Fairfax Financial Annual Report 2020

FY2020 Annual Report · Fairfax Financial

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20 Annual Report

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

OBJECTIVES:

1) We expect to compound our mark-to-market 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, shareholders and the
communities where we operate – at the expense of short term profits if necessary.

2) 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.

3) We always want to be soundly financed.

4) 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, financing and investments, which are done by or with Fairfax. Investing will always be
conducted based on a long term value-oriented philosophy. 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.

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!

30JAN201416052574

2020 Annual Report

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

Fairfax Corporate Performance

Book
value
per
share(2)

Closing
share
price(1) Revenue
As at and for the years ended December 31(3)
12.2
1985
38.9
1986
86.9
1987
112.0
1988
108.6
1989
167.0
1990
217.4
1991
237.0
1992
266.7
1993
464.8
1994
837.0
1995
1,082.3
1996
1,507.7
1997
2,469.0
1998
3,905.9
1999
4,157.2
2000
3,953.2
2001
5,104.7
2002
5,731.2
2003
5,829.7
2004
5,900.5
2005
6,803.7
2006
7,510.2
2007
7,825.6
2008
6,635.6
2009
5,967.3
2010
7,475.0
2011
8,022.8
2012
5,944.9
2013
10,017.9
2014
9,580.4
2015
9,299.6
2016
16,224.6
2017
17,757.7
2018
21,532.8
2019
19,794.9
2020

3.25(4)
12.75
12.37
15.00
18.75
11.00
21.25
25.00
61.25
67.00
98.00
290.00
320.00
540.00
245.50
228.50
164.00
121.11
226.11
202.24
168.00
231.67
287.00
390.00
410.00
408.99
437.01
358.55
424.11
608.78
656.91
648.50
669.34
600.98
609.74
433.85

1.52
4.25
6.30
8.26
10.50
14.84
18.38
18.55
26.39
31.06
38.89
63.31
86.28
112.49
155.55
148.14
117.03
125.25
163.70
162.76
137.50
150.16
230.01
278.28
369.80
376.33
364.55
378.10
339.00
394.83
403.01
367.40
449.55
432.46
486.10
478.33

Net
earnings
(loss)

Total
assets

Invest-
ments

Net
debt(5)

Common
share-
holders’
equity

Shares
out-
standing

Earnings
(loss)
per
share

(0.6)
4.7
12.3
12.1
14.4
18.2
19.6
8.3
25.8
27.9
63.9
110.6
152.1
280.3
42.6
75.5

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
(406.5) 22,183.8
22,173.2
252.8
24,877.1
288.6
26,271.2
53.1
(446.6) 27,542.0
26,576.5
227.5
27,941.8
1,095.8
27,305.4
1,473.8
28,452.0
856.8
31,448.1
335.8
33,406.9
45.1
526.9
36,945.4
(573.4) 35,999.0
36,131.2
1,633.2
567.7
41,529.0
(512.5) 43,384.4
64,090.1
64,372.1
70,508.5
74,054.0

1,740.6
376.0
2,004.1
218.4

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
29,016.1
28,430.7
39,255.4
38,840.6
39,004.6
43,171.4

–
3.7
4.9
27.3
21.9
83.3
58.0
69.4
118.7
166.3
175.7
281.6
369.7
830.0
1,248.5
1,251.5
1,194.1
1,602.8
1,961.1
1,965.9
1,984.0
1,613.6
1,207.4
412.5
1,071.1
1,254.9
2,055.7
1,920.6
1,752.9
1,966.3
2,075.6
3,438.2
4,057.2
4,929.8
6,257.4
7,584.6

7.6
29.7
46.0
60.3
76.7
81.6
101.1
113.1
211.1
279.6
346.1
664.7
960.5
1,364.8
2,088.5
1,940.8
1,679.5
1,760.4
2,264.6
2,605.7
2,448.2
2,662.4
4,063.5
4,866.3
7,391.8
7,697.9
7,427.9
7,654.7
7,186.7
8,361.0
8,952.5
8,484.6
12,475.6
11,779.3
13,042.6
12,521.1

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
22.2
23.1
27.8
27.2
26.8
26.2

(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
23.15
(24.18)
64.98
11.65
69.79
6.29

Compound annual growth

17.9%

15.0%

(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) Calculated as common shareholders’ equity divided by common shares effectively outstanding.

(3)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2020; Canadian GAAP basis for 2009 and prior. Under Canadian GAAP, investments were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

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

(5) Calculated as total debt less holding company cash and investments (net of derivative obligations).

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.

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge Financial, based in Toronto, Canada, provides property and casualty insurance products in the
Canadian market through its Northbridge and Federated subsidiaries. It is one of the largest commercial property and
casualty insurers in Canada based on gross premiums written. In 2020, Northbridge’s net premiums written were
Cdn$2,064.8 million (approximately US$1,540 million). At year-end, the company had statutory equity of
Cdn$1,546.8 million (approximately US$1,214 million) and there were 1,648 employees.

Odyssey Group, based in Stamford, Connecticut, underwrites treaty and facultative reinsurance and specialty
insurance, with principal locations in the United States, Toronto, London, Paris, Singapore and Latin America. In
2020, Odyssey Group’s net premiums written were US$3,789.6 million. At year-end, the company had shareholders’
equity of US$4,900.7 million and there were 1,151 employees.

Crum & Forster, based in Morristown, New Jersey, is a national commercial property and casualty insurance
company in the United States writing a broad range of commercial, principally specialty, coverages. In 2020, Crum &
Forster’s net premiums written were US$2,543.0 million. At year-end, the company had statutory surplus of
US$1,518.5 million and there were 2,466 employees.

Zenith National, based in Woodland Hills, California, is primarily engaged in the workers compensation insurance
business in the United States. In 2020, Zenith National’s net premiums written were US$646.1 million. At year-end,
the company had statutory surplus of US$522.3 million and there were 1,458 employees.

Brit, based in London, England, is a market-leading global Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer. In
2020, Brit’s net premiums written were US$1,775.6 million. At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of
US$1,592.6 million and there were 748 employees.

Allied World, based in Pembroke, Bermuda, provides property, casualty and specialty insurance and reinsurance
solutions, with principal locations in the United States, Bermuda, London, Singapore and Canada. In 2020, Allied
World’s net premiums written were US$3,017.6 million. At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of
US$4,377.4 million and there were 1,551 employees.

Fairfax Asia

Falcon Insurance, based in Hong Kong, writes property and casualty insurance in niche markets in Hong Kong. In
2020, Falcon’s net premiums written were HKD 655.6 million (approximately US$85 million). At year-end, the
company had shareholders’ equity of HKD 757.7 million (approximately US$98 million) and there were
66 employees.

Pacific Insurance, based in Malaysia, writes all classes of general insurance and medical insurance in Malaysia. In
2020, Pacific’s net premiums written were MYR 263.5 million (approximately US$63 million). At year-end, the
company had shareholders’ equity of MYR 517.9 million (approximately US$129 million) and there were
431 employees.

AMAG Insurance, based in Indonesia, writes all classes of general insurance in Indonesia. In 2020, AMAG’s net
premiums written were IDR 562.2 billion (approximately US$39 million). At year-end, the company had
shareholders’ equity of IDR 3,271.5 billion (approximately US$233 million) and there were 719 employees.

Fairfirst Insurance, based in Sri Lanka, writes general insurance in Sri Lanka, specializing in automobile and
personal accident lines of business. In 2020, Fairfirst’s net premiums written were LKR 6,598.3 million
(approximately US$36 million). At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of LKR 7,693.5 million
(approximately US$42 million) and there were 981 employees.

Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe

Colonnade Insurance, based in Luxembourg, writes general insurance through its branches in the Czech
Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania and through its Ukrainian insurance company. In 2020,
Colonnade Insurance’s net premiums written were US$150.2 million. At year-end, the company had shareholders’
equity of US$123.5 million and there were 519 employees.

Polish Re, based in Warsaw, writes reinsurance in the Central and Eastern European regions. In 2020, Polish Re’s net
premiums written were PLN 416.6 million (approximately US$107 million). At year-end, the company had
shareholders’ equity of PLN 361.5 million (approximately US$97 million) and there were 49 employees.

Fairfax Ukraine, which comprises ARX Insurance and Universalna, primarily writes property and casualty
insurance in Ukraine. In 2020, Fairfax Ukraine’s net premiums written were UAH 3,597.7 million (approximately
US$134 million). At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of UAH 1,374.1 million (approximately
US$49 million) and there were 1,038 employees.

Fairfax Latin America

Fairfax Brasil, based in S˜ao Paulo, writes general insurance in Brazil. In 2020, Fairfax Brasil’s net premiums written
were BRL 445.3 million (approximately US$87 million). At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of BRL
386.3 million (approximately US$75 million) and there were 181 employees.

Fairfax Latam, based in Miami, writes property and casualty insurance through its operating companies in Chile,
Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay. In 2020, Fairfax Latam’s net premiums written were US$219.1 million. At
year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of US$137.4 million and there were 902 employees.

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Bryte Insurance, based in South Africa, writes property and casualty insurance in South Africa and Botswana. In
2020, Bryte Insurance’s net premiums written were ZAR 4.0 billion (approximately US$246 million). At year-end, the
company had shareholders’ equity of ZAR 1,955.8 million (approximately US$124 million) and there were
929 employees.

Group Re primarily constitutes the participation by CRC Re, Wentworth and Connemara (all 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 third party reinsurers. Group Re also writes third party
business. In 2020, Group Re’s net premiums written were US$241.0 million. At year-end, the Group Re companies
had combined shareholders’ equity of US$457.3 million.

Run-off

The Resolution Group (TRG), based in Manchester, New Hampshire, manages run-off businesses in the
U.S. under the RiverStone name. At year-end, TRG/RiverStone had shareholders’ equity of US$506.0 million and
there were 359 employees.

Other

Fairfax India Holdings is a Toronto Stock Exchange-listed investment holding company whose objective is to
achieve long term capital appreciation, while preserving capital, by investing in public and private equity securities
and debt instruments in India and Indian businesses or other businesses with customers, suppliers or business
primarily conducted in, or dependent on, India. At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of
US$1,444.1 million.

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

Notes:

(1) All of the above companies are wholly owned except for 70.9%-owned Allied World, 85.0%-owned Pacific Insurance,
78.0%-owned Fairfirst Insurance, 80.0%-owned AMAG Insurance, 70.0%-owned Fairfax Ukraine and Fairfax India
Holdings (93.4% voting control, 28.0%-owned).

(2) The foregoing lists all of Fairfax’s operating subsidiaries (many of which operate through their own operating structure,
primarily involving wholly-owned operating subsidiaries). The Fairfax corporate structure also includes a 43.4% interest
in Gulf Insurance (a Kuwait company with property and casualty insurance operations in the MENA region, held through
a joint venture in which the company has a 60.0% interest), a 47.1% interest in Thai Re (a Thai reinsurance and
insurance company), a 15.0% interest in Alltrust Insurance (a Chinese property and casualty insurance company), a
35.0% interest in BIC Insurance (a Vietnamese property and casualty insurance company), a 28.2% interest in
Singapore Re (a Singapore based reinsurance company), a 41.2% interest in Falcon Insurance (Thailand), a 50.0%
indirect interest in Eurolife (a Greek life and non-life insurer), a 45.3% interest in Digit (a digital insurance company in
India) and a 7.3% interest in Africa Re 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, run-off or other operations.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

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

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fairfax Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

Operations

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

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

145

230

To our Shareholders:

The world stopped in 2020. Literally! COVID-19 closed down the economies of more than 180 countries. Our
employees all had to work from home – more than 15,000 employees across the world. With huge thanks to all our
employees, I am happy to say all our employees, led by our outstanding presidents, responded with great enthusiasm
to serve all our clients, keep our employees safe and help our communities at the same time – without missing a beat!
Our culture and decentralized structure were put to a real life stress test and our presidents responded beautifully. At
the holding company, in spite of the retirement of our President and the earlier passing of our Chief Financial Officer
in 2019, our small team, led by the amazing performance of Peter Clarke our COO and Jenn Allen our CFO, also rose
to the challenge. You can see why I feel our company is in great shape. We did not forget our responsibilities to those
less fortunate than us as we made special donations of $4 million* across the world for COVID-19 relief, mainly to
food banks.

In March, the S&P500 dropped 30% in 12 days. We absorbed the mark to market losses and thrived. We earned
$218 million in 2020 and our book value per share increased by 0.6% (adjusted for the $10 per share dividend) to
$478 per share. Our insurance companies had an outstanding year in 2020 and are growing significantly, while our
investments more than overcame the March carnage by the end of 2020 and are continuing to perform well.

Since we began in 1985, our book value per share has compounded at 18.7% (including dividends) annually while
our common stock price has compounded at 16.2% (including dividends) annually.

Here’s how our insurance companies performed in 2020:

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other Insurance and

Reinsurance

Consolidated

Underwriting
Profit (Loss)
109
190
60
52
(240)
126
7

Combined
Ratio
92%
95%
98%
92%
114%
95%
97%

COVID-19
Losses
3%
4%
2%
3%
16%
4%
0%

Combined Ratio
Excluding
COVID-19 Losses
89%
91%
96%
89%
98%
91%
97%

Change in Gross
Premiums
2020 vs 2019
14%
15%
10%
(10)%
7%
22%
(4)%

309

100%

98%

96%

93%

12%

In spite of our COVID-19 losses of $669 million or 5 percentage points, we had a combined ratio of 98%. Excluding
COVID-19 losses, we had a combined ratio of 93%. Our COVID-19 losses were mainly from business interruption
losses outside of North America and event cancellation losses, mainly from Brit – and more than 50% is in IBNR. All
of our major insurance companies had combined ratios less than 100%, with the exception of Brit, and had
significant growth in gross premiums – led by Allied World, Odyssey Group and Northbridge. Premium increases
accelerated during the year, rising from 12% in the first quarter to 16% in the fourth quarter – mainly due to rate
increases. After many years of a soft market, the property and casualty insurance industry is experiencing a hard
market accentuated by COVID-19 losses, catastrophe exposures, social inflation and low interest rates. Interest rates
were at record lows in 2020 – never seen before even in the depression of the 1930s!

In 2020, we had exceptional performance at Allied World with a combined ratio of 95% and a 22% growth in gross
premiums, Odyssey Group with a combined ratio of 95% and a 15% growth in gross premiums and Northbridge with
a combined ratio of 92% and a 14% growth in gross premiums. Zenith continued to have an excellent combined
ratio of 92% but because of declining rates in workers’ compensation, shrank by 10% during the year. Crum & Forster
had a combined ratio of 98% and grew by 10%. Brit had a combined ratio of 114% (98% excluding
COVID-19 insurance losses) and a 7% growth in gross premiums.

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.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

In May 2021, Odyssey will complete 25 years as a Fairfax company. Odyssey began the journey as Skandia under Jim
Dowd: we acquired it in 1996 and changed its name to Odyssey. Andy Barnard joined us shortly after with a very
young Brian Young. Andy ran Odyssey Group for 15 years and then passed it to Brian in 2011. Over 25 years, Odyssey
Group has had only two CEOs. Its record is quite astounding! Here it is:

Gross premiums
Common equity
Investment portfolio

(1) Stand alone U.S. GAAP

1996
$215 million
$290 million
$ 1.1 billion

2020
$ 4.3 billion
$ 4.8 billion(1)
$10.3 billion

We have great continuity at Odyssey Group as many executives and employees have been there for almost all this
time. In 2020, Brian Young commissioned a book on the journey. It is a wonderful read. We will give a copy to all our
shareholders at our in person annual meeting in 2022.

Late in 2020 we announced the sale of RiverStone Europe (owned 60% by us and 40% by OMERS) to CVC Capital
Partners. RiverStone Europe is an industry leader in run-off insurance services, and CVC’s scale and vision will give
RiverStone Europe, under the continued leadership of Luke Tanzer and his management team, the opportunity to
further grow the business. Nick Bentley and Luke are also very supportive of this transaction, based on their strong
belief that it is the best way for RiverStone Europe to continue to grow and pursue run-off transactions. RiverStone
Europe was born out of the acquisition of Sphere Drake Insurance Company. Due to performance issues, in 1999 it
was put under the management of RiverStone. For the first ten years RiverStone Europe was kept busy with many of
our own run-off portfolios including Sphere Drake Bermuda, Skandia UK, CTR and the Kingsmead Agency at Lloyd’s.
By 2008 they drove down the reserves and were down to only 53 staff and $100 million in capital. Instead of closing
the operations we pivoted from internal run-off to third party acquisitions. They did their first deal in 2010 and have
never looked back. They have completed over 20 transactions bringing in over $5 billion of assets and producing a
great return on capital, which allowed us to sell the company at $1.35 billion. RiverStone Europe is a great story of
success, first directly under the leadership of Nick Bentley and then for the last twelve years Luke Tanzer. We wish
Luke and all employees at RiverStone Europe much success in the future.

Over 35 years, here’s what we have developed in the insurance business worldwide:

Fairfax Worldwide Insurance Operations as at December 31, 2020

Gross
Premiums
Written

Ownership
100%
100%
100%
71%
100%

Country
Canada
United States
United States
Bermuda
United States

1,727
4,306
3,082
4,634
662

14,412

100% United Kingdom

2,408

100%
85%
80%
78%

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
100%
70%
100%

Hong Kong
Malaysia
Indonesia
Sri Lanka

Brazil
Argentina
Colombia
Uruguay
Chile

South Africa
Luxembourg
Poland
Ukraine
Barbados

101
124
127
68

421

238
181
138
13
284

855

320
183
114
144
123

884

% of
Total
9%
23%
16%
24%
4%

76%

13%

1%
1%
1%
0%

1%
1%
1%
0%
1%

2%
1%
1%
1%
1%

Combined
Ratio
92%
95%
98%
95%
92%

95%

114%

95%
99%
94%
98%

97%

95%
99%
100%
100%
95%

98%

109%
93%
98%
93%
100%

100%

Investment
Portfolio
3,472
10,348
5,023
9,224
1,616

29,683

4,912

198
176
192
53

620

214
92
138
12
89

544

286
257
211
90
719

1,562

4,787

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Allied World
Zenith

North America

Brit

Falcon
Pacific
AMAG
Fairfirst

Asia

Fairfax Brasil
La Meridional
SouthBridge
SouthBridge
SouthBridge

South America

Bryte
Colonnade
Polish Re
Fairfax Ukraine
Group Re

Other International

Other(1)

Consolidated Insurance Companies

18,979

100%

98%

42,109

Gulf Insurance
EuroLife
BIC
Digit
Falcon (Thailand)

43%
50%
35%
49%(4)
41%

Kuwait
Greece
Vietnam
India
Thailand

Non-consolidated Insurance Companies(2)

Total(3)

(1)

Includes run-off and other investments in associates

(2) Based on 100% level

(3) Numbers may not add due to rounding.

1,449
512
115
405
81

2,562

21,541

93%
76%(5)
98%
114%
94%

97%

98%

991
3,685
183
693
48

5,600

47,709

(4) 74% upon conversion of securities, when permitted under recent budget

(5) Non-life business only

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Everything included, we have $21.5 billion in gross premiums worldwide with an investment portfolio of
$47.7 billion. You can see why we have said we are not planning to make any more significant acquisitions but are
planning to grow organically. Our North American companies plus Brit account for 89% of all our consolidated
premiums. All of the presidents of our insurance companies report to Andy Barnard and Peter Clarke as they have
done for almost nine years now. We have a G7 (six insurance companies plus run-off) call every two weeks where
problems (and opportunities) are discussed. Similarly, under the chairmanship of Bijan Khosrowshahi, we also have a
G10 call that encompasses all the other insurance companies. These video calls work remarkably well! It is an
effective way to generate cooperation among all our decentralized insurance companies.

As the table shows, our international operations outside the G7 companies total $4.7 billion in gross premiums (what
Fairfax wrote in total in 2002, 17 years after we began) and $8.3 billion in investment portfolios. They are sizeable
and encompass many parts of the world. In the main, these are very underpenetrated insurance markets and the
growth potential long term for Fairfax is huge. As a group, the combined ratio in 2020 for these operations was 98%.
All our operations had very good reserving, and they all had a combined ratio less than 100% except Bryte (because of
COVID-19 business interruption losses) and Digit (which is still in start up mode but is growing at a very fast pace in
India, beginning from scratch about three years ago). The recent budget in India will permit us to increase our
ownership in Digit to 74%.

Here’s how gross premiums per share have compounded since we began in 1985:

1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020

Gross Premiums
Written

17
81
920
3,722
5,516
5,361
8,331
18,979

$ per Share
3
15
104
284
310
263
375
725

Since inception, gross premiums per share have compounded at 17% per year since inception and 14% in the last five
years. We expect significant growth in the next five years through organic growth.

Seneca Insurance, as part of Crum & Forster, had an outstanding year in 2020 with a combined ratio of 87% after a
few tough years recently. Since we purchased it in 2001, Seneca has expanded from $143 million in gross premiums
written in 2001 to $336 million in 2020 with an average combined ratio during that period of 93%. Outstanding
results by Marc Wolin and his team!

Last year I talked about Gary McGeddy who runs the Accident & Health profit centre at Crum & Forster. Over the
better part of twenty years, Gary and his team have grown this business to over $1 billion in 2020 (despite
COVID-19 reducing premium from its travel and its student inbound medical business by $200 million). We expect
the next $1 billion may come much quicker. Outstanding results by Gary and the team at Crum & Forster.

Last year we also mentioned we acquired a 70% stake in two Ukrainian companies for $22 million. In the first full
year with us they did not disappoint, with gross premiums written of $144 million, a combined ratio of 93% and net
earnings of $16 million. We continue to be the largest property and casualty insurer in Ukraine. A big thank you to
Andrey Peretyazhko at ARX, Oleksiy Muzychko at Universalna and their entire teams.

Also worth mentioning is that our Latin American operations, which include companies in Argentina, Chile,
Colombia and Uruguay, produced for the first time since we acquired them in 2017 a consolidated combined ratio
below 100%. Each of the management teams has been laser focused on producing an underwriting profit, resulting
in a reduction in their combined ratio from 120% in 2018 to 99% today. Congratulations to Bijan Khosrowshahi,
Fabricio Campos, his team and each of the presidents – Juan Luis Campos in Argentina, Fabiana De Nicolo in Chile,
Marta Lucia Pava in Colombia and Marcelo Lena in Uruguay.

