
France

Average
Term
(in years)
8.1
7.9
6.5
7.7

Notional
Amount
($ billions)
58.8
5.2
44.5
3.3

7.4

111.8

Cost

327
24
286
18

655

(1) Expressed as a percentage of the notional amount

Market Market

Cost(1)
(in bps)
56
47
64
55

Value

151
5
70
12

238

Unrealized
value(1) Gain (Loss)
(in bps)
26
9
16
36

(175)
(20)
(215)
(7)

(417)

While the deflation derivatives are very volatile, if we are right, these derivatives may become as valuable as our CDS
derivatives became in 2007/2008. In fact, our CDS derivatives first began moving upwards in the first quarter of 2007
with the demise of New Century Capital.

In 2014, we added to our position in CPI-linked derivative contracts, as shown in the table below:

Notional amount ($ billions)
Cost
Market value

2010
34.2
302.3
328.6

2011
46.5
421.1
208.2

2012
48.4
454.1
115.8

2013
82.9
545.8
131.7

2014
111.8
655.4
238.4

As you can see from the table, in 2014 we increased our notional exposure to these contracts by 35% at an additional
cost of only 20%. As of December 31, 2014, these contracts were carried on our books at $238 million, a 64% decline
from our cost. The remaining average term on these contracts is 7.4 years. As in 2013, Brian Bradstreet has refreshed
some  of  these  older  contracts  by  exchanging  them  for  newer,  more  current  indexed  contracts – thus  effectively
increasing the weighted average strike price of the index (CPI) on the U.S. contracts to 232.82 from 230.43 – only
0.8% away from the U.S. CPI index at the end of 2014!

19

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Also, Brian added some spice to these contracts: $12.6 billion of the notional amount ($40.3 million of the cost, with
an average cost of 32 basis points) added in 2014 were 0.5% inflation floor contracts. These contracts have value if
inflation in the U.S. in the next ten years is less than  1⁄2 % per year (5% cumulative over ten years).

The table below provides you more details on our CPI-linked derivative contracts as of December 31, 2014:

Underlying CPI Index

United States
European Union
United Kingdom
France

Total

Notional Amount
($ billions)
58.8
44.5
5.2
3.3

111.8

Weighted Average December 31, 2014
CPI
Strike Price (CPI)

232.82
111.24
243.82
124.85

234.81
117.01
257.50
125.81

In the last five years, we have had significant losses, mostly unrealized, from our hedging program and from our
CPI-linked derivative contracts, as shown below:

Equity hedges
CPI-linked derivative contracts

2010
(936.6)
28.1

2011
413.9
(233.9)

2012
(1,005.5)
(129.2)

2013
(1,982.0)
(126.9)

2014
(194.5)
17.7

Cumulative
(3,704.7)
(444.2)

Total

(908.5)

180.0

(1,134.7)

(2,108.9)

(176.8)

(4,148.9)

These losses are significant but they are mostly unrealized, and we expect both of them to reverse when the ‘‘grand
disconnect’’  disappears – perhaps  sooner  than  you  think!  In  a  declining  market,  like  2008 – 2009,  we  expect  our
common stock portfolio to come down much less than the indices, thus reversing most of the net losses resulting
from our hedges. As I said last year, we are focused on protecting our company on the downside against permanent
capital loss from the many potential unintended consequences that abound in the world economy. In our 2008
Annual Report, we showed you the table below, that quantified our unrealized losses in the 2003 – 2006 period and
their reversal in 2007 and 2008:

Equity hedges
Credit default swaps

Total

2003 – 2006
(287)
(211)

2007
143
1,145

2008
2,080
1,290

(498)

1,288

3,370

We had to endure years of pain before harvesting the gains of 2007 and 2008. While we hope the world economy
muddles  through,  we  continue  to  protect  our  company  from  the  significant  unintended  consequences  that
prevail today.

The CAPE (Cyclically Adjusted Price Earnings) Ratio for the S&P500 is currently at 28 times. It has been higher only
twice before; both times ended badly. The first time was in 1929 and the second time during the dot.com boom of
1999 to 2002. The rising U.S. dollar (with over 40% of the average S&P500 companies’ earnings coming from abroad)
and the current record after-tax profit margins, combined with deflation, could result in significant declines in the
earnings of the S&P500 companies – just as the index hits record highs. We say ‘‘caveat emptor’’, and continue to be
very cautious about our equity positions. I have reminded you many times in past Annual Reports of the warning
from the distant past from our mentor Ben Graham: ‘‘Only 1 in 100 survived the 1929 – 1932 debacle if one was not
bearish in 1925’’.

Also, when you review our financial statements, please remember that when we own more than 20% of a company,
we equity account, and when we own above 50%, we consolidate, so that mark to market gains in these companies
are not reflected in our results. Let me mention some of those gains.

20

As you can see in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements, the fair value of our investment in associates is
$2,071 million while its carrying value is $1,618 million, representing an unrealized gain of $453 million which is
not on our balance sheet.

Also,  we  own  73%  of  Thomas  Cook  India  and  74%  of  Ridley,  which  are  consolidated  in  our  statements.  The
unrealized gain on these two positions, based on market values as of December 31, 2014, is $378 million. This brings
the total unrealized gain not reflected on our balance sheet to $831 million.

Our net unrealized gains (losses) over cost by asset class at year-end were as follows:

Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Investments in associates

Total

2014
1,642.3
33.5
325.9
452.8

2013
303.7
10.5
631.1
382.5

2,454.5

1,327.8

Our common stock portfolio, which reflects our long term value-oriented investment philosophy, is broken down by
country as follows (at market value at year-end):

Canada
United States
Other

Total

918.2
907.3
3,112.8

4,938.3

We continue to like the long term prospects of our common stock holdings, while our hedges protect us against our
near term economic concerns.

Miscellaneous

Our annual dividend remained the same in 2014, unaffected by our record earnings. We like the idea of a stable
dividend, so we do not anticipate that it will be changed any time soon.

We continue to encourage all our employees to be owners of our company through our employee share ownership
plan, under which our employees’ share purchases by way of payroll deduction are supplemented by contributions
by their employer. It is an excellent plan and employees have had great returns over the long term, as shown below:

Employee Share Ownership Plan

Compound Annual Return

5 Years
23%

10 Years
20%

15 Years
16%

20 Years
12%

Since
inception
17%

If an employee earning Cdn$40,000 had participated fully in this program since its inception, he or she would have
accumulated 3,245 shares of Fairfax worth Cdn$2.0 million at the end of 2014. I am happy to say, we have many
employees who have done exactly that! We want our employees to be owners and to benefit from the performance of
their company.

Our donations program continues to thrive across the communities in the world where we do business. For 2014, we
donated $19.0 million, for a total of over $130 million since we began.

We believe in giving back to the communities where we do business and we encourage our employees to do the same.
We have a program where every year we match any charitable donations given by any of our employees up to $1,000
and I am happy to say a vast majority of them take us up on it.

All the donations given by our operating companies are driven by their employees, and here are a few that I would
like to highlight.

21

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

In tragedy there is always hope, and when one of our employee’s ten-year-old daughter lost a valiant battle with
cancer, the Odyssey and Fairfax family made a donation for the treatment and research for Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
Andy Dickson and his wife Raquel will be leading this initiative in honor of their beloved daughter Kelsey, whose
legacy will endure through our efforts to find a cure so others won’t have to suffer what she and her parents went
through.

Crum & Forster is a major supporter of New York Cares and Jersey Cares, organizations that bring volunteers together
to help at the local level. Through these organizations, the employees of Crum & Forster have donated their time and
effort to help rebuild schools damaged by natural disasters and to restore parks and playgrounds, and they have
donated funds to help high school students go on to college.

Northbridge focuses on helping youth, offering support for children’s health, education and well-being through five
charitable  partners – Pathways  to  Education,  SickKids,  DAREarts,  United  Way  and  Tree  Canada.  In  addition,  its
annual employee fundraising campaign raised over Cdn$140,000 for these five charitable partners.

RiverStone  made  a  difference  in  the  lives  of  many  by  donating  to  the  New  Hampshire  Food  Bank,  as  in
New  Hampshire  one  individual  in  nine  is  food  insecure  and  one  child  in  five  goes  hungry:  last  year  RiverStone
employees personally contributed $29,000, and the company added a further $136,000, resulting in the provision of
well over 300,000 meals in the community. With a high degree of participation, RiverStone employees used many
innovative ways to raise the money.

Zenith’s charitable giving focuses on health and education. One of Zenith’s significant donations in 2014 was to a
customer which it has supported for many years in addition to providing workers compensation coverage to its
980 employees. This customer, The Help Group, was founded 40 years ago and continues to be visionary in providing
a broad range of services in the Los Angeles area to more than 6,000 children with special needs and their families
each year, including pre-kindergarten through high school programs for more than 1,550 students.

I have highlighted just a few examples for you – there are many more stories from our companies around the world
and other causes that each of the companies mentioned gives to and supports. I just wanted to give you a sense of
what our culture instills in our employees and how when our business does well, we can and must help others less
fortunate by doing good and improving lives in the communities where we operate. What can be more rewarding
than that?

I remind you often that you will not get a takeover premium for Fairfax as I and my family have the votes, and that
will continue even after my death, so that Fairfax can continue uninterrupted in building long term value for you,
our shareholders, by treating our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate in a fair and
friendly way! Perhaps I am biased, but the fact that Fairfax is not for sale and that Fairfax will not sell any of its
insurance companies or its permanent non-insurance acquisitions is a major plus for those companies and all of their
employees.

My and my family’s focusing on the long term necessarily requires the next generation’s involvement and familiarity
with the management of Fairfax, so this year we have nominated my son Ben (a successful portfolio manager in his
own right) as a director. None of my children are officers or employees of Fairfax, but involvement at the Board level
will  ensure  the  continuation  of  Fairfax’s  ‘‘fair  and  friendly’’  culture  which  is  such  an  important  factor  in  the
company’s success over the long term.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our annual meeting in Toronto at 9:30 a.m. (Toronto time) on April 16, 2015
at Roy Thomson Hall. As in the past few years, we will have booths which provide information on our insurance
companies such as OdysseyRe, Northbridge, Crum & Forster, Zenith, Fairfax Asia, ICICI Lombard, the Gulf Insurance
Group (our partners in the Middle East), and this year, for all you pet lovers, Pethealth – Sean Smith and his team will
be on hand to help you insure your favourite pet. In addition, showcased will also be some of our non-insurance
company investments – William Ashley, Sporting Life, CARA, Keg Restaurants, Kitchen Stuff Plus, Arbor Memorial
and Quess (formerly called IKYA) – and BlackBerry will also be there. I am sure that I will be able to convince John
Chen to give away a BlackBerry Classic and, my personal favourite, a Passport at the BlackBerry booth. We will have
Zoomer Media and Thomas Cook India present as well. Madhavan Menon from Thomas Cook India has promised a
shareholder’s discount to take your bookings for a trip of a lifetime to India, in case you were not among the many
who took advantage of this opportunity last year. So come early and visit all our booths – it is a great opportunity for
you to learn more about our companies as well as to get some discounts for shopping at William Ashley and Sporting
Life and dining at CARA and The Keg. Bill Gregson and David Aisenstat will have their chefs on hand to prepare a few
of the signature items sold at their restaurants for you to sample at their booths in the foyer after our meeting ends.

22

They would also encourage you, after our meeting, to use your discount cards at their restaurants that are within
walking distance from Roy Thomson Hall. We will also have booths for The Hospital for Sick Children, Americares
and the Royal Ontario Museum, so that you can see firsthand how we reinvest into the communities where we do
business. Doing good by doing well! Hopefully in the spirt of giving, you will be inclined to make an additional
contribution. As in the past, there will be booths highlighting two excellent programs that we support: the Ben
Graham  Centre  for  Value  Investing  with  George  Athanassakos  at  the  Ivey  School  of  Business,  and  the  Actuarial
Program at the University of Waterloo – both among the best in North America! This year the University of Waterloo
booth will be staffed by co-op students working at our companies, and I encourage you to speak with them. I assure
you that you will be impressed and will want to hire a few at your own companies: the University will have someone
on hand to let you know how you can go about doing so. George will also have many of his MBA students there, so
please speak with them also – you may want to hire them as well. This will be the fourth year that George runs a Value
Investing  Conference  the  day  before  our  meeting.  In  case  you  have  not  attended,  ask  him  for  details:  I  highly
recommend it as well worth your time to attend.

Please also stop by and say hello to Scott Phillips and Lauren Templeton who will be there signing their books and
taking orders for any of Sir John Templeton’s books on investing and spirituality, which I would highly recommend.

So as we have done for the last 30 years, we look forward to meeting you, our shareholders, and answering all your
questions, as well as getting you to meet our directors and the fine men and women who work at and run Fairfax and
all  of  our  companies – they  are  the  ones  who  create  our  success.  Our  small  holding  company  team,  with  great
integrity, team spirit and no egos, keeps the whole company going forward. I personally am inspired every time that I
meet all of you, and when I hear your stories I want to work twice as hard to make a return for you in the long term.
We are truly blessed to have such fine loyal shareholders.

March 6, 2015

30JAN201416030432

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

23

(This page intentionally left blank)

24

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements

The  preparation  and  presentation  of  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements,  Management’s
Discussion and Analysis (‘‘MD&A’’) and all financial information are the responsibility of management and have
been approved by the Board of Directors.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Financial statements, by nature, are not precise
since  they  include  certain  amounts  based  upon  estimates  and  judgments.  When  alternative  methods  exist,
management has chosen those it deems to be the most appropriate in the circumstances.

We,  as  Fairfax’s  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  have  certified  Fairfax’s  annual  disclosure
documents  filed  with  the  Canadian  Securities  Administrators  and  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
(Form 40-F) in accordance with Canadian securities legislation and the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
respectively.

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting
and is ultimately responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements and MD&A. The
Board  carries  out  this  responsibility  principally  through  its  Audit  Committee  which  is  independent  from
management.

The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and reviews the consolidated financial statements and
MD&A; considers the report of the external auditors; assesses the adequacy of the internal controls of the company,
including  management’s  assessment  described  below;  examines  the  fees  and  expenses  for  audit  services;  and
recommends to the Board the independent auditors for appointment by the shareholders. The independent auditors
have full and free access to the Audit Committee and meet with it to discuss their audit work, Fairfax’s internal
control over financial reporting and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee reports its findings to the
Board for consideration when approving the consolidated financial statements for issuance to the shareholders and
management’s assessment of the internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.

Management  has  assessed  the  effectiveness  of  the  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of
December  31,  2014  using  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control – Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (‘‘COSO’’).  Based  on  this  assessment,
management  concluded  that  the  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  was  effective  as  of
December 31, 2014.

The  effectiveness  of  the  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2014  has  been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent auditor, as stated in its report which appears herein.

March 6, 2015

30JAN201416030432

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

30JAN201416020159

David Bonham
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

25

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Shareholders of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

We have completed integrated audits of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries’ 2014
and 2013 consolidated financial statements and their internal control over financial reporting as at December 31,
2014. Our opinions, based on our audits are presented below.

Report on the consolidated financial statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, which
comprise the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the consolidated
statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the
period  ended  December  31,  2014,  and  the  related  notes,  which  comprise  a  summary  of  significant  accounting
policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in
accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS)  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting
Standards  Board  (IASB)  and  for  such  internal  control  as  management  determines  is  necessary  to  enable  the
preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud
or error.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  consolidated  financial  statements  based  on  our  audits.  We
conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and 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 consolidated financial statements are free from material
misstatement.  Canadian  generally  accepted  auditing  standards  also  require  that  we  comply  with  ethical
requirements.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence, on a test basis, about the amounts and disclosures
in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or
error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the company’s preparation
and  fair  presentation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  order  to  design  audit  procedures  that  are
appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting principles and
policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements.

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Company and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 and their financial performance and their cash
flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

Report on internal control over financial reporting

We have also audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2014, based on
criteria  established  in  Internal  Control – Integrated  Framework  (2013),  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Management’s responsibility for internal control over financial reporting
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  Management’s  Report  on  Internal
Control over Financial Reporting on page 25.

26

Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting 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.

An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over
financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control, based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we consider
necessary in the circumstances.

We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our audit opinion on the company’s internal control over
financial reporting.

Definition of internal control over financial reporting
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: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect  the  transactions  and  dispositions  of  the  assets  of  the  company;  (ii)  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 (iii) 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.

Inherent limitations
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.

Opinion
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting
as  at  December  31,  2014,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control – Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued
by COSO.

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Ontario

25JUN200907511992

March 6, 2015

27

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets
as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

Assets
Holding company cash and investments (including assets

pledged for short sale and derivative obligations – $109.7;
December 31, 2013 – $124.4)
Insurance contract receivables

Portfolio investments
Subsidiary cash and short term investments
Bonds (cost $9,900.1; December 31, 2013 – $9,190.0)
Preferred stocks (cost $386.8; December 31, 2013 – $565.1)
Common stocks (cost $4,531.7; December 31, 2013 – $3,305.5)
Investments in associates (fair value $2,070.5; December 31,

2013 – $1,815.0)

Derivatives and other invested assets (cost $634.0;

December 31, 2013 – $667.8)

Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations

(cost $757.8; December 31, 2013 – $829.3)

Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers (including recoverables on paid losses –

$230.7; December 31, 2013 – $353.3)

Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other assets

See accompanying notes.

Notes

December 31, December 31,
2013

2014
(US$ millions)

5, 28
10

5, 28
5
5
5

5, 6

5, 7

5, 7

11

9
18
12
13

1,244.3
1,931.7

3,176.0

5,534.3
11,445.5
376.4
4,848.5

1,296.7
2,017.0

3,313.7

7,445.7
9,550.5
541.8
3,835.7

1,617.7

1,432.5

426.8

860.0

224.2

802.9

25,109.2

23,833.3

497.6

462.4

3,982.1
460.4
1,558.3
1,347.6

4,974.7
1,015.0
1,311.8
1,088.1

36,131.2

35,999.0

Signed on behalf of the Board

30JAN201416030432
Director

30JAN201416010341
Director

28

Liabilities
Subsidiary indebtedness
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short sale and derivative obligations (including at the holding

company – $31.6; December 31, 2013 – $55.1)

Funds withheld payable to reinsurers

Insurance contract liabilities
Long term debt

Equity
Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock

Shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

See accompanying notes.

Notes

December 31, December 31,
2013

2014
(US$ millions)

15
14
18

5, 7

8
15

16

37.6
2,029.1
118.3

160.8
461.5

2,807.3

20,438.7
3,141.4

23,580.1

8,361.0
1,164.7

9,525.7
218.1

9,743.8

25.8
1,840.6
80.1

268.4
461.2

2,676.1

21,893.7
2,968.7

24,862.4

7,186.7
1,166.4

8,353.1
107.4

8,460.5

36,131.2

35,999.0

29

Notes

2014

2013

(US$ millions except per
share amounts)

10, 25

7,459.9

7,227.1

25

6,301.8

6,036.2

7,358.2
(1,142.0)

6,216.2
403.8
105.7
1,736.2
1,556.0

7,294.0
(1,216.7)

6,077.3
376.9
96.7
(1,564.0)
958.0

10,017.9

5,944.9

4,427.4
(633.1)

3,794.3
1,227.2
959.9
206.3
1,492.3

4,615.6
(945.3)

3,670.3
1,185.0
969.2
211.2
910.3

7,680.0

6,946.0

2,337.9
673.3

1,664.6

(1,001.1)
(436.6)

(564.5)

1,633.2
31.4

1,664.6

$ 74.43
$ 73.01
$ 10.00
21,186

(573.4)
8.9

(564.5)

$ (31.15)
$ (31.15)
$ 10.00
20,360

25
5
6
5
25

8
9

26
26
9
15
26

18

17
17
16
17

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Consolidated Statements of Earnings
for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Revenue

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Gross premiums earned
Premiums ceded to reinsurers

Net premiums earned
Interest and dividends
Share of profit of associates
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other revenue

Expenses

Losses on claims, gross
Losses on claims ceded to reinsurers

Losses on claims, net
Operating expenses
Commissions, net
Interest expense
Other expenses

Earnings (loss) before income taxes
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Net earnings (loss) per share
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share
Cash dividends paid per share
Shares outstanding (000) (weighted average)

See accompanying notes.

30

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Net earnings (loss)

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings

Change in unrealized foreign currency translation losses on foreign operations
Change in gains on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries
Share of other comprehensive loss of associates, excluding gains (losses) on

defined benefit plans

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings

Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates
Change in gains (losses) on defined benefit plans

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

Comprehensive income (loss)

Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

See accompanying notes.

Notes

2014
(US$ millions)

2013

1,664.6

(564.5)

16

7

6

6
21

(200.7)
118.7

(164.4)
96.9

(52.7)

(12.9)

(134.7)

(80.4)

(36.7)
(32.9)

(69.6)

8.9
31.3

40.2

(204.3)

(40.2)

1,460.3

(604.7)

1,436.7
23.6

(607.1)
2.4

1,460.3

(604.7)

31

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(US$ millions)

Share-
based
payments
and

Accumulated
other

Equity
attributable
to

Subordinate Multiple Treasury
shares
(at cost)

voting
shares

voting
shares

Non-
Common
other Retained comprehensive shareholders’ Preferred shareholders controlling
interests

of Fairfax

earnings

income

equity

shares

reserves

Total
equity

Balance as of January 1, 2014
Net earnings for the year
Other comprehensive loss, net of

income taxes:
Change in unrealized foreign

currency translation losses on
foreign operations

Change in gains on hedge of net

investment in Canadian
subsidiaries

Share of other comprehensive loss of
associates, excluding gains (losses)
on defined benefit plans

Share of losses on defined benefit

plans of associates

Change in losses on defined benefit

plans

Issuance of shares
Purchases and amortization
Excess of book value over

consideration of preferred shares
purchased for cancellation

Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Net changes in capitalization and

other (note 23)

3,642.8
–

3.8
–

(140.0)
–

50.5 3,551.2
– 1,633.2

78.4
–

7,186.7 1,166.4
–
1,633.2

8,353.1
1,633.2

107.4 8,460.5
31.4 1,664.6

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
8.8
(24.6)

–
(12.2)
36.8

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

(193.3)

(193.3)

118.7

118.7

(52.7)

(52.7)

(36.7)

(36.7)

–

–

–

–

(32.5)
–
–

(32.5)
(3.4)
12.2

–
–
(1.7)

(193.3)

(7.4)

(200.7)

118.7

(52.7)

(36.7)

(32.5)
(3.4)
10.5

–

–

–

(0.4)
–
–

118.7

(52.7)

(36.7)

(32.9)
(3.4)
10.5

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

0.5
(215.7)
(56.9)

3.3

(2.4)

–
–
–

–

0.5
(215.7)
(56.9)

0.9

–
–
–

–

0.5
(215.7)
(56.9)

–
(6.6)
–

0.5
(222.3)
(56.9)

0.9

93.7

94.6

Balance as of December 31, 2014

3,642.8

3.8

(155.8)

78.4 4,909.9

(118.1)

8,361.0 1,164.7

9,525.7

218.1 9,743.8

Balance as of January 1, 2013
Net earnings (loss) for the year
Other comprehensive loss, net of

income taxes:
Change in unrealized foreign

currency translation losses on
foreign operations

Change in gains on hedge of net

investment in Canadian
subsidiaries

Share of other comprehensive loss of
associates, excluding gains (losses)
on defined benefit plans

Share of gains on defined benefit

plans of associates

Change in gains on defined benefit

plans

Issuance of shares
Purchases and amortization
Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Net changes in capitalization and

other (notes 6 and 23)

3,243.3
–

3.8
–

(121.1)
–

26.8 4,389.8
(573.4)

–

112.1
–

7,654.7 1,166.4
–

(573.4)

8,821.1
(573.4)

73.4 8,894.5
(564.5)

8.9

–

–

–

–

–
399.5
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
6.8
(25.7)
–
–

–
(7.1)
21.9
–
–

–
–
–
(205.5)
(60.8)

(157.7)

(157.7)

96.9

96.9

(12.9)

(12.9)

8.9

31.1
–
–
–
–

8.9

31.1
399.2
(3.8)
(205.5)
(60.8)

–

8.9

1.1

–

10.0

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

(157.7)

(6.7)

(164.4)

96.9

(12.9)

8.9

31.1
399.2
(3.8)
(205.5)
(60.8)

–

–

–

96.9

(12.9)

8.9

0.2
–
–
(6.4)
–

31.3
399.2
(3.8)
(211.9)
(60.8)

10.0

38.0

48.0

Balance as of December 31, 2013

3,642.8

3.8

(140.0)

50.5 3,551.2

78.4

7,186.7 1,166.4

8,353.1

107.4 8,460.5

See accompanying notes.

32

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Operating activities
Net earnings (loss)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Net bond discount amortization
Amortization of share-based payment awards
Share of profit of associates
Deferred income taxes
Net (gains) losses on investments
Loss on repurchase of long term debt
Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as at FVTPL
Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Notes

2014
(US$ millions)

2013

1,664.6
94.2
(30.0)
36.8
(105.7)
521.7

(564.5)
104.3
(22.1)
21.9
(96.7)
(431.8)
(1,736.2) 1,564.0
3.4
895.7
(766.9)

3.6
(590.0)
70.8

25

6
18
5
15
28
28

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

(70.2)

707.3

Investing activities

Sales of investments in associates and joint ventures
Purchases of investments in associates and joint ventures
Net purchases of premises and equipment and intangible assets
Net purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Financing activities

Subsidiary indebtedness:

Issuances
Repayment
Long term debt:

Issuances
Issuance costs
Repayment

Subordinate voting shares:

Issuances
Issuance costs
Preferred shares:
Repurchases

Purchase of subordinate voting shares for treasury
Subsidiary common shares:

Issuances to non-controlling interests
Issuance costs

Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts – beginning of year
Foreign currency translation

6, 23
6, 23

23

252.1
(390.2)
(67.1)
(189.9

211.9
(86.1)
(48.1)
136.3

(395.1)

214.0

15

15

16

16

16

16
16

102.9
(85.5)

51.1
(82.1)

297.1
(2.9)
(90.1)

279.7
(1.6)
(251.2)

–
–

412.8
(13.3)

(1.2)
(24.6)

–
(25.7)

–
–
(215.7)
(56.9)
(6.6)

34.0
(1.1)
(205.5)
(60.8)
(6.4)

(83.5)

129.9

(548.8) 1,051.2
2,815.3
(108.3)

3,758.2
(190.7)

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts – end of year

28

3,018.7

3,758.2

See accompanying notes.

33

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Index to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Business Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Basis of Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5. Cash and Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.

Investments in Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7. Short Sales and Derivatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.

Insurance Contract Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9. Reinsurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10.

Insurance Contract Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11. Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13. Other Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15. Subsidiary Indebtedness, Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16. Total Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17. Earnings per Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.

Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19. Statutory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20. Contingencies and Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21. Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22. Operating Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23. Acquisitions and Divestitures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24. Financial Risk Management

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35

35

35

50

52

57

59

61

64

66

66

67

69

69

70

73

77

77

80

80

81

83

84

88

25. Segmented Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

105

26. Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

110

27. Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

111

28. Supplementary Cash Flow Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

111

29. Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

112

34

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(in US$ and $ millions except per share amounts and as otherwise indicated)

1. Business Operations

Fairfax  Financial  Holdings  Limited  (‘‘the  company’’  or  ‘‘Fairfax’’)  is  a  holding  company  which,  through  its
subsidiaries,  is  principally  engaged  in  property  and  casualty  insurance  and  reinsurance  and  the  associated
investment management. The holding company is federally incorporated and domiciled in Ontario, Canada.

2. Basis of Presentation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  company  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  are  prepared  in
accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (‘‘IFRS’’)  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting
Standards Board (‘‘IASB’’). The accounting policies used to prepare the consolidated financial statements comply
with IFRS effective as at December 31, 2014 (except IFRS 9 (2010) Financial Instruments which was early adopted).
Where IFRS does not contain clear guidance governing the accounting treatment of certain transactions including
those that are specific to insurance products, IFRS requires judgment in developing and applying an accounting
policy, which may include reference to another comprehensive body of accounting principles. In these cases, the
company considers the hierarchy of guidance in International Accounting Standard 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in
Accounting Estimates and Errors. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis,
except for derivative financial instruments and as at fair value through profit and loss (‘‘FVTPL’’) financial assets and
liabilities that have been measured at fair value.

The preparation of the company’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and
assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  consolidated  financial
statements, the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods covered by the consolidated
financial statements and the related disclosures. Critical accounting estimates and judgments are described in note 4.

The  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  the  company  are  presented  on  a  non-classified  basis.  Assets  expected  to  be
realized  and  liabilities  expected  to  be  settled  within  the  company’s  normal  operating  cycle  of  one  year  would
typically  be  considered  as  current,  including  the  following  balances:  cash,  short  term  investments,  insurance
contract receivables, deferred premium acquisition costs, subsidiary indebtedness, income taxes payable, and short
sale and derivative obligations.

The following balances are generally considered as non-current: deferred income taxes and goodwill and intangible
assets.

The following balances are generally comprised of current and non-current amounts: bonds, preferred and common
stocks, derivatives and other invested assets, recoverable from reinsurers, other assets, accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, funds withheld payable to reinsurers, insurance contract liabilities and long term debt.

These  consolidated  financial  statements  were  approved  for  issue  by  the  company’s  Board  of  Directors  on
March 6, 2015.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies applied to the presentation of these consolidated financial statements and the
methods of computation have been consistently applied to all periods presented unless otherwise stated, and are as
set out below.

Principles of consolidation
Subsidiaries – The  company’s  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  assets,  liabilities,  equity,  revenue,
expenses  and  cash  flows  of  the  holding  company  and  its  subsidiaries.  A  subsidiary  is  an  entity  over  which  the
company has control. The company controls an entity when the company has power over the entity, is exposed to,
or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns
through its power over the entity. Assessment of control is based on the substance of the relationship between the
company and the entity and includes consideration of both existing voting rights and, if applicable, potential voting
rights that are currently exercisable and convertible. The operating results of subsidiaries acquired are included in the

35

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The operating results of subsidiaries that have been
divested during the year are included up to the date control ceased and any difference between the fair value of the
consideration  received  and  the  carrying  value  of  the  subsidiary  are  recognized  in  the  consolidated  statement  of
earnings. All intercompany balances, profits and transactions are eliminated in full.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  prepared  as  of  December  31,  based  on  individual  company  financial
statements  at  the  same  date.  Accounting  policies  of  subsidiaries  have  been  aligned  where  necessary  to  ensure
consistency with those of Fairfax. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and all
of its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014. The principal subsidiaries are:

Canadian Insurance

Asian Insurance

Northbridge Financial Corporation (Northbridge)

Fairfax Asia consists of:

U.S. Insurance

Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. (Crum & Forster)

Zenith National Insurance Corp. (Zenith National)

Reinsurance and Insurance

Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. (OdysseyRe)

Falcon Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Ltd. (Falcon)

First Capital Insurance Limited (First Capital)

The Pacific Insurance Berhad (Pacific Insurance)

PT Fairfax Insurance Indonesia (Fairfax Indonesia)

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
(26% equity accounted interest) (ICICI Lombard)

Hudson Insurance Company (Hudson Insurance)

Other

Advent Capital (Holdings) Ltd. (Advent)

Polskie Towarzystwo Reasekuracji Sp ´olka Akcyjna

(Polish Re)

Fairfax Brasil Seguros Corporativos S.A. (Fairfax Brasil)

Group Re, which underwrites business in:

CRC Reinsurance Limited (CRC Re)

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd.

(Hamblin Watsa) (investment management)

Ridley Inc. (Ridley) (animal nutrition)

Keg Restaurants Limited (The Keg) (owner and
operator of premium dining restaurants)

Pethealth Inc. (Pethealth) (pet medical insurance

Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd. (Wentworth)

and database services)

Runoff

TIG Insurance Company (TIG Insurance)

Praktiker Hellas Commercial Societe Anonyme

(Praktiker) (retailer of home improvement goods)

Sporting Life Inc. (Sporting Life) (retailer of sporting

Fairmont Specialty Group Inc. (Fairmont)

goods and sports apparel)

General Fidelity Insurance Company (General

William Ashley China Corporation (William Ashley)

Fidelity)

(retailer of tableware and gifts)

American Safety Holdings Corp. (American Safety)

Clearwater Insurance Company (Clearwater)

Thomas Cook (India) Limited (Thomas Cook India)
(provider of integrated travel and travel-related
financial services)

RiverStone Insurance (UK) Limited (RiverStone (UK))

RiverStone Insurance Limited (RiverStone Insurance)

IKYA Human Capital Solutions Private Limited (IKYA)
(provider of specialized human resources services)

RiverStone Managing Agency Limited

Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited (Sterling

Resorts) (owner and operator of holiday resorts)

All subsidiaries are wholly-owned at December 31, 2014 except for First Capital (97.7%), Fairfax Indonesia (80.0%),
Ridley (73.6%), The Keg (51.0%), Sporting Life (75.0%), Thomas Cook India (73.0%), IKYA (56.4%) and Sterling
Resorts (40.2%) (December 31, 2013 – 97.7%, nil, 73.6%, nil, 75.0%, 75.0%, 58.0% and nil respectively).

Pursuant to the transactions described in note 23, during 2014 the company acquired 100% ownership interests in
Pethealth and Praktiker, and 80.0%, 51.0% and 40.2% ownership interests in Fairfax Indonesia, The Keg and Sterling
Resorts respectively. During 2013 the company acquired 100.0% and 58.0% ownership interests in American Safety

36

and  IKYA  respectively,  and  divested  its  81.7%  ownership  interest  in  Prime  Restaurants  Inc.  The  company  has  a
number of wholly-owned subsidiaries not presented in the table above, that are intermediate holding companies of
investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances, all of which are eliminated on consolidation.

The holding company has significant liquid resources that are generally not restricted by insurance regulators. The
operating subsidiaries are primarily insurers and reinsurers that are often subject to a wide variety of insurance and
other laws and regulations that vary by jurisdiction and are intended to protect policyholders rather than investors.
These laws and regulations may limit the ability of operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to
parent companies. The company’s consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of cash flows therefore
make a distinction in classification between the holding company and the operating subsidiaries for cash and short
term investments to provide additional insight into the company’s liquidity, financial leverage and capital structure.

Non-controlling interests – A non-controlling interest is initially recognized as the proportionate share of the
identifiable  net  assets  of  the  subsidiary  on  the  date  of  its  acquisition  and  is  subsequently  adjusted  for  the
non-controlling interest’s share in changes of the acquired subsidiary’s earnings and capital. Effects of transactions
with non-controlling interests are recorded in equity if there is no change in control.

Investments  in  associates – Investments  in  associates  are  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  and  are
comprised of investments in corporations, limited partnerships and trusts where the company has the ability to
exercise significant influence but not control. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the company
owns, directly or indirectly, between 20% and 50% of the outstanding voting rights of the investee. Assessment of
significant  influence  is  based  on  the  substance  of  the  relationship  between  the  company  and  the  investee  and
includes consideration of existing voting rights, potential voting rights that are currently exercisable and convertible
(if applicable), voting power of other shareholders, corporate governance arrangements and participation in policy-
making processes. These investments are reported in investments in associates on the consolidated balance sheet,
with the company’s share of profit (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) of the associate reported in the
corresponding line in the consolidated statement of earnings and consolidated statement of comprehensive income,
respectively. Foreign associates are translated in the same manner as foreign subsidiaries. When the company’s share
of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its investment in the associate, the company does not record further losses
unless it has incurred obligations on behalf of the associate.

Under  the  equity  method  of  accounting,  an  investment  in  associate  is  initially  recognized  at  cost  and  adjusted
thereafter for the post-acquisition change in the company’s share of net assets of the associate. Any excess of the cost
of acquisition over the net fair value of the company’s share of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent
liabilities at the date of acquisition is recognized as goodwill, and is included in the carrying value of the associate. To
the extent that the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the company’s share of the associate’s identifiable
net assets, the excess is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. Any pre-existing interest in an associate
is re-measured to fair value at the date significant influence is obtained and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in
the consolidated statement of earnings. In such instances the cost of the associate is measured as the sum of the fair
value of the pre-existing interest and any additional consideration transferred at that date.

In determining the fair value of the company’s share of an associate’s identifiable net assets at the acquisition date,
considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop such estimates. The company
makes assumptions primarily based on market conditions and applies valuation techniques such as discounted cash
flow  analysis,  market  capitalization  and  comparable  company  multiples  and  other  methods  commonly  used  by
market  participants  to  determine  fair  value.  Where  the  company  is  only  able  to  identify  the  principal  factors
resulting in divergence between the fair value and reported carrying value of an associate’s net assets, the use of
different  assumptions  and/or  valuation  methodologies  by  the  company  may  have  a  significant  effect  on  the
estimated fair value. At each reporting date, the fair value of associates is estimated and disclosed using valuation
techniques  consistent  with  those  applied  to  the  company’s  other  investments  in  equity  instruments.  See
‘Determination of fair value’ under the heading of ‘Investments’ for further details.

At each balance sheet date, and more frequently when conditions warrant, management assesses investments in
associates  for  potential  impairment.  If  management’s  assessment  indicates  that  there  is  objective  evidence  of
impairment, the associate is written down to its recoverable amount, which is determined as the higher of its fair
value less costs of disposal and its value in use. Previously recognized impairment losses are reversed when there is
evidence that there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the associate’s recoverable amount since
the recognition of the last impairment loss. The reversal is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings to
the extent that the carrying value of the associate after reversal does not exceed the carrying value that would have

37

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

been  determined  had  no  impairment  loss  been  recognized  in  previous  periods.  Gains  and  losses  realized  on
dispositions, impairment losses and reversal of impairments are recognized in net gains (losses) on investments in
the consolidated statement of earnings.

The most recent available financial statements of associates are used in applying the equity method. The difference
between the end of the reporting period of the associates and that of the company is no more than three months.
Adjustments  are  made  for  the  effects  of  significant  transactions  or  events  that  occur  between  the  dates  of  the
associates’ financial statements and the date of the company’s financial statements.

Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the consideration
transferred is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. This consideration includes any cash paid plus the fair
value at the date of exchange of assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued by the company or its
subsidiaries.  The  consideration  transferred  also  includes  contingent  consideration  arrangements  recorded  at  fair
value.  Directly  attributable  acquisition-related  costs  are  expensed  in  the  current  period  and  reported  within
operating expenses. At the date of acquisition, the company recognizes the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities
assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired business. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities
assumed are initially recognized at fair value. To the extent that the consideration transferred is less than the fair
value of identifiable net assets acquired, the excess is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Any pre-existing equity interest in an acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the date of the business combination
and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill – Goodwill is recorded as the excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net
assets  acquired  in  a  business  combination,  less  accumulated  impairment  charges,  and  is  allocated  to  the
cash-generating  units  expected  to  benefit  from  the  acquisition  for  the  purpose  of  impairment  testing.  These
cash-generating units represent the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.
On  an  annual  basis  or  more  frequently  if  there  are  potential  indicators  of  impairment,  the  carrying  value  of  a
cash-generating unit, including its allocated goodwill, is compared to its recoverable amount, which is the higher of
its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. Goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying
amount  over  the  recoverable  amount  of  a  cash-generating  unit,  and  is  charged  to  operating  expenses  in  the
consolidated  statement  of  earnings.  Impairment  charges  cannot  be  reversed  for  subsequent  increases  in  a
cash-generating unit’s recoverable amount. The estimated recoverable amounts are sensitive to the assumptions used
in the valuations.

Goodwill is derecognized on disposal of a cash-generating unit to which goodwill was previously allocated, with the
difference between the proceeds and carrying value of the cash-generating unit (inclusive of goodwill and unrealized
balances recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income) recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Intangible assets – Intangible assets are comprised primarily of customer and broker relationships, brand names,
computer  software  (including  enterprise  systems)  and  other  acquired  identifiable  non-monetary  assets  without
physical form.

Intangible assets are initially recognized at cost (fair value when acquired through a business combination) and are
subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment, where amortization is calculated
using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of those intangible assets with a finite life. The
intended  use,  expected  life  and  economic  benefit  to  be  derived  from  intangible  assets  with  a  finite  life  are
re-evaluated by the company when there are potential indicators of impairment. Indefinite-lived intangible assets
are not subject to amortization but are assessed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if there are
potential  indicators  of  impairment.  If  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  a  previously  recognized
impairment loss has decreased or no longer exists, a reversal is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings
to the extent that the carrying amount of the intangible asset after reversal does not exceed the carrying amount that
would have been had no impairment taken place.

38

The estimated useful lives of the company’s intangible assets are as follows:

Customer and broker relationships
Brand names
Computer software

8 to 20 years
Indefinite
3 to 15 years

Brand names are considered to be indefinite-lived based on their strength, history and expected future use.

Foreign currency translation
Functional and presentation currency – The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars
which is the holding company’s functional currency and the presentation currency of the consolidated group.

Transactions  and  items  on  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  in  foreign  currencies – Foreign  currency
transactions  are  translated  into  the  functional  currencies  of  the  holding  company  and  its  subsidiaries  using  the
exchange  rates  prevailing  at  the  dates  of  the  transactions.  Foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses  resulting  from  the
settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. Non-monetary items
carried at cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items carried at
fair value are translated at the date the fair value is determined.

Translation  of  foreign  subsidiaries – The  functional  currencies  of  some  of  the  company’s  subsidiaries
(principally in Canada, the United Kingdom and Asia) differ from the consolidated group U.S. dollar presentation
currency. As a result, the assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated on consolidation at the rates of
exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange
for the period. The net unrealized gain or loss resulting from this translation is recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive income.

On consolidation, translation gains and losses arising from the translation of a monetary item that forms part of the
net investment in a foreign subsidiary are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. Upon disposal of
an investment in a foreign subsidiary, the related net translation gain or loss is reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive  income  to  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  as  a  component  of  the  net  gain  or  loss
on disposition.

Goodwill  and  fair  value  adjustments  arising  on  the  acquisition  of  a  foreign  subsidiary  are  treated  as  assets  and
liabilities of that foreign subsidiary and translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date and
translation gains and losses are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Net investment hedge – In a net investment hedging relationship, the gains and losses relating to the effective
portion of the hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income. The gains and losses relating to the ineffective
portion of the hedge are recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income are recognized in net earnings when the hedged net
investment in a foreign subsidiary is reduced.

Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net earnings (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) and includes all
changes in total equity during a period, except for those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to
owners. Unrealized foreign currency translation amounts arising from foreign subsidiaries and associates that do not
have U.S. dollar functional currencies and changes in the fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedging
instruments on hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries are recognized in other comprehensive income
(loss) and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until recycled to the consolidated statement
of earnings in the future. Actuarial gains and losses and changes in asset limitation amounts on defined benefit
pension and post retirement plans are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently included in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) without recycling. Upon settlement of the defined benefit plan or
disposal  of  the  related  associate  or  subsidiary  those  amounts  are  reclassified  directly  to  retained  earnings.
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of income taxes) is included on the consolidated balance sheet
as a component of common shareholders’ equity.

39

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Consolidated statement of cash flows
The  company’s  consolidated  statements  of  cash  flows  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  indirect  method,
classifying cash flows as cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.

Cash and cash equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents consist of holding company and subsidiary cash and
short term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or
less when purchased and exclude cash and short term highly liquid investments that are restricted. Cash and cash
equivalents includes cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short term highly liquid investments
with  maturities  of  three  months  or  less  when  purchased.  The  carrying  value  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents
approximates fair value.

Investments
Investments include cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, non-derivative financial assets, derivatives,
real  estate  held  for  investment  and  investments  in  associates.  Management  determines  the  appropriate
classifications of investments in fixed income and equity securities at their acquisition date.

Classification  of  non-derivative  financial  assets – Investments  in  equity  instruments  and  those  debt
instruments that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost (see below) are classified as at fair value through profit or
loss (‘‘FVTPL’’). Financial assets classified as at FVTPL are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with
realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement
of earnings and as an operating activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Dividends and interest earned,
net of interest incurred are included in the consolidated statement of earnings in interest and dividends and as an
operating activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

A debt instrument is measured at amortized cost if (i) the objective of the company’s business model is to hold the
instrument in order to collect contractual cash flows and (ii) the contractual terms of the instrument give rise on
specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
Alternatively, debt instruments that meet the criteria for amortized cost may be designated as at FVTPL on initial
recognition if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch. The company’s business model
currently does not permit any of its investments in debt instruments to be measured at amortized cost.

Investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading may be irrevocably designated at fair value through
other comprehensive income (‘‘FVTOCI’’) on initial recognition. The company has not designated any of its equity
instruments at FVTOCI.

Recognition and measurement of non-derivative financial assets – The  company  recognizes  purchases
and sales of financial assets on the trade date, which is the date on which the company commits to purchase or sell
the  asset.  Transactions  pending  settlement  are  reflected  on  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  in  other  assets  or  in
accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Transaction costs related to financial assets classified or designated as at FVTPL are expensed as incurred.

A financial asset is derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investment have expired or have been
transferred and when the company has transferred substantially the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset.

Determination  of  fair  value – Fair  values  for  substantially  all  of  the  company’s  financial  instruments  are
measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data
used to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, actual values realized in future market transactions may differ
from the estimates presented in these consolidated financial statements. The use of different market assumptions
and/or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair values. The fair values of financial
instruments  are  based  on  bid  prices  for  financial  assets  and  ask  prices  for  financial  liabilities.  The  company
categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three level hierarchy described below:

Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments exchanged in active markets. The
fair values of the majority of the company’s common stocks, equity call options and certain warrants are based
on published quotes in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices
for similar financial instruments exchanged in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial
instruments  exchanged  in  inactive  markets  and  other  market  observable  inputs.  The  fair  value  of  the  vast
majority of the company’s investments in bonds are priced by independent pricing service providers while much

40

of  the  remainder,  along  with  most  derivative  contracts  (total  return  swaps)  and  certain  warrants  are  based
primarily on non-binding third party broker-dealer quotes that are prepared using Level 2 inputs. Where third
party  broker-dealer  quotes  are  used,  typically  one  quote  is  obtained  from  a  broker-dealer  with  particular
expertise in the instrument being priced. Preferred stocks are priced using a combination of independent pricing
service providers and internal valuation models that rely on directly or indirectly observable inputs.

The fair values of investments in certain limited partnerships classified as common stocks on the consolidated
balance  sheet  are  based  on  the  net  asset  values  received  from  the  general  partner,  adjusted  for  liquidity  as
required and are classified as Level 2 when they may be liquidated or redeemed within three months or less of
providing notice to the general partner. Otherwise, such investments in limited partnerships are classified as
Level 3.

Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of financial instruments. Management is
required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs as there is little, if any, market activity in
these instruments or related observable inputs that can be corroborated at the measurement date. Investments
in consumer price indexes (‘‘CPI’’) linked derivatives are classified as Level 3.

Transfers between fair value hierarchy categories are considered effective from the beginning of the reporting period
in which the transfer is identified.

Valuation techniques used by the company’s independent pricing service providers and third party broker-dealers
include comparisons with similar instruments where observable market prices exist, discounted cash flow analysis,
option  pricing  models,  and  other  valuation  techniques  commonly  used  by  market  participants.  The  company
assesses the reasonableness of pricing received from these third party sources by comparing the fair values received to
recent transaction prices for similar assets where available, to industry accepted discounted cash flow models (that
incorporate estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows and market observable inputs such as credit
spreads and discount rates) and to option pricing models (that incorporate market observable inputs including the
quoted price, volatility and dividend yield of the underlying security and the risk free rate).

The  company  employs  dedicated  personnel  responsible  for  the  valuation  of  its  investment  portfolio.  Detailed
valuations are performed for those financial instruments that are priced internally, while external pricing received
from  independent  pricing  service  providers  and  third  party  broker-dealers  are  evaluated  by  the  company  for
reasonableness.  The  company’s  Chief  Financial  Officer  oversees  the  valuation  function  and  regularly  reviews
valuation  processes  and  results,  including  at  each  quarterly  reporting  period.  Significant  valuation  matters,
particularly those requiring extensive judgment, are communicated to the company’s Audit Committee.

Short term investments – Short term investments are investments with maturity dates between three months
and twelve months when purchased. Short term investments are classified as at FVTPL and their carrying values
approximate fair value.

Accounts receivable and accounts payable
Accounts  receivable  and  accounts  payable  are  recognized  initially  at  fair  value.  Due  to  their  short-term  nature,
carrying value is considered to approximate fair value.

Securities sold short and derivative financial instruments
Securities sold short – Securities sold short (‘‘short sales’’) represent obligations to deliver securities which were
not owned at the time of the sale. These obligations are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in net
gains (losses) on investments where fair value is determined based on Level 1 inputs (described above).

Derivative financial instruments – Derivative financial instruments may include interest rate, credit default,
currency and total return swaps, CPI-linked, futures, forwards, warrants and option contracts all of which derive
their  value  mainly  from  changes  in  underlying  interest  rates,  foreign  exchange  rates,  credit  ratings,  commodity
values,  inflation  indexes  or  equity  instruments.  A  derivative  contract  may  be  traded  on  an  exchange  or
over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’). Exchange-traded derivatives are standardized and include futures and certain warrants
and option contracts. OTC derivative contracts are individually negotiated between contracting parties and may
include the company’s forwards, CPI-linked derivatives and total return swaps.

The  company  uses  derivatives  principally  to  mitigate  financial  risks  arising  from  its  investment  holdings  and
reinsurance recoverables. Derivatives that are not specifically designated or that do not meet the requirements for
hedge accounting are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

net  gains  (losses)  on  investments  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  and  as  an  operating  activity  in  the
consolidated statement of cash flows. Derivatives are monitored by the company for effectiveness in achieving their
risk management objectives. The fair value of the company’s derivative financial instruments where quoted market
prices in active markets are unavailable is determined in the same manner as other investments described above. The
company has not designated any financial assets or liabilities (including derivatives) as accounting hedges except for
the hedge of its net investment in Canadian subsidiaries as described in note 7.

The fair value of derivatives in a gain position is presented on the consolidated balance sheet in derivatives and other
invested assets in portfolio investments and in cash and investments of the holding company. The fair value of
derivatives  in  a  loss  position  and  obligations  to  purchase  securities  sold  short,  if  any,  are  presented  on  the
consolidated  balance  sheet  in  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations.  The  initial  premium  paid  for  a  derivative
contract, if any, would be recorded as a derivative asset and subsequently adjusted for changes in the market value of
the contract at each balance sheet date. Changes in the market value of a contract are recorded as net gains (losses) on
investments in the consolidated statement of earnings at each balance sheet date, with a corresponding adjustment
to the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability.

The fair value of the majority of the company’s equity call options and certain warrants are based on published
quotes in an active market considered to be Level 1 inputs. The fair value of the majority of the company’s derivative
contracts and certain warrants are based on third party broker-dealer quotes considered to be Level 2 inputs. Included
in Level 3 are investments in CPI-linked derivatives that are valued using broker-dealer quotes which management
has  determined  utilize  market  observable  inputs  except  for  the  inflation  volatility  input  which  is  not  market
observable.

Cash  collateral  received  from  or  paid  to  counterparties  as  security  for  derivative  contract  assets  or  liabilities
respectively  is  included  in  liabilities  or  assets  on  the  consolidated  balance  sheet.  Securities  received  from
counterparties as collateral are not recorded as assets. Securities delivered to counterparties as collateral continue to
be reflected as assets on the consolidated balance sheet as assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations.

Equity contracts – The company’s long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on
a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity security (including dividends and capital gains or losses)
in exchange for the payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity total
return swaps allow the company to pay the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity
security in exchange for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. The company classifies
dividends and interest paid or received related to its long and short equity and equity index total return swaps on a
net  basis  as  derivatives  and  other  within  interest  and  dividends  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings.  The
company’s equity and equity index total return swaps contain contractual reset provisions requiring counterparties
to  cash-settle  on  a  monthly  or  quarterly  basis  any  market  value  movements  arising  subsequent  to  the  prior
settlement. Any cash amounts paid to settle unfavourable market value changes and, conversely, any cash amounts
received in settlement of favourable market value changes, are recorded as net gains (losses) on investments in the
consolidated statement of earnings. To the extent that a contractual reset date of a contract does not correspond to
the balance sheet date, the company records net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of
earnings to adjust the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability associated with each total return swap contract
to reflect its fair value at the balance sheet date. Final cash settlements of total return swaps are recognized as net
gains (losses) on investments net of any previously recorded unrealized market value changes since the last quarterly
reset date. Total return swaps require no initial net investment, and at inception, their fair value is zero.

Credit contracts – The  initial  premium  paid  for  a  credit  contract  is  recorded  as  a  derivative  asset.  Subsequent
changes in the unrealized fair value of a contract is recorded as net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated
statement  of  earnings  at  each  balance  sheet  date,  with  a  corresponding  adjustment  to  the  carrying  value  of  the
derivative asset. As the average remaining life of a contract declines, the fair value of the contract (excluding the
impact of credit spreads) will generally decline.

CPI-linked derivative contracts – The initial premium paid for a CPI-linked derivative contract is recorded as a
derivative asset. Subsequent changes in the unrealized fair value of a contract is recorded as net gains (losses) on
investments in the consolidated statement of earnings at each balance sheet date, with a corresponding adjustment
to the carrying value of the derivative asset. As the average remaining life of a contract declines, the fair value of the
contract (excluding the impact of changes in the underlying CPI) will generally decline. The reasonableness of the
fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts are assessed by comparing the fair values received from third party
broker-dealers  to  recent  market  transactions  where  available  and  values  determined  using  third  party  pricing

42

software  based  on  the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model  for  European-style  options  that  incorporates  market
observable and unobservable inputs such as the current value of the relevant CPI underlying the derivative, the
inflation swap rate, nominal swap rate and inflation volatility. The fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts are
sensitive to assumptions such as market expectations of future rates of inflation and related inflation volatilities.

Insurance contracts
Insurance  contracts  are  those  contracts  that  have  significant  insurance  risk  at  the  inception  of  the  contract.
Insurance risk arises when the company agrees to compensate a policyholder if a specified uncertain future event
adversely  affects  the  policyholder.  It  is  defined  as  the  possibility  of  paying  (including  variability  in  timing  of
payments) significantly more in a scenario where the insured event occurs than when it does not occur. Scenarios
considered include only those which have commercial substance. Any contracts not meeting the definition of an
insurance  contract  under  IFRS  are  classified  as  investment  contracts,  derivative  contracts  or  service  contracts,
as appropriate.

Revenue recognition – Premiums written are deferred as unearned premiums and recognized as revenue, net of
premiums ceded, on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. Net premiums earned are reported
gross  of  premium  taxes  which  are  included  in  operating  expenses  as  the  related  premiums  are  earned.  Certain
reinsurance premiums are estimated at the individual contract level, based on historical patterns and experience
from the ceding companies for contracts where reports from ceding companies for the period are not contractually
due  until  after  the  balance  sheet  date.  The  cost  of  reinsurance  purchased  by  the  company  (premiums  ceded)  is
included in recoverable from reinsurers and is amortized over the contract period in proportion to the amount of
insurance  protection  provided.  Unearned  premium  represents  the  portion  of  the  premiums  written  relating  to
periods of insurance and reinsurance coverage subsequent to the balance sheet date. Impairment losses on insurance
premiums receivable are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Deferred premium acquisition costs – Certain  costs  of  acquiring  insurance  contracts,  consisting  of  brokers’
commissions and premium taxes are deferred and charged to earnings as the related premiums are earned. Deferred
premium acquisition costs are limited to their estimated realizable value based on the related unearned premium,
which considers anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses and estimated remaining costs of servicing the
business  based  on  historical  experience.  The  ultimate  recoverability  of  deferred  premium  acquisition  costs  is
determined without regard to investment income. Impairment losses on deferred premium acquisition costs are
included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – The company is required by applicable insurance laws,
regulations and Canadian accepted actuarial practice to establish reserves for payment of losses and loss adjustment
expenses that arise from the company’s general insurance and reinsurance products and its runoff operations. These
reserves  represent  the  expected  ultimate  cost  to  settle  claims  occurring  prior  to,  but  still  outstanding  as  of,  the
balance sheet date. The company establishes its reserves by product line, type and extent of coverage and year of
occurrence. Loss reserves fall into two categories: reserves for reported losses (case reserves) and reserves for incurred
but not yet reported (‘‘IBNR’’) losses. Additionally, reserves are held for loss adjustment expenses, which include the
estimated legal and other expenses expected to be incurred to finalize the settlement of the losses. Losses and loss
adjustment expenses are charged to earnings as incurred.

The company’s reserves for reported losses and loss adjustment expenses are based on estimates of future payments
to settle reported general insurance and reinsurance claims and claims from its runoff operations. The company
bases case reserve estimates on the facts available at the time the reserves are established and for reinsurance, based
on reports and individual case reserve estimates received from ceding companies. The company establishes these
reserves on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated costs of bringing pending claims to final settlement,
taking into account inflation, as well as other factors that can influence the amount of reserves required, some of
which are subjective and some of which are dependent on future events. In determining the level of reserves, the
company considers historical trends and patterns of loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and types of
coverage. In addition, court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes may affect the ultimate cost of
settlement and, as a result, the company’s estimation of reserves. Between the reporting and final settlement of a
claim, circumstances may change, which would result in changes to established reserves. Items such as changes in
law and interpretations of relevant case law, results of litigation, changes in medical costs, as well as costs of vehicle
and building repair materials and labour rates can substantially impact ultimate settlement costs. Accordingly, the
company reviews and re-evaluates case reserves on a regular basis. Any resulting adjustments are included in the

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

consolidated statement of earnings in the period the adjustment is made. Amounts ultimately paid for losses and loss
adjustment expenses can vary significantly from the level of reserves originally set or currently recorded.

The company also establishes reserves for IBNR claims on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated cost to
bring losses for events which have already occurred but which have not yet been reported to final settlement. As
these losses have not yet been reported, the company relies upon historical information and statistical models, based
on product line, type and extent of coverage, to estimate its IBNR reserves. The company also uses reported claim
trends, claim severities, exposure growth, and other factors in estimating its IBNR reserves. The company revises its
estimates of IBNR reserves as additional information becomes available and as claims are actually reported.

The time required to learn of and settle claims is often referred to as the ‘‘tail’’ and is an important consideration in
establishing the company’s reserves. Short-tail claims are those for which losses are normally reported soon after the
incident and are generally settled within months following the reported incident. This would include, for example,
most property, automobile and marine and aerospace damage. Long-tail claims are considered by the company to be
those that often take three years or more to develop and settle, such as asbestos, workers’ compensation and product
liability. In the extreme cases of long tail claims like those involving asbestos, it may take upwards of 40 years to
settle. In addition, information concerning the loss event and ultimate cost of a long-tail claim may not be readily
available. Accordingly, the reserving analysis of long-tail lines of business is generally more difficult and subject to
greater uncertainties than for short-tail lines of business.

Since the company does not establish reserves for catastrophes in advance of the occurrence of such events, these
events  may  cause  volatility  in  the  levels  of  incurred  losses  and  reserves,  subject  to  the  effects  of  reinsurance
recoveries.  This  volatility  may  also  be  contingent  upon  political  and  legal  developments  after  the  occurrence  of
the event.

Estimation  techniques – Provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expense  and  provisions  for  unearned
premiums are determined based upon previous claims experience, knowledge of events, the terms and conditions of
the relevant policies and on interpretation of circumstances. Particularly relevant is experience with similar cases and
historical claims payment trends. The approach also includes consideration of the development of loss payment
trends, the potential longer term significance of large events, the levels of unpaid claims, legislative changes, judicial
decisions and economic and political conditions.

Where  possible  the  company  applies  multiple  techniques  in  estimating  required  provisions.  This  gives  greater
understanding  of  the  trends  inherent  in  the  data  being  projected.  The  company’s  estimates  of  losses  and  loss
adjustment expenses are reached after a review of several commonly accepted actuarial projection methodologies
and a number of different bases to determine these provisions. These include methods based upon the following:

(cid:127) the development of previously settled claims, where payments to date are extrapolated for each prior year;

(cid:127) estimates based upon a projection of numbers of claims and average cost;

(cid:127) notified claims development, where notified claims to date for each year are extrapolated based upon observed

development of earlier years; and,

(cid:127) expected loss ratios.

In addition, the company uses other techniques such as aggregate benchmarking methods for specialist classes of
business. In selecting its best estimate, the company considers the appropriateness of the methods and bases to the
individual circumstances of the line of business and underwriting year. The process is designed to select the most
appropriate best estimate.

Large claims impacting each relevant line of business are generally assessed separately, being measured either at the
face value of the loss adjusters’ estimates or projected separately in order to allow for the future development of
large claims.

Provisions are calculated gross of any reinsurance recoveries. A separate estimate is made of the amounts that will be
recoverable from reinsurers based upon the gross provisions and having due regard to collectability.

The provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are subject to review at the subsidiary level, the corporate
level by the company’s Chief Risk Officer and by independent third party actuaries. In addition, for major classes
where the risks and uncertainties inherent in the provisions are greatest, ad hoc detailed reviews are undertaken by
internal  and  external  advisers  who  are  able  to  draw  upon  their  specialist  expertise  and  a  broader  knowledge  of

44

current industry trends in claims development. The results of these reviews are considered when establishing the
appropriate levels of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses and unexpired risks.

Uncertainties – The uncertainty arising under insurance contracts may be characterized under a number of specific
headings, such as uncertainty relating to:

(cid:127) whether an event has occurred which would give rise to a policyholder suffering an insured loss;

(cid:127) the extent of policy coverage and limits applicable;

(cid:127) the amount of insured loss suffered by a policyholder as a result of the event occurring; and,

(cid:127) the timing of a settlement to a policyholder for a loss suffered.

The degree of uncertainty will vary by line of business according to the characteristics of the insured risks and the
cost of a claim will be determined by the actual loss suffered by the policyholder.

There may be significant reporting lags, particularly for long-tail lines of business, between the occurrence of an
insured event and the time it is actually reported to the company. Following the identification and notification of an
insured loss, there may still be uncertainty as to the magnitude and timing of the settlement of the claim. There are
many factors that will determine the level of uncertainty such as inflation, inconsistent judicial interpretations and
court judgments that broaden policy coverage beyond the intent of the original insurance, legislative changes and
claims handling procedures.

The establishment of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses is an inherently uncertain process and, as a
consequence of this uncertainty, the eventual cost of settlement of outstanding claims and unexpired risks can vary
substantially from the initial estimates in the short term, particularly for the company’s long-tail lines of business.
Provisioning  considerations  include:  uncertainty  around  loss  trends,  claims  inflation  and  underlying  economic
conditions;  the  inherent  risk  in  estimating  loss  development  patterns  based  on  historical  data  that  may  not  be
representative  of  future  loss  payment  patterns;  assumptions  built  on  industry  loss  ratios  or  industry  benchmark
development patterns that may not reflect actual experience; and the intrinsic risk as to the homogeneity of the
underlying data used in carrying out the reserve analyses. Long tail claims are more susceptible to these uncertainties
given the length of time between the issuance of the original policy and ultimate settlement of any claims. The
company seeks to set appropriate levels of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses and provisions for
unexpired risks taking the known facts and experience into account.

The  company  has  exposures  to  risks  in  each  line  of  business  that  may  develop  adversely  and  that  could  have  a
material impact upon the company’s financial position. The insurance risk diversity within the company’s portfolio
of issued policies makes it difficult to predict whether material development will occur and, if it does occur, the
location and the timing of such an occurrence. The estimation of insurance and reinsurance liabilities involves the
use of judgments and assumptions that are specific to the risks within each territory and the particular type of risk
covered. The diversity of the risks results in it being difficult to identify individual judgments and assumptions that
are more likely than others to have a material impact on the future development of the insurance and reinsurance
liabilities.

Asbestos  and  environmental  claims  are  examples  of  specific  long-tail  risks  which  may  develop  materially.  The
estimation of the provisions for the ultimate cost of claims for asbestos and environmental pollution is subject to a
range of uncertainties that is generally greater than those encountered for other classes of business. As a result, it is
not possible to determine the future development of asbestos and environmental claims with the same degree of
reliability  as  with  other  types  of  claims,  particularly  in  periods  when  theories  of  law  are  in  flux.  Consequently,
traditional techniques for estimating provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses cannot be wholly relied
upon and the company employs specialized techniques to determine such provisions using the extensive knowledge
of both internal and external asbestos and environmental pollution experts and legal advisors.

Factors contributing to this higher degree of uncertainty include:

(cid:127) long delays in reporting claims from the date of exposure (for example, cases of mesothelioma can have a
latent period of up to 40 years) making estimation of the ultimate number of claims expected to be received
particularly difficult;

(cid:127) issues of allocation of responsibility among potentially responsible parties and insurers;

(cid:127) emerging court decisions increasing or decreasing insurer liability;

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

(cid:127) tendencies for social trends and factors to influence court awards;

(cid:127) developments pertaining to the company’s ability to recover reinsurance for claims of this nature; and,

(cid:127) developments in the tactics of plaintiff lawyers and court decisions and awards.

Reinsurance
Reinsurance does not relieve the originating insurer of its liability and is reflected on the consolidated balance sheet
on a gross basis to indicate the extent of credit risk related to reinsurance and the obligations of the insurer to its
policyholders. Reinsurance assets include balances due from reinsurance companies for paid and unpaid losses and
loss adjustment expenses and ceded unearned premiums. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a
manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance is recorded gross on the
consolidated balance sheet unless a legal right to offset against a liability owing to the same reinsurer exists.

Ceded premiums and losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings in premiums ceded to reinsurers
and losses on claims ceded to reinsurers respectively and in recoverable from reinsurers on the consolidated balance
sheet.  Unearned  premiums  are  reported  before  reduction  for  premiums  ceded  to  reinsurers  and  the  reinsurers’
portion is classified with recoverable from reinsurers on the consolidated balance sheet along with the estimates of
the reinsurers’ shares of provision for claims determined on a basis consistent with the related claims liabilities.

In  order  to  protect  capital  and  control  the  company’s  exposure  to  loss  from  adverse  development  of  reserves  or
reinsurance recoverables on pre-acquisition reserves of companies acquired or from future adverse development on
long-tail  latent  or  other  potentially  volatile  claims,  the  company  has  for  certain  acquisitions  obtained  vendor
indemnities or purchased excess of loss reinsurance protection from reinsurers.

Impairment – Reinsurance  assets  are  assessed  on  a  regular  basis  for  any  events  that  may  trigger  impairment.
Triggering events may include legal disputes with third parties, changes in capital, surplus levels and in credit ratings
of a counterparty, and historic experience regarding collectability from specific reinsurers.

If there is objective evidence that a reinsurance asset is impaired, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its
recoverable amount. Impairment is considered to have taken place if it is probable that the company will not be able
to collect the amounts due from reinsurers. The carrying amount of a reinsurance asset is reduced through the use of
an allowance account. Provisions for previously impaired reinsurance assets may be reversed in subsequent financial
reporting periods, provided there is objective evidence that the conditions leading to the initial impairment have
changed or no longer exist. On reversal of any such provisions, the carrying value of the reinsurance asset may not
exceed its previously reported carrying value.

Provisions  for  uncollectible  reinsurance  are  recorded  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  in  the  period  in
which the company determines that it is unlikely that the full amount or disputed amounts due from reinsurers will
be collectible. When the probability of collection is remote either through liquidation of the reinsurer or settlement
of  the  reinsurance  balance,  the  uncollectible  balance  is  written  off  from  the  provision  account  against  the
reinsurance balance.

Risk transfer – Reinsurance  contracts  are  assessed  to  ensure  that  insurance  risk  is  transferred  by  the  ceding  or
assuming company to the reinsurer. Those contracts that do not transfer insurance risk are accounted for using the
deposit method whereby a deposit asset or liability is recognized based on the consideration paid or received less any
explicitly identified premiums or fees to be retained by the ceding company.

Premiums – Premiums payable in respect of reinsurance ceded are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet in
the period in which the reinsurance contract is entered into and include estimates for contracts in force which have
not yet been finalized. Premiums ceded are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings over the period of
the reinsurance contract.

Uncertainties – The  company  is  exposed  to  disputes  on,  and  defects  in,  contracts  with  its  reinsurers  and  the
possibility  of  default  by  its  reinsurers.  The  company  is  also  exposed  to  the  credit  risk  assumed  in  fronting
arrangements and to potential reinsurance capacity constraints.

The company’s credit risk on reinsurance recoverables is analyzed by its reinsurance security department which is
responsible  for  setting  appropriate  provisions  for  reinsurers  suffering  financial  difficulties.  The  process  for
determining  the  provision  involves  quantitative  and  qualitative  assessments  using  current  and  historical  credit
information and current market information. The process inherently requires the use of certain assumptions and

46

judgments including: (i) assessing the probability of impairment; (ii) estimating ultimate recovery rates of impaired
reinsurers;  and  (iii)  determining  the  effects  from  potential  offsets  or  collateral  arrangements.  Changes  to  these
assumptions  or  using  other  reasonable  judgments  can  materially  affect  the  provision  level  and  the  company’s
net earnings.

Income taxes
The  provision  for  income  taxes  for  the  period  comprises  current  and  deferred  income  tax.  Income  taxes  are
recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings, except to the extent that they relate to items recognized in
other  comprehensive  income  or  directly  in  equity.  In  those  cases,  the  related  taxes  are  also  recognized  in  other
comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Current income tax is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the
reporting  period  in  the  countries  where  the  company’s  subsidiaries  and  associates  operate  and  generate
taxable income.

Deferred income tax is calculated under the liability method whereby deferred income tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and
their  respective  income  tax  bases  at  the  current  substantively  enacted  tax  rates.  With  the  exception  of  initial
recognition of deferred income tax arising from business combinations, changes in deferred income tax associated
with components of other comprehensive income are recognized directly in other comprehensive income while all
other changes in deferred income tax are included in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement
of earnings.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available
against which the temporary differences can be utilized. Carry forwards of unused losses or unused tax credits are tax
effected and recognized as deferred tax assets when it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against
which these losses or tax credits can be utilized.

Deferred income tax is not recognized on unremitted subsidiary earnings where the company has determined it is
not probable those earnings will be repatriated in the foreseeable future.

Current  and  deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  the  income  taxes  are  levied  by  the  same
taxation authority and there is a legally enforceable right of offset.

Other assets
Other assets consist of premises and equipment, inventories and receivables of subsidiaries included in the Other
reporting segment, accrued interest and dividends, income taxes refundable, receivables for securities sold, pension
assets, deferred compensation assets, prepaid expenses and other miscellaneous receivables.