Digit, under Kamesh Goyal’s leadership, is continuing its outstanding growth record in its fiscal year ending
March 31, 2021, with gross premiums expected to grow by 40% to $400 million. Its combined ratio is expected to

drop to 113% and, including investment income, it should be profitable. Amazing performance for a start-up! Digit
raised $18 million in 2020 at a valuation of $1.9 billion from some private equity investors. (In our books, Digit
continues to be valued based on a 100% level of $900 million.) We are very excited about Digit’s growth prospects in
the years to come. Also, many of our insurance companies expect to benefit from Digit’s technological and
innovation leadership.

In 2020 Brit, in collaboration with Google cloud, launched Ki, a standalone business and the first fully digital and
algorithmically-driven Lloyd’s syndicate. Ki will aim to significantly reduce the amount of time and effort taken by
brokers to place their follow-on capacity, creating greater efficiency, responsiveness and competitiveness. We
partnered with Blackstone to provide $500 million of committed capital to fund the expansion of Ki. Ki began
writing business in January 2021 and got off to a great start, writing $70 million of premium and on track to meet the
full year 2021 plan of over $300 million. This is a very exciting new venture in the insuretech space and Matthew
Wilson, Mark Allen and team have done an outstanding job getting this initiative up and running. Mark Allen has
been appointed as CEO of Ki, and consequently will be stepping down as CFO of Brit.

The $19 billion gross premiums written of our consolidated insurance companies is generated through over
200 profit centres across the group. Each profit centre is focused on a unique set of customers, geographies or
products that benefit through market leadership, product knowledge and the ability to provide excellent customer
service. These profit centres also facilitate transparency when Andy and Peter monitor the insurance operations.
Empowerment thrives at Fairfax!

Last year, I discussed our wonderful partnership which we entered into in 2010 with Kipco in Kuwait through its Vice
Chairman Faisal Al-Ayyar. The performance of Gulf Insurance Group (‘‘GIG’’), run by Khaled Saoud Al Hasan, has
been excellent, tripling gross premiums to $1.4 billion with a combined ratio of 95% since 2010. On November 30,
2020, the company announced the acquisition of AXA’s operations in the Gulf region. This will add over
$900 million in gross premiums written with a combined ratio running below 95%, providing GIG access to new
markets in Oman and Qatar and increasing its operations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE. We are very excited
about the tremendous long term opportunity this presents for GIG. We welcome Paul Adamson and the AXA Gulf
Group employees to our partnership with Kipco.

In November, we announced the sale of Vault Insurance to a private equity group led by Scott Carmilani. Vault
Insurance was founded in 2017 by Allied World and focused on serving the needs of the high net worth market.
Scott, of course, was the founder of Allied World and helped build it into a leading worldwide insurance and
reinsurance business. We thank Scott for all his contributions to the Fairfax insurance group and wish him much
success with Vault Insurance.

2020 was the blackest of black swans. Without any warning, the world’s economies closed. And our insurance
subsidiaries were hit by COVID-19 losses of $669 million! At the same time, stock markets crashed in March 2020. As
I said earlier, it was a real life stress test.

Because of cash and marketable securities in our holding company of about $1 billion, no debt maturities to speak of
in the three years 2020 to 2022, unused credit lines of $2 billion and well capitalized insurance subsidiaries and major
non-insurance subsidiaries, we absorbed the effects of the pandemic and thrived. Our focus has always been to have a
very strong financial position to meet the unexpected problems that the world experiences – often, ones we have not
witnessed before! We will be even stronger in the future as we intend to hold cash (excluding any marketable
securities) in excess of $1 billion in our holding company and to maintain and strengthen the other safeguards
discussed earlier.

Over the years, we have made common stock investments pursuant to which we have significant ownership
positions in a number of individual names. Although the returns can be lumpy, these holdings have served us well
over the years – especially on sale. The downside of larger ownership positions is that the accounting rules for these
holdings are somewhat confusing (even for us!). What we find useful in clarifying the accounting positions is to
separate these common stockholdings into three buckets. Generally, for positions where we hold less than a 20%
economic interest and no control, we mark to market; where we have an economic interest of 20% or more but no
control (these holdings are called associates), we equity account; and where we have control or an economic interest
above 50%, we consolidate. I hope that the following detailed commentary will help to break through the difficulties
of understanding the value of our investments resulting from the accounting rules and to provide a better
understanding of the value of our investments.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Below is a table of our largest holdings in each of the above buckets. The table shows you for each bucket, as of
December 31, 2020, the shares we own and the per share and total carrying values and market values of those shares.
Currently, the total market value of these common stock holdings exceeds their total carrying value.

Common Stock Holdings

Shares Ownership

(millions)

Carrying Value
per Share
($)

Share Price
($)

Carrying

Value Market Value

Common Stocks –
Mark to Market
BlackBerry(1)
Commercial

International Bank

Stelco
Kennedy Wilson
Leon’s Furniture
IIFL Wealth
Micron Technology
Mastercraft Boat

Holdings

Franklin Resources
Alphabet
Other

Common stocks
Limited partnerships

Total mark to market

Common Stocks –

Equity Accounted
(Associates)
Eurobank Ergasias
Atlas(2)
Quess
EXCO Resources
Helios Fairfax Partners
Peak Achievement
Resolute Forest

Products

Kennedy Wilson
Partnerships

Astarta
IIFL Finance
Other

Total Associates

Common Stocks –
Consolidated
Recipe
Fairfax India
Thomas Cook India
Dexterra Group
AGT Foods
Other

Total Consolidated

Total Common Stock

Holdings

44.9

77.6
13.0
12.9
7.2
4.1
0.7

1.9
1.0
0.0

1,129.9
90.4
47.6
–
35.3
–

24.8

–
7.1
28.4

22.6
41.9
248.2
31.8
–

5%
15%
9%
9%
5%
0%

10%
0%
0%

31%
37%
32%
44%
32%
43%

31%

–
28%
7%

40%
28%
67%
49%
58%

(1) Excludes 48 million shares from convertible bonds
(2) Excludes 25 million Atlas warrants

6.63

3.75
17.76
17.89
15.97
13.85
75.17

6.63

3.75
17.76
17.89
15.97
13.85
75.17

24.83
24.98
1,750.82

1.03
9.96
11.40
–
5.25
–

5.42

–
9.20
2.03

21.51
9.66
0.86
3.62
–

0.71
10.83
7.48
–
5.25
–

6.54

–
7.03
1.56

12.96
9.60
0.64
5.06
–

298

290
231
230
116
56
53

46
25
24
1,417

2,785
1,843

4,628

1,166
900
543
238
186
140

134

124
65
58
207

298

290
231
230
116
56
53

46
25
24
1,417

2,785
1,843

4,628

800
979
356
238
186
172

162

124
50
44
192

3,761

3,303

486
405
214
115
57
109

293
402
160
161
57
109

1,386

1,182

9,775

9,113

In the table below, we reconcile our portfolio investments in the three buckets from the table of common stock
holdings above and our other investments to the balance sheet in our consolidated financial statements.

Common
Stocks –
Equity
Accounted
(Associates)

Common
Stocks in
Equity
Common Accounted
Insurance
Associates

Stocks –
Consolidated

Investments
other than
Common
Stocks

Fairfax Balance
Sheet

–

–
–
–
–

3,761

–

–
–
–
95

–

1,740

–

–
–
–
–

575

730

–

1,128

1,252

13,198
15,735
605
–

–

812

196

112

13,198
15,735
605
4,599

4,382

730

812

196

1,852

Common
Stocks –
Mark to
Market

124

–
–
–
4,504

–

4,504

3,761

1,880

1,305

30,658

42,109

(1,880)

1,386

4,628

3,761

1,386

9,775

Holding company cash

and investments

Portfolio investments:
Subsidiary cash and

short term
investments

Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Investments in
associates

Investment in associates

held for sale

Derivatives and other

invested assets
Assets pledged for

derivative obligations

Fairfax India cash and

portfolio investments

Fairfax investment

portfolio

Eliminate common stock

positions from
consolidated
investments
Carrying value of
consolidated
investments

Total carrying value of

common stock
holdings

A few additional comments:

• We exclude common stocks in equity accounted insurance associates (such as Eurolife) from the preceding

common stock holdings table as these are long term strategic assets that we have no plans on selling.

• With consolidated accounting we must include in our common equity portfolio any underlying common
equity holdings or associates held by our consolidated investments (such as Recipe and Fairfax India). When
we look at our common equity holdings we like to back these common stocks out of our total common stock
holdings and instead add back in only our share of the consolidated investments that hold these underlying
assets, as shown in the preceding common stock holdings table.

• The $1,740 million shown for Fairfax India comprises $412 million of mark to market common stocks (such as
IIFL Wealth) and $1,328 million of equity accounted associates (such as Bangalore International Airport and
Sanmar). The $1,852 million shown for Fairfax India includes the foregoing $1,740 million plus $112 million
of cash and bonds.

• We began equity accounting RiverStone Barbados in 2020, so its investment portfolio is no longer
consolidated. Within its investment portfolio are positions of many of the common stocks listed in the
common stock holdings table above. For example, RiverStone Barbados owns 9.7 million shares of Fairfax
India that are not included in the 41.9 million shares of Fairfax India we show in the common stock holdings
table (combining both would give us 51.6 million shares or 34.5% ownership). The same can be said for a

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

number of other holdings such as Atlas, BlackBerry, Commercial International Bank and Recipe. As part of the
sale of RiverStone Barbados to CVC, we have the opportunity to purchase these securities over the next
two years, at December 31, 2019 prices.

• We equity account our 49% ownership in Digit, which is carried at $42 million; in addition, we have
convertible preferred shares carried at $475 million – all at the valuation of Digit on a 100% basis of
$900 million.

It is important to recognize that, because our common stock investments are shown on our balance sheet at the
carrying values, for common stocks in both the second and third buckets it is only on sale that their market values
will be reflected on our balance sheet. By showing the above tables to you on a regular basis, you can mark to market
the great majority of our common stock positions – up and down! Additionally, remember, it is only in the long term
that stock prices reflect underlying intrinsic values.

When you compare carrying values to market values at the end of 2020, the carrying values and market values are the
same for common stocks that are marked to market, $458 million more for stocks equity accounted (associates) and
$204 million more for stocks consolidated in our statements. The $9,775 million carrying value of the total portfolio
of common stocks at the end of the year was $662 million more than the market value. Currently, the total market
value exceeds the total carrying value.

An example will illustrate the valuation difference in the second bucket. Atlas (formerly Seaspan) was purchased by
us in July 2018 at $61⁄2 per share through the exercise of warrants which we acquired in February 2018. We exercised
additional warrants in January 2019, sold APR Energy to Atlas in exchange for 18 million shares at $11.10 per share,
and had our cumulative share of earnings of $209 million less dividends of $81 million, increasing our carrying value
to $10 per share at the end of December 2020. At that time, Atlas was trading at $11 per share, resulting in an
unrealized gain of $79 million which will only be reflected in our balance sheet at the time of sale, even though it is
very much there at the end of 2020. Atlas is currently trading at about $13.75 per share.

In the third bucket, let’s illustrate with Recipe, Fairfax India and Dexterra. These positions are fully consolidated into
our financial statements – our balance sheet and income statement. Minority interests in our income statement and
balance sheet reduce the earnings and common equity to our ownership percentage of these positions. Every quarter
our balance sheet reflects our share of the common equity of these positions. At the end of 2020, Recipe, Fairfax India
and Dexterra were carried in our balance sheet at $21.51 per share, $9.66 per share and $3.62 per share respectively
versus market prices at that time of $12.96 per share, $9.60 per share and $5.06 per share respectively.

The table below shows the dollar and percentage contribution by category to our investment return (the percentage
is of our approximately $41 billion average total investment portfolio):

Interest and dividends
Share of loss of associates
Net losses on equity exposures
Net gains on bonds
Other net gains

769
(113)
(157)
460
26

1.9%
(0.3)%
(0.4)%
1.1%
0.1%

986

2.4%

In spite of not reaching for yield by taking credit risk or term risk, we had interest and dividend income of
$769 million in 2020, down from $880 million in 2019. During the period from March to May 2020, when corporate
bond spreads widened significantly, we added $3.9 billion in investment grade corporate bonds at a yield of 4.1%
and term of 4 years. At the end of 2020, our fixed income portfolio, which effectively comprised 73% of our
investment portfolio, had a very short duration of approximately 1.8 years and on average is rated AA(cid:2). As we said
last year, we do not expect rising rates to materially impact our fixed income portfolio.

After the March/April crash in the stock market, we could not resist buying Exxon shares at a dividend yield of 10.5%,
Canadian banks at an average yield of 6.1% and some other companies like Royal Dutch Shell, Alphabet, FedEx and
Helmerich & Payne at very attractive prices. We sold approximately half of them in 2020 for a profit of $212 million
or an average gain of 40% on our investment.

Share of loss of associates of $113 million includes our share of loss from Quess ($125 million, including a
$98 million writedown), Astarta ($28 million), Farmers Edge ($22 million) and associates of our non-insurance
consolidated investments Fairfax Africa ($74 million) and Fairfax India ($25 million). Offsetting this was our share of
profit of Atlas ($116 million) and Peak Achievement ($34 million) and $11 million in net profit from all other

associates. COVID-19 was a significant contributor to the losses at many of our associates during 2020 due to the
global shutdown.

Net losses on equity exposures of $157 million comprises (a) net realized losses of $311 million, including realized
losses on short equity exposure ($704 million), Fairfax Africa ($62 million) and Torstar ($52 million), and realized
gains on BDT Capital Partners ($182 million), Royal Dutch Shell ($44 million), General Motors ($31 million),
Alphabet ($27 million) and FedEx ($25 million); and (b) net change in unrealized gains of $154 million, including
unrealized gains on Stelco ($118 million), Asian Value Investments ($63 million), BlackBerry convertible bonds
($142 million) and Bank of America ($49 million), and unrealized losses on Commercial International Bank
($149 million), Atlas warrants ($54 million) and Lumen Technologies ($55 million). Please see the Investment
section of this letter for commentary on some of the above situations.

Net gains on bonds of $460 million includes net gains on corporate bonds of $474 million and net losses of
$35 million on government bonds (inclusive of losses on treasury locks of $102 million). The majority of the gains on
corporate bonds were from bonds purchased in the first and second quarters of 2020 when credit spreads widened.

Other net gains of $26 million includes many miscellaneous items, including foreign exchange gains.

Below is, once again, a table that shows, for successive periods over our 35 years of operations, the compound growth
in our book value per share (including dividends paid) together with the average combined ratio and total return
on investments:

1986-1990
1991-1995
1996-2000
2001-2005
2006-2010
2011-2016
2017-2020

Compound
Growth in
Book
Value per Share
57.7%
21.2%
30.7%
(0.7)%
24.0%
2.1%
9.0%

Average Average Total
Return on
Investments
10.4%
9.7%
8.8%
8.6%
11.0%
2.3%
4.8%

Combined
Ratio
106.7%
104.2%
114.4%
105.4%
99.9%
96.0%
99.2%

Over the last 15 years, our insurance business has had a combined ratio less than 100%, but our investment returns in
the 2011 – 2016 time period were very poor because of a cautious approach to financial markets (hedging our
common stocks) and a stock performance impacted by poor stock selection and ‘‘value investing’’ being out of
favour. I said in our 2019 annual report that we would not short stock market indices (like the S&P500) or common
stocks of individual companies ever again, and our last remaining short position was closed out in 2020 (not soon
enough, as it cost us $529 million in 2020).

India

As you know, we became very excited about India after Mr. Modi got elected in 2014 with a majority. Why? Mr. Modi
had an outstanding record of growth as chief minister of Gujarat (population 65 million), with 10% real growth in
GDP over 13 years and a very business-friendly policy. In his first term as prime minister, Mr. Modi concentrated on
looking after the poorest of the poor in India. He set up more than 400 million bank accounts for the unbanked to
eliminate frictional loss in monies transferred from the government to the poor. He made sure every household had
electricity and cooking gas and he provided health insurance to the 500 million poorest citizens of India. In his
second term and his most recent budget, Mr. Modi pivoted. His most recent budget was strongly growth-oriented and
very business-friendly, yet fiscally responsible. The key initiatives in the budget include privatization of several
government-owned companies, increased spending on infrastructure, an increased foreign direct investment limit in
insurance of 74% and the creation of a bad bank to ease the bad loan crisis. He did not increase taxes. Mr. Modi has
recently begun speaking about how private business was needed to increase employment and wealth. You have to
create wealth before it can be distributed, he said. He questioned why government bureaucrats should run airlines or
petrochemical facilities. No government since India got its independence in 1947 has had the courage to praise
private enterprise. Mr. Modi did just that, for the first time – brazenly! We think India is set to boom like it never has
before. This could be the transformational event we have been waiting for! Mr. Modi is opening up the Indian
economy and giving Indians economic freedom. Very exciting!

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The table below shows our investments in India and how they have performed up to December 31, 2020.

Thomas Cook India
Fairfax India
Digit
Quess
Other

Fairfax India’s investments:

Bangalore International Airport
IIFL companies(3)
Sanmar Chemicals
CSB Bank
Privi Speciality
Seven Islands
NCML
Fairchem Organics
National Stock Exchange
Saurashtra Freight
Other

Date of Initial

Investment Ownership
253
66.9%
469
34.5%
49.0%
154
32.3% 335(2)
323

Aug 2012
Jan 2015
Feb 2017
Dec 2019

Fair Value at
Cost December 31, 2020
160
495
596
352
361

Mar 2017
Dec 2015
Apr 2016
Oct 2018
Aug 2016
Mar 2019
Aug 2015
Feb 2016
Jul 2016
Feb 2017

54.0%

42.9%
49.7%
48.8%
48.5%
89.5%
48.8%
1.0%
51.0%

1,534

653
306
199
170
55
84
188
19
27
30
132

1,863

1,964

1,396
382
339
214
138
104
101
55
73
33
173

3,007

Compounded
Annualized
Return
10.1%(1)
1.4%
68.5%
4.7%

23.8%
9.2%
16.9%
13.7%
24.3%
13.2%
(cid:2)12.4%
23.5%
29.0%
2.3%
19.9%

Includes dividends received ($11 million) and spinoff of Quess ($330 million)

(1)
(2) Cost shown for Quess represents its market value on December 5, 2019, the date it was spun off from Thomas Cook India.
(3)

IIFL companies include IIFL Finance, IIFL Wealth, IIFL Securities and 5paisa.

The COVID-19 crisis shut the Indian economy down from March to May in 2020. Since restarting its economy in
June, the Indian economy is back to pre-COVID-19 levels and with the recent budget, should grow at a rate in excess
of 11% in 2021 to make up for the decline in 2020. All our companies survived the shutdown well because of
excellent management and strong financial positions. Even Thomas Cook India, whose business virtually halted,
managed within its own resources in 2020, though it will need some financing in 2021. Because of the lockdown in
2020, all the fair values, particularly publicly listed values, are down significantly. Early in 2021, stock prices
rebounded significantly with Mr. Modi’s business-friendly budget.

Since it began in 2014, Fairfax India has made ten investments (13 currently, as one has split into four listed
entities) – all with great long term prospects in a country that is expected to have the fastest growth in the free world!
The crown jewel in Fairfax India is the Bangalore International Airport (‘‘BIAL’’) run by Hari Marar, who aims to make
BIAL one of the best airports in the world. After one of its best ever years in 2019 when it served its highest ever
number of 34 million passengers, BIAL hit a rather large air pocket in the form of the pandemic. Due to the shutdown
of the airport to all passenger traffic from March 25 to May 25 and traffic only resuming very gradually since then, as
a result of the pandemic and consequent lockdown imposed by the government of India, passengers served in 2020
declined significantly to 14 million passengers. Despite these extraordinary circumstances BIAL had a commendable
year in 2020, turning what could have been significant problems into opportunities for changes that addressed both
short term needs and longer term operational excellence. During the lockdown, the BIAL team opportunistically
brought forward many maintenance projects such that future disruptions will be minimized. The considerable
construction activity that was planned at BIAL to grow the capacity to over 90 million passengers by 2034 (financed
from internal resources and low cost long term debt) was also temporarily delayed because of the non-availability of
labour and materials caused by the pandemic. However, construction activity has now resumed and the delay will
not compromise its plans to achieve the capacity as originally planned. Last year I mentioned that as a result of these
growth plans and the finalization of the master plan to develop the 460 acres of land that BIAL can use for real estate
development, the valuation of the 54% of BIAL that Fairfax India owns was then $1.4 billion, up by 119% from
Fairfax India’s cost. Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, because BIAL’s concession agreement provides
for revenues and returns lost in one period to be recouped in the next, the long term valuation of BIAL remains
unchanged. BIAL managed the pandemic lockdown within its own resources.

Also in 2019, Fairfax India signed definitive agreements with OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario’s municipal
employees, whereby Fairfax India will transfer 43.6% out of the 54% that it owns in BIAL to a wholly owned Indian
holding company (Anchorage) and OMERS will pay about $130 million to acquire 11.5% of Anchorage from Fairfax
India. This transaction values 100% of BIAL at $2.6 billion. We expect to close this transaction in March 2021 and
begin soon after the process to list Anchorage on the Indian stock exchanges, possibly at a much higher valuation.

Under the exceptional leadership of Nirmal Jain and R. Venkataraman, IIFL, another important Fairfax India
(and Fairfax Financial) investment, has established a leading national financial services company serving over
6 million customers from over 2,400 branches in India. You will recall that in 2018, IIFL announced its intention to
divide its three business groups into three separate companies, with each to be listed on the Indian stock exchanges,
as IIFL believed that this was the best structure for its business and would further enhance value. In May 2019 IIFL
Holdings, the company that Fairfax and Fairfax India had originally invested in, was, as planned, divided into three
separate companies: IIFL Finance (the non-bank financial corporation), IIFL Wealth (the wealth and asset
management company) and IIFL Securities (the retail and institutional broker, financial products distribution and
investment banking company). Prior to this, 5paisa, which literally means ‘‘5 cents’’, was spun off from IIFL Holdings
in 2017, and Fairfax and Fairfax India own a 36% equity interest in it. It is one of India’s fastest growing
technology-led financial services companies and offers an array of financial products and services through a digital
platform and mobile application. All of these companies are well established with excellent management teams and
we expect each of them to do very well as independent listed companies under the IIFL brand umbrella.

On February 26, 2021 Fairfax India completed its maiden investment grade debt issue, selling $500 million of 7-year
unsecured senior notes with a coupon of 5% – to repay most of its bank borrowings. A major accomplishment for
Fairfax India!