Premises and equipment – Premises and equipment is recorded at historical cost less accumulated amortization
and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the
acquisition of the asset. The company reviews premises and equipment for impairment when events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The recoverable amount is determined as the
higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. If an asset is impaired, the carrying amount is
reduced  to  the  asset’s  recoverable  amount  with  an  offsetting  charge  recorded  in  the  consolidated  statement  of
earnings. The cost of premises and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful
life. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that a previously recognized impairment loss has decreased or no
longer exists, the reversal is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings to the extent that the carrying
amount of the asset after reversal does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been had no impairment
taken place.

Depreciation expense is recorded in operating expenses within the consolidated statement of earnings. All repairs
and maintenance costs are charged to operating expenses in the period incurred. The cost of a major renovation is
included in the carrying amount of the asset when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the
company, and is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset.

Other – Revenue  from  the  sale  of  animal  nutrition,  hospitality,  travel  and  other  non-insurance  products  and
services are recognized when the price is fixed or determinable, collection is reasonably assured and the product or
service has been delivered to the customer. The revenue and related cost of inventories sold or services provided are
recorded in other revenue and other expenses respectively, in the consolidated statement of earnings.

47

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The consolidated balance sheet includes inventories of the Other reporting segment recorded in other assets which
are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventories are written down to
net  realizable  value  when  its  cost  is  estimated  to  be  greater  than  its  anticipated  selling  price  less  applicable
selling costs.

Long term debt
Borrowings (debt issued) are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred, and subsequently
carried at amortized cost; any difference between the initial carrying value and the redemption value is recognized in
the consolidated statement of earnings over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest rate method.

Interest expense on borrowings is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings using the effective interest
rate method.

Contingencies and commitments
A provision is recognized for a contingent liability, commitment or financial guarantee when the company has a
present  legal  or  constructive  obligation  as  a  result  of  a  past  event,  it  is  probable  that  an  outflow  of  resources
embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the
amount  of  the  obligation.  Provisions  are  discounted  when  the  effect  of  the  time  value  of  money  is  considered
significant.

Equity
Common stock issued by the company is classified as equity when there is no contractual obligation to transfer cash
or other financial assets to the holder of the shares. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue or repurchase
for cancellation of equity instruments are recognized in equity, net of tax.

Treasury shares are equity instruments reacquired by the company which have not been cancelled and are deducted
from equity on the consolidated balance sheet, regardless of the objective of the transaction. The company acquires
its  own  subordinate  voting  shares  on  the  open  market  for  its  share-based  payment  awards.  No  gain  or  loss  is
recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of treasury shares.
Consideration paid or received is recognized directly in equity.

Dividends and other distributions to holders of the company’s equity instruments are recognized directly in equity.

Share-based payments
The company has restricted share plans or equivalent for management of the holding company and its subsidiaries
with vesting periods of up to ten years from the date of grant. The fair value of restricted share awards is estimated on
the date of grant based on the market price of the company’s stock and is amortized to compensation expense over
the  related  vesting  period,  with  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  share-based  payments  equity  reserve.  When  a
restricted share award vests in instalments over the vesting period (graded vesting), each instalment is accounted for
as a separate award and amortized to compensation expense accordingly. At each balance sheet date, the company
reviews its estimates of the number of restricted share awards expected to vest.

Net earnings per share attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Net earnings (loss) per share – Basic net earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings (loss)
attributable to shareholders of Fairfax, after the deduction of preferred share dividends declared and the excess over
stated value of preferred shares purchased for cancellation, by the weighted average number of subordinate and
multiple voting shares issued and outstanding during the period, excluding subordinate voting shares purchased by
the company and held as treasury shares.

Net earnings (loss) per diluted share – Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted
average number of subordinate and multiple voting shares outstanding during the period for the dilutive effect of
share-based payments.

48

Pensions and post retirement benefits
The company’s subsidiaries have a number of arrangements in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom
that provide pension and post retirement benefits to retired and current employees. The holding company has no
such  arrangements  or  plans.  Pension  arrangements  of  the  subsidiaries  include  defined  benefit  statutory  pension
plans, as well as supplemental arrangements that provide pension benefits in excess of statutory limits. These plans
are  a  combination  of  defined  benefit  plans  and  defined  contribution  plans.  The  assets  of  these  plans  are  held
separately from the company’s general assets in separate pension funds.

Defined contribution plan – A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed
contributions. Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are charged to operating expenses in the period
in which the employment services qualifying for the benefit are provided. The company has no further payment
obligations once the contributions have been paid.

Defined benefit plan – A defined benefit plan is a plan that defines an amount of pension or other post retirement
benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of
service and salary. The company’s policies for its defined benefit plans are described below:

(i)

Defined benefit obligations, net of the fair value of plan assets, and adjusted for pension asset limitations,
if any, are accrued on the consolidated balance sheet in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 14).
Plans in a net asset position are recognized in other assets (note 13).

(ii) Actuarial valuations of benefit liabilities for the majority of pension and post retirement benefit plans are
performed  each  year  using  the  projected  benefit  method  prorated  on  service,  based  on  management’s
assumptions of the discount rate, rate of compensation increase, retirement age, mortality and the trend in
the  health  care  cost  rate.  The  discount  rate  is  determined  by  management  with  reference  to  market
conditions at year end. Other assumptions are determined with reference to long-term expectations.

(iii) Defined benefit expense includes the net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset) calculated
using a discount rate based on market yields on high quality bonds, and is recognized in the consolidated
statement of earnings.

(iv) Defined benefit plans in a surplus position recognize an asset, subject to meeting any minimum funding
requirements.  Asset  limitations  due  to  minimum  funding  requirements  are  recorded  in  other
comprehensive income.

(v)

Remeasurements, consisting of actuarial gains and losses, the actual return on plan assets (excluding the
net  interest  component)  and  any  change  in  asset  limitation  amounts,  are  recognized  in  other
comprehensive income. All remeasurements recognized in other comprehensive income are subsequently
included  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  and  cannot  be  recycled  to  the  consolidated
statement of earnings in the future, but are reclassified to retained earnings upon settlement of the plan or
disposal of the related subsidiary.

(vi) Past  service  costs  arising  from  plan  amendments  or  curtailments  are  recognized  in  the  consolidated

statement of earnings when incurred.

(vii) Gains or losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan are recognized in the consolidated statement of

earnings when the settlement occurs.

Certain  of  the  company’s  post  retirement  benefit  plans  covering  medical  care  and  life  insurance  are  internally
funded.

Operating leases
The company and its subsidiaries are lessees under various operating leases relating to premises, automobiles and
equipment. The leased assets are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. Payments made under operating
leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are recorded in operating expenses on a straight-line basis over
the period of the lease, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the leased item’s
benefit even if the payments are not on that basis.

49

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

New accounting pronouncements adopted in 2014
The  company  adopted  the  following  new  and  revised  standards,  along  with  any  consequential  amendments,
effective January 1, 2014. These changes were retrospectively adopted in accordance with the applicable transitional
provisions of each new or revised standard, and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial
statements.

IFRIC 21 Levies (‘‘IFRIC 21’’)
IFRIC 21 provides guidance on when to recognize a liability for a levy imposed by a government.

IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation (‘‘IAS 32’’)
The IASB amended IAS 32 to clarify the meaning of when an entity has a current legally enforceable right to offset a
financial asset and a financial liability in its consolidated balance sheet.

IAS 36 Impairment of Assets (‘‘IAS 36’’)
The IASB amended IAS 36 to clarify the disclosure requirements when an impairment loss is recognized or reversed in
respect of an asset or cash-generating unit.

New accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective
The following new standards have been issued by the IASB and were not yet effective for the fiscal year beginning
January 1, 2014.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (‘‘IFRS 9’’)
In July 2014 the IASB published the complete version of IFRS 9 which supersedes the 2010 version of IFRS 9 currently
applied by the company. This complete version is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018,
with retrospective application, and includes: requirements on the classification and measurement of financial assets
and liabilities; an expected credit loss model that replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model; and new
hedge accounting guidance. The company is currently evaluating the impact of the complete version of IFRS 9 on its
consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (‘‘IFRS 15’’)
In May 2014 the IASB published IFRS 15 which introduces a single model for recognizing revenue from contracts
with customers. IFRS 15 excludes insurance contracts from its scope and is primarily applicable to the company’s
non-insurance  entities.  The  standard  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2017,  with
retrospective application. The company is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 15 on its consolidated financial
statements.

4. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

In  the  preparation  of  the  company’s  consolidated  financial  statements,  management  has  made  a  number  of
estimates and judgments, the more critical of which are discussed below, with the exception of the determination of
fair value for financial instruments and associates, fair value disclosures, and contingencies, which are discussed in
notes  3,  5  and  20  respectively.  Estimates  and  judgments  are  continually  evaluated  and  are  based  on  historical
experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are valued based on Canadian accepted actuarial practices, which
are designed to ensure the company establishes an appropriate reserve on the consolidated balance sheet to cover
insured losses with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period and
related  claims  expenses.  The  assumptions  underlying  the  valuation  of  provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment
expenses are reviewed and updated by the company on an ongoing basis to reflect recent and emerging trends in
experience and changes in risk profile of the business. The estimation techniques employed by the company in
determining  provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  and  the  inherent  uncertainties  associated  with
insurance contracts are described in the ‘‘Insurance Contracts’’ section of note 3 and the ‘‘Underwriting Risk’’ section
of note 24.

50

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables
The company establishes provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables centrally based on a detailed review of
the credit risk of each underlying reinsurer. Considerations involved in establishing these provisions include the
balance sheet strength of the reinsurer, its liquidity (or ability to pay), its desire to pay (based on prior history),
financial strength ratings as determined by external rating agencies and specific disputed amounts based on contract
interpretations which occur from time to time. The company monitors these provisions and reassesses them on a
quarterly basis, or more frequently if necessary, updating them as new information becomes available. Uncertainties
associated with the company’s reinsurance recoverables are discussed further in the ‘‘Reinsurance’’ section of note 3.

Recoverability of deferred income tax assets
In  determining  the  recoverability  of  deferred  income  tax  assets,  the  company  primarily  considers  current  and
expected  profitability  of  applicable  operating  companies  and  their  ability  to  utilize  any  recorded  tax  assets.  The
company reviews its deferred income tax assets on a quarterly basis, taking into consideration the availability of
sufficient  current  and  projected  taxable  profits,  reversals  of  taxable  temporary  differences  and  tax  planning
strategies.

Assessment of goodwill for potential impairment
Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment.
Management estimates the recoverable amount of each of the company’s cash-generating units using one or more
generally  accepted  valuation  techniques,  which  requires  the  making  of  a  number  of  assumptions,  including
assumptions about future revenue, net earnings, corporate overhead costs, capital expenditures, cost of capital, and
the growth rate of the various operations. The recoverable amount of each cash-generating unit to which goodwill
has been assigned is compared to its carrying value (inclusive of assigned goodwill). If the recoverable amount of a
cash-generating  unit  is  determined  to  be  less  than  its  carrying  value,  the  excess  is  recognized  as  a  goodwill
impairment  loss.  Given  the  variability  of  future-oriented  financial  information,  goodwill  impairment  tests  are
subjected to sensitivity analysis.

Determination of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures
There could be significant judgment involved in assessing whether control, significant influence, or joint control
exists in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 10, IAS 28 and IFRS 11 respectively, particularly where the facts
and circumstances include indicators that could reasonably point to more than one potential outcome. In situations
where voting rights alone are not sufficient to clearly assess control, significant influence or joint control, additional
factors  that  may  be  considered  include  potential  voting  rights  that  are  currently  exercisable  or  convertible,
contractual arrangements, relative shareholdings and the allocation of decision-making rights. An initial assessment
of control, significant influence or joint control is reconsidered at a later date if warranted by changes in facts and
circumstances,  particularly  in  situations  where  the  company  acquires  additional  interests  or  reduces  its  existing
interest.

51

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

5. Cash and Investments

Holding  company  cash  and  investments,  portfolio  investments  and  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations  are
classified as at FVTPL, except for investments in associates and other invested assets which are classified as other, and
are shown in the table below:

Holding company:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 28)
Short term investments
Short term investments pledged for short sale and derivative obligations
Bonds
Bonds pledged for short sale and derivative obligations
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Derivatives (note 7)

Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7)

Portfolio investments:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 28)
Short term investments
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Investments in associates (note 6)
Derivatives (note 7)
Other invested assets

Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 28)
Short term investments
Bonds

Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7)

December 31, December 31,
2013

2014

317.7
121.6
92.0
323.8
17.7
144.2
89.8
137.5

1,244.3
(31.6)

1,212.7

3,034.5
2,499.8
11,445.5
376.4
4,848.5
1,617.7
412.6
14.2

24,249.2

–
227.7
632.3

860.0

214.4
185.9
107.8
240.4
16.6
223.0
264.9
43.7

1,296.7
(55.1)

1,241.6

3,878.4
3,567.3
9,550.5
541.8
3,835.7
1,432.5
193.1
31.1

23,030.4

11.8
45.8
745.3

802.9

25,109.2
(129.2)

23,833.3
(213.3)

24,980.0

23,620.0

Common stocks included investments in limited partnerships with a carrying value of $1,004.4 at December 31,
2014 (December 31, 2013 – $816.4).

Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 of $333.5 (December 31, 2013 – $340.4) were comprised
primarily  of  amounts  required  to  be  maintained  on  deposit  with  various  regulatory  authorities  to  support  the
subsidiaries’  insurance  and  reinsurance  operations.  Restricted  cash  and  cash  equivalents  are  included  on  the
consolidated  balance  sheet  in  holding  company  cash  and  investments,  or  in  subsidiary  cash  and  short  term
investments and assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations in portfolio investments.

52

The company’s subsidiaries have pledged cash and investments, inclusive of trust funds and regulatory deposits, as
security for their own obligations to pay claims or make premium payments (these pledges are either direct or to
support  letters  of  credit).  In  order  to  write  insurance  business  in  certain  jurisdictions  (primarily  U.S.  states)  the
company’s subsidiaries must deposit funds with local insurance regulatory authorities to provide security for future
claims  payments  as  ultimate  protection  for  the  policyholder.  Additionally,  some  of  the  company’s  subsidiaries
provide reinsurance to primary insurers, for which funds must be posted as security for losses that have been incurred
but not yet paid. These pledges are in the normal course of business and are generally released when the payment
obligation is fulfilled.

The table that follows summarizes pledged assets (excluding assets pledged in favour of Lloyd’s (note 20) and assets
pledged for short sale and derivative obligations) by the nature of the pledge requirement. Pledged assets primarily
consist of bonds within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheet.

Regulatory deposits
Security for reinsurance and other

December 31, December 31,
2013
2,182.1
543.8

2014
2,717.0
903.8

3,620.8

2,725.9

Fixed Income Maturity Profile
Bonds are summarized by the earliest contractual maturity date in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from
maturities shown below due to the existence of call and put features. At December 31, 2014 bonds containing call
and  put  features  represented  approximately  $6,880.2  and  $56.4  respectively  (December  31,  2013 – $5,990.1  and
$60.3 respectively) of the total fair value of bonds.

Due in 1 year or less
Due after 1 year through 5 years
Due after 5 years through 10 years
Due after 10 years

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Amortized
cost
653.9
4,714.1
341.6
5,067.4

Fair Amortized
cost
962.7
4,565.7
518.2
4,203.1

value
664.2
5,708.3
355.0
5,691.8

Fair
value
998.2
5,081.4
527.3
3,945.9

10,777.0

12,419.3

10,249.7

10,552.8

Effective interest rate

5.0%

4.6%

The calculation of the effective interest rate of 5.0% (December 31, 2013 – 4.6%) is on a pre-tax basis and does not
give effect to the favourable tax treatment which the company expects to receive with respect to its tax advantaged
bond  investments  of  approximately  $5.2  billion  (December  31,  2013 – $4.8  billion)  included  in  U.S.  states  and
municipalities.

53

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Fair Value Disclosures
The  company’s  use  of  quoted  market  prices  (Level  1),  valuation  models  using  observable  market  information  as
inputs (Level 2) and valuation models without observable market information as inputs (Level 3) in the valuation of
securities and derivative contracts by type of issuer was as follows:

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Total fair
value
asset
(liability)

Significant
other
Quoted observable unobservable
inputs
inputs
(Level 3)
(Level 2)

Significant Total fair
value
asset
(liability)

prices
(Level 1)

Significant
Significant
other
Quoted observable unobservable
inputs
inputs
(Level 3)
(Level 2)

prices
(Level 1)

Cash and cash equivalents

3,352.2

3,352.2

Short term investments:

Canadian provincials

U.S. treasury

Other government

Corporate and other

334.0

334.0

2,170.7

2,170.7

361.1

312.8

75.3

–

–

–

–

48.3

75.3

2,941.1

2,817.5

123.6

Bonds:

Canadian government

Canadian provincials

U.S. treasury

U.S. states and municipalities

Other government

Corporate and other

Preferred stocks:

Canadian

U.S.

Other

Common stocks:

Canadian

U.S.

Other

16.0

217.1

2,094.2

6,998.2

1,559.0

1,534.8

12,419.3

173.9

322.4

24.3

520.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

918.2

907.3

786.7

478.0

3,112.8

1,922.1

16.0

217.1

2,094.2

6,998.2

1,559.0

701.8

16.7

321.6

24.3

362.6

109.7

29.4

563.3

–

4,104.6

4,104.6

405.0

405.0

3,147.6

3,147.6

281.6

281.6

72.6

–

3,906.8

3,834.2

–

–

–

–

72.6

72.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

18.3

164.7

1,669.6

6,227.7

1,067.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

18.3

164.7

1,669.6

6,227.7

1,067.3

967.6

10,115.2

78.9

471.1

31.8

581.8

157.2

0.8

–

242.3

490.7

31.8

158.0

764.8

21.8

399.9

678.1

814.6

643.7

402.1

7.2

28.2

627.4

2,607.9

1,672.2

370.6

833.0

1,405.2

11,586.3

833.0 10,552.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

437.6

437.6

163.4

19.6

–

183.0

27.2

384.3

565.1

976.6

4,938.3

3,186.8

702.4

1,049.1

4,100.6

2,718.0

406.0

Derivatives and other invested

assets(1)

558.1

Short sale and derivative obligations

(160.8)

–

–

285.0

273.1

244.8

1.7

96.6

146.5

(160.8)

–

(268.4)

–

(268.4)

–

Holding company cash and
investments and portfolio
investments measured at fair value

24,568.8

9,356.5

12,899.1

2,313.2 23,406.0 10,658.5

11,003.8

1,743.7

100.0%

38.1%

52.5%

9.4% 100.0%

45.5%

47.0%

7.5%

Investments in associates (note 6)(2)

2,070.5

1,046.4

35.5

988.6

1,815.0

806.5

35.2

973.3

(1) Excluded from these totals are certain real estate investments of $6.2 (December 31, 2013 – $23.1) which are carried at

cost less any accumulated amortization and impairment.

(2) The carrying value of investments in associates is determined under the equity method of accounting and the related fair

value is presented separately in the table above.

54

Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are considered effective from the beginning of the reporting period in
which the transfer is identified. During 2014 and 2013 there were no significant transfers of financial instruments
between Level 1 and Level 2 and there were no transfers of financial instruments in or out of Level 3 as a result of
changes in the observability of valuation inputs.

Included in Level 3 are investments in CPI-linked derivatives, certain private placement debt securities and equity
warrants,  and  common  and  preferred  shares  of  private  companies.  CPI-linked  derivatives  are  classified  within
holding company cash and investments, or in derivatives and other invested assets in portfolio investments on the
consolidated balance sheet and are valued using broker-dealer quotes which management has determined utilize
market observable inputs except for the inflation volatility input which is not market observable. Private placement
debt securities are classified within holding company cash and investments and bonds on the consolidated balance
sheet and are valued using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that incorporate the credit spreads of the
issuers, an input which is not market observable. Limited partnerships, private equity funds and private company
common  shares  are  classified  within  holding  company  cash  and  investments  and  common  stocks  on  the
consolidated balance sheet. These investments are primarily valued using net asset value statements provided by the
respective third party fund managers and general partners. The fair values in those statements are determined using
quoted prices of the underlying assets, and to a lesser extent, observable inputs where available and unobservable
inputs, in conjunction with industry accepted valuation models, where required. In some instances, private equity
funds and limited partnerships are classified as Level 3 because they may require at least three months of notice to
liquidate. Reasonably possible changes in the value of unobservable inputs for any of these individual investments
would not significantly change the fair value of investments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

A summary of changes in the fair values of Level 3 financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the
years ended December 31 follows:

2014

Private
company
placement preferred

Private

debt securities

Limited
shares partnerships

Private
equity
funds

Private

CPI-linked
company derivatives
and
common
shares Warrants

Total

Balance – January 1

437.6

183.0

692.7

112.2

171.7

146.5 1,743.7

Total net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

included in net gains (losses) on investments

Purchases

Transfer into category due to change in

accounting treatment

Sales

151.7

249.2

–

(5.5)

(35.1)

4.1

6.0

–

27.2

112.9

15.5

26.2

(21.1)

5.6

5.5

121.1

143.7

519.1

–

–

(57.5)

(36.3)

–

–

–

–

6.0

(99.3)

Balance – December 31

833.0

158.0

775.3

117.6

156.2

273.1 2,313.2

2013

Balance – January 1

119.1

90.0

314.7

122.1

175.3

115.8

Private
company
placement preferred

Private

debt securities

Limited
shares partnerships

Private
equity
funds

Private

CPI-linked
company derivatives
and
common
shares Warrants

Total

937.0

Total net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

included in net gains (losses) on investments

Purchases

Sales

4.0

356.2

(41.7)

(23.2)

116.2

37.1

358.9

25.2

22.7

–

(18.0)

(57.8)

(5.3)

8.9

(7.2)

(108.3)

(70.5)

139.0 1,001.9

–

(124.7)

Balance – December 31

437.6

183.0

692.7

112.2

171.7

146.5 1,743.7

55

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Investment Income
An analysis of investment income for the years ended December 31 follows:

Interest and dividends and share of profit of associates

Interest income:

Cash and short term investments
Bonds
Derivatives and other

Dividends:

Preferred stocks
Common stocks

Investment expenses

Interest and dividends

Share of profit of associates (note 6)

Net gains (losses) on investments

Net gains (losses) on investments:

Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks

Derivatives:

2014

2013

27.8
474.1
(151.6)

33.2
435.1
(161.5)

350.3

306.8

38.1
42.1

80.2

39.6
55.7

95.3

(26.7)

(25.2)

403.8

376.9

105.7

96.7

2014

2013

Net Net change
in unreal-
ized gains
(losses)

realized
gains
(losses)

Net gains
(losses) on
investments

Net Net change
in unreal-
ized gains
(losses)

realized
gains
(losses)

Net gains
(losses) on
investments

139.7
(161.8)(1)
483.5

1,300.9
20.0
(216.6)

1,440.6
(141.8)
266.9

219.5
(1.2)
684.1

(1,151.1)
46.9
257.1

(931.6)
45.7
941.2

461.4

1,104.3

1,565.7

902.4

(847.1)

55.3

Common stock and equity index short positions
Common stock and equity index long positions
Credit default swaps
Equity warrants and call options
CPI-linked derivatives
Other

(377.9)(2)
70.3(2)
(8.5)
66.6
–
21.0

183.4
(23.8)
8.4
19.2
17.7
(10.7)

(194.5)
46.5
(0.1)
85.8
17.7
10.3

(1,956.2)(2)
273.0(2)
(30.3)
32.4(5)
–
32.4

(25.8)
20.9
28.7
(14.7)
(126.9)
(37.8)

(1,982.0)
293.9
(1.6)
17.7
(126.9)
(5.4)

Foreign currency gains (losses) on:

Investing activities
Underwriting activities
Foreign currency contracts

Gain on disposition of associates

Other

(228.5)

194.2

(34.3)

(1,648.7)

(155.6)

(1,804.3)

(55.8)
53.5
61.3

59.0

54.0(3)

6.1

(98.7)
–
143.1

44.4

41.2(4)

0.1

(154.5)
53.5
204.4

103.4

95.2

6.2

(5.7)
15.8
(13.8)

(3.7)

130.2(5)

(7.7)

75.0
–
(8.9)

66.1

–

0.1

69.3
15.8
(22.7)

62.4

130.2

(7.6)

Net gains (losses) on investments

352.0

1,384.2

1,736.2

(627.5)

(936.5)

(1,564.0)

(1) During the fourth quarter of 2014, a preferred stock investment of the company was, pursuant to its terms, automatically
converted into common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized loss on investment of $161.5 (the difference between
the share price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock).

56

(2) Amounts recorded in net realized gains (losses) include net gains (losses) on total return swaps where the counterparties are
required  to  cash-settle  on  a  quarterly  or  monthly  basis  the  market  value  movement  since  the  previous  reset  date
notwithstanding that the total return swap positions remain open subsequent to the cash settlement.

(3) During 2014 the company sold its holdings in MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs and recognized net realized gains of $15.3

and $31.4 respectively.

(4) During the third quarter of 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts to 55.1% and

ceased applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in a non-cash gain of $41.2.

(5) During 2013 the company sold its investments in Imvescor, The Brick and a private company and recognized net realized
gains of $13.9 ($6.2 related to common shares and $7.7 related to equity warrants), $111.9 and $12.1 respectively.

6.

Investments in Associates

The following summarizes the company’s investments in associates:

December 31, 2014

2014

December 31, 2013

2013

Year ended

December 31,

Year ended

December 31,

Ownership

Fair Carrying

Share of Ownership

Fair Carrying

Share of

percentage

value

value

profit (loss) percentage

value

value

profit (loss)

Insurance and reinsurance associates:

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company

Limited (‘‘ICICI Lombard’’)(7)

Gulf Insurance Company (‘‘Gulf Insurance’’)
Thai Re Public Company Limited (‘‘Thai Re’’)(1)
Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited

(‘‘Singapore Re’’)

Falcon Insurance PLC (‘‘Falcon Thailand’’)

Non-insurance associates:
Real estate

KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships

(‘‘KWF LPs’’)(4)

Grivalia Properties REIC (‘‘Grivalia Properties’’)(2)

26.0% 268.5
41.4% 235.9
30.0% 120.6

27.3%
40.5%

39.3
9.0

107.5
208.3
76.4

38.4
9.0

673.3

439.6

–

274.9
40.6% 376.3

274.9
334.1

651.2

609.0

Other(8)(9)(11)

Resolute Forest Products Inc. (‘‘Resolute’’)
Arbor Memorial Services Inc. (‘‘Arbor Memorial’’)
Partnerships, trusts and other(5)(6)(10)
MEGA Brands Inc. (‘‘MEGA Brands’’)(3)

30.5% 507.7
41.8%
78.4
159.9
–
–
–

353.7
54.8
160.6
–

746.0

569.1

1,397.2 1,178.1

33.0
14.1
(13.7)

4.8
1.6

39.8

13.5
18.9

32.4

15.7
9.7
8.1
–

33.5

65.9

26.0% 261.0
41.4% 242.3
96.5
23.8%

27.1%
40.5%

33.7
7.6

80.1
216.0
49.9

37.0
7.6

641.1

390.6

–

351.4
18.3% 122.0

351.4
73.0

473.4

424.4

30.5% 462.1
62.1
41.8%
87.2
–
89.1
27.4%

391.4
50.1
87.8
88.2

700.5

617.5

1,173.9 1,041.9

Investments in associates

2,070.5 1,617.7

105.7

1,815.0 1,432.5

10.1
8.8
(24.6)

3.6
0.8

(1.3)

38.9
1.8

40.7

38.5
3.3
8.1
7.4

57.3

98.0

96.7

(1) During  the  third  quarter  of  2014  the  company  increased  its  ownership  interest  in  Thai  Re  from  23.8%  at
December 31, 2013 to 30.0% at December 31, 2014 following participation in Thai Re’s rights offering and a
concurrent private placement (representing an aggregate increase in the carrying value of Thai Re of $41.3).
During the third quarter of 2013 Thai Re sold a minority share of a wholly owned subsidiary to unrelated third
parties and recognized a net gain in equity. The company recorded its $8.9 share of the after-tax net gain directly
in equity.

(2) During the first quarter of 2014 the company participated in Grivalia Properties’ (formerly Eurobank Properties
REIC prior to October 15, 2014) rights offering which increased its ownership from 18.3% at December 31, 2013
to 40.6% at December 31, 2014 (representing an increase in the carrying value of Grivalia Properties of $291.9).

57

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

(3) On April 30, 2014 Mattel, Inc. acquired MEGA Brands. The company received net cash proceeds of $101.6 for its
holdings in MEGA Brands and recognized a net gain on investment of $15.3 (including amounts previously
recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income).

(4) The  KWF  LPs  are  partnerships  formed  between  the  company  and  Kennedy-Wilson,  Inc.  and  its  affiliates
(‘‘Kennedy-Wilson’’) to invest in U.S. and international real estate properties. The company participates as a
limited partner in the KWF LPs, with limited partnership interests ranging from 50% to 90%. Kennedy-Wilson
holds the remaining limited partnership interests in each of the KWF LPs and is also the General Partner. For the
KWF LPs where the company may exercise veto rights over one or more key activities, those partnerships are
considered joint ventures under IFRS 11. Where the company has no veto rights over key activities, the company
is considered to have significant influence under IAS 28. The equity method of accounting is applied to all of the
KWF LPs.

During  2014  the  company  sold  its  holdings  in  two  KWF  LPs  and  recognized  net  gains  of  $21.5  and  $9.9
respectively.

(5) On  March  31,  2014  the  company,  through  its  subsidiaries,  acquired  a  40.0%  interest  in  AFGRI  Limited
(‘‘AgriCo’’)  for  cash  consideration  of  $78.5.  AgriCo  is  a  leading  South  African  agricultural  services  and
foods group.

(6) During the first half of 2014 Thomas Cook India acquired a 41.9% ownership interest in Sterling Resorts for cash
purchase consideration of $57.4 (3,534.6 million Indian rupees), and classified its investment as an associate. On
September 3, 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts to 55.1% and ceased
applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in a non-cash gain of $41.2. See note 23.

(7) During the first quarter of 2013 the company participated in ICICI Lombard’s rights offering and paid $4.8 to

maintain its 26.0% ownership interest.

(8) On March 28, 2013 the company sold all of its ownership interest in The Brick for net proceeds of Cdn$221.2
(Cdn$5.40  per  common  share)  and  recognized  a  net  gain  on  investment  of  $111.9  (including  amounts
previously  recorded  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income).  Net  proceeds  consisted  of  cash  and
convertible debentures issued by Leon’s Furniture Limited.

(9) On April 16, 2013 the company sold all of its investments in Imvescor common shares and equity warrants for
total proceeds of $25.7 (Cdn$26.1) and recognized net gains of $6.2 on common shares (including amounts
previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income) and $7.7 on equity warrants.

(10) On January 18, 2013 the company sold all of its ownership interest in a private company for net proceeds of

$14.0 and recognized a net gain on investment of $12.1.

(11) The company determined that it had obtained significant influence over Cara effective October 31, 2013 but as
the company did not hold any Cara common shares, the equity method of accounting could not be applied. See
note 23. 

Changes in the investments in associates balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Balance – January 1

Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates:

Share of profit of associates
Share of other comprehensive loss, excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans

Dividends received
Acquisitions, divestitures and net changes in capitalization
Change in status from associate to subsidiary (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

2014
1,432.5

2013
1,355.3

105.7
(67.5)
(50.8)

(12.6)

(29.1)
309.4
(61.5)
(21.0)

96.7
(15.3)
12.5

93.9

(9.1)
(8.4)
–
0.8

1,617.7

1,432.5

58

The  company’s  strategic  investment  of  $97.5  at  December  31,  2014  (December  31,  2013 – $108.6)  in  15.0%  of
Alltrust  Insurance  Company  of  China  Ltd.  (‘‘Alltrust’’)  is  classified  as  at  FVTPL  within  common  stocks  on  the
consolidated balance sheet.

7. Short Sales and Derivatives

The  following  table  summarizes  the  notional  amount  and  fair  value  of  the  company’s  derivative  financial
instruments:

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Fair value

Notional
amount Assets Liabilities

Cost

Equity derivatives:

Equity index total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Equity call options
Warrants

CPI-linked derivative contracts
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Other derivative contracts

–
–
–
–
15.6

4,891.8
1,965.1
177.9
–
143.5

29.8
97.7
–
–
35.2
655.4 111,797.9 238.4
– 121.3
27.7
–

–
–

97.2
36.5
15.9
–
–
–
5.3
5.9

Cost

–
–
–
–
15.6
545.8
–
–

Fair value

Notional
amount Assets Liabilities

4,583.0
1,744.4
263.5
13.0
150.5

2.5
15.4
15.4
1.7
15.4
82,866.9 131.7
15.6
–
39.1
–

123.8
84.8
7.5
–
–
–
42.8
9.5

268.4

Total

550.1

160.8

236.8

The company is exposed to significant market risk (comprised of foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and other
price  risk)  through  its  investing  activities.  Derivative  contracts  entered  into  by  the  company,  with  limited
exceptions, are considered economic hedges and are not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes.

Equity contracts
The  company  has  economically  hedged  its  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  (comprised  of  common  stocks,
convertible  preferred  stocks,  convertible  bonds,  non-insurance  investments  in  associates  and  equity-related
derivatives)  against  a  potential  decline  in  equity  markets  by  way  of  short  positions  effected  through  equity  and
equity index total return swaps, including short positions in certain equity indexes and individual equities as set out
in the table below. The company’s equity hedges are structured to provide a return which is inverse to changes in the
fair values of the equity indexes and certain individual equities. At December 31, 2014 equity hedges with a notional
amount  of  $6,856.9  (December  31,  2013 – $6,327.4)  represented  89.6%  (December  31,  2013 – 98.2%)  of  the
company’s equity and equity-related holdings of $7,651.7 (December 31, 2013 – $6,442.6). The decrease in the hedge
ratio  resulted  from  appreciation  and  net  purchases  of  equity  and  equity-related  holdings,  which  exceeded  the
performance of the equity hedges and net purchases of equity hedges, during the year. During 2014 the company’s
equity and equity-related holdings after equity hedges produced net gains of $347.4 (2013 – net losses of $536.9).

During 2014 the company paid net cash of $377.9 (2013 – $1,956.2) in connection with the reset provisions of its
short equity and equity index total return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements). In the future, the
company may manage its net exposure to its equity and equity-related holdings by adjusting the notional amounts
of its equity hedges upwards or downwards. Refer to note 24 for a tabular analysis followed by a discussion of the
company’s hedges of equity price risk and the related basis risk.

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Underlying short equity and
equity index total return swaps

Russell 2000
S&P/TSX 60
Other equity indices
Individual equities

Original
notional
Units amount(1)

Weighted
average
index
value

37,424,319
13,044,000
–
–

2,477.2
206.1
140.0
1,701.9

661.92
641.12
–
–

Index
value at
period
end

1,204.70
854.85
–
–

Original
notional
Units amount(1)

Weighted

Index
average value at
period
end

index
value

37,424,319
13,044,000
–
–

2,477.2
206.1
140.0
1,481.8

661.92 1,163.64
783.75
641.12
–
–
–
–

(1) The aggregate notional amounts on the dates that the short positions were first initiated.

59

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

As at December 31, 2014 the company had entered into long equity total return swaps on individual equities for
investment purposes with an original notional amount of $243.5 (December 31, 2013 – $267.8). During 2014 the
company received net cash of $70.3 (2013 – $273.0) in connection with the reset provisions of its long equity total
return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements).

At December 31, 2014 the fair value of the collateral deposited for the benefit of derivative counterparties included in
holding company cash and investments, or in assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations, was $969.7
(December  31,  2013 – $927.3),  comprised  of  collateral  of  $788.6  (December  31,  2013 – $723.2)  required  to  be
deposited to enter into such derivative contracts (principally related to total return swaps) and $181.1 (December 31,
2013 – $204.1) securing amounts owed to counterparties to the company’s derivative contracts arising in respect of
changes in the fair values of those derivative contracts since the most recent reset date.

Equity warrants were acquired in conjunction with the company’s investment in debt securities of various Canadian
companies. At December 31, 2014 the warrants have expiration dates ranging from 1 year to 8 years (December 31,
2013 – 2 years to 9 years).

CPI-linked derivative contracts
The company has purchased derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (‘‘CPI’’) in the geographic
regions in which it operates which serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the
company of decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2014 these contracts have a remaining weighted average life of
7.4 years (December 31, 2013 – 7.5 years) and a notional amount and fair value as shown in the table below. In the
event of a sale, expiration or early settlement of any of these contracts, the company would receive the fair value of
that contract on the date of the transaction. The company’s maximum potential loss on any contract is limited to the
original cost of that contract. The following table summarizes the notional amounts and weighted average strike
prices of CPI indexes underlying the company’s CPI-linked derivative contracts:

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Notional Amount

Notional Amount

Underlying CPI index

United States
United States
United Kingdom
European Union
France

Floor
rate(1)

Original
currency

0.0% 46,225.0
0.5% 12,600.0
0.0% 3,300.0
0.0% 36,775.0
0.0% 2,750.0

U.S.
dollars

46,225.0
12,600.0
5,145.6
44,499.7
3,327.6

111,797.9

Weighted

Index
average value at
period

strike
price

Original
end currency

Weighted

Index
average value at
period
end

strike
price

U.S.
dollars

231.32 234.81 34,375.0 34,375.0
238.30 234.81
–
243.82 257.50
5,465.7
111.24 117.01 28,475.0 39,236.9
3,789.3
124.85 125.81

–
3,300.0

2,750.0

–

230.43 233.05
–
243.82 253.40
109.85 117.28
124.85 125.82

82,866.9

(1) Contracts with a floor rate of 0.0% provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the
contract. Contracts with a floor rate of 0.5% provide a payout at maturity if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5%
per year over the life of the contract.

During  2014  the  company  purchased  $35,954.2  (2013 – $32,327.7)  notional  amount  of  CPI-linked  derivative
contracts at a cost of $120.6 (2013 – $99.8). Additional premiums of $24.0 were paid in 2013 to increase the strike
price of certain CPI-linked derivative contracts (primarily the U.S. CPI-linked derivatives). The company’s CPI-linked
derivative contracts produced net unrealized gains of $17.7 in 2014 (2013 – net unrealized losses of $126.9).

Foreign exchange forward contracts
Long and short foreign exchange forward contracts primarily denominated in the euro, the British pound sterling
and  the  Canadian  dollar  are  used  to  manage  certain  foreign  currency  exposures  arising  from  foreign  currency
denominated transactions. The contracts have an average term to maturity of less than one year and may be renewed
at market rates.

60

Counterparty risk
The  company  endeavours  to  limit  counterparty  risk  through  the  terms  of  agreements  negotiated  with  the
counterparties to its derivative contracts. The fair value of the collateral deposited for the benefit of the company at
December 31, 2014 consisted of cash of $27.8 and government securities of $164.5 (December 31, 2013 – $25.3 and
$25.1  respectively).  The  company  has  recognized  the  cash  collateral  within  subsidiary  cash  and  short  term
investments and recognized a corresponding liability within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The company
had  not  exercised  its  right  to  sell  or  repledge  collateral  at  December  31,  2014.  The  company’s  exposure  to
counterparty risk and the manner in which the company manages counterparty risk are discussed further in note 24.

Hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries
The  company  has  designated  the  carrying  value  of  Cdn$1,525.0  principal  amount  of  its  Canadian  dollar
denominated  unsecured  senior  notes  with  a  fair  value  of  $1,488.7  (December  31,  2013 – principal  amount  of
Cdn$1,525.0 with a fair value of $1,544.4) as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries for financial
reporting  purposes.  In  2014  the  company  recognized  pre-tax  gains  of  $118.7  (2013 – $96.9)  related  to  foreign
currency movements on the unsecured senior notes in change in gains on hedge of net investment in Canadian
subsidiaries in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

8.

Insurance Contract Liabilities

Provision for unearned premiums
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses

2,689.6
17,749.1

395.7
3,355.7

2,293.9
14,393.4

2,680.9
19,212.8

408.1
4,213.3

2,272.8
14,999.5

Total insurance contract liabilities

20,438.7

3,751.4

16,687.3

21,893.7

4,621.4

17,272.3

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Gross

Ceded

Net

Gross

Ceded

Net

Current
Non-current

6,985.2
13,453.5

1,894.0
1,857.4

5,091.2
11,596.1

7,327.6
14,566.1

2,002.5
2,618.9

5,325.1
11,947.2

20,438.7

3,751.4

16,687.3

21,893.7

4,621.4

17,272.3

At December 31, 2014 the company’s net loss reserves of $14,393.4 (December 31, 2013 – $14,999.5) were comprised
of  case  reserves  of  $7,285.0  and  IBNR  of  $7,108.4  respectively  (December  31,  2013 – $7,811.3  and  $7,188.2
respectively).

Provision for unearned premiums
Changes in the provision for unearned premiums for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Provision for unearned premiums – January 1

Gross premiums written
Less: premiums earned
Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Provision for unearned premiums – December 31

2014
2,680.9
7,459.9
(7,358.2)
2.6
(95.6)

2013
2,727.4
7,227.1
(7,294.0)
83.2
(62.8)

2,689.6

2,680.9

61

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Changes in the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – January 1

Decrease in estimated losses and expenses for claims occurring in the prior years
Losses and expenses for claims occurring in the current year
Paid on claims occurring during:

the current year
the prior years

Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – December 31

2014
19,212.8
(473.9)
4,901.3

2013
19,648.8
(470.3)
5,085.9

(1,201.4)
(4,081.0)
0.4
(609.1)

(1,212.8)
(4,358.7)
690.3
(170.4)

17,749.1

19,212.8

Development of insurance losses, gross
The development of insurance liabilities provides a measure of the company’s ability to estimate the ultimate value
of claims. The loss development table which follows shows the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses at
the end of each calendar year, the cumulative payments made in respect of those reserves in subsequent years and the
re-estimated  amount  of  each  calendar  years’  provision  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  as  at
December 31, 2014.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Calendar year

Provision for losses and loss

adjustment expenses

Less: CTR Life(1)

Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later

Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later

Favourable (unfavourable) development
Comprised of – favourable (unfavourable):
Effect of foreign currency translation
Loss reserve development

14,843.2 14,467.2 14,504.8 16,049.3 17,232.2 19,648.8 19,212.8 17,749.1
15.2

27.6

20.6

34.9

25.3

24.2

17.9

21.5

14,821.7 14,432.3 14,477.2 16,024.0 17,208.0 19,628.2 19,194.9 17,733.9

3,136.0
3,167.8
5,336.4
5,130.8
7,070.7
6,784.9
8,318.7
8,124.6
9,079.0
9,189.1
9,730.6 10,039.4

10,458.1

3,126.6
5,307.6
6,846.3
7,932.7
8,936.9

3,355.9
5,441.4
7,063.1
8,333.3

3,627.6
6,076.7
7,920.3

4,323.5
7,153.1

4,081.1

14,420.4 14,746.0 14,616.0 15,893.8 17,316.4 19,021.2 18,375.6
14,493.8 14,844.4 14,726.6 15,959.7 17,013.6 18,529.4
14,579.9 14,912.4 14,921.6 15,705.6 16,721.0
14,679.5 15,127.5 14,828.9 15,430.4
14,908.6 15,091.0 14,663.1
14,947.2 15,011.7
14,964.2

(142.5)

(579.4)

(185.9)

593.6

487.0

1,098.8

819.3

208.8
(351.3)

(348.4)
(231.0)

44.1
(230.0)

231.3
362.3

221.9
265.1

446.0
652.8

345.4
473.9

(142.5)

(579.4)

(185.9)

593.6

487.0

1,098.8

819.3

(1) Guaranteed  minimum  death  benefit  retrocessional  business  written  by  Compagnie  Transcontinentale  de  R´eassurance
(‘‘CTR Life’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that was transferred to Wentworth and  placed into  runoff
in 2002.

62

The effect of foreign currency translation in the table above primarily arose on translation to U.S. dollars of the loss
reserves of subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The company’s exposure to foreign
currency risk and the manner in which the company manages foreign currency risk is discussed further in note 24.

Loss reserve development in the table above excludes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary in the year it is
acquired whereas the consolidated statement of earnings includes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary from
its acquisition date.

Favourable  loss  reserve  development  in  calendar  year  2014  of  $473.9  in  the  table  preceding  this  paragraph  was
principally comprised of favourable loss emergence on the more recent accident years, partially offset by adverse
development primarily relating to asbestos and other latent reserves.

Development of losses and loss adjustment expenses for asbestos
A number of the company’s subsidiaries wrote general insurance policies and reinsurance prior to their acquisition
by the company under which policyholders continue to present asbestos-related injury claims. The vast majority of
these claims are presented under policies written many years ago and reside primarily within the runoff group.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of claims, which impacts the ability of insurers and
reinsurers to estimate the ultimate amount of unpaid claims and related settlement expenses. The majority of these
claims differ from most other types of claims because there is inconsistent precedent, if any at all, to determine what,
if any, coverage exists or which, if any, policy years and insurers/reinsurers may be liable. These uncertainties are
exacerbated  by  judicial  and  legislative  interpretations  of  coverage  that  in  some  cases  have  eroded  the  clear  and
express intent of the parties to the insurance contracts, and in others have expanded theories of liability.

The following is an analysis of the changes which have occurred in the company’s provision for losses and loss
adjustment expenses related to asbestos exposure on a gross and net basis for the years ended December 31:

Asbestos
Balance – beginning of year

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid

Balance – end of year

2014

2013

Gross

Net

Gross

Net(1)

1,353.1
49.3
(178.1)

981.8
36.4
(121.5)

1,426.4
77.2
(150.5)

953.7
18.6
9.5

1,224.3

896.7

1,353.1

981.8

(1)

Includes  the  effect  of  a  commutation  of  a  recoverable  from  reinsurer  at  Runoff  which  reduced  the  losses  and  loss
adjustment expenses incurred and paid by $33.1 and $118.5 respectively.

Fair Value

The fair value of insurance and reinsurance contracts is estimated as follows:

Insurance contracts
Ceded reinsurance contracts

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Fair
value
20,383.6
3,641.4

Carrying
value
20,438.7
3,751.4

Fair
value
21,276.4
4,386.7

Carrying
value
21,893.7
4,621.4

The fair value of insurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of unpaid claim liabilities and the fair value of the
unearned premiums. The fair value of ceded reinsurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of reinsurers’ share of
unpaid claim liabilities and the unearned premium. Both reflect the time value of money whereas the carrying values
(including the reinsurers’ share thereof) do not reflect discounting. The calculation of the fair value of the unearned
premium includes acquisition expenses to reflect the deferral of these expenses at the inception of the insurance
contract. The estimated value of insurance and ceded reinsurance contracts is determined by projecting the expected
future cash flows of the contracts, selecting the appropriate interest rates, and applying the resulting discount factors
to expected future cash flows. The difference between the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows and
discounted future cash flows represent the time value of money. A margin for risk and uncertainty is added to the

63

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

discounted cash flows to reflect the volatility of the lines of business written, quantity of reinsurance purchased,
credit quality of reinsurers and a risk margin for future changes in interest rates.

The table that follows shows the potential impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of insurance and
reinsurance contracts:

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Change in Interest Rates
100 basis point rise
100 basis point decline

9. Reinsurance

Fair value of Fair value of Fair value of Fair value of
reinsurance
contracts
4,275.0
4,506.7

reinsurance
contracts
3,552.6
3,737.0

insurance
contracts
20,677.0
21,924.3

insurance
contracts
19,808.9
21,004.5

Reinsurers’ share of insurance contract liabilities is comprised as follows:

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Gross

Gross

recoverable Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers

from uncollectible
reinsurance

reinsurers

recoverable Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers

from uncollectible
reinsurance

reinsurers

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Reinsurers’ share of paid losses
Provision for unearned premiums

3,410.0
380.7
395.7

4,186.4

(54.3)
(150.0)
–

3,355.7
230.7
395.7

4,276.8
518.6
408.1

(63.5)
(165.3)
–

4,213.3
353.3
408.1

(204.3)

3,982.1

5,203.5

(228.8)

4,974.7

Current
Non-current

2,070.6
1,911.5

3,982.1

2,292.3
2,682.4

4,974.7

The  company  follows  the  policy  of  underwriting  and  reinsuring  contracts  of  insurance  and  reinsurance  which,
depending  on  the  type  of  contract,  generally  limits  the  liability  of  the  individual  insurance  and  reinsurance
subsidiaries  on  any  policy  to  a  maximum  amount  on  any  one  loss.  Reinsurance  decisions  are  made  by  the
subsidiaries  to  reduce  and  spread  the  risk  of  loss  on  insurance  and  reinsurance  written,  to  limit  multiple  claims
arising from a single occurrence and to protect capital resources. The amount of reinsurance purchased can vary
among subsidiaries depending on the lines of business written, their respective capital resources and prevailing or
expected market conditions. Reinsurance is generally placed on an excess of loss basis and written in several layers,
the purpose of which is to limit the amount of one risk to a maximum amount acceptable to the company and to
protect  from  losses  on  multiple  risks  arising  from  a  single  occurrence.  This  type  of  reinsurance  includes  what  is
generally referred to as catastrophe reinsurance. The company’s reinsurance does not, however, relieve the company
of its primary obligation to the policyholder.

The  majority  of  reinsurance  contracts  purchased  by  the  company  provide  coverage  for  a  one  year  term  and  are
negotiated annually. The ability of the company to obtain reinsurance on terms and prices consistent with historical
results reflects, among other factors, recent loss experience of the company and of the industry in general. Currently
there  exists  excess  capital  within  the  reinsurance  market  due  to  favourable  operating  results  of  reinsurers  and
alternative forms of reinsurance capacity entering the market. As a result, the market has become very competitive
with pricing remaining flat and in some cases decreasing. Further compounding these effects has been the relatively
benign level of catastrophe losses for reinsurers in the United States over the last number of years. The company will
remain opportunistic in its use of reinsurance, balancing capital requirements and the cost of reinsurance.

The company has guidelines and a review process in place to assess the creditworthiness of the reinsurers to which it
cedes. Note 24 discusses the company’s management of credit risk associated with reinsurance recoverables.

The  company  makes  specific  provisions  against  reinsurance  recoverables  from  reinsurers  considered  to  be  in
financial difficulty. In addition, the company records an allowance based upon its analysis of historical recoveries,
the level of allowance already in place and management’s judgment on future collectability.

64

Changes in reinsurers’ share of paid losses, unpaid losses, unearned premiums and the provision for uncollectible
balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Balance – January 1, 2014

Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds
Reinsurance recoveries received
Reinsurers’ share of losses or premiums earned
Premiums ceded to reinsurers
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of

impaired balances

Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

2014

Paid
losses
518.6

Unpaid
losses
4,276.8
1,380.2 (1,380.2)
–
(1,507.6)
626.9
–
–
–

Unearned
premiums Provision
(228.8)
–
–
–
–

408.1
–
–
(1,142.0)
1,158.1

Net
recoverable
4,974.7
–
(1,507.6)
(515.1)
1,158.1

(3.0)
–
(7.5)

(0.3)
–
(113.2)

–
–
(28.5)

22.9
–
1.6

19.6
–
(147.6)

Balance – December 31, 2014

380.7

3,410.0

395.7

(204.3)

3,982.1

Balance – January 1, 2013

Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds
Reinsurance recoveries received
Reinsurers’ share of losses or premiums earned
Premiums ceded to reinsurers
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of

impaired balances

Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

2013

Paid
losses
469.6

Unpaid
losses
4,663.7
1,444.1 (1,444.1)
–
(1,421.4)
900.6
–
–
–

Unearned
premiums Provision
(269.9)
–
–
–
–

427.4
–
–
(1,216.7)
1,190.9

Net
recoverable
5,290.8
–
(1,421.4)
(316.1)
1,190.9

5.6
37.6
(16.9)

(2.8)
199.8
(40.4)

–
18.2
(11.7)

40.0
–
1.1

42.8
255.6
(67.9)

Balance – December 31, 2013

518.6

4,276.8

408.1

(228.8)

4,974.7

Included in commissions, net in the consolidated statement of earnings is commission income earned on premiums
ceded to reinsurers in 2014 of $261.0 (2013 – $243.7).

On August 18, 2014 Runoff commuted a $312.7 reinsurance recoverable from Brit Group for proceeds of $310.2,
comprised of cash and investments.

On March 29, 2013 TIG Insurance commuted a recoverable from a reinsurer with a carrying value of $85.4 for total
consideration  of  $118.5  (principally  cash  consideration  of  $115.8).  The  gain  of  $33.1  on  the  commutation  is
recorded in ceded losses on claims in the consolidated statement of earnings.

65

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

10. Insurance Contract Receivables

Insurance contract receivables were comprised as follows:

Insurance premiums receivable
Reinsurance premiums receivable
Funds withheld receivable
Other
Provision for uncollectible balances

December 31, December 31,
2013
1,192.1
527.4
228.3
101.3
(32.1)

2014
1,262.7
427.0
223.3
50.6
(31.9)

1,931.7

2,017.0

The following changes have occurred in the insurance premiums receivable and reinsurance premiums receivable
balances for the years ended December 31:

Balance – January 1

Gross premiums written
Premiums collected
Impairments
Amounts due to brokers and agents
Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

Insurance
premiums
receivable

Reinsurance
premiums
receivable

2014
1,192.1
5,322.9
(4,825.5)
(1.0)
(387.2)
0.2
(38.8)

2013
1,151.1
5,078.9
(4,677.1)
(0.1)
(340.6)
21.5
(41.6)

2014
527.4
2,137.0
(1,704.4)
(2.8)
(516.7)
–
(13.5)

2013
605.3
2,148.2
(1,690.2)
0.2
(550.3)
–
14.2

1,262.7

1,192.1

427.0

527.4

11. Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs

Changes in deferred premium acquisition costs for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Balance – January 1

Acquisition costs deferred
Amortization of deferred costs
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

2014
462.4
1,360.0
(1,312.6)
(12.2)

2013
463.1
1,305.3
(1,300.2)
(5.8)

497.6

462.4

66

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets were comprised as follows:

Balance – January 1, 2014

Additions
Disposals
Amortization and impairment of

intangible assets

Foreign exchange effect

Balance – December 31, 2014

Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Accumulated impairment

Goodwill

Intangible assets
subject to
amortization

Intangible
assets
not subject to
amortization

Total

Customer

and broker Computer

relationships
243.0
55.3
–

software Other
35.0
15.9
(0.5)

59.2
33.3
(0.5)

Brand
names Other

62.3
3.0
–

61.0 1,311.8
328.4
(1.0)

–
–

(19.3)
(5.3)

273.7

362.1
(88.4)
–

273.7

(22.1)
(0.8)

(7.7)
–

–
(1.3)

–
(0.9)

(49.1)
(31.8)

69.1

42.7

192.9
(115.2)
(8.6)

56.8
(14.1)
–

69.1

42.7

64.0

64.0
–
–

64.0

60.1 1,558.3

60.1 1,784.6
(217.7)
(8.6)

–
–

60.1 1,558.3

851.3
220.9
–

–
(23.5)

1,048.7

1,048.7
–
–

1,048.7

Goodwill

Intangible assets
subject to
amortization

Intangible
assets
not subject to
amortization

Total

Balance – January 1, 2013

Additions
Disposals
Amortization and impairment of

intangible assets

Foreign exchange effect

Balance – December 31, 2013

Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Accumulated impairment

791.1
83.2
–

–
(23.0)

851.3

851.3
–
–

851.3

Customer

and broker Computer

relationships
254.5
14.2
–

software Other
4.2
32.1
–

82.5
27.2
(0.9)

Brand
names Other
122.3
10.6
(65.7)

–
–

66.6 1,321.2
167.3
(66.6)

(19.6)
(6.1)

243.0

314.9
(71.9)
–

243.0

(48.5)
(1.1)

(1.3)
–

–
(4.9)

–
(5.6)

(69.4)
(40.7)

59.2

35.0

161.8
(94.0)
(8.6)

41.6
(6.6)
–

59.2

35.0

62.3

62.3
–
–

62.3

61.0 1,311.8

61.0 1,492.9
(172.5)
(8.6)

–
–

61.0 1,311.8

67

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Goodwill and intangible assets are allocated to the respective cash-generating units (‘‘CGUs’’) as follows:

Zenith National
Crum & Forster
OdysseyRe
Northbridge
U.S. Runoff
Thomas Cook India
Sterling Resorts
The Keg
IKYA
All other

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Goodwill
317.6
153.1
116.0
102.3
34.4
77.0
66.3
62.6
31.2
88.2

Intangible
assets
136.3
141.7
66.7
74.6
9.0
44.2
0.4
–
20.6
16.1

Total Goodwill
317.6
453.9
108.7
294.8
104.2
182.7
102.7
176.9
34.4
43.4
78.6
121.2
–
66.7
–
62.6
24.5
51.8
80.6
104.3

Intangible
assets
145.9
78.4
64.7
75.2
11.6
45.6
–
–
21.9
17.2

Total
463.5
187.1
168.9
177.9
46.0
124.2
–
–
46.4
97.8

1,048.7

509.6

1,558.3

851.3

460.5

1,311.8

At December 31, 2014 consolidated goodwill of $1,048.7 and intangible assets of $509.6 (principally related to the
value of customer and broker relationships and brand names) was comprised primarily of amounts arising on the
acquisitions of Pethealth, Sterling Resorts and The Keg during 2014, American Safety, Hartville and IKYA during
2013,  Thomas  Cook  India  during  2012,  First  Mercury,  Pacific  Insurance  and  Sporting  Life  during  2011,  Zenith
National  during  2010  and  the  privatizations  of  Northbridge  and  OdysseyRe  during  2009.  Impairment  tests  for
goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization were completed in 2014 and it was concluded that no
impairment had occurred.

When testing for impairment, the recoverable amount of a CGU is calculated as the higher of value in use and fair
value  less  costs  of  disposal.  The  recoverable  amount  of  each  CGU  was  based  on  fair  value  less  costs  of  disposal,
determined on the basis of market prices, where available, or discounted cash flow models. Cash flow projections
covering a five year period were derived from financial budgets approved by management. Cash flows beyond the
five year period were extrapolated using estimated growth rates which do not exceed the long term average past
growth rate for the business in which each CGU operates.

A  number  of  other  assumptions  and  estimates  including  forecasts  of  operating  cash  flows,  premium  volumes,
expenses and working capital requirements were required to be incorporated into the discounted cash flow models.
Forecasts of future cash flows are based on the best estimates of future premiums or revenue, operating expenses
using historical trends, general geographical market conditions, industry trends and forecasts and other available
information.  These  assumptions  are  subject  to  review  by  management.  The  cash  flow  forecasts  are  adjusted  by
applying appropriate discount rates within a range of 8.4% to 12.9% for insurance business and 10.5% to 18.7% for
non-insurance business. The weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate cash flows beyond five years was
3.0%. A reasonably possible change in any key assumption is not expected to cause the carrying value of any CGU to
exceed its recoverable amount.

68

13. Other Assets

Other assets were comprised as follows:

Premises and equipment
Accrued interest and dividends
Income taxes refundable
Receivables for securities sold but not

yet settled

Deferred compensation plans
Pension assets (note 21)
Prepaid expenses
Other reporting segment sales receivables
Other reporting segment inventories
Other

Current
Non-current

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Insurance and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies
327.9
0.1
10.4

123.7
128.5
40.7

Insurance and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies
107.8
–
10.8

133.4
136.7
103.3

Total
451.6
128.6
51.1

16.9
48.4
33.1
48.1
185.5
129.0
255.3

–
–
–
10.2
185.5
129.0
83.3

746.4

1,347.6

379.0
367.4

709.6
638.0

746.4

1,347.6

16.9
48.4
33.1
37.9
–
–
172.0

601.2

330.6
270.6

601.2

Total
241.2
136.7
114.1

56.5
49.1
45.2
45.0
101.1
79.2
220.0

–
–
–
6.7
101.1
79.2
58.9

364.5

1,088.1

202.2
162.3

611.2
476.9

364.5

1,088.1

56.5
49.1
45.2
38.3
–
–
161.1

723.6

409.0
314.6

723.6

14. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were comprised as follows:

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Payable to reinsurers
Salaries and employee benefit liabilities
Pension and post retirement liabilities

(note 21)

Amounts withheld and accrued taxes
Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs
Accrued commissions
Accrued premium taxes
Amounts payable to agents and brokers
Accrued interest expense
Accrued legal and professional fees
Accounts payable for securities
purchased but not yet settled

Deferred gift card revenue
Other reporting segment payables

related to cost of sales
Administrative and other

Current
Non-current

Insurance and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies
–
31.4

391.6
173.0

175.2
87.5
91.3
69.0
55.9
16.7
40.6
24.3

14.8
–

–
409.7

23.4
38.2
–
0.3
–
–
0.7
3.0

–
64.0

177.0
141.5

Insurance and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies
–
8.9

480.5
209.4

148.5
67.0
79.7
67.6
62.6
61.8
36.4
25.4

22.4
–

–
367.6

18.4
32.2
–
0.4
–
–
0.1
0.6

–
–

87.3
63.8

Total
391.6
204.4

198.6
125.7
91.3
69.3
55.9
16.7
41.3
27.3

14.8
64.0

177.0
551.2

Total
480.5
218.3

166.9
99.2
79.7
68.0
62.6
61.8
36.5
26.0

22.4
–

87.3
431.4

1,549.6

479.5

2,029.1

1,628.9

211.7

1,840.6

969.9
579.7

347.4
132.1

1,317.3
711.8

1,026.1
602.8

160.1
51.6

1,186.2
654.4

1,549.6

479.5

2,029.1

1,628.9

211.7

1,840.6

69

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

15. Subsidiary Indebtedness, Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities

Subsidiary indebtedness – non-insurance companies(c)
Ridley secured revolving facility at floating rate
Thomas Cook India short term loans and bank overdraft

primarily at fixed rates

IKYA credit facilities and bank overdraft at floating rates
Other loans and bank overdraft primarily at floating rates

Long term debt – non-insurance companies(c)
The Keg Cdn$57.0 million note at 7.5% due May 31, 2042(1)
The Keg term loan at floating rate due July 1, 2016(1)
Thomas Cook India debentures (INR 1.0 billion) at 10.52% due

April 15, 2018(2)

Other loans

Long term debt – holding company borrowings
Fairfax unsecured notes:

8.25% due October 1, 2015(3)
7.375% due April 15, 2018(3)
7.50% due August 19, 2019 (Cdn$400.0)(4)
7.25% due June 22, 2020 (Cdn$275.0)(4)
5.80% due May 15, 2021(5)
6.40% due May 25, 2021 (Cdn$400.0)(4)
5.84% due October 14, 2022 (Cdn$450.0)(2)(4)
4.875% due August 13, 2024(1)
8.30% due April 15, 2026(3)
7.75% due July 15, 2037(3)

Trust preferred securities of subsidiaries(1)(6)
Purchase consideration payable(7)

Long term debt – insurance and reinsurance companies
OdysseyRe unsecured senior notes:

6.875% due May 1, 2015(8)
Series A, floating rate due March 15, 2021(9)
Series B, floating rate due March 15, 2016(1)(9)
Series C, floating rate due December 15, 2021(10)

First Mercury floating rate trust preferred securities due

2036 and 2037

Zenith National 8.55% redeemable debentures due

August 1, 2028

Advent floating rate subordinated notes due June 3, 2035
Advent floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2026
American Safety floating rate trust preferred securities due

December 15, 2035(1)(2)

Long term debt

Current
Non-current

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Principal

Carrying
value(a)

Fair

value(b) Principal

Carrying
value(a)

Fair
value(b)

2.4

4.6
27.6
3.0

37.6

49.2
31.1

15.8
3.3

99.4

82.4
144.2
345.3
237.4
500.0
345.3
388.5
300.0
91.8
91.3
2.1
139.7

2.4

2.4

4.6
27.6
3.0

37.6

49.2
30.7

15.8
3.3

99.0

82.4
144.1
343.2
236.1
496.1
342.7
394.0
294.4
91.5
90.2
2.1
139.7

4.6
27.6
3.0

37.6

49.2
30.7

16.5
3.3

99.7

86.4
163.7
402.1
275.5
522.4
388.2
422.9
296.7
115.7
107.2
2.1
139.7

4.8

6.0
10.3
4.7

25.8

–
–

16.2
2.2

18.4

82.4
144.2
376.5
258.8
500.0
376.5
423.5
–
91.8
91.3
9.1
144.2

4.8

4.8

6.0
10.3
4.7

25.8

–
–

16.1
2.8

18.9

82.3
144.0
373.8
257.2
495.5
373.5
429.7
–
91.5
90.2
9.1
144.2

6.0
10.3
4.7

25.8

–
–

16.1
2.8

18.9

91.3
161.7
426.2
290.0
507.0
400.9
427.3
–
107.4
93.9
9.2
144.2

2,668.0

2,656.5

2,922.6

2,498.3

2,491.0

2,659.1

125.0
50.0
–
40.0

41.4

38.4
48.5
46.0

–

124.9
49.8
–
39.9

127.2
50.2
–
41.0

41.4

41.4

38.1
47.1
44.7

38.1
43.8
46.0

–

–

125.0
50.0
50.0
40.0

41.4

38.4
50.5
46.0

25.0

124.5
49.9
49.9
39.9

134.7
47.3
50.6
38.5

41.4

41.4

38.1
49.0
44.6

38.1
45.5
46.0

21.5

21.5

389.3

385.9

387.7

466.3

458.8

463.6

3,156.7

3,141.4

3,410.0

2,983.0

2,968.7

3,141.6

216.7
2,940.0

3,156.7

5.4
2,977.6

2,983.0

(a) Principal net of unamortized issue costs and discounts.

(b) Based  principally  on  quoted  market  prices  with  the  remainder  based  on  discounted  cash  flow  models  using  market

observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2 respectively in the fair value hierarchy).

(c) These borrowings are non-recourse to the holding company.

70

(1) During 2014 the company and its subsidiaries completed the following debt transactions:

(a) On December 15, 2014 Runoff redeemed $25.0 principal amount (carrying value of $21.5) of American
Safety’s floating rate trust preferred securities due 2035 for cash consideration of $25.0 and recorded a loss
on repurchase of long term debt of $3.5 in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

(b) On December 15, 2014 OdysseyRe redeemed $50.0 principal amount of its Series B unsecured senior notes

due 2016 for cash consideration of $50.0.

(c) On  August  13,  2014  the  company  through  its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Fairfax  (US)  Inc.,  completed  a
private debt offering of $300.0 principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due August 13, 2024 at an issue
price of 99.026 for net proceeds after discount, commissions and expenses of $294.2. Commissions and
expenses of $2.9 were included as part of the carrying value of the debt. These senior notes are guaranteed by
Fairfax and redeemable at the issuer’s option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a price
equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed or (b) the sum of the present values
of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the
date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus
37.5 basis points together, in each case, with accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.

(d) The  company  repurchased  $7.0  principal  amount  of  trust  preferred  securities  due  2027  for  cash
consideration of $7.1 and recorded a loss on repurchase of long term debt of $0.1 in other expenses in the
consolidated statement of earnings.

(e) On February 4, 2014 the company assumed $86.1 of long term debt of The Keg pursuant to the transaction
described in note 23. At that date the long term debt was comprised of a note payable with a principal
amount of $51.4 (Cdn$57.0) bearing interest at 7.50% per annum due May 31, 2042 and term loans with a
principal amount of $34.7 (Cdn$38.4) bearing interest at a floating rate due July 1, 2016.

(2) During 2013 the company and its subsidiaries completed the following debt transactions:

(a) On  November  1,  2013  OdysseyRe  repaid  the  $182.9  principal  amount  of  its  unsecured  senior  notes

upon maturity.

(b) On  October  3,  2013  pursuant  to  the  acquisition  of  American  Safety  described  in  note  23,  the  company
assumed the $35.5 carrying value of trust preferred securities issued by American Safety Capital Trust I, II,
and III (statutory business trust subsidiaries of American Safety). On November 25, 2013 and December 31,
2013 American Safety redeemed all $8.0 and $5.0 principal amounts of its outstanding Trust I and Trust II
preferred securities for cash consideration of $8.2 and $5.2 respectively.

(c) On April 15, 2013 Thomas Cook India issued $18.3 (1.0 billion Indian rupees) principal amount of 10.52%
debentures due 2018 at par value for net proceeds after commissions and expenses of $18.2 (993.1 million
Indian rupees). Commissions and expenses of $0.1 (6.9 million Indian rupees) were included as part of the
carrying value of the debt. The debentures are repayable in equal annual instalments of $6.1 (333.3 million
Indian rupees) in each of 2016, 2017 and 2018.

(d) On January 22, 2013 the company repurchased $12.2 principal amount of its unsecured senior notes due
2017  for  cash  consideration  of  $12.6.  On  March  11,  2013  the  company  redeemed  the  remaining  $36.2
principal amount outstanding of its unsecured senior notes due 2017 for cash consideration of $37.7 and
recorded a loss on repurchase of long term debt of $3.4 (inclusive of $1.5 of unamortized issue costs). The
loss is reflected in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

(e) On January 21, 2013 the company completed a public debt offering of Cdn$250.0 principal amount of a
re-opening of unsecured senior notes due 2022 at an issue price of $103.854 (an effective yield of 5.33%) for
net proceeds after commissions and expenses of $259.9 (Cdn$258.1). Commissions and expenses of $1.5
(Cdn$1.5) were included as part of the carrying value of the debt. Subsequent to this offering, an aggregate
principal amount of Cdn$450.0 of Fairfax unsecured senior notes due 2022 was outstanding. The company
has designated these senior notes as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries.

71

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

(3) This debt has no provision for redemption prior to the contractual maturity date. During 2002 the company
closed  out  the  swaps  for  this  debt  and  deferred  the  resulting  gain  which  is  amortized  to  earnings  over  the
remaining term to maturity. The unamortized balance at December 31, 2014 was $20.9 (December 31, 2013 –
$22.8).

(4) Redeemable at the company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time at the greater of (a) a specified redemption
price based upon the then current yield of a Government of Canada bond with an equal term to maturity or
(b) par.

(5) Redeemable at the company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time at a price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of
the principal amount to be redeemed or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments
of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the
redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 50 basis points together, in each case, with
accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.

(6) TIG Holdings had issued 8.597% junior subordinated debentures to TIG Capital Trust (a statutory business trust
subsidiary of TIG Holdings) which, in turn, issued 8.597% mandatory redeemable capital securities, maturing
in 2027.