Chandran’s letter to shareholders in Fairfax India’s annual report and the individual company websites give you a lot
more information on each of Fairfax India’s investee companies. As you can see, they had an outstanding year –
many thanks to Chandran, Amy, Keir, Gopal, Sumit who runs Fairbridge, and the Fairbridge team.

As Chandran says in his letter to shareholders, Fairfax India has taken the opportunity over the last three years to buy
back 5.6 million of its shares (3.6% of the total outstanding) for $64.1 million or an average price of $11.40 per share,
including the 3.2 million shares it bought in 2020 for $28.9 million or an average price of $9.14 per share.

As you will recall, our first major acquisition in India was the purchase of a 77% interest (later reduced to 67%) in
Thomas Cook India, led by Madhavan Menon. Thomas Cook, first set up in India in 1881, is the leading integrated
travel and travel-related financial services company in India, offering, through its 4,700 employees, a broad spectrum
of services that include foreign exchange, corporate travel, leisure travel, insurance, visa and passport services and
e-business. With the 2015 purchase of Kuoni’s Indian travel business and then its operations all over the world,
Thomas Cook India is today one of the largest high-end travel service provider networks headquartered in the
Asia-Pacific region. With the 2019 purchase of Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (‘‘DEI’’), Thomas Cook has
emerged as a complete travel solutions company. DEI provides imaging solutions for the entertainment industry,
giving Thomas Cook India an opportunity to package DEI products with Thomas Cook Tours. Established in 2004,
DEI has offices throughout the Far East, as well as in the Middle East, India and the U.S., and has a network of 130
entertainment partners.

Thomas Cook India had an especially difficult year since the travel industry was one of the most impacted during the
pandemic. Its travel businesses declined by over 90% and its foreign exchange business declined by over 75% during
2020, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $56 million. It implemented extensive cost saving initiatives to mitigate its drop in
revenue and extremely tight liquidity. Further, to alleviate this situation, it is planning to raise long term resources in
order to sustain its operations when the business recovers in the future and to meet working capital requirements.
After considering various options for raising capital, Thomas Cook India and its Board have proposed an issuance of
up to $60 million of optionally convertible redeemable preference shares to Fairfax and we have agreed to provide
this support, subject to shareholders’ and all applicable regulatory approvals. As its business normalizes after the
pandemic, we expect Thomas Cook India to emerge stronger and more efficient, generating superior returns.

Quess you will remember was spun out of Thomas Cook India in 2019, and had a better than expected outcome in
2020 despite the effects the pandemic had on its clients and overall economic activities. Revenue from operations
declined only 1% to $1,449 million and profit before tax fell 20% to $34 million. Under the able leadership of
Chairman and founder Ajit Isaac, aided by new CEO Suraj Moraje and a long serving senior management team,
Quess has emerged stronger since the pandemic-induced lockdown, with more clients, better growth, a net cash

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

financial position (after repaying most of its debt in 2020) and better free cash generation from its operations. Better
times are ahead for Quess as we progress to the other side of the pandemic. Quess is India’s leading integrated
business services provider. With over 333,000 employees, it is now the largest domestic private sector employer in
India. It has a pan-India presence, along with an overseas footprint in North America, South America, the Middle East
and South East Asia. It serves over 3,000 customers across three platforms – workforce management, operating asset
management and global technology solutions.

In 2019 Mr. Athappan agreed to purchase a 49% stake in Paramount Health Services for $11 million through Fairfax
Asia. Paramount is one of India’s leading third party claims administrators specializing in the health business and is
led by its founder, Dr. Nayan Shah. The transaction closed in October 2020. We welcome our partner Dr. Shah and his
team to the Fairfax family.

Since 1991, we have reinvested a part of our profits in the communities we do business in across the world. In India
we have two major initiatives in this regard. Through Madhavan Menon and Thomas Cook India’s leadership, we
have purchased and installed 500 dialysis machines in the poorest regions of India. We will soon add another
500 machines. Without these dialysis machines, the poorest people in India who experienced kidney failure faced
certain death. We are very grateful to the Thomas Cook India team for carrying out this initiative. Under the
leadership of Ajit Isaac, Chandran and others in the Fairfax family, we are also funding a children’s hospital in India
over the next five years, which is being built by CMC Vellore. Construction is expected to begin in 2022.

As we did last year, we show you our unconsolidated balance sheet so that you can better see where your money
is invested:

Unconsolidated Balance Sheet(1)
Assets

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other Insurance and Reinsurance
Run-off

Insurance and Reinsurance Operations

Recipe
Thomas Cook India
Fairfax India
Other Non-Insurance

Non-Insurance Operations

Total consolidated operations

Holding company cash and investments
Investments in associates
Other holding company assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Accounts payable and other liabilities
Long term debt

Shareholders’ equity
Common equity
Preferred stock

2020

($ billions)

($ per share)

1.5
3.9
1.9
0.9
2.0
2.8
1.0
0.9
0.1

15.0

0.5
0.2
0.4
0.3

1.4

16.4
1.3
1.7
0.6

20.0

0.6
5.6

6.2

12.5
1.3

13.8

20.0

56
149
72
33
76
108
39
36
3

572

19
8
15
10

624
48
68
23

763

21
213

234

478
51

529

763

(1) Equity shown for the Insurance and Reinsurance Operations excludes minority interests, investments in other consolidated

operations, investments at the holding company and intercompany debt.

The table shows you our insurance companies, which are decentralized and separately capitalized, with our
consolidated non-insurance companies shown separately even though some of them may be held in our insurance
companies’ investment portfolios.

As you can see, we have $15.0 billion ($572 per share) invested in our insurance companies – our core business. Our
largest insurance companies – Northbridge, Odyssey Group, Crum & Forster, Zenith, Brit and Allied World – account
for over 90% of this investment. Our insurance companies have been and will be the gift that keeps giving, as they
provide us with a float, currently $22.7 billion, which does not cost us anything – in fact, in 2020 we were paid
$309 million to keep the float – and which is then invested worldwide. By the way, our insurance companies are
worth much more than the amount at which they are carried on our balance sheet – one reason why I think our stock
is so undervalued.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Our consolidated non-insurance businesses (and your investment per share in them) are shown separately in the
above table: they are significant, and again, are worth more than the amount at which they are carried on our
balance sheet. As I said last year, we expect each of these non-insurance operations to generate a 15% annual return
or better over the long term.

So as a shareholder of Fairfax, you benefit from four sources of income – underwriting income, interest and dividend
income, income from our non-insurance businesses and capital gains.

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
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
1985-2020 (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
(cid:2)5
(cid:2)21
+7
+31
(cid:2)1
(cid:2)16
+9
+53
+21
+33
+2
(cid:2)3
+4
(cid:2)10
+16
+2
(cid:2)9
+22
(cid:2)4
+12
(cid:2)2
+17.9

STOCK PRICE
% Change in
Cdn$ Price per Share
+292
(cid:2)3
+21
+25
(cid:2)41
+93
+18
+145
+9
+46
+196
+10
+69
(cid:2)55
(cid:2)7
(cid:2)28
(cid:2)26
+87
(cid:2)11
(cid:2)17
+38
+24
+36
+5
–
+7
(cid:2)18
+18
+44
+8
(cid:2)1
+3
(cid:2)10
+1
(cid:2)29
+15.0

The table shows the change in book value in U.S. dollars and in our stock price in Canadian dollars. As I have said
before, we think our intrinsic value far exceeds our book value. As shown in the table, there have been many years
when our book value has increased significantly and our stock price has gone up more: please note 1993, 1995, 1996,
1998, 2003, 2008 and 2014. As you can see, it has not happened in the last few years, but we expect it will
happen again!

Throughout much of last year following the pandemic-induced market plunge, I made public statements to the effect
that our belief was that Fairfax shares were trading in the market at a ridiculously cheap price. In the summer I backed
that up by personally purchasing close to $150 million of shares. Additionally, following our value investing
philosophy, since the latter part of 2020 Fairfax has purchased total return swaps with respect to 1.4 million
subordinate voting shares of Fairfax with a total market value at the time of those agreements of $484.9 million
($344.45 per share). We think this will be a great investment for Fairfax, perhaps our best yet!

Here is how our stock price has done compared to the TSX and S&P500 (all including dividends):

5 years
10 years
15 years
20 years
35 years since inception

Fairfax (US$)
(4.3)%
0.4%
8.2%
6.1%
16.4%

TSX S&P500
15.2%
9.3%
13.9%
5.8%
9.9%
6.0%
7.5%
6.2%
11.1%
8.1%

Investment returns are very sensitive to end date values, so with a stock price of only $341 per share at the end of
December 2020, our five and ten year and longer returns have been affected. We expect this to change as Fairfax
begins to reflect intrinsic values again. Nothing that a $1,000 share price won’t solve!

Insurance and Reinsurance Operations

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other Insurance and Reinsurance

Consolidated

Note: Further detail is provided in the MD&A.

Combined Ratio

2020
92%
95%
98%
92%
114%
95%
97%

2018
2019
96%
96%
93%
97%
98%
98%
85%
83%
97% 105%
98%
98%
97% 100%
100% 102% 105%

Change in Net
Premiums
Written

2020 vs 2019
14.1%
11.7%
9.1%
(10.4%)
7.2%
24.2%
(4.2%)
3.1%

98%

97%

11.0%

Northbridge had a very successful year in 2020 as continued improvement in the Canadian market drove its
combined ratio down to 92%. Underwriting profit more than doubled over 2019, coming in at over $100 million.
Silvy Wright and her team have done an exceptional job with their clients in the mid-market commercial segment.
Northbridge’s reputation for outstanding customer service, combined with rising rates, allowed it to once again grow
its portfolio by double digits in 2020. The company has been well served by its prudent reserving practices, and 2020
was no exception as prior year releases once again benefited the combined ratio. It will be a challenge for Northbridge
to improve upon 2020’s performance in 2021, but the conditions are in place to make that a possibility.

Since 2016, Odyssey Group and Zenith have traded places each year for the lead position in underwriting profit
generated. In 2020, it was Odyssey Group’s turn at the top again, producing $190 million of positive underwriting
result. Brian Young and his team racked up a 95% combined ratio, despite absorbing $140 million of
COVID-19 provisions. With 35 discrete business units across its Odyssey Re, Hudson and Newline platforms, Odyssey
Group has a highly diversified book of business. Its activity in critical segments, such as Directors and Officers
Liability insurance, expanded dramatically in 2020. Odyssey Group’s net premiums written grew almost 12% in
2020, after having grown over 17% in the prior year. With a solid reserve position and rates increasing across many
fronts, Odyssey Group is poised to continue its growth of both the top and bottom lines.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

At Crum & Forster, Marc Adee’s team produced a combined ratio of 98%, generating an underwriting profit of
$60 million. Drying up of the Travel Insurance market, due to COVID-19, subdued the overall growth rate from the
double digit pace the company had been accustomed to. Nevertheless, Crum & Forster still managed to post a 9%
expansion in net premiums written over the previous year. Within the Crum & Forster family, it was Seneca
Insurance that led the way with an 87% combined ratio and an outsized contribution to the total result. The
Accident and Health Group and the Excess and Surplus Lines Division also once again had very rewarding results.
While the growing Surety Division was a positive contributor, the Property Division was disappointing after being
stung by the frequency of storm activity in 2020.

Zenith continued its string of exceptional results in 2020, posting a combined ratio of 92% and contributing over
$50 million of underwriting profit. The Workers’ Compensation market in the United States has been very
competitive over the last several years, and prices declined around 10% in 2020. As a consequence, Zenith’s net
premiums written declined again during the year. It is a testament to the strength of the Zenith franchise and to the
specialized skills of its employees that the company was able to maintain strong levels of profitability in the face of
such challenging conditions. Kari Van Gundy and her team launched several initiatives to provide relief to the
Zenith expense ratio during this time of declining revenue, including the provision of services to third party players
in the Workers’ Compensation field. We expect rate decreases to moderate in 2021, and that Zenith will continue to
be one of our most profitable companies.

Allied World, under the strong direction of Lou Iglesias, enjoyed its most rewarding year yet as a Fairfax company. Its
combined ratio of 95% and underwriting profit of $126 million were easily its best performance since the
acquisition. Our expectation that Allied World was well-positioned to benefit from the hardening market was fully
vindicated in 2020, as it grew net premiums written by 24% during the year. The company has a strong and active
presence in many of the hardest industry segments, such as Directors and Officers Liability, Excess Casualty and
International Professional Liability insurance. These areas expanded rapidly in 2020, with rate increases often
exceeding 50%. The momentum has continued into 2021 as Allied World moves forward with a full head of steam.

No company at Fairfax endured as challenging a year in 2020 as did Brit. COVID-19 struck particularly hard at Brit’s
results, leading to an elevated combined ratio of 114% and a substantial underwriting loss. As a significant player in
the Contingency Event Cancellation business, a traditional specialty line in the Lloyd’s market, Brit suffered a loss
from the pandemic, as did all participants in that field. Absent COVID-19 losses, from the Event Cancellation
business and other areas, Brit turned an underwriting profit in 2020. During the year, like our other companies,
Matthew Wilson and his team expanded their business in segments showing the strongest upward rate action. In
addition, as mentioned previously, Brit launched its Ki Syndicate, the first automated follow-on syndicate in the
Lloyd’s market.

Beyond our North American-focused companies, Fairfax’s insurance companies enjoyed another year of progress.

Fairfax Asia produced $421 million of gross premiums written in 2020 and a combined ratio of 97%. As was true in
previous years, each of the four operating companies in Fairfax Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong)
produced a combined ratio below 100%. Mr. Athappan continues to oversee Fairfax Asia from Singapore, ably
assisted by Gobi Athappan and Ravi Prabhakar.

The largest of our international groups, measured by gross premiums written of $616 million, is Fairfax Latam, which
comprises separate operations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay. As mentioned, Fairfax Latam cracked the
100% combined ratio for the first time in 2020 after several years of hard work reconfiguring the companies to
operate with the Fairfax focus on underwriting profit. Great credit goes to Bijan Khosrowshahi, and Fabricio Campos
and his colleagues at Fairfax Latam, as well as the management teams at each of the four operating companies.

Our top performing international operation continued to be Colonnade, led by Peter Csakvari, and operating in
Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and the Ukraine. In 2020, it achieved a combined
ratio of 93%, one of the lowest in all of Fairfax, notwithstanding its premium volume decreasing due to the effects of
COVID-19.

Bijan Khosrowshahi of Fairfax International and Jean Cloutier work closely with both Fabricio and Peter, and have
been instrumental in the success of both these operations. In addition to this work, both are also key in our
relationship with Gulf Insurance Group. As mentioned, with the pending acquisition by GIG of the AXA Gulf
operations, this part of the world will become increasingly important to Fairfax.

Outside of the Colonnade operation, we now own two other companies in the Ukraine. The larger of the two, ARX,
was also acquired from AXA. In 2020, it produced a combined ratio of 93%. Congratulations to Andrey Peretyazhko
and his colleagues. Separately, Universalna, run by Oleksiy Muzychko, generated a 95% combined ratio in 2020.

In Brazil, Bruno Camargo led Fairfax Brasil to a record result with a combined ratio of 95% and its fifth year in a row
with a combined ratio under 100%, with premiums doubling over this period.

Finally, our operation in South Africa, Bryte, had a difficult year after being adversely affected by COVID-19 losses.
While Edwyn O’Neil and his team produced a combined ratio, excluding COVID-19 losses, of well below 100%, the
reported result of 109% included significant losses from the pandemic. At $246 million in net premiums written,
Bryte is (after Brit) our largest single company outside of North America.

In addition to the companies discussed above, all of which are consolidated in Fairfax’s financial and underwriting
results, we have, as mentioned earlier, significant holdings in various operations which are not consolidated. Chief
among these is the aforementioned Gulf Insurance Group. With $1.4 billion in gross premiums written, and a
combined ratio in the low 90s, GIG had another very successful year. In India, Digit continued to build out its
capabilities, utilizing cutting edge technology to enhance its expansion in this rapidly growing market. Expected to
reach $400 million in gross premiums written in less than four years, Digit, led by CEO Kamesh Goyal, is now
producing a net bottom line profit, though not yet an underwriting profit. Finally, in Greece, Eurolife has been an
extraordinary investment for Fairfax. Writing both Life and Property/Casualty lines, the company in 2020 generated
over $500 million of gross premiums written and produced net income of $130 million. Led by Alex Sarrigeorgiou,
Eurolife has a track record second to none in the Greek market.

The tables that follow show you how our international operations (non-North American other than Brit) have grown
in the last five years. The top table is at the 100% level and the bottom table is Fairfax’s share; both exclude First
Capital and ICICI Lombard, which were sold during this time period. The growth in the last five years includes
organic growth, the start-up of Digit and the acquisitions of Fairfax Latam, Eurolife, Bryte, Colonnade and Fairfax
Ukraine. We expect our international operations to continue to grow significantly because of the low insurance
penetration in many of these countries.

Based on 100% level

Gross premiums written
Shareholders’ equity
Investment portfolio

Fairfax’s share

Gross premiums written
Shareholders’ equity
Investment portfolio

International
Operations

Compound
Growth

2015
1,292
1,125
2,302

2020
4,722
3,320
8,326

5-year
30%
24%
29%

International
Operations

Compound
Growth

2015
845
912
1,767

2020
3,198
2,295
5,291

5-year
30%
20%
25%

All of our major companies are well capitalized, as shown in the table below (further detail is provided in the MD&A):

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia

As at and for the Year Ended
December 31, 2020

Net Premiums
Statutory Written/Statutory
Surplus
1.3x
0.8x
1.7x
1.2x
1.1x
0.7x
0.4x

Surplus
Cdn 1,547
4,901
1,519
522
1,593
4,428
501

Net Premiums
Written
Cdn 2,065
3,790
2,543
646
1,776
3,018
222

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

On average we are writing at about 1.0 times net premiums written to surplus. In the hard markets of 2002 – 2005 we
wrote, on average, at 1.5 times. As you know, our strategy during times when rates are rising, as they are currently, is
to expand significantly in areas where margins are high.

The combined ratios of our companies which we have owned since 2011, and of our major companies acquired since
then, are shown in the table below:

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit(1)
Allied World(1)
Fairfax Asia(2)

Total

2011 – 2020

Cumulative Net
Premiums Written
($ billions)

Average
Combined Ratio

Cdn 13.3
26.0
17.1
7.1
9.1
8.8
2.5

83.9

97%
93%
100%
92%
104%
104%
88%

97%

(1) Brit since acquisition on June 5, 2015, Allied World since acquisition on July 6, 2017

(2) Fairfax Asia included First Capital until December 28, 2017.

Since we began in 1985, we have written over $175 billion in gross premiums, with a combined ratio of
approximately 100%.

The table below shows the average annual reserve redundancies for the past ten years (business written from 2010
onwards) for our companies which we have owned since 2010:

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith(1)
Fairfax Asia(2)

2010 – 2019
Average Annual
Reserve
Redundancies
13.0%
12.7%
0.9%
15.2%
18.2%

(1) Since acquisition on May 20, 2010

(2) Fairfax Asia included First Capital until December 28, 2017.

The table shows you how our reserves have developed for the ten accident years prior to 2020. 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 and in the
Annual Financial Supplement for the year ended December 31, 2020 which is available on our website
www.fairfax.ca.

At our RiverStone run-off operations, led by Nick Bentley, while not recently active in U.S. run-off acquisitions (other
than some small very successful captive insurance deals), the team has been very busy focusing on our U.S. legacy
reserves, especially asbestos claims. Although we needed to strengthen reserves again in 2020 (about half of the
previous year), the team continues to deliver significant value and savings from its dedicated focus and best in class
experience – I can assure you these reserves are in good hands. As mentioned previously, late in 2020 we announced
the sale of our remaining interest in RiverStone’s European business to CVC Capital Partners. Luke Tanzer and his
entire team at RiverStone Europe had a very busy year, closing five run-off deals. They are excited to continue to
expand in the very active UK run-off market, and again, we wish them all the best going forward.

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

Year
1986
2009
2019
2020
Weighted average last ten years
Fairfax weighted average positive financing differential last

ten years: 3.4%

Underwriting Average
Float
22
9,429
20,150
21,668

Profit
3
7
395
309

Average
Long Term
Canada
Treasury
Bond
Yield
9.6%
3.9%
1.8%
1.2%
2.2%

Cost
(Benefit)
of Float
(11.6)%
(0.1)%
(2.0)%
(1.4)%
(1.2)%

Float is essentially the sum of loss reserves, including loss adjustment expense reserves, insurance contract payables,
and unearned premium reserves, less insurance contract receivables, 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. This no cost float is perhaps one of Fairfax’s
biggest assets and could be the key reason for our success in the future. In 2020, our ‘‘cost of float’’ was a 1.4% benefit,
as we made an underwriting profit. In the last ten years, our float has cost us nothing (in fact, it provided an average
1.2% benefit per year), while during that time it cost the Government of Canada an average 2.2% per year to borrow
for ten years – an advantage for us over the Government of Canada of 3.4% per year.

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

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Total
Insurance
and

Year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Northbridge

Group

Forster National Brit World

Asia Other Reinsurance Run-off Total

1.7
1.8
1.7
1.9
2.1

4.1
4.5
4.7
5.1
5.9

2.9
2.9
2.9
3.0
3.3

($ billions)

1.2 2.8
1.2 3.1
1.2 2.8
1.1 3.0
1.1 3.2

–
5.5
5.1
5.1
5.7

0.5
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3

0.9
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.1

14.1
20.4
19.7
20.6
22.7

2.8 16.9
2.5 22.9
3.0 22.7
1.8 22.4
1.6 24.3

In the past five years our float has increased by an average of 7% annually, due partly to organic growth in net
premiums written at Odyssey Group, Northbridge and Crum & Forster and to the acquisition of Allied World in 2017,
notwithstanding the sale of First Capital in 2017 and European run-off in 2020.

Of course, our float and float per share have grown tremendously since we began in 1985, as the table below shows.
This has been one of the key reasons for our success in the past and will continue to be a key reason in the future.