(7) On December 16, 2002 the company acquired Xerox’s 72.5% economic interest in TRG, the holding company of
International Insurance Company (‘‘IIC’’), in exchange for payments over the next 15 years of $424.4 ($203.9 at
December 16, 2002 using a discount rate of 9.0% per annum), payable approximately $5.0 a quarter from 2003
to 2017 and approximately $128.2 on December 16, 2017.

(8) Redeemable at OdysseyRe’s option at any time at a price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount
to be redeemed or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and
interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a
semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 40 basis points together, in each case, with accrued interest thereon to
the date of redemption.

(9) The Series A and Series B notes are callable by OdysseyRe on any interest payment date at their par value plus
accrued and unpaid interest. The interest rate on each series of debenture is equal to three month LIBOR, which
is calculated on a quarterly basis, plus 2.20%.

(10) The Series C notes are callable by OdysseyRe on any interest payment date at their par value plus accrued and
unpaid interest. The interest rate is equal to three month LIBOR plus 2.50% and is reset after every payment date.

Consolidated interest expense in 2014 of $206.3 (2013 – $211.2) was comprised of interest on long term debt and
subsidiary indebtedness of $201.2 and $5.1 respectively (2013 – $207.9 and $3.3 respectively).

Principal repayments on long term debt are due as follows:

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter

216.7
41.1
134.1
149.4
345.3
2,270.1

Subsequent to December 31, 2014

On March 3, 2015 the company completed an underwritten public offering of Cdn$350.0 principal amount of 4.95%
unsecured senior notes due March 3, 2025 at an issue price of 99.114 for net proceeds after discount, commissions
and expenses of $275.7 (Cdn$343.3). Commissions and expenses of $2.9 (Cdn$3.6) will be included as part of the
carrying value of the debt. The notes are redeemable at the company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time at the
greater of (a) a specified redemption price based upon the then current yield of a Government of Canada bond with
an equal term to maturity or (b) par. The net proceeds from this offering will form part of the financing for the Brit
Offer described in note 23.

On February 16, 2015, a Canadian chartered bank provided the company with a £1.2 billion commitment for the full
amount of the consideration payable pursuant to the Brit Offer as described in note 23.

72

Credit Facilities

On  December  18,  2012  Fairfax  extended  the  term  of  its  $300.0  unsecured  revolving  credit  facility  (the  ‘‘credit
facility’’) with a syndicate of lenders to December 31, 2016. As at December 31, 2014 no amounts had been drawn on
the credit facility.

16. Total Equity

Equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax

Authorized capital

The authorized share capital of the company consists of an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series, an
unlimited number of multiple voting shares carrying ten votes per share and an unlimited number of subordinate
voting shares carrying one vote per share.

Issued capital

Issued capital at December 31, 2014 included 1,548,000 (December 31, 2013 – 1,548,000) multiple voting shares and
20,865,645  (December  31,  2013 – 20,865,653)  subordinate  voting  shares  without  par  value  prior  to  deducting
438,247  (December  31,  2013 – 414,421)  subordinate  voting  shares  reserved  in  treasury  for  share-based  payment
awards. The multiple voting shares are not publicly traded.

Subsequent to December 31, 2014

On March 3, 2015 the company completed an underwritten public offering of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares
at a price of Cdn$650.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $575.9 (Cdn$717.1) after commissions and expenses
of $24.4 (Cdn$30.4).

On March 3, 2015 the company completed an underwritten public offering of 9,200,000 cumulative five-year reset
preferred  shares,  Series  M  for  Cdn$25.00  per  share,  resulting  in  net  proceeds  of  $179.0  (Cdn$222.9)  after
commissions and expenses of $5.7 (Cdn$7.1). Series M preferred shares are redeemable by the company on March 31,
2020 and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date at Cdn$25.00 per share. Holders of the unredeemed Series M
preferred shares will have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into floating rate cumulative preferred
shares Series N on March 31, 2020 and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date. The Series N preferred shares
(of  which  none  are  currently  issued)  will  have  a  dividend  rate,  calculated  quarterly,  equal  to  the  three-month
Government of Canada treasury bill yield plus 3.98%.

The net proceeds from the above offerings will form part of the financing for the Brit Offer described in note 23.

Common stock

The number of shares outstanding was as follows:

Subordinate voting shares – January 1

Issuances during the year
Purchases for cancellation
Net treasury shares acquired

Subordinate voting shares – December 31
Multiple voting shares – beginning and end of year
Interest in shares held through ownership interest in shareholder – beginning and

end of year

Common stock effectively outstanding – December 31

2014

2013

20,451,232
–
(8)
(23,826)

19,496,641
1,000,000
(36)
(45,373)

20,427,398
1,548,000

20,451,232
1,548,000

(799,230)

(799,230)

21,176,168

21,200,002

During 2014 and 2013 the company did not repurchase for cancellation any subordinate voting shares under the
terms of normal course issuer bids. During 2014 the company repurchased 8 shares (2013 – 36) for cancellation from
former  employees.  The  company  also  acquires  its  own  subordinate  voting  shares  on  the  open  market  for  its
share-based payment awards. During 2014 the company repurchased for treasury 23,826 subordinate voting shares
(2013 – 45,373) for use in its share-based payment awards.

73

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

On November 15, 2013 the company issued 1 million subordinate voting shares at a price of Cdn$431.00 per share,
resulting in net proceeds of $399.5 (Cdn$417.1) after commissions and expenses of $13.3 (Cdn$13.9).

Dividends paid by the company on its outstanding multiple voting and subordinate voting shares were as follows:

Date of declaration
January 5, 2015
January 3, 2014
January 4, 2013

Date of record
January 20, 2015
January 21, 2014
January 22, 2013

Date of payment
January 27, 2015
January 28, 2014
January 29, 2013

Dividend
per share
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00

Total cash
payment
$216.1
$215.7
$205.5

Preferred Stock

The number of preferred shares outstanding was as follows:

Series C

Series D

Series E

Series G

Series I

Series K

Total

Balance – January 1

and December 31, 2013
Repurchases
Conversions

10,000,000
–
(3,983,616)

–
–
3,983,616

8,000,000
(75,326)
–

10,000,000
–
–

12,000,000
–
–

9,500,000
–
–

49,500,000
(75,326)
–

Balance – December 31, 2014

6,016,384

3,983,616

7,924,674

10,000,000

12,000,000

9,500,000

49,424,674

The carrying value of preferred shares outstanding was as follows:

Balance – January 1

and December 31, 2013
Repurchases
Conversions

Balance – December 31, 2014

Series C

Series D

Series E

Series G

Series I

Series K

Total

227.2
–
(90.5)

136.7

–
–
90.5

90.5

183.1
(1.7)
–

181.4

235.9
–
–

235.9

288.5
–
–

288.5

231.7
–
–

231.7

1,166.4
(1.7)
–

1,164.7

On December 31, 2014 holders of Series C preferred shares converted 3,983,616 shares into Series D preferred shares.

During  2014,  under  the  terms  of  its  normal  course  issuer  bid,  the  company  repurchased  for  cancellation
75,326 Series E preferred shares (2013 – nil) with a carrying value of $1.7 for a net cost of $1.2.

74

The terms of the company’s cumulative five-year rate reset preferred shares are as follows:

Series C(1)
Series D(1)(3)
Series E(2)
Series G(2)
Series I(2)
Series K(2)

Next
redemption date
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2019
March 31, 2015
September 30, 2015
December 31, 2015
March 31, 2017

Number of
shares
outstanding
6,016,384
3,983,616
7,924,674
10,000,000
12,000,000
9,500,000

Liquidation
preference
Stated capital
per share
Cdn $150.4 Cdn $25.00
Cdn $99.6 Cdn $25.00
Cdn $198.1 Cdn $25.00
Cdn $250.0 Cdn $25.00
Cdn $300.0 Cdn $25.00
Cdn $237.5 Cdn $25.00

Fixed
dividend rate
per annum
4.58%
–
4.75%
5.00%
5.00%
5.00%

(1) Fixed  rate  cumulative  Series  C  and  floating  rate  cumulative  Series  D  preferred  shares  are  redeemable  by  the
company  on  the  date  specified  in  the  table  above  and  on  each  subsequent  five-year  anniversary  date  at
Cdn$25.00 per share. Holders of unredeemed Series C and Series D preferred shares will have the right, at their
option, to convert their shares from Series C to Series D, or vice versa, on December 31, 2019, and on each
subsequent five-year anniversary date.

(2) Series E, Series G, Series I and Series K preferred shares are redeemable by the company on the dates specified in
the  table  above  and  on  each  subsequent  five-year  anniversary  date  at  Cdn$25.00  per  share.  Holders  of
unredeemed Series E, Series G, Series I and Series K preferred shares will have the right, at their option, to convert
their  shares  into  floating  rate  cumulative  preferred  shares  Series  F  (on  March  31,  2015),  Series  H
(on September 30, 2015), Series J (on December 31, 2015) and Series L (on March 31, 2017) respectively and on
each subsequent five-year anniversary date. The Series F, Series H, Series J and Series L preferred shares (of which
none are currently issued) will have a dividend rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada treasury
bill  yield  current  on  March  31,  2015,  September  30,  2015,  December  31,  2015  and  March  31,  2017,  or  any
subsequent five-year anniversary plus 2.16%, 2.56%, 2.85% and 3.51% respectively.

(3) Series D preferred shares have a dividend rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada treasury bill

yield plus 3.15%, with rate resets at the end of each calendar quarter. 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

The  amounts  related  to  each  component  of  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)  attributable  to
shareholders of Fairfax were as follows:

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net

earnings:
Currency translation account
Share of accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) of associates, excluding gains (losses) on
defined benefit plans

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to

net earnings:
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans

of associates

Gains (losses) on defined benefit plans

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Income tax

Income tax

Pre-tax
amount

(expense) After-tax Pre-tax
amount amount
recovery

(expense) After-tax
amount
recovery

5.5

(21.3)

(15.8)

66.0

(7.2)

58.8

(83.3)

(77.8)

(38.3)
(7.8)

(46.1)

12.9

(70.4)

(15.8)

(1.9)

(17.7)

(8.4)

(86.2)

50.2

(9.1)

41.1

10.5
3.7

14.2

(27.8)
(4.1)

12.5
36.2

(3.6)
(7.8)

(31.9)

48.7

(11.4)

8.9
28.4

37.3

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

attributable to shareholders of Fairfax

(123.9)

5.8

(118.1)

98.9

(20.5)

78.4

75

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Other comprehensive income (loss)

The amounts related to each component of consolidated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended
December 31 were as follows:

2014

Income tax

2013

Income tax

Pre-tax
amount

(expense) After-tax Pre-tax
amount amount
recovery

(expense) After-tax
amount
recovery

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to

net earnings:
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation

gains (losses) on foreign operations

(186.6)

(14.1)

(200.7)

(174.2)

9.8

(164.4)

Change in gains on hedge of net investment in

Canadian subsidiaries

118.7

–

118.7

96.9

–

96.9

Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of

associates, excluding gains (losses) on defined
benefit plans

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to

net earnings:
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of

associates

Change in gains (losses) on defined benefit plans

(67.5)

14.8

(52.7)

(15.3)

2.4

(12.9)

(135.4)

0.7

(134.7)

(92.6)

12.2

(80.4)

(50.8)
(44.6)

(95.4)

14.1
11.7

25.8

(36.7)
(32.9)

12.5
45.8

(69.6)

58.3

(3.6)
(14.5)

(18.1)

8.9
31.3

40.2

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(230.8)

26.5

(204.3)

(34.3)

(5.9)

(40.2)

Non-controlling interests

Year ended December 31, 2014

On September 3, 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts from 41.9% to 55.1%,
pursuant to the transaction described in note 23, and recorded non-controlling interests of $74.1 on its consolidated
balance sheet.

On May 21, 2014 Fairfax Asia acquired an 80.0% interest in Fairfax Indonesia, pursuant to the transaction described
in note 23, and recorded non-controlling interests of $1.0 on its consolidated balance sheet.

On February 4, 2014 the company acquired a 51.0% interest in The Keg, pursuant to the transaction described in
note 23, and recorded non-controlling interests of $10.8 on its consolidated balance sheet.

Year ended December 31, 2013

In  October  2013  the  company  contributed  its  81.7%  interest  in  Prime  Restaurants  to  Cara  Operations  Limited,
pursuant to the transaction described in note 23, and derecognized non-controlling interests in Prime Restaurants of
$13.4 from its consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2013 the company acquired a 58.0% economic interest in IKYA, pursuant to the transaction described in
note 23, and recorded non-controlling interests of $13.9 on its consolidated balance sheet.

In  May  2013  Thomas  Cook  India  completed  a  private  placement  of  newly  issued  common  shares  to  qualified
institutional buyers (other than existing shareholders of Thomas Cook India), pursuant to the transaction described
in note 23, which reduced the company’s ownership of Thomas Cook India from 87.1% at December 31, 2012 to
75.0% at December 31, 2013. The company recorded additional non-controlling interests in Thomas Cook India of
$31.9 on its consolidated balance sheet as a result of the 12.1% change in the company’s ownership.

76

17. Earnings per Share

Net earnings (loss) per share is calculated in the following table based upon the weighted average common shares
outstanding:

Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Preferred share dividends
Excess of book value over consideration of preferred shares purchased for

cancellation

2014
1,633.2
(56.9)

2013
(573.4)
(60.8)

0.5

–

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted

1,576.8

(634.2)

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
Share-based payment awards(1)

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

Net earnings (loss) per common share – basic
Net earnings (loss) per common share – diluted

21,186,325
411,814

20,360,251
–

21,598,139

20,360,251

$
$

74.43
73.01

$
$

(31.15)
(31.15)

(1) Anti-dilutive share-based payment awards of 313,898 were excluded from the calculation of net loss per diluted common

share in 2013.

18. Income Taxes

The company’s provision for (recovery of) income taxes for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Current income tax

Current year expense
Adjustments to prior years’ income taxes

Deferred income tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments to prior years’ deferred income taxes
Other

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes

2014

2013

184.8
(33.2)

30.2
(35.0)

151.6

(4.8)

514.2
8.8
(1.3)

(512.4)
77.2
3.4

521.7

(431.8)

673.3

(436.6)

A  significant  portion  of  the  company’s  earnings  (loss)  before  income  taxes  is  incurred  outside  of  Canada.  The
statutory income tax rates for jurisdictions outside of Canada generally differs from the Canadian statutory income
tax rate (and may be significantly higher or lower). The company’s earnings (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction
and the associated provision for (recovery of) income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are
summarized in the following table:

2014

2013

Canada

U.S.(1) Other

Total

Canada

U.S.(1) Other

Total

Earnings (loss) before income

taxes

Provision for (recovery of)

income taxes

133.1

1,755.7

449.1

2,337.9

(114.6)

(1,061.5)

175.0

(1,001.1)

48.7

570.1

54.5

673.3

(8.7)

(464.3)

36.4

(436.6)

Net earnings (loss)

84.4

1,185.6

394.6

1,664.6

(105.9)

(597.2)

138.6

(564.5)

(1) Principally comprised of the U.S. Insurance and Reinsurance reporting segments (notwithstanding that certain operations

of OdysseyRe conduct business outside of the U.S.), U.S. Runoff and other associated holding company results.

77

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The increase in pre-tax profitability in the Canada, U.S. and Other in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily reflected
realized and unrealized net investment gains and an improvement in underwriting results.

Reconciliations of the provision for (recovery of) income taxes calculated at the Canadian statutory income tax rate
to the provision for (recovery of) income taxes at the effective tax rate in the consolidated financial statements for
the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized in the following table:

Canadian statutory income tax rate

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes at the Canadian statutory income tax rate
Non-taxable investment income
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada
Recovery relating to prior years
Change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences
Foreign exchange
Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes
Other including permanent differences

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes

2013

2014
26.5% 26.5%

619.5
(109.2)
121.8
(17.4)
24.4
22.7
(10.9)
22.4

(265.3)
(166.4)
(125.0)
(25.2)
107.7
18.9
2.6
16.1

673.3

(436.6)

Non-taxable investment income is principally comprised of dividend income, non-taxable interest income and the
50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada. In 2014 it also included a provision for income taxes of
$38.0 following an internal reorganization of the U.S. shareholders of OdysseyRe (see note 25) that triggered the
release of taxable gains on intercompany transactions within the U.S. consolidated tax group that had been deferred
in prior years.

The  tax  rate  differential  on  income  and  losses  incurred  outside  Canada  of  $121.8  in  2014  principally  reflected
significant pre-tax net unrealized investment gains, combined with improved underwriting results in the U.S. The
tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada of $125.0 in 2013 principally reflected significant
pre-tax net unrealized investment losses on bonds and equity hedges in the U.S. The statutory income tax rate in the
U.S. is significantly higher than the Canadian statutory income tax rate.

The recovery relating to prior years of $17.4 in 2014 and $25.2 in 2013 was primarily due to the release of provisions
following the completion of prior year income tax audits.

The  change  in  unrecorded  tax  benefit  of  losses  and  temporary  differences  in  2014  was  primarily  comprised  of
deferred tax assets in Canada of $28.1 (2013 – $45.8) that were not recorded by the company because the related
pre-tax losses did not meet the applicable recognition criteria under IFRS, and the de-recognition of $9.0 (2013 –
$50.0) of U.S. foreign tax credits which had been recorded as deferred tax assets in prior years after determining that
it was no longer probable that those tax credits could be utilized prior to expiration.

Income taxes refundable and payable were as follows:

Income taxes refundable
Income taxes payable

Net income taxes (payable) refundable

December 31, December 31,
2013
114.1
(80.1)

2014
51.1
(118.3)

(67.2)

34.0

78

Changes in net income taxes (payable) refundable during the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Balance – January 1

Amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings
Payments made (refunds received) during the year
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

2014
34.0
(151.6)
52.3
(5.1)
3.2

2013
39.4
4.8
(19.9)
10.3
(0.6)

(67.2)

34.0

The  following  table  presents  the  gross  movement  in  the  net  deferred  income  tax  asset  during  the  years  ended
December 31:

2014

Provision
for losses Provision
for

and loss

Deferred
premium

adjustment unearned acquisition Intan- Invest-

Tax

expenses premiums

costs gibles ments credits Other

Total

Operating
and
capital
losses

Balance – January 1, 2014

690.9

334.9

94.9

(82.1) (131.8)

(42.3) 105.5

45.0

1,015.0

Amounts recorded in the

consolidated statement of
earnings

Amounts recorded in total

equity

Acquisition of subsidiary

(note 23)

Foreign exchange effect and

other

(213.3)

(39.5)

(5.3)

(12.8)

(1.3) (272.2)

8.2

14.5

(521.7)

–

9.8

–

–

(7.7)

(2.4)

–

0.1

0.1

–

–

–

0.8

(1.4) 25.8

25.2

(24.1)

(25.0)

(0.6)

1.9

(0.6)

–

–

(10.2)

(49.4)

0.6

(8.7)

Balance – December 31, 2014

479.7

293.0

89.8

(95.5) (155.3) (339.3) 112.3

75.7

460.4

2013

Operating
and

Provision
for losses Provision
for
capital adjustment unearned acquisition Intan- Invest-

Deferred
premium

and loss

Tax

Balance – January 1, 2013

Amounts recorded in the

consolidated statement of
earnings

Amounts recorded in total equity
Acquisition of subsidiary

(note 23)

Foreign exchange effect and

other

Balance – December 31, 2013

losses

397.2

304.9
–

1.2

(12.4)

690.9

expenses premiums

costs gibles ments credits Other

344.1

82.8

(68.5) (137.9) (239.8) 158.6

71.1

Total

607.6

(14.6)
–

7.2

(1.8)

7.3
–

4.6

0.2

(12.9)
–

17.0
–

193.1
8.0

(53.1)
–

(9.9)
(18.0)

431.8
(10.0)

–

(19.1)

–

(0.7)

8.2

(3.6)

–

–

(0.4)

(6.5)

2.2

(7.9)

334.9

94.9

(82.1) (131.8)

(42.3) 105.5

45.0

1,015.0

Management expects that the recorded deferred income tax asset will be realized in the normal course of operations.
The most significant temporary differences included in the deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2014 related to
operating and capital losses and provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses. The provision for losses and loss
adjustment expenses is recorded on an undiscounted basis in these consolidated financial statements but is recorded
on a discounted basis in certain jurisdictions for tax purposes.

Management  reviews  the  recoverability  of  the  deferred  income  tax  asset  on  an  ongoing  basis  and  adjusts,  as
necessary, to reflect its anticipated realization. As at December 31, 2014 management has not recorded deferred
income  tax  assets  of  $464.8  (December  31,  2013 – $449.5)  related  primarily  to  operating  and  capital  losses  and

79

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

U.S. foreign tax credits. The losses for which deferred income tax assets have not been recorded are comprised of
$933.6 of losses in Canada (December 31, 2013 – $741.7), $412.6 of losses in Europe (December 31, 2013 – $485.9),
$58.2 of losses in the U.S. (December 31, 2013 – $100.9), and $59.0 of foreign tax credits in the U.S. (December 31,
2013 – $50.0).  The  losses  in  Canada  expire  between  2015  and  2034.  The  losses  and  foreign  tax  credits  in  the
U.S. expire between 2020 and 2033. The losses in Europe do not have an expiry date.

Deferred income tax has not been recognized for the withholding tax and other taxes that could be payable on the
unremitted  earnings  of  certain  subsidiaries.  Unremitted  earnings  amounted  to  approximately  $3.0  billion  at
December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 – $1.1 billion) and are not likely to be repatriated in the foreseeable future.

19. Statutory Requirements

The retained earnings of the company are largely represented by retained earnings at the insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to certain requirements and restrictions under
their respective insurance company Acts including minimum capital requirements and dividend restrictions. The
company’s  capital  requirements  and  management  thereof  are  discussed  in  note  24.  The  company’s  share  of
dividends paid in 2014 by the subsidiaries, comprised of cash and marketable securities, which are eliminated on
consolidation  was  $605.8  (2013 – $361.4),  inclusive  of  $250.0  of  dividends  received  in  connection  with  the
OdysseyRe  reorganization  described  in  note  25.  Based  on  the  surplus  and  net  income  of  the  subsidiaries  at
December 31, 2014 the company has access to dividend capacity for dividend payment during 2015 at each of its
primary operating companies as follows:

Northbridge(1)
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
OdysseyRe

(1) Subject to prior regulatory approval.

20. Contingencies and Commitments

Lawsuits

December 31,
2014
191.3
68.3
110.7
324.9

695.2

On  July  26,  2006  Fairfax  filed  a  lawsuit  seeking  $6  billion  in  damages  from  a  number  of  defendants  who,  the
complaint (as subsequently amended) alleges, participated in a stock market manipulation scheme involving Fairfax
shares. The complaint, filed in Superior Court, Morris County, New Jersey, alleges violations of various state laws,
including the New Jersey Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, pursuant to which treble damages
may  be  available.  On  September  12,  2012,  before  trial,  and  consequently  without  having  heard  or  made  any
determination on the facts, the Court dismissed the lawsuit on legal grounds. In October 2012 Fairfax filed an appeal
of this dismissal, as it believes that the legal basis for the dismissal is incorrect. By the end of 2013, the briefs of all
parties  in  connection  with  this  appeal  had  been  filed.  The  ultimate  outcome  of  any  litigation  is  uncertain.  The
financial  effects,  if  any,  of  this  lawsuit  cannot  be  practicably  determined  at  this  time,  and  the  company’s
consolidated financial statements include no anticipated recovery from the lawsuit.

Other

The Autorit ´e des march ´es financiers, the securities regulatory authority in the Province of Quebec (the ‘‘AMF’’), is
conducting  an  investigation  of  Fairfax,  its  CEO,  Prem  Watsa,  and  its  President,  Paul  Rivett.  The  investigation
concerns  the  possibility  of  illegal  insider  trading  and/or  tipping  (not  involving  any  personal  trading  by  the
individuals) in connection with a Quebec transaction. Further details concerning the investigation are, by law, not
permitted to be disclosed. Fairfax and these officers are fully cooperating with the investigation and they are not
aware  of  any  reasonable  basis  for  any  legal  proceedings  against  them.  However,  if  the  AMF  commences  legal
proceedings, no assurance can be given at this time by Fairfax as to the outcome.

80

Subsidiaries of the company are defendants in several damage suits and have been named as third party in other
suits. The uninsured exposure to the company is not considered to be material to the company’s financial position,
financial performance or cash flows.

OdysseyRe,  Advent  and  RiverStone  (UK)  (‘‘the  Lloyd’s  participants’’)  participate  in  Lloyd’s  through  their  100%
ownership of certain Lloyd’s syndicates. The Lloyd’s participants have pledged securities and cash, with a fair value of
$591.9 and $10.7 respectively as at December 31, 2014, in deposit trust accounts in favour of Lloyd’s based on certain
minimum amounts required to support the liabilities of the syndicates as determined under the risk-based capital
models and on approval by Lloyd’s. Pledged securities and restricted cash consist primarily of bonds and subsidiary
cash and short term investments respectively, included within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance
sheet. The Lloyd’s participants have the ability to substitute other securities for these securities subject to certain
admissibility criteria. These pledged assets effectively secure the contingent obligations of the Lloyd’s syndicates
should they not meet their obligations. The Lloyd’s participants’ contingent liability to Lloyd’s is limited to the
aggregate  amount  of  the  pledged  assets  and  their  obligation  to  support  these  liabilities  will  continue  until  such
liabilities are settled or are reinsured by a third party approved by Lloyd’s. The company believes that the syndicates
for  which  the  Lloyd’s  participants  are  capital  providers  maintain  sufficient  liquidity  and  financial  resources  to
support their ultimate liabilities and does not anticipate that the pledged assets will be utilized.

The company’s maximum capital commitments for potential investments in common stocks, limited partnerships
and associates at December 31, 2014 totaled $474.3.

21. Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits

The  company’s  subsidiaries  have  a  number  of  arrangements  primarily  in  Canada,  the  United  States,  and  the
United Kingdom that provide pension and post retirement benefits to retired and current employees. The holding
company  has  no  such  arrangements  or  plans.  Pension  arrangements  of  the  subsidiaries  include  defined  benefit
statutory pension plans, as well as supplemental arrangements that provide pension benefits in excess of statutory
limits. These plans are a combination of defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans.

In addition to actuarial valuations for accounting purposes, subsidiaries of the company are required to prepare
funding valuations to determine the amount of their pension contributions. All of the defined benefit pension plans
have had funding valuations performed within the past two years.

The  investment  policy  for  the  defined  benefit  pension  plans  is  to  invest  prudently  in  order  to  preserve  the
investment asset value of the plans while seeking to maximize the return on those invested assets. The plans’ assets as
of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were invested principally in high quality fixed income securities and cash and short
term investments.

Defined benefit pension plan assets at December 31, and the company’s use of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 inputs
(as described in note 3) in the valuation of those assets, were as follows:

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Total
fair

Significant
other

Significant
value Quoted observable unobservable

Total
fair

Significant
other

Significant
value Quoted observable unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

prices
assets (Level 1)

inputs
(Level 2)

inputs of plan

(Level 3)

–
12.8
–

218.3
172.9
143.8

215.0
85.2
143.8

12.8

535.0

444.0

3.3
87.7
–

91.0

–
–
–

–

Equity instruments
Fixed income securities
Cash and short term investments

of plan

prices
assets (Level 1)

inputs
(Level 2)

198.5
246.1
122.2

183.2
97.8
122.2

566.8

403.2

15.3
135.5
–

150.8

81

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The following tables set forth the funded status of the company’s benefit plans along with amounts recognized in the
company’s consolidated financial statements for both defined benefit pension plans and post retirement benefit
plans as at and for the years ended December 31.

Defined benefit
pension plans

Post retirement
benefit plans

2014

2013

2014

2013

Change in benefit obligation
Balance – January 1

Cost of benefits earned in the year
Interest cost on benefit obligation
Actuarial (gain) loss – participant experience
Actuarial loss – change in demographic assumptions
Actuarial (gain) loss – change in financial assumptions
Benefits paid
Plan amendments
Curtailment
Business acquisition
Change in foreign currency exchange rates

Balance – December 31

Change in fair value of plan assets
Balance – January 1

Interest income on plan assets
Actuarial gain
Plan administration expense
Company contributions
Plan participant contributions
Benefits paid
Change in foreign currency exchange rates

Balance – December 31

Funded status of plans – deficit
Impact of asset ceiling

Net accrued liability

579.4
18.2
25.7
1.3
18.6
49.9
(21.6)
0.2
–
–
(31.7)

640.0

535.0
24.1
33.0
(0.7)
29.4
–
(21.6)
(32.4)

566.8

(73.2)
(1.4)

(74.6)

580.0
21.3
23.2
11.8
9.7
(33.0)
(18.7)
0.1
–
–
(15.0)

76.0
4.8
3.4
(1.9)
5.5
4.1
(4.8)
(0.2)
0.9
4.5
(1.4)

579.4

90.9

502.4
20.3
25.7
(0.6)
20.7
–
(18.7)
(14.8)

535.0

(44.4)
(1.3)

–
–
–
–
4.7
0.1
(4.8)
–

–

(90.9)
–

(45.7)

(90.9)

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at

December 31

Other assets
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Net accrued liability

33.1
(107.7)

(74.6)

45.2
(90.9)

–
(90.9)

(45.7)

(90.9)

79.3
5.4
3.1
(7.5)
0.8
(3.2)
(2.8)
–
2.1
–
(1.2)

76.0

–
–
–
–
2.7
0.1
(2.8)
–

–

(76.0)
–

(76.0)

–
(76.0)

(76.0)

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit

obligations

Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Assumed overall health care cost trend

4.1%
3.5%
–

4.6%
3.6%
–

4.2%
3.7%
7.2%

4.5%
4.0%
7.6%

82

The company’s pension and post retirement expense for the years ended December 31 is comprised of the following:

Defined benefit pension and post retirement expense:

Cost of benefits earned in the year, net of employee contributions
Net interest expense
Plan administration expense
Plan amendments
Curtailment and settlement

Total benefit expense recognized in the consolidated statement of

earnings

Defined contribution benefit expense

Defined benefit
pension plans

Post retirement
benefit plans

2014

2013

2014

2013

18.2
1.6
0.7
0.2
–

20.7
24.1

44.8

21.3
2.9
0.6
0.1
–

24.9
21.9

46.8

4.7
3.4
–
(0.2)
0.9

8.8
–

8.8

5.3
3.1
–
–
2.1

10.5
–

10.5

The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligations to changes in key assumptions at December 31, 2014 are presented
below on a weighted average basis. This analysis was performed on each individual defined benefit plan using the
same methodology that was applied to determine the benefit obligation recognized in the consolidated balance
sheet, while holding all other assumptions constant.

Impact on accumulated
benefit obligation
increase (decrease)

2014

2013

Defined benefit pension plans
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase

Post retirement benefit plans
Discount rate
Health care cost trend rate

Change in
assumption

Increase in Decrease in
assumption
assumption

Increase in Decrease in
assumption
assumption

0.5%
0.5%

0.5%
1.0%

(55.2)
11.4

(6.8)
14.9

61.9
(11.0)

7.7
(11.9)

(48.5)
9.7

(5.3)
9.7

53.8
(9.3)

5.9
(7.9)

The assumed annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits (i.e. health care cost trend rate) is 7.2%
in 2015, decreasing to 4.6% by 2025 calculated on a weighted average basis.

During  2014  the  company  contributed  $34.1  (2013 – $23.4)  to  its  defined  benefit  pension  and  post  retirement
benefit plans. Based on the company’s current expectations, the 2015 contributions to its defined benefit pension
plans and post retirement benefit plans will be approximately $22.9 and $2.9 respectively.

22. Operating Leases

Aggregate  future  minimum  commitments  at  December  31,  2014  under  operating  leases  relating  to  premises,
automobiles and equipment for various terms up to ten years were as follows:

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter

98.6
86.8
75.7
69.2
62.8
195.0

83

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

23. Acquisitions and Divestitures

Subsequent to December 31, 2014

Acquisition of Brit PLC

On February 16, 2015 the company announced that it had reached an agreement with the board of directors of
Brit PLC (‘‘Brit’’) regarding the terms of a recommended cash offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Brit
(the ‘‘Brit Offer’’) for a total price of 305 pence per share, comprising 280 pence in cash to be paid by the company
and Brit’s announced 2014 final and special dividends of 25 pence (the ‘‘Brit Offer Price’’). The aggregate purchase
price for the Brit Offer is approximately $1.88 billion (£1.22 billion). The Brit Offer is subject to customary closing
conditions, including customary competition and merger conditions and other regulatory approvals as required. Brit
is a market-leading global Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer.

The net proceeds from underwritten public offerings (described in more detail in notes 15 and 16) of 1.15 million
subordinate voting shares ($575.9), 9.2 million Series M preferred shares ($179.0) and Cdn$350.0 of 4.95% Fairfax
senior notes due 2025 ($275.7), all of which closed on March 3, 2015, will be used to finance the Brit Offer.

Investment in Fairfax India Holdings Corporation

On January 30, 2015 the company, through subsidiaries, acquired 30,000,000 multiple voting shares of Fairfax India
Holdings  Corporation  (‘‘Fairfax  India’’)  for  $300.0  through  a  private  placement.  These  multiple  voting  shares
represented approximately 95.2% of the voting rights and 28.3% of the equity interest in Fairfax India upon the
closing of its offerings (inclusive of the over-allotment of subordinate voting shares that closed on February 10,
2015). Fairfax India was established, with the support of Fairfax, to invest in public and private equity securities and
debt instruments in India and Indian businesses or other businesses primarily conducted in or dependent on India.
Hamblin Watsa is the portfolio advisor to Fairfax India and its subsidiaries. Fairfax India will be included in the
company’s consolidated financial reporting commencing in the first quarter of 2015.

Acquisition of Union Assurance General Limited

On January 1, 2015 the company acquired 78% of Union Assurance General Limited (‘‘Union Assurance’’) for cash
consideration of $26.8 (3.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees). Union Assurance is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka and
underwrites general insurance in Sri Lanka, specializing in automobile and personal accident lines of business and
writing approximately $41 of gross premiums written in 2013.

Acquisition of Eastern European Insurers

On December 16, 2014 the company entered into an agreement with QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (‘‘QBE’’) to
acquire  QBE’s  insurance  operations  in  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Slovakia.  The  existing  businesses  and
renewal rights of QBE’s operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia are expected to be transferred to
Fairfax by the third quarter of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions, including various regulatory approvals.
In QBE’s most recent fiscal year, its operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia generated over $40 in
gross premiums written across a range of general insurance classes, including property, travel, general liability and
product  protection.  On  February  3,  2015  the  company  also  entered  into  an  agreement  to  acquire  QBE’s  general
insurance operations in Ukraine, which generated over $5 of gross premiums written in 2014.

Acquisition of MCIS Insurance Berhad

On December 1, 2014 the company entered into an agreement to acquire the general insurance business of MCIS
Insurance  Berhad  (formerly  known  as  MCIS  Zurich  Insurance  Berhad)  (‘‘MCIS’’)  through  its  wholly-owned
subsidiary Pacific Insurance. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including Malaysian court
approval, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015. MCIS is an established general insurer in Malaysia with
over $55 of gross premiums written in 2013 in its general insurance business.

84

Year ended December 31, 2014

Acquisition of Pethealth Inc.

On November 14, 2014 the company acquired all of the outstanding common shares, preferred shares and employee
share  options  of  Pethealth  Inc.  (‘‘Pethealth’’)  for  cash  consideration  of  $88.7  (Cdn$100.4).  The  goodwill  and
intangible assets associated with Pethealth’s marketing of pet medical insurance were allocated to the Crum & Forster
($90.9,  comprised  of  $39.4  of  goodwill,  $47.3  of  customer  relationships  and  $4.2  of  computer  software)  and
Northbridge ($17.3, comprised of $8.3 of goodwill, $8.0 of customer relationships and $1.0 of computer software)
reporting segments since Crum & Forster and Northbridge were to become Pethealth’s ongoing insurance carriers.
Pethealth’s residual assets and liabilities and results of operations were consolidated in the Other reporting segment.
Pethealth  is  headquartered  in  Canada  and  provides  pet  medical  insurance,  related  management  software  and
pet-related database management services in North America and the United Kingdom.

Acquisition of Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited

During the first half of 2014 Thomas Cook India acquired a 41.9% ownership interest in Sterling Holiday Resorts
(India) Limited (‘‘Sterling Resorts’’) for cash purchase consideration of $57.4 (3,534.6 million Indian rupees), and
classified its investment as an associate. On September 3, 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest to
55.1% by acquiring additional common shares of Sterling Resorts for cash consideration of $19.2 (1,162.6 million
Indian  rupees).  Having  obtained  control,  Thomas  Cook  India  was  required  to  re-measure  its  existing  ownership
interest in Sterling Resorts at fair value as of September 3, 2014, resulting in the recognition of a one-time non-cash
gain of $41.2 in net gains on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings, representing the difference
between the fair value of the previously held interest in Sterling Resorts and its carrying value under the equity
method of accounting. The acquisition of Sterling Resorts was financed internally by subsidiaries of Fairfax. The
assets  and  liabilities  and  results  of  operations  of  Sterling  Resorts  were  consolidated  within  the  Other  reporting
segment. Goodwill and intangible assets was comprised of $69.2 of goodwill and $0.4 of computer software. Sterling
Resorts is engaged in vacation ownership and leisure hospitality and operates a network of resorts in India. Fairfax’s
economic interest in Sterling Resorts at December 31, 2014 was 40.2% since that interest is held through 73.0%-
owned Thomas Cook India.

Acquisition of Praktiker Hellas Commercial Societe Anonyme

On  June  5,  2014  Fairfax  completed  the  acquisition  of  a  100%  interest  in  Praktiker  Hellas  Commercial  Societe
Anonyme (‘‘Praktiker’’) for cash purchase consideration of $28.6 (A21.0 million). The assets and liabilities and results
of operations of Praktiker were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Praktiker is one of the largest home
improvement and do-it-yourself goods retailers in Greece, operating 14 stores.

Acquisition of PT Batavia Mitratama Insurance

On May 21, 2014 Fairfax Asia completed the acquisition of an 80.0% interest in PT Batavia Mitratama Insurance
(subsequently renamed PT Fairfax Insurance Indonesia (‘‘Fairfax Indonesia’’)) for cash purchase consideration of
$8.5 (98.2 billion Indonesian rupees). Subsequent to the acquisition, Fairfax Asia contributed an additional $12.9 to
Fairfax  Indonesia  (maintaining  its  80.0%  interest)  to  support  business  expansion.  The  assets  and  liabilities  and
results of operations of Fairfax Indonesia were consolidated in the Insurance – Fairfax Asia reporting segment. Fairfax
Indonesia  is  headquartered  in  Jakarta,  Indonesia  and  underwrites  general  insurance,  specializing  in  automobile
coverage in Indonesia.

Acquisition of Keg Restaurants Limited

On February 4, 2014 the company completed the acquisition of 51.0% of the outstanding common shares of Keg
Restaurants Limited (‘‘The Keg’’) for cash purchase consideration of $76.7 (Cdn$85.0). The assets and liabilities and
results of operations of The Keg were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Goodwill and intangible assets
was comprised of $65.4 of goodwill and $0.1 of computer software The Keg franchises, owns and operates a network
of premium dining restaurants across Canada and in select locations in the United States.

85

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the significant acquisitions described
above are summarized in the table below.

Acquisition date
Percentage of common shares acquired
Assets:

Portfolio investments(1)
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other assets

Liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Long term debt

Non-controlling interests
Purchase consideration

Pethealth
November 14, 2014
100.0%

10.7
108.2(2)
7.7

126.6

19.9
18.0(2)
–

37.9
–
88.7

126.6

Sterling Resorts
September 3, 2014

40.2%(3)

19.1
69.6(4)

176.3

265.0

52.8
17.0
2.1

71.9
74.1
119.0

265.0

The Keg
February 4, 2014
51.0%

126.0
65.5
78.9

270.4

76.7
20.1
86.1

182.9
10.8
76.7

270.4

(1)

Included in the carrying value of the acquired portfolio investments of Pethealth, Sterling Resorts and The Keg were $10.7,
$0.5 and $24.8 respectively of subsidiary cash and cash equivalents.

(2) For segment reporting, goodwill and intangible assets, and the related deferred income taxes, associated with Pethealth
have been allocated to Crum & Forster ($90.9 and $18.0 respectively) and Northbridge ($17.3 and $2.4 respectively).

(3) Fairfax’s 40.2% economic interest in Sterling Resorts as a result of acquiring a 55.1% interest in Sterling Resorts through

73.0%-owned Thomas Cook India.

(4) Preliminary  goodwill  on  the  acquisition  of  Sterling  Resorts  was  partially  comprised  of  additional  non-cash  purchase
consideration of $41.2 arising on the re-measurement to fair value of the previously held equity accounted interest.

The determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities of the acquired subsidiaries described in the paragraphs
above are preliminary and may be revised when estimates and assumptions and the valuations of assets and liabilities
are finalized within twelve months of the respective acquisition dates.

Year ended December 31, 2013

Disposition of Prime Restaurants Inc.

On October 31, 2013 the company contributed its 81.7% interest in Prime Restaurants Inc. (‘‘Prime Restaurants’’) to
Cara Operations Limited (‘‘Cara’’) in exchange for Cara preferred shares and equity warrants with a combined fair
value of $54.5 (Cdn$56.9). Subsequently, the company determined that it no longer controlled Prime Restaurants
and de-consolidated Prime Restaurants from its consolidated financial reporting effective October 31, 2013, resulting
in  the  recognition  of  a  loss  on  disposition  of  $4.2  (Cdn$4.4)  in  2013.  In  addition,  the  company  made  a  cash
contribution of $95.9 (Cdn$100.0) to Cara in exchange  for Cara preferred shares, subordinated debt and equity
warrants. The company’s investment in Cara equity warrants represents potential voting interests of approximately
39.4%  (equity  warrants  currently  exercisable)  and  48.5%  (inclusive  of  equity  warrants  exercisable  in  two  years)
assuming all holders of Cara convertible securities (including those owned by the company) exercised their options
to convert. The company determined that it had obtained significant influence over Cara effective October 31, 2013
but as the company did not hold any Cara common shares, the equity method of accounting could not be applied.
The Cara preferred shares, subordinated debt and equity warrants are recorded as at FVTPL investments in holding
company cash and investments and portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheet.

86

Acquisition of American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd.

On October 3, 2013 the company acquired all of the outstanding common shares of American Safety Insurance
Holdings, Ltd. (‘‘American Safety’’) for $30.25 per share in cash, representing aggregate purchase consideration of
$317.1. On October 8, 2013 the company sold American Safety’s Bermuda-based reinsurance subsidiary (‘‘AS Re’’) to
an unrelated third party for net proceeds of $52.5. The renewal rights to certain lines of business formerly written by
American  Safety  were  assumed  by  Crum  &  Forster  and  Hudson  Insurance  representing  estimated  annual  gross
premiums  written  of  $103.  The  remainder  of  American  Safety’s  lines  of  business  which  did  not  meet  Fairfax’s
underwriting  criteria  were  placed  into  runoff  under  the  supervision  of  the  RiverStone  group.  The  purchase
consideration for this acquisition was financed internally by the company’s runoff subsidiaries, Crum & Forster and
Hudson Insurance and was partially defrayed by the proceeds received on the sale of AS Re ($52.5) and the receipt of a
post-acquisition dividend of excess capital paid by American Safety ($123.7). Goodwill and intangible assets was
comprised of $34.4 of goodwill and $24.5 of renewal rights. American Safety, a Bermuda-based holding company,
underwrote specialty risks through its U.S.-based program administrator, American Safety Insurance Services, Inc.,
and its U.S. insurance and Bermuda reinsurance companies.

Acquisition of Hartville Group, Inc.

On July 3, 2013 Crum & Forster acquired a 100% interest in Hartville Group, Inc. (‘‘Hartville’’) for cash purchase
consideration  of  $34.0.  The  assets  and  liabilities  and  results  of  operations  of  Hartville  were  consolidated  in  the
U.S.  Insurance  reporting  segment.  Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  was  comprised  of  $21.2  of  goodwill  and  $7.0
related to an operating license. Hartville markets and administers pet health insurance plans (including enrollment,
claims, billing and customer service) and produces approximately $40 of gross premiums written annually.

Acquisition of IKYA Human Capital Solutions Private Limited

On May 14, 2013 Thomas Cook India acquired a 77.3% interest in IKYA Human Capital Solutions Private Limited
(‘‘IKYA’’) for purchase consideration of $46.8 (2,563.2 million Indian rupees). The assets and liabilities and results of
operations of IKYA were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Goodwill and intangible assets was comprised
of $27.6 of goodwill, $14.2 of customer relationships, $10.6 of brand names and $0.2 of computer software. The
identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed represented Fairfax’s 58.0% economic interest in IKYA as a result
of acquiring IKYA through 75.0%-owned Thomas Cook India. IKYA provides specialized human resources services to
leading corporate clients in India.

Private Placement of Thomas Cook India Common Shares

On May 7, 2013 Thomas Cook India completed a private placement of 34,379,606 newly issued common shares at
53.50 Indian rupees per share to qualified institutional buyers (other than existing shareholders of Thomas Cook
India) and received net proceeds of $32.9 (1,780.5 million Indian rupees) after expenses. The proceeds were used to
partially  finance  the  acquisition  of  IKYA  as  described  in  the  preceding  paragraph.  This  transaction  reduced  the
company’s  ownership  of  Thomas  Cook  India  from  87.1%  at  December  31,  2012  to  75.0%,  thereby  satisfying
securities regulations in India stipulating that the company reduce its ownership interest in Thomas Cook India to
75.0% or less by August 2013.

87

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  identifiable  assets  acquired  and  liabilities  assumed  in  connection  with  the  acquisitions  described  above  are
summarized in the table below.

Acquisition date
Percentage of common shares acquired
Assets:

Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments(2)
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Asset held for sale(3)
Other assets

Liabilities:

Subsidiary indebtedness
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Insurance contract liabilities
Long term debt(4)

Non-controlling interests
Purchase consideration

American Safety
October 3, 2013
100.0%

Hartville

IKYA
July 3, 2013 May 14, 2013

100.0%

58.0%(1)

21.5
765.9
220.0
3.8
58.9
52.5
10.8

1,133.4

–
69.7
–
58.9
652.2
35.5

816.3
–
317.1

1,133.4

11.9
4.9
–
–
28.2
–
0.9

45.9

–
3.8
–
–
8.1
–

11.9
–
34.0

45.9

–
2.1
–
–
52.6
–
52.5

107.2

8.0
31.0
7.5
–
–
–

46.5
13.9
46.8

107.2

(1) Fairfax’s  58.0%  economic  interest  in  IKYA  as  a  result  of  acquiring  a  77.3%  interest  in  IKYA  through  75.0%-owned

Thomas Cook India.

(2)

Included in the carrying value of the acquired portfolio investments of American Safety, Hartville and IKYA were $485.7,
$4.9 and $2.1 respectively of subsidiary unrestricted cash and cash equivalents.

(3) Asset held for sale was comprised of the fair value of the net assets of American Safety’s Bermuda-based reinsurance

subsidiary sold to an unrelated third party on October 8, 2013 for net proceeds of $52.5.

(4) Subsequent to the acquisition American Safety repaid $13.0 principal amount of its trust preferred securities for cash

consideration of $13.4 as described in note 15.

24. Financial Risk Management

Overview

The  primary  goals  of  the  company’s  financial  risk  management  are  to  ensure  that  the  outcomes  of  activities
involving elements of risk are consistent with the company’s objectives and risk tolerance, while maintaining an
appropriate balance between risk and reward and protecting the company’s consolidated balance sheet from events
that have the potential to materially impair its financial strength. The company’s exposure to potential loss from its
insurance and reinsurance operations and investment activities primarily relates to underwriting risk, credit risk,
liquidity risk and various market risks. Balancing risk and reward is achieved through identifying risk appropriately,
aligning  risk  tolerances  with  business  strategy,  diversifying  risk,  pricing  appropriately  for  risk,  mitigating  risk
through preventive controls and transferring risk to third parties. There were no significant changes in the types of
the  company’s  risk  exposures  or  the  processes  used  by  the  company  for  managing  those  risk  exposures  at
December 31, 2014 compared to those identified at December 31, 2013, except as discussed below.

88

Financial risk management objectives are achieved through a two tiered system, with detailed risk management
processes  and  procedures  at  the  company’s  primary  operating  subsidiaries  and  its  investment  management
subsidiary combined with the analysis of the company-wide aggregation and accumulation of risks at the holding
company  level.  In  addition,  although  the  company  and  its  operating  subsidiaries  have  designated  Chief  Risk
Officers, the company regards each Chief Executive Officer as the chief risk officer of his or her company: each Chief
Executive  Officer  is  the  individual  ultimately  responsible  for  risk  management  for  his  or  her  company  and  its
subsidiaries.

The company’s designated Chief Risk Officer reports on risk considerations to Fairfax’s Executive Committee and
provides  a  quarterly  report  to  the  Board  of  Directors  on  the  key  risk  exposures.  Management  of  Fairfax  in
consultation with the designated Chief Risk Officer approves certain policies for overall risk management, as well as
policies  addressing  specific  areas  such  as  investments,  underwriting,  catastrophe  risk  and  reinsurance.  The
Investment Committee approves policies for the management of market risk (including currency risk, interest rate
risk and other price risk) and the use of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, and monitors to ensure
compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines and requirements. A discussion of the risks of the business (the risk
factors and the management of those risks) is an agenda item for every regularly scheduled meeting of the Board
of Directors.

Underwriting Risk

Underwriting  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  total  cost  of  claims,  claims  adjustment  expenses  and  premium  acquisition
expenses  will  exceed  premiums  received  and  can  arise  as  a  result  of  numerous  factors,  including  pricing  risk,
reserving risk and catastrophe risk. There were no significant changes to the company’s exposure to underwriting risk
or  the  framework  used  to  monitor,  evaluate  and  manage  underwriting  risk  at  December  31,  2014  compared  to
December 31, 2013.

Pricing risk arises because actual claims experience can differ adversely from the assumptions included in pricing
calculations. Historically the underwriting results of the property and casualty industry have fluctuated significantly
due to the cyclicality of the insurance market. The market cycle is affected by the frequency and severity of losses,
levels of capacity and demand, general economic conditions and competition on rates and terms of coverage. The
operating  companies  focus  on  profitable  underwriting  using  a  combination  of  experienced  underwriting  and
actuarial staff, pricing models and price adequacy monitoring tools.

Reserving risk arises because actual claims experience can differ adversely from the assumptions included in setting
reserves, in large part due to the length of time between the occurrence of a loss, the reporting of the loss to the
insurer  and  the  ultimate  resolution  of  the  claim.  Claims  provisions  reflect  expectations  of  the  ultimate  cost  of
resolution and administration of claims based on an assessment of facts and circumstances then known, a review of
historical settlement patterns, estimates of trends in claims severity and frequency, legal theories of liability and
other factors.

Variables  in  the  reserve  estimation  process  can  be  affected  by  both  internal  and  external  factors,  such  as  trends
relating to jury awards, economic inflation, medical inflation, worldwide economic conditions, tort reforms, court
interpretations  of  coverage,  the  regulatory  environment,  underlying  policy  pricing,  claims  handling  procedures,
inclusion  of  exposures  not  contemplated  at  the  time  of  policy  inception  and  significant  changes  in  severity  or
frequency of losses relative to historical trends. Due to the amount of time between the occurrence of a loss, the
actual reporting of the loss and the ultimate payment for the loss, provisions may ultimately develop differently
from the actuarial assumptions made when initially estimating the provision for claims. The company’s provision for
claims is reviewed separately by, and must be acceptable to, internal actuaries at each operating company, the Chief
Risk Officer at Fairfax and one or more independent actuaries.

Catastrophe risk arises because property and casualty insurance companies may be exposed to large losses arising
from man-made or natural catastrophes that could result in significant underwriting losses. The company evaluates
potential  catastrophic  events  and  assesses  the  probability  of  occurrence  and  magnitude  of  these  events
predominantly  through  probable  maximum  loss  (‘‘PML’’)  modeling  techniques  and  through  the  aggregation  of
limits  exposed.  A  wide  range  of  events  are  simulated  using  the  company’s  proprietary  and  commercial  models,
including single large events and multiple events spanning the numerous geographic regions in which the company
operates.

89

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Each  of  the  operating  companies  has  developed  and  applies  strict  underwriting  guidelines  for  the  amount  of
catastrophe  exposure  it  may  assume  as  a  standalone  entity  for  any  one  risk  and  location.  Those  guidelines  are
regularly  monitored  and  updated  by  the  operating  companies.  Each  of  the  operating  companies  also  manages
catastrophe exposure by diversifying risk across geographic regions, catastrophe types and other lines of business,
factoring in levels of reinsurance protection, adjusting the amount of business written based on capital levels and
adhering  to  risk  tolerances.  The  company’s  head  office  aggregates  catastrophe  exposure  company-wide  and
continually  monitors  the  group  exposure.  The  independent  exposure  limits  for  each  entity  in  the  group  are
aggregated to produce an exposure limit for the group as there is currently no model capable of simultaneously
projecting the magnitude and probability of loss in all geographic regions in which the company operates. Currently
the company’s objective is to limit its company-wide catastrophe loss exposure such that one year’s aggregate pre-tax
net catastrophe losses would not exceed one year’s normalized net earnings before income taxes. The company takes
a long term view and generally considers a 15% return on common shareholders’ equity, adjusted to a pre-tax basis,
to be representative of one year’s normalized net earnings. The modeled probability of aggregate catastrophe losses in
any one year exceeding this amount is generally more than once in every 250 years.

To manage its exposure to underwriting risk, and the pricing, reserving and catastrophe risks contained therein, the
company’s operating companies have established limits for underwriting authority and the requirement for specific
approvals  for  transactions  involving  new  products  or  for  transactions  involving  existing  products  which  exceed
certain limits of size or complexity. The company’s objective of operating with a prudent and stable underwriting
philosophy with sound reserving is also achieved through establishment of goals, delegation of authorities, financial
monitoring,  underwriting  reviews  and  remedial  actions  to  facilitate  continuous  improvement.  The  company
purchases reinsurance protection for risks assumed when it is considered prudent and cost effective to do so, at the
operating company level for specific exposures and, if needed, at the holding company level for aggregate exposures.
The company also actively takes steps to reduce the volume of insurance and reinsurance underwritten on particular
types of risks when it desires to reduce its direct exposure due to inadequate pricing.

As  part  of  its  overall  risk  management  strategy,  the  company  cedes  insurance  risk  through  proportional,
non-proportional and facultative reinsurance treaties. With proportional reinsurance, the reinsurer shares a pro rata
portion of the company’s losses and premium, whereas with non-proportional reinsurance, the reinsurer assumes
payment  of  the  company’s  loss  above  a  specified  retention,  subject  to  a  limit.  Facultative  reinsurance  is  the
reinsurance of individual risks as agreed by the company and the reinsurer.

The following summarizes the company’s principal lines of business and the significant insurance risks inherent
therein:

(cid:127) Property, which insures against losses to property from (among other things) fire, explosion, natural perils
(for  example  earthquake,  windstorm  and  flood),  terrorism  and  engineering  problems  (for  example,  boiler
explosion, machinery breakdown and construction defects). Specific types of property risks underwritten by
the company include automobile, commercial and personal property and crop;

(cid:127) Casualty,  which  insures  against  accidents  (including  workers’  compensation  and  automobile)  and  also

includes employers’ liability, accident and health, medical malpractice, and umbrella coverage;

(cid:127) Specialty, which insures against marine, aerospace and surety risk, and other miscellaneous risks and liabilities

that are not identified above; and

(cid:127) Reinsurance which includes, but is not limited to, property, casualty and liability exposures.

An analysis of revenue by line of business is included in note 25.

90

The table below shows the company’s concentration of risk by region and line of business based on gross premiums
written prior to giving effect to ceded reinsurance premiums. The company’s exposure to general insurance risk
varies by geographic region and may change over time. Premiums ceded to reinsurers (including retrocessions) by
line of business amounted to $400.1 for property (2013 – $427.3), $539.1 for casualty (2013 – $575.9) and $218.9 for
specialty (2013 – $187.7) for the year ended December 31, 2014.

For the years ended
December 31

Property
Casualty
Specialty

Total

Insurance
Reinsurance

Canada

United States

Asia(1)

International(2)

Total

2014

560.9
516.0
113.1

2013

573.3
552.3
118.2

2014

2013

2014

2013

1,173.5
2,805.9
211.0

1,238.9
2,548.3
197.3

405.7
268.0
247.8

351.6
237.1
244.7

2014

448.5
490.0
219.5

2013

525.7
416.2
223.5

2014

2013

2,588.6
4,079.9
791.4

2,689.5
3,753.9
783.7

1,190.0

1,243.8

4,190.4

3,984.5

921.5

833.4

1,158.0

1,165.4

7,459.9

7,227.1

1,120.7
69.3

1,164.7
79.1

3,426.0
764.4

3,148.0
836.5

404.3
517.2

398.2
435.2

371.9
786.1

368.0
797.4

5,322.9
2,137.0

5,078.9
2,148.2

1,190.0

1,243.8

4,190.4

3,984.5

921.5

833.4

1,158.0

1,165.4

7,459.9

7,227.1

(1) The  Asia  geographic  segment  comprises  countries  located  throughout  Asia  including  China,  India,  the  Middle  East,

Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

(2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America.

The table below shows the sensitivity of earnings from operations before income taxes and total equity after giving
effect to a one percentage point increase in the loss ratio. The loss ratio is regarded as an additional GAAP measure
and is calculated by the company with respect to its ongoing insurance and reinsurance operations as losses on
claims (including losses and loss adjustment expenses) expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned. Such an
increase could arise from higher frequency of losses, increased severity of losses, or from a combination of both. The
sensitivity analysis presented below does not consider the probability of such changes to loss frequency or severity
occurring or any non-linear effects of reinsurance and as a result, each additional percentage point increase in the
loss  ratio  would  result  in  a  linear  impact  on  earnings  from  operations  before  income  taxes  and  total  equity.  In
practice, the company monitors insurance risk by evaluating extreme scenarios with models which consider the
non-linear effects of reinsurance.

Insurance

Reinsurance

Insurance and
Reinsurance

Northbridge

U.S.

Fairfax Asia

OdysseyRe

Other

For the years ended December 31

2014

2013 2014

2013 2014

2013 2014

2013

2014

2013

Impact of +1% increase in loss ratio on:

Earnings from operations before income taxes
Total equity

9.4
6.9

9.9
7.3

20.2
13.0

19.3
12.5

2.7
2.4

2.6
2.2

23.6
15.3

23.7
15.4

3.9
3.6

4.4
3.8

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss resulting from the failure of a counterparty to honour its financial obligations to the
company. Credit risk arises predominantly with respect to cash and short term investments, investments in debt
instruments,  insurance  contract  receivables,  recoverable  from  reinsurers  and  receivable  from  counterparties  to
derivative contracts (primarily total return swaps and CPI-linked derivatives). There were no significant changes
to the company’s exposure to credit risk (except as set out in the discussion which follows) or the framework used to
monitor, evaluate and manage credit risk at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013.

91

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The company’s aggregate gross credit risk exposure at December 31, 2014 (without taking into account amounts held
by the company as collateral) was comprised as follows:

Cash and short term investments
Bonds:

U.S., U.K., German, and Canadian sovereign government
Other sovereign government
Canadian provincials
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other

Receivable from counterparties to derivative contracts
Insurance contract receivables
Recoverable from reinsurers
Other assets

December 31, December 31,
2013
8,011.4

2014
6,293.3

2,408.2
1,261.0
217.1
6,998.2
1,534.8
514.9
1,931.7
3,982.1
664.9

2,134.7
620.5
164.7
6,227.7
1,405.2
219.6
2,017.0
4,974.7
561.4

Total gross credit risk exposure

25,806.2

26,336.9

At December 31, 2014, the company had income taxes refundable of $51.1 (December 31, 2013 – $114.1).

Cash and Short Term Investments

The company’s cash and short term investments (including at the holding company) are held at major financial
institutions in the jurisdictions in which the operations are located. At December 31, 2014, 89.0% of these balances
were held in Canadian and U.S. financial institutions, 3.4% in European financial institutions and 7.6% in other
foreign financial institutions (December 31, 2013 – 93.0%, 2.3% and 4.7% respectively). The company monitors
risks  associated  with  cash  and  short  term  investments  by  regularly  reviewing  the  financial  strength  and
creditworthiness of these financial institutions and more frequently during periods of economic volatility. As a result
of these reviews, the company may transfer balances from financial institutions where it perceives heightened credit
risk to other institutions considered by management to be more stable.

Investments in Debt Instruments

The company’s risk management strategy for debt instruments is to invest primarily in debt instruments of high
credit quality issuers and to limit the amount of credit exposure with respect to any one corporate issuer. While the
company  reviews  third  party  credit  ratings,  it  also  carries  out  its  own  analysis  and  does  not  delegate  the  credit
decision to rating agencies. The company endeavours to limit credit exposure by monitoring fixed income portfolio
limits on individual corporate issuers and limits based on credit quality and may, from time to time, initiate positions
in certain types of derivatives to further mitigate credit risk exposure.

As at December 31, 2014 the company had investments with a fair value of $9,978.9 (December 31, 2013 – $8,298.0)
in  bonds  exposed  to  credit  risk  representing  in  the  aggregate  38.1%  (December  31,  2013 – 33.4%)  of  the  total
investment  portfolio  (all  bonds  included  in  Canadian  provincials,  U.S.  states  and  municipalities,  corporate  and
other, and other sovereign government bonds). Other sovereign government bonds included Greek bonds purchased
at  deep  discounts  to  par  of  $178.6  (December  31,  2013 – $248.9)  that  were  rated  below  investment  grade.  As  at
December 31, 2014 and 2013, the company did not have any investments in bonds issued by Ireland, Italy, Portugal
or  Spain.  The  company  considers  its  investment  in  sovereign  bonds  rated  AA/Aa  or  higher  (primarily  sovereign
bonds  issued  by  the  U.S.,  U.K.,  German  and  Canadian  governments,  including  $2,094.2  (December  31,  2013 –
$1,669.6) of U.S. treasury bonds), representing 9.3% (December 31, 2013 – 9.1%) of the total investment portfolio, to
present only a nominal risk of default. The company’s exposure to credit risk from its investment in debt securities
remained  substantially  unchanged  at  December  31,  2014  compared  to  December  31,  2013  notwithstanding
purchases of higher yielding Canadian corporate bonds during 2014. There were no other significant changes to the
company’s  framework  used  to  monitor,  evaluate  and  manage  credit  risk  at  December  31,  2014  compared  to
December 31, 2013 with respect to the company’s investments in debt securities.

92

The  composition  of  the  company’s  fixed  income  portfolio  classified  according  to  the  higher  of  each  security’s
respective S&P and Moody’s issuer credit rating is presented in the table that follows:

Issuer Credit Rating
AAA/Aaa
AA/Aa
A/A
BBB/Baa
BB/Ba
B/B
Lower than B/B and unrated

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Amortized
cost
2,402.4
5,266.0
839.8
994.5
35.1
359.7
879.5

Carrying
value
2,636.2
6,419.2
956.4
1,097.4
51.8
178.6
1,079.7

Amortized
cost
2,693.0
3,994.5
2,135.8
169.9
34.9
447.3
774.3

%
21.2
51.8
7.7
8.8
0.4
1.4
8.7

Carrying
value
2,533.8
4,472.8
2,247.8
177.4
44.6
294.5
781.9

%
24.0
42.4
21.3
1.7
0.4
2.8
7.4

Total

10,777.0

12,419.3

100.0

10,249.7

10,552.8

100.0

There were no significant changes to the composition of the company’s fixed income portfolio classified according
to the higher of each security’s respective S&P and Moody’s issuer credit rating at December 31, 2014 compared to
December 31, 2013, notwithstanding the increase in the categories rated AA/Aa and BBB/Baa. The increase in bonds
rated AA/Aa and BBB/Baa reflected an upgrade to the credit rating on certain of the company’s taxable U.S. state
bonds  (in  the  A/A  category  on  December  31,  2013)  and  the  purchases  of  other  sovereign  government  bonds
respectively. At December 31, 2014, 89.5% (December 31, 2013 – 89.4%) of the fixed income portfolio carrying value
was rated investment grade or better, with 73.0% (December 31, 2013 – 66.4%) being rated AA or better (primarily
consisting of government obligations). At December 31, 2014 holdings of fixed income securities in the ten issuers
(excluding U.S., Canadian, U.K. and German sovereign government bonds) to which the company had the greatest
exposure totaled $4,829.7 (December 31, 2013 – $3,324.3), which represented approximately 18.4% (December 31,
2013 – 13.4%) of the total investment portfolio. The exposure to the largest single issuer of corporate bonds held at
December 31, 2014 was $653.3 (December 31, 2013 – $250.0), which represented approximately 2.5% (December 31,
2013 – 1.0%) of the total investment portfolio.

The consolidated investment portfolio included $7.0 billion (December 31, 2013 – $6.2 billion) of U.S. state and
municipal  bonds  (approximately  $5.2  billion  tax-exempt,  $1.8  billion  taxable),  a  large  portion  of  which  were
purchased  during  2008  and  are  owned  in  the  subsidiary  investment  portfolios.  A  significant  portion  of  the
company’s  investment  in  U.S.  state  and  municipal  bonds,  approximately  $3.9  billion  at  December  31,  2014
(December 31, 2013 – $3.7 billion), are insured by Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. for the payment of interest
and principal in the event of issuer default; the company believes that this insurance significantly mitigates the
credit risk associated with these bonds.

Counterparties to Derivative Contracts

Counterparty risk arises from the company’s derivative contracts primarily in three ways: first, a counterparty may be
unable to honour its obligation under a derivative contract and there may not be sufficient collateral pledged in
favour of the company to support that obligation; second, collateral deposited by the company to a counterparty as a
prerequisite for entering into certain derivative contracts (also known as initial margin) may be at risk should the
counterparty face financial difficulty; and third, excess collateral pledged in favour of a counterparty may be at risk
should the counterparty face financial difficulty (counterparties may hold excess collateral as a result of the timing of
the settlement of the amount of collateral required to be pledged based on the fair value of a derivative contract).

The  company  endeavours  to  limit  counterparty  risk  through  the  terms  of  agreements  negotiated  with  the
counterparties to its derivative contracts. Pursuant to these agreements, counterparties are contractually required to
deposit  eligible  collateral  in  collateral  accounts  (subject  to  certain  minimum  thresholds)  for  the  benefit  of  the
company  depending  on  the  then  current  fair  value  of  the  derivative  contracts,  calculated  on  a  daily  basis.  The
company’s exposure to risk associated with providing initial margin is mitigated where possible through the use of
segregated third party custodian accounts whereby counterparties are permitted to take control of the collateral only
in the event of default by the company.

93

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Agreements negotiated with counterparties provide for a single net settlement of all financial instruments covered by
the agreement in the event of default by the counterparty, thereby permitting obligations owed by the company to a
counterparty to be offset to the extent of the aggregate amount receivable by the company from that counterparty
(the ‘‘net settlement arrangements’’). The following table sets out the company’s exposure to credit risk related to the
counterparties to its derivative contracts, assuming all such counterparties are simultaneously in default:

Total derivative assets(1)
Impact of net settlement arrangements
Fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of the company(2)
Excess collateral pledged by the company in favour of counterparties
Initial margin not held in segregated third party custodian accounts

December 31, December 31,
2013
219.6
(136.1)
(47.4)
123.1
60.0

2014
514.9
(110.0)
(171.1)
137.1
61.8

Net derivative counterparty exposure after net settlement and collateral

arrangements

432.7

219.2

(1) Excludes exchange traded instruments comprised principally of equity and credit warrants and equity call options which

are not subject to counterparty risk.

(2) Excludes $21.2 (December 31, 2013 – $3.0) of excess collateral pledged by counterparties.

The fair value of the collateral deposited for the benefit of the company at December 31, 2014 consisted of cash of
$27.8 and government securities of $164.5 (December 31, 2013 – $25.3 and $25.1 respectively). The company had
not exercised its right to sell or repledge collateral at December 31, 2014.

Recoverable from Reinsurers

Credit exposure on the company’s recoverable from reinsurers balance existed at December 31, 2014 to the extent
that any reinsurer may not be able or willing to reimburse the company under the terms of the relevant reinsurance
arrangements.  The  company  has  a  process  to  regularly  assess  the  creditworthiness  of  reinsurers  with  whom  it
transacts business. Internal guidelines generally require reinsurers to have strong A.M. Best ratings and maintain
capital and surplus exceeding $500.0. Where contractually provided for, the company has collateral for outstanding
balances in the form of cash, letters of credit, guarantees or assets held in trust accounts. This collateral may be drawn
on when amounts remain unpaid beyond contractually specified time periods on an individual reinsurer basis.

The company’s reinsurance security department conducts ongoing detailed assessments of current and potential
reinsurers and annual reviews on impaired reinsurers, and provides recommendations for uncollectible reinsurance
provisions for the group. The reinsurance security department also collects and maintains individual and group
reinsurance exposures aggregated across the group. Most of the reinsurance balances for reinsurers rated B++ and
lower or which are not rated were inherited by the company on acquisition of a subsidiary. The company’s largest
single  reinsurer  (Swiss  Re  America  Corp.)  represents  4.4%  (December  31,  2013 – 5.6%)  of  shareholders’  equity
attributable to shareholders of Fairfax and is rated A+ by A.M. Best.

The  company’s  gross  exposure  to  credit  risk  from  counterparties  to  its  reinsurance  contracts  was  lower  at
December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013 principally as a result of normal cession and collection activity
at Runoff including the commutation of a significant reinsurance recoverable balance. Changes that occurred in the
provision for uncollectible reinsurance during the period are disclosed in note 9.

94

The following table presents the gross recoverable from reinsurers classified according to the financial strength rating
of the reinsurers. Pools and associations, shown separately, are generally government or similar insurance funds
carrying limited credit risk.