1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2019
2020

Total Float
13
164
653
5,877
8,757
13,110
17,209
22,379
24,278

Float per Share
$2 1⁄2
30
74
449
492
641
775
834
927

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The table below shows the sources of our net earnings. 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 and reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends – insurance and reinsurance

Operating income
Run-off (excluding net gains (losses) on investments)
Non-insurance operations
Interest expense
Gain on deconsolidation of insurance subsidiary
Corporate overhead and other

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

Pre-tax income (loss) including net realized gains (losses) on investments
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

Pre-tax income
Income taxes and non-controlling interests

Net earnings

2020

2019

108.8
189.9
60.1
51.9
(240.3)
126.0
7.1
5.5

309.0
606.8

915.8
(194.6)
(178.7)
(475.9)
117.1
(252.7)

(69.0)
(750.5)

46.7
89.9
51.8
108.8
51.1
57.7
6.4
(17.9)

394.5
713.0

1,107.5
(214.7)
(2.4)
(472.0)
–
98.1

516.5
611.8

(819.5) 1,128.3
1,104.4

1,063.6

244.1
(25.7)

2,232.7
(228.6)

218.4

2,004.1

The table shows the results from our insurance and reinsurance (underwriting and interest and dividends), run-off
and non-insurance operations (which shows the pre-tax income (loss) before interest expense). Net realized gains
(losses) and net change in unrealized gains (losses) are shown separately to help you understand the composition of
our earnings. In 2020, after interest and dividend income, our insurance and reinsurance companies’ operating
income decreased to $916 million, due to lower interest and dividend income and slightly less underwriting profit.
All in, after-tax earnings were $218 million. Of our interest expense of $476 million, $286 million was from
borrowings by our holding company and our insurance and reinsurance companies, while $127 million was from
borrowings by our non-insurance companies, which are non-recourse to Fairfax, and $63 million was from
our leases.

Corporate overhead and other of $253 million includes investment management fees, holding company interest and
dividends and holding company share of profit of associates, less corporate overhead and amortization of subsidiary
companies’ intangible assets. The increase in corporate overhead and other in 2020 primarily relates to losses on
associate investments held at the holding company in 2020 of $48 million versus share of profit of $165 million in
2019 and investment management fees of $90 million in 2020 versus $197 million in 2019. We continue to focus on
keeping holding company expenses low. (See more detail in the MD&A.)

Financial Position

The following table shows our financial position, excluding the debt of consolidated non-insurance companies that
we do not own 100%, at the end of 2020 and 2019:

Holding company cash and investments (net of derivative obligations)

Borrowings – holding company
Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance companies

Total debt

Net debt

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests(1)

Total equity

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

(1) Excludes consolidated non-insurance companies’ minority interests

2020
1,229.4

5,580.6
1,033.4

2019
975.2

4,117.3
1,039.6

6,614.0

5,156.9

5,384.6

4,181.7

12,521.1
1,335.5
1,831.8

13,042.6
1,335.5
1,544.6

15,688.4

15,922.7

34.3%
25.6%
3.3x
2.7x
29.7%

26.3%
20.8%
9.8x
7.9x
24.5%

When we have a controlling interest in a company (for example, Recipe or Thomas Cook India), we are required to
consolidate that company’s financial statements into our own financial statements even though we do not guarantee
the debt – and quite often it is an investment in a public company.

We have a strong financial position, with $1.2 billion in cash and investments at the holding company at the end of
2020. With the imminent closing of the sale of European run-off and the sale of 14% of Brit to OMERS, we expect to
have $1.3 billion cash at the holding company, with our credit facility fully paid off and our debt to capital ratios
approaching 2019 levels.

On February 24, 2021, through a bought deal with Scotiabank, Royal Bank and Bank of Montreal as book runners, we
issued Cdn$850 million of 10-year unsecured senior notes with a coupon of 3.95%. On March 1, 2021, through BofA
Securities, J.P. Morgan and Citigroup, we issued $600 million of 10-year unsecured senior notes with a coupon of
33⁄8%. The proceeds will repay our 5.84% notes due 2022, our 4.5% notes due 2023 and other debt, leaving no
maturities through 2023.

Investments

As I have said to you many times over the past 35 years, I think the most important determinant of long term success
in any investment is good management, led by an outstanding CEO.

Years ago Phil Carret, in the book Classic Carret, said it best. Phil Carret in 1928 founded the Pioneer Fund, one of the
very first mutual funds created in the United States. Phil, who ran the fund for 55 years with timeless value investing
principles, outperformed the S&P 500 significantly.

Here’s what Phil said:

‘‘Good management is rare at best, it is difficult to appraise, and it is undoubtedly the single most important factor in security
analysis.’’

‘‘Find the company whose boss is heart and soul dedicated to profitable operation, and even more interested in the profits of five
years hence than those of today! If he has sound business judgement, skill in selecting the other members of his team, the rare
ability to inspire them to superior performance as well, the company’s stock is worth investigation.’’

‘‘There is no substitute for buying quality assets and allowing them to compound over the long-term. Patience can produce
uncommon profits.’’

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

We are blessed to have many investments led by outstanding CEOs and management teams. Here they are from our
large positions (including some included in ‘‘Other’’ in the table on page 10):

David Sokol and Bing Chen continue to do a tremendous job driving shareholder value, operational excellence and
strengthening Atlas’ leading positions. This was highlighted during the COVID-19 downturn when, despite many
challenges, Atlas was able to maintain very high utilization and improve its credit profile. The container ship market,
supported by strong demand and very low idle capacity, is undergoing a significant rebound. This has created an
opportunity in the newbuild market, where Atlas has signed to build up to 31 large and modern ships for charters
ranging from 5 to 18 years. These ships will increase its fleet capacity by approximately 45%. Atlas’ best in class
operations and balance sheet strength allowed it to take advantage of these opportunities. These new ships, the
rebound in the container ship market and Atlas’ ability to quickly take advantage of strategic opportunities should
drive strong returns in the years to come. Outstanding performance by David, Bing and team!

Led by its outstanding CEO Alan Kestenbaum, Stelco, in spite of a very difficult year in 2020, upgraded and
modernized its facilities increasing its capacity by 10%, negotiated a strategic long term iron ore pellet supply
agreement (and an option to acquire 25% of the high quality, low cost Minntac Mine) and further enhanced Stelco’s
industry leading cost position. Given current steel prices, Stelco is well poised to do extremely well in 2021. It
continues to be debt free. Its stock price went from Cdn$11 at the end of 2019 to Cdn$4 in March 2020 and ended the
year at Cdn$23. And they say markets are efficient!

2020 was another disappointing year for Fairfax Africa with net losses of $207 million. To strengthen the platform,
we merged Fairfax Africa and Helios Investment Partners to form Helios Fairfax Partners (‘‘HFP’’), forming the
premier Africa-focused alternative investment manager, under the leadership of Tope Lawani and Babatunde Soyeye,
the co-founders and managing partners of Helios Investment Partners, a private equity firm which they founded
15 years ago and which has had great success investing in Africa. Tope and Baba have assumed the roles of Co-Chief
Executive Officers and directors of HFP. Fairfax continues to hold 32% of the equity and 53% of the votes of HFP.
Together, Fairfax and Helios will be the ultimate controlling party of HFP. Going forward, investors in HFP will
benefit from net management fee income, 25% of carry fee income from the past and half of carry fee income going
forward from Helios’ private equity funds. This flow through structure will bring a regular stream of earnings and
cash flow for HFP in addition to appreciation potential of its cash and investments on the balance sheet. We are very
excited about the future prospects for HFP in Africa under Tope and Baba’s leadership. Please read HFP’s annual letter
to shareholders to learn more about the new strategy and exciting opportunities in Africa.

Eurobank has an excellent management team led by CEO Fokion Karavias, and at his side is Vice Chairman George
Chryssikos. Fokion has been with the bank since 1997, knows it inside out and has developed into a fine CEO since
he began in 2015. Fokion and George have worked well together over fifteen years in a variety of roles. With Fokion
in charge and George being very supportive, Eurobank is in an excellent position to take advantage of the
post-pandemic flourishing of the Greek economy. In 2020, Eurobank completed the large securitisation transaction
that was the main driver in reducing its Non-Performing Exposure ratio during the year from 30% to 15%, the lowest
among Greek banks. Greece has perhaps the best government in Europe, as it is business-friendly and committed to
supporting entrepreneurs to drive growth in the Greek economy. Bond investors have taken notice of the progress in
Greece, driving yields on 10-year government debt below 1%. We are optimistic about the prospects for growth in the
Greek economy and we think Eurobank will be a major beneficiary of that growth.

Recipe was one of our investments hardest hit by COVID-19 and the related closures of its network of over
1,300 restaurants across Canada. Despite a 30% drop in 2020 system sales to approximately Cdn$2.4 billion, Recipe
managed to generate EBITDA of approximately Cdn$114 million and positive free cash flow of Cdn$31 million. We
are thankful for the perseverance and tenacity of Frank Hennessey and the entire Recipe team, especially the front
line workers, and the resiliency of Recipe’s diversified businesses such as its grocery retail business that increased sales
by 23%.

The development of Dexterra’s business was dramatically reshaped by the reverse takeover in May 2020 of Horizon
North. Dexterra, now a listed public company and led by John MacCuish, has a vision to build a Canadian support
services champion. Its activities include a comprehensive range of facilities management, workforce
accommodations, and forestry and modular build capabilities, including being a leader in social housing projects.
Dexterra has publicly stated that it is on course in the next few years for Cdn$1 billion in revenue and
Cdn$100 million in EBITDA.

Farmers Edge, which aims to disrupt the global agriculture ecosystem, just recently completed a very successful IPO.
CEO Wade Barnes and his management team are digitizing the farm and providing data-driven insights to farmers
along with developing a portfolio of products to disrupt large agriculture verticals including crop insurance, the
carbon offset market and other financial services. The company expects strong growth in acres, revenue and EBITDA
over the upcoming years. We have nurtured Farmers Edge since 2015 and over the years invested Cdn$376 million.
At the IPO value, our investment is worth Cdn$425 million but due to Farmers Edge’s losses over the years, it is
carried on our balance sheet at only Cdn$303 million. Farmers Edge will be debt free with cash of Cdn$100 million
and positive free cash flow next year.

Fairfax acquired a controlling stake in Boat Rocker Media in 2015 and to date has invested Cdn$110 million. Under
the leadership of co-founders David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg and CEO John Young, the business has grown
revenue from Cdn$70 million in 2015 to an expected Cdn$700 million in 2021. Once a Canadian-focused
production company with notable hits such as Orphan Black and Being Erica, Boat Rocker is now global with 85% of
revenue from outside Canada. Several well executed acquisitions over the past three years yielded a growing Talent
Management business, one of the largest animation studios in North America and a blossoming Hollywood-based
production studio. The demand for quality content continues to grow at unprecedented levels. Boat Rocker is in the
process of doing an IPO, which will provide the business with capital to grow organically and by acquisition. Fairfax
will not be selling any of its shares in the IPO.

In the past few years, John Chen has taken BlackBerry into two high growth markets:

1. BlackBerry has entered into an exclusive partnership with Amazon on a connected vehicle data platform
providing artificial intelligence/machine learning-based analytics on all in-vehicle sensors networks.
BlackBerry’s QNX subsidiary deals with all the major automobile manufacturers in the world and has 175
million connected cars using the QNX system.

2. BlackBerry has completed the integration of Cylance and its BlackBerry end point management platform
(UEM), and is now ready to tackle the cybersecurity and threat detection/prevention world, a market which
is entirely compatible with BlackBerry’s heritage and capabilities.

We continue to back John, as we extended the maturity of $323 million of our convertible debentures acquired in
2013 to 2023 with a reduced conversion price of $6 per share.

Global demand for healthy food fueled by population growth, changing consumer attitudes and rising incomes in
emerging markets, particularly Asia, are providing excellent business fundamentals for our investment in AGT, a
global food champion. Murad Al-Katib and his team are true innovators in developing and supplying plant-based
and staple foods to retail, food service and the consumer products sector in over 100 countries around the world.
AGT, acquired in 2019, delivered a strong performance in 2020, including 20% growth and record EBITDA.

In 2016 we invested $50 million into Davos Brands (a spirit company) for a 36% interest alongside David Sokol. In
September 2020 the company was sold to Diageo: our cash proceeds were $59 million and we are eligible to receive
additional consideration of up to $36 million, contingent on the brand performance over the next ten years. We
hope to see these additional proceeds in the future. We wish Andrew Chrysomallis, Blake Spahn and the entire Davos
management team the very best in the future.

Fairfax continues to jointly own Peak Achievement with our partner, Sagard Holdings led by Paul Desmarais III.
Peak’s core assets are Bauer, the leading hockey brand, and Easton, the number three manufacturing player in
baseball. During 2020 Peak merged Easton with Rawlings, the clear number one manufacturer in baseball. The
transaction resulted in $65 million cash paid to Peak, while retaining a 28% stake in Rawlings. Peak is now partnered
with Rawlings’ controlling shareholder, Seidler Equity Partners. Fairfax recognized a $15 million gain on the sale of
Easton which closed just before year end. We are excited about the opportunities at Peak, driven by Ed Kinnaly and
his team to focus on the core hockey business.

Fairfax has invested Cdn$74 million for its current 71% stake in the combined business of Golf Town and Sporting
Life. Chad McKinnon and his team had an outstanding year. They manoeuvred through COVID-19 lockdowns and
maximized results at Golf Town when the stores reopened while also making steady progress in re-aligning the
Sporting Life franchise. Both Golf Town and Sporting Life have counter-seasonal aspects which help with working
capital management and the combination of the two businesses has resulted in meaningful cost synergies. Also, Bill
Gregson, former CEO of Recipe and The Brick, is now a consultant to Fairfax and brings significant retail expertise to

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

our investments in Toys R Us, Ashleys and Kitchen Stuff Plus. He has been instrumental as we look to maximize the
return from our various retail investments.

Commercial International Bank, in Egypt, continued to plow ahead despite the impact of COVID-19. Pre-provision
profits grew more than 13%, NPLs are three times covered and the bank’s capital adequacy ratio is among the highest
in the world at 31%! Despite this, the shares are trading at 8 times earnings which is the lowest since the Arab Spring.
Hisham Ezz El Arab retired after an unbelievable run at the bank for over 20 years. Under his management book value
and earnings per share compounded by over 20% per annum and the bank did not raise capital once! We wish
Hisham the best in his retirement. Hisham has left the bank in good hands with Hussein Abaza, who has been with
the bank for 30 years, at the helm.

Resolute Forest Products purchased three sawmills in the southeastern United States in early 2020, which turned out
to be very good timing. During the pandemic demand for lumber has been strong, causing the price to spike to
historic highs. Resolute’s share price rose from a low of $1.15 in March to recently trading above $9.50. In 2020
Resolute allocated capital to shareholders by repurchasing 6.9 million shares, or 8% of outstanding, at an average
price of $4.28 per share. 2021 looks like a promising year for Resolute as lumber prices remain high, pulp prices show
signs of strengthening and Resolute’s tissue business continues to develop. Yves Laflamme, Resolute’s CEO,
announced his retirement after a very successful 40-year career at Resolute. We thank Yves for his contribution to
Resolute and wish him the best in his retirement. Resolute has appointed Remi Lalonde as its new CEO. Remi has
great experience from being Resolute’s CFO but also has operating experience from managing Resolute’s Thunder
Bay pulp mill. We look forward to Remi’s leadership at Resolute. Remi has strengthened the leadership team by hiring
Hugues Simon as President of Wood Products and Sylvain Girard as CFO.

We have invested in BDT Capital Partners since its inception in 2009. Founded by Byron Trott, formerly of Goldman
Sachs, BDT provides family and founder-led businesses with long term capital, has raised over $18 billion across its
investment funds and manages more than $6 billion of co-investments from its global limited partner investor base.
We have invested $647 million, have received cash distributions of $550 million and have a remaining year end
market value of $631 million. This is an outstanding return over the long term, and we are looking forward to
continuing our partnership going forward. A big thank you to Byron and the BDT team for these outstanding results.

We have an outstanding partnership with Kennedy Wilson, led by its founder and CEO Bill McMorrow and Bill’s
partners, Mary Ricks and Matt Windisch. Since we met them in 2010 we have invested $1,130 million in real estate,
received cash proceeds of $1,054 million and still have real estate worth about $582 million. Our average annual
realized return on completed projects is approximately 20%. We also own 9% of the company.

More recently we have been investing with Kennedy Wilson in first mortgage loans secured by high-quality real
estate in the western United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom with a loan to value ratio of less than 60%. At
the end of 2020 we had committed to mortgage loans of approximately $1.5 billion at an average yield of 5% and an
average maturity of four years. We are very grateful to Bill and his team for a very profitable and enjoyable
relationship.

Our preferred share and warrant investment in Altius Minerals continues to bear fruit. Led by founder Brian Dalton,
Altius has built its mineral royalty business from scratch over the past 20 plus years and now has a market
capitalization in excess of Cdn$600 million. In recent years, through an Altius subsidiary, Brian has successfully
developed a royalty model for renewable energy projects which has been recently validated by a co-investment from
Apollo and an IPO. The IPO values Altius’ interest in the renewable royalty subsidiary at approximately Cdn$172
million which is in excess of 2 times the cost of Altius’ investment. Although Altius’ revenues were hard hit by the
COVID-19 crisis in early 2020, the company is benefiting from the current substantial recovery in prices for
commodities such as copper, iron ore and potash, as well as the growing interest in renewable energy and ESG-
focused investments.

There were many business winners and losers created from the disruption caused by the pandemic. One interesting
‘‘win’’ happened at our investee Blue Ant Media led by Michael McMillan, the former CEO of Alliance Atlantis,
which was looking for opportunities in the fast evolving media landscape. Blue Ant purchased a Los Angeles-based
gaming company called Omnia Media, and in 2020 merged Omnia with Enthusiast Gaming, a TSX-listed gaming
company, receiving as consideration mainly shares of Enthusiast priced at Cdn$1.65. Enthusiast shares have recently
been trading above Cdn$8, a win-win for Blue Ant and Enthusiast.

Fairfax owns 44% of Exco, a U.S. oil and gas producer. Despite weak energy prices in 2020, Exco generated
$128 million in EBITDA and $36 million in free cash flow. Net debt fell to $145 million (1.1 times EBITDA). Led by

Chairman John Wilder and CEO Hal Hickey, Exco achieved these results through high field level productivity and
company-wide cost control. In December, Exco recorded its 73rd month without a lost time incident. Exco’s
Chairman, John Wilder, is a great partner. We are well served by his leadership.

Fairfax invested Cdn$200 million in debt yielding 6% per annum and warrants which yield Fairfax an implied
ownership of 13% in Chorus Aviation, which operates Air Canada’s Jazz regional airline business. Air Canada has a
9.6% stake in Chorus. There is no question that COVID-19 has been catastrophic for the airline industry. That said,
Joe Randell and his team have done an outstanding job managing the cost structure of Jazz with its partner, Air
Canada. Chorus is still being paid its fixed fee under the Air Canada contract. In addition, Chorus is currently seeing
very exciting opportunities in the leasing space as all airlines, including the majors, look to move planes off their
balance sheet. While our warrants are currently well out of the money (strike price Cdn$8.25 per share), we are
confident the business of Chorus and its partner Air Canada will swiftly recover when travel once again resumes.

In 2017 Fairfax invested Cdn$100 million in preferred shares yielding 6% per annum, Cdn$50 million in senior
secured debentures yielding 5% per annum and 17 million warrants of Mosaic, implying a fully diluted ownership of
61%. Chairman John Mackay and CEO Mark Gardhouse have done an outstanding job building a portfolio of
established businesses in niche markets across western Canada and Ontario. Since our investment, Mosaic has
generated approximately Cdn$70 million in free cash flow and in the very difficult 2020 year managed its western
Canada businesses well.

We have some wonderful CEOs who run our Indian businesses which we have described earlier.

Last year at this time, it looked like the long drought in value investing was coming to an end. For the decade ended
December 2019, value-oriented stocks had the worst ever relative decade versus growth stocks (particularly tech
stocks) over the last 100 years. And then COVID-19 hit, and the NASDAQ went up 44% in 2020. The divergence in
2020 was the worst ever in a single year as the spread between growth and value indices averaged between 20 and 30
percentage points. Jeremy Grantham documents this well in his article ‘‘Waiting for the Last Dance’’. IPOs (including
SPACs) in 2020 were back to the records set in 1999.

Current market conditions remind me of the phrase ‘‘Renaissance of Value’’, the title of a talk Ben Graham gave in
1974 after the demise of the Nifty Fifty – the growth stocks in the late 1960s and early 1970s that sold at P/Es of
50 - 100 times and higher – before they crashed in 1974, after which most never saw their 1972 highs for the next 15+
years. As Ben predicted, value stocks did extremely well over the next two decades.

More recently, we had the dot.com boom which peaked in 1999/2000. Many of you will remember Microsoft selling
at $60 per share or 170x earnings in December 1999. A year later, in spite of record earnings, Microsoft was down
65%. It took Microsoft 16 years before it saw $60 again. Today, Microsoft sells at more than $234 (40 times earnings)
as earnings have increased 16 times since 1999.

Cisco peaked on March 27, 2000 at $80 per share at 181 times earnings. One year later, it was down 80%. Today, 20
years later, Cisco still sells at $45 per share (16 times earnings), never having seen $80 again. This, in spite of earnings
today being 6 times what they were in 1999.

Which brings us to the current period. Just recently, the FAANG stocks accounted for 25% of the S&P500 – never
before have five stocks dominated the S&P500 index to that extent. Technology now accounts for about 40% of the
S&P500 – a record only last seen in the dot.com era (37%).

Zoom had a market value of $130 billion – yes, $130 billion, with revenues of $2.7 billion. Shopify has a market cap
in excess of Royal Bank even though Royal Bank earns more money annually than Shopify has revenue. Peloton has a
market cap of $40 billion, Pinterest of $50 billion – companies which recently have gone public! And bitcoin hit
$53,000 – a market value of $1 trillion – and I thought it was expensive at $19,000 in 2017. Massive speculation! And
I can go on and on! As in the past, this will end - and it will not be pretty!

In March 2020, because of COVID-19, the whole world was shut down – more than 180 countries closed their
economies, something that has never happened before! Because of testing, therapies and more recently, very
effective vaccines, the world can see normalcy returning. This is the environment in which value stocks will thrive.
We feel our best investing days are ahead of us.

Inflation and interest rates have been going down from the early 1980s – we may well have forgotten that they can
go up, sometimes quickly and significantly. 10-year treasury rates have gone up from a historical low of 0.5% in 2020
to 1.5% recently. With high savings rates and significant pent up demand combined with U.S. President Biden’s

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

potential $1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus plan, we may see inflation and interest rates rise significantly. As I write this to
you, commodity prices, especially copper, have gone up almost to decade highs. From current levels, a 100 basis
point increase in rates for a 10-year treasury bond and a 30-year treasury bond results in a 9% and 22% decrease in the
price of those bonds. These are very significant risks that we have reduced by having an average bond maturity of less
than five years. For bond investors: caveat emptor!