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

A.M. Best Rating
(or S&P equivalent)
A++
A+
A
A-
B++
B+
B or lower
Not rated
Pools and associations

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Recoverable from reinsurers

Liquidity Risk

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers
463.4
1,425.2
1,289.6
346.4
23.3
2.1
28.7
539.4
68.3

4,186.4
(204.3)

3,982.1

Outstanding
balances

Net
Gross
unsecured
for which recoverable recoverable
from
reinsurers
263.5
1,774.4
1,533.7
386.0
25.1
3.0
78.8
965.1
173.9

from
reinsurers
355.1
997.9
1,156.0
159.9
10.6
1.4
4.9
435.2
46.1

security
is held
108.3
427.3
133.6
186.5
12.7
0.7
23.8
104.2
22.2

Outstanding
balances

Net
unsecured
for which recoverable
from
reinsurers
210.7
1,336.2
1,372.9
190.3
20.9
2.9
8.3
396.2
100.4

security
is held
52.8
438.2
160.8
195.7
4.2
0.1
70.5
568.9
73.5

1,019.3

3,167.1
(204.3)

5,203.5
(228.8)

2,962.8

4,974.7

1,564.7

3,638.8
(228.8)

3,410.0

Liquidity risk is the potential for loss if the company is unable to meet financial commitments in a timely manner at
reasonable costs as they fall due. It is the company’s policy to ensure that sufficient liquid assets are available to meet
financial commitments, including liabilities to policyholders and debt holders, dividends on preferred shares and
investment commitments. Cash flow analysis is performed on an ongoing basis at both the holding company and
subsidiary company level to ensure that future cash needs are met or exceeded by cash flows generated from the
ongoing operations.

The  holding  company’s  known  significant  commitments  for  2015  consist  of  the  funding  of  the  Brit  Offer
($1.88  billion  (£1.22  billion)),  payment  of  the  $216.1  ($10.00  per  share)  dividend  on  common  shares  (paid
January  2015),  interest  and  corporate  overhead  expenses,  preferred  share  dividends,  income  tax  payments  and
potential cash outflows related to derivative contracts (described below). The net proceeds from underwritten public
offerings (described in more detail in notes 15 and 16) of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares ($575.9), 9.2 million
Series M preferred shares ($179.0) and Cdn$350.0 of 4.95% Fairfax senior notes due 2025 ($275.7), all of which
closed on March 3, 2015, will be used to finance the Brit Offer.

On August 13, 2014 the company completed a private debt offering of $300.0 principal amount of 4.875% senior
notes due August 13, 2024 for net proceeds of $294.2 (see note 15). The company used a portion of these net proceeds
to fund the redemption in the fourth quarter of 2014 of the $50.0 principal amount of OdysseyRe Series B unsecured
senior notes due 2016 and the $25.0 principal amount of American Safety trust preferred securities due 2035 and
disclosed that it intends to use the remaining net proceeds to fund the repayment, upon maturity, of the Fairfax
($82.4) and OdysseyRe ($125.0) unsecured senior notes due in 2015.

The  company  believes  that  holding  company  cash  and  investments,  net  of  holding  company  short  sale  and
derivative obligations at December 31, 2014 of $1,212.7 provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s
known  obligations  in  2015.  The  holding  company  expects  to  continue  to  receive  investment  management  and
administration fees from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, investment income on its holdings of cash and
investments, and dividends from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. To further augment its liquidity, the
holding company can draw upon its $300.0 unsecured revolving credit facility. On February 16, 2015, a Canadian
chartered bank provided the company with a £1.2 billion commitment for the full amount of the consideration
payable  pursuant  to  the  Brit  Offer  described  in  note  23.  For  further  details  related  to  the  credit  facility  and  the
commitment, refer to note 15 (Subsidiary Indebtedness, Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities).

95

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The liquidity requirements of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries principally relate to the liabilities associated
with underwriting, operating costs and expenses, the payment of dividends to the holding company, contributions
to their subsidiaries, payment of principal and interest on their outstanding debt obligations, income tax payments
and certain derivative obligations (described below). Liabilities associated with underwriting include the payment of
claims and direct commissions. Historically, the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have used cash inflows from
operating activities (primarily the collection of premiums and reinsurance commissions) and investment activities
(primarily repayments of principal, sales of investment securities and investment income) to fund their liquidity
requirements. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may also receive cash inflows from financing activities
(primarily distributions received from their subsidiaries).

The company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries (and the holding company on a consolidated basis) focus on
the stress that could be placed on liquidity requirements as a result of severe disruption or volatility in the capital
markets or extreme catastrophe activity or the combination of both. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries
maintain  investment  strategies  intended  to  provide  adequate  funds  to  pay  claims  or  withstand  disruption  or
volatility in the capital markets without forced sales of investments. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries hold
highly  liquid,  high  quality  short-term  investment  securities  and  other  liquid  investment  grade  fixed  maturity
securities  to  fund  anticipated  claim  payments,  operating  expenses  and  commitments  related  to  investments.  At
December 31, 2014 portfolio investments net of short sale and derivative obligations totaled $25.0 billion. These
portfolio investments may include investments in inactively traded corporate debentures, preferred stocks, common
stocks  and  limited  partnership  interests  that  are  relatively  illiquid.  At  December  31,  2014  these  asset  classes
represented approximately 7.6% (December 31, 2013 – 7.6%) of the carrying value of the insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries’ portfolio investments.

The  insurance  and  reinsurance  subsidiaries  and  the  holding  company  may  experience  cash  inflows  or  outflows
(which at times could be significant) related to their derivative contracts, including collateral requirements and cash
settlements of market value movements of total return swaps which have occurred since the most recent reset date.
During 2014 the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and the holding company paid net cash of $194.2 (2013 –
$1,615.4) and $113.4 (2013 – $67.8) respectively, in connection with long and short equity and equity index total
return swap derivative contracts (excluding the impact of collateral requirements).

The  insurance  and  reinsurance  subsidiaries  typically  fund  such  obligations  from  cash  provided  by  operating
activities (and may fund such obligations from sales of equity-related investments, the market value of which will
generally vary inversely with the market value of short equity and equity index total return swaps). The holding
company  typically  funds  any  such  obligations  from  holding  company  cash  and  investments  and  its  additional
sources of liquidity as discussed above.

96

The  following  tables  set  out  the  maturity  profile  of  the  company’s  financial  liabilities  based  on  the  expected
undiscounted cash flows from the end of the year to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date:

Subsidiary indebtedness – principal and interest
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1)
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers(2)
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Long term debt – principal
Long term debt – interest

Subsidiary indebtedness – principal and interest
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1)
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers(2)
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Long term debt – principal
Long term debt – interest

December 31, 2014

Less than 3 months
to 1 year
3 months

7.7
844.6
1.3
1,064.3
2.3
36.4

30.0
338.8
50.8
3,231.3
214.4
172.2

1 – 3 years

3 – 5 years

–
233.2
78.6
5,462.7
175.2
371.1

–
101.5
8.2
3,658.1
494.7
328.3

More than
5 years

–
48.2
2.2
4,332.7
2,270.1
589.3

Total

37.7
1,566.3
141.1
17,749.1
3,156.7
1,497.3

1,956.6

4,037.5

6,320.8

4,590.8

7,242.5

24,148.2

December 31, 2013

Less than 3 months
to 1 year
3 months

27.0
789.1
1.4
1,176.8
1.3
33.9

–
283.0
107.0
3,469.9
4.1
163.1

1 – 3 years

3 – 5 years

–
284.4
18.5
5,557.5
275.3
365.1

–
112.5
7.0
3,770.4
283.4
337.7

More than
5 years

–
73.6
18.8
5,238.2
2,415.3
618.5

Total

27.0
1,542.6
152.7
19,212.8
2,979.4
1,518.3

2,029.5

4,027.1

6,500.8

4,511.0

8,364.4

25,432.8

(1) Excludes pension and post retirement liabilities, ceded deferred premium acquisition costs and accrued interest. Operating

lease commitments are described in note 22.

(2) Excludes $320.4 relating to Crum & Forster which will be settled net of reinsurance recoverables resulting in no cash

outflow (December 31, 2013 – $308.5).

The timing of loss payments is not fixed and represents the company’s best estimate. The payment obligations which
are due beyond one year in accounts payable and accrued liabilities primarily relate to certain payables to brokers and
reinsurers not expected to be settled in the short term. At December 31, 2014 the company had income taxes payable
of $118.3 (December 31, 2013 – $80.1).

The following table provides a maturity profile of the company’s short sale and derivative obligations based on the
expected undiscounted cash flows from the end of the year to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date:

Equity index total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Other derivative contracts

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Less than
3 months
97.2
36.5
15.9
4.0
5.9

3 months
to 1 year
–
–
–
1.3
–

Total
97.2
36.5
15.9
5.3
5.9

Less than
3 months
123.8
84.8
7.5
23.7
9.5

3 months
to 1 year
–
–
–
19.1
–

Total
123.8
84.8
7.5
42.8
9.5

159.5

1.3

160.8

249.3

19.1

268.4

97

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Market Risk

Market risk (comprised of currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk) is the risk that the fair value or future
cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The company is exposed to
market  risk  principally  in  its  investing  activities  but  also  in  its  underwriting  activities  to  the  extent  that  those
activities expose the company to foreign currency risk. The company’s investment portfolios are managed with a
long term, value-oriented investment philosophy emphasizing downside protection. The company has policies to
limit and monitor its individual issuer exposures and aggregate equity exposure. Aggregate exposure to single issuers
and total equity positions are monitored at the subsidiary level and in aggregate at the company level. The following
is a discussion of the company’s primary market risk exposures and how those exposures are currently managed.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of
changes  in  market  interest  rates.  As  interest  rates  rise,  the  fair  value  of  fixed  income  investments  decline  and,
conversely, as interest rates decline, the fair value of fixed income investments rise. In each case, the longer the
maturity  of  the  financial  instrument,  the  greater  the  consequence  of  a  change  in  interest  rates.  The  company’s
interest rate risk management strategy is to position its fixed income securities portfolio based on its view of future
interest rates and the yield curve, balanced with liquidity requirements. The company may reposition the portfolio
in response to changes in the interest rate environment. At December 31, 2014 the company’s investment portfolio
included $12.4 billion of fixed income securities (measured at fair value) which are subject to interest rate risk.

In the portions of the table below involving an increase in interest rates, the company’s exposure to interest rate risk
at December 31, 2014 as measured by the hypothetical percentage change in fair value, decreased modestly relative
to December 31, 2013, principally reflecting the interaction of the decrease in interest rates in 2014 with the call
features embedded in the majority of the company’s tax exempt municipal bonds. Decreasing interest rates in 2014
had the effect of increasing the likelihood that issuers would call those bonds prior to the contractual maturity date
and refinance at lower interest rates causing the fair value of the majority of those bonds to reflect the term until the
call date rather than the term to the contractual maturity date. Under the interest rate environment that prevailed at
December  31,  2013,  the  majority  of  those  bonds  were  expected  to  remain  outstanding  until  their  contractual
maturity  date.  In  the  portions  of  the  table  below  involving  a  decrease  in  interest  rates,  the  potential  for  the
company’s bond portfolio to appreciate increased at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013, principally
as a result of the decrease in interest rates in 2014 which generally results in an increase in the duration of the bond
portfolio. There were no significant changes to the company’s framework used to monitor, evaluate and manage
interest rate risk at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013.

Movements in the term structure of interest rates affect the level and timing of recognition in earnings of gains and
losses  on  fixed  income  securities  held.  Generally,  the  company’s  investment  income  may  be  reduced  during
sustained periods of lower interest rates as higher yielding fixed income securities are called, mature, or are sold and
the proceeds are reinvested at lower rates. During periods of rising interest rates, the market value of the company’s
existing fixed income securities will generally decrease and gains on fixed income securities will likely be reduced.
Losses  are  likely  to  be  incurred  following  significant  increases  in  interest  rates.  General  economic  conditions,
political conditions and many other factors can also adversely affect the bond markets and, consequently, the value
of the fixed income securities held. These risks are monitored by the company’s senior portfolio managers along with
the company’s CEO and are considered when managing the consolidated bond portfolio and yield.

98

The table below displays the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the company’s fixed income portfolio
based on parallel 200 basis point shifts up and down, in 100 basis point increments. This analysis was performed on
each individual security, with the hypothetical effect on net earnings calculated on an after-tax basis.

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Fair value
of fixed
income

Hypothetical Hypothetical
$ change effect % change in
fair value

portfolio on net earnings

Fair value
of fixed
income

Hypothetical Hypothetical
$ change effect % change in
fair value

portfolio on net earnings

Change in interest rates
200 basis point increase
100 basis point increase
No change
100 basis point decrease
200 basis point decrease

10,517.6
11,393.1
12,419.3
13,668.7
15,214.3

(1,290.4)
(696.5)
–
847.2
1,894.8

(15.3)
(8.3)
–
10.1
22.5

8,684.2
9,611.7
10,552.8
11,550.0
12,721.0

(1,275.5)
(643.2)
–
684.9
1,488.5

(17.7)
(8.9)
–
9.4
20.5

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented above. Computations of the prospective
effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the
level and composition of fixed income securities at the indicated date, and should not be relied on as indicative of
future  results.  Actual  values  may  differ  from  the  projections  presented  should  market  conditions  vary  from
assumptions used in the calculation of the fair value of individual securities; such variations include non-parallel
shifts in the term structure of interest rates and a change in individual issuer credit spreads.

Market Price Fluctuations

Market price fluctuation is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate
because of changes in market prices (other than those arising from interest rate risk or currency risk), whether those
changes are caused by factors specific to the individual financial instrument or its issuer, or other factors affecting all
similar financial instruments in the market. Changes to the company’s exposure to equity price risk through its
equity and equity-related holdings at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013 are described below.

The  company  holds  significant  investments  in  equities  and  equity-related  securities.  The  market  value  and  the
liquidity of these investments are volatile and may vary dramatically either up or down in short periods, and their
ultimate value will therefore only be known over the long term or on disposition. The company has economically
hedged  its  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  (comprised  of  common  stocks,  convertible  preferred  stocks,
convertible  bonds,  non-insurance  investments  in  associates  and  equity-related  derivatives)  against  a  potential
decline in equity markets by way of short positions effected through equity and equity index total return swaps,
including short positions in certain individual equities and the Russell 2000 index, the S&P/TSX 60 index and other
equity indexes (the ‘‘indexes’’). The company’s economic equity hedges are structured to provide a return which is
inverse to changes in the fair values of the indexes and certain individual equities.

At  December  31,  2014  equity  hedges  with  a  notional  amount  of  $6,856.9  (December  31,  2013 – $6,327.4)
represented 89.6% (December 31, 2013 – 98.2%) of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings of $7,651.7
(December 31, 2013 – $6,442.6). The decrease in the hedge ratio resulted from appreciation and net purchases of
equity  and  equity-related  holdings,  which  exceeded  the  performance  of  the  equity  hedges  and  net  purchases  of
equity hedges, during the year. During 2014 the company’s equity and equity-related holdings after equity hedges
produced net gains of $347.4 (2013 – net losses of $536.9).

One risk of a hedging strategy (sometimes referred to as basis risk) is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of
derivative instruments designated as economic hedges will not experience changes in exactly the opposite directions
from those of the underlying hedged exposure. This imperfect correlation between the derivative instrument and
underlying hedged exposure creates the potential for excess gains or losses in a hedging strategy. In the context of the
company’s equity hedges, the company expects that there may be periods when the notional amount of the equity
hedges may exceed or be deficient relative to the company’s equity price risk exposure as a result of the timing of
opportunities to exit and enter hedges at attractive prices, decisions by the company to hedge an amount less than
the company’s full equity exposure or, as a result of any non-correlated performance of the equity hedges relative to
the equity and equity-related holdings (basis risk).

99

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The company’s risk management objective when selecting a hedging instrument (including its equity index total
return swaps) is to economically protect capital over potentially long periods of time and especially during periods of
market turbulence. The company regularly monitors the effectiveness of its equity hedging program on a prospective
and retrospective basis. Based on its historical observation, the company believes that its hedges of its equity and
equity-related holdings will be effective in the medium to long term and especially in the event of a significant
market correction. However, due to the lack of a perfect correlation between the derivative instruments and the
hedged exposures, combined with other market uncertainties, it is not possible to predict the future impact of the
company’s hedging program related to equity risk.

The following table summarizes the effect of the equity hedges and the equity and equity-related holdings on the
company’s financial position as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and results of operations for the years
then ended:

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, December 31,

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

2014

2013

Exposure/

Notional Carrying
value
amount

Exposure/
Notional
amount

Carrying Net earnings Net earnings
(pre-tax)
(pre-tax)

value

Equity exposures:
Common stocks
Preferred stocks – convertible
Bonds – convertible
Investments in associates(1)
Derivatives and other invested assets:
Equity total return swaps – long

4,938.3
329.8
773.3
1,397.2

4,938.3
329.8
773.3
1,178.1

4,100.6
479.0
408.5
1,173.9

4,100.6
479.0
408.5
1,041.9

266.9
(114.3)
203.4
53.6

positions

Equity warrants and call options

177.9
35.2

(15.9)
35.2

263.5
17.1

7.9
17.1

46.5
85.8

941.2
64.7
(2.6)
130.2

293.9
17.7

Total equity and equity related

holdings

Hedging instruments:

Derivatives and other invested assets:
Equity total return swaps – short

7,651.7

7,238.8

6,442.6

6,055.0

541.9

1,445.1

positions

(1,965.1)

61.2

(1,744.4)

(69.4)

(5.5)

(110.5)

Equity index total return swaps –

short positions

(4,891.8)

(67.4)

(4,583.0)

(121.3)

(189.0)

(1,871.5)

(6,856.9)

(6.2)

(6,327.4)

(190.7)

(194.5)

(1,982.0)

Net exposure and financial effects

794.8

115.2

347.4

(536.9)

(1) Excludes the company’s insurance and reinsurance associates. See note 6 for details.

The tables that follow illustrate the potential impact on net earnings of various combinations of changes in fair value
of  the  company’s  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  and  simultaneous  changes  in  global  equity  markets  at
December 31, 2014 and 2013. The analysis assumes variations ranging from 5% to 10% which the company believes
to be reasonably possible based on analysis of the return on various equity indexes and management’s knowledge of
global equity markets.

Scenarios 1 and 2 illustrate the potential impact of a 10% change in the fair value of the company’s equity and equity-
related holdings while global equity markets also change by 10%. Scenarios 3 and 4 illustrate the potential impact of
imperfect correlation between the company’s equity and equity-related holdings and global equity markets (hedging
basis risk) whereby the company’s equity and equity-related holdings decrease by 10% and 5% respectively, while
global  equity  markets  remain  unchanged.  Scenarios  5  and  6  further  illustrate  hedging  basis  risk  whereby  global
equity markets increase by 5% and 10% respectively, while the fair value of the company’s equity and equity-related
holdings remain unchanged. Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented as the analysis
assumes that all variables, with the exception of those described in each scenario, are held constant.

100

December 31, 2014

Scenario

Change in the company’s equity and equity-related holdings
Change in global equity markets
Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges

1

2

3

4
+10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)5%
+10% (cid:1)10%
–
(629.5)
576.7
(629.5) (298.7)
685.7
(685.7)

6
–
+5% +10%
–
–
– (342.8) (685.7)

5
–

–

–

Pre-tax impact on net earnings

(109.0)

56.2

(629.5) (298.7) (342.8) (685.7)

After-tax impact on net earnings

(89.0)

49.5

(456.5) (216.4) (253.0) (506.0)

December 31, 2013

Scenario

Change in the company’s equity and equity-related holdings
Change in global equity markets
Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges

1

2

3

4
+10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)5%
+10% (cid:1)10%
–
(513.4)
515.2
(513.4) (256.9)
651.8
(651.8)

6
–
+5% +10%
–
–
– (325.9) (651.8)

5
–

–

–

Pre-tax impact on net earnings

(136.6)

138.4

(513.4) (256.9) (325.9) (651.8)

After-tax impact on net earnings

(99.6)

101.4

(380.8) (190.6) (241.1) (482.2)

In each of the scenarios shown in the tables above, the change in the fair value of the company’s equity and equity-
related holdings (excluding investments in associates as discussed below) and equity hedges will be reflected in the
company’s net earnings as the majority of the company’s equity investment holdings are classified as at FVTPL. From
an economic perspective, the company believes it would be appropriate to include the fair value of certain of its
investments  in  associates  (those  that  are  comprised  of  publicly  traded  companies,  other  than  insurance  and
reinsurance holdings (see note 6)) as a component of its total equity and equity-related holdings when measuring the
effectiveness of its equity hedges. However, any unrealized change in the fair value of an investment in associate is
generally  recognized  in  the  company’s  consolidated  financial  reporting  only  upon  ultimate  disposition  of  the
associate. Accordingly, such changes in fair value have been excluded from each of the scenarios presented above
consistent with the company’s financial reporting.

At December 31, 2014 the company’s exposure to the ten largest issuers of common stock owned in the investment
portfolio was $3,020.9 (December 31, 2013 – $2,713.1), which represented 11.5% (December 31, 2013 – 10.9%) of
the total investment portfolio. The exposure to the largest single issuer of common stock held at December 31, 2014
was  $700.0  (December  31,  2013 – $958.9),  which  represented  2.7%  (December  31,  2013 – 3.9%)  of  the  total
investment portfolio.

Risk of Decreasing Price Levels

The risk of decreases in the general price level of goods and services is the potential for a negative impact on the
consolidated  balance  sheet  (including  the  company’s  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  and  fixed  income
investments in non-sovereign debt) and/or consolidated statement of earnings. Among their effects on the economy,
decreasing  price  levels  typically  result  in  decreased  consumption,  restriction  of  credit,  shrinking  output  and
investment and numerous bankruptcies.

The  company  has  purchased  derivative  contracts  referenced  to  the  CPI  in  the  geographic  regions  in  which  it
operates,  which  serve  as  an  economic  hedge  against  the  potential  adverse  financial  impact  on  the  company  of
decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2014 these contracts have a remaining weighted average life of 7.4 years
(December 31, 2013 – 7.5 years), a notional amount of $111,797.9 (December 31, 2013 – $82,866.9) and a fair value
of $238.4 (December 31, 2013 -$131.7). As the average remaining life of a contract declines, the fair value of the
contract (excluding the impact of CPI changes) will generally decline. The company’s maximum potential loss on
any contract is limited to the original cost of that contract.

101

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

During  2014  the  company  purchased  $35,954.2  (2013 – $32,327.7)  notional  amount  of  CPI-linked  derivative
contracts at a cost of $120.6 (2013 – $99.8). Additional premiums of $24.0 were paid in 2013 to increase the strike
price of certain CPI-linked derivative contracts (primarily the U.S. CPI-linked derivatives). The company’s CPI-linked
derivative contracts produced net unrealized gains of $17.7 in 2014 (2013 – net unrealized losses of $126.9).

The CPI-linked derivative contracts are extremely volatile with the result that their market value and their liquidity
may vary dramatically either up or down in short periods and their ultimate value will therefore only be known upon
their disposition or settlement. The company’s purchase of these derivative contracts is consistent with its capital
management  framework  designed  to  protect  its  capital  in  the  long  term.  Due  to  the  uncertainty  of  the  market
conditions which may exist many years into the future, it is not possible to predict the future impact of this aspect of
the company’s risk management program.

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign  currency  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  fair  value  or  cash  flows  of  a  financial  instrument  or  another  asset  will
fluctuate because of changes in exchange rates and as a result, could produce an adverse effect on earnings and equity
when  measured  in  a  company’s  functional  currency.  The  company  is  exposed  to  foreign  currency  risk  through
transactions conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and also through its investments in associates and
net investment in subsidiaries that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. Long and short foreign
exchange forward contracts primarily denominated in the euro, the British pound sterling and the Canadian dollar
are  used  to  manage  foreign  currency  exposure  on  foreign  currency  denominated  transactions.  Foreign  currency
denominated liabilities may be used to manage the company’s foreign currency exposures to net investments in
foreign  operations  having  a  functional  currency  other  than  the  U.S.  dollar.  The  company’s  exposure  to  foreign
currency risk was not significantly different at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013.

The  company’s  foreign  currency  risk  management  objective  is  to  mitigate  the  net  earnings  impact  of  foreign
currency rate fluctuations. The company has a process to accumulate, on a consolidated basis, all significant asset
and  liability  exposures  relating  to  foreign  currencies.  These  exposures  are  matched  and  any  net  unmatched
positions, whether long or short, are identified. The company may then take action to cure an unmatched position
through the acquisition of a derivative contract or the purchase or sale of investment assets denominated in the
exposed currency.

A portion of the company’s premiums are written in foreign currencies and a portion of the company’s loss reserves
are  denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  Moreover,  a  portion  of  the  company’s  cash  and  investments  are  held  in
currencies  other  than  the  U.S.  dollar.  In  general,  the  company  manages  foreign  currency  risk  on  liabilities  by
investing in financial instruments and other assets denominated in the same currency as the liabilities to which they
relate. The company also monitors the exposure of invested assets to foreign currency risk and limits these amounts
as deemed necessary. The company may nevertheless, from time to time, experience gains or losses resulting from
fluctuations in the values of these foreign currencies, which may favourably or adversely affect operating results.

At  December  31,  2014  the  company  had  designated  the  carrying  value  of  Cdn$1,525.0  principal  amount  of  its
Canadian dollar denominated unsecured senior notes with a fair value of $1,488.7 (December 31, 2013 – principal
amount of Cdn$1,525.0 with a fair value of $1,544.4) as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries for
financial  reporting  purposes.  In  2014  the  company  recognized  pre-tax  gains  of  $118.7  (2013 – $96.9)  related  to
foreign  currency  movements  on  the  unsecured  senior  notes  in  change  in  gains  on  hedge  of  net  investment  in
Canadian subsidiaries in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The pre-tax foreign exchange effect on certain line items in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the
years ended December 31 follows:

Net gains (losses) on investments

Investing activities
Underwriting activities
Foreign currency contracts

Foreign currency gains included in pre-tax earnings (loss)

102

2014

2013

(154.5)
53.5
204.4

69.3
15.8
(22.7)

103.4

62.4

The table below shows the approximate effect of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar compared with the Canadian
dollar, the euro and the British pound sterling, and all other currencies, respectively, by 5% on pre-tax earnings (loss),
net earnings (loss), pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss).

Canadian dollar
Impact on pre-tax earnings (loss)
Impact on net earnings (loss)
Impact on pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)
Impact on other comprehensive income (loss)

Euro
Impact on pre-tax earnings (loss)
Impact on net earnings (loss)
Impact on pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)
Impact on other comprehensive income (loss)

British pound sterling
Impact on pre-tax earnings (loss)
Impact on net earnings (loss)
Impact on pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)
Impact on other comprehensive income (loss)

All other currencies
Impact on pre-tax earnings (loss)
Impact on net earnings (loss)
Impact on pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)
Impact on other comprehensive income (loss)

Total
Impact on pre-tax earnings (loss)
Impact on net earnings (loss)
Impact on pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)
Impact on other comprehensive income (loss)

2014

2013

4.1
1.5
(29.6)
(25.9)

(2.0)
(4.3)
7.2
1.3

7.6
4.8
(43.6)
(35.7)

39.9
18.9
(63.5)
(61.9)

49.6
20.9
(129.5)
(122.2)

(4.2)
(5.4)
(15.7)
(12.4)

(37.9)
(27.5)
18.3
10.7

6.0
4.0
(39.2)
(32.3)

67.4
50.0
(50.9)
(50.6)

31.3
21.1
(87.5)
(84.6)

In the preceding scenarios, certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented, as the analysis is
based on the assumption that the 5% appreciation of the U.S. dollar occurred with all other variables held constant.

103

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Capital Management

The company’s capital management framework is designed to protect, in the following order, its policyholders, its
bondholders and its preferred shareholders and then finally to optimize returns to common shareholders. Effective
capital management includes measures designed to maintain capital above minimum regulatory levels, above levels
required to satisfy issuer credit ratings and financial strength ratings requirements, and above internally determined
and calculated risk management levels. Total capital at December 31, 2014, comprising total debt, shareholders’
equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax and non-controlling interests, was $12,922.8 compared to $11,455.0 at
December 31, 2013. The company manages its capital based on the following financial measurements and ratios:

Holding company cash and investments (net of short sale and derivative

obligations)

Long term debt – holding company borrowings
Long term debt – insurance and reinsurance companies
Subsidiary indebtedness – non-insurance companies
Long term debt – non-insurance companies

Total debt

Net debt

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital(1)
Total debt/total capital(2)
Interest coverage(3)
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage(4)

December 31, December 31,
2013

2014

1,212.7

2,656.5
385.9
37.6
99.0

3,179.0

1,966.3

8,361.0
1,164.7
218.1

9,743.8

1,241.6

2,491.0
458.8
25.8
18.9

2,994.5

1,752.9

7,186.7
1,166.4
107.4

8,460.5

20.2%
16.8%
24.6%
12.3x
9.0x

20.7%
17.2%
26.1%
n/a
n/a

(1) Net total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and net debt.

(2) Total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and total debt.

(3)

(4)

Interest coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense
divided by interest expense.

Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss)
before income taxes and interest expense divided by interest expense and preferred share dividend distributions adjusted to
a before tax equivalent at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate.

The  company  manages  its  capital  using  the  ratios  presented  above  because  they  provide  an  indication  of  the
company’s  ability  to  issue  and  service  debt  without  impacting  the  operating  companies  or  their  portfolio
investments.

During 2014 the company completed a private debt offering of $300.0 principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due
August 13, 2024 for net proceeds of $294.2. The company used a portion of these net proceeds to redeem the $50.0
principal  amount  of  OdysseyRe  Series  B  unsecured  senior  notes  due  2016  and  the  $25.0  principal  amount  of
American Safety trust preferred securities due 2035 and disclosed that it intends to use the remaining net proceeds to
fund  the  repayment,  upon  maturity,  of  the  Fairfax  ($82.4)  and  OdysseyRe  ($125.0)  unsecured  senior  notes  due
in 2015.

During  2013  the  company  completed  a  public  debt  offering  of  Cdn$250.0  principal  amount  of  a  re-opening  of
unsecured senior notes due 2022 for net proceeds of $259.9 (Cdn$258.1). The company used those proceeds to fund
the repayment upon maturity of $182.9 principal amount of OdysseyRe’s unsecured senior notes due November 1,
2013, and repurchased and redeemed $48.4 of the outstanding principal amount of its unsecured senior notes due
2017.  In  addition,  the  company  issued  1  million  subordinate  voting  shares  at  a  price  of  Cdn$431.00  per  share,
resulting in net proceeds of $399.5 (Cdn$417.1). These net proceeds were retained to augment holding company
cash and investments and to retire outstanding debt and other corporate obligations from time to time.

104

The  company’s  capital  management  objectives  includes  maintaining  sufficient  liquid  resources  at  the  holding
company to be able to pay interest on its debt, dividends to its preferred shareholders and all other holding company
obligations. Accordingly, the company monitors its interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage ratio
calculated as described in footnote 4 in the table above.

In  the  U.S.,  the  National  Association  of  Insurance  Commissioners  (‘‘NAIC’’)  has  developed  a  model  law  and
risk-based capital (‘‘RBC’’) formula designed to help regulators identify property and casualty insurers that may be
inadequately capitalized. Under the NAIC’s requirements, an insurer must maintain total capital and surplus above a
calculated threshold or face varying levels of regulatory action. The threshold is based on a formula that attempts to
quantify the risk of a company’s insurance, investment and other business activities. At December 31, 2014 and 2013
the U.S. insurance, reinsurance and runoff subsidiaries had capital and surplus in excess of the regulatory minimum
requirement of two times the authorized control level.

In  Canada,  property  and  casualty  companies  are  regulated  by  the  Office  of  the  Superintendent  of  Financial
Institutions on the basis of a minimum supervisory target of 150% of a minimum capital test (‘‘MCT’’) formula. At
December 31, 2014 and 2013 Northbridge’s subsidiaries had a weighted average MCT ratio well in excess of the 150%
minimum supervisory target.

In  countries  other  than  the  U.S.  and  Canada  where  the  company  operates  (the  United  Kingdom,  Barbados,
Singapore,  Malaysia,  Hong  Kong,  Poland,  Brazil  and  Indonesia  and  other  jurisdictions),  the  company  met  or
exceeded the applicable regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2014.

25. Segmented Information

The company is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance,
conducted on a primary and reinsurance basis, and runoff operations. The company identifies its operating segments
by  operating  company  consistent  with  its  management  structure.  The  company  has  aggregated  certain  of  these
operating segments into reporting segments as subsequently described. The accounting policies of the reporting
segments are the same as those described in note 3. Transfer prices for inter-segment transactions are set at arm’s
length.  Geographic  premiums  are  determined  based  on  the  domicile  of  the  various  subsidiaries  and  where  the
primary underlying risk of the business resides.

Insurance

Northbridge – Northbridge is a national commercial property and casualty insurer in Canada providing property and
casualty insurance products through its Northbridge Insurance and Federated subsidiaries.

U.S. Insurance – U.S. Insurance is comprised of Crum & Forster and Zenith National. Crum & Forster is a national
commercial property and casualty insurance company in the United States writing a broad range of commercial
coverages. Its subsidiaries, Seneca Insurance and First Mercury, provide property and casualty insurance to small
businesses  and  certain  specialty  coverages.  Zenith  National  is  primarily  engaged  in  the  workers’  compensation
insurance business in the United States.

Fairfax Asia – Fairfax Asia includes the company’s operations that underwrite insurance and reinsurance coverages in
Singapore  (First  Capital),  Hong  Kong  (Falcon),  Malaysia  (Pacific  Insurance)  and  an  80.0%  interest  in  Indonesia
(Fairfax Indonesia acquired on May 21, 2014). Fairfax Asia also includes the company’s equity accounted interests in
Mumbai-based ICICI Lombard (26.0%) and Thailand-based Falcon Thailand (40.5%).

Reinsurance

OdysseyRe – OdysseyRe  underwrites  reinsurance,  providing  a  full  range  of  property  and  casualty  products  on  a
worldwide basis, and underwrites specialty insurance, primarily in the United States and in the United Kingdom,
both directly and through the Lloyd’s market in London.

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  is  comprised  of  Group  Re,  Advent,  Polish  Re  and  Fairfax  Brasil.  Group  Re
primarily constitutes the participation of CRC Re and Wentworth (both based in Barbados) in the reinsurance of
Fairfax’s subsidiaries by quota share or through participation in those subsidiaries’ third party reinsurance programs
on the same terms as third party reinsurers. Group Re also writes third party business. Advent is a reinsurance and

105

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

insurance  company,  operating  through  Syndicate  780  at  Lloyd’s,  focused  on  specialty  property  reinsurance  and
insurance risks. Polish Re underwrites reinsurance in Central and Eastern Europe. Fairfax Brasil writes commercial
property and casualty insurance in Brazil.

Runoff

The Runoff reporting segment principally comprises RiverStone (UK), Syndicate 3500, RiverStone Insurance and the
U.S. runoff company formed on the merger of TIG Insurance and International Insurance Company combined with
Old Lyme, Fairmont, General Fidelity, Clearwater Insurance, Commonwealth Insurance Company of America (since
January 1, 2013) and American Safety (since October 3, 2013 pursuant to the transaction described in note 23).

Other

The Other reporting segment is comprised of Ridley, William Ashley, Sporting Life, Prime Restaurants, Thomas Cook
India, IKYA, The Keg (since February 4, 2014), Praktiker (since June 5, 2014), Sterling Resorts (consolidated since
September  3,  2014),  MFXchange  (since  November  3,  2014)  and  Pethealth  (since  November  14,  2014).  Ridley  is
engaged in the animal nutrition business in the U.S. and Canada. William Ashley is a prestige retailer of exclusive
tableware  and  gifts  in  Canada.  Sporting  Life  is  a  Canadian  retailer  of  sporting  goods  and  sports  apparel.  Prime
Restaurants (acquired on January 10, 2012) franchises, owns and operates a network of casual dining restaurants and
pubs primarily in Canada. The assets and liabilities of Prime Restaurants were de-consolidated from the company’s
financial reporting effective October 31, 2013 following the sale of Prime Restaurants to Cara. Thomas Cook India is
an integrated travel and travel-related financial services company in India offering a broad range of services that
include foreign exchange, corporate and leisure travel and insurance. IKYA (acquired by Thomas Cook India on
May 14, 2013 pursuant to the transaction described in note 23) provides specialized human resources services to
leading corporate clients in India. The Keg (acquired on February 4, 2014 pursuant to the transaction described in
note  23)  franchises,  owns  and  operates  a  network  of  premium  dining  restaurants  across  Canada  and  in  select
locations in the United States. Praktiker (acquired on June 5, 2014 pursuant to the transaction described in note 23) is
one  of  the  largest  home  improvement  and  do-it-yourself  goods  retailers  in  Greece,  operating  14  stores.  Sterling
Resorts  (consolidated  since  September  3,  2014  pursuant  to  the  transaction  described  in  note  23)  is  engaged  in
vacation ownership and leisure hospitality and operates a network of resorts in India. MFXchange (reported in the
Other  segment  since  November  3,  2014)  is  a  technology  company.  Pethealth  (acquired  on  November  14,  2014
pursuant to the transaction described in note 23) is headquartered in Canada and provides pet medical insurance,
management software and pet-related database management services in North America and the United Kingdom.
The goodwill and intangible assets associated with Pethealth’s marketing of pet medical insurance were allocated to
the Crum & Forster and Northbridge reporting segments since Crum & Forster and Northbridge were to become
Pethealth’s  ongoing  insurance  carriers.  Pethealth’s  residual  assets  and  liabilities  and  results  of  operations  were
consolidated in the Other reporting segment.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes the parent entity (Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited), its subsidiary intermediate
holding companies and Hamblin Watsa, an investment management company. MFXchange was reported in the
Corporate and Other segment prior to its transfer to the Other segment as described in the preceding paragraph.

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  wholly-owned  OdysseyRe  under  a  single
intermediate holding company in the U.S. (the ‘‘OdysseyRe reorganization’’). Prior to the OdysseyRe reorganization,
OdysseyRe  was  owned  by  Crum  &  Forster  (8.1%),  Runoff  (TIG  Insurance)  (20.1%)  and  Fairfax  (71.8%,  through
various U.S. intermediate holding companies). The OdysseyRe reorganization had no effect on Fairfax’s consolidated
financial reporting.

The OdysseyRe reorganization was principally comprised of the following transactions: OdysseyRe redeemed the
investment of Crum & Forster in it and portions of the investments of Runoff and Fairfax in it in exchange for cash
and unaffiliated marketable securities with fair values of $367.5, $510.1 and $12.8 respectively. The remainder of
Runoff’s investment in OdysseyRe (fair value of $380.7) was distributed to Fairfax as a dividend-in-kind. Crum &
Forster  and  Runoff  remitted  to  Fairfax  a  portion  of  the  redemption  proceeds  received  from  OdysseyRe  (Crum  &
Forster paid a dividend of $150.0 and Runoff made an intercompany advance of $350.0), from which Fairfax made a
capital contribution to OdysseyRe of $400.0.

106

Pre-tax Income (Loss) by Reporting Segment

Pre-tax income (loss) by reporting segment for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

2014

Gross premiums written

External

Intercompany

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance

and

Eliminations

Northbridge

U.S.

Asia OdysseyRe

Other operations Runoff Other and Other adjustments Consolidated

Fairfax

Ongoing

Corporate

and

1,107.3 2,429.1

567.9

2.0

3.4

(4.4)

2,704.1

35.4

487.6

65.7

7,296.0

163.9

102.1

–

1,109.3 2,432.5

563.5

2,739.5

553.3

7,398.1

163.9

–

7,459.9

(102.1)

–

(102.1)

7,459.9

Net premiums written

967.1 2,067.2

280.1

2,393.8

413.9

6,122.1

179.7

Net premiums earned

External

Intercompany

951.3 2,032.2

306.7

2,347.2

(9.0)

(11.4)

(34.5)

9.4

341.2

51.5

5,978.6

237.6

6.0

(6.0)

942.3 2,020.8

272.2

2,356.6

392.7

5,984.6

231.6

Underwriting expenses

(899.6) (1,928.8)

(236.0)

(1,996.2)

(372.0)

(5,432.6)

(383.1)

Underwriting profit (loss)

42.7

92.0

36.2

360.4

Interest income

Dividends

Investment expenses

22.5

17.4

67.6

7.9

20.9

5.0

(17.7)

(21.3)

(3.6)

Interest and dividends

22.2

54.2

22.3

Share of profit (loss) of associates

10.3

7.0

38.2

161.5

26.8

(32.7)

155.6

26.6

–

–

–

542.6

579.3

–

(12.7)

(27.5)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

75.2

213.1

153.2

738.9

96.7

(19.3)

–

–

–

(4.7)

–

–

(12.2)

(40.4)

(0.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7.2

–

7.2

3.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(23.8)

6.5

(3.4)

(20.7)

14.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

79.1

79.1

–

–

–

–

20.7

27.1

3.6

552.0 (151.5)

299.6

60.7

74.5

5.8

(12.0)

(87.3)

(15.1)

18.7

273.0

65.2

8.3

90.4

(2.2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 1,556.0

– (1,488.7)

–

67.3

47.7

135.8

915.4

(88.5)

1,647.8

771.0

77.6

43.1

(6.3)

29.7

79.1

(755.4)

–

(4.2)

(0.4)

–

(21.6)

(80.6)

(3.5)

(1.0)

–

–

(0.1)

(12.3)

(171.4)

–

–

–

(6.0)

(79.1)

276.1

847.0

77.3

1,081.7

178.9

2,461.0

678.0

108.4

(154.1)

(755.4)

Other

Revenue

Expenses

Operating income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on investments(1)
Loss on repurchase of long term debt

(note 15)

Interest expense

Corporate overhead

Pre-tax income (loss)

Income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

6,301.8

6,216.2

–

6,216.2

(5,815.7)

400.5

350.3

80.2

(26.7)

403.8

105.7

1,556.0

(1,488.7)

67.3

977.3

1,736.2

(3.6)

(206.3)

(165.7)

2,337.9

(673.3)

1,664.6

1,633.2

31.4

1,664.6

(1) Net gains (losses) on investments at U.S. Insurance, Runoff and Corporate and Other included a gain on redemption of the
investment in OdysseyRe of $310.8, $406.1 and $38.5 respectively, all of which are eliminated on consolidation.

107

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

2013

Gross premiums written

External

Intercompany

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance

and

Eliminations

Northbridge

U.S.

Asia OdysseyRe

Other operations Runoff Other and Other adjustments Consolidated

Fairfax

Ongoing

Corporate

and

1,147.6 2,278.0

530.0

2.4

0.5

0.2

2,700.1

15.4

535.1

7,190.8

36.3

3.4

21.9

–

1,150.0 2,278.5

530.2

2,715.5

538.5

7,212.7

36.3

Net premiums written

1,031.4 1,933.2

257.4

2,376.9

406.9

6,005.8

30.4

Net premiums earned

External

Intercompany

997.8 1,942.0

274.9

2,370.7

(7.6)

(7.2)

(18.7)

2.9

407.6

31.9

5,993.0

1.3

84.3

(1.3)

990.2 1,934.8

256.2

2,373.6

439.5

5,994.3

83.0

Underwriting expenses

(972.0) (1,939.9)

(224.2)

(1,993.7)

(424.5)

(5,554.3)

(71.7)

Underwriting profit (loss)

18.2

(5.1)

32.0

379.9

Interest income

Dividends

Investment expenses

19.3

16.2

62.9

15.4

20.9

5.9

(19.4)

(18.5)

(2.8)

Interest and dividends

16.1

59.8

24.0

Share of profit of associates

11.0

0.8

12.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(27.4)

8.0

(3.7)

(23.1)

144.2

32.1

(37.9)

138.4

53.3

–

–

–

571.6

(816.5)

–

(24.8)

(22.0)

15.0

19.7

5.6

440.0

11.3

267.0

75.2

67.2

12.1

(13.7)

(92.3)

(17.5)

11.6

249.9

61.8

2.5

80.3

4.2

0.8

11.4

–

–

–

29.1

18.8

–

(4.3)

(0.1)

–

–

–

– 958.0

– (906.9)

–

51.1

770.2

77.3

51.9

(1,322.0)

(306.5)

–

–

–

–

(33.9)

(96.0)

(0.4)

(4.6)

–

–

–

–

–

(11.7)

64.5

(3.4)

(172.3)

(14.2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

45.3

55.5

68.7

(55.5)

(445.0)

(23.8)

–

–

–

(4.8)

–

–

(37.2)

(36.6)

(0.1)

–

7,227.1

(21.9)

–

(21.9)

7,227.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

88.3

88.3

–

–

–

–

88.3

–

–

–

(88.3)

6,036.2

6,077.3

–

6,077.3

(5,626.0)

451.3

306.8

95.3

(25.2)

376.9

96.7

958.0

(906.9)

51.1

976.0

(1,564.0)

(3.4)

(211.2)

(198.5)

Other

Revenue

Expenses

Operating income (loss)

Net gains (losses) on investments

Loss on repurchase of long term debt

(note 15)

Interest expense

Corporate overhead

Pre-tax income (loss)

Income taxes

Net loss

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

(47.4)

(430.9)

44.8

(291.7)

43.5

(681.7)

(229.6) 47.3

(137.1)

–

(1,001.1)

436.6

(564.5)

(573.4)

8.9

(564.5)

108

Investments in Associates, Additions to Goodwill, Segment Assets and Segment Liabilities

Investments in associates, additions to goodwill, segment assets and segment liabilities by reporting segment as at
and for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Investments in Additions to

associates

goodwill

Segment assets

Segment
liabilities

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)

2014

164.7

– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)

156.2

– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Ongoing operations

Runoff

Other

163.6

519.8

107.4

1,111.7

275.5

17.9

176.5

119.5

115.1

492.4

64.3

967.8

210.6

8.3

44.3

4.1

11.8

–

–

4,670.6

4,988.4

3,106.2

3,508.5

21.2

9,133.4

8,522.8

6,327.9

6,323.8

–

1,868.7

1,795.0

1,207.8

1,185.0

– 11,100.7 11,141.8

7,088.1

7,332.5

–

2,371.4

2,265.0

1,559.4

1,563.5

68.5

21.2 29,144.8 28,713.0 19,289.4 19,913.3

17.3

152.4

–

34.4

27.6

6,963.7

7,476.9

4,899.0

5,879.1

1,376.4

682.9

700.7

321.3

Corporate and other and eliminations and adjustments

212.6

236.8

–

–

(1,353.7)

(873.8) 1,498.3

1,424.8

Consolidated

1,617.7

1,432.5

220.9

83.2 36,131.2 35,999.0 26,387.4 27,538.5

Product Line

Revenue by product line for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Property

Casualty

Specialty

Total

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

Net premiums earned
Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Ongoing operations
Runoff

Interest and dividends
Share of profit of associates
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other

Total consolidated revenue

Allocation of revenue

942.3

990.2
2,020.8 1,934.8
256.2
2,356.6 2,373.6
439.5

272.2

392.7

5,984.6 5,994.3
83.0

231.6

403.8
105.7

6,216.2 6,077.3
376.9
96.7
1,736.2 (1,564.0)
958.0
1,556.0

10,017.9 5,944.9

405.0
204.9
25.6

91.2
93.5
420.7
478.3
443.8
62.9
69.1
178.0 1,746.8 1,693.9
174.1
186.8
58.9
59.8
859.6 226.9 279.0
811.8
73.6
121.1 101.8
119.4

23.2
1,317.9 1,235.0
244.8

171.5

2,124.9 2,101.7 3,308.6 3,327.0 551.1 565.6
66.4

224.5

15.3

4.5

1.3

2.6

2,127.5 2,103.0 3,533.1 3,342.3 555.6 632.0

34.2% 34.6% 56.9% 55.0% 8.9% 10.4%

109

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Geographic Region

Revenue by geographic region for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Canada

United States

Asia(1)

International(2)

Total

2014

2013

2014

2013 2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

Net premiums earned
Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Ongoing operations
Runoff

Interest and dividends
Share of profit of associates
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other

Total consolidated revenue

933.0
–
–
96.3
8.2

980.6

9.2
9.5
– 2,020.6 1,934.7
–
–
–
95.7 1,346.5 1,281.3
120.3
95.7
19.6

1,037.5 1,095.9 3,472.0 3,345.8
31.5

150.1

–

–

–
–
272.2
281.4
75.7

629.3
–

–
–
256.2
249.7
60.5

566.4
–

0.1
0.2
–
632.4
213.1

845.8
81.5

0.1
0.1
–
746.9
239.1

986.2
51.5

1,037.5 1,095.9 3,622.1 3,377.3

629.3

566.4

927.3 1,037.7

942.3

990.2
2,020.8 1,934.8
256.2
2,356.6 2,373.6
439.5

392.7

272.2

5,984.6 5,994.3
83.0

231.6

403.8
105.7

6,216.2 6,077.3
376.9
96.7
1,736.2 (1,564.0)
958.0
1,556.0

10,017.9 5,944.9

Allocation of revenue

16.7% 18.0% 58.3% 55.6% 10.1% 9.3%

14.9% 17.1%

(1) The  Asia  geographic  segment  comprises  countries  located  throughout  Asia  including  China,  India,  the  Middle  East,

Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

(2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America.

26. Expenses

Losses  on  claims,  net,  operating  expenses  and  other  expenses  for  the  years  ended  December  31  were  comprised
as follows:

Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Salaries and employee benefits expense (note 27)
Other reporting segment cost of sales
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Premium taxes
Audit, legal and tax professional fees
Information technology costs
Operating lease costs
Restructuring costs
Loss on repurchase of long term debt (note 15)
Administrative expense and other

2014
3,584.0
1,145.1
978.3
94.2
93.2
99.6
79.8
96.9
20.6
3.6
318.5

2013
3,467.5
1,010.1
623.2
104.3
93.8
93.0
78.1
66.2
12.9
3.4
213.1

6,513.8

5,765.6

110

27. Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the years ended December 31 were comprised as follows:

Wages and salaries
Employee benefits
Defined benefit pension plan expense (note 21)
Defined contribution pension plan expense (note 21)
Share-based payments to directors and employees
Defined benefit post retirement expense (note 21)

2014
904.6
161.5
20.7
24.1
25.4
8.8

2013
790.4
141.9
24.9
21.9
20.5
10.5

1,145.1

1,010.1

28. Supplementary Cash Flow Information

Cash and cash equivalents were included on the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Holding company cash and investments:

Cash and balances with banks
Treasury bills and other eligible bills

Subsidiary cash and short term investments:

Cash and balances with banks
Treasury bills and other eligible bills

Subsidiary assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations:

Treasury bills and other eligible bills

Subsidiary indebtedness – bank overdrafts

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts included in the

consolidated balance sheets

Less: Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents – restricted(1)

Cash and balances with banks
Treasury bills and other eligible bills

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts included in the

consolidated statements of cash flows

December 31, December 31,
2013

2014

93.7
224.0

317.7

1,336.3
1,698.2

3,034.5

157.2
57.2

214.4

1,786.7
2,091.7

3,878.4

–

–

11.8

(6.0)

3,352.2

4,098.6

122.1
211.4

333.5

96.7
243.7

340.4

3,018.7

3,758.2

(1) Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows excludes balances
that are restricted. Restricted cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of amounts required to be maintained on
deposit with various regulatory authorities to support the subsidiaries’ insurance and reinsurance operations.

111

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Details of certain cash flows included in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31
were as follows:

(a) Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as at FVTPL

Short term investments
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Derivatives and short sales

(b) Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Net decrease (increase) in restricted cash and cash equivalents
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provision for unearned premiums
Insurance contract receivables
Recoverable from reinsurers
Other receivables
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Other

(c) Net interest and dividends received

Interest and dividends received
Interest paid

(d) Net income taxes (paid) refund received

(e) Dividends paid

Common share dividends paid
Preferred share dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

2014

2013

918.9
(620.9)
60.3
(527.5)
(420.8)

1,159.1
8.7
(34.6)
1,585.6
(1,823.1)

(590.0)

895.7

4.7
(926.8)
102.1
21.7
860.7
(33.2)
5.0
23.3
27.0
(13.7)

(168.5)
(855.3)
(67.6)
(57.2)
481.0
(39.3)
(34.4)
(44.3)
9.8
8.9

70.8

(766.9)

612.3
(192.3)

547.7
(199.7)

420.0

348.0

(52.3)

19.9

(215.7)
(56.9)
(6.6)

(205.5)
(60.8)
(6.4)

(279.2)

(272.7)

29. Related Party Transactions

Compensation for the company’s key management team for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments

2014
10.7
1.4

12.1

Compensation for the company’s Board of Directors for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Retainers and fees
Share-based payments

2014
0.8
0.1

0.9

2013
7.1
1.0

8.1

2013
1.0
0.1

1.1

The compensation presented above is determined in accordance with the company’s IFRS accounting policies and
will differ from the compensation presented in the company’s Management Proxy Circular.

112

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

Notes to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . .
Overview of Consolidated Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Developments

Acquisitions and Divestitures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sources of Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Premiums Earned by Geographic Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sources of Net Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Earnings by Reporting Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance Sheets by Reporting Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Components of Net Earnings

Underwriting and Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Gains (Losses) on Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate Overhead and Other
Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Components of Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheet Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asbestos and Pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recoverable from Reinsurers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Investments

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview of Investment Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and Dividend Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Gains (Losses) on Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Return on the Investment Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common Stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Derivatives and Derivative Counterparties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Float . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Financial Condition

Capital Resources and Management
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Book Value per Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liquidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contractual Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accounting and Disclosure Matters

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Significant Accounting Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Future Accounting Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Risk Management

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issues and Risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other

Quarterly Data (unaudited)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock Prices and Share Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compliance with Corporate Governance Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forward-Looking Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

114
115

115
118
119
122
122
126
127

130
151
151
151
151
152
153

153
155
168
172

176
177
177
180
181
183
184
185
186

188
190
191
194

194
194
195
195
195

196
196

205
205
206
206

113

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

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

(as of March 6, 2015)

(Figures and amounts are in US$ and $ millions except per share amounts and as otherwise indicated. Figures may not add due
to rounding.)

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

(1) Readers of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(‘‘MD&A’’) should review the entire Annual Report for additional commentary and information. Additional
information relating to the company, including its annual information form, can be found on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com. Additional information can also be accessed from the company’s website www.fairfax.ca.

(2) Management analyzes and assesses the underlying insurance, reinsurance and runoff operations and the
financial  position  of  the  consolidated  group  in  various  ways.  Certain  of  the  measures  provided  in  this
Annual Report, which have been used historically and disclosed regularly in Fairfax’s Annual Reports and
interim  financial  reporting,  are  non-GAAP  measures.  Where  non-GAAP  measures  are  used,  descriptions
have been provided in the commentary as to the nature of the adjustments made.

(3) The combined ratio is the traditional measure of underwriting results of property and casualty companies. A
non-GAAP measure, the combined ratio is calculated by the company as the sum of the loss ratio (claims
losses and loss adjustment expenses expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned) and the expense
ratio (commissions, premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage
of net premiums earned). Other non-GAAP measures used by the company include the commission expense
ratio (commissions expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned) and the accident year combined ratio
(calculated  in  the  same  manner  as  the  combined  ratio  but  excluding  the  net  favourable  or  adverse
development of reserves established for claims that occurred in previous accident years).

(4)

‘‘Interest and dividends’’ in this MD&A is derived from the consolidated statement of earnings prepared in
accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and is comprised of the sum of interest and dividends and share
of profit (loss) of associates. ‘‘Consolidated interest and dividend income’’ in this MD&A refers to interest
and dividends as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings.

(5) The company’s long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on a notional
amount of an equity index or individual equity security (including dividends and capital gains or losses) in
exchange for the payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity
total return swaps allow the company to pay the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or
individual equity security in exchange for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount.
Throughout this MD&A, the term ‘‘total return swap expense’’ refers to the net dividends and interest paid
or received related to the company’s long and short equity and equity index total return swaps.

(6) Additional  GAAP  measures  included  in  the  Capital  Resources  and  Management  section  of  this  MD&A
include: net debt divided by total equity, net debt divided by net total capital and total debt divided by total
capital. The company also calculates an interest coverage ratio and an interest and preferred share dividend
distribution coverage ratio as a measure of its ability to service its debt and pay dividends to its preferred
shareholders.

(7) Average annual return on average equity, a non-GAAP measure, is derived from segment balance sheets and
segment  operating  results.  It  is  calculated  for  a  reporting  segment  as  the  cumulative  net  earnings  for  a
specified period of time expressed as a percentage of average equity over the same period.

(8)

Intercompany shareholdings are presented as ‘Investments in Fairfax affiliates’ on the segmented balance
sheets and carried at cost.

(9) References in this MD&A to the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations do not include its runoff

operations.

114

Overview of Consolidated Performance

The insurance and reinsurance operations produced a record underwriting profit of $552.0 and combined ratio of
90.8%  in  2014  compared  to  underwriting  profit  of  $440.0  and  a  combined  ratio  of  92.7%  in  2013  with  the
year-over-year  improvement  principally  reflecting  lower  current  period  catastrophe  losses,  an  increase  in  the
non-catastrophe  underwriting  margins  related  to  the  current  accident  year  and  higher  net  favourable  prior  year
reserve development. Operating income of the insurance and reinsurance operations (excluding net gains (losses) on
investments) increased to $915.4 in 2014 from $770.2 in 2013 primarily as a result of higher underwriting profits and
interest and dividend income. Net premiums written by the insurance and reinsurance operations increased by 1.1%
in 2014 (after adjusting for timing differences in recognizing crop insurance premiums written by OdysseyRe).

Net investment gains of $1,736.2 in 2014 (compared to net investment losses of $1,564.0 in 2013) were principally
comprised of net unrealized gains on bonds and net realized gains on equity and equity-related holdings after equity
hedges. Consolidated interest and dividend income increased to $403.8 in 2014 from $376.9 in 2013 reflecting an
increase in interest income earned and lower total return swap expense. At December 31, 2014 the company had
holdings of cash and short term investments of $6,293.3 which accounted for 24.0% of its portfolio investments.

Reflecting significant net gains on investments and the increase in underwriting profit, partially offset by higher net
adverse  prior  year  reserve  development  at  Runoff  and  the  increased  provision  for  income  taxes,  there  was  net
earnings of $1,633.2 in 2014 compared to a net loss of $573.4 in 2013. Consequently, the company’s consolidated
total debt to total capital ratio decreased to 24.6% at December 31, 2014 from 26.1% at December 31, 2013, and its
common shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2014 was $8,361.0 or $394.83 per basic share compared to $7,186.7 or
$339.00 per basic share at December 31, 2013 (an increase of 19.5%, adjusted for the $10.00 per common share
dividend paid in the first quarter of 2014).

Maintaining  its  emphasis  on  financial  soundness,  the  company  held  $1,244.3  of  cash  and  investments  at  the
holding  company  level  ($1,212.7  net  of  $31.6  of  holding  company  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations)  at
December  31,  2014  compared  to  $1,296.7  ($1,241.6  net  of  $55.1  of  holding  company  short  sale  and  derivative
obligations) at December 31, 2013.

Business Developments

Acquisitions and Divestitures

Subsequent to December 31, 2014

On February 16, 2015 the company announced that it had reached an agreement with the board of directors of
Brit PLC (‘‘Brit’’) regarding the terms of a recommended cash offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Brit
(the ‘‘Brit Offer’’) for a total price of 305 pence per share, comprising 280 pence in cash to be paid by the company
and Brit’s announced 2014 final and special dividends of 25 pence (the ‘‘Brit Offer Price’’). The aggregate purchase
price for the Brit Offer is approximately $1.88 billion (£1.22 billion). The Brit Offer is subject to customary closing
conditions, including customary competition and merger conditions and other regulatory approvals as required. Brit
is a market-leading global Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer. The net proceeds from underwritten
public offerings of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares ($575.9 (Cdn$717.1)), 9.2 million Series M preferred shares
($179.0  (Cdn$222.9))  and  Cdn$350.0  of  4.95%  Fairfax  senior  notes  due  2025  ($275.7),  all  of  which  closed  on
March 3, 2015, will be used to finance the Brit Offer. The offerings are described in more detail in notes 15 (Subsidiary
Indebtedness, Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities) and 16 (Total Equity) to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2014.

On January 30, 2015 the company, through subsidiaries, acquired 30,000,000 multiple voting shares of Fairfax India
Holdings  Corporation  (‘‘Fairfax  India’’)  for  $300.0  through  a  private  placement.  These  multiple  voting  shares
represented approximately 95.2% of the voting rights and 28.3% of the equity interest in Fairfax India upon the
closing of its offerings (inclusive of the over-allotment of subordinate voting shares that closed on February 10,
2015). Fairfax India was established, with the support of Fairfax, to invest in public and private equity securities and
debt instruments in India and Indian businesses or other businesses primarily conducted in or dependent on India.
Hamblin Watsa is the portfolio advisor to Fairfax India and its subsidiaries. Fairfax India will be included in the
company’s consolidated financial reporting commencing in the first quarter of 2015.

On January 1, 2015 the company acquired 78% of Union Assurance General Limited (‘‘Union Assurance’’) for cash
consideration of $26.8 (3.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees). Union Assurance is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka and

115

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

underwrites general insurance in Sri Lanka, specializing in automobile and personal accident lines of business and
writing approximately $41 of gross premiums written in 2013.

On December 16, 2014 the company entered into an agreement with QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (‘‘QBE’’) to
acquire  QBE’s  insurance  operations  in  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Slovakia.  The  existing  businesses  and
renewal rights of QBE’s operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia are expected to be transferred to
Fairfax by the third quarter of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions, including various regulatory approvals.
In QBE’s most recent fiscal year, its operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia generated over $40 in
gross premiums written across a range of general insurance classes, including property, travel, general liability and
product  protection.  On  February  3,  2015  the  company  also  entered  into  an  agreement  to  acquire  QBE’s  general
insurance operations in Ukraine, which generated over $5 of gross premiums written in 2014.

On December 1, 2014 the company entered into an agreement to acquire the general insurance business of MCIS
Insurance  Berhad  (formerly  known  as  MCIS  Zurich  Insurance  Berhad)  (‘‘MCIS’’)  through  its  wholly-owned
subsidiary Pacific Insurance. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including Malaysian court
approval, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015. MCIS is an established general insurer in Malaysia with
over $55 of gross premiums written in 2013 in its general insurance business.

Year ended December 31, 2014

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  its  wholly-owned  reinsurance  and  insurance
company,  Odyssey  Re  Holdings  Corp.  (‘‘OdysseyRe’’),  under  a  single  intermediate  holding  company  in  the
U.S. (the ‘‘OdysseyRe reorganization’’). Prior to the OdysseyRe reorganization, OdysseyRe was owned by Crum &
Forster  (8.1%),  Runoff  (TIG  Insurance)  (20.1%)  and  Fairfax  (71.8%,  through  various  U.S.  intermediate  holding
companies).

The OdysseyRe reorganization was effected in order to accomplish the following in respect of Fairfax and its affiliates:
simplify the ownership of OdysseyRe; enhance investment flexibility (principally at Crum & Forster and Runoff
(TIG Insurance)); reduce certain risk charges applied by insurance regulators and rating agencies to the capital of
insurance entities when they own investments in affiliated companies (this affected principally Crum & Forster and
TIG  Insurance);  create  a  direct  channel  through  which  OdysseyRe  may  remit  dividends  to  Fairfax;  and  reduce
regulatory overlap among jurisdictions.

The OdysseyRe reorganization was principally comprised of the following transactions: OdysseyRe redeemed the
investment of Crum & Forster in it and portions of the investments of Runoff and Fairfax in it in exchange for cash
and unaffiliated marketable securities with fair values of $367.5, $510.1 and $12.8 respectively. The remainder of
Runoff’s investment in OdysseyRe (fair value of $380.7) was distributed to Fairfax as a tax-free dividend-in-kind.
Crum  &  Forster  and  Runoff  remitted  to  Fairfax  a  portion  of  the  redemption  proceeds  received  from  OdysseyRe
(Crum  &  Forster  paid  a  dividend  of  $150.0  and  Runoff  made  an  intercompany  advance  of  $350.0),  from  which
Fairfax made a capital contribution to OdysseyRe of $400.0.

The  OdysseyRe  reorganization  had  no  effect  on  Fairfax’s  consolidated  financial  reporting;  however,  it  impacted
OdysseyRe, Crum & Forster and Runoff individually as follows:

OdysseyRe

OdysseyRe redeemed the investment of Crum & Forster in it and portions of the investments of Runoff and Fairfax in
it  in  exchange  for  cash  and  unaffiliated  marketable  securities  with  fair  values  of  $367.5,  $510.1  and  $12.8
respectively. Out of a portion of these redemption proceeds which were remitted by Crum & Forster and Runoff to
Fairfax,  Fairfax  made  a  capital  contribution  to  OdysseyRe  of  $400.0.  The  net  effect  of  these  transactions  on
OdysseyRe’s shareholders’ equity was a decrease of $490.3. Notwithstanding the reorganization, the statutory capital
of  OdysseyRe’s  principal  operating  subsidiary  (Odyssey  Reinsurance  Company)  increased  from  $3,102.5  at
December  31,  2013  to  $3,248.7  at  December  31,  2014,  reflecting  significant  net  earnings  and  net  unrealized
investment gains in 2014.

Crum & Forster

OdysseyRe  redeemed  Crum  &  Forster’s  investment  in  it  (carrying  value  of  $56.7)  in  exchange  for  cash  and
unaffiliated marketable securities with a fair value of $367.5, resulting in a non-taxable net gain on investment at
Crum & Forster of $310.8 (this gain is eliminated in Fairfax’s consolidated financial reporting). Crum & Forster paid a

116

dividend  of  $150.0  to  Fairfax  from  a  portion  of  the  proceeds  received  from  OdysseyRe,  comprised  primarily  of
U.S. municipal and corporate bonds and U.S. treasury bills. The net effect of these transactions increased Crum &
Forster’s shareholders’ equity by $160.8 and decreased its statutory capital by $110.0 (the latter reflects the higher
carrying value of the investment in OdysseyRe under statutory accounting principles). Notwithstanding the decrease
in  statutory  capital,  Crum  &  Forster’s  risk-based  capital  ratio  increased  in  2014,  principally  as  a  result  of  an
improvement in the composition of its investment portfolio.

Runoff

OdysseyRe redeemed a portion of Runoff’s investment in it (carrying value of $104.0) in exchange for cash and
unaffiliated marketable securities with a fair value of $510.1, resulting in a non-taxable net gain on investment at
Runoff of $406.1 (this gain is eliminated in Fairfax’s consolidated financial reporting). Runoff made an intercompany
advance of $350.0 to Fairfax from a portion of the proceeds received from OdysseyRe, comprised primarily of cash
and  U.S.  treasury  bills.  The  intercompany  advance  bears  interest  at  5.2%  per  annum,  and  is  repayable  in  equal
installments  over  ten  years.  The  remainder  of  Runoff’s  investment  in  OdysseyRe  (carrying  value  of  $74.5)  was
distributed to Fairfax as a tax-free dividend-in-kind (fair value of $380.7). The net effect of these transactions was an
increase of $331.6 in Runoff’s shareholders’ equity and a decrease of $243.1 in TIG Insurance’s statutory capital
(the latter reflects the higher carrying value of the investment in OdysseyRe under statutory accounting principles).
Notwithstanding the decrease in statutory capital, Runoff’s risk-based capital increased in 2014, principally as a result
of an improvement in the composition of its investment portfolio.

On November 14, 2014 the company acquired all of the outstanding common shares, preferred shares and employee
share  options  of  Pethealth  Inc.  (‘‘Pethealth’’)  for  cash  consideration  of  $88.7  (Cdn$100.4).  The  goodwill  and
intangible assets associated with Pethealth’s marketing of pet medical insurance were allocated to the Crum & Forster
($90.9  comprised  of  $39.4  of  goodwill,  $47.3  of  customer  relationships  and  $4.2  of  computer  software)  and
Northbridge ($17.3 comprised of $8.3 of goodwill, $8.0 of customer relationships and $1.0 of computer software)
reporting segments since Crum & Forster & Northbridge were to become Pethealth’s ongoing insurance carriers.
Pethealth’s residual assets and liabilities and results of operations were consolidated in the Other reporting segment.
Pethealth  is  headquartered  in  Canada  and  provides  pet  medical  insurance,  related  management  software  and
pet-related database management services in North America and the United Kingdom.

During the first half of 2014 Thomas Cook India acquired a 41.9% ownership interest in Sterling Holiday Resorts
(India) Limited (‘‘Sterling Resorts’’) for cash purchase consideration of $57.4 (3,534.6 million Indian rupees), and
classified its investment as an associate. On September 3, 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest to
55.1% by acquiring additional common shares of Sterling Resorts for cash consideration of $19.2 (1,162.6 million
Indian rupees). The assets and liabilities and results of operations of Sterling Resorts were consolidated within the
Other reporting segment. Sterling Resorts is engaged in vacation ownership and leisure hospitality and operates a
network of resorts in India. Refer to note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2014 for further details.

On  June  5,  2014  Fairfax  completed  the  acquisition  of  a  100%  interest  in  Praktiker  Hellas  Commercial  Societe
Anonyme (‘‘Praktiker’’) for cash purchase consideration of $28.6 (A21.0 million). The assets and liabilities and results
of operations of Praktiker were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Praktiker is one of the largest home
improvement and do-it-yourself goods retailers in Greece, operating 14 stores.

On May 21, 2014 Fairfax Asia completed the acquisition of an 80.0% interest in PT Batavia Mitratama Insurance
(subsequently renamed PT Fairfax Insurance Indonesia (‘‘Fairfax Indonesia’’)) for cash purchase consideration of
$8.5 (98.2 billion Indonesian rupees). Subsequent to the acquisition, Fairfax Asia contributed an additional $12.9 to
Fairfax  Indonesia  (maintaining  its  80.0%  interest)  to  support  business  expansion.  The  assets  and  liabilities  and
results of operations of Fairfax Indonesia were consolidated in the Insurance – Fairfax Asia reporting segment. Fairfax
Indonesia  is  headquartered  in  Jakarta,  Indonesia  and  underwrites  general  insurance,  specializing  in  automobile
coverage in Indonesia.

On February 4, 2014 the company completed the acquisition of 51.0% of the outstanding common shares of Keg
Restaurants Limited (‘‘The Keg’’) for cash purchase consideration of $76.7 (Cdn$85.0). The assets and liabilities and
results of operations of The Keg were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. The Keg franchises, owns and
operates a network of premium dining restaurants across Canada and in select locations in the United States.

117

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Year ended December 31, 2013

On October 31, 2013 the company contributed its 81.7% interest in Prime Restaurants Inc. (‘‘Prime Restaurants’’) to
Cara Operations Limited (‘‘Cara’’) in exchange for Cara preferred shares and equity warrants with a combined fair
value of $54.5 (Cdn$56.9). Subsequently, the company determined that it no longer controlled Prime Restaurants
and de-consolidated Prime Restaurants from its financial reporting effective October 31, 2013.