Our team at Hamblin Watsa, under Wade Burton, had an excellent year in 2020. Shown below again are each of the
portfolio managers, their years of service with Fairfax and their geographic areas of investment responsibility.

Hamblin Watsa Professionals
Wade Burton and Lawrence Chin
Reno Giancola
Jamie Lowry and Ian Kelly
Quinn McLean
Yi Sang
Gopal Soundarajan
Jeff Ware

Years at Fairfax Geography

12 United States and Canada

2 Canada
Europe
5

10 Middle East and South Africa
15 Asia
17
11

India
South America

Wade and Lawrence had an excellent year in 2020 managing $1.5 billion in invested assets. They did so well that we
will give them another $1.5 billion to manage in 2021. At that rate, they will soon be managing the whole portfolio!
(No clapping please!)

All of our other portfolio managers also had excellent results in 2020, as we pursue our value-oriented philosophy
across the world.

Our team at Hamblin Watsa also includes Wendy Teramoto, Peter Furlan, Paul Ianni and Davis Town, who all work
with our portfolio managers. Roger Lace, Brian Bradstreet, Chandran Ratnaswami and I continue to manage the rest
of the portfolio with much input from Wade and his team.

Miscellaneous

We maintained our dividend in 2020 at $10 per share. As I have mentioned to you before, we are focused on using
our free cash flow, in excess of what we need for our business, to buy back stock so it is unlikely our dividend will be
increased soon. Since we began paying dividends, we have paid cumulative dividends of $133 per share.

We have now operated Fairfax for 35 years with a very small team of exceptional officers who have great integrity,
team spirit and no egos and are focused on protecting our company from unexpected downside risks and taking
advantage of opportunities when they arise. On average, our Fairfax officers have been with Fairfax for 22 years. 2020
was a real life test as we all had to work from home and be responsible for our decentralized operations all over the
world. Our small team did not miss a beat and performed admirably. As President Reagan said, ‘‘Anything is possible,
if you don’t care who gets the credit.’’ Our company is built on trust with a long term focus.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March/April 2020, we had a meeting with our presidents saying clearly that we
wanted no layoffs in any of our insurance operations due to COVID-19 reasons – and we didn’t. We have a
responsibility for looking after our employees – and I must say, with much gratitude to our presidents, we met it!!

Also during the year, there were major demonstrations in the U.S. following George Floyd’s death. While Fairfax and
all our companies have been a great place to work, where we do not tolerate or condone any form of racism or
discrimination, we still know that it has not been eradicated in society, even to this day! After events in the summer
unfolded, many injustices in our society came to light. In Canada, Wes Hall wrote an article in the Globe and Mail
saying, ‘‘When I look in the mirror, I see George Floyd.’’ It resonated with me and I went and met Wes, who
immigrated to Canada from Jamaica and founded a very successful business here. I decided it was time to step up to
the plate and do something about it, so I joined him as he founded the Black North Initiative in Toronto to end
systemic racism in Canada. To date 439 companies in Canada have signed the pledge to end systemic racism, a
remarkable achievement in a short span of time, but our work has just begun!

I personally spoke to members of the Black community at our companies and established the Black Initiative Action
Committee to look at how we could increase the participation of minorities in our company and grow opportunities
at senior levels of management, including at the Board and officer level. Craig Pinnock, the CFO of Northbridge, is
leading the charge with a representative from each of our six other major insurance companies. While there is much
to be done, we are making headway and Fairfax should be a leading example of how one company at a time can make
a difference.

As you know, we are building Fairfax for the next 100 years (long after I am gone, I think!!). Recently, I came across
two books on long lived companies: ‘‘The Living Company, Habits for Survival in a Turbulent Business
Environment’’ by Arie de Geus, and ‘‘Lessons from Century Club Companies, Managing for Long Term Success’’ by
Vicki Tenhaken. They both make the point that companies that have survived for over 100 years have four
characteristics:

1. They are sensitive to the business environment, so that they always provide outstanding customer service.

2. They have a strong culture - a strong sense of identity that encompasses not only the employees but also the
community and everyone they deal with. Managers are chosen from the inside and considered stewards of
the enterprise.

3. They are decentralized, refraining from centralized control.

4. They are conservatively financed, recognizing the advantage of having spare cash in the kitty.

Fairfax has many of these characteristics and we continue to build our company for the future.

As an aside, in the last 35 years we have written cumulative premiums of $175 billion, we are paying annual salaries
and benefits to our employees all over the world of $1.8 billion, we have made cumulative donations of $239 million
since we began our donations program in 1991 and yes, over the last 35 years we have paid cumulative taxes of
$3.1 billion. When countries are business-friendly, I have found they succeed mightily. We are a small microcosm of
what business does worldwide.

Last year, I mentioned that Bill McFarland had become the Lead Director of our Board and also Chair of our audit
committee. Bill is doing an outstanding job for us and we benefit greatly from his advice.

We welcome David Johnston back to our Board after he spent seven years as Governor General of Canada and three
years as our global advisor. David left our Board in 2010 to become Governor General of Canada. He was the best
ambassador Canada ever had. Previously in his storied career, David has been President and Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Waterloo and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University.

Since the inception of Fairfax in 1985, we have always been focused on a few things – the way we operate, the way we
treat each other and the way we help our communities. Our management team and Board ensure that honesty and
integrity are never compromised and that full disclosure is provided to all stakeholders. More than three decades and
many acquisitions later, we now have 15,000 employees around the world thriving in our decentralized
environment. I am pleased to say we have recently posted our first Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) report
on our website www.fairfax.ca where we demonstrate our practice of ‘‘doing good by doing well’’.

The health and well-being of our people is very important to us. They are our most important asset! I am happy to
report that our companies responded extremely well to the health challenges created by COVID-19 during 2020. Our
wonderful human resources professionals, led by their CEOs and supported by the fantastic team at Cleveland Clinic
Canada, are working together to provide our people with the help, guidance and support they need through this
difficult time. Daily updates, educational programs, wellness initiatives and webinars, second opinions and more are
available across the group.

Our donations program continues to thrive across the communities all over the world where we do business. This
year, in addition to our normal giving, we also donated $4 million to help with pandemic efforts in the areas most
vulnerable within the countries where we do business. Our employees are all pitching in and having ‘‘fun’’, helping
people less fortunate. In 2020, we donated $23 million, for a total of $239 million since we began our donations
program in 1991. Over the 30 years since we began our donations program, our annual donations have gone up
approximately 130 times at a compound rate of 18% per year. Allow me to highlight briefly just a few examples of our
company donations:

Brit, through a charitable gift from Fairfax, donated £100,000 to become the founder donor to the Captain Tom
Foundation, supporting health service across the UK. At the height of the pandemic, Brit also donated £10,000 to
each of Childline, Compudopt, Refuge and The Silverline, directly supporting the most vulnerable in society,
protecting against child abuse and domestic abuse, assisting the elderly in isolation and assisting children living in
poverty. Brit continues to support its flagship initiative, the Soweto Academy, a school situated in the largest slum in
Africa. In 2020, it donated $74,000 to provide additional services, equipment and PPE, so the Academy could
continue its vital work, providing a safe haven from abuse and an education to help this generation escape the cycle
of poverty.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The Northbridge Cares program focuses on empowering, educating and supporting Canadian youth at risk to reach
their potential by partnering with six national organizations. In 2020, additional corporate donations were made to
support youth impacted by the pandemic and by racial injustice. In addition, $3 million has been pledged to support
Canadian small businesses to help ease the financial challenges faced as a result of the pandemic.

As a part of its philanthropy efforts, Zenith supports two organizations that tirelessly help young people from
challenging or at-risk backgrounds. Thrive Scholars is a national organization that provides scholarships and
mentoring programs designed for high-achieving low-income students of color before and throughout college.
Visible Men Academy in Florida delivers high-quality academic, character and social education to meet the specific
needs of at-risk elementary school boys. With support from Fairfax, Zenith also made donations specifically for
COVID-19 relief efforts to Thrive Scholars to assist students displaced as a result of the closing of their colleges, and to
two food banks in communities where it does business: Central California Food Bank in Fresno, California and All
Faiths Food Bank in Sarasota, Florida.

Crum & Forster, believing that corporate social responsibility is at the heart of doing good business, helps a diverse
group of charitable organizations through financial support and community service and engagement. In 2020,
through corporate donations, matching gift programs and the employee-led Charitable Impact Committee, Crum &
Forster donated $1.5 million, primarily to communities affected by COVID-19 where the economic impact of the
pandemic hit the hardest. With the support of a charitable gift from Fairfax, Crum & Forster gave $200,000 to 13 food
banks across the United States in the communities where its employees live and work. Additionally, donations were
made to educational programs, organizations serving youth and many other programs affected by the disruption and
financial uncertainty created by the pandemic.

The Odyssey Group Foundation supported numerous charitable organizations focused on worldwide disaster relief,
cancer research, education and health and human services. In 2020, the Odyssey Group Foundation also donated
over $1 million to support 70 global charities that were deeply impacted by COVID-19. In addition, the funds
provided by Fairfax allowed them to direct $200,000 to Dr. Florian Krammer’s COVID-19 antibody research at Mount
Sinai Hospital in New York City.

In 2020, Allied World supported several charities and community service projects with a primary focus on education,
healthcare and the arts, including continued support to the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund,
the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Spencer Educational Foundation.
During this unusual year, it also supported Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and Invisible Hands Deliver in
order to aid in their COVID-19 related work.

RiverStone U.S. and UK quickly responded to COVID-19 pandemic-related community needs, collectively providing
more than 5,400 meals to local hospitals and making monetary donations to numerous COVID-19 relief efforts.
They contributed to organizations on the front lines of COVID-19 response, including local food banks and first
responders. Additionally, RiverStone U.S. supported multiple community organizations and outreach efforts
providing education, supporting veterans and helping with hunger abatement programs. RiverStone UK continued
its ongoing commitment to support worthy local causes, contributing to organizations providing support services
for sick children and those with disabilities, end of life care, mental health services, care for the homeless and
Parkinson’s disease research. RiverStone U.S. and UK continued their 3:1 charitable contribution plan, triple
matching employee donations to the charities that matter most to them.

Through its subsidiaries, Fairfax Latam deployed a multitude of charitable initiatives aiming to assist communities
impacted by the pandemic. Some of the benefited institutions were the Red Cross in Argentina; Fundaci ´on Las Rosas
in Chile, which provides care of the most vulnerable and helpless elderly; Fundaci ´on Coraz ´on Verde in Colombia,
which aims to improve the quality of life of widows and orphans of the National Police; and Providencia in Uruguay,
which provides education for low-income children. Fairfax Latam’s employees participated in selecting institutions
and contributing along with their companies.

Our operating companies in central and eastern Europe (Colonnade, ARX and Universalna) have been always
supportive of their local communities, assisting, through voluntary activities and financial donations, various
foundations focusing on children and parents without shelter, food banks, kindergartens and school renovations. In
2020, those companies increased their support and assisted hospitals and medical facilities involved in handling the
pandemic with personal protection equipment.

Bryte Cares, which raised money through voluntary employee salary sacrifices and one-off donations which were
matched by Bryte, as well as a generous donation by Fairfax, supported seven small tourist towns across South Africa
with donations of food parcels to hundreds of families whose livelihoods were affected by the lockdown restrictions.
Several schools in these communities were also provided with personal protective equipment. Bryte Cares also
assisted 70 of its own employees whose families were affected by the pandemic by partnering with the Maharishi
Institute to provide grocery store vouchers and support for other financial needs.

Fairfax Asia, through its operating companies and its employees, supported the fight against COVID-19 by funding
the air ventilation system at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Sri Lanka, collaborating with a philanthropic
institution in Indonesia to install antiseptic body chambers and hand wash stations in high COVID-19-prone zones
and transporting and distributing personal protective equipment and food packs to front line workers and local
communities where its employees live and work.

Last year, due to the pandemic, our annual meeting was held virtually, but I thought that in 2021 we would see you
all once again in person. Unfortunately, given the situation that we still find ourselves in and for the safety of you
and all our employees, we will be going virtual once again! I am however optimistic that with many new vaccines
being administered around the world, we will return to normalcy and in 2022 will once again welcome you in person
in Toronto.

The Fairfax Leadership Workshop continues to grow and develop our leaders of tomorrow. In 2020 we had to take a
break as we were not able to have an in-person workshop, but we have identified many worthy candidates and will
hold our next in-person workshop as soon as conditions permit.

This year we could not do our investor trip to India, but we will definitely look at resurrecting it as I believe that India,
although hit by the pandemic like the rest of the world, is poised to make an historic comeback under the leadership
of Prime Minister Modi, who has just released a very business-friendly budget. He is following through on his
commitments towards privatization and asset monetization, making it clear that the government is pulling itself out
of industry. We are well positioned to significantly grow our footprint and we would like to take you there so that you
can see it for yourselves. More to come.

George Athanassakos, who runs a Value Investing Conference the day before our meeting that many of you have
attended in the past, will do so again this year, albeit virtually. He unfortunately had to cancel last year’s conference
but has maintained all the excellent speakers for this year. This will be its ninth year and in case you have not
attended, please check the website for details (www.bengrahaminvesting.ca). I highly recommend it – it is well worth
your time to attend. Many who have attended have mentioned to me that it is one of the best of its kind, and this
year’s lineup of speakers is outstanding! This year’s featured keynote speaker will be Howard Marks.

Similarly to last year, Fairfax India (of which many of you are also shareholders) will hold its annual meeting virtually
at 2:00 p.m. on April 15. Details will be posted on the Fairfax India website.

Helios Fairfax Partners will hold its shareholders’ meeting virtually on Wednesday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. Details will
be posted on its website.

So as we have done for the last 35 years, we look forward to you joining us (even though only virtually) for our
shareholders’ meeting where we will answer all your questions, and we look forward to 2022 when we expect to once
again welcome all of you in person in Toronto. We are truly blessed to have long term loyal shareholders and I look
forward to the opportunity of meeting you personally once again.

March 5, 2021

10MAR201607580995

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

(This page intentionally left blank)

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements

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

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 United States 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 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 and reviews the consolidated financial statements and MD&A;
considers the report of the independent registered public accounting firm; 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 registered public accounting firm for appointment by
the shareholders. The independent registered public accounting firm has full 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, 2020 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, 2020.

The effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report
which appears herein.

March 5, 2021

10MAR201607580995

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

28FEB201713300060
Jennifer Allen
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

Opinions on the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and its
subsidiaries (together, the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of
earnings, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended, including the related
notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and its financial performance and its cash
flows for the years then ended in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal
Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Basis for opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our
responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with
respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of
material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting
was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts
and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our
audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and limitations 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.

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.

Critical audit matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated
financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that
(i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our
especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter
in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by
communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the
accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Estimation of reserves for incurred but not reported losses

As described in Notes 3, 4 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, provision for losses and loss adjustment
expenses are estimated based on Canadian accepted actuarial practices, which are designed to ensure the Company
establishes an appropriate reserve on its consolidated balance sheet to cover insured losses and related claims
expenses for both reported and incurred but not reported (IBNR) losses as of each consolidated balance sheet date.
Management determines the undiscounted reserves for IBNR losses based on assumptions that represent best
estimates of possible outcomes aimed at evaluating the expected ultimate cost to settle unpaid claims that occurred
on or before the consolidated balance sheet date but have not yet been reported. The Company’s reserves for IBNR
losses, net of reinsurance (IBNR reserves), as of December 31, 2020 were $13,471.7 million. Management has applied
varying actuarial projection methodologies in the estimation of IBNR reserves, based on product line, type and
extent of coverage. These methodologies require management to develop significant assumptions including:
expected loss ratios, loss development patterns, claim frequencies and severities, exposure changes, expected
reinsurance recoveries and trends.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the estimation of IBNR
reserves is a critical audit matter are (1) significant judgment required by management to determine the IBNR
reserves; and (2) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in evaluating audit evidence relating to
the appropriateness of management’s actuarial projection methodologies and significant assumptions including:
expected loss ratios, loss development patterns, claims frequencies and severities, exposure changes, expected
reinsurance recoveries and trends. In addition, our audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill
and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming
our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of
controls over the Company’s estimation of IBNR reserves, including controls over the selection of actuarial
projection methodologies and the development of significant assumptions including: expected loss ratios, loss
development patterns, claims frequencies and severities, exposure changes, expected reinsurance recoveries and
trends. These procedures also included, among others, the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and
knowledge to assist in testing a significant portion of the IBNR reserves by developing independent estimates and the
remaining portion subjected to other procedures. Developing independent estimates involved: (i) selecting the
actuarial projection methodologies; (ii) developing significant assumptions based on data provided by management;
(iii) where there was limited historical data, consideration of market views and peer company benchmarking were
used to further inform independent development of significant assumptions; and (iv) testing the completeness and
accuracy of the data provided by management.

Valuation of private placement debt securities and private company preferred shares

As described in Notes 3 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company holds financial instruments
categorized as private placement debt securities measured at fair value of $858.3 million and private company
preferred shares measured at fair value of $587.4 million as of December 31, 2020. Valuation of private placement
debt securities and private company preferred shares use valuation techniques that depend on the type of
investment. Management uses unobservable inputs, as there is little, if any, market activity in these instruments and

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

no relevant observable inputs as at the measurement date. These securities are valued by management as follows:
(i) private placement debt securities valued primarily using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that
incorporate credit spreads of issuers as a significant unobservable input, and (ii) private company preferred shares
valued primarily using discounted cash flow models that incorporate discount rates, long-term growth rates and
revenue projections as significant unobservable inputs.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of private
placement debt securities and private company preferred shares is a critical audit matter are (1) significant judgment
required by management in selecting the appropriate discounted cash flow models and determining the credit
spreads, discount rates, long-term growth rates and revenue projections as significant unobservable inputs when
developing the fair value of these investments; and (2) a high degree of auditor subjectivity and judgment in
evaluating the audit evidence obtained relating to the valuation. The audit effort involved the use of professionals
with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming
our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of
controls relating to the valuation of private placement debt securities and private company preferred shares,
including management review controls over the Company’s selection and preparation of the discounted cash flow
models and determination of significant unobservable inputs, including credit spreads, discount rates, long-term
growth rates and revenue projections. These procedures also included, among others, for private placement debt
securities, developing independent fair values to compare to those determined by management, and for private
company preferred shares, evaluating the appropriateness of the cash flow model used and evaluating the
reasonableness of the significant unobservable inputs, including discount rates, long-term growth rates and revenue
projections. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used, for private placement debt securities to
develop independent fair values using industry-accepted valuation models and to assist in the evaluation of the
Company’s selection of the discounted cash flow model and determination of credit spreads as a significant
unobservable input, and for private company preferred shares to assist in evaluating the appropriateness of the
models used and the reasonableness of the significant unobservable inputs used in the models, including the
discount rates, long-term growth rates and revenue projections. Evaluating the reasonableness of credit spreads as a
significant unobservable input involved considering consistency with, as applicable: (i) current and past
performance of the particular investment; (ii) relevant external market and industry data; and (iii) evidence obtained
in other areas of the audit. Evaluating the reasonableness of discount rates and long-term growth rates as significant
unobservable inputs involved considering the rates used for comparable companies and other company-specific
information. Evaluating the reasonableness of revenue projections as significant unobservable inputs involved
considering the underlying entity’s historical financial performance and the current economic environment,
considering external evidence and the degree of historical accuracy of management’s assumptions and projections in
achieving the forecasts, and considering other company-specific information of the underlying entity including
benchmarking against peers and current market conditions. Further audit procedures included, among others,
testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used by management in the valuation process of the
private placement debt securities and private company preferred shares.

Impairment assessment of Eurobank Ergasias Services & Holdings S.A. and Quess Corp Limited as investments in
associates and joint ventures

As described in Notes 3, 4 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the market values of certain of the
Company’s investments in associates and joint ventures were $694.8 million lower than their carrying values as of
December 31, 2020, of which Eurobank Ergasias Services & Holdings S.A. (Eurobank), an associate, and Quess Corp
Limited (Quess), a joint venture, were $366.4 million and $192.1 million, respectively. This is considered an
indicator of potential impairment. Impairment tests were performed by the Company using value in use (VIU)
models to estimate the investments’ recoverable amounts. The VIUs, based on multi-year free cash flow projections,
exceeded the carrying values of the investments, resulting in no impairment. The VIU models are dependent on
many assumptions. These assumptions, which are judgmental, are derived from a combination of management
estimates, third party analysts’ reports and market data. Significant judgments and assumptions are required to
determine the discounted cash flows, including revenue projections for Quess, discount rates and long-term
growth rates.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the impairment
assessment of investments in associates and joint ventures for Eurobank and Quess is a critical audit matter are
(1) significant judgment by management in developing the significant assumptions, including revenue projections,
discount rates, and long-term growth rates; and (2) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in
performing procedures to evaluate management’s significant assumptions. The audit effort involved the use of
professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

10MAR201610573752

Toronto, Canada
March 5, 2021

We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1985. We have not been able to determine the specific year we
began serving as auditor of the Company.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets
as at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019

Assets
Holding company cash and investments (including assets pledged
for derivative obligations – $79.5; December 31, 2019 – $5.5)

Insurance contract receivables

Portfolio investments
Subsidiary cash and short term investments (including restricted

cash and cash equivalents – $751.9; December 31, 2019 – $664.8)

Bonds (cost $14,916.1; December 31, 2019 – $15,353.9)
Preferred stocks (cost $268.3; December 31, 2019 – $241.3)
Common stocks (cost $4,635.5; December 31, 2019 – $4,158.2)
Investments in associates (fair value $4,154.3; December 31, 2019 –

Notes

December 31, December 31,
2019

2020
(US$ millions)

3, 5, 27
10

1,252.2
5,816.1

975.5
5,435.0

5, 27
5
5
3, 5

13,197.8
15,734.6
605.2
4,599.1

10,021.3
15,618.1
578.2
4,246.6

$4,521.7)

3, 5, 6

4,381.8

4,360.2

Investment in associate held for sale (fair value $729.5;

December 31, 2019 – nil)

Derivatives and other invested assets (cost $944.4; December 31,

2019 – $1,168.7)

Assets pledged for derivative obligations (cost $196.1; December 31,

2019 – $146.7)

Fairfax India (and Fairfax Africa at December 31, 2019) cash,
portfolio investments and associates (fair value $2,791.0;
December 31, 2019 – $3,559.6)

Assets held for sale
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers (including recoverables on paid losses –

$686.8; December 31, 2019 – $637.3)

Deferred income tax assets
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other assets

Total assets

See accompanying notes.