On October 3, 2013 Runoff acquired American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (‘‘American Safety’’). The renewal
rights to American Safety’s environmental casualty, excess and surplus lines casualty, property and package lines of
business and surety lines of business were assumed by Crum & Forster and Hudson Insurance Company (‘‘Hudson
Insurance’’, a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of OdysseyRe), respectively.

On July 3, 2013 Crum & Forster acquired a 100% interest in Hartville Group, Inc. (‘‘Hartville’’).

On May 14, 2013 Thomas Cook India acquired a 77.3% interest in IKYA Human Capital Solutions Private Limited
(‘‘IKYA’’) for purchase consideration of $46.8 (2,563.2 million Indian rupees).

Refer  to  note  23  (Acquisitions  and  Divestitures)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2014 for further details of these acquisitions.

Operating Environment

Insurance Environment

The property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry is expected to report a second consecutive year of
underwriting  profitability  in  2014  largely  driven  by  the  absence  of  major  catastrophe  losses  and  the  continued
benefit from favourable reserve development. Accident year combined ratios have generally remained below 100%
as  price  increases  in  2014  have  generally  kept  pace  with  loss  costs.  The  industry  continues  to  feel  the  effects  of
historically  low  interest  rates  that  are  negatively  affecting  operating  income,  offset  somewhat  by  an  increase  in
investment portfolios due to positive operating cash flows. If interest rates remain at these low levels, interest income
earned in the future will likely continue to decline even further due to lower reinvestment rates. Strong performance
in the equity markets in the U.S. and Canada and decreases in interest rates produced realized and unrealized gains
on common stocks and bonds for many in the industry in 2014 and contributed to the overall growth in capital for
the  industry.  Equity  markets  are  at  all-time  highs  and  interest  rates  are  at  historical  lows,  raising  concern  over
whether  such  trends  can  persist  into  the  future.  Insurance  pricing  on  property  lines  of  business  declined,  while
casualty lines increased modestly in 2014. Larger account business continues to experience more pricing pressure
than medium-to-small account business. Insurance pricing in 2015 is likely to be affected by the direction of interest
rates, probable lower levels of favourable reserve development, capacity available within the industry, the extent to
which a line of business is loss-affected and the general strength of the global economy.

The reinsurance sector remains overcapitalized as a result of recent strong earnings and additional capacity from
non-traditional  capital  providers.  Pricing  on  many  reinsurance  lines  remains  attractive;  however,  property
catastrophe-exposed  business  has  experienced  double  digit  price  decreases  (primarily  due  to  the  absence  of
significant catastrophe losses), while non-catastrophe property and casualty reinsurance business is experiencing
more moderate price decreases reflecting the factors described above affecting insurance pricing.

118

Sources of Revenue

Revenue  for  the  most  recent  three  years  ended  December  31,  is  shown  in  the  table  that  follows.  Other  revenue
primarily  comprises  the  revenue  earned  by  Ridley,  William  Ashley,  Sporting  Life,  Praktiker  (acquired  on  June  5,
2014), The Keg (acquired on February 4, 2014), Prime Restaurants (acquired on January 10, 2012 and subsequently
sold on October 31, 2013), Thomas Cook India, IKYA (acquired on May 14, 2013), Sterling Resorts (consolidated
since September 3, 2014) and Pethealth (acquired on November 14, 2014).

Net premiums earned

Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other
Runoff

Interest and dividends
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other revenue

2014

2013

2012

942.3
2,020.8
272.2
2,356.6
392.7
231.6

6,216.2
509.5
1,736.2
1,556.0

990.2
1,934.8
256.2
2,373.6
439.5
83.0

6,077.3
473.6
(1,564.0)
958.0

992.2
1,811.6
231.4
2,315.3
514.3
220.1

6,084.9
424.3
642.6
871.0

10,017.9

5,944.9

8,022.8

Revenue of $10,017.9 in 2014 increased from $5,944.9 in 2013 reflecting significant net gains on investments and
increased other revenue, net premiums earned and interest and dividends. Net gains on investments in 2014 was
principally comprised of net unrealized gains on bonds and net realized gains on equity and equity-related holdings
after  equity  hedges.  The  modest  decrease  in  net  premiums  earned  by  the  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance
operations in 2014 reflected year-over-year decreases at Northbridge ($47.9, 4.8% including the unfavourable effect
of foreign currency translation), OdysseyRe ($17.0, 0.7%) and Insurance and Reinsurance – Other ($46.8, 10.6%),
partially offset by increases at Crum & Forster ($45.5, 3.6%), Zenith National ($40.5, 6.0%) and Fairfax Asia ($16.0,
6.2%).  Net  premiums  earned  at  Runoff  in  2014  primarily  reflected  the  impact  of  two  significant  reinsurance
transactions  in  2014:  a  medical  malpractice  reinsurance  transaction  ($66.5)  and  a  reinsurance  transaction  with
Everest Re ($84.1). Net premiums earned at Runoff in 2013 primarily reflected the runoff of policies in force on the
acquisition dates of RiverStone Insurance ($54.4) and American Safety ($20.7). The medical malpractice reinsurance
transaction, Everest Re reinsurance transaction and the acquisitions of American Safety and RiverStone Insurance are
described in more detail in the Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading Runoff.

Revenue decreased from $8,022.8 in 2012 to $5,944.9 in 2013 reflecting significant net losses on investments in 2013
(comprised  of  hedging  losses  ($1,982.0)  and  mark-to-market  fluctuations  in  the  investment  portfolio  primarily
related to bonds ($994.9), partially offset by realized gains on equity and equity-related holdings ($1,324.2). Net
premiums  earned  by  the  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  operations  increased  by  2.2%  in  2013  reflecting
year-over-year increases at Zenith National ($76.8, 12.9%), OdysseyRe ($58.3, 2.5%), Crum & Forster ($46.4, 3.8%)
and Fairfax Asia ($24.8, 10.7%), partially offset by decreases at Insurance and Reinsurance – Other ($74.8, 14.5%) and
Northbridge ($2.0, 0.2% including the unfavourable effect of foreign currency translation). Net premiums earned at
Runoff decreased to $83.0 in 2013 from $220.1 in 2012 primarily as a result of $183.5 of net premiums earned in
connection with the Eagle Star reinsurance transaction in 2012. Revenue in 2013 also reflected higher interest and
dividend income and other revenue on a year-over-year basis.

119

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

In order to better compare 2014 and 2013, the table which follows presents net premiums written by the company’s
insurance and reinsurance operations in 2014 and 2013 after adjusting for the one-time impact on January 1, 2013 of
an  intercompany  unearned  premium  portfolio  transfer  from  Group  Re  to  Northbridge  of  net  premiums  written
(described  in  the  Components  of  Net  Earnings  section  of  this  MD&A  under  the  heading  Canadian  Insurance –
Northbridge)  and  the  change  in  the  manner  in  which  OdysseyRe  recognizes  premiums  written  in  respect  of  its
U.S. crop insurance business by applying the same recognition pattern for the U.S. crop insurance business as was
adopted in 2014 to 2013 (described in more detail in the Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under
the heading Reinsurance – OdysseyRe).

Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Insurance and reinsurance operations

2014
967.1
2,067.2
280.1
2,359.4
413.9

2013
992.3
1,933.2
257.4
2,392.8
446.0

% change
year-over-
year
(2.5)
6.9
8.8
(1.4)
(7.2)

6,087.7

6,021.7

1.1

Northbridge’s  net  premiums  written  decreased  by  2.5%  in  2014  (increased  by  4.4%  in  Canadian  dollar  terms  in
2014).  Excluding  the  unfavourable  effect  of  foreign  currency  translation,  the  increase  primarily  reflected  rate
increases and improved retention across most lines of business at Northbridge Insurance and Federated Insurance
and  lower  ceded  reinsurance  and  reinstatement  premiums,  partially  offset  by  the  strategic  non-renewal  of  an
unprofitable portfolio in the Ontario region of Northbridge Insurance.

Net premiums written by U.S. Insurance increased by 6.9% in 2014. Crum & Forster’s net premiums written increased
by  9.2%  in  2014  primarily  reflecting  the  incremental  contribution  from  American  Safety  to  the  environmental
casualty business and growth in the Fairmont accident and health and Seneca businesses, partially offset by planned
reductions  in  the  legacy  CoverX  business.  Zenith  National’s  net  premiums  written  increased  by  2.9%  in  2014
primarily reflecting premium rate increases.

Net premiums written by Fairfax Asia increased by 8.8% in 2014 primarily as a result of increased writings in the
commercial  property,  commercial  automobile  and  marine  hull  lines  of  business  combined  with  slightly  higher
premium retention during the year, partially offset by decreased writings in the engineering lines of business.

Net  premiums  written  by  OdysseyRe  decreased  by  1.4%  in  2014  primarily  reflecting  declines  in  writings  of
reinsurance business (primarily property lines of business) due to competitive market conditions, partially offset by
growth across most lines of business in the U.S. insurance division, including incremental gross premiums written
related to the renewal of the American Safety business.

Net  premiums  written  in  the  Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  reporting  segment  decreased  by  7.2%  in  2014
primarily reflecting decreases at Polish Re and Advent (primarily reflecting the non-renewal of certain classes of
business  where  terms  and  conditions  were  considered  inadequate),  partially  offset  by  increases  at  Group  Re
(primarily related to a modest increase in net risk retained within the Fairfax group).

Consolidated interest and dividend income increased from $376.9 in 2013 to $403.8 in 2014, reflecting an increase
in  interest  income  earned  and  lower  total  return  swap  expense,  partially  offset  by  lower  dividends  earned  on
common stocks as a result of sales of dividend paying equities during 2013. Total return swap expense decreased from
$167.9 in 2013 to $156.3 in 2014, reflecting lower total return swap expense following the termination in 2013 of a
portion of the company’s Russell 2000 and all of its S&P 500 equity index total return swaps, partially offset by lower
total return swap income following the termination of a significant portion of the company’s long equity total return
swaps at the end of 2013.

120

Net gains (losses) on investments in 2014 and 2013 were comprised as shown in the following table:

Common stocks
Preferred stocks – convertible(1)
Bonds – convertible
Gain on disposition of associates(2)
Other equity derivatives(3)(4)

Equity and equity-related holdings

Equity hedges

Equity and equity-related holdings after equity hedges

Bonds
Preferred stocks
CPI-linked derivatives
Other derivatives
Foreign currency
Other(5)

Net gains (losses) on investments

Net gains (losses) on bonds is comprised as follows:

Government bonds
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other

2014
266.9
(114.3)
203.4
53.6
132.3

2013
941.2
64.7
(2.6)
130.2
311.6

541.9
(194.5)

1,445.1
(1,982.0)

347.4
1,237.2
(27.5)
17.7
10.2
103.4
47.8

(536.9)
(929.0)
(19.0)
(126.9)
(7.0)
62.4
(7.6)

1,736.2

(1,564.0)

531.3
684.7
21.2

(267.6)
(637.3)
(24.1)

1,237.2

(929.0)

(1) During the fourth quarter of 2014, a preferred stock investment of the company was, pursuant to its terms, automatically
converted into common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized loss on investment of $161.5 (the difference between
the share price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock).

(2) The gain on disposition of associates of $53.6 in 2014 principally reflected the dispositions of the company’s investments
in MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs. The gain on disposition of associates of $130.2 in 2013 reflected the sales of the
company’s investments in The Brick ($111.9), a private company ($12.1) and Imvescor ($6.2).

(3) Other equity derivatives include long equity total return swaps, equity warrants and call options.

(4) Gains and losses on equity and equity index total return swaps that are regularly renewed as part of the company’s long

term risk management objectives are presented within net change in unrealized gains (losses).

(5) During the third quarter of 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts to 55.1% and

ceased applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in a non-cash gain of $41.2.

At  December  31,  2014  equity  hedges  with  a  notional  amount  of  $6,856.9  (December  31,  2013 – $6,327.4)
represented 89.6% (December 31, 2013 – 98.2%) of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings of $7,651.7
(December 31, 2013 – $6,442.6). The decrease in the hedge ratio resulted from appreciation and net purchases of
equity  and  equity-related  holdings,  which  exceeded  the  performance  of  the  equity  hedges  and  net  purchases  of
equity  hedges,  during  the  year.  Refer  to  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  under  the  heading  Market  Price
Fluctuations in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, for a tabular
analysis followed by a discussion of the company’s hedges of equity price risk and the related basis risk and to the
tabular analysis in the Investments section of this MD&A for further details about the components of net gains
(losses) on investments.

Net gains on bonds of $1,237.2 in 2014 were primarily comprised of net mark-to-market gains principally as a result
of the effect of a decrease in interest rates during 2014 on U.S. treasury bonds ($321.2 in 2014) and U.S. state and
municipal bonds ($658.7 in 2014). The company recorded net losses on bonds of $929.0 in 2013.

121

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The company’s CPI-linked derivative contracts produced unrealized gains of $17.7 in 2014 compared to unrealized
losses  of  $126.9  in  2013.  Unrealized  gains  (losses)  on  CPI-linked  derivative  contracts  typically  reflect  decreases
(increases) in the values of the CPI indexes underlying those contracts during the periods presented (those contracts
are structured to benefit the company during periods of decreasing CPI index values).

The increase in other revenue from $958.0 in 2013 to $1,556.0 in 2014, principally reflected the consolidation of the
revenue of IKYA (acquired on May 14, 2013), The Keg (acquired on February 4, 2014) and Praktiker (acquired on
June  5,  2014),  partially  offset  by  lower  revenue  following  the  disposition  of  Prime  Restaurants  (sold  on
October 31, 2013).

Net Premiums Earned by Geographic Region

As  presented  in  note  25  (Segmented  Information)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2014, on the basis of geographic regions, the United States, Canada, International and Asia accounted
for 58.3%, 16.7%, 14.9% and 10.1% respectively, of net premiums earned in 2014 compared to 55.6%, 18.0%, 17.1%
and 9.3% respectively, of net premiums earned in 2013.

United States

Net premiums earned in the United States geographic region increased by 7.2% from $3,377.3 in 2013 to $3,622.1 in
2014 primarily reflecting the impact on Runoff of the Everest Re reinsurance transaction and runoff of policies in
force on the acquisition date of American Safety, growth in the accident and health and environmental casualty
business  at  Crum  &  Forster,  premium  rate  increases  on  workers’  compensation  business  at  Zenith  National  and
growth across most lines of the U.S. insurance business of OdysseyRe, partially offset by decreases in OdysseyRe’s
reinsurance business.

Canada

Net premiums earned in the Canada geographic region decreased by 5.3% from $1,095.9 in 2013 to $1,037.5 in 2014
primarily at Northbridge as a result of the unfavourable effect of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the
Canadian dollar as measured by average annual rates of exchange, partially offset by premium rate increases and
stronger retention rates.

International

Net premiums earned in the International geographic region decreased by 10.6% from $1,037.7 in 2013 to $927.3 in
2014 principally reflecting decreases at OdysseyRe in its reinsurance business and the non-renewal of certain classes
of business where terms and conditions were considered inadequate at Polish Re.

Asia

Net premiums earned in the Asia geographic region increased by 11.1% from $566.4 in 2013 to $629.3 in 2014
primarily reflecting growth at Fairfax Asia.

Sources of Net Earnings

The following table presents the combined ratios and underwriting and operating results for each of the insurance
and reinsurance operations and, as applicable, for runoff operations, as well as the earnings contributions from the
Other reporting segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. In that table, interest and dividends
in the consolidated statements of earnings are presented separately as they relate to the insurance and reinsurance
operating  segments,  and  included  in  Runoff,  Corporate  overhead  and  other,  and  Other  as  they  relate  to  those
segments. Net realized gains before equity hedges, net change in unrealized gains (losses) before equity hedges and

122

equity hedging net losses are each shown separately to present more meaningfully the results of the company’s
investment management strategies.

Combined ratios
Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Consolidated

Sources of net earnings
Underwriting
Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends – insurance and reinsurance

Operating income
Runoff (excluding net gains (losses) on investments)
Other reporting segment
Interest expense
Corporate overhead and other

Pre-tax income before net gains (losses) on investments
Net realized gains before equity hedges

Pre-tax income including net realized gains before equity hedges
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) before equity hedges
Equity hedging net losses

Pre-tax income (loss)
Income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Net earnings (loss) per share
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share
Cash dividends paid per share

2014

2013

2012

98.2% 106.2%
95.5%
95.4% 100.3% 111.4%
87.0%
87.5%
86.7%
84.0%
84.7%
88.5%
96.6% 104.3%
94.7%

90.8%

92.7%

99.9%

42.7
92.0
36.2
360.4
20.7

552.0
363.4

915.4
(88.5)
77.6
(206.3)
(96.5)

18.2
(5.1)
32.0
379.9
15.0

440.0
330.2

770.2
77.3
51.9
(211.2)
(125.3)

(61.7)
(206.3)
30.1
265.8
(21.8)

6.1
292.4

298.5
14.6
34.1
(208.2)
(132.6)

601.7
777.6

562.9
1,379.6

6.4
1,058.7

1,379.3
1,153.1
(194.5)

1,942.5
(961.6)
(1,982.0)

1,065.1
589.4
(1,005.5)

2,337.9
(673.3)

(1,001.1)
436.6

649.0
(114.0)

1,664.6

(564.5)

535.0

1,633.2
31.4

(573.4)
8.9

526.9
8.1

1,664.6

(564.5)

535.0

$
$
$

74.43
73.01
10.00

$ (31.15) $ 22.95
$ (31.15) $ 22.68
$ 10.00
$ 10.00

The underwriting profit of the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations increased from $440.0 (combined
ratio of 92.7%) in 2013 to $552.0 (combined ratio of 90.8%) in 2014 principally as a result of lower current period
catastrophe losses, improvement in the non-catastrophe underwriting margins related to the current accident year
and higher net favourable prior year reserve development.

123

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net favourable development of $445.7 (7.4 combined ratio points) in 2014 and $440.0 (7.3 combined ratio points) in
2013 was comprised as follows:

Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Insurance and reinsurance operations

2014
(110.2)
(72.6)
(20.6)
(189.1)
(53.2)

2013
(154.0)
(27.7)
(16.7)
(214.7)
(26.9)

(445.7)

(440.0)

Catastrophe losses which added 3.2 combined ratio points ($189.0) to the combined ratio in 2014 compared to
4.8 combined ratio points ($289.3) in 2013 were comprised as follows:

2014

2013

Catastrophe
losses(1)
41.7
–
–
–
–
–
147.3

Combined
ratio impact
0.7
–
–
–
–
–
2.5

Catastrophe
losses(1)
–
66.3
29.5
27.0
25.8
19.7
121.0

Combined
ratio impact
–
1.1
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.3
2.0

189.0

3.2 points

289.3

4.8 points

Windstorm Ela
Alberta floods
Toronto floods
Germany hail storms
Typhoon Fitow
Central Europe floods
Other

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

The  following  table  presents  the  components  of  the  company’s  combined  ratios  for  the  years  ended
December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expense

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

2014
552.0

2013
440.0

66.4%
16.0%
15.8%

68.9%
16.1%
15.0%

98.2% 100.0%
(7.4)% (7.3)%

90.8%

92.7%

The commission expense ratio of the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations decreased modestly from
16.1% in 2013 to 16.0% in 2014 reflecting increased profit commission on reinsurance ceded by First Capital on its
property  line  of  business  and  lower  inward  reinstatement  premiums  earned  at  OdysseyRe  (which  do  not  attract
commissions) and changes in the mix of business at Northbridge and OdysseyRe.

The underwriting expense ratio of the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations increased from 15.0% in
2013  to  15.8%  in  2014  due  to  increased  underwriting  expenses  of  5.6%  in  2014  (primarily  reflecting  increased
compensation and legal expenses) and decreased net premiums earned of 0.2% in 2014.

124

Operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings include only the operating expenses of the company’s
insurance  and  reinsurance  and  runoff  operations  and  corporate  overhead.  Operating  expenses  increased  from
$1,185.0 in 2013 to $1,227.2 in 2014 primarily as a result of increased underwriting expenses of the insurance and
reinsurance operations (described above) and higher operating expenses at Runoff (primarily reflecting incremental
operating  expenses  associated  with  the  Everest  Re  reinsurance  transaction  and  American  Safety  (acquired  on
October  3,  2013),  partially  offset  by  the  release  of  a  provision  for  uncollectible  reinsurance),  partially  offset  by
decreased  Fairfax  corporate  overhead  (primarily  as  a  result  of  lower  compensation  expenses  and  legal  fees  and
one-time expenses incurred in 2013 related to the acquisition of American Safety) and lower subsidiary companies’
corporate overhead (primarily as a result of a non-recurring charge of $31.2 incurred at Northbridge in 2013 related
to redundant software development costs, partially offset by higher restructuring costs and charitable donations
in 2014).

Other expenses increased from $910.3 in 2013 to $1,492.3 in 2014 primarily as a result of the consolidation of the
operating expenses of Praktiker (acquired on June 5, 2014), The Keg (acquired February 4, 2014) and IKYA (acquired
on May 14, 2013), partially offset by lower operating expenses following the disposition of Prime Restaurants (sold
on October 31, 2013).

The company reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $1,633.2 (net earnings of $74.43 per
basic and $73.01 per diluted share) in 2014 compared to a net loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $573.4
(a net loss of $31.15 per basic and diluted share) in 2013. The year-over-year increase in profitability was primarily
due to significant net gains on investments and the increase in underwriting profit, partially offset by higher net
adverse prior year reserve development at Runoff and the increased provision for income taxes.

Common shareholders’ equity increased from $7,186.7 at December 31, 2013 to $8,361.0 at December 31, 2014
primarily  reflecting  net  earnings  attributable  to  shareholders  of  Fairfax  ($1,633.2),  partially  offset  by  decreased
accumulated other comprehensive income (a decrease of $196.5 in 2014 primarily related to net unrealized foreign
currency translation losses ($74.6), the share of other comprehensive loss of associates ($89.4 inclusive of actuarial
losses related to associates’ defined benefit plans of $36.7) and actuarial losses related to the company’s subsidiaries’
defined  benefit  plans  ($32.5))  and  the  payment  of  dividends  on  the  company’s  common  and  preferred  shares
($272.6). Common shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2014 was $8,361.0 or $394.83 per basic share compared to
$7,186.7 or $339.00 per basic share at December 31, 2013, representing an increase per basic share in 2014 of 16.5%
(without adjustment for the $10.00 per common share dividend paid in the first quarter of 2014, or an increase of
19.5% adjusted to include that dividend).

125

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net Earnings by Reporting Segment

The  company’s  sources  of  net  earnings  shown  by  reporting  segment  are  set  out  below  for  the  years  ended
December 31, 2014 and 2013. The intercompany adjustment for gross premiums written eliminates premiums on
reinsurance ceded within the group, primarily to OdysseyRe and Group Re.

Year ended December 31, 2014

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance
and

Northbridge

U.S.

Fairfax
Asia

OdysseyRe

Corporate
Other operations Runoff Other and Other

Ongoing

Eliminations
and

adjustments Consolidated

(102.1)

7,459.9

Gross premiums written

1,109.3 2,432.5

563.5

2,739.5

553.3

7,398.1

163.9

Net premiums written

967.1 2,067.2

280.1

2,393.8

413.9

6,122.1

179.7

Net premiums earned

942.3 2,020.8

272.2

2,356.6

392.7

5,984.6

231.6

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest and dividends

Operating income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on investments(1)
Other reporting segment

Interest expense

42.7

32.5

92.0

61.2

36.2

60.5

75.2

213.1

153.2

738.9

96.7

(19.3)

–

–

–

(4.7)

–

–

Corporate overhead and other

(12.2)

(40.4)

(0.1)

360.4

182.2

542.6

579.3

–

(12.7)

(27.5)

20.7

27.0

47.7

135.8

–

(4.2)

(0.4)

552.0

363.4

(151.5)

63.0

10.3

915.4

(88.5)

1,647.8

771.0

10.3

43.1

67.3

–

–

(21.6)

(80.6)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(6.3)

(6.3)

29.7

–

–

–

–

79.1

79.1

(755.4)

–

–

(1.0)

(12.3)

(171.4)

(3.5)

–

(6.1)

(79.1)

276.1

847.0

77.3

1,081.7

178.9

2,461.0

678.0 108.4

(154.1)

(755.4)

Pre-tax income (loss)

Income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

6,301.8

6,216.2

400.5

509.5

910.0

1,736.2

67.3

(206.3)

(169.3)

2,337.9

(673.3)

1,664.6

1,633.2

31.4

1,664.6

(1)

Net gains (losses) on investments at U.S. Insurance, Runoff and Corporate and Other included a gain on redemption of the investment in OdysseyRe of $310.8, $406.1 and $38.5
respectively, all of which are eliminated on consolidation. Refer to the Business Developments section of this MD&A for a discussion of the OdysseyRe reorganization.

Year ended December 31, 2013

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance
and

Northbridge

U.S.

Fairfax
Asia

OdysseyRe

Corporate
Other operations Runoff Other and Other

Ongoing

Gross premiums written

1,150.0 2,278.5

530.2

2,715.5

538.5

7,212.7

36.3

Net premiums written

1,031.4 1,933.2

257.4

2,376.9

406.9

6,005.8

30.4

Net premiums earned

990.2 1,934.8

256.2

2,373.6

439.5

5,994.3

83.0

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest and dividends

18.2

27.1

(5.1)

60.6

32.0

36.7

Operating income (loss)

45.3

55.5

68.7

Net gains (losses) on investments

(55.5)

(445.0)

(23.8)

Other reporting segment

Interest expense

–

–

–

(4.8)

–

–

Corporate overhead and other

(37.2)

(36.6)

(0.1)

379.9

191.7

571.6

(816.5)

–

(24.8)

(22.0)

15.0

14.1

29.1

18.8

–

(4.3)

(0.1)

440.0

330.2

11.3

66.0

770.2

77.3

(1,322.0)

(306.5)

–

(33.9)

(96.0)

–

51.1

(0.4)

(4.6)

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.8

0.8

–

Eliminations
and

adjustments Consolidated

(21.9)

7,227.1

–

–

–

88.3

88.3

–

–

–

(88.3)

6,036.2

6,077.3

451.3

473.6

924.9

(1,564.0)

51.1

(211.2)

(201.9)

–

–

–

–

(11.7)

(11.7)

64.5

–

(172.3)

(17.6)

Pre-tax income (loss)

Income taxes

Net loss

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

(47.4)

(430.9)

44.8

(291.7)

43.5

(681.7)

(229.6)

47.3

(137.1)

–

(1,001.1)

436.6

(564.5)

(573.4)

8.9

(564.5)

126

Balance Sheets by Reporting Segment

The company’s segmented balance sheets as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 present the assets and liabilities of, and
the capital invested by the company in, each of the company’s major reporting segments. The segmented balance
sheets have been prepared on the following basis:

(a) The balance sheet for each segment is on a legal entity basis for the subsidiaries within the segment and is
prepared in accordance with IFRS and Fairfax’s accounting policies and include, where applicable, purchase
accounting adjustments principally related to goodwill and intangible assets which arose on their initial
acquisition or on a subsequent step acquisition by the company.

(b)

Investments  in  Fairfax  affiliates,  which  are  carried  at  cost,  are  disclosed  in  the  financial  information
accompanying the discussion of the company’s reporting segments. Affiliated insurance and reinsurance
balances, including premiums receivable (included in insurance contracts receivable), deferred premium
acquisition costs, recoverable from reinsurers, funds withheld payable to reinsurers, provision for losses and
loss  adjustment  expenses  and  provision  for  unearned  premiums,  are  not  shown  separately  but  are
eliminated in Corporate and Other.

(c) Corporate and Other includes the Fairfax entity and its subsidiary intermediate holding companies as well
as  the  consolidating  and  eliminating  entries  required  under  IFRS  to  prepare  consolidated  financial
statements.  The  most  significant  of  those  entries  are  derived  from  the  elimination  of  intercompany
reinsurance (primarily consisting of reinsurance provided by Group Re and reinsurance between OdysseyRe
and  the  primary  insurers),  which  affects  recoverable  from  reinsurers,  provision  for  losses  and  loss
adjustment  expenses  and  unearned  premiums.  Corporate  and  Other  long  term  debt  of  $2,656.5  as  at
December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 – $2,491.0) consisted of Fairfax debt of $2,514.7 (December 31,
2013 – $2,337.7) and other long term obligations, comprised of the purchase consideration payable related
to the TRG acquisition of $139.7 (December 31, 2013 – $144.2) and TIG trust preferred securities of $2.1
(December 31, 2013 – $9.1).

127

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Segmented Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2014

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance

and

Northbridge

U.S.

Asia

OdysseyRe

Other Companies Runoff

Other and Other Consolidated

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

Assets

Holding company cash and investments

Insurance contract receivables

Portfolio investments

Deferred premium acquisition costs

Recoverable from reinsurers

Deferred income taxes

Goodwill and intangible assets

Due from affiliates

Other assets

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

35.2

285.5

66.0

418.3

–

99.3

463.6

814.1

–

564.8

–

220.0

1,837.2

144.0

–

–

3,160.9

5,708.5

1,137.1

8,179.8

1,819.4

20,005.7

4,841.7

269.0

98.7

119.7

629.9

1,671.3

48.4

176.9

91.8

97.6

45.7

161.7

748.6

0.3

175.2

63.8

21.4

525.4

–

31.6

5.2

48.7

–

217.7

868.2

50.8

182.7

2.7

117.6

203.5

45.0

211.4

–

18.3

0.2

47.1

10.0

502.5

–

3,906.2

1,100.9

260.9

1,158.1

100.2

486.2

323.0

67.4

43.4

615.0

73.8

77.5

–

–

–

360.8

0.2

746.4

679.5

(49.5)

(7.2)

(4.9)

(1,025.0)

132.1

(4.0)

(715.4)

41.2

–

(400.5)

1,244.3

1,931.7

25,109.2

497.6

3,982.1

460.4

1,558.3

–

1,347.6

–

Total assets

4,670.6

9,133.4

1,868.7

11,100.7

2,371.4

29,144.8

6,963.7

1,376.4

(1,353.7)

36,131.2

Liabilities

Subsidiary indebtedness

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Income taxes payable

Short sale and derivative obligations

Due to affiliates

Funds withheld payable to reinsurers

Provision for losses and loss adjustment

expenses

Provision for unearned premiums

Deferred income taxes

Long term debt

–

179.4

33.5

8.2

5.2

4.2

–

323.7

–

20.3

26.5

338.9

2,299.7

4,705.0

576.0

823.6

–

–

10.4

79.5

–

203.1

10.5

–

4.7

58.2

691.3

229.3

10.7

–

–

503.9

102.6

53.2

9.4

36.0

5,315.3

853.1

–

214.6

–

119.2

1.3

16.2

10.4

63.4

–

1,329.3

147.9

97.9

56.2

500.7

–

98.1

32.3

31.3

0.1

16.8

1,011.3

14,022.6

4,720.4

243.7

2.1

91.8

2,725.7

23.2

385.9

–

–

–

37.6

479.7

13.8

–

27.0

–

–

–

43.6

99.0

–

122.0

(75.7)

31.6

(83.3)

(56.0)

(993.9)

(36.1)

(66.8)

37.6

2,029.1

118.3

160.8

–

461.5

17,749.1

2,689.6

–

2,656.5

3,141.4

Total liabilities

3,106.2

6,327.9

1,207.8

7,088.1

1,559.4

19,289.4

4,899.0

700.7

1,498.3

26,387.4

Equity

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

1,564.4

2,805.5

–

–

647.6

13.3

4,012.6

812.0

9,842.1

2,064.7

–

–

13.3

–

616.4

59.3

(2,997.5)

145.5

9,525.7

218.1

Total equity

1,564.4

2,805.5

660.9

4,012.6

812.0

9,855.4

2,064.7

675.7

(2,852.0)

9,743.8

Total liabilities and total equity

4,670.6

9,133.4

1,868.7

11,100.7

2,371.4

29,144.8

6,963.7

1,376.4

(1,353.7)

36,131.2

Capital

Total debt

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

Total capital

% of total capital

–

45.7

79.5

63.8

–

–

214.6

203.5

91.8

10.0

385.9

323.0

–

136.6

2,656.5

3,179.0

77.5

–

(400.5)

–

1,518.7

2,741.7

–

–

647.6

13.3

3,809.1

802.0

9,519.1

1,987.2

–

–

13.3

–

616.4

204.8

(2,597.0)

–

9,525.7

218.1

1,564.4

2,885.0

660.9

4,227.2

903.8

10,241.3

2,064.7

957.8

(341.0)

12,922.8

12.1%

22.3%

5.1%

32.7%

7.0%

79.2%

16.0%

7.4%

(2.6)%

100.0%

128

Segmented Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2013

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance

and

Northbridge

U.S.

Asia

OdysseyRe

Other Companies Runoff Other and Other Consolidated

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

Assets

Holding company cash and investments

Insurance contract receivables

Portfolio investments

Deferred premium acquisition costs

Recoverable from reinsurers

Deferred income taxes

Goodwill and intangible assets

Due from affiliates

Other assets

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

32.6

289.4

11.3

390.3

–

95.0

246.0

815.8

–

289.9

–

166.0

1,756.5

350.5

–

–

3,183.8

4,977.7

1,089.9

7,986.6

1,768.7

19,006.7

4,604.4

100.8

100.0

835.3

67.7

177.9

101.1

168.0

32.6

104.2

1,732.8

317.2

650.6

1.1

240.1

97.5

20.0

511.5

–

29.2

4.9

44.5

–

204.2

990.4

204.8

168.9

205.4

138.3

181.4

37.0

189.4

15.4

20.9

0.3

67.3

–

465.4

–

4,259.4

1,773.7

–

–

–

217.6

–

70.4

46.0

281.4

66.2

364.5

284.3

–

605.1

1,047.5

312.8

658.2

311.5

1,006.8

(90.0)

121.4

(3.0)

(1,058.4)

339.5

0.7

(594.2)

(0.8)

(595.8)

1,296.7

2,017.0

23,833.3

462.4

4,974.7

1,015.0

1,311.8

–

1,088.1

–

Total assets

4,988.4

8,522.8

1,795.0

11,141.8

2,265.0

28,713.0

7,476.9

682.9

(873.8)

35,999.0

Liabilities

Subsidiary indebtedness

–

–

–

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

174.7

306.3

229.3

Income taxes payable

Short sale and derivative obligations

Due to affiliates

Funds withheld payable to reinsurers

Provision for losses and loss adjustment

expenses

Provision for unearned premiums

Deferred income taxes

Long term debt

–

33.8

7.6

3.9

–

26.9

26.4

7.7

0.1

4.2

397.4

70.9

2,686.1

4,720.9

602.4

766.4

–

–

–

79.5

643.9

219.9

9.0

–

–

494.1

–

118.1

10.8

16.3

5,603.5

825.6

–

264.1

–

–

–

25.8

103.2

1,307.6

174.0

211.0

–

14.1

7.0

37.8

7.7

193.0

56.0

526.3

51.7

20.3

11.6

32.5

1,095.9

14,750.3

5,493.8

211.4

2,625.7

0.4

93.7

9.4

437.3

73.7

–

21.5

5.0

–

20.0

–

–

–

40.6

18.9

–

148.0

15.7

55.1

(87.6)

(97.6)

(1,031.3)

(18.5)

(50.0)

25.8

1,840.6

80.1

268.4

–

461.2

19,212.8

2,680.9

–

2,491.0

2,968.7

Total liabilities

3,508.5

6,323.8

1,185.0

7,332.5

1,563.5

19,913.3

5,879.1

321.3

1,424.8

27,538.5

Equity

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

1,479.9

2,199.0

602.0

3,809.3

701.5

8,791.7

1,597.8

354.3

(2,390.7)

–

–

8.0

–

–

8.0

–

7.3

92.1

8,353.1

107.4

Total equity

1,479.9

2,199.0

610.0

3,809.3

701.5

8,799.7

1,597.8

361.6

(2,298.6)

8,460.5

Total liabilities and total equity

4,988.4

8,522.8

1,795.0

11,141.8

2,265.0

28,713.0

7,476.9

682.9

(873.8)

35,999.0

Capital

Total debt

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

Total capital

% of total capital

–

32.6

79.5

97.5

–

–

264.1

181.4

93.7

–

437.3

311.5

21.5

284.3

44.7

–

2,491.0

(595.8)

1,447.3

2,101.5

602.0

3,627.9

701.5

8,480.2

1,313.5

354.3

(1,794.9)

–

–

8.0

–

–

8.0

–

99.4

–

2,994.5

–

8,353.1

107.4

1,479.9

2,278.5

610.0

4,073.4

795.2

9,237.0

1,619.3

498.4

100.3

11,455.0

12.9%

19.9%

5.3%

35.6%

7.0%

80.7%

14.1%

4.3%

0.9%

100.0%

129

Components of Net Earnings

Underwriting and Operating Income

Set  out  and  discussed  below  are  the  underwriting  and  operating  results  of  Fairfax’s  insurance  and  reinsurance
operations, Runoff and Other by reporting segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Canadian Insurance – Northbridge(1)

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains (losses) on investments

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

2014
42.7

72.2%
16.0%
19.0%

2013
18.2

77.5%
16.3%
20.0%

107.2%
(11.7)%

113.8%
(15.6)%

95.5%

98.2%

1,109.3

1,150.0

967.1

1,031.4

942.3

990.2

42.7
32.5

75.2
213.1

288.3

214.4

18.2
27.1

45.3
(55.5)

(10.2)

(8.7)

(1) These results differ from the standalone results of Northbridge primarily due to purchase accounting adjustments related to

the privatization of Northbridge in 2009.

Northbridge’s underwriting profit increased from $18.2 (combined ratio of 98.2%) in 2013 to $42.7 (combined ratio
of 95.5%) in 2014, primarily due to lower current period catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower net favourable
prior year reserve development.

Current period catastrophe losses in 2014 totaled $8.1 (0.9 of a combined ratio point) and were principally related to
hailstorms  in  Alberta.  Current  period  catastrophe  losses  in  2013  (inclusive  of  reinstatement  premiums  payable)
totaled $61.0 (6.2 combined ratio points) and were principally comprised of the impacts of the Alberta floods of
$34.1 (3.5 combined ratio points) and the Toronto floods of $18.5 (1.9 combined ratio points). Net favourable prior
year reserve development decreased from $154.0 (15.6 combined ratio points) in 2013 to $110.2 (11.7 combined
ratio points) in 2014. Net favourable development in 2014 and 2013 reflected better than expected emergence across
most accident years and lines of business (more specifically concentrated in general liability, commercial automobile
and personal automobile lines of business in 2014).

130

Northbridge’s underwriting expense ratio decreased from 20.0% in 2013 to 19.0% in 2014, primarily due to lower
compensation  and  benefits  expense  and  the  modest  impact  of  increased  net  premiums  earned  (expressed  in
Canadian  dollars).  Northbridge’s  commission  expense  ratio  decreased  from  16.3%  in  2013  to  16.0%  in  2014
primarily due to changes in the mix of business. Northbridge’s corporate overhead in 2013 included a charge of $31.2
(Cdn$31.9) related to software development costs that became redundant following a decision by Northbridge to
pursue a new group-wide underwriting software system.

In order to better compare Northbridge’s gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned in
2014 and 2013, the premiums presented in the following table are expressed in Canadian dollars and exclude the
effect  of  the  unearned  premium  portfolio  transfer  (effective  January  1,  2013  Northbridge  discontinued  its  10%
participation  on  a  quota  share  reinsurance  contract  with  Group  Re  and  received  $39.1  (Cdn$39.4)  of  unearned
premium which had previously been ceded to Group Re).

Gross premiums written
Net premiums written
Net premiums earned

Cdn$

2014
1,224.8
1,067.7
1,040.4

2013
1,184.3
1,022.7
1,019.7

% change
year-over-
year
3.4
4.4
2.0

Gross premiums written increased by 3.4% in 2014 primarily due to rate increases and improved retention across
most  lines  of  business  at  Northbridge  Insurance  and  Federated  Insurance,  with  some  offset  due  to  the  strategic
non-renewal  of  an  unprofitable  portfolio  in  the  Ontario  region  of  Northbridge  Insurance.  The  growth  in  net
premiums written of 4.4% also reflected lower ceded reinsurance and reinstatement premium in 2014. The increase
in net premiums earned of 2.0% was less than the increase in net premiums written reflecting the growth in net
premiums written that was only partially earned in 2014.

The  significant  year-over-year  increase  in  net  gains  on  investments  (as  set  out  in  the  table  below),  higher
underwriting profitability and higher interest and dividend income (reflecting lower investment management and
administration  fees  and  lower  total  return  swap  expense)  produced  pre-tax  income  before  interest  and  other  of
$288.3 in 2014 compared to a pre-tax loss before interest and other of $10.2 in 2013.

Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges
Bonds
Preferred stocks
CPI-linked derivatives
Foreign currency
Gain on disposition of associates
Other

Net gains (losses) on investments

2014
105.4
(37.5)
66.9
(4.2)
(2.6)
74.7
13.8
(3.4)

2013
141.8
(202.8)
(31.7)
(3.7)
(27.6)
47.0
22.2
(0.7)

213.1

(55.5)

Northbridge’s cash resources, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, decreased by $437.9 in 2014
compared  to  an  increase  of  $716.1  in  2013.  The  increase  in  cash  provided  by  operating  activities  (excluding
operating cash flow activity related to securities recorded at FVTPL) from $22.7 in 2013 to $54.2 in 2014 primarily
reflected lower net claims paid, partially offset by lower net premiums collected and higher income taxes paid.

Northbridge’s average annual return on average equity over the past 29 years since inception in 1985 was 13.6% at
December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 – 13.5%) (expressed in Canadian dollars).

131

Set out below are the balance sheets (in U.S. dollars) for Northbridge as at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Assets
Holding company cash and investments
Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Due from affiliates
Other assets
Investment in Fairfax affiliates

Total assets

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short sale and derivative obligations
Due to affiliates
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provision for unearned premiums

Total liabilities

Total equity

Total liabilities and total equity

2014(1)

2013(1)

35.2
285.5
3,160.9
98.7
629.9
48.4
176.9
91.8
97.6
45.7

32.6
289.4
3,183.8
100.0
835.3
67.7
177.9
101.1
168.0
32.6

4,670.6

4,988.4

179.4
33.5
8.2
5.2
4.2
2,299.7
576.0

174.7
–
33.8
7.6
3.9
2,686.1
602.4

3,106.2

3,508.5

1,564.4

1,479.9

4,670.6

4,988.4

(1) These  balance  sheets  differ  from  the  standalone  balance  sheets  of  Northbridge  primarily  due  to  purchase  accounting
adjustments  (principally  goodwill  and  intangible  assets)  related  to  the  privatization  of  Northbridge  in  2009  and  the
allocation of a portion of the goodwill and intangible assets acquired by Fairfax in connection with Pethealth in 2014.
Excluding  these  purchase  accounting  adjustments,  Northbridge’s  total  equity  was  $1,416.7  at  December  31,  2014
(December 31, 2013 – $1,330.5).

Northbridge’s  Canadian  dollar  balance  sheets  (inclusive  of  Fairfax-level  purchase  accounting  adjustments)  are
translated into U.S. dollars in Fairfax’s consolidated financial reporting and reflect the currency translation effect in
2014 of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar (8.3% year-over-year). As regards certain
December 31, 2014 balance sheet items expressed in Canadian dollars: Goodwill and intangible assets increased
reflecting the goodwill and intangible assets of Pethealth allocated to Northbridge (Cdn$19.6), partially offset by
regularly  recurring  amortization  of  intangible  assets.  Provision  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  and
recoverable from reinsurers decreased reflecting improved loss experience. The increase in total equity primarily
reflected  the  net  earnings  in  2014,  partially  offset  by  decreased  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income
(principally as a result of the currency translation effect described above).

Northbridge’s investment in Fairfax affiliates as at December 31, 2014 consisted of:

Affiliate
Ridley
The Keg

% interest
31.8%
11.0%

132

U.S. Insurance – Crum & Forster and Zenith National(1)

Underwriting profit (loss)

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net unfavourable (favourable) development

2014

2013

Zenith
Crum &
Forster National
89.5

2.5

Zenith
Crum &
Forster National
19.2

(24.3)

Total
92.0

66.9%
13.6%
19.3%

99.8%
–%

62.9%
9.7%
25.1%

97.7%
(10.2)%

65.5%
12.2%
21.3%

70.1%
13.3%
17.8%

67.5%
9.8%
25.1%

99.0% 101.2% 102.4% 101.7%
(1.4)%
(3.6)%

(5.3)%

0.7%

Total
(5.1)

69.2%
12.1%
20.4%

Combined ratio – calendar year

99.8%

87.5%

95.4% 101.9%

97.1% 100.3%

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit (loss)
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains (losses) on investments
Gain on redemption of investment in

OdysseyRe(2)

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

1,699.5

733.0

2,432.5

1,562.2

716.3

2,278.5

1,346.3

720.9

2,067.2

1,232.9

700.3

1,933.2

1,306.5

714.3

2,020.8

1,261.0

673.8

1,934.8

2.5
39.1

41.6
321.3

310.8

673.7

545.8

89.5
22.1

111.6
106.8

92.0
61.2

153.2
428.1

(24.3)
38.3

14.0
(313.8)

19.2
22.3

(5.1)
60.6

41.5
(131.2)

55.5
(445.0)

–

310.8

–

–

–

218.4

892.1

(299.8)

(89.7)

(389.5)

140.8

686.6

(195.7)

(59.9)

(255.6)

(1) These results differ from those published by Zenith National primarily due to differences between IFRS and U.S. GAAP,
intercompany  investment  transactions  and  acquisition  accounting  adjustments  recorded  by  Fairfax  related  to  the
acquisition of Zenith National in 2010.

(2) Eliminated on consolidation. 

Crum & Forster

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  its  wholly-owned  reinsurance  and  insurance
company, Odyssey Re Holdings Corp., under a single intermediate holding company in the U.S. This reorganization
had no effect on Fairfax’s consolidated financial reporting; however, it impacted Crum & Forster as described in the
‘‘Business Developments’’ section of this MD&A.

On December 31, 2013 Runoff (Clearwater Insurance) assumed net insurance liabilities of $68.6 from Crum & Forster
related to its discontinued New York construction contractors’ business. The tables in this MD&A which set out the
operating results of Crum & Forster and Runoff do not give effect to the initial impact of this reinsurance transaction
since its effect is not considered by management in its assessment of the performance of Crum & Forster and Runoff.
Had the initial impact of this reinsurance transaction been reflected in Crum & Forster’s operating segment in 2013,
net premiums written, net premiums earned and losses on claims all would have decreased by $68.6 with operating
income remaining unchanged. On October 3, 2013 Crum & Forster assumed the renewal rights to American Safety’s
environmental  casualty,  excess  and  surplus  lines  casualty,  property  and  package  lines  of  business.  Effective
October 1, 2013 Crum & Forster transferred its directors and officers and management liability insurance business to
Hudson  Insurance  (a  wholly-owned  insurance  subsidiary  of  OdysseyRe).  The  transferred  business  produced
approximately $20 of annual gross premiums written. On July 3, 2013 Crum & Forster acquired a 100% interest in
Hartville Group, Inc. (‘‘Hartville’’). Refer to note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a detailed discussion of these acquisitions. Incremental gross
premiums  written  related  to  the  renewal  of  the  American  Safety  business  was  $67.9  in  2014  principally  in  the
environmental casualty business under the Crum & Forster and CoverX brands.

Crum & Forster reported an underwriting profit of $2.5 and a combined ratio of 99.8% in 2014 compared to an
underwriting loss of $24.3 and a combined ratio of 101.9% in 2013. The improvement in underwriting profitability
principally  reflected  the  absence  in  2014  of  net  adverse  development  of  prior  years’  reserves  and  better

133

non-catastrophe  underwriting  margins  related  to  the  current  accident  year  (primarily  reflecting  the  impact  of
underwriting actions that have improved the performance of the legacy CoverX business and the impact of a single
large loss of $8.0 (0.6 of a combined ratio point) in 2013), partially offset by a modest increase in operating expenses.

There was no net prior year reserve development in 2014 whereas the underwriting results in 2013 included $8.3 (0.7
of a combined ratio point) of net adverse prior year reserve development, primarily related to general liability loss
reserves at First Mercury, partially offset by net favourable prior year reserve development related to a single large
liability claim at Crum & Forster. Current period catastrophe losses in 2014 primarily related to the effects of storms
and severe winter weather in the U.S. northeast and storms in the U.S. midwest and totaled $14.3 (1.1 combined ratio
points). Current period catastrophe losses in 2013 totaled $3.7 (0.3 of a combined ratio point).

Crum & Forster’s underwriting expense ratio (excluding commissions) increased from 17.8% in 2013 to 19.3% in
2014, primarily as a result of increased employee compensation and benefit costs necessary to support the growth in
gross premiums written and incremental costs related to American Safety.

Gross premiums written increased by 8.8% from $1,562.2 in 2013 to $1,699.5 in 2014 reflecting the incremental
contribution from American Safety to the environmental casualty business and growth in the Fairmont accident and
health and Seneca businesses, partially offset by planned reductions in the legacy CoverX business. Net premiums
written  increased  by  9.2%  in  2014  consistent  with  the  increase  in  gross  premiums  written.  The  increase  in  net
premiums earned of 3.6% lagged the growth in net premiums written principally as a result of the reductions in net
premiums written in 2013 in the legacy CoverX business and in the middle markets business of Crum & Forster,
partially offset by the impact of the timing of earned premiums related to the American Safety business and growth
in the Fairmont accident and health business.

Interest and dividend income increased modestly from $38.3 in 2013 to $39.1 in 2014 reflecting increased interest
income earned and share of profit of associates, partially offset by lower dividends received on common stocks. The
significant increase in net gains on investments (as set out in the table below) coupled with the gain on redemption
of Crum & Forster’s investment in OdysseyRe, the year-over-year improvement in underwriting profitability and
slightly higher interest and dividend income, produced pre-tax income before interest and other of $673.7 in 2014
compared to a pre-tax loss before interest and other of $299.8 in 2013.

Crum & Forster’s cash resources, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, decreased by $33.4 in 2014
compared to an increase of $14.8 in 2013. Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow
activity related to securities recorded as at FVTPL) decreased from $122.8 in 2013 to $115.6 in 2014 primarily as a
result of lower income tax recoveries, partially offset by increased underwriting cash flows.

Crum & Forster’s cumulative net earnings since acquisition on August 13, 1998 was $1,952.6, and its annual return
on average equity since acquisition has been 10.7% (December 31, 2013 – 9.2%).

Zenith National

Zenith National reported an underwriting profit of $89.5 and a combined ratio of 87.5% in 2014 compared to an
underwriting  profit  of  $19.2  and  a  combined  ratio  of  97.1%  in  2013.  Net  premiums  earned  in  2014  of  $714.3
increased from $673.8 in 2013, principally reflecting premium rate increases.

The  improvement  in  Zenith  National’s  combined  ratio  in  2014  compared  to  2013  reflected  a  decrease  of
4.6  percentage  points  in  the  estimated  accident  year  loss  and  LAE  ratio  in  2014  and  higher  net  favourable
development of prior years’ reserves (10.2 percentage points in 2014). The decrease in the estimated accident year
loss and LAE ratio in 2014 was due to favourable loss development trends for accident year 2013 combined with price
increases equal to estimated loss trends for accident year 2014. Net favourable prior year reserve development in
2014 reflected net favourable emergence related to the 2011, 2012 and 2013 accident years.

The significant increase in net gains on investments (as set out in the table below), the improvement in underwriting
profitability and stable interest and dividend income ($22.1 in 2014 compared to $22.3 in 2013), produced pre-tax
income before interest and other of $218.4 in 2014 compared to a pre-tax loss before interest and other of $89.7
in 2013.

At December 31, 2014 Zenith National had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $39.2 (December 31, 2013 –
$54.0). Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to securities recorded as
at  FVTPL)  increased  from  $109.2  in  2013  to  $119.2  in  2014,  primarily  as  a  result  of  increased  net  premium
collections.

134

Net gains (losses) on investments in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for the U.S. Insurance segment
were comprised as shown in the following table:

2014

2013

Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges
Bonds
CPI-linked derivatives
Gain on disposition of associates
Other

Crum &
Zenith
Forster National
17.9
(14.8)
93.4
2.9
–
7.4

96.7
(15.0)
230.4
(3.3)
10.5
2.0

Total
114.6
(29.8)
323.8
(0.4)
10.5
9.4

Crum &
Zenith
Forster National
90.0

226.2
(339.0)
(179.6)
(15.8)
–
(5.6)

Total
316.2
(121.5) (460.5)
(89.4) (269.0)
(25.0)
–
(6.7)

(9.2)
–
(1.1)

Net gains (losses) on investments

321.3

106.8

428.1

(313.8)

(131.2) (445.0)

Set out below are the balance sheets for U.S. Insurance as at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

2014

2013

Crum &
Inter-
Forster National(1) company

Zenith

Crum &
Inter-
Forster National(1) company

Zenith

Total

Total

Assets
Holding company cash and investments
Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Due from affiliates
Other assets
Investments in Fairfax affiliates

5.8
212.7
3,918.9
109.8
1,527.0
161.7
294.7
0.1
113.7
81.2

60.2
205.6
1,789.6
9.9
144.3
–
453.9
0.2
61.5
12.0

119.7

66.0
418.3

5.6
–
–
194.0
– 5,708.5 3,320.1
–
95.1
– 1,671.3 1,568.3
272.8
–
187.1
–
0.9
–
183.4
–
126.9
(29.4)

161.7
748.6
0.3
175.2
63.8

5.7
196.3
1,657.6
9.1
164.5
44.4
463.5
0.2
56.7
–

11.3
–
–
390.3
– 4,977.7
–
104.2
– 1,732.8
317.2
–
650.6
–
1.1
–
240.1
–
97.5
(29.4)

Total assets

6,425.6

2,737.2

(29.4) 9,133.4 5,954.2

2,598.0

(29.4) 8,522.8

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Short sale and derivative obligations
Due to affiliates
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Provision for losses and loss adjustment

expenses

Provision for unearned premiums
Deferred income taxes
Long term debt

249.4
12.3
25.3
338.9

3,407.6
575.0
–
41.4

74.3
8.0
1.2
–

1,297.4
248.6
10.4
38.1

–
–
–
–

323.7
20.3
26.5
338.9

241.6
14.7
26.0
397.4

– 4,705.0 3,401.0
525.0
–
–
–
41.4
–

823.6
10.4
79.5

64.7
12.2
0.4
–

1,319.9
241.4
–
38.1

–
–
–
–

306.3
26.9
26.4
397.4

– 4,720.9
766.4
–
–
–
79.5
–

Total liabilities

Total equity

4,649.9

1,678.0

– 6,327.9 4,647.1

1,676.7

– 6,323.8

1,775.7

1,059.2

(29.4) 2,805.5 1,307.1

921.3

(29.4) 2,199.0

Total liabilities and total equity

6,425.6

2,737.2

(29.4) 9,133.4 5,954.2

2,598.0

(29.4) 8,522.8

(1) These balance sheets differ from those published by Zenith National, primarily due to differences between IFRS and US
GAAP and acquisition accounting adjustments (principally goodwill and intangible assets) which arose on the acquisition
of Zenith National in 2010. Excluding these acquisition accounting adjustments, Zenith National’s IFRS total equity was
$675.2 at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 – $532.5).

Significant changes to the balance sheet of U.S. Insurance at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013
primarily reflected growth in the year-over-year business volumes at Crum & Forster. Portfolio investments increased
principally as a result of mark-to-market gains primarily related to bonds and common stocks, the net proceeds
received  by  Crum  &  Forster  related  to  the  OdysseyRe  reorganization  and  cash  provided  by  operating  activities
(excluding operating cash flow activity related to securities recorded as at FVTPL), partially offset by the payment by
Crum & Forster of a dividend to Fairfax of $150.0 and hedging losses. Recoverable from reinsurers decreased as a

135

result of increased collections (Crum & Forster) and the impact of net favourable prior year reserve development on
losses  ceded  to  reinsurers  and  increased  retention  levels  (Zenith  National).  Deferred  income  taxes  decreased
reflecting the impact of increased net unrealized gains on bonds (Crum & Forster and Zenith National) and the
utilization of operating losses carried forward (Zenith National). Goodwill and intangible assets increased reflecting
the goodwill and intangible assets of Pethealth ($90.9 allocated to Crum & Forster) and the impact of the acquisitions
of certain smaller insurance agencies that will augment Crum & Forster’s distribution capability. Provision for losses
and  loss  adjustment  expenses  decreased  primarily  as  a  result  of  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  on
workers’ compensation loss reserves (Zenith National), partially offset by the impacts of increased business volumes
offset by improved loss experience (Crum & Forster). Total equity increased primarily as a result of net earnings of
$545.8  (2013 – net  loss  of  $195.7)  and  $140.8  (2013 – net  loss  of  $59.9)  at  Crum  &  Forster  and  Zenith  National
respectively, the allocation to Crum & Forster of the goodwill, intangible assets and related deferred tax liabilities of
Pethealth and capital contributions from Fairfax to Crum & Forster and Zenith National of $5.0 (2013 – $65.0) and
nil (2013 – $10.0) respectively. Crum & Forster paid dividends to Fairfax and its affiliates in 2014 of $150.0 (2013 –
nil) to facilitate the OdysseyRe reorganization.

U.S. Insurance’s investments in Fairfax affiliates as at December 31, 2014 consisted of:

Affiliate
TRG Holdings
Advent
Zenith National(1)
The Keg

% interest
1.4%
13.8%
2.0%
15.3%

(1) Represents Crum & Forster’s investment in Zenith National which is eliminated within the U.S. Insurance segmented

balance sheets.

Asian Insurance – Fairfax Asia

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net losses on investments

Pre-tax income before interest and other

Net earnings

2014
36.2

2013
32.0

81.4% 80.3%
(0.1)% 1.4%
13.0% 12.3%

94.3% 94.0%
(7.6)% (6.5)%

86.7% 87.5%

563.5

530.2

280.1

257.4

272.2

256.2

36.2
60.5

32.0
36.7

96.7
(19.3)

68.7
(23.8)

77.4

66.1

44.9

35.8

Fairfax  Asia  comprises  the  company’s  Asian  holdings  and  operations:  Singapore-based  First  Capital  Insurance
Limited, Hong Kong-based Falcon Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Malaysia-based The Pacific Insurance
Berhad,  80.0%-owned  Indonesia-based  Fairfax  Indonesia,  40.5%-owned  Bangkok-based  Falcon  Insurance  PLC
(‘‘Falcon Thailand’’) and 26.0%-owned Mumbai-based ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited (‘‘ICICI
Lombard’’), India’s largest (by market share) private general insurer (the remaining 74.0% interest is held by ICICI
Bank, India’s second largest commercial bank). Falcon Thailand and ICICI Lombard are reported under the equity
method of accounting.

136

On January 1, 2015 the company acquired 78% of Union Assurance General Limited (‘‘Union Assurance’’) for cash
consideration of $26.8 (3.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees). Union Assurance is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka and
underwrites general insurance in Sri Lanka, specializing in automobile and personal accident lines of business and
writing approximately $41 of gross premiums written in 2013.

On December 1, 2014 the company entered into an agreement to acquire the general insurance business of MCIS
Insurance  Berhad  (formerly  known  as  MCIS  Zurich  Insurance  Berhad)  (‘‘MCIS’’)  through  its  wholly-owned
subsidiary Pacific Insurance. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including Malaysian court
approval, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015. MCIS is an established general insurer in Malaysia with
over $55 of gross premiums written in 2013 in its general insurance business.

On May 21, 2014 Fairfax Asia completed the acquisition of an 80.0% interest in PT Batavia Mitratama Insurance
(subsequently renamed PT Fairfax Insurance Indonesia (‘‘Fairfax Indonesia’’)) for cash purchase consideration of
$8.5 (98.2 billion Indonesian rupees). Subsequent to the acquisition, Fairfax Asia contributed an additional $12.9 to
Fairfax Indonesia (maintaining its 80.0% interest) to support business expansion. Fairfax Indonesia is headquartered
in Jakarta, Indonesia and underwrites general insurance, specializing in automobile coverage in Indonesia.

Fairfax  Asia  reported  an  underwriting  profit  of  $36.2  and  a  combined  ratio  of  86.7%  in  2014  compared  to  an
underwriting  profit  of  $32.0  and  a  combined  ratio  of  87.5%  in  2013.  Each  of  First  Capital,  Falcon  and  Pacific
Insurance produced combined ratios as set out in the following table:

First Capital
Falcon
Pacific Insurance

2014
2013
78.1%
74.4%
98.8% 101.3%
91.7%
98.9%

The  combined  ratio  in  2014  included  7.6  combined  ratio  points  ($20.6)  of  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve
development primarily related to engineering, workers’ compensation, property and commercial automobile loss
reserves. The combined ratio in 2013 included 6.5 combined ratio points ($16.7) of net favourable prior year reserve
development primarily related to the commercial automobile, workers’ compensation and marine hull loss reserves.

The commission income ratio of 0.1% in 2014 compared to the commission expense ratio of 1.4% in 2013 with the
improvement primarily the result of higher profit commission earned on reinsurance ceded by First Capital on its
property line of business. The underwriting expense ratio increased from 12.3% in 2013 to 13.0% in 2014, primarily
as a result of a modest increase in operating expenses at Pacific Insurance related to the acquisition of MCIS.

Gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned in 2014 increased by 6.3%, 8.8% and 6.2%
respectively,  primarily  as  a  result  of  increased  writings  in  the  commercial  property,  commercial  automobile  and
marine hull lines of business, partially offset by decreased writings in the engineering lines of business. The increase
in  net  premiums  written  of  8.8%  was  higher  than  the  growth  in  gross  premiums  written  due  to  slightly  higher
premium retention in 2014. The increase in net premiums earned of 6.2% was less than the increase in net premiums
written reflecting the growth in net premiums written that was only partially earned in 2014.

The combination of increased interest and dividend income (reflecting the increased share of profit of associates,
principally  ICICI  Lombard),  lower  net  losses  on  investments  (as  set  out  in  the  table  below)  and  increased
underwriting profit, produced pre-tax income before interest and other of $77.4 in 2014 compared to pre-tax income
before interest and other of $44.9 in 2013.

Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Foreign currency
Other

Net losses on investments

2014
(26.6)
–
2.2
0.3
5.3
(0.5)

2013
9.1
(30.1)
(6.7)
(1.0)
5.0
(0.1)

(19.3)

(23.8)

137

As at December 31, 2014 the company had invested a total of $112.7 to acquire and maintain its 26.0% interest in
ICICI Lombard and carried this investment at $107.5 under the equity method of accounting (fair value of $268.5 as
disclosed  in  note  6  (Investments  in  Associates)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2014). The company’s investment in ICICI Lombard is included in portfolio investments in the Fairfax
Asia balance sheet that follows.

During the twelve month period ended September 30, 2014, ICICI Lombard’s gross premiums written increased in
Indian rupees by 1.8% over the comparable period in 2013, with a combined ratio of 111.3%. The Indian property
and  casualty  insurance  industry  experienced  increasingly  competitive  market  conditions  in  2014  as  recent  new
entrants continued to increase their market share. With an 8.5% market share, 5,691 employees and 260 offices
across  India,  ICICI  Lombard  is  India’s  largest  (by  market  share)  private  general  insurer.  Please  see  its  website
(www.icicilombard.com) for further details of its operations.

Set out below are the balance sheets for Fairfax Asia as at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Assets
Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Goodwill and intangible assets
Due from affiliates
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short sale and derivative obligations
Due to affiliates
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provision for unearned premiums
Deferred income taxes

Total liabilities

Total equity

Total liabilities and total equity

2014

2013

99.3
1,137.1
21.4
525.4
31.6
5.2
48.7

95.0
1,089.9
20.0
511.5
29.2
4.9
44.5

1,868.7

1,795.0

203.1
10.5
–
4.7
58.2
691.3
229.3
10.7

229.3
7.7
0.1
4.2
70.9
643.9
219.9
9.0

1,207.8

1,185.0

660.9

610.0

1,868.7

1,795.0

Fairfax  Asia’s  balance  sheet  at  December  31,  2014  reflected  the  year-over-year  impact  of  the  appreciation  of  the
U.S. dollar relative to the Singapore dollar and Malaysian ringgit of 4.7% and 6.3% respectively. As regards certain
December  31,  2014  balance  sheet  items:  Portfolio  investments  increased  reflecting  the  consolidation  of  the
investment portfolio of Fairfax Indonesia and the impact of share of profit of associates in 2014 which increased the
carrying value of the investment in ICICI Lombard. Recoverable from reinsurers and provision for losses and loss
adjustment  expenses  increased  reflecting  growth  in  year-over-year  business  volumes  at  First  Capital  and  Falcon
Insurance. Total equity increased primarily as a result of the net earnings in 2014 and a capital contribution received
from Fairfax to fund the acquisition of Fairfax Indonesia.

138

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe(1)

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains (losses) on investments

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

2014
360.4

2013
379.9

62.5%
20.3%
9.9%

92.7%
(8.0)%

64.2%
20.0%
8.8%

93.0%
(9.0)%

84.7%

84.0%

2,739.5

2,715.5

2,393.8

2,376.9

2,356.6

2,373.6

360.4
182.2

542.6
579.3

1,121.9

379.9
191.7

571.6
(816.5)

(244.9)

713.8

(146.7)

(1) These results differ from those published by Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. primarily due to differences between IFRS and
U.S. GAAP and purchase accounting adjustments (principally goodwill and intangible assets) recorded by Fairfax related
to the privatization of OdysseyRe in 2009.

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  its  wholly-owned  reinsurance  and  insurance
company, Odyssey Re Holdings Corp., under a single intermediate holding company in the U.S. This reorganization
had  no  effect  on  Fairfax’s  consolidated  financial  reporting;  however,  it  impacted  OdysseyRe  as  described  in  the
‘‘Business Developments’’ section of this MD&A, under the heading of ‘‘Acquisitions and Divestitures’’.

On April 1, 2014 Hudson Insurance (a wholly owned subsidiary of OdysseyRe), completed the acquisition of certain
assets and assumed certain liabilities associated with Motor Transport Underwriters, Inc. (‘‘Motor Transport’’) for
cash  purchase  consideration  of  $12.8.  Motor  Transport  is  a  leading  underwriting,  claims  and  risk  management
specialist in the long-haul trucking industry.

On October 3, 2013 Hudson Insurance assumed the renewal rights to American Safety’s surety lines of business. Refer
to note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2014 for a detailed discussion of this acquisition. Effective October 1, 2013 Crum & Forster transferred its directors
and  officers  and  management  liability  insurance  business  to  Hudson  Insurance.  This  strategic  combination  will
allow Hudson Insurance (also an underwriter of these lines of business) to provide a more focused and efficient
presence in the marketplace for such insurance. The transferred business produced approximately $20 of annual
gross premiums written.

139

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

OdysseyRe  reported  an  underwriting  profit  of  $360.4  (combined  ratio  of  84.7%)  in  2014  compared  to  an
underwriting profit of $379.9 (combined ratio 84.0%) in 2013. The modest decrease in underwriting profit in 2014
reflected  the  impact  of  the  increase  in  the  underwriting  expense  ratio,  lower  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve
development and lower writings of higher margin property catastrophe business, partially offset by a significant
decrease in current period catastrophe losses (as set out in the table below).

Windstorm Ela
Typhoon Fitow
Alberta floods
Germany hailstorms
Central Europe floods
Windstorm Christian
Toronto floods
Other

2014

2013

Catastrophe
losses(1)
37.7
–
–
–
–
–
–
107.4

Combined
ratio impact
1.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
4.6

Catastrophe
losses(1)
–
25.8
25.1
25.0
14.9
12.9
11.0
88.7

Combined
ratio impact
–
1.1
1.1
1.1
0.6
0.6
0.5
3.7

145.1

6.2 points

203.4

8.7 points

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums. 

OdysseyRe’s combined ratio in 2014 included the benefit of 8.0 combined ratio points ($189.1) of net favourable
prior year reserve development (primarily related to casualty and non-catastrophe property loss reserves) compared
to  9.0  combined  ratio  points  ($214.7)  in  2013  (principally  related  to  property  catastrophe,  casualty  and
non-catastrophe property loss reserves).

OdysseyRe’s underwriting expense ratio increased from 8.8% in 2013 to 9.9% in 2014, primarily due to incremental
operating  expenses  associated  with  the  acquisition  of  Motor  Transport  and  the  American  Safety  renewal  rights,
increased legal fees and lower net premiums earned year-over-year. OdysseyRe’s commission expense ratio increased
from 20.0% in 2013 to 20.3% in 2014 primarily due to changes in the mix of business and lower earnings in 2014 of
inward reinstatement premiums, which do not attract commissions.

Following recent enhancements to its underwriting systems and the accumulation of sufficient internal historical
data, OdysseyRe recognized the majority of the premiums written in respect of the winter planting season of its
U.S. crop insurance business in December 2014, whereas in 2013 these premiums were recognized in the first quarter
of 2014. Applying the same recognition pattern for the U.S. crop insurance business as was adopted in 2014 to 2013,
OdysseyRe’s gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned would have decreased as set
out in the following table. The impact of those changes on underwriting profit was nominal.

OdysseyRe – as reported
Adjustments related to timing of

U.S. crop insurance

2014

2013

Gross
premiums
written
2,739.5

Net
premiums
written
2,393.8

Net
premiums
earned
2,356.6

Gross
premiums
written
2,715.5

Net
premiums
written
2,376.9

Net
premiums
earned
2,373.6

(41.4)

(34.4)

(6.0)

10.9

15.9

3.1

OdysseyRe – as adjusted

2,698.1

2,359.4

2,350.6

2,726.4

2,392.8

2,376.7

% change (year-over-year)

(1.0)

(1.4)

(1.1)

The decreases in gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned in 2014 primarily reflected
declines  in  writings  of  reinsurance  business  (primarily  property  lines  of  business)  due  to  competitive  market
conditions,  partially  offset  by  growth  across  most  lines  of  business  in  the  U.S.  insurance  division,  including
incremental gross premiums written related to the renewal of the American Safety business ($22.4). Net premiums
earned in 2014 reflected lower net premiums earned related to reinsurance business in prior periods, partially offset
by the growth in net premiums written in the U.S. Insurance division.

140

The significant increase in net gains on investments (as set out in the table below), partially offset by the moderate
decrease  in  underwriting  profit  and  lower  interest  and  dividend  income  (primarily  reflecting  decreased  share  of
profit of associates, partially offset by higher interest income earned), produced pre-tax income before interest and
other of $1,121.9 in 2014 compared to a pre-tax loss before interest and other of $244.9 in 2013.

Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges
Bonds
CPI-linked derivatives
Foreign currency
Gain on disposition of associate
Other

Net gains (losses) on investments

2014
124.7
(30.4)
494.2
(9.8)
(10.9)
21.4
(9.9)

2013
422.4
(767.8)
(388.3)
(62.4)
8.1
12.2
(40.7)

579.3

(816.5)

OdysseyRe’s  cash  resources,  excluding  the  impact  of  foreign  currency  translation,  increased  by  $24.9  in  2014
compared to an increase of $31.0 in 2013. Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow
activity related to securities recorded as at FVTPL) increased from $312.6 in 2013 to $466.3 in 2014, primarily as a
result of lower net claim payments due to reduced catastrophe activity in 2014 and the impact in the second quarter
of 2013 of a large outward portfolio transfer of unearned premium related to a property quota share reinsurance
contract.

141

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Set out below are the balance sheets for OdysseyRe as at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Assets
Holding company cash and investments
Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Due from affiliates
Other assets
Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Total assets

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short sale and derivative obligations
Due to affiliates
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provision for unearned premiums
Long term debt

Total liabilities

Total equity

Total liabilities and total equity

2014(1)

2013(1)

463.6
814.1
8,179.8
217.7
868.2
50.8
182.7
2.7
117.6
203.5

246.0
815.8
7,986.6
204.2
990.4
204.8
168.9
205.4
138.3
181.4

11,100.7

11,141.8

503.9
102.6
53.2
9.4
36.0
5,315.3
853.1
214.6

494.1
–
118.1
10.8
16.3
5,603.5
825.6
264.1

7,088.1

7,332.5

4,012.6

3,809.3

11,100.7

11,141.8

(1) These balance sheets differ from those published by Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. primarily due to differences between IFRS
and  US  GAAP  and  purchase  accounting  adjustments  (principally  goodwill  and  intangible  assets)  which  arose  on  the
privatization  of  OdysseyRe.  Excluding  these  purchase  accounting  adjustments,  OdysseyRe’s  IFRS  total  equity  was
$3,940.3 at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 – $3,701.3).

OdysseyRe’s  balance  sheet  at  December  31,  2014  reflected  the  year-over-year  impact  of  the  appreciation  of  the
U.S. dollar relative to the euro, Canadian dollar and British pound sterling of 12.2%, 8.3%, 5.9% respectively. As
regards certain December 31, 2014 balance sheet items: Portfolio investments increased principally as a result of
unrealized mark-to-market gains primarily related to bonds and cash provided by operating activities (excluding
operating  cash  flow  activity  related  to  securities  recorded  as  at  FVTPL),  partially  offset  by  the  net  effect  of  the
OdysseyRe reorganization ($490.3) and hedging losses. Recoverable from reinsurers and provision for losses and loss
adjustment expenses decreased as a result of favourable prior year reserve development and the impact of changes in
foreign currency exchange rates. Deferred income taxes decreased reflecting increased net unrealized gains on bonds.
Due  from  affiliates  decreased  reflecting  collection  of  an  intercompany  loan  from  Fairfax.  Income  taxes  payable
increased reflecting the improvement in net earnings in 2014. Long term debt decreased due to the redemption on
December 15, 2014 of $50.0 principal amount of Series B unsecured senior notes due 2016 for cash consideration of
$50.0. Total equity increased primarily as a result of net earnings, partially offset by the net effect of the OdysseyRe
reorganization ($490.3).

142

OdysseyRe’s investments in Fairfax affiliates as at December 31, 2014 consisted of:

Affiliate
Advent
Fairfax Asia
The Keg
Zenith National

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

% interest
17.0%
16.3%
14.7%
6.1%

Underwriting profit (loss)

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

2014

Group Re Advent
0.2

34.3

Polish Re
2.3

Fairfax
Brasil
(16.1)

Inter-
company
–

68.2%
26.3%
2.5%

72.2%
18.3%
27.9%

70.1%
17.3%
9.3%

70.4%
16.3%
41.6%

Total
20.7

70.2%
20.9%
17.2%

108.3%
(13.6)%

94.7%

–
–
–

–
–

–

Combined ratio – accident year

Net adverse (favourable) development

97.0% 118.4%
(20.4)% (18.6)%

96.7% 128.3%
5.6%
(0.6)%

Combined ratio – calendar year

76.6%

99.8%

96.1% 133.9%

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit (loss)
Interest and dividends

Operating income (loss)
Net gains on investments

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

166.8

207.1

163.4

153.6

146.2

138.6

34.3
11.8

46.1
103.6

149.7

155.5

0.2
8.6

8.8
26.7

35.5

27.3

54.0

41.2

60.5

2.3
3.5

5.8
2.2

8.0

6.3

158.2

(32.8) 553.3

55.7

47.4

(16.1)
3.1

(13.0)
3.3

(9.7)

(10.0)

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

413.9

392.7

20.7
27.0

47.7
135.8

183.5

179.1

143

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Underwriting profit (loss)

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

2013

Group Re Advent
(4.6)

39.1

Polish Re
(12.1)

Fairfax
Brasil
(7.4)

Inter-
company
–

64.0%
24.0%
2.7%

70.1%
18.5%
22.9%

71.7%
17.1%
8.2%

63.8%
18.7%
34.0%

Total
15.0

67.7%
20.0%
15.0%

102.7%
(6.1)%

96.6%

–
–
–

–
–

–

Combined ratio – accident year

Net adverse (favourable) development

90.7% 111.5%
(18.9)% (8.7)%

97.0% 116.5%
(2.1)%
17.1%

Combined ratio – calendar year

71.8% 102.8%

114.1% 114.4%

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit (loss)
Interest and dividends

Operating income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on investments

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

109.0

211.0

105.0

157.0

138.8

164.0

39.1
2.5

41.6
17.9

59.5

63.2

(4.6)
6.5

1.9
(1.8)

0.1

(3.2)

99.7

84.1

85.4

(12.1)
3.9

(8.2)
0.9

(7.3)

(6.4)

151.0

(32.2) 538.5

60.8

51.3

(7.4)
1.2

(6.2)
1.8

(4.4)

(4.3)

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

406.9

439.5

15.0
14.1

29.1
18.8

47.9

49.3

Effective January 1, 2013 Group Re discontinued its 10% participation on an intercompany quota share reinsurance
contract  with  Northbridge  and  returned  $39.1  of  unearned  premium  to  Northbridge  (the  ‘‘unearned  premium
portfolio transfer’’).

The  Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  segment  produced  an  underwriting  profit  of  $20.7  (combined  ratio  of
94.7%) in 2014 compared to an underwriting profit of $15.0 (combined ratio of 96.6%) in 2013. The improvement in
underwriting profitability principally reflected increased net favourable prior year reserve development, partially
offset by the effect of lower net premiums earned relative to fixed underwriting expenses and lower non-catastrophe
underwriting margins related to the current accident year (reflecting modest deterioration at Group Re and Fairfax
Brasil, partially offset by improvements at Polish Re).

The underwriting results in 2014 included net favourable prior year reserve development of $53.2 (13.6 combined
ratio  points)  primarily  reflecting  net  favourable  development  at  Group  Re  (principally  related  to  prior  years’
catastrophe loss reserves and net favourable emergence on the runoff of the intercompany quota share reinsurance
contract with Northbridge) and Advent (principally reflecting net favourable emergence on attritional loss reserves
across most lines of business and prior years’ catastrophe loss reserves). The underwriting results in 2013 included net
favourable prior year reserve development of $26.9 (6.1 combined ratio points), primarily reflecting net favourable
emergence at Group Re (related to prior years’ catastrophe loss reserves) and Advent (across a number of lines of
business  including  prior  years’  catastrophe  loss  reserves),  partially  offset  by  net  adverse  emergence  at  Polish  Re
(related to commercial automobile loss reserves).

Current period catastrophe losses in 2014 of $21.5 (5.5 combined ratio points) were principally attributable to the
impact on Advent and Group Re of storms in the U.S. Midwest, Windstorm Ela and Hurricane Odile. Current period
catastrophe losses (net of reinstatement premiums) in 2013 of $21.2 (4.8 combined ratio points) were principally
comprised of $7.1 (1.6 combined ratio points) related to the Alberta floods, $4.8 (1.1 combined ratio points) related
to the central Europe floods and $2.0 (0.5 of a combined ratio point) related to the Germany hailstorms. The expense
ratio increased from 15.0% in 2013 to 17.2% in 2014, primarily as a result of the effect of lower net premiums earned
relative to fixed underwriting expenses at Advent, Polish Re and Fairfax Brasil.

Gross premiums written and net premiums written decreased by 4.2% and 7.2% in 2014 (excluding the impact of the
unearned  premium  portfolio  transfer  which  suppressed  gross  premiums  written  and  net  premiums  written  at
Group  Re  by  $39.1  in  2013),  primarily  reflecting  decreases  at  Polish  Re  and  Advent  (principally  due  to  the

144

non-renewal of certain classes of business where terms and conditions were considered inadequate), partially offset
by increases at Group Re (primarily related to a modest increase in net risk retained within the Fairfax group). Net
premiums earned decreased by 10.6% in 2014 reflecting the lower levels of net premiums written in 2013 and early
2014 by Advent (as new classes of business and their respective underwriters were integrated) and Polish Re.

Interest and dividend income increased from $14.1 in 2013 to $27.0 in 2014, primarily as a result of higher interest
income earned and increased share of profit of associates, partially offset by lower dividends earned on common
stocks as a result of sales of dividend paying equities during 2013. The gain on disposition of associate of $73.9 in
2013 as set out in the table below reflected the net gain recognized on the sale of the company’s investments in
The Brick.

The year-over-year increase in net gains on investments (as set out in the table below), higher interest and dividend
income and the improvement in underwriting profitability, produced pre-tax income before interest and other of
$183.5 in 2014 compared to pre-tax income before interest and other of $47.9 in 2013.

Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges
Bonds
Preferred stocks
CPI-linked derivatives
Foreign currency
Gain on disposition of associate
Other

Net gains on investments

2014
68.7
(6.1)
45.5
(22.2)
29.6
17.4
2.8
0.1

2013
77.2
(95.3)
(14.0)
(15.3)
(2.1)
0.9
73.9
(6.5)

135.8

18.8

Set out below are the balance sheets for Insurance and Reinsurance – Other as at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

2014

2013

Group

Re Advent

Re

Polish Fairfax

Inter-
Brasil company

Total

Re Advent

Re

Polish Fairfax

Inter-
Brasil company

Total

Group

Assets
Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Due from affiliates
Other assets
Investments in Fairfax affiliates

55.4
1,001.1
13.1
7.3
–
–
0.1
2.2
10.0

82.3

14.4
551.8 185.0
2.1
25.0
–
13.9
–
5.8
–

18.0
86.7
–
4.3
0.1
22.6
–

84.3
84.4
13.5
163.5
–
0.1
–
16.5
–

(16.4)

220.0
(2.9) 1,819.4
45.0
(1.7)
211.4
(71.1)
–
–
18.3
–
0.2
–
47.1
–
10.0
–

29.6
909.7
8.5
0.5
–
–
0.3
25.2
35.6

64.9

23.2
557.7 217.5
7.4
29.1
–
16.5
–
7.2
–

11.1
116.0
15.4
4.3
–
18.5
–

65.9
83.8
11.5
132.1
–
0.1
–
16.4
–

(17.6)

166.0
– 1,768.7
37.0
189.4
15.4
20.9
0.3
67.3
–

(1.5)
(88.3)
–
–
–
–
(35.6)

Total assets

1,089.2

765.8 246.2

362.3

(92.1) 2,371.4 1,009.4

787.9 300.9

309.8

(143.0) 2,265.0

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued

liabilities

Income taxes payable
Short sale and derivative obligations
Due to affiliates
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Provision for losses and loss

adjustment expenses

Provision for unearned premiums
Deferred income taxes
Long term debt

Total liabilities

Total equity

2.4
–
14.7
10.4
56.5

412.7
52.4
–
–

24.4
–
1.5
–
16.1

2.4
1.3
–
–
4.9

374.6 148.5
8.6
0.4
–

81.5
1.4
91.8

93.2
–
–
–
1.8

140.0
106.8
0.3
–

(3.2)
–
–
–
(15.9)

119.2
1.3
16.2
10.4
63.4

(64.5) 1,011.3
243.7
2.1
91.8

(5.6)
–
–

6.4
–
11.1
4.2
37.3

447.6
35.1
–
–

20.4
–
3.0
2.6
13.5

3.6
–
–
0.2
4.2

445.8 173.9
30.9
0.4
–

60.5
–
93.7

74.9
–
–
–
0.9

108.1
92.6
–
–

(2.1)
–
–
–
(18.1)

103.2
–
14.1
7.0
37.8

(79.5) 1,095.9
211.4
0.4
93.7

(7.7)
–
–

549.1

591.3 166.1

342.1

(89.2) 1,559.4

541.7

639.5 213.2

276.5

(107.4) 1,563.5

540.1

174.5

80.1

20.2

(2.9)

812.0

467.7

148.4

87.7

33.3

(35.6)

701.5

Total liabilities and total equity

1,089.2

765.8 246.2

362.3

(92.1) 2,371.4 1,009.4

787.9 300.9

309.8

(143.0) 2,265.0

145

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The balance sheet of Insurance and Reinsurance – Other at December 31, 2014 reflected the year-over-year impact of
the appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar (Group Re), Polish zloty (Polish Re) and Brazilian
real (Fairfax Brasil) of 8.3%, 15.0% and 11.2% respectively. Portfolio investments increased principally as a result of
appreciation  of  common  stocks,  bonds,  and  CPI-linked  derivatives,  and  cash  provided  by  operating  activities
(excluding  operating  cash  flow  activity  related  to  securities  recorded  as  at  FVTPL),  partially  offset  by  losses  on
preferred  stocks.  Recoverable  from  reinsurers  increased  reflecting  growth  in  year-over-year  business  volumes  at
Fairfax Brasil, partially offset by collections from reinsurers consistent with the decrease in provision for losses and
loss  adjustment  expenses  at  Advent.  Provision  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  decreased  reflecting  net
favourable prior year reserve development of attritional loss reserves across most lines of business and catastrophe
loss reserves and payments made in respect of prior year catastrophe losses at Advent and normal course settlement
of the runoff of loss reserves assumed in connection with the Northbridge intercompany reinsurance arrangement at
Group  Re,  partially  offset  by  the  impact  on  provision  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  of  growth  in
year-over-year business volumes at Fairfax Brasil. Total equity increased primarily as a result of net earnings, partially
offset by dividends paid to Fairfax of $60.2 (2013 – $118.1). The dividend paid to Fairfax in 2014 of $60.2 was a
dividend-in-kind comprised of its 100% ownership interest in TIG Insurance (Barbados) Limited ($24.1) and 14.8%
ownership  interest  in  Advent  ($36.1).  The  dividend  paid  to  Fairfax  in  2013  of  $118.1  was  inclusive  of  a
dividend-in-kind of $28.0 comprised of CRC Re’s 26.0% ownership interest in Ridley.

Group Re’s investments in Fairfax affiliates as at December 31, 2014 consisted of:

Affiliate
The Keg

Runoff

% interest
6.7%

The Runoff business segment was formed with the acquisition on August 11, 1999 of the company’s interest in The
Resolution Group (‘‘TRG’’), which was comprised of the runoff management expertise and experienced personnel of
TRG and TRG’s wholly-owned insurance subsidiary in runoff, International Insurance Company (‘‘IIC’’). The Runoff
segment  currently  consists  of  two  groups:  the  U.S.  Runoff  group,  consisting  of  TIG  Insurance  Company
(the company resulting from the December 2002 merger of TIG Insurance Company and IIC), the Fairmont legal
entities placed into runoff on January 1, 2006, General Fidelity (since August 17, 2010), Clearwater Insurance (since
January 1, 2011), Valiant Insurance (from July 1, 2011 until October 6, 2014 when it was sold), Commonwealth
Insurance  Company  of  America  (since  January  1,  2013)  and  American  Safety  (since  October  3,  2013),  and  the
European Runoff group, consisting of RiverStone (UK), Syndicate 3500 and RiverStone Insurance (since October 12,
2012). The Runoff business segment also includes Resolution Group Reinsurance (Barbados) Limited (since July 4,
2014)  and  TIG  Insurance  (Barbados)  Limited  (since  December  13,  2012)  formed  to  facilitate  certain  reinsurance
transactions.  Both  groups  are  managed  by  the  dedicated  RiverStone  runoff  management  operation  which  has
383 employees in the U.S. and the U.K.

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  its  wholly-owned  reinsurance  and  insurance
company, Odyssey Re Holdings Corp., under a single intermediate holding company in the U.S. This reorganization
had no effect on Fairfax’s consolidated financial reporting; however, it impacted Runoff as described in the ‘‘Business
Developments’’ section of this MD&A.

On December 4, 2014, RiverStone (UK) agreed to reinsure an Italian medical malpractice runoff portfolio principally
comprised of liabilities arising from direct policies issued to hospitals in Italy between 2007 and 2010 (the ‘‘medical
malpractice reinsurance transaction’’). Runoff received a cash premium of $66.5 as consideration for the assumption
of $65.5 of net loss reserves.

On October 6, 2014, TIG Insurance sold its wholly-owned inactive subsidiary Valiant Insurance Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiary Valiant Specialty Insurance Company (‘‘Valiant Group’’) to a third party purchaser and
recognized a net gain on investment of $6.5. Subsequent to the sale, TIG Insurance will continue to reinsure 100% of
the gross insurance liabilities of Valiant Group and has entered into an administrative agreement with the purchaser
whereby TIG Insurance will provide claims handling services in respect of those liabilities.

On  August  29,  2014  U.S.  Runoff  agreed  to  reinsure  a  construction  defect  runoff  portfolio  of  Everest  Re
(the ‘‘Everest Re reinsurance transaction’’) and received a cash premium of $84.6 as consideration for the assumption

146

of $82.6 of net loss reserves. This construction defect runoff portfolio was principally comprised of direct policies
issued to general contractors between 2002 and 2004, primarily in the western U.S. (predominantly California).

On August 18, 2014 Runoff commuted a $312.7 reinsurance recoverable from Brit Group for proceeds of $310.2,
comprised of cash and investments, and recognized a loss of $2.5.

On December 31, 2013 Clearwater Insurance assumed net insurance liabilities of $68.6 from Crum & Forster related
to  its  discontinued  New  York  construction  contractors’  business.  The  tables  in  this  MD&A  which  set  out  the
operating results of Crum & Forster and Runoff do not give effect to the initial impact of this reinsurance transaction
since its effect is not considered by management in its assessment of the performance of Crum & Forster and Runoff.
Had the initial impact of this reinsurance transaction been reflected in Runoff’s operating segment in 2013, gross
premiums written, net premiums written, net premiums earned and losses on claims all would have increased by
$68.6 with operating income remaining unchanged.

On October 3, 2013 the company acquired all of the outstanding common shares of American Safety Insurance
Holdings, Ltd. (‘‘American Safety’’) for $30.25 per share in cash, representing aggregate purchase consideration of
$317.1. On October 8, 2013 the company sold American Safety’s Bermuda-based reinsurance subsidiary, American
Safety Reinsurance, Ltd. (‘‘AS Re’’), to an unrelated third party for net proceeds of $52.5. Crum & Forster assumed the
renewal rights to American Safety’s environmental casualty, excess and surplus lines casualty, property and package
lines of business. Hudson Insurance (a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of OdysseyRe) assumed the renewal rights
to American Safety’s surety lines of business. The remainder of American Safety’s lines of business which did not meet
Fairfax’s underwriting criteria were placed into runoff under the supervision of the RiverStone group. The purchase
consideration for this acquisition was financed internally by the company’s runoff subsidiaries, Crum & Forster and
Hudson Insurance and was partially defrayed by the proceeds received on the sale of AS Re ($52.5) and the receipt of a
post-acquisition  dividend  of  excess  capital  paid  by  American  Safety  ($123.7).  The  fair  values  of  the  portfolio
investments  (including  cash  and  short  term  investments),  insurance  contract  liabilities  and  recoverable  from
reinsurers  of  American  Safety  that  were  ultimately  consolidated  by  the  Runoff  reporting  segment  were
approximately $642, $652 and $220 respectively, after giving effect to the post-acquisition transactions described in
the preceding sentence. American Safety, a Bermuda-based holding company, underwrote specialty risks through its
U.S.-based program administrator, American Safety Insurance Services, Inc., and its U.S. insurance and Bermuda
reinsurance companies.

On March 29, 2013 TIG Insurance commuted an $85.4 reinsurance recoverable for proceeds of $118.5 (principally
cash consideration of $115.8) and recognized a gain of $33.1.

Effective  January  1,  2013  Northbridge  sold  its  wholly-owned  subsidiary  Commonwealth  Insurance  Company  of
America (‘‘CICA’’) to TIG Insurance. CICA had total equity of $20.8 on January 1, 2013 principally to support its
U.S. property business placed into runoff effective May 1, 2012. Periods prior to January 1, 2013 have not been
restated as the impact was not significant.

Set out below is a summary of the operating results of Runoff for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned
Losses on claims
Operating expenses
Interest and dividends

Operating income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on investments
Gain on redemption of investment in OdysseyRe(1)
Loss on repurchase of long term debt

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

(1) Eliminated on consolidation. 

147

2014
163.9

179.7

231.6
(265.9)
(117.2)
63.0

(88.5)
364.9
406.1
(3.5)

2013
36.3

30.4

83.0
23.8
(95.5)
66.0

77.3
(306.5)
–
–

679.0

(229.2)

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Runoff reported an operating loss of $88.5 in 2014 compared to operating income of $77.3 in 2013. Net premiums
earned in 2014 of $231.6 principally reflected the impacts of the Everest Re reinsurance transaction and the medical
malpractice reinsurance transaction ($84.1 and $66.5 respectively), the runoff of policies in force on the acquisition
date of American Safety ($65.9) and premium adjustments at RiverStone Insurance ($15.0). Net premiums earned in
2013 of $83.0 principally reflected the runoff of policies in force on the acquisition dates of RiverStone Insurance and
American Safety ($29.5 and $20.7 respectively) and premium adjustments at RiverStone Insurance ($24.9).

Losses on claims of $265.9 in 2014 primarily reflected net adverse prior year reserve development at Clearwater
Insurance  ($111.2  principally  related  to  strengthening  of  construction  contractors  loss  reserves  assumed  from
Crum  &  Forster  and  asbestos  and  environmental  loss  reserves  in  the  legacy  portfolio)  and  TIG  Insurance  ($55.8
principally related to strengthening of latent loss reserves, partially offset by net favourable development of workers’
compensation loss reserves) and the impacts of the medical malpractice reinsurance transaction and the Everest Re
reinsurance  transaction  ($65.5  and  $72.6  respectively),  partially  offset  by  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve
development at American Safety ($67.4 related to environmental remediation contractor and other long tail casualty
loss reserves).

Losses on claims in 2013 included a gain of $33.1 on significant reinsurance commutation and reflected net adverse
prior year reserve development at Clearwater Insurance ($43.0 principally related to strengthening of asbestos and
environmental loss reserves and other latent claims assumed from Crum & Forster and asbestos loss reserves in the
legacy portfolio) and TIG Insurance ($43.4 primarily related to asbestos and environmental loss reserves), partially
offset by net favourable prior year reserve development at General Fidelity ($50.7 primarily related to construction
defect and marine loss reserves) and European Runoff ($34.1 primarily at RiverStone (UK) across all lines of business
including the release of redundant unallocated loss adjustment expense reserves).

Operating expenses increased from $95.5 in 2013 to $117.2 in 2014, primarily as a result of incremental operating
expenses associated with the Everest Re reinsurance transaction and American Safety, partially offset by the release of
a provision for uncollectible reinsurance in European Runoff.

Interest and dividend income decreased from $66.0 in 2013 to $63.0 in 2014 primarily reflecting lower dividends
earned on common stocks and lower share of profit of associates (principally related to Runoff’s investment in Thai
Re), partially offset by lower total return swap expense.

The Runoff segment produced pre-tax income before interest and other of $679.0 in 2014 compared to a pre-tax loss
before interest and other of $229.2 in 2013 with the year-over-year increase in profitability primarily due to the
significant increase in net gains on investments (as set out in the table below) and the net gain on redemption of
Runoff’s investment in OdysseyRe, partially offset by the increased operating loss and the loss on repurchase of long
term debt (described below).

Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges
Bonds
CPI-linked derivatives
Foreign currency
Gain on disposition of associate
Other

Net gains (losses) on investments

2014
69.8
(24.6)
294.4
(3.8)
17.4
4.4
7.3

2013
218.3
(313.2)
(226.9)
(5.6)
10.6
9.8
0.5

364.9

(306.5)

On  December  15,  2014  Runoff  redeemed  $25.0  principal  amount  (carrying  value  of  $21.5)  of  American  Safety’s
floating rate trust preferred securities due 2035 for cash consideration of $25.0 and recorded a loss on repurchase of
long  term  debt  of  $3.5  in  other  expenses  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings.  During  2014  Runoff  paid
dividends to Fairfax comprised of a cash dividend of $60.4 (2013 – $30.0) and a dividend-in-kind in connection with
the OdysseyRe reorganization (comprised of marketable securities) of $74.5 (2013 – nil). The cash dividend received
by  Fairfax  of  $30.0  in  2013  was  immediately  reinvested  into  Runoff  and  formed  part  of  the  funding  for  the
acquisition of American Safety.

148

Runoff cash flow may be volatile as to timing and amounts, with potential variability arising principally from the
requirement to pay gross claims initially while third party reinsurance is only collected subsequently in accordance
with its terms and from the delay, until some time after claims are paid, of the release of assets pledged to secure the
payment of those claims.

Set out below are the balance sheets for Runoff as at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Assets
Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Due from affiliates
Other assets
Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Total assets

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short sale and derivative obligations
Due to affiliates
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provision for unearned premiums
Long term debt

Total liabilities

Total equity

Total liabilities and total equity

2014

2013

144.0
4,841.7
1,100.9
67.4
43.4
615.0
73.8
77.5

350.5
4,604.4
1,773.7
70.4
46.0
281.4
66.2
284.3

6,963.7

7,476.9

98.1
32.3
31.3
0.1
16.8
4,720.4
–
–

174.0
51.7
20.3
11.6
32.5
5,493.8
73.7
21.5

4,899.0

5,879.1

2,064.7

1,597.8

6,963.7

7,476.9

The balance sheet for the Runoff segment represents the sum of individual entity balance sheets even though the
individual entities are not necessarily a part of the same ownership structure. Significant changes to the 2014 balance
sheet of the Runoff segment compared to 2013 primarily reflected the impacts of the commutation with the Brit
Group, the medical malpractice reinsurance transaction and the Everest Re transaction which increased portfolio
investments and provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses by $461.3 and $148.1 respectively and decreased
recoverable from reinsurers by $312.7 at December 31, 2014. Insurance contract receivables decreased as a result of
the  collection  in  2014  of  commutation  balances  that  were  receivable  at  December  31,  2013,  the  collection  of  a
premium  receivable  related  to  the  Eaglestar  reinsurance  transaction  and  the  impact  of  premium  adjustments  at
RiverStone Insurance. The increase in portfolio investments also reflected mark-to-market gains primarily related to
bonds and common stocks, net proceeds received related to the OdysseyRe reorganization ($160.1), partially offset
by hedging losses and cash used in operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to securities
recorded as at FVTPL). At December 31, 2014 Runoff’s portfolio investments of $4,841.7 included $636.5 and $258.0
of  investments  pledged  by  U.S.  Runoff  and  European  Runoff  respectively,  to  support  insurance  and  reinsurance
obligations  in  the  ordinary  course  of  carrying  on  their  business.  Recoverable  from  reinsurers  decreased  due  to
continued  progress  by  Runoff  in  collecting  and  commuting  its  remaining  reinsurance  recoverable  balances
(particularly  at  RiverStone  Insurance  related  to  the  commutation  with  the  Brit  Group).  At  December  31,  2014
recoverable from reinsurers included recoverables related to asbestos and pollution claims of $369.4 primarily at TIG
Insurance and Clearwater Insurance. Due from affiliates increased as a result of an intercompany advance of $350.0
to Fairfax as a result of the OdysseyRe reorganization. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased due to
settlement  of  a  payable  balance  at  RiverStone  Insurance  associated  with  the  commutation  with  the  Brit  Group.
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased as a result of the continued progress by Runoff in settling
its remaining claims (particularly at RiverStone Insurance), partially offset by adverse prior year reserve development

149

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

principally at Clearwater Insurance and TIG Insurance. The decrease in provision for unearned premiums reflected
the runoff of policies in force on the acquisition dates of RiverStone Insurance and American Safety. The decrease in
long term debt reflected the redemption of $25.0 principal amount (carrying value of $21.5) of American Safety’s
floating rate trust preferred securities due 2035 for cash consideration of $25.0. Total equity increased primarily as a
result of net earnings (inclusive of the net gain on redemption of Runoff’s investment in OdysseyRe), partially offset
by dividends paid to Fairfax.

Runoff’s investments in Fairfax affiliates as at December 31, 2014 consisted of:

Affiliate
Advent
TRG Holdings
The Keg

Other

Revenue
Expenses

Pre-tax income before interest and other
Interest and dividends
Net gains on investments
Interest expense

Pre-tax income

Net earnings

% interest
15.0%
21.0%
3.3%

2014
1,556.0
(1,488.7)

2013
958.0
(906.9)

67.3
10.3
43.1
(12.3)

108.4

96.1

51.1
0.8
–
(4.6)

47.3

28.5

The Other reporting segment is primarily comprised as follows (with the date of acquisition by Fairfax shown in
parenthesis): Ridley is one of North America’s leading animal nutrition companies and operates in the U.S. and
Canada (November 2008); William Ashley is a prestige retailer of exclusive tableware and gifts in Canada (August 16,
2011); Sporting Life is a Canadian retailer of sporting goods and sports apparel (December 22, 2011); Thomas Cook
India is an integrated travel and travel related financial services company in India (August 14, 2012); IKYA provides
specialized human resources services to leading corporate clients in India (May 14, 2013); The Keg franchises, owns
and operates a network of premium dining restaurants across Canada and in select locations in the United States
(February 4, 2014); Praktiker is one of the largest home improvement and do-it-yourself goods retailers in Greece
(June 5, 2014); Sterling Resorts is engaged in vacation ownership and leisure hospitality and operates a network of
resorts in India (September 3, 2014); and, Pethealth which is headquartered in Canada and provides pet medical
insurance,  management  software  and  pet-related  database  management  services  in  North  America  and  the
United Kingdom (November 14, 2014).

On November 14, 2014 the company acquired all of the outstanding common shares, preferred shares and employee
share options of Pethealth for cash purchase consideration of $88.7 (Cdn$100.4). The goodwill and intangible assets
associated  with  the  marketing  of  pet  medical  insurance  was  allocated  to  the  Crum  &  Forster  and  Northbridge
reporting segments ($90.9 and $17.3 respectively) since they will become Pethealth’s ongoing insurance carriers.
Pethealth’s residual assets and liabilities and results of operations were consolidated in the Other reporting segment.

On September 3, 2014 the company acquired control of Sterling Resorts through its 73.0%-owned Thomas Cook
India subsidiary pursuant to the transaction described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated
financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014.  Having  obtained  control,  Thomas  Cook  India  was
required  to  re-measure  its  existing  ownership  interest  in  Sterling  Resorts  at  fair  value  as  of  September  3,  2014,
resulting in the recognition of a one-time non-cash gain of $41.2, representing the difference between the fair value
of the previously held interest in Sterling Resorts and its carrying value under the equity method of accounting.

On June 5, 2014 Fairfax completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in Praktiker for cash purchase consideration of
$28.6 (A21.0 million). On February 4, 2014 the company completed the acquisition of 51.0% of the outstanding
common shares of The Keg for cash purchase consideration of $76.7 (Cdn$85.0).

150

Prime Restaurants, which franchises, owns and operates a network of casual dining restaurants and pubs in Canada,
was sold on October 31, 2013. On May 14, 2013 Thomas Cook India acquired a 77.3% interest in IKYA for cash
purchase consideration of $46.8 (2,563.2 million Indian rupees) pursuant to the transactions described in note 23
(Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Ridley’s  revenue  and  expenses  fluctuate  with  changes  in  raw  material  prices.  The  increases  in  Ridley’s  revenue
($561.1 in 2013 increased to $588.8 in 2014) and expenses ($533.3 in 2013 increased to $553.3 in 2014) primarily
reflected higher sales volumes combined with a more favourable product mix on a year-over-year basis. The increases
in IKYA’s revenue ($147.5 in 2013 increased to $312.2 in 2014) and expenses ($143.3 in 2013 increased to $300.8 in
2014), principally reflected the consolidation of IKYA for the full year of 2014 (compared to approximately eight
months in 2013) and significant growth in its business driven by the information technology and general staffing
segments. The Keg contributed revenue of $249.3 and expenses of $251.8 since its acquisition on February 4, 2014.
The remaining revenues and expenses included in the Other reporting segment were primarily comprised of the
revenues and expenses of William Ashley, Sporting Life, Praktiker, Prime Restaurants (sold on October 31, 2013),
Thomas Cook India, Sterling Resorts and Pethealth, from their respective acquisition dates (and up to disposal date
with respect to Prime Restaurants).

Interest and Dividends

An analysis of consolidated interest and dividend income is presented in the Investments section of this MD&A.

Net Gains (Losses) on Investments

An analysis of consolidated net gains (losses) on investments is provided in the Investments section of this MD&A.

Interest Expense

Consolidated  interest  expense  decreased  from  $211.2  in  2013  to  $206.3  in  2014,  reflecting  the  repayment  on
November 1, 2013 of $182.9 principal amount of OdysseyRe unsecured senior notes upon maturity, the repurchase
in the first quarter of 2013 of $48.4 principal amount of Fairfax unsecured senior notes due 2017 and the favourable
impact of foreign currency translation on the interest expense of the company’s Canadian dollar denominated long
term debt, partially offset by the issuance on August 13, 2014 of $300.0 principal amount of unsecured senior notes
due 2024, the consolidation of the subsidiary indebtedness and long term debt of American Safety, IKYA and The Keg
and higher subsidiary indebtedness and long term debt of Thomas Cook India year-over-year.

Consolidated interest expense was comprised as follows:

Fairfax
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
OdysseyRe
Advent
Runoff
Other (principally related to The Keg and Thomas Cook India)

2014
171.4
1.4
3.3
12.7
4.2
1.0
12.3

2013
172.3
1.5
3.3
24.8
4.3
0.4
4.6

206.3

211.2

151

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Corporate Overhead and Other

Corporate overhead and other consists of the expenses of all of the group holding companies, net of the company’s
investment management and administration fees and interest and dividends (inclusive of share of profit (loss) of
associates and total return swap expense) earned on holding company cash and investments, and is comprised of
the following:

Fairfax corporate overhead
Subsidiary holding companies’ corporate overhead
Holding company interest and dividends
Investment management and administration fees
Loss on repurchase of long term debt

2014
85.1
80.6
6.3
(79.1)
3.6

2013
102.5
96.0
11.7
(88.3)
3.4

96.5

125.3

Fairfax  corporate  overhead  decreased  from  $102.5  in  2013  to  $85.1  in  2014,  primarily  as  a  result  of  lower
compensation expenses and legal fees and one-time expenses incurred in 2013 related to the acquisition of American
Safety. Subsidiary holding companies’ corporate overhead decreased from $96.0 in 2013 to $80.6 in 2014, primarily
as  a  result  of  a  non-recurring  charge  of  $31.2  incurred  at  Northbridge  in  2013  related  to  redundant  software
development costs, partially offset by higher restructuring costs and charitable donations in 2014.

Total return swap expense ($30.0 in 2014 and $31.2 in 2013) is reported as a component of interest and dividend
income. Holding company interest and dividends also included share of profit of associates ($14.4 in 2014 and $11.4
in 2013). Prior to giving effect to the impacts of total return swap expense and share of profit of associates, interest
and dividend income on holding company cash and investments increased from $8.1 in 2013 to $9.3 in 2014.

Investment management and administration fees decreased from $88.3 in 2013 to $79.1 in 2014 primarily as a result
of adjustments to the fees in respect of the prior year.

Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges
Bonds
Foreign currency
Gain on disposition of associates
Gain on redemption of investment in OdysseyRe(1)
Other

Net gains on investments

(1) Eliminated on consolidation. 

Income Taxes

2014
30.2
(66.1)
9.6
(11.7)
0.7
38.5
28.5

2013
129.9
(112.3)
7.6
(3.7)
12.1
–
30.9

29.7

64.5

The  $673.3  provision  for  income  taxes  in  2014  differed  from  the  provision  for  income  taxes  that  would  be
determined by applying the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5% to the company’s earnings
before income taxes primarily as a result of income earned in jurisdictions where the corporate income tax rate is
higher than the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate and unrecorded income tax losses and temporary
differences,  partially  offset  by  non-taxable  investment  income  (including  dividend  income,  non-taxable  interest
income, capital gains and the 50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada).

The $436.6 recovery of income taxes in 2013 differed from the recovery of income taxes that would be determined by
applying the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5% to the company’s loss before income taxes
primarily as a result of non-taxable investment income (including dividend income, non-taxable interest income,
capital gains and the 50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada) and losses incurred in jurisdictions
where the corporate income tax rate is higher than the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate, partially
offset by unrecorded income tax losses and temporary differences.

152

Non-controlling Interests

The attribution of net earnings (loss) to the non-controlling interests is comprised of the following:

Thomas Cook India
The Keg
Ridley
IKYA
Sporting Life
Fairfax Asia
Prime Restaurants
Other

2014
12.4
7.2
6.7
3.8
1.6
1.5
–
(1.8)

2013
1.3
–
4.5
1.1
1.9
0.9
0.5
(1.3)

31.4

8.9

Non-controlling interests increased from $8.9 in 2013 to $31.4 in 2014 primarily as a result of increased net earnings
at Thomas Cook India (principally related to the recognition of a one-time non-cash gain of $41.2 related to its
investment in Sterling Resorts) and Ridley and the impacts from the acquisition of The Keg during the first quarter of
2014 and the consolidation of IKYA for the full year of 2014 (compared to approximately eight months in 2013),
partially offset by the impact of the de-consolidation of Prime Restaurants subsequent to its sale to Cara. Refer to
note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2014 for additional details related to the acquisition of The Keg.

Components of Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheet Summary

The assets and liabilities reflected on the company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 were impacted
by  the  acquisitions  of  Pethealth,  Sterling  Resorts,  Praktiker  and  The  Keg.  Refer  to  note  23  (Acquisitions  and
Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for additional details
related to these acquisitions.

Holding company cash and investments decreased to $1,244.3 ($1,212.7 net of $31.6 of holding company
short sale and derivative obligations) at December 31, 2014 from $1,296.7 at December 31, 2013 ($1,241.6 net of
$55.1 of holding company short sale and derivative obligations). Significant cash movements at the Fairfax holding
company  level  during  2014  are  as  set  out  in  the  Financial  Condition  section  of  this  MD&A  under  the  heading
of Liquidity.

Insurance  contract  receivables  decreased  by  $85.3  to  $1,931.7  at  December  31,  2014  from  $2,017.0  at
December 31, 2013 primarily at Runoff reflecting collections of reinsurance premiums receivable and the collection
in the first quarter of 2014 of commutation proceeds receivable at December 31, 2013, partially offset by increased
insurance  premiums  receivable  reflecting  the  timing  of  policy  renewals  at  OdysseyRe  (principally  related  to  its
U.S. crop business) and the impact of increased business volumes at Fairfax Brasil and Advent.

Portfolio  investments  comprise  investments  carried  at  fair  value  and  equity  accounted  investments,  the
aggregate carrying value of which was $25,109.2 at December 31, 2014 ($24,980.0 net of subsidiary short sale and
derivative obligations) compared to an aggregate carrying value at December 31, 2013 of $23,833.3 ($23,620.0 net of
subsidiary  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations).  The  increase  of  $1,360.0  year-over-year  generally  reflected  net
unrealized appreciation of bonds (principally government bonds and bonds issued by U.S. states and municipalities)
and common stocks, and cash provided by operating activities, partially offset by the unfavourable impact of foreign
currency translation (principally the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar) in addition to
the specific factors which caused movements in portfolio investments as discussed in the subsequent paragraphs.

Subsidiary cash and short term investments (including cash and short term investments pledged for short sale and
derivative  obligations)  decreased  by  $1,741.3  primarily  reflecting  cash  used  to  fund  net  purchases  of  other
government bonds and other common stocks, net settlements of long and short equity and equity index total return
swaps in accordance with their reset provisions, acquisitions of certain investments in associates (net of dispositions)
and  to  enter  into  CPI-linked  derivative  contracts  and  the  unfavourable  impact  of  foreign  currency  translation

153

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

(principally the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar), partially offset by cash provided by
operating activities.

Bonds (including bonds pledged for short sale derivative obligations) increased by $1,782.0 primarily reflecting net
unrealized  appreciation  (principally  related  to  bonds  issued  by  U.S.  states  and  municipalities  and  the
U.S. government) and net purchases of other government bonds.

Common stocks increased by $1,012.8 primarily reflecting net unrealized appreciation and net purchases of other
common stocks.

Investments  in  associates  increased  by  $185.2  primarily  reflecting  the  share  of  profit  of  associates  of  $105.7,  an
investment in AgriCo, and additional investments in Grivalia Properties (formerly Eurobank Properties REIC prior to
October 15, 2014) and Thai Re, partially offset by the share of losses on defined benefit plans of associates of $50.8
(principally related to Resolute), the sale of the company’s investments in MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs, and net
unrealized foreign currency translation losses.

Derivatives  and  other  invested  assets  net  of  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations  increased  by  $286.7  primarily
reflecting lower net payables to counterparties to the company’s short equity and equity index total return swaps
(excluding  the  impact  of  collateral  requirements),  premiums  paid  to  enter  into  new  CPI-linked  derivatives,  net
unrealized appreciation of CPI-linked derivatives and increased net receivables related to foreign currency contracts. 

Recoverable  from  reinsurers  decreased  by  $992.6  to  $3,982.1  at  December  31,  2014  from  $4,974.7  at
December  31,  2013  primarily  reflecting  Runoff’s  continued  progress  reducing  its  recoverable  from  reinsurers
(through normal cession and collection activity and commutations including the commutation of a reinsurance
recoverable from the Brit Group with a carrying value of $312.7), the impact of more favourable loss experience at
OdysseyRe in its U.S. crop insurance business, the impact on loss reserves of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar
relative to the Canadian dollar (principally at Northbridge) and favourable prior year reserve development ceded
to reinsurers.

Deferred income taxes decreased by $554.6 to $460.4 at December 31, 2014 from $1,015.0 at December 31, 2013
primarily due to the impact of net realized and unrealized investment gains and improved underwriting profitability
in the U.S.

Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  increased  by  $246.5  to  $1,558.3  at  December  31,  2014  from  $1,311.8  at
December  31,  2013,  primarily  as  a  result  of  the  acquisitions  of  The  Keg  and  Pethealth  and  the  consolidation  of
Sterling Resorts, as described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014 consolidated goodwill of $1,048.7 (December 31, 2013 –
$851.3) and intangible assets of $509.6 (December 31, 2013 – $460.5) was comprised by reporting segment as set out
in note 12 (Goodwill and Intangible Assets) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2014. Impairment tests for goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization were completed in 2014 and it
was concluded that no impairment had occurred.

Other assets increased by $259.5 to $1,347.6 at December 31, 2014 from $1,088.1 at December 31, 2013 primarily
as a result of the consolidation of the assets of The Keg, Sterling Resorts and Praktiker, partially offset by decreased
income  taxes  refundable  reflecting  operating  income  earned  in  2014  (principally  at  Northbridge)  and  lower
receivables on securities sold not yet settled.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased by $1,463.7 to $17,749.1 at December 31, 2014
from $19,212.8 at December 31, 2013 primarily reflecting Runoff’s continued progress settling its claim liabilities,
the impact on loss reserves of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar (principally at
Northbridge) and the euro and British Pound Sterling (principally at OdysseyRe and Runoff), favourable prior year
reserve development at OdysseyRe, Northbridge, Group Re, Advent and Zenith National and lower current period
catastrophe losses, partially offset by the impact of the Everest Re reinsurance transaction and medical malpractice
reinsurance transaction and unfavourable prior year reserve development at Runoff and increased claim liabilities at
Fairfax Asia and Fairfax Brasil (reflecting increased business volumes).

Non-controlling interests increased by $110.7 to $218.1 at December 31, 2014 from $107.4 at December 31, 2013
principally  as  a  result  of  the  consolidation  of  Sterling  Resorts,  the  acquisition  of  The  Keg  and  net  earnings
attributable to non-controlling interests, partially offset by dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders.

154

Comparison  of  2013  to  2012 – Total  assets  of  $36,945.4  at  December  31,  2012  decreased  to  $35,999.0  at
December  31,  2013  primarily  due  to  decreases  in  portfolio  investments  and  the  de-consolidation  of  Prime
Restaurants, partially offset by the consolidation of American Safety, Hartville and IKYA pursuant to the transactions
described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to  the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December  31,  2014.  Portfolio  investments  decreased  from  $25,163.2  at  December  31,  2012  to  $23,833.3  at
December 31, 2013, generally reflecting the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation (principally the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar) and the significant net unrealized depreciation of
bonds,  partially  offset  by  the  consolidation  of  the  investment  portfolio  of  American  Safety.  Recoverable  from
reinsurers decreased from $5,290.8 at December 31, 2012 to $4,974.7 at December 31, 2013 primarily reflecting the
continued  progress  by  Runoff  in  reducing  its  recoverable  from  reinsurers  balance  (through  normal  cession  and
collection activity and the commutation of a significant reinsurance recoverable balance). Deferred income taxes
increased from $607.6 at December 31, 2012 to $1,015.0 at December 31, 2013, primarily due to increased operating
loss carryovers and net unrealized investment losses in the U.S.

Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Since 1985, in order to ensure so far as possible that the company’s provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
(‘‘LAE’’) (often called ‘‘reserves’’ or ‘‘provision for claims’’) is adequate, management has established procedures so
that  the  provision  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  at  the  company’s  insurance,  reinsurance  and  runoff
operations are subject to several reviews, including by one or more independent actuaries. The reserves are reviewed
separately by, and must be acceptable to, internal actuaries at each operating company, the Chief Risk Officer at
Fairfax, and one or more independent actuaries.

The tables below present the company’s gross provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses by reporting segment
and line of business for the years ended December 31:

2014

Property
Casualty
Specialty

Intercompany

Provision for losses

and LAE

2013

Property
Casualty
Specialty

Intercompany

Provision for losses

and LAE

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance
and

Northbridge

U.S.

197.1

139.5
2,049.3 4,340.0
170.3

51.8

2,298.2 4,649.8
55.2

1.5

Fairfax
Asia

173.7
251.5
266.1

691.3
–

OdysseyRe

Other Companies Runoff and Other Consolidated

Operating

Corporate

1,282.8
3,648.9
323.5

5,255.2
60.1

323.3
283.9
159.7

766.9
244.4

2,116.4

194.1
10,573.6 3,426.4
467.2

971.4

–
–
–

13,661.4 4,087.7
632.7

361.2

–
(993.9)

2,310.5
14,000.0
1,438.6

17,749.1
–

2,299.7 4,705.0

691.3

5,315.3

1,011.3

14,022.6 4,720.4

(993.9)

17,749.1

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance
and

Northbridge

U.S.

292.0

148.2
2,342.1 4,340.4
174.4

49.7

2,683.8 4,663.0
57.9

2.3

Fairfax
Asia

165.3
235.4
243.2

643.9
–

OdysseyRe

Other Companies Runoff and Other Consolidated

Operating

Corporate

1,348.2
3,849.9
339.3

5,537.4
66.1

392.7
280.6
135.7

809.0
286.9

2,346.4

374.8
11,048.4 3,981.9
519.0

942.3

–
–
–

14,337.1 4,875.7
618.1

413.2

–
(1,031.3)

2,721.2
15,030.3
1,461.3

19,212.8
–

2,686.1 4,720.9

643.9

5,603.5

1,095.9

14,750.3 5,493.8

(1,031.3)

19,212.8

155

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

In the ordinary course of carrying on business, Fairfax’s insurance, reinsurance and runoff companies may pledge
their  own  assets  as  security  for  their  own  obligations  to  pay  claims  or  to  make  premium  (and  accrued  interest)
payments. Circumstances where assets may be so pledged (either directly or to support letters of credit issued for the
following  purposes)  include:  regulatory  deposits  (such  as  with  U.S.  states  for  workers’  compensation  business);
deposits of funds at Lloyd’s in support of London market underwriting; and by a non-admitted company under
U.S. insurance regulations as security for claims assumed or to support funds withheld obligations. Generally, the
pledged assets are released as the underlying payment obligation is fulfilled. The $3.6 billion of cash and investments
pledged by the company’s subsidiaries at December 31, 2014, as described in note 5 (Cash and Investments) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, represented the aggregate amount at that
date  that  had  been  pledged  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  to  support  each  pledging  subsidiary’s  respective
obligations as previously described in this paragraph (these pledges do not involve the cross-collateralization by one
group company of another group company’s obligations).

Claims provisions are established by our primary insurance companies by the case method as claims are initially
reported. The provisions are subsequently adjusted as additional information on the estimated ultimate amount of a
claim becomes known during the course of its settlement. The company’s reinsurance companies rely on initial and
subsequent  claims  reports  received  from  ceding  companies  to  establish  estimates  of  provision  for  claims.  In
determining  the  provision  to  cover  the  estimated  ultimate  liability  for  all  of  the  company’s  insurance  and
reinsurance  obligations,  a  provision  is  also  made  for  management’s  calculation  of  factors  affecting  the  future
development of claims including incurred but not reported claims based on the volume of business currently in
force, the historical experience on claims and potential changes, such as changes in the underlying book of business,
in law and in cost factors.

As  time  passes,  more  information  about  the  claims  becomes  known  and  provision  estimates  are  consequently
adjusted upward or downward. Because of the various elements of estimation encompassed in this process and the
time  it  takes  to  settle  many  of  the  more  substantial  claims,  several  years  may  be  required  before  a  meaningful
comparison of actual losses to the original estimates of provision for claims can be developed.

The development of the provision for claims is often measured as the difference between estimates of reserves as of
the initial year-end and the re-estimated liability at each subsequent year-end. This is based on actual payments in
full  or  partial  settlement  of  claims,  plus  re-estimates  of  the  reserves  required  for  claims  still  open  or  claims  still
unreported.  Favourable  development  (or  redundancies)  means  that  subsequent  reserve  estimates  are  lower  than
originally  indicated,  while  unfavourable  development  (or  deficiencies)  means  that  the  original  reserve  estimates
were lower than subsequently indicated. The aggregate net favourable development of $374.4 and $476.0 in 2014
and 2013 respectively were comprised as shown in the following table:

Insurance

– Canada (Northbridge)
– U.S. (Crum & Forster and Zenith National)
– Asia (Fairfax Asia)

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Insurance and reinsurance operating companies
Runoff

Net favourable reserve development

Favourable/(Unfavourable)

2014
110.2
72.6
20.6
189.1
53.2

445.7
(71.3)

374.4

2013
154.0
27.7
16.7
214.7
26.9

440.0
36.0

476.0

156

Changes in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded on the consolidated balance sheets and the
related impact on unpaid claims and allocated loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31 were as
shown in the following table:

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Consolidated

Provision for claims – beginning of year – net
Foreign exchange effect of change in provision for claims
Provision for claims occurring:

In the current year
In the prior years

Paid on claims during the year related to:

The current year
The prior years

2013

2014

2012
14,981.6 15,075.8 13,711.2
101.0

(496.2)

(128.0)

2011
12,794.1
(122.3)

2010
11,448.6(1)
167.4

4,166.2
(374.4)

4,151.2
(476.0)

4,385.6
(136.1)

4,297.2
(29.8)

3,154.5
14.7

(946.5)
(1,076.7) (1,050.8)
(2,822.7) (3,068.7) (2,964.4)

(1,221.3)
(2,639.5)

(736.9)
(2,612.9)

Provision for claims of companies acquired during the year

at December 31

0.4

478.1

925.0

632.8

1,358.7

Provision for claims at December 31 before the undernoted 14,378.2 14,981.6 15,075.8
CTR Life(2)
20.6

15.2

17.9

13,711.2
24.2

12,794.1
25.3

Provision for claims – end of year – net
Reinsurers’ share of provision for claims

14,393.4 14,999.5 15,096.4
4,552.4
4,213.3

3,355.7

13,735.4
3,496.8

12,819.4
3,229.9

Provision for claims – end of year – gross

17,749.1 19,212.8 19,648.8

17,232.2

16,049.3

(1) Provision for claims at January 1, 2010 reflected certain reclassifications recorded upon adoption of IFRS.

(2) Guaranteed  minimum  death  benefit  retrocessional  business  written  by  Compagnie  Transcontinentale  de  R´eassurance
(‘‘CTR Life’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that  was transferred to Wentworth and  placed into runoff
in 2002.

The  foreign  exchange  effect  of  change  in  provision  for  claims  principally  related  to  the  impact  in  2014  of  the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar (principally at Northbridge) and the euro and British
Pound  Sterling  (principally  at  OdysseyRe  and  Runoff).  The  company  generally  mitigates  the  impact  of  foreign
currency  movements  on  its  foreign  currency  denominated  claims  liabilities  by  holding  foreign  currency
denominated investment assets. As a result, realized and unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses
arising from claims settlement activities and the revaluation of the provision for claims (recorded in net gains (losses)
on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings) are generally partially or wholly mitigated by realized and
unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses on investments classified as at FVTPL (also recorded in net
gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings).

The  tables  that  follow  show  the  reserve  reconciliation  and  the  reserve  development  of  Canadian  Insurance
(Northbridge), U.S. Insurance (Crum & Forster and Zenith National), Asian Insurance (Fairfax Asia), Reinsurance
(OdysseyRe) and Insurance and Reinsurance – Other (Group Re, Advent, Polish Re and Fairfax Brasil) and Runoff’s
net  provision  for  claims.  Because  business  is  written  in  multiple  geographic  locations  and  currencies,  there  will
necessarily be some distortions caused by foreign currency fluctuations. Northbridge (Canadian Insurance) tables are
presented in Canadian dollars and Crum & Forster and Zenith National (U.S. Insurance), Fairfax Asia, OdysseyRe,
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other and Runoff tables are presented in U.S. dollars.

The company endeavours to establish adequate provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses at the original
valuation  date,  with  the  objective  of  achieving  net  favourable  prior  period  reserve  development  at  subsequent
valuation dates. The reserves will always be subject to upward or downward development in the future and future
development could be significantly different from the past due to many unknown factors.

157

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

With regard to the tables that follow which show the calendar year claims reserve development, note that when in
any  year  there  is  a  redundancy  or  reserve  strengthening  related  to  a  prior  year,  the  amount  of  the  change  in
favourable  (unfavourable)  development  thereby  reflected  for  that  prior  year  is  also  reflected  in  the  favourable
(unfavourable) development for each year thereafter.

The accident year claims reserve development tables that follow for Northbridge, U.S. Insurance and OdysseyRe
show the development of the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses by accident year commencing in
2004, with the re-estimated amount of each accident year’s reserve development shown in subsequent years up to
December  31,  2014.  All  claims  are  attributed  back  to  the  year  of  loss,  regardless  of  when  they  were  reported  or
adjusted. For example, Accident Year 2005 represents all claims with a date of loss between January 1, 2005 and
December 31, 2005. The initial reserves set up at the end of the year are re-evaluated over time to determine their
redundancy or deficiency based on actual payments in full or partial settlements of claims plus current estimates of
the reserves for claims still open or claims still unreported.

Canadian Insurance – Northbridge

The following table shows for Northbridge the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently estimated
for the years 2010 through 2014. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been credited or
charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Northbridge

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Transfer to U.S. Runoff(1)

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

2013

2014

2011
(In Cdn$ except as indicated)
2,016.9 2,077.2 2,030.7 1,994.3 1,973.3

2012

2010

–

(3.6)

–

–

–

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

751.7
8.6
(121.7)

789.8
7.1
(158.6)

756.1
(3.0)
(60.8)

766.8
3.2
(39.2)

769.2
(7.9)
(1.3)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

638.6

638.3

692.3

730.8

760.0

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(304.7)
(368.4)

(300.9)
(394.1)

(262.6)
(383.2)

(280.9)
(413.5)

(266.3)
(472.7)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(673.1)

(695.0)

(645.8)

(694.4)

(739.0)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31
Exchange rate

1,982.4 2,016.9 2,077.2 2,030.7 1,994.3
0.8634 0.9412 1.0043 0.9821 1.0064

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 converted to

U.S. dollars

1,711.6 1,898.3 2,086.1 1,994.3 2,007.0

(1) Commonwealth Insurance Company of America was transferred to TIG Insurance, a wholly owned insurance subsidiary

of U.S. Runoff effective January 1, 2013. 

158

The  following  table  shows  for  Northbridge  the  original  provision  for  losses  and  LAE  at  each  calendar  year-end
commencing in 2004, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these years and the subsequent
re-estimated amount of these reserves.

Northbridge’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development

Calendar year

As at December 31

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009
(In Cdn$)

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

1,153.9 1,408.7 1,640.2 1,696.0 1,931.8 1,973.3 1,994.3 2,030.7 2,077.2 2,016.9 1,982.4

472.7
759.9
965.9

376.4
619.5
835.4

413.5
483.0
383.0
353.1
670.7
656.0
796.8
594.2
777.3
894.4
887.0 1,027.6
937.7 1,000.9 1,056.8 1,183.1 1,132.6 1,040.9

279.1
441.8
576.0
707.7
803.4 1,055.5 1,115.1 1,156.2 1,304.8 1,246.4
878.5 1,129.0 1,181.7 1,229.7 1,383.9
923.3 1,170.7 1,230.2 1,286.0
953.4 1,198.4 1,268.1
971.0 1,224.4
991.4

383.2
655.1
844.1

397.7
633.8

368.4

1,114.6 1,461.7 1,564.3 1,674.0 1,883.8 1,965.8 1,957.1 1,967.1 1,925.1 1,903.0
1,094.0 1,418.1 1,545.4 1,635.1 1,901.2 1,962.0 1,914.4 1,861.7 1,822.3
1,096.7 1,412.5 1,510.3 1,635.1 1,901.5 1,917.7 1,810.2 1,776.7
1,107.2 1,400.2 1,507.9 1,634.3 1,865.8 1,827.0 1,742.8
1,117.7 1,398.4 1,513.5 1,612.1 1,794.1 1,780.7
1,124.7 1,403.1 1,495.1 1,563.5 1,779.6
1,123.7 1,383.6 1,464.3 1,568.4
1,112.3 1,365.3 1,483.8
1,100.2 1,394.9
1,132.5
21.4

251.5

156.4

254.0

152.2

113.9

254.9

127.6

192.6

13.8

The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2014 of Cdn$113.9 reflected in the ‘‘Northbridge’s Calendar
Year  Claims  Reserve  Development’’  table  preceding  this  paragraph  is  comprised  of  Cdn$121.7  of  net  favourable
reserve development and Cdn$7.8 of net unfavourable foreign currency movements related to the translation of
U.S. dollar-denominated claims reserves (principally at Northbridge Indemnity and Northbridge Commercial). The
net favourable prior year reserve development in 2014 of Cdn$121.7 reflected net favourable emergence across most
accident years and lines of business at each of Northbridge’s operating companies (more specifically concentrated in
general  liability,  commercial  automobile  and  personal  automobile  claims  reserves).  The  strengthening  of  the
U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar increased Northbridge’s claims reserves in 2014 (expressed in Canadian
dollars) by Cdn$7.8 related to prior years’ reserves and Cdn$0.8 related to the current year’s reserves representing a
total increase of Cdn$8.6.

The following table is derived from the ‘‘Northbridge’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table above. It
summarizes the effect of re-estimating prior year loss reserves by accident year.

Northbridge’s Accident Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

End of first year
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

Accident year

2005

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

(In Cdn$)

531.6 508.1 640.8 572.4 501.2 487.1 493.3 489.6 447.8
499.2 505.1 631.7 547.6 467.9 466.2 446.5 478.4
485.9 501.3 649.1 543.4 469.4 465.0 428.8
463.2 503.5 650.3 534.9 455.9 447.4
462.5 497.1 636.8 515.9 434.8
463.5 493.4 613.7 484.0
464.5 475.5 594.3
452.1 460.9
442.0

573.1
646.8
600.5
584.4
561.6
552.8
558.5
550.4
544.2
541.4

2004 &
Prior

1,153.8
1,114.6
1,093.9
1,096.7
1,107.2
1,117.7
1,124.7
1,123.7
1,112.3
1,100.2
1,132.5

1.8%

5.5% 16.9% 9.3% 7.3% 15.4% 13.2% 8.2% 13.1% 2.3%

159

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Accident years 2012 and 2013 experienced net favourable emergence on commercial liability claims reserves in the
mid-market and large account segments, and automobile claims reserves in the personal lines segment. Accident year
2011  experienced  net  favourable  emergence  across  most  lines  of  business  and  operating  segments  except  in  the
commercial  automobile  mid-market  account  segment  and  the  commercial  transportation  account  segment.
Accident years 2005 through 2010 experienced net favourable emergence across all lines of business and operating
segments. Accident year 2004 and prior were impacted by pre-1990 general liability claims reserves.

U.S. Insurance

The following table shows for the U.S. insurance operations the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as
currently  estimated  for  the  years  2010  through  2014.  First  Mercury  and  Zenith  National  were  included  in  the
U.S.  Insurance  reporting  segment  beginning  in  2011  and  2010  respectively.  Between  2010  and  2006,  the
U.S. Insurance reporting segment consisted of Crum & Forster only with the years prior to 2006 including Fairmont
(the business of which was assumed by Crum & Forster effective January 1, 2006 subsequent to the transfer of the
Fairmont entities to U.S. Runoff). The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been credited or
charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – U.S. Insurance

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Increase (decrease) in provision for prior accident years’

2014
3,108.0

2013
3,058.3

2012
2,776.5

2011
2,588.5

2010
1,774.3(1)

1,323.0

1,339.3

1,353.0

966.7

532.3

claims

(72.6)

(27.7)

52.4

61.8

11.3

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

1,250.4

1,311.6

1,405.4

1,028.5

543.6

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(331.0)
(861.6)

(302.2)
(891.1)

(292.4)
(831.2)

(259.1)
(750.0)

(143.1)
(550.6)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(1,192.6)

(1,193.3)

(1,123.6)

(1,009.1)

(693.7)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 before the

undernoted

Transfers to Runoff(2)

Insurance subsidiaries acquired during the year(3)

3,165.8

3,176.6

3,058.3

2,607.9

1,624.2

–

–

(68.6)

–

–

–

(334.5)

–

503.1

964.3

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

3,165.8

3,108.0

3,058.3

2,776.5

2,588.5

(1) Provision for claims at January 1, 2010 reflected certain reclassifications recorded upon adoption of IFRS.

(2) U.S. Runoff assumed the liability for Crum & Forster’s discontinued New York construction contractors’ business in 2013,

and substantially all of Crum & Forster’s asbestos and environmental claims reserves in 2011.

(3) First Mercury was acquired and integrated with Crum & Forster in 2011 and Zenith National was acquired in 2010.

160

The following table shows for Crum & Forster (and Zenith National since 2010) the original provision for losses and
LAE at each calendar year-end commencing in 2004, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these
years and the subsequent re-estimated amounts of these reserves.

U.S. Insurance Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development (including Zenith National since 2010)

As at December 31

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Calendar year

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

1,578.2 1,610.6 1,686.9 1,668.9 2,038.3 1,789.4 2,588.5 2,776.5 3,058.3 3,108.0 3,165.8

466.0
796.7
1,066.1

478.9
848.7
804.7

571.0
629.2
904.3

632.9

954.3
565.4 1,084.5
264.1
649.0 1,048.7 1,258.8 1,537.0 1,464.6 1,539.4
971.2 1,670.9 1,492.4 1,840.7 1,864.6

831.2

861.6

959.6 1,013.8 1,153.9 1,524.3 1,847.5 1,628.0 2,035.2

1,118.3 1,209.9 1,661.7 1,647.2 1,936.6 1,715.3
1,280.2 1,693.5 1,746.4 1,706.0 2,007.0
1,745.4 1,759.7 1,777.9 1,760.2
1,800.4 1,773.6 1,818.1
1,800.8 1,807.8
1,824.6

1,546.9 1,561.7 1,640.3 1,727.9 2,013.3 1,800.7 2,650.3 2,828.9 3,030.6 3,035.4
1,509.2 1,525.3 1,716.5 1,692.4 2,015.5 1,833.4 2,664.6 2,867.9 3,042.3
1,499.7 1,640.4 1,700.3 1,711.8 2,063.1 1,836.7 2,645.2 2,894.4
1,616.7 1,653.0 1,732.0 1,754.7 2,062.4 1,819.3 2,626.4
1,658.2 1,688.5 1,774.6 1,755.5 2,041.5 1,812.0
1,687.3 1,737.3 1,777.8 1,735.0 2,036.6
1,729.8 1,738.0 1,747.7 1,737.1
1,733.3 1,707.0 1,749.5
1,698.5 1,707.7
1,693.2
(115.0)

(117.9)

(97.1)

(37.9)

(62.6)

(22.6)

(68.2)

16.0

72.6

1.7

U.S.  Insurance  experienced  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  of  $72.6  in  2014  on  workers’
compensation claims reserves at Zenith National. There was no net prior year reserve development at Crum & Forster
in 2014.

The following table is derived from the ‘‘U.S. Insurance Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table above. It
summarizes the effect of re-estimating prior year loss reserves by accident year.

U.S. Insurance Accident Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

End of first year
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

Accident year

2014

992.0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

2012

2013

701.0 723.4 748.8 659.6 743.1 838.0 1,060.5 1,031.7
690.7 706.4 759.4 668.8 746.8 855.1
947.3
651.8 686.9 742.1 670.7 762.6 879.6
623.1 674.8 755.3 691.1 783.3 902.6
619.2 676.9 764.4 700.2 783.6
609.0 679.9 764.0 703.2
606.4 688.0 758.3
606.4 698.1
609.2

993.8
979.1

2004 &
Prior

1,831.3
1,800.0
1,762.3
1,752.8
1,869.8
1,911.3
1,940.4
1,986.6
1,986.7
1,955.9
1,942.7

2005

613.8
602.7
575.7
573.9
545.0
551.3
556.2
545.6
553.4
559.6

(6.1)% 8.8% 13.1% 3.5% (1.3)% (6.6)% (5.5)% (7.7)%

7.7%

8.2%

161

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Accident years 2013 and 2012 experienced net favourable emergence on general liability and workers’ compensation
claims  reserves.  Accident  years  2008  through  2011  experienced  net  adverse  emergence  principally  related  to
unfavourable trends on workers’ compensation claims reserves at Crum & Forster and Zenith National and general
liability claims reserves at First Mercury. Accident years 2005 through 2007 experienced net favourable emergence on
general liability, commercial multi-peril and workers’ compensation claims reserves. Accident year 2004 and prior
were impacted by the effects of increased frequency and severity on casualty claims reserves, the effects of increased
competitive conditions during 2003 and prior periods and included strengthening of asbestos, environmental and
latent claims reserves.

Asian Insurance – Fairfax Asia

The following table shows for Fairfax Asia the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently estimated for
the years 2010 through 2014. Fairfax Indonesia and Pacific Insurance were included in the Fairfax Asia reporting
segment beginning in 2014 and 2011 respectively. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has
been credited or charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Fairfax Asia

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

2014
360.0

2013
318.8

2012
266.0

2011
203.0

2010
138.7

221.3
(15.1)
(20.6)

205.7
(10.1)
(16.7)

182.4
13.0
(16.4)

144.6
(3.1)
(17.6)

130.2
12.7
(10.0)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

185.6

178.9

179.0

123.9

132.9

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(63.1)
(110.3)

(49.4)
(88.3)

(44.1)
(82.1)

(24.5)
(62.2)

(24.0)
(44.6)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(173.4)

(137.7)

(126.2)

(86.7)

(68.6)

Insurance subsidiaries acquired during the year(1)

0.4

–

–

25.8

–

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

372.6

360.0

318.8

266.0

203.0

(1) Fairfax Indonesia and Pacific Insurance were acquired in 2014 and 2011 respectively. 

The  following  table  shows  for  Fairfax  Asia  the  original  provision  for  losses  and  LAE  at  each  calendar  year-end
commencing in 2004, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these years and the subsequent
re-estimated amount of these reserves. The following Asian Insurance subsidiaries’ reserves are included from the
respective years in which such subsidiaries were acquired:

Falcon Insurance
Winterthur (Asia) (now part of First Capital Insurance)
First Capital Insurance
Pacific Insurance
Fairfax Indonesia

Year acquired
1998
2001
2004
2011
2014

162

Fairfax Asia’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

2004 2005 2006 2007

2008

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Calendar year

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

54.7

74.7

87.6

91.0

113.2

138.7 203.0 266.0 318.8 360.0 372.2

13.3
21.9
29.1
32.6
33.8
34.2
34.3
34.4
34.4
34.5

59.6
58.2
49.9
48.3
43.5
42.9
41.3
40.0
38.7
38.0
16.7

88.3 110.3

62.2
82.1
92.4 120.0 135.3

44.6
65.2
75.7 106.3 142.9
80.5 115.7
83.2

136.3 185.0 260.2 293.8 330.3
124.5 177.9 240.6 275.5
118.4 165.8 226.8
110.1 161.7
108.0

41.0
56.5
62.8
66.2
67.7
68.5

106.0
100.2
93.2
89.2
83.9
82.7

30.9
49.8
55.8
58.0
59.1
59.9
59.9

94.9
84.7
79.5
75.4
71.8
69.3
68.5

26.5
45.2
56.3
58.8
59.9
60.1
60.4
60.3

84.5
84.1
75.0
72.2
69.4
67.4
66.0
65.5

15.6
32.6
44.6
50.3
51.1
51.5
51.5
51.6
51.6

79.6
72.2
71.8
64.7
63.4
60.7
58.6
57.0
56.7

18.0

22.1

22.5

30.5

30.7

41.3

39.2

43.3

29.7

The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2014 of $29.7 reflected in the ‘‘Fairfax Asia’s Calendar Year
Claims  Reserve  Development’’  table  preceding  this  paragraph  is  comprised  of  $20.6  of  net  favourable  reserve
development and $9.1 of net favourable foreign currency movements related to the translation of non-U.S. dollar-
denominated  claims  reserves.  The  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  in  2014  of  $20.6  reflected  net
favourable  emergence  on  engineering,  workers’  compensation,  property  and  commercial  automobile  claims
reserves. Principally as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Singapore dollar in 2014, Fairfax
Asia’s claims reserves (expressed in U.S. dollars) decreased by $9.1 related to prior years’ reserves and $6.0 related to
the current year’s reserves representing a total decrease of $15.1.