5, 6

5, 7

5, 6,
23, 27

23
11

8, 9
3, 18
12
13

729.5

812.4

196.4

–

759.1

146.9

1,851.8

2,504.6

42,108.6

38,235.0

–
1,543.7

10,533.2
713.9
6,229.1
5,857.2

74,054.0

2,785.6
1,344.3

9,155.8
375.9
6,194.1
6,007.3

70,508.5

Signed on behalf of the Board

10MAR201607580995
Director

28FEB202001225020
Director

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivative obligations (including at the holding company – $22.8;

December 31, 2019 – $0.3)

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Deferred income tax liabilities
Insurance contract payables
Insurance contract liabilities
Borrowings – holding company and insurance and reinsurance

companies

Borrowings – non-insurance companies

Total liabilities

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,
2019

2020
(US$ millions)

4,996.1

4,814.1

5, 7
23
3, 18
10
8

15
15

189.4
–
356.4
2,964.0
39,206.8

6,614.0
2,200.0

205.9
2,035.1
–
2,591.0
35,722.6

5,156.9
2,075.7

56,526.7

52,601.3

12,521.1
1,335.5

13,856.6
3,670.7

17,527.3

74,054.0

13,042.6
1,335.5

14,378.1
3,529.1

17,907.2

70,508.5

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Consolidated Statements of Earnings
for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Income

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Gross premiums earned
Premiums ceded to reinsurers

Net premiums earned
Interest and dividends
Share of profit (loss) of associates
Net gains on investments
Gain on deconsolidation of insurance subsidiary
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 before income taxes
Provision for income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

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

See accompanying notes.

Notes

2020

2019

(US$ millions except per
share amounts)

10, 25

19,125.9

17,511.2

14,864.5

13,835.6

17,898.8
(3,910.1)

13,988.7
769.2
(112.8)
313.1
117.1
4,719.6

16,611.0
(3,381.3)

13,229.7
880.2
169.6
1,716.2
–
5,537.1

19,794.9

21,532.8

25
5
6
5
23
25

8
9

12,234.8
(2,910.3)

11,758.9
(3,070.8)

26
26
9
15
25, 26

9,324.5
2,536.5
2,355.0
475.9
4,858.9

8,688.1
2,476.3
2,206.8
472.0
5,456.9

19,550.8

19,300.1

244.1
206.7

37.4

2,232.7
261.5

1,971.2

218.4
(181.0)

2,004.1
(32.9)

37.4

1,971.2

6.59
$
$
6.29
$ 10.00
26,447

$ 72.80
$ 69.79
$ 10.00
26,901

17
17
16
17

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Net earnings

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings

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

on defined benefit plans

Notes

7
7

Net unrealized foreign currency translation losses reclassified to net earnings

2019

2020
(US$ millions)
37.4

1,971.2

(139.7)
(38.0)
(75.8)

101.4
(105.6)
(35.3)

67.4

(37.7)

(186.1)
188.7

2.6

(77.2)
–

(77.2)

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings

Net losses on defined benefit plans
Share of net losses on defined benefit plans of associates

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

Comprehensive income (loss)

Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Income tax (expense) recovery included in other comprehensive loss

Income tax on items that may be subsequently reclassified to net

earnings
Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) on foreign operations
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of associates, excluding net losses

on defined benefit plans

Net unrealized foreign currency translation losses reclassified to net earnings

Income tax on items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net

earnings
Net losses on defined benefit plans
Share of net losses on defined benefit plans of associates

Total income tax recovery included in other comprehensive loss

See accompanying notes.

21
6

(67.5)
(51.1)

(69.3)
(41.3)

(118.6)

(110.6)

(116.0)

(187.8)

(78.6) 1,783.4

103.0
(181.6)

1,857.7
(74.3)

(78.6) 1,783.4

2020
(US$ millions)

2019

10.8

(4.3)

(10.0)

(7.3)

0.8
0.1

0.9

(11.6)
–

(11.6)

20.8
5.3

26.1

27.0

29.8
6.5

36.3

24.7

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(US$ millions)

Share-
based
payments
and

Accumulated
other

Equity
attributable
to

Common
shares(1)

Treasury
shares
at cost

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

earnings income (loss)(2)

of Fairfax

equity

reserves

Total
equity

Balance as of January 1, 2020
Net earnings (loss) for the year
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of

income taxes:
Net unrealized foreign currency translation

losses on foreign operations

Losses on hedge of net investment in

Canadian subsidiaries

Losses on hedge of net investment in

European operations

Share of other comprehensive income of

associates, excluding net losses on defined
benefit plans

Net unrealized foreign currency translation

losses reclassified to net earnings
Net losses on defined benefit plans
Share of net losses on defined benefit plans of

associates

Issuances for share-based payments
Purchases and amortization for share-based

payments (note 16)

Purchases for cancellation (note 16)
Common share dividends (note 16)
Preferred share dividends (note 16)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Deconsolidation of subsidiaries (note 23)
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)

6,797.2
–

(661.1)
–

239.0 7,379.2
218.4

–

(711.7)
–

13,042.6 1,335.5
–

218.4

14,378.1
218.4

3,529.1
(181.0)

17,907.2
37.4

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
56.7

–
(85.2)
–
–
–
–
–

(137.9)
–
–
–
–
9.5
–

–

–
–

–
(66.5)

84.3
–
–
–
–
(10.9)
2.5

–

–
–

–
(15.7)
(275.7)
(44.0)
–
(53.2)
(116.5)

(117.2)

(38.0)

(75.8)

38.8

188.7
(66.0)

(45.9)
–

–
–
–
–
–
28.0
0.1

188.7
(66.0)

(45.9)
(9.8)

(53.6)
(100.9)
(275.7)
(44.0)
–
(26.6)
(113.9)

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(117.2)

(22.5)

(139.7)

(38.0)

(75.8)

–

(38.0)

(75.8)

38.8

28.6

67.4

188.7
(66.0)

(45.9)
(9.8)

(53.6)
(100.9)
(275.7)
(44.0)
–
(26.6)
(113.9)

–
(1.5)

(5.2)
(2.2)

5.5
–
(165.6)
–
92.9
282.3
110.3

188.7
(67.5)

(51.1)
(12.0)

(48.1)
(100.9)
(441.3)
(44.0)
92.9
255.7
(3.6)

Balance as of December 31, 2020

6,712.0

(732.8)

248.4 7,092.5

(799.0)

12,521.1 1,335.5

13,856.6

3,670.7

17,527.3

Balance as of January 1, 2019
Net earnings (loss) for the year
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of

income taxes:
Net unrealized foreign currency translation

gains (losses) on foreign operations
Losses on hedge of net investment in

Canadian subsidiaries

Losses on hedge of net investment in

European operations

Share of other comprehensive loss of

associates, excluding net losses on defined
benefit plans

Net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans
Share of net losses on defined benefit plans of

associates

Issuances for share-based payments
Purchases and amortization for share-based

payments (note 16)

Purchases for cancellation (note 16)
Common share dividends (note 16)
Preferred share dividends (note 16)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Deconsolidation of subsidiary (note 23)
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)

6,859.0
–

(587.5)
–

208.9 5,864.2
– 2,004.1

(565.3)
–

11,779.3 1,335.5
–

2,004.1

13,114.8
2,004.1

4,250.4
(32.9)

17,365.2
1,971.2

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
30.8

–
(61.8)
–
–
–
–
–

(104.4)
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–
(35.6)

80.1
–
–
–
–
–
(14.4)

–

–
–

–
(56.2)
(278.0)
(45.8)
–
–
(109.1)

118.3

(105.6)

(35.3)

(17.6)
(69.4)

(36.8)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(17.6)
(69.4)

(36.8)
(4.8)

(24.3)
(118.0)
(278.0)
(45.8)
–
–
(123.5)

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

118.3

(16.9)

101.4

(105.6)

(35.3)

(17.6)
(69.4)

(36.8)
(4.8)

(24.3)
(118.0)
(278.0)
(45.8)
–
–
(123.5)

–

(105.6)

(35.3)

(20.1)
0.1

(4.5)
(0.3)

5.3
–
(175.8)
–
121.7
(466.2)
(131.7)

(37.7)
(69.3)

(41.3)
(5.1)

(19.0)
(118.0)
(453.8)
(45.8)
121.7
(466.2)
(255.2)

Balance as of December 31, 2019

6,797.2

(661.1)

239.0 7,379.2

(711.7)

13,042.6 1,335.5

14,378.1

3,529.1

17,907.2

(1)

Includes multiple voting shares with a carrying value of $3.8 at January 1, 2019, December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2020.

(2) Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2019 of $711.7 included European Run-off’s loss of $127.5

related primarily to net unrealized foreign currency translation losses (note 23).

See accompanying notes.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Operating activities

Net earnings
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Net bond discount amortization
Amortization of share-based payment awards
Share of (profit) loss of associates
Net deferred income taxes
Net gains on investments
Gain on deconsolidation of insurance subsidiary
Loss on repurchase of borrowings
Net increase in fair value of investment property
Net purchases of securities classified at FVTPL
Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities

Sales of investments in associates
Purchases of investments in associates
Net purchases of premises and equipment and intangible assets
Net purchases of investment property
Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from sale of insurance subsidiary, net of cash divested
Cash divested on deconsolidation of non-insurance subsidiary

Cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Borrowings – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies:

Proceeds, net of issuance costs
Repayments
Net borrowings on insurance and reinsurance companies’ revolving credit

facilities

Borrowings – non-insurance companies:

Proceeds, net of issuance costs
Repayments
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolving credit facilities and short term

loans

Principal payments on lease liabilities – holding company and insurance and

reinsurance companies

Principal payments on lease liabilities – non-insurance companies
Subordinate voting shares:
Purchases for treasury
Purchases for cancellation

Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Subsidiary shares:

Issuances to non-controlling interests, net of issuance costs
Purchases of non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year
Foreign currency translation

Notes

2020
(US$ millions)

2019

6
18
5
23
15

27
27

6
6

23
23
23

3
3
16

16
16

23
23
16

37.4
752.1
(11.5)
84.3
112.8
57.9
(297.9)
(117.1)
–
(15.2)
(2,336.2)
1,873.2

1,971.2
650.8
(116.3)
80.1
(169.6)
83.8
(1,691.0)
–
23.7
(25.2)
(366.7)
914.6

139.8

1,355.4

139.8
(29.8)
(273.3)
(7.8)
–
221.7
(97.4)

323.8
(772.1)
(319.6)
(184.4)
(210.1)
–
(41.6)

(46.8)

(1,204.0)

645.0
(0.3)

456.5
(326.7)

690.0

132.1

107.8
(82.5)

302.7
(308.5)

60.5

(16.9)

(61.9)
(164.6)

(59.9)
(166.1)

(137.9)
(100.9)
(275.7)
(44.0)

218.2
(251.2)
(165.6)

(104.4)
(118.0)
(278.0)
(45.8)

44.7
(151.4)
(197.7)

436.9

(837.4)

529.9
3,863.3
73.9

(686.0)
4,536.9
12.4

Cash and cash equivalents – end of year

4,467.1

3,863.3

See accompanying notes.

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

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

7. Derivatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

10.

Insurance Contract Receivables and Payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

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

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

15. Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

18.

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

100

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

103

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

104

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

105

22. Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

106

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

107

24. Financial Risk Management

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

110

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

129

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

137

27. Supplementary Cash Flow Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

138

28. Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

139

29. Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

141

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(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 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 company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 are prepared in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘‘IFRS’’) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
(‘‘IASB’’). The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative
financial instruments, investment property and fair value through profit and loss (‘‘FVTPL’’) financial assets and
liabilities that have been measured at fair value, and non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale that have
been measured at the lower of carrying value and fair value less costs to sell.

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 are considered
current, including the following balances: cash, short term investments, insurance contract receivables, investment
in associate held for sale, assets held for sale, deferred premium acquisition costs, derivative obligations, liabilities
associated with assets held for sale and insurance contract payables. The following balances are considered
non-current: deferred income tax assets, goodwill and intangible assets and deferred income tax liabilities. All other
balances are comprised of current and non-current amounts.

The holding company has significant liquid resources that are generally not restricted by insurance regulators. The
subsidiary insurance and reinsurance companies 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 the insurance and reinsurance companies 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 insurance and reinsurance companies for
cash and investments to provide additional insight into the company’s liquidity, financial leverage and capital
structure.

These consolidated financial statements were approved for issue by the company’s Board of Directors on
March 5, 2021.

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.

Consolidation
Subsidiaries – The company’s consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, equity, income,
expenses and cash flows of the holding company and its subsidiaries. A subsidiary is an entity that the company
controls. The company controls an entity when it 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 or convertible. The operating results of subsidiaries acquired are included in the consolidated financial
statements from the date control is acquired, which is typically the acquisition date. The operating results of
subsidiaries that are divested during the year are included up to the date control ceased. Any difference between the
fair value of the consideration received and the carrying value of a divested subsidiary is recognized in the
consolidated statement of earnings, and foreign currency translation gains (losses) of that subsidiary are recycled
from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statement of earnings.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The consolidated financial statements were prepared as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 based on individual holding
companies’ and subsidiaries’ financial statements at those dates. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been
aligned with those of the company where necessary. The company’s significant operating subsidiaries are identified
in note 29.

Non-controlling interests – Subsequent to initial recognition in a business combination, the carrying value of
non-controlling interests is adjusted for the non-controlling interest’s share of changes in the subsidiary’s net
earnings (loss) and capital. Effects of transactions with non-controlling interests are recorded in common
shareholders’ equity if there is no change in control.

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 may include cash paid and the fair
value at the date of exchange of assets given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued by the company or its
subsidiaries. Directly attributable acquisition-related costs are recorded in operating expenses or other expenses in
the consolidated statement of earnings as incurred. 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. For each business
combination the company determines whether to initially record non-controlling interest at fair value or as the
proportionate share of the identifiable net assets of the acquired subsidiary. If the consideration transferred is less
than the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired, the excess is recognized in the consolidated statement
of earnings.

An existing equity interest in an acquired subsidiary is remeasured to fair value at the date of the business
combination with any gain or loss recognized in net gains (losses) on investments 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. Goodwill is
assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment by comparing the carrying
value of a cash-generating unit inclusive of its allocated goodwill to its recoverable amount, with any goodwill
impairment measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is
recorded in operating expenses or other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. Goodwill is
derecognized on disposal of a cash-generating unit to which goodwill was previously allocated.

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

Intangible assets are initially recognized at cost, or at fair value when acquired through a business combination.
Intangible assets with a finite life are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment,
where amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, and carrying value is
re-assessed when there are indicators of impairment. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to
amortization and are assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment.
When the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recorded in
operating expenses or other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

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

Customer and broker relationships
Brand names and Lloyd’s participation rights
Computer software

8 to 20 years
Indefinite
3 to 15 years

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

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. 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. The company’s share of profit (loss) and share of other
comprehensive income (loss) of associates are reported in the corresponding lines in the consolidated statement of
earnings and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, respectively. An existing equity interest in an
acquired associate is remeasured to fair value at the date significant influence is obtained and included in the
carrying value of the associate.

The fair value of associates is estimated at each reporting date 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’’ in this note for further details. If there is objective evidence that the carrying value of an
associate is impaired, it is written down to its recoverable amount, being the higher of the associate’s fair value and
value-in-use. The unrealized impairment loss is recognized in share of profit (loss) of associates in the consolidated
statement of earnings. An impairment loss is reversed in future periods if the circumstances that led to the
impairment no longer exist. The reversal is limited to restoring the carrying value to what it would have been had no
impairment loss been recognized in prior periods.

Upon loss of significant influence, any retained equity interest classified as a financial asset is remeasured to fair
value and all amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) are recycled to the consolidated
statement of earnings except those related to defined benefit pension or post retirement plans which are reclassified
to retained earnings. Gains and losses on loss of significant influence or disposition of an associate are recognized in
net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Investments in joint ventures
Investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method (as described in the preceding paragraphs)
and are comprised of investments in corporations and limited partnerships where the company has joint control
together with one or more third parties by contractual agreement. Joint control requires the unanimous consent of
all parties sharing control to make decisions regarding the joint venture’s relevant activities. When a subsidiary
constituting a business is contributed to a joint venture, any gain or loss on derecognition of the subsidiary,
including recycling of applicable amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and remeasurement
to fair value of any retained interest in the subsidiary, is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. Upon
loss of joint control, any retained equity interest classified as a financial asset is remeasured to fair value and all
amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to the consolidated statement
of earnings except those related to defined benefit pension or post retirement plans which are reclassified to retained
earnings. Gains and losses on loss of joint control or disposition of a joint venture are recognized in net gains (losses)
on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings. Investments in joint ventures and all related activity are
presented with investments in associates in these consolidated financial statements.

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

Cash and cash equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents consist of holding company, subsidiary and Fairfax India
(and Fairfax Africa at December 31, 2019) cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short term highly
liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased, and exclude cash and short term highly
liquid investments that are restricted.

Investments
Investments include cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, bonds, equity instruments, investments in
associates, derivative assets, other invested assets (primarily investment property) and derivative obligations.
Management determines the appropriate classifications of investments at their acquisition date.

Classification – Short term investments, bonds, preferred stocks, common stocks, and derivatives are classified at
FVTPL. The company manages these investments on a fair value basis, using fair value information to assess
investment performance and to make investment decisions. The company has not elected to irrevocably designate
any of its common stocks or preferred stocks at fair value through other comprehensive income. The company

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

classifies its short term investments and bonds based on both the company’s business model for managing those
financial assets and their contractual cash flow characteristics. While the contractual cash flows of certain of the
company’s short term investments and bonds are solely principal and interest, those investments are neither held for
the purpose of collecting contractual cash flows nor held both for collecting contractual cash flows and for sale. The
collection of contractual cash flows is incidental to the company’s business model of maximizing total investment
return on a fair value basis.

Recognition and measurement – The company recognizes purchases and sales of investments on the trade date,
the date on which the company commits to purchase or sell the investment. Transactions pending settlement are
reflected on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets or in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Investments
classified at FVTPL are initially recognized at fair value with transaction costs recorded as investment expenses
(a component of interest and dividends) in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Subsequent to initial recognition, investments classified at FVTPL are measured at fair value with changes in fair
value reported in the consolidated statement of earnings as income, comprised of interest and dividends and net
gains (losses) on investments. Interest and dividends represent interest income on short term investments and bonds
calculated using the effective interest method, and dividends received on holdings of common stocks and preferred
stocks, net of investment expenses. All other changes in fair value are reported in net gains (losses) on investments in
the consolidated statement of earnings. For short term investments and bonds, the sum of their interest income and
net gains (losses) on investments is equal to their total change in fair value for the reporting period.

For investments classified at FVTPL, the company further disaggregates net gains (losses) on investments into
realized and unrealized components in note 5. Where a financial instrument continues to be held by the company at
the end of a reporting period, changes in the fair value of that instrument during the reporting period, excluding
those changes reported as interest and dividends, are presented in net change in unrealized gains (losses). On
disposition or as a result of a change in accounting for that financial instrument, its inception-to-date net gain (loss),
excluding those changes previously reported as interest and dividends, is presented as net realized gains (losses). The
cumulative unrealized net gain (loss) recognized in prior periods on that financial instrument is then reversed in net
change in unrealized gains (losses). The sum of the inception-to-date net gain (loss) and the cumulative reversal of
prior period net unrealized gains (losses) equals that financial instrument’s net gain (loss) on investment for the
current reporting period as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Interest and dividends and net gains (losses) on investments are reported as operating activities in the consolidated
statement of cash flows.

Derecognition – An investment 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.

Short term investments – Highly liquid debt instruments with maturity dates between three months and twelve
months when purchased are classified as short term investments.

Bonds – Debt instruments with maturity dates greater than twelve months when purchased, or illiquid debt
instruments with maturity dates of twelve months or less when purchased, are classified as bonds.

Derivatives – Derivatives may include interest rate, credit default, currency and total return swaps, futures,
forwards, warrants and consumer price index linked (‘‘CPI-linked’’) and option contracts, all of which derive their
value primarily 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 for investment purposes and to mitigate financial risks arising from its investment
holdings and reinsurance recoverables, and monitors its derivatives for effectiveness in achieving their risk
management objectives where applicable.

The fair value of derivatives in a gain position are presented on the consolidated balance sheet in holding company
cash and investments, and in portfolio investments as derivatives and other invested assets (and as a component of
Fairfax Africa’s portfolio investments at December 31, 2019). The fair value of derivatives in a loss position are
presented on the consolidated balance sheet in derivative obligations. The initial premium paid for a derivative

contract, if any, is recorded as a derivative asset and subsequently adjusted for changes in the fair value of the
contract at each reporting date. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded as net gains (losses) on
investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Cash received from counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts is recognized on the consolidated balance
sheet in holding company cash and investments or subsidiary cash and short term investments, and a corresponding
liability is recognized in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Securities received from counterparties as collateral
are not recorded as assets.

Cash and securities delivered to counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts continue to be reflected as assets
on the consolidated balance sheet in holding company cash and investments or in portfolio investments as assets
pledged for derivative obligations. The portion of the collateral related to changes in fair value of derivative contracts
may be repledged by the counterparties holding the collateral.

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 using a three-level fair value hierarchy in accordance with IFRS as 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 based on information provided by independent
pricing service providers while much of the remainder, along with most derivative contracts (including total
return swaps, U.S. treasury bond forward contracts 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. All other such investments in limited partnerships are classified as
Level 3.

Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs that require management 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. CPI-linked derivatives are classified as Level 3 and valued using
broker-dealer quotes which management has determined utilize market observable inputs except for the
inflation volatility input which is not market observable.

Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are considered effective from the beginning of the annual 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 use of prices from 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

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

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).

Fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts received from third party broker-dealers are assessed by comparing the
fair values to recent market transactions where available and values determined using third party pricing software
based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model for European-style options that incorporate 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.

The company employs specialist personnel for the valuation of its investment portfolio. Detailed valuations are
prepared 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.

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.

Foreign currency transactions – 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 using the exchange rate at the date
the fair value is determined.

Translation of foreign subsidiaries – The functional currency of some of the company’s subsidiaries
(principally in Canada, the United Kingdom, India and other parts of Asia) differ from the consolidated group’s
U.S. dollar presentation currency. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries (including goodwill and fair value
adjustments arising on their acquisition, where applicable) are translated on consolidation using exchange rates at
the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the period. The net
unrealized gain or loss resulting from this translation is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss), and recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings upon loss of control of a foreign subsidiary.

Hedging
At the inception of a hedge transaction the company documents the economic relationship between the hedged
item and hedging instrument, and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge.

Net investment hedge – The company has designated the principal amount of its Canadian dollar denominated
borrowings as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries with a Canadian dollar functional currency,
and has designated the principal amount of its euro denominated borrowings as a hedge of its net investment in its
European operations with a euro functional currency. Unrealized gains or losses relating to the effective portions of
the hedges are initially recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), and recycled from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statement of earnings upon disposal of an investment in a hedged
foreign subsidiary or associate. Gains and losses relating to any ineffective portion of the hedges are recorded in net
gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.

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 reporting period, except for those resulting from investments by owners or
distributions to owners. Unrealized foreign currency translation amounts arising from the translation of foreign
subsidiaries and associates and the effective portion of changes in the fair value of hedging instruments on hedges of
net investments in foreign subsidiaries and associates are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and
included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings
on disposal of an investment in a foreign subsidiary or associate. 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 included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) without recycling to the consolidated
statement of earnings. Upon settlement of the defined benefit plan or disposal of the related subsidiary or associate,
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.

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, with 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. 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 premiums
earned, net of premiums ceded, over the coverage terms of the underlying policies in accordance with the level of
protection provided. 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 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 broker
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. Broker commissions are included in commissions, net, in the
consolidated statement of earnings. Premium taxes and 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 run-off operations. These
reserves are based on assumptions that represent the best estimates of possible outcomes aimed at evaluating the
expected ultimate cost to settle unpaid claims that occurred on or before 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 reported (‘‘IBNR’’) losses.
Those reserves include amounts for loss adjustment expenses, such as 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
losses on claims, gross, in the consolidated statement of earnings.

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 run-off operations. Case reserve
estimates are based 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 regularly reviews and re-evaluates case reserves. Any resulting adjustments are included in the current

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

period consolidated statement of earnings in losses on claims, gross, and in losses on claims, ceded to reinsurers, as
applicable. 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 losses on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated final
settlement cost for loss events which have already occurred but which have not yet been reported. Historical
information and statistical models, based on product line, type and extent of coverage, as well as reported claims
trends, severities and frequencies, exposure growth and other factors are relied upon to estimate IBNR reserves. These
estimates are revised as additional information becomes available and as claims are actually reported and paid.

Estimation techniques – Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses 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 several commonly accepted actuarial projection methodologies in estimating
required provisions to give greater insight into the trends inherent in the data being projected. These include
methods based upon the following: the development of previously settled claims, where payments to date are
extrapolated for each prior year; estimates based upon a projection of number of claims and average cost; notified
claims development, where notified claims to date for each year are extrapolated based upon observed development
of earlier years; and, 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 to the individual circumstances of the line of business and accident or
underwriting year.

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

Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses 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 with
due regard to collectability.

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

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. Commission income earned on premiums ceded to reinsurers is included in commissions, net, in the
consolidated statement of earnings. Unearned premiums are reported on the consolidated balance sheet before
reduction for premiums ceded to reinsurers. Reinsurers’ portion of unearned premiums is included in recoverable
from reinsurers on the consolidated balance sheet together with estimates of reinsurers’ share of provision for claims
determined on a basis consistent with the related claims liabilities.

Impairment – Reinsurance assets are assessed regularly for any events that may trigger impairment, including legal
disputes with third parties, changes in capital or other financial metrics that may affect the credit worthiness 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 by
recording a provision for uncollectible reinsurance in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Risk transfer – Reinsurance contracts are assessed to ensure that insurance risk is transferred by the ceding or
assuming company to or from the reinsurer. 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 for 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.

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 when related to items recognized in other
comprehensive income (loss) or in equity. In those cases, the income taxes are also recognized in other
comprehensive income (loss) or in equity, respectively, except for dividends where the income taxes are recognized
in earnings, other comprehensive income (loss) or equity according to where the transactions that generated the
distributable profits were recognized.

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 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 (loss) are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) 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 profits 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 earnings of subsidiaries 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.

Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the United States enacted the base erosion and anti-abuse
tax (‘‘BEAT’’) on certain payments to foreign affiliates, and a U.S. tax on foreign earnings for certain global intangible
low-taxed income (‘‘GILTI’’). The company recognizes charges related to BEAT and GILTI, if any, in the periods in
which they are incurred, and does not include their impacts in measuring its deferred income tax assets and
liabilities.

The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 presents separately the company’s deferred income tax assets
and deferred income tax liabilities. In prior years the consolidated balance sheet presented deferred income tax assets
net of deferred income tax liabilities as deferred income tax liabilities were not considered material for separate
presentation. Accordingly, comparatives have not been restated.

Assets held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and investment in associate held
for sale
Non-current assets, disposal groups and investments in associates are classified as held for sale if their carrying
amount will be recovered through sale rather than through continuing use. A disposal group consists of assets to be

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

transferred as a group, liabilities directly related to those assets and any goodwill acquired in a business combination
allocated to the disposal group if the disposal group is a cash-generating unit. Classification as held for sale requires
that management be committed to the sale, the sale is highly probable, the asset or disposal group is available for
immediate sale in its present condition, and the sale is expected to be completed within one year from the date of
classification.

Non-current assets, disposal groups and investments in associates classified as held for sale are measured at the lower
of carrying value and fair value less costs to sell.

When a sale is expected to result in loss of control of a subsidiary, all of the subsidiary’s assets and liabilities are
classified as held for sale even if the company will retain an interest in its former subsidiary after the sale.

When an individual investment in associate or a portion thereof is to be sold, the portion to be sold is classified as
held for sale. The equity method of accounting is no longer applied to the portion to be sold, and continues to be
applied to the retained portion if there is significant influence.

Investment property
Investment property consists of real estate held by the company for capital appreciation, rental income, or both, and
is initially recorded at cost, including transaction costs, and subsequently measured at fair value. On the
consolidated balance sheet investment property is included in portfolio investments by the insurance and
reinsurance companies and in other assets by the non-insurance companies. In the consolidated statement of
earnings, insurance and reinsurance companies record investment property rental income and direct expenses in
interest and dividends, and changes in fair value in net gains (losses) on investments, while non-insurance
companies record investment property rental income and changes in fair value in other revenue, and direct expenses
in other expenses.

Other assets
Other assets primarily consist of premises and equipment, right-of-use assets associated with leases, inventories, sales
receivables and finance lease receivables of the non-insurance companies, prepaid expenses, accrued interest and
dividends, income taxes refundable, receivables for securities sold, pension assets, deferred compensation assets and
other miscellaneous receivables. Receivables are initially recognized at fair value less a provision for expected lifetime
credit losses, and subsequently measured at amortized cost.

Premises and equipment – Premises and equipment is recorded at historical cost less accumulated amortization
and any accumulated impairment losses. The company reviews premises and equipment for impairment when
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The cost of premises and
equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life. In the consolidated statement
of earnings depreciation expense is charged to operating expenses by the insurance and reinsurance companies, and
to other expenses by the non-insurance companies.

Other revenue
Other revenue is primarily comprised of revenue earned by the non-insurance companies. Revenue from restaurant
and retail sales is recognized when the company provides goods to the customer and receives payment. Revenue
from the sale of other goods is typically recognized when shipped to the customer, with payment received in advance
of shipment. Revenue from providing travel, hospitality and other non-insurance services is recognized over time
based on measured progress towards complete satisfaction of the related performance obligations. Payment is usually
received at the time of initial booking for travel and hospitality services, and received in installments for other
services. Unconditional payments due from customers for satisfied performance obligations are recorded as sales
receivables within other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Customer prepayments are recorded as deferred
revenue within accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and are not recognized as
revenue until the shipment of goods or provision of services occurs. Certain contracts include multiple deliverables
which are accounted for as separate performance obligations, with the transaction price allocated to the performance
obligations based on their individual selling prices.

Other expenses
Other expenses is primarily comprised of the cost of inventories sold or services provided and the operating expenses
of the non-insurance companies.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities primarily consist of leases liabilities, trade payables of the non-insurance
companies, accrued amounts for salaries and employee benefits, deferred revenue of the non-insurance companies,
pension and post retirement liabilities, amounts withheld and accrued taxes, income taxes payable, accrued interest
expense, legal fees, and other administrative costs. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are initially recognized at
fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost.

Borrowings
Borrowings are initially recognized at fair value, net of incremental and directly attributable transaction costs, and
subsequently measured at amortized cost. Interest expense on borrowings is recognized in the consolidated
statement of earnings using the effective interest rate method. Borrowings are derecognized when extinguished, with
any gain or loss on extinguishment recognized in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

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
of equity instruments are recognized in equity, net of tax.

Treasury shares are equity instruments repurchased by the company which have not been canceled and are deducted
from equity on the consolidated balance sheet, irrespective of the objective of the purchase. 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 fifteen years from the date of grant. The fair value of restricted share awards on the grant
date is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period, with a corresponding increase in the share-based
payments equity reserve. 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 net earnings (loss) per share is calculated in the same manner as
basic net earnings (loss) per share except that the weighted average number of subordinate and multiple voting
shares outstanding during the period is adjusted for the dilutive effect, if any, of share-based payments.

Pensions and post retirement benefits
The company’s subsidiaries have a number of arrangements in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and
certain other jurisdictions 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 and 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 and invested principally in
high quality fixed income securities and cash and short term investments. Certain of the company’s post retirement
benefit plans covering medical care and life insurance are internally funded.

Defined contribution plan – A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed
contributions. These contributions are charged to operating expenses by the insurance and reinsurance companies
and to other expenses by the non-insurance companies in the period in which the employment services qualifying

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

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. 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.

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, subject to any minimum funding requirements, are recognized in other assets (note 13).

Defined benefit expense recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings includes the net interest on the net
defined benefit liability (asset) calculated using a discount rate based on market yields on high quality bonds, past
service costs arising from plan amendments or curtailments and gains or losses on plan settlements.

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

Leases
Lessees – The company, primarily through its non-insurance companies, is a lessee under various leases related
principally to premises, automobiles and equipment.

A right-of-use asset and a lease liability are recognized at the commencement date of a lease. Right-of-use assets are
initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments
made before the commencement date, and any initial direct costs incurred. Lease liabilities are initially measured at
the present value of lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or if that rate cannot be
readily determined, the company’s incremental borrowing rate. The company typically uses its incremental
borrowing rate. Right-of-use assets are included in other assets and lease liabilities are included in accounts payable
and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Subsequent to initial recognition, right-of-use assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter
of the lease term and the right-of-use asset’s useful life, with depreciation expense recorded as operating expenses or
other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings, and lease liabilities are measured at amortized cost using
the effective interest method, with accretion of lease liabilities recorded as interest expense in the consolidated
statement of earnings. Each lease payment is allocated between principal and interest expense to produce a constant
periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the lease liability. The interest and principal portions of cash
payments on lease liabilities are reported as operating activities and financing activities respectively in the
consolidated statement of cash flows.

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are not recognized for short-term leases that have a lease term of twelve
months or less, or for low value leases, which principally relate to office equipment, furniture and fixtures. Payments
for short-term and low value leases are recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the consolidated
statement of earnings and reported as operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Lessors – The company, primarily through its non-insurance companies, holds certain head leases where it acts as
an intermediate lessor in a sub-lease. Interests in head leases and sub-leases are accounted for separately.

Classification of a sub-lease is determined with reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease, and not
with reference to the underlying leased asset. If substantially all of the risk and rewards of ownership of the
right-of-use asset are transferred, then the sub-lease is classified as a finance lease, where the right-of-use asset is
derecognized, a finance lease receivable is recorded, representing the present value of future lease payments to be
received, and any difference is recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings. Finance lease receivables are
included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Interest revenue earned on finance lease receivables is
included in other revenue in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Sub-leases classified as operating leases do not result in any change to the amounts initially recognized on the head
lease. Payments received from operating leases are recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term as other
revenue in the consolidated statement of earnings.

New accounting pronouncements adopted in 2020
COVID-19-related Rent Concessions (Amendment to IFRS 16)
The amendment to IFRS 16 Leases provides an optional practical expedient for lessees so that rent concessions
received as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic do not have to be accounted for as lease modifications
under IFRS 16. Early adoption of the amendment on April 1, 2020 in accordance with the applicable transition
provisions did not have a significant impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (‘‘Conceptual Framework’’)
The revised Conceptual Framework includes revised definitions of an asset and a liability, and new guidance on
measurement, derecognition, presentation and disclosure. It does not constitute an accounting pronouncement and
did not result in any immediate change to IFRS, and will be used by the IASB and IFRS Interpretations Committee in
setting future standards. Adoption of the revised Conceptual Framework on January 1, 2020 did not have an impact
on the company’s consolidated financial statements. The revised Conceptual Framework will apply when the
company has to develop an accounting policy for an issue not addressed by IFRS.

Definition of a Business (Amendments to IFRS 3)
The amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations narrow the definition of a business and clarify the distinction
between a business combination and an asset acquisition. Prospective adoption of these amendments on January 1,
2020 did not have a significant impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Definition of Material (Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8)
The amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting
Estimates and Errors clarify the definition of ‘‘material’’. Prospective adoption of these amendments on January 1,
2020 did not have a significant impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7
The amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and IFRS 7
Financial Instruments: Disclosures modify specific hedge accounting requirements so that those requirements are
applied assuming that a hedge is not altered when an interest rate benchmark such as LIBOR is replaced with an
alternative reference rate. Adoption of these amendments on January 1, 2020 did not have a significant impact on
the company’s consolidated financial statements.

New accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective
The following new standards and amendments have been issued by the IASB and were not yet effective for the fiscal
year beginning January 1, 2020. The company does not expect to adopt them in advance of their effective dates.

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (‘‘IFRS 17’’)
On May 18, 2017 the IASB issued IFRS 17, a comprehensive standard for the recognition, measurement, presentation
and disclosure of insurance contracts. IFRS 17 requires entities to measure insurance contracts using current
estimates of discounted fulfillment cash flows, including the discounting of loss reserves using one of three
measurement models. On June 25, 2020 the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 17 that included targeted
improvements and the deferral of the effective date to January 1, 2023. The standard must be applied retrospectively
with restatement of comparatives unless impracticable. The company’s adoption of IFRS 17 continues to focus on
implementing information technology systems to conduct a parallel run in 2022. The company is currently
evaluating the impact that IFRS 17 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 (Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16)
On August 27, 2020 the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, IAS 39 Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement, IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures, IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts and IFRS 16 Leases to
address financial statement impacts and practical expedients when an existing interest rate benchmark such as
LIBOR is replaced with an alternative reference rate. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

or after January 1, 2021 and are to be applied retrospectively without restatement of prior periods. The amendments
are not expected to have a significant impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37)
On May 14, 2020 the IASB issued amendments to IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets to
clarify the types of costs an entity includes in determining the cost of fulfilling a contract when assessing whether a
contract is onerous. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 and
apply to contracts for which the entity has not yet fulfilled all its obligations at the time of adoption. Comparatives
are not restated and instead the cumulative effect of applying the amendments is recognized as an adjustment to
opening equity at the date of initial application. The amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on
the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reference to the Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3)
On May 14, 2020 the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations to replace a reference to the Framework
for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements with a reference to the current Conceptual Framework for
Financial Reporting that was issued in March 2018. The amendments also add an exception to the recognition
principle of IFRS 3 for liabilities and contingent liabilities within the scope of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities
and Contingent Assets or IFRIC 21 Levies and further clarify that an acquirer does not recognize contingent assets
acquired in a business combination. The amendments are applied prospectively to all business combinations on or
after January 1, 2022 and are not expected to have a significant impact on the company’s consolidated financial
statements.

Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018 – 2020
On May 14, 2020 the IASB issued amendments to certain IFRS Standards as a result of its annual improvements
project, which included an amendment to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments to clarify which fees are considered when
assessing whether to derecognize a financial liability and an amendment to an illustrative example accompanying
IFRS 16 Leases to clarify the treatment of lease incentives. The amendment to IFRS 9 is applied prospectively on or
after January 1, 2022 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the company’s consolidated financial
statements. Immediate adoption of the amendment to IFRS 16 did not have a significant impact on the company’s
consolidated financial statements.

Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments to IAS 1)
On January 23, 2020 the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (‘‘IAS 1’’) to clarify the
criteria for classifying a liability as non-current which was to be applied retrospectively on or after January 1, 2022.
On July 15, 2020 the IASB deferred the effective date of those amendments by one year to annual periods beginning
on or after January 1, 2023. The company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the amendments on its
consolidated financial statements.

Comparatives
Classification of investment – At December 31, 2019 the company had accounted for its 30.5% equity interest in
Eurobank Ergasias Services & Holdings S.A. (‘‘Eurobank’’), a financial services provider in Greece listed on the Athens
Stock Exchange, as a common stock at fair value through profit and loss on the consolidated balance sheet, with an
additional 1.9% equity interest included in assets held for sale. Classification as a common stock was principally due
to having judged the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund, a Greek regulatory entity with a minority shareholding in
Eurobank, as holding certain veto rights that precluded the company from exercising significant influence from
December 19, 2019 when regulatory restrictions on the company’s voting rights in Eurobank were removed.

During the first quarter of 2020 the company concluded that it obtained significant influence over Eurobank on
December 19, 2019 upon becoming able to exercise its full voting rights and corrected its accounting by revising the
comparatives to apply the equity method of accounting to its investment in Eurobank for the last thirteen days of its
fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. As the previously reported carrying value of Eurobank at December 31, 2019 of
$1,164.4 was not significantly different from that which would have been reported under the equity method of
accounting, the company reclassified its investment in Eurobank from holding company cash and investments of
$123.4 and common stocks of $1,041.0 to investments in associates on the consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 2019. Accordingly, comparatives at December 31, 2019 in the notes to these consolidated financial
statements reflect that reclassification.

4. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

In the preparation of the company’s consolidated financial statements, management has made a number of critical
accounting estimates and judgments as described below, and in certain notes to the consolidated financial
statements: determination of fair value for financial instruments in note 5; carrying value of associates in note 6;
carrying value of goodwill and intangibles in note 12; and contingencies in note 20. 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. The broad effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company are described
in note 24 and the effects on the company’s development of critical estimates during 2020 are described below.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated 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 and related claims expenses for both reported claims and IBNR claims as of each balance sheet
date. The assumptions underlying the estimation of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are regularly
reviewed and updated by the company to reflect recent and emerging trends in experience and changes in the 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, and the historic
development of the company’s insurance liabilities are presented in note 8.

Determination of fair value for financial instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy
Fair values for substantially all of the company’s financial instruments are measured using market or income
approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in developing estimates of fair value, particularly for financial
instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as such estimates incorporate unobservable inputs that
require management to use its own assumptions. While the company’s valuation techniques for Level 3 financial
instruments remained unchanged during 2020, the development of unobservable inputs included added estimation
uncertainty due to the global economic disruption caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Estimates of the
amount and timing of future cash flows, discount rates, growth rates and other inputs incorporated into fair value
measurements of Level 3 financial instruments are inherently more difficult to determine due to the unpredictable
duration and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including further actions that may be taken by governments to
contain it and the timing of the re-opening of the economy in various parts of the world. The company has assumed
that the economic impacts of COVID-19 will remain for the duration of government mandated restrictions by
jurisdiction as currently known, with gradual lifting of those restrictions. The uncertainty in those assumptions have
been incorporated into the company’s valuations of Level 3 financial instruments primarily through wider credit
spreads and higher discount rates, as applicable, compared to those applied at December 31, 2019. See note 5 for
details of the company’s Level 3 financial instruments. Additional volatility in the fair values of Level 3 financial
instruments may arise in future periods if actual results differ materially from the company’s estimates.

Determination of recoverable amounts of investments in associates and joint ventures
Investments in associates and joint ventures are assessed for impairment by comparing the carrying value of an
associate or joint venture to its recoverable amount. The company typically uses discounted cash flows to estimate
the recoverable amount of an associate or joint venture that requires a value-in-use model. Significant judgements
and assumptions are required to determine the discounted cash flows, including discount rates, long term growth
rates, working capital requirements, annual capital expenditures and cash taxes payable. As described in the
preceding section, those assumptions were inherently more difficult to determine due to the unpredictable duration
and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company assumed that the economic impacts of COVID-19 will
remain for the duration of government mandated restrictions by jurisdiction as currently known, with gradual
lifting of those restrictions. The uncertainty in those assumptions were incorporated into the company’s discounted
cash flows used to determine recoverable amounts primarily through higher discount rates compared to those
applied at December 31, 2019. Discounted cash flows are subject to sensitivity analysis given the uncertainty in
preparing forecasts. Details of investments in associates and joint ventures, including any impairment losses
recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings, are presented in note 6. Additional volatility in the recoverable
amounts of investments in associates and joint ventures may arise in future periods if actual results differ materially
from the company’s estimates.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Impairment assessments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are
indicators of impairment, by comparing the carrying value of the cash-generating unit (‘‘CGU’’) or group of CGUs to
which these assets are allocated to their recoverable amounts. The company principally uses discounted cash flows to
estimate the recoverable amount of a CGU or group of CGUs to which goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets
have been allocated, and market approaches are used when applicable. Significant judgements and assumptions are
required to determine the discounted cash flows, including discount rates, long term growth rates and working
capital requirements, and also (i) for goodwill, premiums, investment returns, revenues and expenses, and (ii) for
indefinite-lived intangible assets, premiums, revenues and royalty rates. The company assumed that the economic
impacts of COVID-19 will remain for the duration of government mandated restrictions by jurisdiction as currently
known, with gradual lifting of those restrictions. The uncertainty in those assumptions were incorporated into the
company’s discounted cash flows used to determine recoverable amounts primarily through higher discount rates
compared to those applied at December 31, 2019. Discounted cash flows are subject to sensitivity analysis given the
uncertainty in preparing forecasts. Details of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including the results of
annual impairment tests, are presented in note 12. Additional volatility in the recoverable amounts of goodwill and
indefinite-lived intangible assets may arise in future periods if actual results differ materially from the company’s
estimates.