163

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe

The following table shows for OdysseyRe the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently estimated for
the  years  2010  through  2014.  Clearwater  Insurance  was  transferred  to  the  U.S.  Runoff  reporting  segment  on
January 1, 2011. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been credited or charged to each
year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – OdysseyRe

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

2014
4,812.8

2013
4,842.7

2012
4,789.5

2011
4,857.2

2010
4,666.3

Transfer of Clearwater Insurance to U.S. Runoff(1)

–

–

–

(484.2)

–

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

1,473.1
(186.2)
(189.1)

1,524.3
9.9
(214.7)

1,566.5
20.4
(152.0)

1,863.7
(38.0)
(51.4)

1,320.6
46.5
(3.6)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

1,097.8

1,319.5

1,434.9

1,774.3

1,363.5

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(311.4)

(249.3)
(283.3)
(1,010.1) (1,066.1) (1,132.4)

(439.0)
(918.8)

(184.4)
(988.2)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(1,321.5) (1,349.4) (1,381.7) (1,357.8) (1,172.6)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

4,589.1

4,812.8

4,842.7

4,789.5

4,857.2

(1) Clearwater Insurance was transferred to Runoff effective January 1, 2011.

The  following  table  shows  for  OdysseyRe  the  original  provision  for  losses  and  LAE  at  each  calendar  year-end
commencing in 2004, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these years and the subsequent
re-estimated amount of these reserves.

OdysseyRe’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development(1)

As at December 31

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Calendar year

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

3,132.5 3,865.4 4,403.1 4,475.6 4,560.3 4,666.3 4,857.2 4,789.5 4,842.7 4,812.8 4,589.1

913.7

787.3 1,111.1 1,016.0 1,024.2

988.2 1,403.0 1,132.4 1,066.1 1,010.1

1,298.5 1,614.0 1,808.2 1,646.5 1,676.1 2,006.8 2,053.7 1,760.2 1,642.9
1,835.7 2,160.9 2,273.0 2,123.5 2,567.1 2,484.3 2,482.0 2,152.9
2,221.0 2,520.9 2,661.8 2,887.8 2,942.5 2,823.6 2,766.9
2,490.5 2,831.1 3,347.6 3,164.1 3,206.4 3,046.0
2,734.3 3,463.2 3,572.9 3,360.3 3,376.6
3,323.4 3,653.1 3,721.2 3,488.6
3,476.2 3,769.1 3,817.5
3,559.8 3,842.8
3,615.9

3,299.0 4,050.8 4,443.6 4,465.5 4,549.0 4,662.7 4,805.8 4,637.5 4,628.0 4,623.7
3,537.0 4,143.5 4,481.5 4,499.0 4,567.7 4,650.4 4,726.6 4,500.3 4,439.1
3,736.1 4,221.3 4,564.3 4,537.8 4,561.3 4,606.6 4,674.1 4,357.3
3,837.5 4,320.5 4,623.1 4,534.5 4,548.7 4,591.2 4,566.5
3,950.1 4,393.0 4,628.3 4,522.9 4,535.0 4,489.4
4,023.3 4,406.7 4,630.5 4,516.0 4,460.5
4,046.7 4,426.1 4,627.3 4,464.0
4,073.1 4,434.0 4,577.3
4,081.6 4,395.1
4,056.8
(924.3)

(529.7)

(174.2)

290.7

176.9

432.2

403.6

189.1

11.6

99.8

(1) The table above reflects the transfer of Clearwater Insurance to Runoff effective January 1, 2011. 

164

OdysseyRe experienced net favourable prior year reserve development of $189.1 in 2014, attributable to decreased
loss estimates in its Americas ($96.0), EuroAsia ($28.1), London Market ($37.1) and U.S. Insurance ($27.9) divisions
primarily related to net favourable emergence on casualty and non-catastrophe property claims reserves.

The following table is derived from the ‘‘OdysseyRe’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table above. It
summarizes the effect of re-estimating prior year loss reserves by accident year.

OdysseyRe’s Accident Year Claims Reserve Development

Accident Year

As at December 31

End of first year
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable)

development

2004 &
Prior

3,132.5
3,298.9
3,537.0
3,736.0
3,837.5
3,950.1
4,023.3
4,046.7
4,073.1
4,081.6
4,056.8

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

1,480.2
1,427.6
1,321.2
1,297.5
1,284.1
1,283.4
1,273.7
1,266.6
1,266.2
1,252.1

1,139.6 1,143.1 1,110.8 1,141.5 1,182.7 1,386.7 1,337.6 1,251.0
1,087.4 1,095.2 1,066.1 1,119.2 1,143.6 1,313.9 1,260.1 1,250.7
1,047.5 1,045.7 1,045.9 1,113.3 1,108.2 1,229.2 1,214.2
1,031.1 1,025.8 1,042.8 1,082.1 1,071.1 1,193.8
1,017.4 1,017.3 1,041.8 1,080.3 1,065.4
1,008.9 1,003.5 1,035.0 1,053.1
999.8 1,012.5
997.9

991.8
980.6
969.4

2014

975.5

(29.5)%

15.4%

14.9% 12.7%

8.8%

7.7%

9.9% 13.9%

9.2%

0.0%

Improvements in competitive conditions and the economic environment beginning in 2001 resulted in a continued
downward  trend  on  re-estimated  reserves  for  accident  years  2005  through  2012.  Initial  loss  estimates  for  those
accident years did not fully anticipate the improvements in market and economic conditions achieved since the
early 2000s. Accident years 2011 and 2012 benefited from net favourable emergence on catastrophe loss reserves.
The  deterioration  in  accident  year  2004  and  prior  principally  reflected  net  adverse  emergence  on  asbestos  and
environmental pollution loss reserves and U.S. casualty loss reserves.

165

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other (Group Re, Advent, Polish Re and Fairfax Brasil)

The following table shows for Insurance and Reinsurance – Other the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as
currently estimated for the years 2010 through 2014. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years
has been credited or charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Transfer to Runoff(1)

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

2014
966.6

2013
1,046.5

2012
1,057.3

2011
1,024.4

2010
1,004.1

–

–

(61.8)

–

–

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

276.0
(58.7)
(53.2)

297.6
(20.8)
(26.9)

392.0
22.3
(0.6)

578.0
(25.6)
(39.7)

429.3
20.1
(32.4)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

164.1

249.9

413.7

512.7

417.0

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(49.1)
(204.5)

(67.5)
(262.3)

(101.0)
(261.7)

(201.0)
(278.8)

(126.4)
(270.3)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(253.6)

(329.8)

(362.7)

(479.8)

(396.7)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 excluding CTR

Life

CTR Life(2)

877.1
15.2

966.6
17.9

1,046.5
20.6

1,057.3
24.2

1,024.4
25.3

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

892.3

984.5

1,067.1

1,081.5

1,049.7

(1) Runoff assumed liability for the claims reserves of Advent’s Syndicate 3330 effective January 1, 2012.

(2) Guaranteed  minimum  death  benefit  retrocessional  business  written  by  Compagnie  Transcontinentale  de  R´eassurance
(‘‘CTR Life’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that  was transferred to Wentworth and  placed into runoff
in 2002. 

166

The  following  table  shows  for  the  Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  reporting  segment  (comprised  only  of
Group Re prior to 2008) the original provision for losses and LAE at each calendar year-end commencing in 2004, the
subsequent  cumulative  payments  made  on  account  of  these  years  and  the  subsequent  re-estimated  amount  of
these reserves.

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development(1)

As at December 31

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 2014

Calendar Year

Provisions for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

267.6 315.6 373.5 456.5 742.0 1,004.1 1,024.4

995.5 1,046.5

966.6 877.1

240.5
421.8
503.7
578.5
624.9

278.8
395.6
507.4
570.1

261.7
437.9
535.8

262.3
403.6

204.5

40.3

54.3
93.0 197.7
85.9
74.6 104.3 151.9 160.5 262.5
128.8 160.5 209.4 238.7 401.0
179.2 206.6 267.3 304.3 461.2
216.2 252.7 318.0 331.0 517.7
252.5 290.5 334.3 362.5 546.1
280.3 301.4 358.2 377.7
289.3 315.6 369.6
300.6 324.3
307.7

279.6 319.4 429.4 383.8 833.5
288.2 361.9 375.8 454.1 833.0
326.7 322.9 436.9 484.2 787.6
302.8 377.6 458.0 477.6 801.9
351.7 393.3 452.5 492.8 785.9
364.5 387.1 465.1 473.3 759.5
359.4 392.3 451.4 466.4
366.2 383.1 448.2
358.4 383.8
360.1
(92.5)

(68.2)

(74.7)

(9.9)

(17.5)

989.2
939.8
959.0
946.5
915.0

966.2 1,016.9
986.9
993.1
941.9
966.9
929.8

996.6
915.5

866.8

89.1

94.6

53.6

131.0

99.8

(1) The  table  above  has  been  restated  to  reflect  the  transfer  of  nSpire  Re’s  Group  Re  business  to  Runoff  effective

January 1, 2008. 

The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2014 of $99.8 reflected in the ‘‘Insurance and Reinsurance –
Other’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table preceding this paragraph is comprised of $53.2 of net
favourable reserve development and $46.6 of net favourable foreign currency movements related to the translation
of non-U.S. dollar-denominated claims reserves (principally the translation of the Canadian dollar-denominated
claims reserves of Group Re). The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2014 of $53.2 was principally
comprised of net favourable emergence at Group Re (principally related to prior years’ catastrophe loss reserves and
the  runoff  of  the  intercompany  quota  share  reinsurance  contract  with  Northbridge)  and  Advent  (principally
reflecting  net  favourable  emergence  on  attritional  loss  reserves  across  most  lines  of  business  and  prior  years’
catastrophe  loss  reserves).  The  claims  reserves  of  Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  (expressed  in  U.S.  dollars)
decreased by $58.7 (principally as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar in
2014) and comprised of $46.6 related to prior years’ reserves and $12.1 related to the current year’s reserves.

167

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Runoff

The following table shows for the Runoff operations the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently
estimated for the years 2010 through 2014. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been
credited or charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Runoff

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Transfers to Runoff at January 1(1)

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Increase (decrease) in provision for prior accident years’

claims

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

2014
3,843.9

2013
3,744.6

2012
2,860.6

2011
2,095.0

2010
1,956.7

–

3.6

61.8

484.2

–

192.1
(75.5)

17.4
7.3

133.8
3.3

71.3

(36.0)

41.3

187.9

(11.3)

178.4

8.8
(9.3)

56.7

56.2

1.8
(8.4)

50.6

44.0

(35.4)
(302.6)

(61.5)
(378.2)

(7.4)
(273.8)

(1.8)
(211.4)

(0.1)
(300.0)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(338.0)

(439.7)

(281.2)

(213.2)

(300.1)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 before the

undernoted

Transferred from Crum & Forster at December 31(2)

Runoff subsidiaries acquired during the year(3)

3,693.8

3,297.2

2,819.6

2,422.2

1,700.6

–

–

68.6

–

334.5

–

478.1

925.0

103.9

394.4

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

3,693.8

3,843.9

3,744.6

2,860.6

2,095.0

(1) Transfer  to  Runoff  of  Northbridge’s  Commonwealth  Insurance  Company  of  America  business  in  2013,  Advent’s

Syndicate 3330 in 2012 and OdysseyRe’s Clearwater Insurance business in 2011.

(2) Runoff assumed liability for Crum & Forster’s discontinued New York construction contractors’ business in 2013 and

substantially all of Crum & Forster’s asbestos and environmental claims reserves in 2011.

(3) American Safety and Eagle Star in 2013, RiverStone Insurance and Syndicates 535 and 1204 in 2012, Syndicate 376 in

2011, General Fidelity and Syndicate 2112 in 2010.

Runoff experienced net adverse development of prior years’ reserves in 2014 of $71.3. U.S. Runoff experienced $76.8
of net adverse development of prior years’ reserves primarily related to reserve strengthening at Clearwater Insurance
(construction  contractors  claims  reserves  assumed  from  Crum  &  Forster  and  asbestos  and  environmental  claims
reserves in its legacy portfolio) and TIG Insurance (latent loss reserves, partially offset by net favourable development
of  workers’  compensation  claims  reserves),  partially  offset  by  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  at
American  Safety  (environmental  remediation  contractor  and  other  long  tail  casualty  claims  reserves).  European
Runoff reported $5.5 of net favourable prior year reserve development primarily related to favourable emergence
across all lines of business. The provision for current accident year’s claims increased from $17.4 in 2013 to $192.1 in
2014  primarily  as  a  result  of  the  impact  of  the  medical  malpractice  reinsurance  transaction  and  the  Everest
Re transaction.

Asbestos and Pollution

General A&E Discussion

A number of the company’s subsidiaries wrote general liability policies and reinsurance prior to their acquisition by
Fairfax  under  which  policyholders  continue  to  present  asbestos-related  injury  claims  and  claims  alleging  injury,
damage or clean up costs arising from environmental pollution (collectively ‘‘A&E’’) claims. The vast majority of
these claims are presented under policies written many years ago.

168

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of claims, which impacts the ability of insurers and
reinsurers to estimate the ultimate amount of unpaid claims and related settlement expenses. The majority of these
claims differ from most other types of claims because there is inconsistent precedent, if any at all, to determine what,
if any, coverage exists or which, if any, policy years and insurers/reinsurers may be liable. These uncertainties are
exacerbated  by  judicial  and  legislative  interpretations  of  coverage  that  in  some  cases  have  eroded  the  clear  and
express  intent  of  the  parties  to  the  insurance  contracts,  and  in  others  have  expanded  theories  of  liability.  The
insurance industry as a whole is engaged in extensive litigation over these coverage and liability issues and is thus
confronted with continuing uncertainty in its efforts to quantify A&E exposures. Conventional actuarial reserving
techniques cannot be used to estimate the ultimate cost of such claims, due to inadequate loss development patterns
and inconsistent legal doctrines that continue to emerge.

In addition to asbestos and environmental pollution, the company faces exposure to other types of mass tort or
health hazard claims including claims related to exposure to potentially harmful products or substances, such as
breast  implants,  pharmaceutical  products,  chemical  products,  lead-based  pigments,  tobacco,  hepatitis  C,  head
trauma  and  in  utero  exposure  to  diethylstilbestrol  (‘‘DES’’).  Tobacco,  although  a  significant  potential  risk  to  the
company,  has  not  presented  significant  actual  exposure  to  date.  Methyl  tertiary  butyl  ether  (‘‘MTBE’’)  was  a
significant potential health hazard, but the company has resolved the latest MBTE exposures and the remaining
exposures appear to be minimal at this time. Although still a risk due to occasional unfavorable court decisions, lead
pigment has had some favorable underlying litigation developments resulting in this hazard presenting less of a risk
to the company. The company is monitoring claims alleging breast cancer as a result of in utero exposure to DES, a
synthetic estrogen supplement prescribed to prevent miscarriages or premature births. Historically, DES exposure
cases involved alleged injuries to the reproductive tract. More recently filed cases are now alleging a link between DES
exposure and breast cancer. As a result of its historical underwriting profile and its focus on excess liability coverage
for Fortune 500 type entities, Runoff faces the bulk of these potential exposures within Fairfax. Establishing claim
and  claim  adjustment  expense  reserves  for  mass  tort  claims  is  subject  to  uncertainties  because  of  many  factors,
including expanded theories of liability and disputes concerning medical causation with respect to certain diseases.

Following  the  transfer  of  Clearwater  Insurance  to  Runoff  effective  from  January  1,  2011  and  the  assumption  by
Runoff of substantially all of Crum & Forster’s liabilities for asbestos, environmental and other latent claims effective
from December 31, 2011, substantially all of Fairfax’s exposure to asbestos and pollution losses are now under the
management of Runoff. Following is an analysis of the company’s gross and net loss and ALAE reserves from A&E
exposures as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the movement in gross and net reserves for those years:

A&E
Provision for A&E claims and ALAE at January 1
A&E losses and ALAE incurred during the year
A&E losses and ALAE paid during the year

2014

2013

Gross

Net

Gross

Net(1)

1,528.2
65.1
(199.0)

1,146.3
7.2
(137.1)

1,627.7
101.9
(201.4)

1,106.8
57.9
(18.4)

Provision for A&E claims and ALAE at December 31

1,394.3

1,016.4

1,528.2

1,146.3

(1)

Includes the effect of a commutation of a recoverable from reinsurer at Runoff which reduced losses and loss adjustment
expenses incurred and paid by $33.1 and $118.5 respectively.

Asbestos Claim Discussion

As  previously  reported,  tort  reform,  both  legislative  and  judicial,  has  had  a  significant  impact  on  the  asbestos
litigation landscape. The majority of claims now being filed and litigated continues to be mesothelioma, lung cancer,
or impaired asbestosis cases. This reduction in new filings has focused the litigants on the more seriously injured
plaintiffs.  While  we  have  seen  an  increase  the  settlement  value  of  asbestos  cases  involving  malignancies,  the
increases have not been exponential. Asbestos litigation has seen mixed results, with both plaintiff and defense
verdicts having been rendered in courts throughout the United States. Expense has increased due to the fact that the
malignancy cases are often more heavily litigated than the non-malignancy cases were.

169

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Following is an analysis of Fairfax’s gross and net loss and ALAE reserves from asbestos exposures as at December 31,
2014 and 2013, and the movement in gross and net reserves for those years:

Asbestos
Provision for asbestos claims and ALAE at January 1
Asbestos losses and ALAE incurred during the year
Asbestos losses and ALAE paid during the year

2014

2013

Gross

Net

Gross

Net(1)

1,353.1
49.3
(178.1)

981.8
36.4
(121.5)

1,426.4
77.2
(150.5)

953.7
18.6
9.5

Provision for asbestos claims and ALAE at December 31

1,224.3

896.7

1,353.1

981.8

(1)

Includes the effect of a commutation of a recoverable from reinsurer at Runoff which reduced losses and loss adjustment
expenses incurred and paid by $33.1 and $118.5 respectively.

The  policyholders  with  the  most  significant  asbestos  exposure  continue  to  be  traditional  defendants  who
manufactured, distributed or installed asbestos products on a nationwide basis. The runoff companies are exposed to
these risks and have the bulk of the direct asbestos exposure within Fairfax. While these insureds are relatively small
in number, asbestos exposures for such entities have increased over the past decade due to the rising volume of
claims, the erosion of underlying limits, and the bankruptcies of target defendants. In addition, less prominent or
‘‘peripheral’’  defendants,  including  a  mix  of  manufacturers,  distributors,  and  installers  of  asbestos-containing
products, as well as premises owners continue to present with new reports. For the most part, these insureds are
defendants on a regional rather than nationwide basis. The nature of these insureds and the claimant population
associated  with  them,  however,  result  in  far  less  total  exposure  to  the  company  than  the  historical  traditional
asbestos defendants. Reinsurance contracts entered into before 1984 also still present exposure to asbestos.

Reserves for asbestos cannot be estimated using traditional loss reserving techniques that rely on historical accident
year loss development factors. Because each insured presents different liability and coverage issues, the company
evaluates  its  asbestos  exposure  on  an  insured-by-insured  basis.  Since  the  mid-1990’s  Fairfax  has  utilized  a
sophisticated, non-traditional methodology that draws upon company experience and supplemental databases to
assess asbestos liabilities on reported claims. The methodology utilizes a ground-up, exposure-based analysis that
constitutes the industry ‘‘best practice’’ approach for asbestos reserving. The methodology was initially critiqued by
outside legal and actuarial consultants, and the results are annually reviewed by independent actuaries, all of whom
have consistently found the methodology comprehensive and the results reasonable.

In the course of the insured-by-insured evaluation the following factors are considered: available insurance coverage,
including any umbrella or excess insurance that has been issued to the insured; limits, deductibles, and self-insured
retentions; an analysis of each insured’s potential liability; the jurisdictions involved; past and anticipated future
asbestos claim filings against the insured; loss development on pending claims; past settlement values of similar
claims; allocated claim adjustment expenses; and applicable coverage defenses.

As a result of the processes, procedures, and analyses described above, management believes that the reserves carried
for asbestos claims at December 31, 2014 are appropriate based upon known facts and current law. However, there are
a  number  of  uncertainties  surrounding  the  ultimate  value  of  these  claims  that  may  result  in  changes  in  these
estimates as new information emerges. Among these are: the unpredictability inherent in litigation, including the
legal uncertainties described above, the added uncertainty brought upon by continuing changes in the asbestos
litigation  landscape,  and  possible  future  developments  regarding  the  ability  to  recover  reinsurance  for  asbestos
claims. It is also not possible to predict, nor has management assumed, any changes in the legal, social, or economic
environments and their impact on future asbestos claim development.

Environmental Pollution Discussion

Environmental  pollution  claims  represent  another  significant  exposure  for  Fairfax.  However,  new  reports  of
environmental pollution claims continue to remain low. While insureds with single-site exposures are still active,
Fairfax has resolved the majority of known claims from insureds with a large number of sites. In many cases, claims
are being settled for less than initially anticipated due to improved site remediation technology and effective policy
buybacks.

170

Despite  the  stability  of  recent  trends,  there  remains  great  uncertainty  in  estimating  liabilities  arising  from  these
exposures.  First,  the  number  of  hazardous  materials  sites  subject  to  cleanup  is  unknown.  Today,  approximately
1,321 sites are included on the National Priorities List of the Environmental Protection Agency. Second, the liabilities
of the insureds themselves are difficult to estimate. At any given site, the allocation of remediation cost among the
potentially responsible parties varies greatly depending upon a variety of factors. Third, different courts have been
presented with liability and coverage issues regarding pollution claims and have reached inconsistent decisions.
There is also uncertainty about claims for damages to natural resources. These claims seek compensation for the
harm caused by the loss of natural resources beyond clean up costs and fines. Natural resources are generally defined
as land, air, water, fish, wildlife, biota, and other such resources. Funds recovered in these actions are generally to be
used for ecological restoration projects and replacement of the lost natural resources. At this point in time, natural
resource damages claims have not developed into significant risks for the company’s insureds.

Following  is  an  analysis  of  the  company’s  gross  and  net  loss  and  ALAE  reserves  from  pollution  exposures  as  at
December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the movement in gross and net reserves for those years:

Pollution
Provision for pollution claims and ALAE at January 1
Pollution losses and ALAE incurred during the year
Pollution losses and ALAE paid during the year

2014

2013

Gross

Net

Gross

Net

175.1
15.8
(20.9)

164.5
(29.2)
(15.6)

201.3
24.7
(50.9)

153.1
39.3
(27.9)

Provision for pollution claims and ALAE at December 31

170.0

119.7

175.1

164.5

As with asbestos reserves, exposure for pollution cannot be estimated with traditional loss reserving techniques that
rely  on  historical  accident  year  loss  development  factors.  Because  each  insured  presents  different  liability  and
coverage issues, the methodology used by the company’s subsidiaries to establish pollution reserves is similar to that
used for asbestos liabilities: the exposure presented by each insured and the anticipated cost of resolution using
ground-up, exposure-based analysis that constitutes industry ‘‘best practice’’ for pollution reserving. As with asbestos
reserving, this methodology was initially critiqued by outside legal and actuarial consultants, and the results are
annually reviewed by independent actuaries, all of whom have consistently found the methodology comprehensive
and the results reasonable.

In the course of performing these individualized assessments, the following factors are considered: the insured’s
probable  liability  and  available  coverage,  relevant  judicial  interpretations,  the  nature  of  the  alleged  pollution
activities of the insured at each site, the number of sites, the total number of potentially responsible parties at each
site, the nature of environmental harm and the corresponding remedy at each site, the ownership and general use of
each site, the involvement of other insurers and the potential for other available coverage, and the applicable law in
each jurisdiction.

Summary

Management believes that the A&E reserves reported at December 31, 2014 are reasonable estimates of the ultimate
remaining  liability  for  these  claims  based  on  facts  currently  known,  the  present  state  of  the  law  and  coverage
litigation,  current  assumptions,  and  the  reserving  methodologies  employed.  These  A&E  reserves  are  continually
monitored by management and reviewed extensively by independent actuaries. New reserving methodologies and
developments  will  continue  to  be  evaluated  as  they  arise  in  order  to  supplement  the  ongoing  analysis  of  A&E
exposures. However, to the extent that future social, scientific, economic, legal, or legislative developments alter the
volume of claims, the liabilities of policyholders or the original intent of the policies and scope of coverage, increases
in loss reserves may emerge in future periods.

171

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Recoverable from Reinsurers

Fairfax’s  subsidiaries  purchase  reinsurance  to  reduce  their  exposure  on  the  insurance  and  reinsurance  risks  they
underwrite. Fairfax strives to minimize the credit risk associated with reinsurance through adherence to its internal
reinsurance guidelines. To be an ongoing reinsurer of Fairfax, generally a company must have high A.M. Best and/or
Standard  &  Poor’s  financial  strength  ratings  and  maintain  capital  and  surplus  exceeding  $500.0.  Most  of  the
reinsurance  balances  for  reinsurers  rated  B++  and  lower  or  which  are  not  rated  were  inherited  by  Fairfax  on
acquisition of a subsidiary.

Recoverable from reinsurers of $3,982.1 on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 consisted of future
recoverables from reinsurers on unpaid claims ($3,410.0), reinsurance receivable on paid losses ($380.7) and the
unearned portion of premiums ceded to reinsurers ($395.7), net of provision for uncollectible balances ($204.3).
Recoverables from reinsurers on unpaid claims decreased by $866.8 to $3,410.0 at December 31, 2014 from $4,276.8
at  December  31,  2013  primarily  reflecting  Runoff’s  continued  progress  reducing  its  recoverable  from  reinsurers
(through normal cession and collection activity and commutations including the commutation of a reinsurance
recoverable from the Brit Group with a carrying value of $312.7), the impact of more favourable loss experience at
OdysseyRe in its U.S. crop insurance business, the impact on loss reserves of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar
relative to the Canadian dollar (principally at Northbridge) and favourable prior year reserve development ceded
to reinsurers.

172

The following table presents Fairfax’s top 25 reinsurance groups (ranked by gross recoverable from reinsurers net of
provisions  for  uncollectible  reinsurance)  at  December  31,  2014.  These  25  reinsurance  groups  represented  71.7%
(December 31, 2013 – 71.8%) of Fairfax’s total recoverable from reinsurers at December 31, 2014.

Group
Swiss Re
Lloyd’s
Munich
Berkshire Hathaway
ACE
HDI
Alleghany
Everest
Markel
GIC
QBE
SCOR
Enstar
Nationwide
AIG
Singapore Re
Liberty Mutual
Platinum
Partner Re
CNA
Aspen
Travelers
WR Berkley
IRB
Toa Re

Sub-total
Other reinsurers

Principal reinsurers
Swiss Re America Corp.
Lloyd’s
Munich Reinsurance America Inc.
General Reinsurance Corp.
ACE Tempest Reins Ltd. (Bermuda)
Hannover Rueckversicherung
Transatlantic Reinsurance Co.
Everest Reinsurance Co. (CNB)
Alterra Reinsurance USA Inc.
General Insurance Corp. of India
QBE Reinsurance Corp.
SCOR Canada Reinsurance Co.
Arden Reinsurance Co. Ltd.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
Lexington Insurance Co.
Singapore Re Corp.
Liberty Mutual Ins. Co.
Platinum Underwriters Re Inc.
Partner Re Company of the U.S.
Continental Casualty Co.
Aspen Insurance UK Ltd.
Travelers Indemnity Co
Berkley Insurance Co.
IRB – Brazil Resseguros S.A.
Toa Reinsurance Co. of America

Total recoverable from reinsurers
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Recoverable from reinsurers

A.M. Best
rating (or S&P
equivalent)(1)

A+
A
A+
A++
A++
A+
A
A+
A
A-
A
A
NR
A+
A
A-
A
A
A+
A
A
A++
A+
A-
A+

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers(2)
534.5
320.2
235.1
231.7
166.6
157.5
151.8
145.9
118.6
97.7
86.7
85.0
75.8
73.8
59.4
56.2
53.1
53.0
49.8
46.4
44.8
43.7
42.1
40.7
32.3

3,002.4
1,184.0

4,186.4
(204.3)

3,982.1

Net unsecured
recoverable(3)
from reinsurers
206.5
288.5
220.8
204.2
96.1
136.3
142.5
125.2
108.0
32.5
83.8
78.4
44.8
73.2
52.0
31.7
51.7
46.3
46.0
31.6
42.3
43.3
40.3
31.6
30.9

2,288.5
878.6

3,167.1
(204.3)

2,962.8

(1) Of principal reinsurer (or, if principal reinsurer is not rated, of group).

(2) Before  specific  provisions  for  uncollectible  reinsurance.  On  August  18,  2014  Runoff  commuted  a  $312.7  reinsurance
recoverable from Brit Group resulting in the removal of the Brit Group from Fairfax’s top 25 reinsurance groups table at
December 31, 2014.

(3) Net of outstanding balances for which security was held, but before specific provisions for uncollectible reinsurance.

173

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The following table presents the classification of the $3,982.1 gross recoverable from reinsurers according to the
financial  strength  rating  of  the  responsible  reinsurers  at  December  31,  2014.  Pools  and  associations,  shown
separately, are generally government or similar insurance funds carrying limited credit risk.

Consolidated Recoverable from Reinsurers

A.M. Best
rating
(or S&P
equivalent)
A++
A+
A
A-
B++
B+
B or lower
Not rated
Pools and associations

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Recoverable from reinsurers

Consolidated Recoverable from Reinsurers

Gross
recoverable
from reinsurers
463.4
1,425.2
1,289.6
346.4
23.3
2.1
28.7
539.4
68.3

4,186.4
(204.3)

3,982.1

Outstanding
balances
for which
security
is held
108.3
427.3
133.6
186.5
12.7
0.7
23.8
104.2
22.2

1,019.3

Net
unsecured
recoverable
from reinsurers
355.1
997.9
1,156.0
159.9
10.6
1.4
4.9
435.2
46.1

3,167.1
(204.3)

2,962.8

To  support  gross  recoverable  from  reinsurers  balances,  Fairfax  had  the  benefit  of  letters  of  credit,  trust  funds  or
offsetting balances payable totaling $1,019.3 as at December 31, 2014 as follows:

(cid:127) for reinsurers rated A- or better, Fairfax had security of $855.7 against outstanding reinsurance recoverable

of $3,524.6;

(cid:127) for reinsurers rated B++ or lower, Fairfax had security of $37.2 against outstanding reinsurance recoverable

of $54.1;

(cid:127) for  unrated  reinsurers,  Fairfax  had  security  of  $104.2  against  outstanding  reinsurance  recoverable  of

$539.4; and

(cid:127) for pools and associations, Fairfax had security of $22.2 against outstanding reinsurance recoverable of $68.3.

In  addition  to  the  above  security  arrangements,  Lloyd’s  is  also  required  to  maintain  funds  in  Canada  and  the
United States that are monitored by the applicable regulatory authorities.

Substantially  all  of  the  $204.3  provision  for  uncollectible  reinsurance  related  to  the  $452.1  of  net  unsecured
reinsurance recoverable from reinsurers rated B++ or lower or which are unrated (excludes pools and associations).

The  following  tables  separately  break  out  the  consolidated  recoverable  from  reinsurers  for  the  insurance  and
reinsurance  operations  and  for  the  runoff  operations.  As  shown  in  those  tables,  approximately  25.8%  of  the
consolidated recoverable from reinsurers related to runoff operations as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 –
34.0%).

174

Recoverable from Reinsurers – Insurance and Reinsurance Operating Companies and
Runoff Operations

Insurance and Reinsurance
Operating Companies

Runoff Operations

A.M. Best
rating
(or S&P
equivalent)
A++
A+
A
A-
B++
B+
B or lower
Not rated
Pools and associations

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Outstanding
balances
for which
security
is held
105.3
394.3
109.5
134.9
11.4
–
23.7
43.6
22.2

844.9

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers
353.6
1,061.2
1,049.3
289.2
19.7
0.9
23.7
137.3
59.2

2,994.1
(40.7)

Net
unsecured
recoverable
from
reinsurers
248.3
666.9
939.8
154.3
8.3
0.9
–
93.7
37.0

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers
109.8
364.0
240.3
57.2
3.6
1.2
5.0
402.1
9.1

2,149.2
(40.7)

1,192.3
(163.6)

Outstanding
balances
for which
security
is held
3.0
33.0
24.1
51.6
1.3
0.7
0.1
60.6
–

174.4

Recoverable from reinsurers

2,953.4

2,108.5

1,028.7

Net
unsecured
recoverable
from
reinsurers
106.8
331.0
216.2
5.6
2.3
0.5
4.9
341.5
9.1

1,017.9
(163.6)

854.3

Based  on  the  preceding  analysis  of  the  company’s  recoverable  from  reinsurers  and  on  the  credit  risk  analysis
performed by the company’s reinsurance security department as described below, Fairfax believes that its provision
for  uncollectible  reinsurance  has  provided  for  all  likely  losses  arising  from  uncollectible  reinsurance  at
December 31, 2014.

The company’s reinsurance security department, with its dedicated specialized personnel and expertise in analyzing
and managing credit risk, is responsible for the following with respect to recoverable from reinsurers: evaluating the
creditworthiness  of  all  reinsurers  and  recommending  to  the  group  management’s  reinsurance  committee  those
reinsurers which should be included on the list of approved reinsurers; on a quarterly basis, monitoring reinsurance
recoverable  by  reinsurer  and  by  company,  in  aggregate,  and  recommending  the  appropriate  provision  for
uncollectible reinsurance; and pursuing collections from, and global commutations with, reinsurers which are either
impaired or considered to be financially challenged.

The insurance and reinsurance operating companies purchase reinsurance to achieve various objectives including
protection  from  catastrophic  financial  loss  resulting  from  a  single  event,  such  as  the  total  fire  loss  of  a  large
manufacturing plant, protection against the aggregation of many smaller claims resulting from a single event, such
as an earthquake or major hurricane, that may affect many policyholders simultaneously and generally to protect
capital by limiting loss exposure to acceptable levels. Consolidated net earnings included the pre-tax cost of ceded
reinsurance of $237.0 in 2014 compared to the pre-tax cost of ceded reinsurance of $29.6 in 2013. The consolidated
pre-tax impact of ceded reinsurance was comprised as follows: reinsurers’ share of premiums earned (see tables which
follow  this  paragraph);  commissions  earned  on  reinsurers’  share  of  premiums  earned  of  $261.0  (2013 – $243.7);
losses on claims ceded to reinsurers of $626.9 (2013 – $900.6); and recovery of uncollectible reinsurance of $19.6
(2013 – $42.8).

175

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Year ended December 31, 2014

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance
and

Northbridge

U.S.

Fairfax
Asia

OdysseyRe

Other operations Runoff Other and Other company Consolidated

Ongoing

Corporate

Inter-

Reinsurers’ share of premiums earned

142.5

354.6

277.4

338.3

113.6

1,226.4

6.0

Pre-tax benefit (cost) of ceded

reinsurance

(141.0)

(27.7)

6.5

(95.4)

(22.9)

(280.5)

90.4

–

–

–

–

(90.4)

1,142.0

(46.9)

(237.0)

Year ended December 31, 2013

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Insurance
and

Northbridge

U.S.

Fairfax
Asia

OdysseyRe

Other operations Runoff Other and Other company Consolidated

Ongoing

Corporate

Inter-

Reinsurers’ share of premiums earned

160.1

333.6

273.5

350.8

117.9

1,235.9

35.8

Pre-tax benefit (cost) of ceded

reinsurance

(18.6)

29.9

(46.3)

41.7

(46.0)

(39.3)

(5.0)

–

–

–

–

(55.0)

1,216.7

14.7

(29.6)

Reinsurers’  share  of  premiums  earned  decreased  from  $1,216.7  in  2013  to  $1,142.0  in  2014  primarily  reflecting
decreases at Runoff (primarily premium adjustments at RiverStone Insurance in respect of prior years), Northbridge
(principally reflecting the unfavourable effect of foreign currency translation) and OdysseyRe (primarily related to
decreases in its U.S. crop insurance business), partially offset by increases at Crum & Forster (principally related to the
growth  in  the  Fairmont  accident  and  health  line  of  business  and  the  related  premiums  ceded  to  reinsurers).
Commissions earned on reinsurers’ share of premiums earned increased from $243.7 in 2013 to $261.0 in 2014
primarily reflecting increases at OdysseyRe (primarily due to changes in the mix of business) and Crum & Forster
(commensurate  with  the  increase  in  reinsurers’  share  of  premiums  earned  described  above).  Reinsurers’  share  of
losses  on  claims  decreased  from  $900.6  in  2013  to  $626.9  in  2014  primarily  reflecting  decreases  at  OdysseyRe
(primarily reflecting more favourable loss experience in its U.S. crop insurance business) and Northbridge (primarily
reflecting significantly lower catastrophe losses ceded to reinsurers in 2014 compared to 2013), partially offset by
increases at Runoff (primarily reflecting significant favorable development at RiverStone Insurance in 2013 ceded to
reinsurers). The company recorded net recoveries of uncollectible reinsurance of $19.6 and $42.8 in 2014 and 2013
respectively principally at Runoff.

The use of reinsurance increased cash provided by operating activities by approximately $625 in 2014 (2013 – $466)
primarily as a result of an increase in collection of ceded losses ($1,507.6 in 2014 compared to $1,421.4 in 2013)
including the collection of proceeds following the commutation of a significant reinsurance recoverable from Brit
Group at European Runoff.

Investments

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd.

Hamblin Watsa  Investment  Counsel  Ltd.  (‘‘Hamblin Watsa’’)  is  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  the  company  that
serves as the investment manager for Fairfax and all of its subsidiaries. Hamblin Watsa follows a long-term value-
oriented investment philosophy with a primary emphasis on the preservation of invested capital. Hamblin Watsa
looks  for  a  margin  of  safety  in  its  investments  by:  applying  thorough  proprietary  analysis  of  investment
opportunities and markets to assess the financial strength of issuers; identifying attractively priced securities selling
at  discounts  to  intrinsic  value;  and  hedging  risk  where  appropriate.  Hamblin  Watsa  is  opportunistic  in  seeking
undervalued securities in the market, often investing in out-of-favour securities when sentiment is negative, and
willing to keep a large portion of its investment portfolio in cash and cash equivalents when markets are perceived to
be over-valued.

Hamblin Watsa generally operates as a separate investment management entity, with Fairfax’s CEO and one other
corporate  officer  being  members  of  Hamblin  Watsa’s  investment  committee.  Hamblin  Watsa’s  investment
committee  is  responsible  for  making  all  investment  decisions,  subject  to  relevant  regulatory  guidelines  and
constraints. The investment process is overseen by management of Hamblin Watsa. The Fairfax Board of Directors
and each of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are kept apprised of significant investment decisions through
the financial reporting process as well as periodic presentations by Hamblin Watsa management.

176

Overview of Investment Performance

Investments at their year-end carrying values (including at the holding company) in Fairfax’s first year and for the
past  ten  years  are  presented  in  the  following  table.  Included  in  bonds  are  credit  and  CPI-linked  derivatives  and
common stocks includes investments in associates and equity derivatives.

Year(1)
1985
(cid:1)

2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

Cash and
short term
investments
6.4

4,385.0
5,188.9
3,965.7
6,343.5
3,658.8
4,073.4
6,899.1
8,085.4
7,988.0
6,428.5

Bonds
14.1

8,127.4
9,017.2
11,669.1
9,069.6
11,550.7
13,353.5
12,074.7
11,545.9
10,710.3
12,660.3

Preferred
stocks
1.0

Common
stocks
2.5

Real
estate(2)
–

15.8
16.4
19.9
50.3
357.6
627.3
608.3
651.4
764.8
520.6

2,324.0
2,579.2
3,339.5
4,480.0
5,697.9
5,095.3
4,448.8
5,397.6
4,951.0
5,968.1

17.2
18.0
6.5
6.4
8.0
150.5
291.6
413.9
447.5
615.2

Total(3)
24.0

14,869.4
16,819.7
19,000.7
19,949.8
21,273.0
23,300.0
24,322.5
26,094.2
24,861.6
26,192.7

Per share
($)
4.80

835.11
948.62
1,075.50
1,140.85
1,064.24
1,139.07
1,193.70
1,288.89
1,172.72
1,236.90

(1)

IFRS  basis  for  2010  to  2014;  Canadian  GAAP  basis  for  2009  and  prior.  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  investments  were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(2)

Includes the company’s equity-accounted investments in associates in Grivalia Properties and the KWF LPs.

(3) Net of short sale and derivative obligations of the holding company and the subsidiary companies commencing in 2004.

The  increase  in  total  investments  per  share  of  $64.18  from  $1,172.72  at  December  31,  2013  to  $1,236.90  at
December 31, 2014, primarily reflected the net appreciation of bonds (principally government bonds and bonds
issued by U.S. states and municipalities) and common stocks and the modest decrease in Fairfax common shares
effectively outstanding (21,176,168 at December 31, 2014 compared to 21,200,002 at December 31, 2013), partially
offset by the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation (principally the impact of strengthening of the
U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar). Since 1985, investments per share have compounded at a rate of 21.1%
per year.

177

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Interest and Dividend Income

The majority of interest and dividend income is earned by the insurance, reinsurance and runoff companies. Interest
and dividend income on holding company cash and investments was $23.7 in 2014 (2013 – $19.5) prior to giving
effect to total return swap expense of $30.0 (2013 – $31.2). Interest and dividend income earned in Fairfax’s first year
and for the past ten years is presented in the following table.

Year(1)
1986
(cid:1)

2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

Interest and dividend income

Average

Pre-tax

After tax

Investments at

carrying value(2) Amount
3.4
46.3

Yield
(%)
7.34

Per share
($)
0.70

Amount(3)
1.8

Yield
(%)
3.89

Per share
($)
0.38

14,142.5
15,827.0
17,898.0
19,468.8
20,604.2
22,270.2
23,787.5
25,185.2
25,454.7
25,527.2

466.1
746.5
761.0
626.4
712.7
711.5
705.3
409.3
376.9
403.8

3.30
4.72
4.25
3.22
3.46
3.20
2.97
1.63
1.48
1.58

28.34
42.03
42.99
34.73
38.94
34.82
34.56
19.90
18.51
18.70

303.0
485.3
494.7
416.6
477.5
490.9
505.7
300.8
277.0
296.8

2.14
3.07
2.76
2.14
2.32
2.20
2.13
1.19
1.09
1.16

18.42
27.32
27.95
23.10
26.09
24.02
24.78
14.63
13.60
13.74

(1)

IFRS  basis  for  2010  to  2014;  Canadian  GAAP  basis  for  2009  and  prior.  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  investments  were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(2) Net of short sale and derivative obligations of the holding company and the subsidiary companies commencing in 2004.

(3) Tax effected at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate. 

Consolidated interest and dividend income increased from $376.9 in 2013 to $403.8 in 2014 reflecting an increase in
interest income earned and lower total return swap expense, partially offset by lower dividends earned on common
stocks as a result of sales of dividend paying equities during 2013. Total return swap expense decreased from $167.9
in 2013 to $156.3 in 2014, reflecting lower total return swap expense following the termination in 2013 of a portion
of the company’s Russell 2000 and all of its S&P 500 equity index total return swaps, partially offset by lower total
return swap income following the termination of a significant portion of the company’s long equity total return
swaps at the end of 2013.

The company’s pre-tax interest and dividend income yield increased from 1.48% in 2013 to 1.58% in 2014 and the
company’s after-tax interest and dividend yield increased from 1.09% in 2013 to 1.16% in 2014. Prior to giving effect
to  the  interest  expense  which  accrued  to  reinsurers  on  funds  withheld  and  total  return  return  swap  expense
(described  in  the  two  subsequent  paragraphs),  interest  and  dividend  income  in  2014  of  $579.6  (2013 – $563.5)
produced  a  pre-tax  gross  portfolio  yield  of  2.27%  (2013 – 2.21%).  Higher  yields  on  the  company’s  investment
portfolio in 2014 compared to 2013 principally reflected the factors which resulted in higher interest and dividend
income described in the preceding paragraph.

Funds  withheld  payable  to  reinsurers  shown  on  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  represents  funds  to  which  the
company’s reinsurers are entitled (principally premiums and accumulated accrued interest on aggregate stop loss
reinsurance treaties) but which Fairfax retains as collateral for future obligations of those reinsurers. Claims payable
under  such  reinsurance  treaties  are  paid  first  out  of  the  funds  withheld  balances.  At  December  31,  2014  funds
withheld payable to reinsurers shown on the consolidated balance sheet of $461.5 (December 31, 2013 – $461.2)
principally  related  to  Crum  &  Forster  of  $338.9  (December  31,  2013 – $397.4)  and  First  Capital  of  $62.5
(December 31, 2013 – $75.7). Interest expense which accrued to reinsurers on funds withheld totaled $19.5 in 2014
(2013 – $18.7).  The  company’s  consolidated  interest  and  dividend  income  in  2014  and  2013  is  shown  net  of
these amounts.

178

The company’s long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on a notional amount of
an equity index or individual equity security (including dividends and capital gains or losses) in exchange for the
payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity total return swaps allow the
company to pay the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity security in exchange
for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Throughout this MD&A, the term ‘‘total return
swap expense’’ refers to the net dividends and interest paid or received related to the company’s long and short
equity  and  equity  index  total  return  swaps  which  totaled  $156.3  in  2014  (2013 – $167.9).  The  company’s
consolidated interest and dividend income in 2014 and 2013 is shown net of these amounts.

The  share  of  profit  from  associates  increased  from  $96.7  in  2013  to  $105.7  in  2014,  primarily  reflecting
improvements in the share of profit of ICICI Lombard, Grivalia Properties and Thai Re, partially offset by decreases in
the share of profit of Resolute and decreased limited partnerships investment income.

Upon initial application of the equity method of accounting to its investment in Resolute, Fairfax was required to
determine its proportionate share of the fair value of Resolute’s assets and liabilities at that date. Differences between
fair value and Resolute’s carrying value were identified (collectively, fair value adjustments) primarily with respect to
Resolute’s fixed assets, deferred income tax assets and pension benefit obligations. These fair value adjustments have
been and will be recognized in Fairfax’s share of profit (loss) of Resolute in any period to the extent that in that period
Resolute adjusts the carrying value of those particular assets and liabilities. As a result, Fairfax’s share of profit (loss) of
Resolute  will  in  any  such  period  differ,  potentially  significantly,  from  what  would  be  determined  by  applying
Fairfax’s ownership percentage of Resolute to Resolute’s reported net earnings (loss).

179

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net Gains (Losses) on Investments

Net gains on investments of $1,736.2 in 2014 (2013 – net losses on investments of $1,564.0) were comprised as
shown in the following table:

2014

2013

realized gains
(losses)

Net Net change in
unrealized
gains (losses)

Net gains
(losses) on realized gains
(losses)

Net Net change in
unrealized
gains (losses)

investments

Common stocks
Preferred stocks – convertible
Bonds – convertible
Gain on disposition of associates(2)
Other equity derivatives(3)(4)

Equity and equity-related holdings

Equity hedges(3)

Equity and equity-related holdings after

equity hedges
Bonds
Preferred stocks
CPI-linked derivatives
Other derivatives
Foreign currency
Other

483.5
(161.5)(1)
36.7
53.6
184.6

596.9
13.0

609.9
103.0
(0.3)
–
12.5
59.0

6.5(5)

(216.6)
47.2
166.7
–
(52.3)

(55.0)
(207.5)

(262.5)
1,134.2
(27.2)
17.7
(2.3)
44.4
41.3

266.9
(114.3)
203.4
53.6
132.3

541.9
(194.5)

347.4
1,237.2
(27.5)
17.7
10.2
103.4
47.8

684.1
–
153.6
130.2
356.3

1,324.2
(1,350.7)

(26.5)
65.9
(1.2)
–
2.1
(3.7)
(7.7)

257.1
64.7
(156.2)
–
(44.7)

120.9
(631.3)

(510.4)
(994.9)
(17.8)
(126.9)
(9.1)
66.1
0.1

Net gains
(losses) on
investments

941.2
64.7
(2.6)
130.2
311.6

1,445.1
(1,982.0)

(536.9)
(929.0)
(19.0)
(126.9)
(7.0)
62.4
(7.6)

Net gains (losses) on investments

790.6

945.6

1,736.2

28.9

(1,592.9)

(1,564.0)

Net gains (losses) on bonds is comprised

as follows:
Government bonds
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other

79.6
18.5
4.9

451.7
666.2
16.3

531.3
684.7
21.2

103.0

1,134.2

1,237.2

35.9
19.1
10.9

65.9

(303.5)
(656.4)
(35.0)

(267.6)
(637.3)
(24.1)

(994.9)

(929.0)

(1) During the fourth quarter of 2014, a preferred stock investment of the company was, pursuant to its terms, automatically
converted into common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized loss on investment of $161.5 (the difference between
the share price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock).

(2) The gain on disposition of associates of $53.6 in 2014 principally reflected the dispositions of the company’s investments
in MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs. The gain on disposition of associates of $130.2 in 2013 reflected the sales of the
company’s investments in The Brick ($111.9), a private company ($12.1) and Imvescor ($6.2).

(3) Other equity derivatives include long equity total return swaps, equity warrants and call options.

(4) Gains and losses on equity and equity index total return swaps that are regularly renewed as part of the company’s long

term risk management objectives are presented within net change in unrealized gains (losses).

(5) During the third quarter of 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts to 55.1% and

ceased applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in a non-cash gain of $41.2.

Equity and equity related holdings after equity hedges: The company uses short equity and equity index
total return swaps to economically hedge equity price risk associated with its equity and equity-related holdings. The
company’s economic equity hedges are structured to provide a return which is inverse to changes in the fair values of
the  Russell  2000  index,  the  S&P/TSX  60  index,  other  equity  indexes  and  certain  individual  equity  securities.  At
December 31, 2014 equity hedges with a notional amount of $6,856.9 (December 31, 2013 – $6,327.4) represented
89.6% (December 31, 2013 – 98.2%) of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings of $7,651.7 (December 31,
2013 – $6,442.6). The decrease in the hedge ratio resulted from appreciation and net purchases of equity and equity-
related holdings, which exceeded the performance of the equity hedges and net purchases of equity hedges, during
the year. During 2014 the company’s equity and equity-related holdings after equity hedges produced net gains of
$347.4 (2013 – net losses of $536.9).

180

There may be periods when the notional amount of the equity hedges may exceed or be deficient relative to the
company’s equity price risk exposure as a result of the timing of opportunities to exit and enter hedges at attractive
prices,  decisions  by  the  company  to  hedge  an  amount  less  than  the  company’s  full  equity  exposure  or,  on  a
temporary basis, as a result of non-correlated performance of the equity hedges relative to the equity and equity-
related holdings. The company’s risk management objective is for the equity hedges to be reasonably effective in
protecting that proportion of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings to which the hedges relate should a
significant correction in the market occur. However, due to the lack of a perfect correlation between the hedged items
and the hedging items, combined with other market uncertainties, it is not possible to predict the future impact of
the company’s hedging program related to equity price risk.

Bonds: Net gains on bonds of $1,237.2 in 2014 were primarily comprised of net mark-to-market gains principally
as a result of the effect of a decrease in interest rates during 2014 on U.S. treasury bonds ($321.2) and U.S. state and
municipal bonds ($658.7). The company recorded net losses on bonds of $929.0 in 2013.

CPI-linked derivatives: The company has purchased derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes
(‘‘CPI’’)  in  the  geographic  regions  in  which  it  operates  which  serve  as  an  economic  hedge  against  the  potential
adverse financial impact on the company of decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2014 these contracts have a
remaining weighted average life of 7.4 years (December 31, 2013 – 7.5 years), a notional amount of $111.8 billion
(December  31,  2013 – $82.9  billion)  and  fair  value  of  $238.4  (December  31,  2013 – $131.7).  The  company’s
CPI-linked derivative contracts produced unrealized gains of $17.7 in 2014 compared to unrealized losses of $126.9
in  2013.  Unrealized  gains  (losses)  on  CPI-linked  derivative  contracts  typically  reflect  decreases  (increases)  in  the
values of the CPI indexes underlying those contracts during the periods presented (those contracts are structured to
benefit the company during periods of decreasing CPI index values). Refer to the analysis in note 7 (Short Sales and
Derivatives) under the heading CPI-linked derivatives in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the
year  ended  December  31,  2014  for  a  discussion  of  the  company’s  economic  hedge  against  the  potential  adverse
financial impact of decreasing price levels.

Underlying CPI index
United States
United States
European Union
United Kingdom
France

Floor
rate(1)
0.0%
0.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

Average
life
(in years)

7.6
9.8
6.5
7.9
7.7

7.4

Notional
amount

46,225.0
12,600.0
44,499.7
5,145.6
3,327.6

Cost

286.4
40.3
285.9
24.4
18.4

Cost(2) Market
value

(in bps)

Market
value(2)
(in bps)

Unrealized
gain
(loss)

62.0
32.0
64.2
47.4
55.3

78.8
72.5
70.4
4.8
11.9

17.0
57.5
15.8
9.3
35.8

(207.6)
32.2
(215.5)
(19.6)
(6.5)

(417.0)

111,797.9

655.4

238.4

(1) Contracts with a floor rate of 0.0% provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the
contract. Contracts with a floor rate of 0.5% provide a payout at maturity if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5%
per year over the life of the contract.

(2) Expressed as a percentage of the notional amount. 

Total Return on the Investment Portfolio

The following table presents the performance of the investment portfolio since Fairfax’s inception in 1985. For the
years  1986  to  2006,  the  calculation  of  total  return  on  average  investments  included  interest  and  dividends,  net
realized  gains  (losses)  and  changes  in  net  unrealized  gains  (losses)  as  the  majority  of  the  company’s  investment
portfolio was carried at cost or amortized cost. For the years 2007 to 2009, Canadian GAAP required the company to
carry most of its investments at fair value and as a result, the calculation of total return on average investments
during  this  period  included  interest  and  dividends,  net  investment  gains  (losses)  recorded  in  net  earnings,  net
unrealized gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income and changes in net unrealized gains (losses) on
equity accounted investments. Effective January 1, 2010, the company adopted IFRS and was required to carry the
majority of its investments as at FVTPL and as a result, the calculation of total return on average investments for the
years  2010  to  2014  includes  interest  and  dividends,  net  investment  gains  (losses)  recorded  in  net  earnings  and
changes  in  net  unrealized  gains  (losses)  on  equity  accounted  investments.  All  of  the  above  noted  amounts  are
included in the calculation of total return on average investments on a pre-tax basis.

181

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Average
investments
at carrying

Interest
and
value(2) dividends

Net Change in
realized unrealized
gains
(losses)

gains
(losses)

46.3
81.2
102.6
112.4
201.2
292.3
301.8
473.1
871.5
1,163.4
1,861.5
3,258.6
5,911.2
10,020.3
11,291.5
10,264.3
10,377.9
11,527.5
12,955.8
14,142.4
15,827.0
17,898.0
19,468.8
20,604.2
22,270.2
23,787.5
25,185.2
25,454.7
25,527.2

3.4
6.2
7.5
10.0
17.7
22.7
19.8
18.1
42.6
65.3
111.0
183.8
303.7
532.7
534.0
436.9
436.1
331.9
375.7
466.1
746.5
761.0
626.4
712.7
711.5
705.3
409.3
376.9
403.8

0.7
7.1
6.5
13.4
2.0
(3.9)
2.8
21.6
14.6
52.5
96.3
149.3
314.3
63.8
259.1
121.0
465.0
826.1
300.5(4)
385.7
789.4(5)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(0.2)
(6.1)
9.5
(5.1)
(28.5)
24.0
(8.3)
22.2
(30.7)
32.7
82.1
(6.9)
(78.3)
(871.4)
584.1
194.0
263.2
142.4
165.6
73.0
(247.8)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Year(1)
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

Cumulative from inception

9,378.6 3,887.8

Net gains (losses)
recorded in:

Change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
earnings comprehensive investments in
associates
income

(loss)(3)

Other

Net

Total return
on average
investments

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
304.5
(426.7)
1,076.7
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,639.5
2,718.6
904.3
28.7
737.7
639.4
(1,579.8)
1,682.7

6,771.1

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(131.2)
278.3
(185.2)
98.2
78.5
79.6
(44.6)
70.3

3.9
7.2
23.5
18.3
(8.8)
42.8
14.3
61.9
26.5
150.5
289.4
326.2
539.7
(274.9)
1,377.2
751.9
1,164.3
1,300.4
841.8
924.8
1,288.1
2,573.8
3,196.6
2,508.5
838.4
1,521.5
1,128.3
(1,247.5)
2,156.8

(%)

8.4
8.9
22.9
16.3
(4.4)
14.6
4.7
13.1
3.0
12.9
15.5
10.0
9.1
(2.7)
12.2
7.3
11.2
11.3
6.5
6.5
8.1
14.4
16.4
12.2
3.8
6.4
4.5
(4.9)
8.4

8.9(6)

(1)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2014; Canadian GAAP for 2009 and prior. Under Canadian GAAP, investments were generally
carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(2) Net of short sale and derivative obligations of the holding company and the subsidiary companies commencing in 2004.

(3) Excludes a net gain in 2014 of $53.5 (2013 – net gain of $15.8; 2012 – net gain of $3.2; 2011 – net loss of $46.5; 2010 –
net  loss  of  $31.7;  2009 – net  gain  of  $14.3;  2008 – net  loss  of  $147.9)  recognized  on  the  company’s  underwriting
activities  related  to  foreign  currency.  Net  gains  on  investments  in  2009  also  excluded  $25.9  of  gains  recognized  on
transactions in the common and preferred shares of the company’s consolidated subsidiaries.

(4) Excludes the $40.1 gain on the company’s 2004 secondary offering of Northbridge and the $27.0 loss in connection with

the company’s repurchase of outstanding debt at a premium to par.

(5) Excludes  the  $69.7  gain  on  the  company’s  2006  secondary  offering  of  OdysseyRe,  the  $15.7  loss  on  the  company’s
repurchase  of  outstanding  debt  at  a  premium  to  par  and  the  $8.1  dilution  loss  on  conversions  during  2006  of  the
OdysseyRe convertible senior debenture.

(6) Simple average of the total return on average investments for each of the 29 years.

182

Investment gains have been an important component of Fairfax’s financial results since 1985, having contributed an
aggregate  $11,717.6  (pre-tax)  to  total  equity  since  inception.  The  contribution  has  fluctuated  significantly  from
period to period: the amount of investment gains (losses) for any period has no predictive value and variations in
amount from period to period have no practical analytical value. From inception in 1985 to 2014, total return on
average investments has averaged 8.9%.

The company has a long term, value-oriented investment philosophy. It continues to expect fluctuations in the
global financial markets for common stocks, bonds and derivative and other securities.

Bonds

A summary of the composition of the company’s fixed income portfolio as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, classified
according to the higher of each security’s respective S&P and Moody’s issuer credit ratings, is presented in the table
that follows:

Issuer credit rating
AAA/Aaa
AA/Aa
A/A
BBB/Baa
BB/Ba
B/B
Lower than B/B and unrated

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Amortized
cost
2,402.4
5,266.0
839.8
994.5
35.1
359.7
879.5

Carrying
value
2,636.2
6,419.2
956.4
1,097.4
51.8
178.6
1,079.7

Amortized
cost
2,693.0
3,994.5
2,135.8
169.9
34.9
447.3
774.3

Carrying
value
2,533.8
4,472.8
2,247.8
177.4
44.6
294.5
781.9

%
21.2
51.8
7.7
8.8
0.4
1.4
8.7

%
24.0
42.4
21.3
1.7
0.4
2.8
7.4

Total

10,777.0

12,419.3

100.0

10,249.7

10,552.8

100.0

There were no significant changes to the composition of the company’s fixed income portfolio classified according
to the higher of each security’s respective S&P and Moody’s issuer credit rating at December 31, 2014 compared to
December 31, 2013, notwithstanding the increase in the categories rated AA/Aa and BBB/Baa. The increase in bonds
rated AA/Aa and BBB/Baa reflected an upgrade to the credit rating on certain of the company’s taxable U.S. state
bonds  (in  the  A/A  category  on  December  31,  2013)  and  the  purchases  of  other  sovereign  government  bonds
respectively. At December 31, 2014, 89.5% (December 31, 2013 – 89.4%) of the fixed income portfolio carrying value
was rated investment grade or better, with 73.0% (December 31, 2013 – 66.4%) being rated AA or better (primarily
consisting of government obligations).

Refer  to  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  under  the  heading  Investments  in  Debt  Instruments  in  the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a discussion of the company’s exposure
to the credit of single issuers and the credit of sovereign and U.S. state and municipal governments.

The table below displays the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the company’s fixed income portfolio
based on parallel 200 basis point shifts up and down, in 100 basis point increments. This analysis was performed on
each individual security.

Change in Interest Rates
200 basis point increase
100 basis point increase
No change
100 basis point decrease
200 basis point decrease

December 31, 2014

Fair value of
fixed income
portfolio
10,517.6
11,393.1
12,419.3
13,668.7
15,214.3

Hypothetical $ Hypothetical
change effect on % change in
fair value
(15.3)
(8.3)
–
10.1
22.5

net earnings
(1,290.4)
(696.5)
–
847.2
1,894.8

183

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented above. Computations of the prospective
effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the
level and composition of fixed income securities at the indicated date, and should not be relied on as indicative of
future  results.  Actual  values  may  differ  from  the  projections  presented  should  market  conditions  vary  from
assumptions used in the calculation of the fair value of individual securities; such variations include non-parallel
shifts in the term structure of interest rates and a change in individual issuer credit spreads.

The company’s exposure to interest rate risk is discussed further in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Common Stocks

The company holds significant investments in equities and equity-related securities, which the company believes
will significantly appreciate in value over time. At December 31, 2014 the company had aggregate equity and equity-
related  holdings  of  $7,651.7  (comprised  of  common  stocks,  convertible  preferred  stocks,  convertible  bonds,
non-insurance investments in associates and equity-related derivatives) compared to aggregate equity and equity-
related holdings at December 31, 2013 of $6,442.6. The market value and the liquidity of these investments are
volatile and may vary dramatically either up or down in short periods, and their ultimate value will therefore only be
known over the long term or on disposition.

As a result of volatility in the equity markets and international credit concerns, the company economically hedged
its equity and equity-related holdings against a potential decline in equity markets by way of short positions effected
through equity and equity index total return swaps as set out in the table below. The company’s equity hedges are
structured  to  provide  a  return  which  is  inverse  to  changes  in  the  fair  values  of  the  equity  indexes  and  certain
individual equities. There may be periods when the notional amount of the equity hedges may exceed or be deficient
relative to the company’s equity price risk exposure as a result of the timing of opportunities to exit and enter hedges
at attractive prices, decisions by the company to hedge an amount less than the company’s full equity exposure or,
on a temporary basis, as a result of non-correlated performance of the equity hedges relative to the equity and equity-
related holdings. The company’s risk management objective is for the equity hedges to be reasonably effective in
protecting that proportion of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings to which the hedges relate should a
significant correction in the market occur. However, due to the lack of a perfect correlation between the derivative
instruments and the hedged exposures, combined with other market uncertainties, it is not possible to predict the
future impact of the company’s economic hedging programs related to equity risk.

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Underlying short equity and
equity index total return swaps

Russell 2000
S&P/TSX 60
Other equity indices
Individual equities

Original
notional
amount(1)

2,477.2
206.1
140.0
1,701.9

Units

37,424,319
13,044,000
–
–

Weighted

Index
average value at
period
end

index
value

Units

661.92 1,204.70 37,424,319
854.85 13,044,000
641.12
–
–
–
–

–
–

Original
notional
amount(1)

2,477.2
206.1
140.0
1,481.8

Weighted

Index
average value at
period
end

index
value

661.92 1,163.64
783.75
641.12
–
–
–
–

(1) The aggregate notional amounts on the dates that the short positions were first initiated. 

Refer  to  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  under  the  heading  Market  Price  Fluctuations  in  the  company’s
consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  for  a  tabular  analysis  followed  by  a
discussion of the company’s hedges of equity price risk and the related basis risk.

184

The company’s common stock holdings and long positions in equity total return swaps as at December 31, 2014 and
2013 are summarized by the issuer’s primary industry in the table below.

Financials and investment funds
Commercial and industrial
Consumer products and other

December 31, December 31,
2013
2,841.8
682.4
839.9

2014
3,408.7
1,044.5
663.0

5,116.2

4,364.1

The company’s common stock holdings and long positions in equity total return swaps as at December 31, 2014 and
2013 are summarized by the issuer’s country of domicile in the table below.

United States
Canada
Ireland
Egypt
Greece
India
Netherlands
China
United Kingdom
Kuwait
Hong Kong
Italy
All other

December 31, December 31,
2013
901.9
700.2
960.0
42.1
54.6
136.9
275.7
175.0
38.6
88.4
142.1
387.4
461.2

2014
1,113.4
958.9
700.6
456.6
341.2
281.1
242.4
193.1
143.5
101.2
6.1
1.7
576.4

5,116.2

4,364.1

Derivatives and Derivative Counterparties

Counterparty risk arises from the company’s derivative contracts primarily in three ways: first, a counterparty may be
unable to honour its obligation under a derivative contract and there may not be sufficient collateral pledged in
favour of the company to support that obligation; second, collateral deposited by the company to a counterparty as a
prerequisite for entering into certain derivative contracts (also known as initial margin) may be at risk should the
counterparty face financial difficulty; and third, excess collateral pledged in favour of a counterparty may be at risk
should the counterparty face financial difficulty (counterparties may hold excess collateral as a result of the timing of
the settlement of the amount of collateral required to be pledged based on the fair value of a derivative contract).

The  company  endeavours  to  limit  counterparty  risk  through  the  terms  of  agreements  negotiated  with  the
counterparties to its derivative contracts. Pursuant to these agreements, counterparties are contractually required to
deposit  eligible  collateral  in  collateral  accounts  (subject  to  certain  minimum  thresholds)  for  the  benefit  of  the
company  depending  on  the  then  current  fair  value  of  the  derivative  contracts,  calculated  on  a  daily  basis.  The
company’s exposure to risk associated with providing initial margin is mitigated where possible through the use of
segregated third party custodian accounts whereby counterparties are permitted to take control of the collateral only
in the event of default by the company.

185

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Agreements negotiated with counterparties provide for a single net settlement of all financial instruments covered by
the agreement in the event of default by the counterparty, thereby permitting obligations owed by the company to a
counterparty to be offset to the extent of the aggregate amount receivable by the company from that counterparty
(the ‘‘net settlement arrangements’’). The following table sets out the company’s exposure to credit risk related to the
counterparties to its derivative contracts, assuming all such counterparties are simultaneously in default:

Total derivative assets(1)
Impact of net settlement arrangements
Fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of the company(2)
Excess collateral pledged by the company in favour of counterparties
Initial margin not held in segregated third party custodian accounts

December 31, December 31,
2013
219.6
(136.1)
(47.4)
123.1
60.0

2014
514.9
(110.0)
(171.1)
137.1
61.8

Net derivative counterparty exposure after net settlement and collateral

arrangements

432.7

219.2

(1) Excludes exchange traded instruments comprised principally of equity, credit warrants and call options which are not

subject to counterparty risk.

(2) Excludes $21.2 (December 31, 2013 – $3.0) of excess collateral pledged by counterparties. 

The fair value of the collateral deposited for the benefit of the company at December 31, 2014 consisted of cash of
$27.8 and government securities of $164.5 (December 31, 2013 – $25.3 and $25.1 respectively). The company had
not exercised its right to sell or repledge collateral at December 31, 2014.

Float

Fairfax’s  float  (a  non-GAAP  measure)  is  the  sum  of  its  loss  reserves,  including  loss  adjustment  expense  reserves,
unearned premium reserves and other insurance contract liabilities, less insurance contract receivables, recoverable
from reinsurers and deferred premium acquisition costs. The annual benefit (cost) of float is calculated by dividing
the underwriting profit (loss) by the average float in that year. Float arises as an insurance or reinsurance business
receives premiums in advance of the payment of claims.

The following table presents the accumulated float and the cost of generating that float for Fairfax’s insurance and
reinsurance operations. The average float from those operations decreased by 2.8% in 2014 to $11,707.4, at no cost.

Year
1986
(cid:1)

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Weighted average since inception

Underwriting
profit (loss)(1)
2.5

Average
float
21.6

Cost (benefit)
of float
(11.6)%

(236.6) 10,430.5
(754.4) 11,315.1
11,906.0
12,045.7
11,707.4

6.1
440.0
552.0

2.3%
6.7%
(0.1)%
(3.7)%
(4.7)%
1.4%

Average long
term Canada
treasury
bond yield
9.6%

3.8%
3.3%
2.4%
2.8%
2.8%
4.2%

Fairfax weighted average financing differential since inception: 2.8%

(1)

IFRS basis for 2011 to 2014; Canadian GAAP basis for 2010 and prior without reclassifications to conform with the IFRS
presentation adopted in 2011. 

186

The following table presents a breakdown of total year-end float for the most recent five years.

Insurance

Reinsurance Reinsurance

Year

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

Northbridge(1)

U.S.(2)

2,191.9
2,223.1
2,314.1
2,112.0
1,910.8

2,949.7
3,207.7
3,509.1
3,541.0
3,757.9

Fairfax
Asia(3)

144.1
387.0
470.7
519.3
524.4

OdysseyRe(4)

4,797.6
4,733.4
4,905.9
4,673.5
4,492.3

Insurance
and

Total
Insurance
and
Other(5) Reinsurance

977.3
1,018.4
1,042.6
1,003.2
880.4

11,060.6
11,569.6
12,242.4
11,849.0
11,565.8

Runoff(6)

Total

2,048.9 13,109.5
2,829.4 14,399.0
3,636.8 15,879.2
3,701.5 15,550.5
3,499.2 15,065.0

During 2014, the company’s aggregate float decreased by $485.5 to $15,065.0.

(1) Northbridge’s  float  decreased  by  9.5%  (decreased  by  1.8%  in  Canadian  dollars)  primarily  due  to  the  effect  of  the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and net favourable reserve development. There was no cost
of float.

(2) U.S.  Insurance’s  float  increased  by  6.1%  (at  no  cost)  due  to  increased  unearned  premium  reserves  and  decreased
reinsurance recoverables, partially offset by increased reinsurance balances receivable, primarily from increased premium
volumes.

(3) Fairfax Asia’s float increased by 1.0% (at no cost) due to increased loss reserves and unearned premium reserves, partially
offset by decreased payables to reinsurers balances and funds withheld payable to reinsurers, primarily from increased
premium volumes.

(4) OdysseyRe’s float decreased by 3.9% primarily due to decreased loss reserves and payable to reinsurers balances, partially
offset by decreased reinsurance recoverables, primarily from net favourable reserve development. There was no cost of float.

(5)

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other’s float decreased by 12.2% primarily due to decreased loss reserves partially offset by
lower insurance balances receivable, primarily from net favourable reserve development. There was no cost of float.

(6) Runoff’s float decreased by 5.5% due to a decrease in loss reserves, unearned premium reserves and payable to reinsurers
balances, partially offset by lower insurance balances receivable and reinsurance recoverables, primarily from normal
course  payment  of  claims  and  collection  of  reinsurance  balances,  offset  by  two  large  reinsurance  transactions  and  a
significant commutation.

187

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Financial Condition

Capital Resources and Management

The company manages its capital based on the following financial measurements and ratios:

Holding company cash and investments (net of short sale and derivative

obligations)

Long term debt – holding company borrowings
Long term debt – insurance and reinsurance companies
Subsidiary indebtedness – non-insurance companies
Long term debt – non-insurance companies

Total debt

Net debt

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital(1)
Total debt/total capital(2)
Interest coverage(3)
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage(4)

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

1,212.7

1,241.6

1,128.0

962.8

1,474.2

2,656.5
385.9
37.6
99.0

2,491.0
458.8
25.8
18.9

2,377.7
618.3
52.1
0.5

2,394.6
622.4
1.0
0.5

1,809.6
916.4
2.2
0.9

3,179.0

2,994.5

3,048.6

3,018.5

2,729.1

1,966.3

1,752.9

1,920.6

2,055.7

1,254.9

8,361.0
1,164.7
218.1

7,186.7
1,166.4
107.4

7,654.7
1,166.4
73.4

7,427.9
934.7
45.9

7,697.9
934.7
41.3

9,743.8

8,460.5

8,894.5

8,408.5

8,673.9

20.2%
16.8%
24.6%
12.3x
9.0x

20.7%
17.2%
26.1%
n/a
n/a

21.6%
17.8%
25.5%
4.2x
3.0x

24.4%
19.6%
26.4%
1.0x
0.7x

14.5%
12.6%
23.9%
1.8x
1.4x

(1) Net total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and net debt.

(2) Total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and total debt.

(3)

(4)

Interest coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense
divided by interest expense.

Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss)
before income taxes and interest expense divided by interest expense and preferred share dividend distributions adjusted to
a before tax equivalent at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate. 

Holding company borrowings at December 31, 2014 increased by $165.5 to $2,656.5 from $2,491.0 at December 31,
2013  primarily  reflecting  the  issuance  on  August  13,  2014  of  $300.0  principal  amount  of  holding  company
unsecured senior notes due 2024, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation on the company’s
Canadian  dollar  denominated  long  term  debt  and  the  repurchase  of  $7.0  principal  amount  of  trust  preferred
securities due 2027.

Subsidiary debt (comprised of long term debt of the insurance and reinsurance companies, subsidiary indebtedness
and long term debt of the non-insurance companies) at December 31, 2014 increased by $19.0 to $522.5 from $503.5
at December 31, 2013, primarily reflecting the consolidation of the long term debt of The Keg and higher subsidiary
indebtedness at IKYA, partially offset by the redemption of $50.0 principal amount of OdysseyRe Series B unsecured
senior  notes  due  2016  and  the  redemption  of  $25.0  principal  amount  of  American  Safety’s  floating  rate  trust
preferred securities due 2035.

Common  shareholders’  equity  at  December  31,  2014  increased  by  $1,174.3  to  $8,361.0  from  $7,186.7  at
December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax ($1,633.2), partially
offset by decreased accumulated other comprehensive income (a decrease of $196.5 in 2014, primarily related to net
unrealized foreign currency translation losses ($74.6), the share of other comprehensive loss of associates ($89.4
inclusive of actuarial losses related to associates’ defined benefit plans of $36.7) and actuarial losses related to the
company’s subsidiaries’ defined benefit plans ($32.5)) and the payment of dividends on the company’s common and
preferred shares ($272.6).

The  changes  in  holding  company  borrowings,  subsidiary  debt  and  common  shareholders’  equity  affected  the
company’s  leverage  ratios  as  follows:  the  consolidated  net  debt/net  total  capital  ratio  decreased  to  16.8%  at
December 31, 2014 from 17.2% at December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of increases in net total capital, partially

188

offset by increases in net debt. The increase in net debt was due to an increase in total debt (primarily increased
holding company borrowings and subsidiary debt as described above) and a slight decrease in holding company cash
and investments (net of short sale and derivative obligations). The increase in net total capital was due to increases in
common shareholders’ equity, non-controlling interests and net debt. The consolidated total debt/total capital ratio
decreased to 24.6% at December 31, 2014 from 26.1% at December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of increased total
capital  (reflecting  increases  in  common  shareholders’  equity,  total  debt  and  non-controlling  interests),  partially
offset by increased total debt (primarily increased holding company borrowings and subsidiary debt as described
above).

The company believes that cash and investments net of short sale and derivative obligations at December 31, 2014 of
$1,212.7  (December  31,  2013 – $1,241.6)  provide  adequate  liquidity  to  meet  the  holding  company’s  known
obligations in 2015. Refer to the third paragraph of the Liquidity section of this MD&A for a discussion of the sources
of liquidity available to the holding company and the holding company’s known significant commitments for 2015.

The company’s operating companies continue to maintain capital above minimum regulatory levels, at adequate
levels  required  to  support  their  issuer  credit  and  financial  strength  ratings,  and  above  internally  calculated  risk
management  levels  as  discussed  below.  A  common  non-GAAP  measure  of  capital  adequacy  in  the  property  and
casualty  industry  is  the  ratio  of  premiums  to  statutory  surplus  (or  total  equity).  These  ratios  are  shown  for  the
insurance and reinsurance operating companies of Fairfax for the most recent five years in the following table:

Insurance

Northbridge (Canada)
Crum & Forster (U.S.)(1)
Zenith National (U.S.)(2)
Fairfax Asia

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other(3)
Canadian insurance industry
U.S. insurance industry

Net premiums written to statutory
surplus (total equity)

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

0.8
1.1
1.3
0.4
0.6
0.5
1.0
0.7

0.9
1.1
1.4
0.4
0.6
0.6
1.0
0.7

0.8
1.0
1.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
1.0
0.8

1.0
0.9
0.8
0.5
0.6
0.8
1.1
0.8

0.8
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.8
1.1
0.7

(1) First Mercury was acquired February 9, 2011.

(2) Zenith National was acquired May 20, 2010. Zenith National’s net premiums written in 2010 includes the portion of that

year prior to the acquisition by Fairfax.

(3) Other includes Group Re, Advent, Polish Re and Fairfax Brasil (effective March 2010). 

In  the  U.S.,  the  National  Association  of  Insurance  Commissioners  (‘‘NAIC’’)  has  developed  a  model  law  and
risk-based capital (‘‘RBC’’) formula designed to help regulators identify property and casualty insurers that may be
inadequately capitalized. Under the NAIC’s requirements, an insurer must maintain total capital and surplus above a
calculated threshold or face varying levels of regulatory action. The threshold is based on a formula that attempts to
quantify  the  risk  of  a  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance,  investment  and  other  business  activities.  At
December 31, 2014 the U.S. insurance, reinsurance and runoff subsidiaries had capital and surplus in excess of the
regulatory minimum requirement of two times the authorized control level – each subsidiary had capital and surplus
of at least 3.7 times (December 31, 2013 – 3.4 times) the authorized control level, except for TIG Insurance which had
2.9 times (December 31, 2013 – 2.1 times).

In  Canada,  property  and  casualty  companies  are  regulated  by  the  Office  of  the  Superintendent  of  Financial
Institutions on the basis of a minimum supervisory target of 150% of a minimum capital test (‘‘MCT’’) formula. At
December 31, 2014 Northbridge’s subsidiaries had a weighted average MCT ratio of 214% of the minimum statutory
capital required, compared to 205% at December 31, 2013, well in excess of the 150% minimum supervisory target.

In  countries  other  than  the  U.S.  and  Canada  where  the  company  operates  (the  United  Kingdom,  Barbados,
Singapore,  Malaysia,  Hong  Kong,  Poland,  Brazil  and  Indonesia  and  other  jurisdictions),  the  company  met  or
exceeded the applicable regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2014.

189

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  issuer  credit  ratings  and  financial  strength  ratings  of  Fairfax  and  its  insurance  and  reinsurance  operating
companies were as follows as at December 31, 2014:

Issuer Credit Ratings

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

Financial Strength Ratings
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.(1)
Zenith National Insurance Corp.
Odyssey Re Holdings Corp.(1)
Northbridge Commercial Insurance Corp.
Northbridge General Insurance Corp.
Northbridge Indemnity Insurance Corp.
Federated Insurance Company of Canada
Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd.
First Capital Insurance Limited
Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited
Advent Capital (Holdings) PLC(2)
Polish Re

Standard

A.M. Best

& Poor’s Moody’s DBRS

bbb

BBB-

Baa3

BBB

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A-
A
–
A
A-

A-
BBB+
A-
A-
A-
A-
A-
–
–
A-
A+
BBB+

Baa1
Baa1
A3
–
A3
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(1) Financial strength ratings apply to the operating companies.

(2) Advent’s ratings are the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s ratings assigned to Lloyd’s.

During 2014 Moody’s revised Zenith National from an ‘‘A3’’ at December 31, 2013 to a ‘‘Baa1’’ at December 31, 2014.
Moody’s attributed the revision to Zenith National’s elevated underwriting leverage relative to its concentration in
the workers’ compensation business and its exposure to potential earnings volatility associated with its common
stock portfolio.

Book Value Per Share

Common  shareholders’  equity  at  December  31,  2014  of  $8,361.0  or  $394.83  per  basic  share  (excluding  the
unrecorded $830.5 excess of fair value over the carrying value of investments in associates and certain consolidated
subsidiaries) compared to $7,186.7 or $339.00 per basic share (excluding the unrecorded $534.4 excess of fair value
over the carrying value of investments in associates and certain consolidated subsidiaries) at December 31, 2013,
representing an increase per basic share in 2014 of 16.5% (without adjustment for the $10.00 per common share
dividend paid in the first quarter of 2014, or an increase of 19.5% adjusted to include that dividend). During 2014 the
number of basic shares decreased primarily as a result of the repurchase of 23,826 subordinate voting shares for
treasury  (for  use  in  the  company’s  share-based  payment  awards).  At  December  31,  2014  there  were
21,176,168 common shares effectively outstanding.

The company has issued and repurchased common shares in the most recent five years as follows:

Date
2010 – issuance of shares
2010 – repurchase of shares
2011 – repurchase of shares
2013 – issuance of shares
2013 – repurchase of shares
2014 – repurchase of shares

Number of
subordinate
voting shares
563,381
(43,900)
(25,700)
1,000,000
(36)
(8)

Average
issue/repurchase
price per share
354.64
382.69
389.11
399.49
402.78
430.98

Net proceeds/
(repurchase cost)
199.8
(16.8)
(10.0)
399.5
–
–

On September 26, 2014 the company commenced its normal course issuer bid by which it is authorized, until expiry
of the bid on September 25, 2015, to acquire up to 800,000 subordinate voting shares, representing approximately
3.9% of the public float in respect of the subordinate voting shares. Decisions regarding any future repurchases will
be based on market conditions, share price and other factors including opportunities to invest capital for growth. The
Notice  of  Intention  to  Make  a  Normal  Course  Issuer  Bid  is  available  by  contacting  the  Corporate  Secretary  of
the company.

190

Share issuances in 2010 and 2013 were pursuant to public offerings. During 2014 and 2013 the company did not
repurchase for cancellation any subordinate voting shares under the terms of normal course issuer bids. During 2014
the company repurchased 8 shares (2013 – 36 shares) for cancellation from former employees.

Fairfax’s indirect ownership of its own shares through The Sixty Two Investment Company Limited results in an
effective reduction of shares outstanding by 799,230, and this reduction has been reflected in the earnings per share
and book value per share figures.

The  table  below  presents  the  excess  of  fair  value  over  carrying  value  of  investments  in  associates  and  certain
subsidiaries the company considers to be portfolio investments but that are required to be consolidated under IFRS.
The excess of fair value over carrying value of these investments is not included in the calculation of book value
per share.

Insurance and reinsurance associates
Non-insurance associates
Ridley
Thomas Cook India

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Fair value
673.3
1,397.2
245.8
472.8

Carrying
value(1)
439.6
1,178.1
71.4
269.5

Excess of
fair value
over
carrying
value
233.7
219.1
174.4
203.3

Excess of
fair value
over
carrying
value
250.5
132.0
61.2
90.7

Fair
value
641.1
1,173.9
130.7
253.3

Carrying
value(1)
390.6
1,041.9
69.5
162.6

2,789.1

1,958.6

830.5

2,199.0

1,664.6

534.4

(1) The  carrying  values  of  Ridley  and  Thomas  Cook  India  represent  their  respective  values  under  the  equity  method

of accounting.

Liquidity

Holding company cash and investments at December 31, 2014 totaled $1,244.3 ($1,212.7 net of $31.6 of holding
company short sale and derivative obligations) compared to $1,296.7 at December 31, 2013 ($1,241.6 net of $55.1 of
holding company short sale and derivative obligations).

Significant  cash  and  investment  movements  at  the  Fairfax  holding  company  level  during  2014  included  the
following outflows: the payment of $272.6 of common and preferred share dividends, the payment of $158.1 of
interest on long term debt, the payment of $113.4 of net cash with respect to the reset provisions of long and short
equity and equity index total return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements), the funding for the
redemptions of OdysseyRe Series B unsecured senior notes due 2016 and American Safety trust preferred securities
due 2035 ($50.0 and $25.0 principal amounts respectively), cash purchase consideration of $28.6 (A21.0 million) and
$88.7 (Cdn$100.4) related to the acquisitions of Praktiker and Pethealth respectively and intra-group and capital
transactions (inclusive of those related to the OdysseyRe reorganization as described in the ‘‘Business Developments’’
section of this MD&A). Significant inflows during 2014 included the following: net proceeds of $294.2 from the
issuance of $300.0 principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due August 13, 2024, the receipt of corporate income tax
refunds ($106.4) and the receipt of dividends from subsidiaries (primarily OdysseyRe (ordinary dividends of $225.0
and an extraordinary dividend of $100.0), Crum & Forster ($150.0), Zenith National ($50.0) and Runoff ($60.4)).
Dividends of $150.0 and $100.0 paid by Crum & Forster and OdysseyRe respectively were to facilitate the OdysseyRe
reorganization. The carrying value of holding company cash and investments was also affected by the following:
receipt  of  investment  management  and  administration  fees,  disbursements  associated  with  corporate  overhead
expenses and costs in connection with the repurchase of subordinate voting shares for treasury. The carrying values
of holding company investments vary with changes in the fair values of those investments.

The  company  believes  that  holding  company  cash  and  investments,  net  of  holding  company  short  sale  and
derivative obligations at December 31, 2014 of $1,212.7 provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s
known  obligations  in  2015.  The  holding  company  expects  to  continue  to  receive  investment  management  and
administration fees from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, investment income on its holdings of cash and
investments, and dividends from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. To further augment its liquidity, the
holding company can draw upon its $300.0 unsecured revolving credit facility (for further details related to the credit

191

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

facility, refer to note 15 (Subsidiary Indebtedness, Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2014). The holding company’s known significant commitments for
2015 consist of the funding of the Brit Offer ($1.88 billion (£1.22 billion)), payment of the $216.1 ($10.00 per share)
dividend  on  common  shares  (paid  January  2015),  interest  and  corporate  overhead  expenses,  preferred  share
dividends, income tax payments and potential cash outflows related to derivative contracts (described below). The
net proceeds from underwritten public offerings of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares ($575.9 (Cdn$717.1)),
9.2 million Series M preferred shares ($179.0 (Cdn$222.9)) and Cdn$350.0 of 4.95% Fairfax senior notes due 2025
($275.7), all of which closed on March 3, 2015, will be used to finance the Brit Offer. The offerings are described in
more detail in notes 15 (Subsidiary Indebtedness, Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities) and 16 (Total Equity) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The company used a portion of the net proceeds received from the August 13, 2014 private debt offering of $300.0
principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2024 to fund the redemption in the fourth quarter of 2014 of the $50.0
principal  amount  of  OdysseyRe  Series  B  unsecured  senior  notes  due  2016  and  the  $25.0  principal  amount  of
American Safety trust preferred securities due 2035 and disclosed that it intends to use the remaining net proceeds to
fund  the  repayment,  upon  maturity,  of  the  Fairfax  ($82.4)  and  OdysseyRe  ($125.0)  unsecured  senior  notes  due
in 2015.

The holding company may experience cash inflows or outflows (which at times could be significant) related to its
derivative contracts, including collateral requirements and cash settlements of market value movements of total
return swaps which have occurred since the most recent reset date. During 2014 the holding company paid net cash
of $113.4 (2013 – $67.8) in connection with long and short equity and equity index total return swap derivative
contracts (excluding the impact of collateral requirements).

During 2014 subsidiary cash and short term investments (including cash and short term investments pledged for
short sale and derivative obligations) decreased by $1,741.3 primarily reflecting cash used to fund net purchases of
other government bonds and other common stocks, net settlements of long and short equity and equity index total
return  swaps  in  accordance  with  their  reset  provisions,  acquisitions  of  certain  investments  in  associates  (net  of
dispositions)  and  to  enter  into  CPI-linked  derivative  contracts  and  the  unfavourable  impact  of  foreign  currency
translation (principally the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar), partially offset by cash
provided by operating activities. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may experience cash inflows or outflows
(which at times could be significant) related to their derivative contracts including collateral requirements and cash
settlements of market value movements of total return swaps which have occurred since the most recent reset date.
During 2014 the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries paid net cash of $194.2 (2013 – $1,615.4) in connection with
long and short equity and equity index total return swap derivative contracts (excluding the impact of collateral
requirements). The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries typically fund any such obligations from cash provided by
operating activities. In addition, obligations incurred on short equity and equity index total return swaps may be
funded from sales of equity-related investments, the market values of which will generally vary inversely with the
market values of the short equity and equity index total return swaps.

192

The following table presents major components of cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Operating activities

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities before the undernoted
Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as at FVTPL

Investing activities

Net (purchases) sales of investments in associates and joint ventures
Net purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Net purchases of premises and equipment and intangible assets

Financing activities

Net (repayment) issuances of subsidiary indebtedness
Issuance of long term debt
Repurchase of holding company and subsidiary debt and securities
Issuance of subordinate voting shares
Repurchase of preferred shares
Purchase of subordinate voting shares for treasury
Issuance of subsidiary common shares to non-controlling interests
Common and preferred share dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

2014

2013

519.8
(590.0)

(188.4)
895.7

(138.1)
(189.9)
(67.1)

17.4
294.2
(90.1)
–
(1.2)
(24.6)
–
(272.6)
(6.6)

125.8
136.3
(48.1)

(31.0)
278.1
(251.2)
399.5
–
(25.7)
32.9
(266.3)
(6.4)

Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts during the year

(548.8)

1,051.2

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding net (purchases) sales of securities classified as at FVTPL) was $519.8
in 2014 compared to cash used in operating activities of $188.4 in 2013 reflecting lower net paid losses and higher
net premiums collected, partially offset by higher income taxes paid. Refer to note 28 (Supplementary Cash Flow
Information)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  for  details  of  net
(purchases) sales of securities classified as at FVTPL.

Net purchases of investments in associates and joint ventures of $138.1 in 2014 primarily reflected investments in
AgriCo and Sterling Resorts and additional investments in Grivalia Properties and Thai Re, partially offset by the sale
of the company’s investments in MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs. Net sales of investments in associates and joint
ventures of $125.8 in 2013 primarily reflected the sales of the company’s investments in The Brick, Imvescor and a
private  company,  partially  offset  by  additional  investments  in  MEGA  Brands  and  Resolute.  Net  purchases  of
subsidiaries, net of cash acquired of $189.9 in 2014 primarily related to the acquisition of a 51.0% interest in The Keg,
the acquisitions of Praktiker and Pethealth, and the additional controlling interest in Sterling Resorts. Net purchases
of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired of $136.3 in 2013 primarily related to the acquisition of a 58.0% economic
interest in IKYA and the acquisitions of American Safety and Hartville.

Net repayment (issuance) of subsidiary indebtedness in 2014 and 2013 primarily reflected advances and repayments
of the subsidiary indebtedness of Ridley, IKYA and Thomas Cook India in the normal course of business. Issuance of
long term debt of $294.2 in 2014 reflected net proceeds from the issuance of $300.0 principal amount of Fairfax
(US)  Inc.  4.875%  senior  notes  due  August  13,  2024.  Issuance  of  long  term  debt  of  $278.1  in  2013  reflected  net
proceeds from the issuance of Cdn$250.0 principal amount of Fairfax 5.84% unsecured senior notes due 2022 for net
proceeds of $259.9 (Cdn$258.1) and net proceeds received by Thomas Cook India following the issuance of $18.3
(1  billion  Indian  rupees)  principal  amount  of  its  debentures  due  2018.  Repurchase  of  holding  company  and
subsidiary debt and securities of $90.1 in 2014 primarily reflected the redemption of $50.0 principal amount of
OdysseyRe Series B unsecured senior notes due 2016, the redemption of $25.0 principal amount of American Safety
trust preferred securities due 2035 and the repurchase of $7.0 principal amount of holding company trust preferred
securities due 2027. Repurchase of holding company and subsidiary debt and securities of $251.2 in 2013 primarily
reflected the repayment of $182.9 principal amount of the OdysseyRe unsecured senior notes upon maturity, the
repurchase  and  redemption  of  $48.4  principal  amount  of  Fairfax  unsecured  senior  notes  due  2017,  and  the
redemption of $13.0 principal amount of American Safety’s trust preferred securities. Issuance of subordinate voting
shares of $399.5 (Cdn$417.1) related to the issuance of 1 million subordinate voting shares on November 15, 2013.
Issuance of subsidiary common shares to non-controlling interests of $32.9 in 2013 reflected the private placement
of Thomas Cook India common shares with qualified institutional buyers to partially fund the acquisition of IKYA.

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The company paid preferred share dividends of $56.9 in 2014 (2013 – $60.8). The company paid common share
dividends of $215.7 in 2014 (2013 – $205.5).

Contractual Obligations

The  following  table  provides  a  payment  schedule  of  the  company’s  significant  current  and  future  obligations
(holding company and subsidiaries) as at December 31, 2014:

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Long term debt obligations – principal
Long term debt obligations – interest
Operating leases – obligations

Less than
1 year
4,295.6
216.7
208.6
98.6

1-3 years
5,462.7
175.2
371.1
162.5

3-5 years
3,658.1
494.7
328.3
132.0

More than
5 years
4,332.7
2,270.1
589.3
195.0

Total
17,749.1
3,156.7
1,497.3
588.1

4,819.5

6,171.5

4,613.1

7,387.1

22,991.2

For further detail on the maturity profile of the company’s financial liabilities, please see the heading Liquidity Risk
in  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2014.

Contingencies and Commitments

For a full description of these matters, please see note 20 (Contingencies and Commitments) to the consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accounting and Disclosure Matters

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the company’s CEO and
CFO,  the  company  conducted  an  evaluation  of  the  effectiveness  of  its  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  as  of
December 31, 2014, as required by Canadian securities legislation. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed
to  ensure  that  the  information  required  to  be  disclosed  by  the  company  in  the  reports  it  files  or  submits  under
securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis and that such information is
accumulated and reported to management, including the company’s CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow required
disclosures to be made in a timely fashion. Based on their evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that as of
December 31, 2014, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting  (as  defined  in  Rule  13a-15(f)  under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  and  under  National
Instrument  52-109).  The  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 International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International
Accounting  Standards  Board.  A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  includes  those  policies  and
procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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  (iii)  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.

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The company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, the company’s management used the criteria set forth by the
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (‘‘COSO’’)  in  Internal  Control – Integrated
Framework (2013). The company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that, as of December 31,
2014, the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the criteria in Internal Control –
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

Pursuant to the requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act, the effectiveness of the company’s internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
auditor, as stated in its report which appears within this Annual Report.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

Please refer to note 4 (Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2014.

Significant Accounting Changes

There  were  no  significant  accounting  changes  during  2014.  Please  refer  to  note  3  (Summary  of  Significant
Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a detailed
discussion of the company’s accounting policies.

Future Accounting Changes

Many IFRS are currently undergoing modification or are yet to be issued for the first time. Future standards expected
to  have  an  impact  on  the  company’s  consolidated  financial  reporting  are  discussed  below.  New  standards  and
amendments  that  have  been  issued  but  are  not  yet  effective  are  described  in  note  3  (Summary  of  Significant
Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Insurance contracts

The Exposure Draft – Insurance Contracts was issued by the IASB on July 30, 2010 and a revised exposure draft was
published  in  June  of  2013.  The  proposed  standard  is  comprehensive  in  scope  and  addresses  recognition,
measurement,  presentation  and  disclosure  for  insurance  contracts.  The  measurement  approach  is  based  on  the
following building blocks: (i) a current, unbiased probability-weighted estimate of future cash flows expected to arise
as the insurer fulfills the contract; (ii) the effect of the time value of money; (iii) a risk adjustment that measures the
effects of uncertainty about the amount and timing of future cash flows; and (iv) a contractual service margin which
represents the unearned profit in a contract (that is recognized in net earnings as the insurer fulfills its performance
obligations  under  the  contract).  Estimates  are  required  to  be  re-measured  each  reporting  period.  In  addition,  a
simplified  measurement  approach  is  permitted  for  short-duration  contracts  in  which  the  coverage  period  is
approximately one year or less. The publication date of the final standard is yet to be determined, with an effective
date expected to be no earlier than January 1, 2019. Retrospective application will be required with some practical
expedients available on adoption. The company has commenced evaluating the impact of the exposure draft on its
financial reporting, and potentially, its business activities. The building block approach and the need for current
estimates could significantly increase operational complexity compared to existing practice. The use of different
measurement models depending on whether an insurance contract is considered short-duration or long-duration
under the exposure draft presents certain implementation challenges and the proposed presentation requirements
significantly alter the disclosure of profit and loss from insurance contracts in the consolidated financial statements.

Leases

The IASB together with the FASB is developing a new accounting standard for leases, impacting both lessees and
lessors.  On  August  17,  2010  the  IASB  issued  an  Exposure  Draft – Leases  that  proposes  to  largely  eliminate  the
distinction between operating and capital leases. A revised Exposure Draft was published in May of 2013. Under the
proposed standard a lessee would be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a liability for its obligation to make
lease  payments  while  a  lessor  would  derecognize  the  underlying  asset  and  replace  it  with  a  lease  receivable  and
residual asset. The final standard is expected to be published during the second half of 2015, with an effective date
yet to be determined. However, the proposed standard is expected to apply to all leases in force at the effective date.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  company  has  commenced  a  preliminary  assessment  of  the  impact  of  this  proposed  standard  on  its  lease
commitments.

Risk Management

Overview

The  primary  goals  of  the  company’s  financial  risk  management  are  to  ensure  that  the  outcomes  of  activities
involving elements of risk are consistent with the company’s objectives and risk tolerance, while maintaining an
appropriate balance between risk and reward and protecting the company’s consolidated balance sheet from events
that have the potential to materially impair its financial strength. The company’s exposure to potential loss from its
insurance and reinsurance operations and investment activities primarily relates to underwriting risk, credit risk,
liquidity risk and various market risks. Balancing risk and reward is achieved through identifying risk appropriately,
aligning  risk  tolerances  with  business  strategy,  diversifying  risk,  pricing  appropriately  for  risk,  mitigating  risk
through preventive controls and transferring risk to third parties.

Financial risk management objectives are achieved through a two tiered system, with detailed risk management
processes  and  procedures  at  the  company’s  primary  operating  subsidiaries  and  its  investment  management
subsidiary combined with the analysis of the company-wide aggregation and accumulation of risks at the holding
company  level.  In  addition,  although  the  company  and  its  operating  subsidiaries  have  designated  Chief  Risk
Officers, the company regards each Chief Executive Officer as the chief risk officer of his or her company: each Chief
Executive  Officer  is  the  individual  ultimately  responsible  for  risk  management  for  his  or  her  company  and  its
subsidiaries.

The company’s designated Chief Risk Officer reports on risk considerations to Fairfax’s Executive Committee and
provides  a  quarterly  report  to  the  Board  of  Directors  on  the  key  risk  exposures.  Management  of  Fairfax  in
consultation with the designated Chief Risk Officer approves certain policies for overall risk management, as well as
policies  addressing  specific  areas  such  as  investments,  underwriting,  catastrophe  risk  and  reinsurance.  The
Investment Committee approves policies for the management of market risk (including currency risk, interest rate
risk and other price risk) and the use of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, and monitors to ensure
compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines and requirements. A discussion of the risks of the business (the risk
factors and the management of those risks) is an agenda item for every regularly scheduled meeting of the Board
of Directors.

Issues and Risks

The following issues and risks, among others, should be considered in evaluating the outlook of the company. For
further detail about the issues and risks relating to the company, please see Risk Factors in Fairfax’s most recent Short
Form Base Shelf Prospectus and Supplements filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Claims Reserves

Reserves are maintained to cover the estimated ultimate unpaid liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with
respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period. The company’s success is
dependent upon its ability to accurately assess the risks associated with the businesses being insured or reinsured.
Failure to accurately assess the risks assumed may lead to the setting of inappropriate premium rates and establishing
reserves that are inadequate to cover losses. This could adversely affect the company’s net earnings and financial
condition.

Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent estimates at a given point in time
involving  actuarial  and  statistical  projections  of  the  company’s  expectations  of  the  ultimate  settlement  and
administration  costs  of  claims  incurred.  Establishing  an  appropriate  level  of  claims  reserves  is  an  inherently
uncertain  process.  Both  proprietary  and  commercially  available  actuarial  models,  as  well  as  historical  insurance
industry loss development patterns, are utilized in the establishment of appropriate claims reserves. The company’s
management of pricing risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management), and management of claims reserves
is discussed in note 4 (Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments) and note 8 (Insurance Contract Liabilities), to
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

196

Catastrophe Exposure

The company’s insurance and reinsurance operations are exposed to claims arising out of catastrophes. Catastrophes
can be caused by various events, including natural events such as hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms,
severe winter weather and fires, and unnatural events such as terrorist attacks and riots. The incidence and severity of
catastrophes are inherently unpredictable.

The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected
by  the  event  and  the  severity  of  the  event.  Most  catastrophes  are  restricted  to  small  geographic  areas;  however,
hurricanes,  windstorms  and  earthquakes  may  produce  significant  damage  in  large,  heavily  populated  areas.
Catastrophes  can  cause  losses  in  a  variety  of  property  and  casualty  lines,  including  losses  relating  to  business
interruptions occurring in the same geographic area as the catastrophic event or in the other geographic areas. It is
possible that a catastrophic event or multiple catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect upon the
company’s net earnings and financial condition. The company believes that increases in the value and geographic
concentration of insured property, higher construction costs due to labour and raw material shortages following a
significant catastrophe event, and climate change could increase the severity of claims from catastrophic events in
the future. The company’s management of catastrophe risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cyclical Nature of the Property & Casualty Business

The financial performance of the insurance and reinsurance industries has historically tended to fluctuate due to
competition,  frequency  of  occurrence  or  severity  of  catastrophic  events,  levels  of  capacity,  general  economic
conditions and other factors. Demand for insurance and reinsurance is influenced significantly by underwriting
results  of  primary  insurers  and  prevailing  general  economic  conditions.  Factors  such  as  changes  in  the  level  of
employment,  wages,  consumer  spending,  business  investment  and  government  spending,  the  volatility  and
strength of the global capital markets and inflation or deflation all affect the business and economic environment
and, ultimately, the demand for insurance and reinsurance products, and therefore may affect the company’s net
earnings, financial position or cash flows.

The  property  and  casualty  insurance  business  historically  has  been  characterized  by  periods  of  intense  price
competition due to excess underwriting capacity, as well as periods when shortages of underwriting capacity have
permitted attractive premium levels. The company expects to continue to experience the effects of this cyclicality,
which, during down periods, could harm its financial position, profitability or cash flows.

In the reinsurance industry, the supply of reinsurance is related to prevailing prices and levels of surplus capacity
that, in turn, may fluctuate in response to changes in rates of return being realized. It is possible that premium rates
or other terms and conditions of trade could vary in the future, that the present level of demand will not continue
because insurers, including the larger insurers created by industry consolidation, may require less reinsurance or that
the  present  level  of  supply  of  reinsurance  could  increase  as  a  result  of  capital  provided  by  existing  reinsurers  or
alternative forms of reinsurance capacity entering the market from recent or future market entrants. If any of these
events transpire, the company’s results of operations in its reinsurance business could be adversely affected.

The company actively manages its operations to withstand the cyclical nature of the property and casualty business
by maintaining sound liquidity and strong capital management as discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management)
to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Investment Portfolio

Investment returns are an important part of the company’s overall profitability as the company’s operating results
depend in part on the performance of its investment portfolio. The company’s investment portfolio includes bonds
and other debt instruments, common stocks, preferred stocks, equity-related securities and derivative instruments.
Accordingly, fluctuations in the fixed income or equity markets could impair profitability, financial condition or
cash  flows.  Investment  income  is  derived  from  interest  and  dividends,  together  with  net  gains  or  losses  on
investments. The portion derived from net gains or losses on investments generally fluctuates from year to year and
is typically a less predictable source of investment income than interest and dividends, particularly in the short term.
The return on the portfolio and the risks associated with the investments are affected by the asset mix, which can
change materially depending on market conditions.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The ability of the company to achieve its investment objectives is affected by general economic conditions that are
beyond  its  control.  General  economic  conditions  can  adversely  affect  the  markets  for  interest-rate-sensitive
securities,  including  the  extent  and  timing  of  investor  participation  in  such  markets,  the  level  and  volatility  of
interest rates and, consequently, the value of fixed income securities. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many
factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions
and other factors beyond the company’s control. General economic conditions, stock market conditions and many
other factors can also adversely affect the equity markets and, consequently, the value of the equities owned. In
addition,  defaults  by  third  parties  who  fail  to  pay  or  perform  on  their  obligations  could  reduce  the  company’s
investment income and net gains on investment or result in investment losses. The company’s management of credit
risk,  liquidity  risk,  market  risk  and  interest  rate  risk  is  discussed  in  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  to  the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Derivative Instruments

The company may hold significant investments in derivative instruments, primarily for general protection against
declines in the fair value of the company’s financial assets. Derivative instruments may be used to manage or reduce
risks or as a cost-effective way to synthetically replicate the investment characteristics of an otherwise permitted
investment. The market value and liquidity of these investments are volatile or extremely volatile and may vary
dramatically  up  or  down  in  short  periods,  and  their  ultimate  value  will  therefore  only  be  known  upon  their
disposition or settlement.

Use  of  derivative  instruments  is  governed  by  the  company’s  investment  policies  and  exposes  the  company  to  a
number of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, inflation risk, market risk and counterparty risk.
The company endeavors to limit counterparty risk through the terms of agreements negotiated with counterparties.
Pursuant to these agreements, both parties are required to deposit eligible collateral in collateral accounts for either
the benefit of the company or the counterparty depending on the then current fair value or change in the fair value
of the derivative contract.

The company may not be able to realize its investment objectives with respect to derivative instruments, which
could reduce net earnings significantly and adversely affect the company’s business, financial position or results of
operations. The company’s use of derivatives is discussed in note 7 (Short Sales and Derivatives) and management of
credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk and interest rate risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Economic Hedging Strategies

The company may use derivative instruments to manage or reduce its exposure to credit risk and various market
risks,  including  interest  rate  risk,  equity  market  risk,  inflation/deflation  risk  and  foreign  currency  risk.  Hedging
strategies may be implemented by the company to hedge risks associated with a specific financial instrument, asset
or liability or at a macro level to hedge systemic financial risk and the impact of potential future economic crisis and
credit related problems on its operations and the value of its financial assets. Credit default swaps, total return swaps
and consumer price index-linked derivative instruments have typically been used to hedge macro level risks. The
company’s  use  of  derivatives  is  discussed  in  note  7  (Short  Sales  and  Derivatives)  to  the  consolidated  financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The company’s derivative instruments may expose it to basis risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and liquidity risk,
notwithstanding that the company’s principal use of derivative instruments is to hedge exposures to various risks.
Basis risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of derivative instruments designated as economic hedges will not
experience changes in exactly the opposite directions from those of the underlying hedged exposure. This imperfect
correlation between the derivative instrument and underlying hedged exposure creates the potential for excess gains
or losses in a hedging strategy which may adversely impact the net effectiveness of the hedge and may diminish the
financial  viability  of  maintaining  the  hedging  strategy  and  therefore  adversely  impact  the  company’s  financial
condition and results of operations.

The company regularly monitors the effectiveness of its hedging program on a prospective and retrospective basis
and  based  on  its  historical  observation,  the  company  believes  that  its  hedges  will  be  reasonably  effective  in  the
medium to long term and especially in the event of a significant market correction. The management of basis risk is
also discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2014.

198

Latent Claims

The company has established loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other latent claims that represent its best
estimate of ultimate claims and claims adjustment expenses based upon known facts and current law. As a result of
significant  issues  surrounding  liabilities  of  insurers,  risks  inherent  in  major  litigation  and  diverging  legal
interpretations and judgments in different jurisdictions, actual liability for these types of claims could exceed the loss
reserves set by the company by an amount that could be material to its operating results and financial condition in
future periods.

As a result of tort reform, both legislative and judicial, there has been a decrease in mass asbestos plaintiff screening
efforts over the past few years and a decline in the number of unimpaired plaintiffs filing claims. The majority of
claims now being filed and litigated continues to relate to mesothelioma, lung cancer or impaired asbestosis cases.
This reduction in new filings has focused the litigants on the more seriously injured plaintiffs. While initially there
was  a  concern  that  such  a  focus  would  exponentially  increase  the  settlement  value  of  asbestos  cases  involving
malignancies,  this  has  not  been  the  case.  Expense  has  increased  somewhat  as  a  result  of  this  trend,  however,
primarily due to the fact that the malignancy cases are often more heavily litigated than the non-malignancy cases.

Similarly, as a result of various regulatory efforts aimed at environmental remediation, the company, and its peers in
the  insurance  industry,  continue  to  be  involved  in  litigation  involving  policy  coverage  and  liability  issues  with
respect  to  environmental  claims.  In  addition  to  regulatory  pressures,  the  results  of  court  decisions  affecting  the
industry’s coverage positions continue to be inconsistent and have expanded coverage beyond its original intent.
Accordingly,  the  ultimate  responsibility  and  liability  for  environmental  remediation  costs  remains  uncertain.  In
addition to asbestos and environmental pollution, the company faces exposure to other types of mass tort or health
hazard claims, including claims related to exposure to potentially harmful products or substances, such as breast
implants, pharmaceutical products, chemical products, lead-based pigments, tobacco, hepatitis C, head trauma and
in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (‘‘DES’’). Tobacco, although a significant potential risk to the company, has
not presented significant actual exposure to date.

The company’s management of reserving risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) and in note 8
(Insurance Contract Liabilities) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and
in the Asbestos and Pollution section of this MD&A.

Recoverable from Reinsurers and Insureds

Most insurance and reinsurance companies reduce their exposure to any individual claim by reinsuring amounts in
excess of their maximum desired retention. Reinsurance is an arrangement in which an insurance company, called
the ceding company, transfers insurance risk to another insurer, called the reinsurer, which accepts the risk in return
for a premium payment. This third party reinsurance does not relieve the company of its primary obligation to the
insured. Recoverable from reinsurers balances may become an issue mainly due to reinsurer solvency and credit
concerns, due to the potentially long time period over which claims may be paid and the resulting recoveries are
received from the reinsurers, or due to policy disputes. If reinsurers are unwilling or unable to pay amounts due under
reinsurance contracts, the company will incur unexpected losses and its cash flow will be adversely affected. The
credit risk associated with the company’s reinsurance recoverable balances is addressed in note 24 (Financial Risk
Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in the Recoverable
from Reinsurers section of this MD&A.

The  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies  write  certain  insurance  policies,  such  as  large  deductible
policies  (policies  where  the  insured  retains  a  specific  amount  of  any  potential  loss),  in  which  the  insured  must
reimburse  the  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies  for  certain  losses.  Accordingly,  the  company’s
insurance and reinsurance companies bear credit risk on these policies as there is no assurance that the insureds will
provide reimbursement on a timely basis or at all.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The company may periodically and opportunistically acquire other insurance and reinsurance companies or execute
other strategic initiatives developed by management. Although the company undertakes due diligence prior to the
completion of an acquisition, it is possible that unanticipated factors could arise and there is no assurance that the
anticipated  financial  or  strategic  objectives  following  an  integration  effort  or  the  implementation  of  a  strategic
initiative will be achieved which could adversely affect the company’s net earnings and financial position.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  strategies  and  performance  of  operating  companies,  and  the  alignment  of  those  strategies  throughout  the
organization,  are  regularly  assessed  through  various  processes  involving  senior  management  and  the  company’s
Board of Directors.

Ratings

Financial  strength  and  credit  ratings  by  the  major  North  American  rating  agencies  are  important  factors  in
establishing  competitive  position  for  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies.  The  claims-paying  ability  ratings
assigned  by  rating  agencies  to  reinsurance  or  insurance  companies  represent  independent  opinions  of  financial
strength  and  ability  to  meet  policyholder  obligations.  A  downgrade  in  these  ratings  could  lead  to  a  significant
reduction  in  the  number  of  insurance  policies  the  company’s  insurance  subsidiaries  write  and  could  cause  early
termination  of  contracts  written  by  the  company’s  reinsurance  subsidiaries  or  a  requirement  for  them  to  post
collateral at the direction of their counterparts. In addition, a downgrade of the company’s credit rating may affect
the  cost  and  availability  of  unsecured  financing.  Ratings  are  subject  to  periodic  review  at  the  discretion  of  each
respective rating agency and may be revised downward or revoked at their sole discretion. Rating agencies may also
increase  their  scrutiny  of  rated  companies,  revise  their  rating  standards  or  take  other  action.  The  company  has
dedicated personnel that manage the company’s relationships with its various rating agencies.

Competition

The property and casualty insurance industry and the reinsurance industry are both highly competitive, and will
likely remain highly competitive in the foreseeable future. Competition in these industries is based on many factors,
including premiums charged and other terms and conditions offered, products and services provided, commission
structure, financial ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, speed of claims payment, reputation, selling
effort,  perceived  financial  strength  and  the  experience  of  the  insurer  or  reinsurer  in  the  line  of  insurance  or
reinsurance to be written. The company competes with a large number of Canadian, U.S. and foreign insurers and
reinsurers,  as  well  as  certain  underwriting  syndicates,  some  of  which  have  greater  financial,  marketing  and
management resources than the company. In addition, some financial institutions, such as banks, are now able to
offer services similar to those offered by the company’s reinsurance subsidiaries while in recent years, capital market
participants have also created alternative products that are intended to compete with reinsurance products.

Consolidation within the insurance industry could result in insurance and reinsurance market participants using
their market power to implement price reductions. If competitive pressures compel the company to reduce its prices,
the company’s operating margins could decrease. As the insurance industry consolidates, competition for customers
could become more intense and the importance of acquiring and properly servicing each customer could become
greater, causing the company to incur greater expenses relating to customer acquisition and retention and further
reducing  operating  margins.  The  company’s  management  of  pricing  risk  is  discussed  in  note  24  (Financial  Risk
Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Emerging Claim and Coverage Issues

The provision for claims is an estimate and may be found to be deficient, perhaps very significantly, in the future as a
result of unanticipated frequency or severity of claims or for a variety of other reasons including unpredictable jury
verdicts, expansion of insurance coverage to include exposures not contemplated at the time of policy issue (as was
the case with asbestos and pollution exposures) and extreme weather events. Unanticipated developments in the law
as well as changes in social and environmental conditions could result in unexpected claims for coverage under
insurance and reinsurance contracts. With respect to casualty lines of business, these legal, social and environmental
changes may not become apparent until some time after their occurrence.

The full effects of these and other unforeseen emerging claim and coverage issues are extremely hard to predict. As a
result, the full extent of the company’s liability under its coverages, and in particular its casualty insurance policies
and reinsurance contracts, may not be known for many years after a policy or contract is issued. The company’s
exposure to this uncertainty is greatest in its ‘‘long-tail’’ casualty businesses, because in these lines of business claims
can typically be made for many years, making them more susceptible to these trends than in the property insurance
business, which is more typically ‘‘short-tail’’.

The company seeks to limit its loss exposure by employing a variety of policy limits and other terms and conditions
and  through  prudent  underwriting  of  each  program  written.  Loss  exposure  is  also  limited  by  geographic
diversification. The company’s management of reserving risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management)

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and  in  note  8  (Insurance  Contract  Liabilities)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2014 and in the Asbestos and Pollution section of this MD&A.

Cost of Reinsurance and Adequate Protection

The company uses reinsurance arrangements, including reinsurance of its own reinsurance business purchased from
other reinsurers, referred to as retrocessionaires, to help manage its exposure to property and casualty risks. The
availability of reinsurance and the rates charged by reinsurers are subject to prevailing market conditions, both in
terms  of  price  and  available  capacity,  which  can  affect  the  company’s  business  volume  and  profitability.  Many
reinsurance  companies  have  begun  to  exclude  certain  coverages  from,  or  alter  terms  in,  the  policies  they  offer.
Reinsurers are also imposing terms, such as lower per occurrence and aggregate limits, on primary insurers that are
inconsistent with corresponding terms in the policies written by these primary insurers. In the future, alleviation of
risk through reinsurance arrangements may become increasingly difficult.

The rates charged by reinsurers and the availability of reinsurance to the company’s subsidiaries will generally reflect
the recent loss experience of the company and of the industry in general. For example, the significant hurricane
losses in 2004 and 2005 caused the prices for catastrophe reinsurance protection in Florida to increase significantly in
2006. In 2011 the insurance industry experienced the second highest number of insured losses in history, primarily
due to numerous catastrophes. The significant catastrophe losses incurred by reinsurers worldwide resulted in higher
costs for reinsurance protection in 2012. Currently there exists excess capital within the reinsurance market due to
favourable operating results of reinsurers and alternative forms of reinsurance capacity entering the market. As a
result,  the  market  has  become  very  competitive  with  prices  decreasing  for  most  lines  of  business,  especially  on
property  lines  of  business  and  most  significantly  on  catastrophe-exposed  business.  Each  of  the  company’s
subsidiaries  continues  to  evaluate  the  relative  costs  and  benefits  of  accepting  more  risk  on  a  net  basis,  reducing
exposure on a direct basis, and paying additional premiums for reinsurance.

Holding Company Liquidity

Fairfax  is  a  holding  company  that  conducts  substantially  all  of  its  business  through  its  subsidiaries  and  receives
substantially all of its earnings from them. The holding company controls the operating insurance and reinsurance
companies,  each  of  which  must  comply  with  applicable  insurance  regulations  of  the  jurisdictions  in  which  it
operates. Each operating company must maintain reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses to cover the risks
it has underwritten.

Although substantially all of the holding company’s operations are conducted through its subsidiaries, none of its
subsidiaries are obligated to make funds available to the holding company for payment of its outstanding debt.
Accordingly, the holding company’s ability to meet financial obligations, including the ability to make payments on
outstanding debt, is dependent on the distribution of earnings from its subsidiaries. The ability of subsidiaries to pay
dividends in the future will depend on their statutory surplus, on earnings and on regulatory restrictions. Dividends,
distributions or returns of capital to the holding company are subject to restrictions set forth in the insurance laws
and  regulations  of  Canada,  the  United  States,  the  United  Kingdom,  Barbados,  Poland,  Hong  Kong,  Indonesia,
Singapore, Malaysia and Brazil and is affected by the subsidiaries’ credit agreements, indentures, rating agencies, the
discretion  of  insurance  regulatory  authorities  and  capital  support  agreements  with  subsidiaries.  The  holding
company strives to be soundly financed and maintains high levels of liquid assets as discussed in note 24 (Financial
Risk  Management)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  and  in  the
Liquidity section of this MD&A.

Access to Capital

The company’s future capital requirements depend on many factors, including its ability to successfully write new
business and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. To the extent that the funds
generated by the company’s business are insufficient to fund future operations, additional funds may need to be
raised through equity or debt financings. If the company requires additional capital or liquidity but cannot obtain it
on reasonable terms or at all, its business, operating results and financial condition would be materially adversely
affected.

The company’s ability and/or the ability of its subsidiaries to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital
expenditures  or  acquisitions  in  the  future  may  also  be  limited  under  the  terms  of  its  credit  facility  discussed  in
note 15 (Subsidiary Indebtedness, Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities) to the consolidated financial statements for

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

the year ended December 31, 2014. The credit facility contains various covenants that may restrict, among other
things, the company’s ability or the ability of its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, to create liens or other
encumbrances and to sell or otherwise dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with another entity. This risk is
mitigated  by  maintaining  high  levels  of  liquid  assets  at  the  holding  company.  The  company’s  management  of
liquidity risk is discussed further in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2014 and in the Liquidity section of this MD&A.

Key Employees

The  company  is  substantially  dependent  on  a  small  number  of  key  employees,  including  its  Chairman,  Chief
Executive Officer and significant shareholder, Mr. Prem Watsa, and the senior management of the company and its
operating subsidiaries. The industry experience and reputations of these individuals are important factors in the
company’s ability to attract new business. The company’s success has been, and will continue to be, dependent on its
ability to retain the services of existing key employees and to attract and retain additional qualified personnel in the
future.  At  the  operating  subsidiaries,  employment  agreements  have  been  entered  into  with  key  employees.  The
company does not currently maintain key employee insurance with respect to any of its employees.

Regulatory, Political and other Influences

The insurance and reinsurance industries are highly regulated and are subject to changing political, economic and
regulatory influences. These factors affect the practices and operation of insurance and reinsurance organizations.
Federal,  state  and  provincial  governments  in  the  United  States  and  Canada,  as  well  as  governments  in  foreign
jurisdictions  in  which  the  company  operates,  have  periodically  considered  programs  to  reform  or  amend  the
insurance systems at both the federal and local levels. For example, regulatory capital guidelines may change for the
company’s European operations due to Solvency II; the Dodd-Frank Act creates a new framework for regulation of
over-the-counter derivatives in the United States which could increase the cost of the company’s use of derivatives
for  investment  and  hedging  purposes;  the  activities  of  the  International  Association  of  Insurance  Supervisors  is
expected to lead to additional regulatory oversight of the company; and the Canadian and U.S. insurance regulators’
Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (‘‘ORSA’’) initiatives will require the company’s North American operations to
perform self-assessments of the capital available to support their business risks. Such changes could adversely affect
the  financial  results  of  the  company’s  subsidiaries,  including  their  ability  to  pay  dividends,  cause  unplanned
modifications of products or services, or result in delays or cancellations of sales of products and services by insurers
or reinsurers. Insurance industry participants may respond to changes by reducing their investments or postponing
investment decisions, including investments in the company’s products and services. The company’s management
of  the  risks  associated  with  its  capital  within  the  various  regulatory  regimes  in  which  it  operates  (Capital
Management) is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2014 and in the Capital Resources and Management section of this MD&A.

Information Requests or Proceedings by Government Authorities

Each of the company’s insurance and reinsurance companies is subject to insurance legislation in the jurisdiction in
which  it  operates.  From  time  to  time,  the  insurance  industry  has  been  subject  to  investigations,  litigation  and
regulatory activity by various insurance, governmental and enforcement authorities, concerning certain practices
within the industry. From time to time, consumer advocacy groups or the media also focus attention on certain
insurance industry practices. The existence of information requests or proceedings by government authorities could
have  various  adverse  effects.  The  company’s  internal  and  external  legal  counsels  coordinate  with  operating
companies in responding to information requests and government proceedings.

Regional or Geographical Limitations and Risks

The company’s international operations are regulated in various jurisdictions with respect to licensing requirements,
currency, amount and type of security deposits, amount and type of reserves, amount and type of local investment
and other matters. International operations and assets held abroad may be adversely affected by political and other
developments in foreign countries, including possibilities of tax changes, nationalization and changes in regulatory
policy, as well as by consequences of hostilities and unrest. The risks of such occurrences and their overall effect upon
the company vary from country to country and cannot easily be predicted.

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The company regularly monitors for political and other changes in each country where it operates. The decentralized
nature  of  the  company’s  operations  permits  quick  adaptation  to,  or  mitigation  of,  evolving  regional  risks.
Furthermore, the company’s international operations are widespread and therefore not dependent on the economic
stability of any one particular region.

Lawsuits

The company may, from time to time, become party to a variety of legal claims and regulatory proceedings. The
existence of such claims against the company or its affiliates, directors or officers could have various adverse effects,
including the incurrence of significant legal expenses defending claims, even those without merit.

Operating companies manage day-to-day regulatory and legal risk primarily by implementing appropriate policies,
procedures and controls. Internal and external legal counsels also work closely with the operating companies to
identify and mitigate areas of potential regulatory and legal risk. The company’s legal and regulatory matters are
discussed in note 20 (Contingencies and Commitments) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2014.

Significant Shareholder

The company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Prem Watsa, owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises
control  or  direction  over  shares  representing  42.6%  of  the  voting  power  of  the  company’s  outstanding  shares.
Mr.  Watsa  has  the  ability  to  substantially  influence  certain  actions  requiring  shareholder  approval,  including
approving a business combination or consolidation, liquidation or sale of assets, electing members of the Board of
Directors and adopting amendments to articles of incorporation and by-laws.

Foreign Exchange

The  company’s  reporting  currency  is  the  U.S.  dollar.  A  portion  of  the  company’s  premiums  and  expenses  are
denominated  in  foreign  currencies  and  a  portion  of  assets  (including  investments)  and  loss  reserves  are  also
denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  The  company  may,  from  time  to  time,  experience  losses  resulting  from
fluctuations in the values of foreign currencies (including when certain foreign currency assets and liabilities are
hedged)  which  could  adversely  affect  the  company’s  operating  results.  The  company’s  management  of  foreign
currency risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2014.

Reliance on Distribution Channels

The company uses brokers to distribute its business and in some instances will distribute through agents or directly to
customers. The company may also conduct business through third parties such as managing general agents where it
is cost effective to do so and where the company can control the underwriting process to ensure its risk management
criteria  are  met.  Each  of  these  channels  has  its  own  distinct  distribution  characteristics  and  customers.  A  large
majority of the company’s business is generated by brokers (including international reinsurance brokers with respect
to  the  Reinsurance  reporting  segment),  with  the  remainder  split  among  the  other  distribution  channels.  This  is
substantially consistent across the company’s insurance and reinsurance reporting segments.

The company’s insurance operations have relationships with many different types of brokers including independent
retail brokers, wholesale brokers and national brokers depending on the particular jurisdiction, while the company’s
reinsurance  operations  are  dependent  primarily  on  a  limited  number  of  international  reinsurance  brokers.  The
company transacts business with these brokers on a non-exclusive basis. These independent brokers also transact the
business  of  the  company’s  competitors  and  there  can  be  no  assurance  as  to  their  continuing  commitment  to
distribute the company’s insurance and reinsurance products. The continued profitability of the company depends,
in part, on the marketing efforts of independent brokers and the ability of the company to offer insurance and
reinsurance products and maintain financial ratings that meet the requirements and preferences of such brokers and
their policyholders.

Because the majority of the company’s brokers are independent, there is limited ability to exercise control over them.
In the event that an independent broker exceeds its authority by binding the company on a risk which does not
comply with the company’s underwriting guidelines, the company may be at risk for that policy until the application
is received and a cancellation effected. Although to date the company has not experienced a material loss from

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

improper use of binding authority by its brokers, any improper use of such authority may result in losses that could
have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the company. The
company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries closely manage and monitor broker relationships and regularly
audit broker compliance with the company’s established underwriting guidelines.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The  goodwill  and  intangible  assets  on  the  company’s  consolidated  balance  sheet  originated  from  various
acquisitions made by the company or its operating subsidiaries. Continued profitability of acquired businesses is a
key driver for there to be no impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets. An intangible asset
may be impaired if the economic benefit to be derived from its use is unexpectedly diminished.

Management regularly reviews the current and expected profitability of the operating companies relative to plan in
assessing the carrying value of goodwill. The intended use, expected life, and economic benefit to be derived from
intangible assets are evaluated by the company when there are potential indicators of impairment. The carrying
values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually or more often if
events or circumstances indicate there may be potential impairment.

Taxation

Realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of taxable income in those jurisdictions
where the relevant tax losses and temporary differences exist. Failure to achieve projected levels of profitability could
lead to a writedown in the company’s deferred income tax asset if it is no longer probable that the amount of the asset
will be realized.

The company is subject to income taxes in Canada, the U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions where it operates, and
the  company’s  determination  of  its  tax  liability  is  subject  to  review  by  applicable  domestic  and  foreign  tax
authorities. While the company believes its tax positions to be reasonable, where the company’s interpretations
differ from those of tax authorities or the timing of realization is not as expected, the provision for income taxes may
increase or decrease in future periods to reflect actual experience.

The  company  has  specialist  tax  personnel  responsible  for  assessing  the  income  tax  consequences  of  planned
transactions and events and undertaking the appropriate tax planning. The company also consults with external tax
professionals  as  needed.  Tax  legislation  of  each  jurisdiction  in  which  the  company  operates  is  interpreted  to
determine the provision for income taxes and expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and
liabilities.

Guaranty Funds and Shared Markets

Virtually all U.S. states require insurers licensed to do business in their state to bear a portion of the loss suffered by
some insureds as the result of impaired or insolvent insurance companies. Many states also have laws that establish
second-injury funds to provide compensation to injured employees for aggravation of a prior condition or injury,
which are funded by either assessments based on paid losses or premium surcharge mechanisms. In addition, as a
condition to the ability to conduct business in various jurisdictions, the company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries are
required to participate in mandatory property and casualty shared market mechanisms or pooling arrangements,
which  provide  various  types  of  insurance  coverage  to  individuals  or  other  entities  that  otherwise  are  unable  to
purchase  that  coverage  from  private  insurers.  The  effect  of  these  assessments  and  mandatory  shared-market
mechanisms or changes in them could reduce the profitability of the company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries in any
given period or limit their ability to grow their business. Similarly, the company’s Canadian insurance subsidiaries
contribute to a mandatory guaranty fund that protects insureds in the event of a Canadian property and casualty
insurer becoming insolvent.

Technology

Third parties provide certain of the key components of the company’s business infrastructure such as voice and data
communications and network access. Given the high volume of transactions processed daily, the company is reliant
on such third party provided services to successfully deliver its products and services. Despite the contingency plans
of the company and those of its third party service providers, failure of these systems could interrupt the company’s
operations and impact its ability to rapidly evaluate and commit to new business opportunities.

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In addition, a security breach of the company’s computer systems could damage its reputation or result in liability.
The company retains confidential information regarding its business dealings in its computer systems, including, in
some  cases,  confidential  personal  information  regarding  its  insureds.  Therefore,  it  is  critical  that  the  company’s
facilities and infrastructure remain secure and are perceived by the marketplace to be secure.

The company has highly trained staff that are committed to the continual development and maintenance of its
systems. Operational availability, integrity and security of the company’s information, systems and infrastructure are
actively  managed  through  threat  and  vulnerability  assessments,  strict  security  policies  and  disciplined  change
management practices.

Other

Quarterly Data (unaudited)

Years ended December 31

2014

Revenue
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Net earnings per share
Net earnings per diluted share

2013

First

Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter

Second

Third

Full
Year

2,882.5
785.0
784.6

2,407.5
366.4
363.7
$ 36.35 $ 16.47 $ 21.10 $
$ 35.72 $ 16.15 $ 20.68 $

2,654.2
475.0
461.2

2,073.7 10,017.9
1,664.6
38.2
23.7
1,633.2
0.50 $ 74.43
0.49 $ 73.01

Revenue
Net earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Net earnings (loss) per share
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share

$
$

1,784.6
163.3
161.6

1,355.8
(156.9)
(157.8)

5,944.9
1,120.8
(564.5)
(569.1)
(573.4)
(571.7)
7.22 $ (8.55) $ (29.02) $ (0.98) $ (31.15)
7.12 $ (8.55) $ (29.02) $ (0.98) $ (31.15)

1,683.7
(1.8)
(5.5)

The company’s significant net gains on investments and higher underwriting profit, partially offset by higher net
adverse  prior  year  reserve  development  at  Runoff  and  the  increased  provision  for  income  taxes  generated  net
earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $1,633.2 in 2014 (2013 – a net loss of attributable to shareholders
of Fairfax $573.4). The net loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $571.7 in the third quarter of 2013 arose
principally as a result of significant net losses on investments (primarily related to equity and equity-related holdings
after equity hedges, and bonds) and lower interest and dividend income, partially offset by the increased recovery of
income taxes and higher underwriting profit.

Operating  results  at  the  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  operations  continue  to  be  affected  by  a  difficult
competitive environment. Individual quarterly results have been (and may in the future be) affected by losses from
significant  natural  or  other  catastrophes,  by  reserve  releases  and  strengthenings  and  by  settlements  or
commutations, the occurrence of which are not predictable, and have been (and are expected to continue to be)
significantly impacted by net gains or losses on investments, the timing of which are not predictable.

Stock Prices and Share Information

As  at  March  6,  2015,  Fairfax  had  21,547,050  subordinate  voting  shares  and  1,548,000  multiple  voting  shares
outstanding  (an  aggregate  of  22,295,820  shares  effectively  outstanding  after  an  intercompany  holding).  Each
subordinate voting share carries one vote per share at all meetings of shareholders except for separate meetings of
holders  of  another  class  of  shares.  Each  multiple  voting  share  carries  ten  votes  per  share  at  all  meetings  of
shareholders except in certain circumstances (which have not occurred) and except for separate meetings of holders
of another class of shares. The multiple voting shares are not publicly traded.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  table  that  follows  presents  the  Toronto  Stock  Exchange  high,  low  and  closing  Canadian  dollar  prices  of
subordinate voting shares of Fairfax for each quarter of 2014 and 2013.

First

Second

Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
(Cdn$)

Third

2014

High
Low
Close

2013

High
Low
Close

487.99
415.01
480.00

402.00
352.60
396.66

529.49
462.00
506.22

438.00
386.98
413.57

527.58
490.00
501.79

437.00
407.00
416.56

620.54
496.40
608.78

477.46
402.25
424.11

Compliance with Corporate Governance Rules

Fairfax is a Canadian reporting issuer with securities listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trading in Canadian
dollars under the symbol FFH and in U.S. dollars under the symbol FFH.U. It has in place corporate governance
practices that comply with all applicable rules and substantially comply with all applicable guidelines and policies of
the Canadian Securities Administrators and the practices set out therein.

The company’s Board of Directors has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines (which include a written
mandate  of  the  Board),  established  an  Audit  Committee,  a  Governance  and  Nominating  Committee  and  a
Compensation Committee, approved written charters for all of its committees, approved a Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the company and established, in conjunction with
the  Audit  Committee,  a  Whistleblower  Policy.  The  company  continues  to  monitor  developments  in  the  area  of
corporate governance as well as its own procedures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the ‘‘safe
harbour’’  provisions  of  the  United  States  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  Such  forward-looking
statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of Fairfax to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such  factors  include,  but  are  not  limited  to:  a  reduction  in  net  earnings  if  our  loss  reserves  are  insufficient;
underwriting losses on the risks we insure that are higher or lower than expected; the occurrence of catastrophic
events with a frequency or severity exceeding our estimates; changes in market variables, including interest rates,
foreign exchange rates, equity prices and credit spreads, which could negatively affect our investment portfolio; the
cycles of the insurance market and general economic conditions, which can substantially influence our and our
competitors’ premium rates and capacity to write new business; insufficient reserves for asbestos, environmental and
other  latent  claims;  exposure  to  credit  risk  in  the  event  our  reinsurers  fail  to  make  payments  to  us  under  our
reinsurance  arrangements;  exposure  to  credit  risk  in  the  event  our  insureds,  insurance  producers  or  reinsurance
intermediaries fail to remit premiums that are owed to us or failure by our insureds to reimburse us for deductibles
that  are  paid  by  us  on  their  behalf;  the  timing  of  claims  payments  being  sooner  or  the  receipt  of  reinsurance
recoverables  being  later  than  anticipated  by  us;  the  inability  of  our  subsidiaries  to  maintain  financial  or  claims
paying ability ratings; risks associated with implementing our business strategies; risks associated with our use of
derivative instruments; the failure of our hedging methods to achieve their desired risk management objective; a
decrease in the level of demand for insurance or reinsurance products, or increased competition in the insurance
industry; the impact of emerging claim and coverage issues; the failure of any of the loss limitation methods we
employ; our inability to access cash of our subsidiaries; our inability to obtain required levels of capital on favourable
terms,  if  at  all;  loss  of  key  employees;  our  inability  to  obtain  reinsurance  coverage  in  sufficient  amounts,  at
reasonable  prices  or  on  terms  that  adequately  protect  us;  the  passage  of  legislation  subjecting  our  businesses  to
additional  supervision  or  regulation,  including  additional  tax  regulation,  in  the  United  States,  Canada  or  other
jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with government investigations of, and litigation and negative
publicity  related  to,  insurance  industry  practice  or  any  other  conduct;  risks  associated  with  political  and  other

206

developments in foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with legal or regulatory proceedings;
failures or security breaches of our computer and data processing systems; the influence exercisable by our significant
shareholder; adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our dependence on independent brokers over
whom we exercise little control; an impairment in the carrying value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible
assets; our failure to realize deferred income tax assets; and assessments and shared market mechanisms which may
adversely  affect  our  U.S.  insurance  subsidiaries.  Additional  risks  and  uncertainties  are  described  in  this  Annual
Report,  which  is  available  at  www.fairfax.ca  and  in  our  Supplemental  and  Base  Shelf  Prospectus  (under  ‘‘Risk
Factors’’) filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Fairfax disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

APPENDIX
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

OBJECTIVES:

1) We expect to compound our book value per share over the long term by 15% annually by running Fairfax and its
subsidiaries for the long term benefit of customers, employees and shareholders – at the expense of short term
profits if necessary.

Our focus is long term growth in book value per share and not quarterly earnings. We plan to grow through
internal means as well as through friendly acquisitions.

2) We always want to be soundly financed.

3) We provide complete disclosure annually to our shareholders.

STRUCTURE:

1) Our  companies  are  decentralized  and  run  by  the  presidents  except  for  performance  evaluation,  succession
planning,  acquisitions  and  financing  which  are  done  by  or  with  Fairfax.  Cooperation  among  companies  is
encouraged to the benefit of Fairfax in total.

2) Complete and open communication between Fairfax and subsidiaries is an essential requirement at Fairfax.

3)

4)

Share ownership and large incentives are encouraged across the Group.

Fairfax will always be a very small holding company and not an operating company.

VALUES:

1) Honesty and integrity are essential in all our relationships and will never be compromised.

2) We are results oriented – not political.

3) We are team players – no ‘‘egos’’. A confrontational style is not appropriate. We value loyalty – to Fairfax and

our colleagues.

4) We are hard working but not at the expense of our families.

5) We  always  look  at  opportunities  but  emphasize  downside  protection  and  look  for  ways  to  minimize  loss

of capital.

6) We  are  entrepreneurial.  We  encourage  calculated  risk  taking.  It  is  all  right  to  fail  but  we  should  learn  from

our mistakes.

7) We will never bet the company on any project or acquisition.

8) We believe in having fun – at work!

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Officers of the Company

David Bonham
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Peter Clarke
Vice President and Chief Risk Officer

Jean Cloutier
Vice President, International Operations

Hank Edmiston
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs

Vinodh Loganadhan
Vice President, Administrative Services

Bradley Martin
Vice President, Strategic Investments

Paul Rivett
President

Eric Salsberg
Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary

Ronald Schokking
Vice President and Treasurer

John Varnell
Vice President, Corporate Development

Dorothy Whitaker
Vice President, Taxation

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Head Office

95 Wellington Street West
Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2N7
Telephone: (416) 367-4941
Website: www.fairfax.ca

Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

General Counsel

Torys LLP

Transfer Agents and Registrars

Valiant Trust Company, Toronto
Registrar and Transfer Company, Cranford, New Jersey

Share Listing

Toronto Stock Exchange
Stock Symbol: FFH and FFH.U

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the shareholders of
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited will be
held on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
(Toronto time) at Roy Thomson Hall,
60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, Canada

Directors of the Company
Anthony F. Griffiths
Corporate Director
Robert J. Gunn
Corporate Director
Alan D. Horn
President and Chief Executive Officer
Rogers Telecommunications Limited
John R.V. Palmer
Chairman, Toronto Leadership Centre
Timothy R. Price
Chairman, Brookfield Funds,
Brookfield Asset Management
Brandon W. Sweitzer
Dean, School of Risk Management, St. John’s University
Benjamin P. Watsa (as of April 2015)
Partner and Portfolio Manager
Lissom Investment Management Inc.
V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company

Operating Management

Fairfax Insurance Group

Andrew A. Barnard, President and Chief Operating Officer

Canadian Insurance

Silvy Wright, President
Northbridge Financial Corporation

U.S. Insurance
Marc Adee, President
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.
Kari Van Gundy, President
Zenith National Insurance Corp.

Asian Insurance

Ramaswamy Athappan, President
Fairfax Asia and
First Capital Insurance Limited
Sammy Y. Chan, President
Fairfax Asia
Gobinath Athappan, COO Fairfax Asia and
President Fairfax Malaysia

Other Insurance

Bruno Camargo, President
Fairfax Brasil
Peter Csakvari, President
Fairfax Eastern Europe
Sean Smith, President
Pethealth Inc.

Reinsurance – OdysseyRe

Brian D. Young, President
Odyssey Re Holdings Corp.

Other Reinsurance
Nigel Fitzgerald, President
Trevor Ambridge, Managing Director
Advent Capital (Holdings) PLC
Monika Wo´zniak-Makarska, President
Polish Re

Runoff

Nicholas C. Bentley, President
RiverStone Group LLC

Other

Bijan Khosrowshahi, President
Fairfax International
Roger Lace, President
Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd.

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