Determination of significant influence, joint control and control
The determination of whether an investment is an associate, a joint arrangement or a subsidiary requires
consideration of all facts and circumstances, and typically begins with an analysis of the company’s proportion of the
investee’s voting rights. Judgment may be required to determine the existence of significant influence, joint control
or control when it involves elements such as contractual arrangements between shareholders, currently exercisable
potential voting rights through warrants or convertible instruments, significant shareholdings relative to other third
party shareholders, and regulatory restrictions on board representation, voting rights, or relevant activities of the
investee. De facto control over an investee without holding the majority of its voting rights may occur due to
dispersion of third party shareholdings and other factors. Conversely, having significant influence over an investee
when holding the majority of its voting rights may occur due to regulatory and other restrictions that limit the
application of voting and other rights. The company’s investments in associates and joint ventures are presented in
note 6, business combinations and divestitures are presented in note 23 and subsidiaries are presented in note 29.
During 2020 the company exercised judgment in determining its loss of control of Fairfax Africa, and its joint control
of RiverStone Barbados, as described in note 23.

Business combinations
Accounting for business combinations requires estimates of fair value for the consideration transferred, assets
acquired and liabilities assumed. The company uses all available information, including third party valuations and
appraisals where appropriate, to determine these fair values. Changes in estimates of fair value due to additional
information related to facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date would impact the amount of
goodwill or gain on bargain purchase recognized. The company has up to one year from the acquisition date to
finalize its determination of fair values for a business combination if needed. Details of business combinations are
presented in note 23.

Recoverability of deferred income tax assets
Management exercises judgment in assessing recent and expected profitability of operating companies and their
ability to realize recorded income tax assets. The company reviews its deferred income tax assets quarterly, taking
into consideration the availability of sufficient current and projected taxable profits, reversals of taxable temporary
differences and tax planning strategies. Details of deferred income tax assets are presented in note 18.

5. Cash and Investments

Presented in the table below are holding company cash and investments and portfolio investments, net of derivative
obligations, all of which are classified at FVTPL except for investments in associates, investment in associate held for
sale and other invested assets.

December 31,
2020

December 31,
2019

Holding company
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
Short term investments
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks(2)
Derivatives (note 7)

Assets pledged for derivative obligations:
Short term investments
Bonds

Holding company cash and investments as presented on the consolidated balance sheet
Derivative obligations (note 7)

Portfolio investments
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
Short term investments
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks(2)
Investments in associates (note 6)
Investment in associate held for sale (note 6)
Derivatives (note 7)
Other invested assets(3)

Assets pledged for derivative obligations:
Short term investments
Bonds

Fairfax India cash, portfolio investments and associates:
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
Bonds
Common stocks
Investments in associates (note 6)

Fairfax Africa cash, portfolio investments and associates:(4)
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
Short term investments
Bonds
Investments in associates (note 6)
Derivatives (note 7)

280.0
159.2
457.2
4.7
123.7
147.9

1,172.7

79.5
–

79.5

1,252.2
(22.8)

1,229.4

4,886.5
8,311.3
15,734.6
605.2
4,599.1
4,381.8
729.5
234.8
577.6

40,060.4

113.9
82.5

196.4

90.2
21.0
412.3
1,328.3

1,851.8

–
–
–
–
–

–

183.9
128.3
395.9
4.7
173.5
83.7

970.0

2.8
2.7

5.5

975.5
(0.3)

975.2

3,954.5
6,066.8
15,618.1
578.2
4,246.6
4,360.2
–
202.7
556.4

35,583.5

72.4
74.5

146.9

104.7
124.1
359.7
1,391.3

1,979.8

86.2
104.0
100.1
232.9
1.6

524.8

Portfolio investments as presented on the consolidated balance sheet
Derivative obligations (note 7)

Total investments, net of derivative obligations

42,108.6
(166.6)

38,235.0
(205.6)

41,942.0

38,029.4

43,171.4

39,004.6

(1)

(2)

Includes aggregate restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020 of $789.6 (December 31, 2019 – $691.5).
See note 27.

Includes aggregate investments in limited partnerships with a carrying value at December 31, 2020 of $1,935.9
(December 31, 2019 – $2,056.8).

(3) Comprised primarily of investment property.

(4) The company deconsolidated Fairfax Africa on December 8, 2020 pursuant to the transaction described in note 23.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020 of $789.6 (December 31, 2019 – $691.5) was comprised
primarily of amounts required to be maintained on deposit with various regulatory authorities to support the
operations of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. At December 31, 2019 European Run-off’s restricted cash
and cash equivalents of $58.2 were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet. Refer to note 27
for details of restricted cash and cash equivalents presented on the consolidated balance sheet.

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 assets pledged to third parties by the nature of the pledge requirement (excluding
assets pledged in favour of Lloyd’s (note 20), for derivative obligations and for certain intercompany reinsurance
arrangements). Pledged assets primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments and bonds
within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheet.

Regulatory deposits(1)
Security for reinsurance and other(1)

December 31, December 31,
2019
4,667.4
1,106.7

2020
4,781.0
1,245.7

6,026.7

5,774.1

(1) Excludes European Run-off’s regulatory deposits of $71.7 and security for reinsurance and other of $65.5 at December 31,

2019 that were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet (note 23).

Fixed Income Maturity Profile
Bonds are summarized by their 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, 2020 bonds containing
call, put and both call and put features represented $7,155.0, $1.3 and $1,075.8 respectively (December 31, 2019 –
$3,415.4, $2.6 and $952.7) of the total fair value of bonds. The table below does not reflect the impact of U.S. treasury
bond forward contracts with a notional amount at December 31, 2020 of $330.8 (December 31, 2019 – $846.5) that
economically hedge the company’s exposure to interest rate risk as described in note 7. The decrease in the
company’s holdings of bonds due in 1 year or less was primarily due to net sales and maturities of short-dated
U.S. treasury bonds and Canadian government bonds for proceeds of $2,521.5 and $626.0 and the deconsolidation
of bonds held by Fairfax Africa (note 23). The proceeds from those sales were primarily re-invested into $2,071.9 of
short to mid-dated high quality corporate bonds, which increased the company’s holdings of bonds due after 1 year
through 5 years, and into U.S. treasury, Canadian provincial and Canadian government short-term investments. The
decrease in the company’s holdings of bonds due after 10 years was primarily due to net sales of India government
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, 2020

December 31, 2019

Amortized
cost(1)
4,968.1
9,378.4
654.2
419.2

Fair Amortized
cost(2)
8,158.1
5,872.8
1,227.6
784.9

value(1)
4,935.3
10,096.9
718.5
544.6

Fair
value(2)
8,206.3
5,980.8
1,242.3
886.0

15,419.9

16,295.3

16,043.4

16,315.4

Pre-tax effective interest rate

3.2%

3.6%

(1)

Includes bonds held by the holding company and Fairfax India. On December 8, 2020 Fairfax Africa was deconsolidated
pursuant to the transaction described in note 23.

(2)

Includes bonds held by the holding company, Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa.

Fair Value Disclosures
The company’s use of quoted market prices (Level 1), valuation models with significant observable market
information as inputs (Level 2) and valuation models with significant unobservable information as inputs (Level 3)
in the valuation of securities and derivative contracts by type of issuer was as follows:

Total
fair
value
asset
(liability)

4,329.3

373.9
755.3
3,154.4
375.8
1,714.9

6,374.3

664.4
2.9
5,610.8
216.5
1,656.0
8,164.8

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

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

prices
(Level 1)

Total
fair
value
asset
(liability)

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

prices
(Level 1)

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

5,256.7

4,329.3

–

638.1
1,002.9
6,343.3
501.6
178.0

373.9
755.3
3,154.4
220.6
–

–
–
–
155.2
1,714.9

8,663.9

4,504.2

1,870.1

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

14,521.1

1,774.2

16,295.3

–
–
–
–
–
1,774.2

16.5
49.9
3,058.4
378.2
944.0
11,848.3

93.0
17.0
477.4

105.2
17.0
487.7

587.4

609.9

181.5
998.8
937.3

1,092.7
1,515.9
2,526.5

577.9
360.6
1,125.1

2,117.6

5,135.1

2,063.6

722.9

960.3

(164.1)

(25.3)

(189.4)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
5.3

5.3

–

664.4
2.9
5,610.8
216.5
1,656.0
6,744.7

–
–
–
–
–
1,420.1

14,895.3

1,420.1

16,315.4

8.4
–
–

8.4

103.7
33.2
397.8

534.7

80.1

82.5
5.0
481.7

569.2

90.9
5.0
487.0

582.9

114.8
1,029.3
1,037.4

796.4
1,423.1
2,560.3

2,181.5

4,779.8

764.3

844.4

(205.9)

–

(205.9)

Cash and cash equivalents(1)

5,256.7

–

Short term investments:
Canadian government
Canadian provincials
U.S. treasury
Other government
Corporate and other

Bonds:

Canadian government
Canadian provincials
U.S. treasury
U.S. states and municipalities
Other government
Corporate and other(2)

Preferred stocks:

Canadian
U.S.
Other(3)

Common stocks:

Canadian
U.S.
Other(4)

Derivatives and other invested assets

Derivative obligations (note 7)

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

–
–
–
234.9
178.0

412.9

16.5
49.9
3,058.4
378.2
944.0
10,074.1

12.2
–
–

12.2

108.7
32.0
338.4

479.1

237.4

638.1
1,002.9
6,343.3
266.7
–

8,251.0

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
10.3

10.3

802.5
485.1
1,250.8

2,538.4

–

16,056.4

15,498.6

5,176.8

36,731.8

10,902.4

17,182.7

4,935.1

33,020.2

43.7%

42.2%

14.1%

100.0%

33.0%

52.0%

15.0%

100.0%

Investments in associates (note 6)(4)(5)

3,073.8

17.7

4,059.8

7,151.3

3,147.3

19.4

4,034.2

7,200.9

(1)

(2)

Includes restricted cash and cash equivalents of $789.6 at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – $691.5). See
note 27.

Included in Level 3 are the company’s investments in mortgage loans at December 31, 2020 of $775.4 (December 31,
2019 – $232.0) secured by real estate primarily in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

(3) Primarily comprised of the company’s investment in compulsory convertible preferred shares of Go Digit Infoworks Services

Limited (‘‘Digit’’). The company also holds a 49.0% equity interest in Digit as described in note 6.

(4) The company has presented its investment in Eurobank of $1,164.4 at December 31, 2019 as an investment in associate

whereas it was previously presented as a Level 1 common stock as described in note 3.

(5) The fair value of investments in associates is presented separately as such investments are measured using the equity
method of accounting. Also included is the fair value of RiverStone Barbados which is held for sale at December 31, 2020
pursuant to the transaction described in note 23.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

In the preceding table certain limited partnerships included in common stocks are classified as Level 3 because their
net asset values are unobservable or because they contractually require greater than three months to liquidate or
redeem. During 2020 and 2019 there were no significant transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and
Level 2, and there were no significant transfers of financial instruments in or out of Level 3 as a result of changes in
the observability of valuation inputs except as described in the following table which summarizes changes in Level 3
financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

2020

Limited
partnerships

Private
placement
and other(1) debt securities

Derivatives

Private
company
and other preferred Common
shares

invested assets

Private
equity
funds(1)

Total

Balance – January 1

1,846.7

1,420.1

764.3

569.2

205.6

129.2

4,935.1

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in

the consolidated statement of earnings

Purchases
Transfer out of category due to change in accounting

treatment(2)

Sales and distributions
Transfer out of category
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)

on foreign operations included in other
comprehensive income

Deconsolidation of non-insurance subsidiary

(note 23)

Balance – December 31

155.9
198.1

–
(392.8)
(44.4)

3.4

–

99.3
1,012.8

(149.3)
(474.6)
–

12.5

(146.6)

(100.4)
44.2

–
–
–

(0.6)

(9.9)

(3.0)
20.7

–
(0.1)
–

0.6

–

27.4
14.3

–
(8.0)
–

0.6

–

(1.0)
–

178.2
1,290.1

–
(18.8)
–

(149.3)
(894.3)
(44.4)

1.4

17.9

–

(156.5)

1,766.9

1,774.2

697.6

587.4

239.9

110.8

5,176.8

2019

Limited
partnerships

Private
placement
and other(1) debt securities

Derivatives

Private
company
and other preferred Common
shares

invested assets

Private
equity
funds(1)

Total

Balance – January 1

1,810.7

1,992.9

476.7

255.7

668.0

170.0

5,374.0

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in

the consolidated statement of earnings

Purchases
Sales and distributions
Transfer out of category
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)

on foreign operations included in other
comprehensive income
Assets held for sale (note 23)

136.0
196.6
(251.9)
(39.0)

6.8
(12.5)

(159.8)
424.5
(806.6)
–

23.3
(54.2)

195.9
195.3
(109.2)
–

374.3
49.0
(108.7)(4)

–

132.0
25.5
(45.4)
(574.3)(3)

29.9
–

708.3
890.9
(67.4) (1,389.2)
(613.3)

–

5.8
(0.2)

(1.1)
–

(0.2)
–

(3.3)
–

31.3
(66.9)

Balance – December 31

1,846.7

1,420.1

764.3

569.2

205.6

129.2

4,935.1

(1)

Included in common stocks in the fair value hierarchy table presented on the previous page and in holding company cash
and investments or common stocks on the consolidated balance sheets.

(2) On July 1, 2020 the company derecognized its investment in Farmers Edge convertible debentures pursuant to the

consolidation of Farmers Edge as described in note 6.

(3) During 2019 the company’s investment in ICICI Lombard common stock was transferred from Level 3 to Level 1 as the
Indian regulatory selling restriction on the company’s holdings was removed. Accordingly, the company ceased applying a
discount for lack of marketability (an unobservable key valuation input) to the traded market price of those holdings.
Subsequently in 2019 the company sold its remaining 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard.

(4) On April 17, 2019 the company derecognized its investment in AGT preferred shares of $108.7 pursuant to the acquisition

of AGT as described in note 23.

The table below presents the valuation techniques and unobservable inputs used to estimate fair values for the
company’s significant Level 3 financial assets at December 31, 2020:

Significant
unobservable
input

Net asset value
Credit spread
Recent transaction price
Credit spread
Terminal capitalization rate

Asset class
Limited partnerships and other(b)(1)
Private placement debt securities(c)(2)
Mortgage loans(c)(3)

Carrying Valuation
technique

value

1,748.6 Net asset value

858.3 Discounted cash flow
775.4 Market approach

Investment property(d)(4)

488.0

Discounted cash flow
Income capitalization
and/or sales comparison Discount rate

Investment property(d)(5)
Warrants(d)(6)
CPI-linked derivatives(d)(7)
Private company preferred shares(e)(8)

50.9

Sales comparison

133.2 Option pricing model
2.8 Option pricing model
475.1 Discounted cash flow

Private placement preferred shares(e)(9)
Common shares(b)(10)
Private equity funds(b)(1)
Private equity funds(b)(10)
Other

Total

71.6 Discounted cash flow
80.9 Market comparable
45.0 Net asset value
65.6 Market comparable

381.4

Various

5,176.8

Market rent growth rate
Price per acre (Cdn$ thousands)
Equity volatility
Inflation volatility
Discount rate
Long term growth rate
Discount for lack of marketability
Credit spread
Book value multiple
Net asset value
Price/Earnings multiple
Various

Input range
used

Low

N/A
1.8%
N/A
2.1%
6.8%
7.1%
2.5%
15.0
31.2%
0.0%
11.5%
6.0%
10.5%
4.2%
1.5
N/A
10.0
N/A

High

N/A
29.5%
N/A
4.9%
7.5%
9.3%
3.0%
170.0
55.1%
3.3%
11.5%
6.0%
10.5%
4.2%
1.5
N/A
10.0
N/A

Effect on
fair value if
input value
is increased(a)

Increase
Decrease
Increase
Decrease
Decrease
Decrease
Increase
Increase
Increase
Increase
Decrease
Increase
Decrease
Decrease
Increase
Increase
Increase
N/A

(a) Decreasing the input value would have the opposite effect on the estimated fair value.

(b)

Included in holding company cash and investments or common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet.

(c)

Included in holding company cash and investments or bonds on the consolidated balance sheet.

(d)

Included in holding company cash and investments or derivatives and other invested assets on the consolidated
balance sheet.

(e)

Included in preferred stocks on the consolidated balance sheet.

(1) Limited partnerships and other, and certain private equity funds, are investment funds managed by third party
fund managers and general partners that invest in a diverse range of industries and geographies. These
investment funds were valued primarily using net asset value statements provided by those 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, such investments are
classified as Level 3 if they require at least three months’ notice to liquidate or redeem. At December 31, 2020
limited partnerships and other consisted of 51 investments, the three largest being $299.5 (beverage
manufacturing), $191.8 (industrials) and $146.4 (oil and gas extraction) (December 31, 2019 – 49 investments,
largest being $482.3 (beverage manufacturing), $128.9 (primarily household appliance
the three
manufacturing) and $128.3 (industrials)). By increasing (decreasing) net asset values at December 31, 2020 by
10%, the fair value of limited partnerships and other would collectively increase (decrease) by $174.9, and the
fair value of the private equity funds would collectively increase (decrease) by $4.5.

(2) At December 31, 2020 these private placement debt securities were valued using industry accepted discounted
cash flow models that incorporated unobservable credit spreads of the issuers, and consisted of 10 investments,
the largest being $438.6 (software publishers) (December 31, 2019 – 16 investments, the largest being $442.1
(software publishers)). By increasing (decreasing) the credit spreads applied at December 31, 2020 by 100 basis
points, the fair value of this asset class would collectively decrease by $17.7 (increase by $14.8).

(3) At December 31, 2020 these mortgage loans consisted of 22 investments, the largest being $111.5 (December 31,
2019 – 6 investments, the largest being $108.1). By increasing (decreasing) the credit spreads applied at
December 31, 2020 by 100 basis points, the fair value of this asset class would not change significantly primarily
due to the short term nature of these instruments.

(4) These investment property were valued by third party appraisers using industry accepted income capitalization
and/or sales comparison approaches that incorporated unobservable capitalization rates, discount rates and
market rent growth rates.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

(5) These investment property were valued using an industry accepted direct sales comparison approach that

incorporated unobservable recent sale prices per acre for comparable properties in similar locations.

(6) These warrants were valued using industry accepted option pricing models that incorporated unobservable
long-dated equity volatilities. A higher equity volatility generally results in a higher fair value due to the higher
probability of obtaining a greater return from the warrant. By increasing (decreasing) equity volatilities applied
at December 31, 2020 by 10%, the fair value of these warrants would collectively increase by $22.7 (decrease
by $23.5).

(7) CPI-linked derivatives were valued using broker-dealer quotes that applied observable inputs except for

unobservable inflation volatilities.

(8) These private company preferred shares were valued using an industry accepted discounted cash flow model that
incorporated an unobservable discount rate and long term growth rate. As the company is restricted from selling
the preferred shares for a specified period a discount for lack of marketability was also applied using an industry
accepted option pricing model that incorporated unobservable long-dated equity volatilities. At December 31,
2020: by increasing (decreasing) the discount rate applied by 0.5%, the fair value of the preferred shares would
decrease by $45.1 (increase by $54.2); by increasing (decreasing) the long term growth rate applied by 0.25%, the
fair value of the preferred shares would increase by $17.4 (decrease by $15.8); by increasing (decreasing) the
equity volatility applied by 10%, the option value would increase (decrease) and the fair value of the preferred
shares would decrease by $25.9 (increase by $25.8).

At December 31, 2019 these private company preferred shares were valued using the transaction price. As the
company was restricted from selling for a specified period, a discount for lack of marketability was applied using
an industry accepted option pricing model that incorporated market unobservable long-dated equity
volatilities.

(9) These private placement preferred shares were valued using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that
incorporated unobservable credit spreads of the preferred shares. By increasing (decreasing) the credit spreads
applied at December 31, 2020 by 100 basis points, the fair value of this asset class would decrease by $8.2
(increase by $8.4).

(10) These common shares and private equity funds were valued using various valuation measures for comparable
companies and transactions, including relevant valuation multiples. In some instances, such investments are
classified as Level 3 because the valuation multiples applied by the company were adjusted for differences in
attributes between the investment and the underlying companies or transactions from which the valuation
multiples were derived.

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

Interest and dividends and share of profit (losses) of associates

Interest income:

Cash and short term investments
Bonds
Derivatives and other invested assets

Dividends:

Preferred stocks
Common stocks

Investment expenses

Interest and dividends

Share of profit (losses) of associates(1)

2020

2019

104.1
557.4
55.0

156.5
618.0
51.8

716.5

826.3

4.3
73.5

77.8

11.2
82.5

93.7

(25.1)

(39.8)

769.2

880.2

(112.8) 169.6

(1)

Includes impairment charges recorded on investments in associates during 2020 of $240.3 (2019 – $211.2) as described
in note 6.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Net gains (losses) on investments

2020

2019

Net

Net change

Net

Net change

realized

in unrealized

Net gains

realized

in unrealized

Net gains

Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks

Derivatives:

Equity total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Equity warrant forward contracts
Equity warrants and options
CPI-linked derivatives
U.S. treasury bond forwards
Other

Foreign currency net gains (losses) on:

Investing activities
Underwriting activities
Foreign currency contracts

Disposition of associates

Deconsolidation of non-insurance subsidiary

Other

Net gains (losses) on investments

gains
(losses)(1)

112.1
–
243.7

355.8

(613.2)(2)
207.4(2)

–
(1.6)
(300.0)
(103.0)
(59.0)

(869.4)

(51.0)
(16.8)
2.1

(65.7)

8.6(5)(6)

(61.5)(7)

(36.9)

(669.1)

gains
(losses)

593.5
10.0
(212.4)

391.1

84.6
118.2
–
(54.7)(3)
286.1
1.0
26.1

156.4
–
(35.1)

121.3

–

8.5

982.2

(losses) on
investments

gains
(losses)

gains
(losses)
258.1(8)(9)
397.3(10)
377.9(11)

(losses) on
investments

198.5
373.9
925.9

(59.6)(8)(9)
(23.4)
548.0(11)

465.0

1,033.3

1,498.3

705.6
10.0
31.3

746.9

(528.6)
325.6
–
(56.3)
(13.9)
(102.0)
(32.9)

48.2(2)
(34.5)(2)
83.8(3)
(4.7)
(14.1)
(119.3)
9.9(3)

(93.2)
55.0
(38.4)(3)
128.6(3)
1.8
32.6
(111.3)(3)

461.3

(408.1)

(30.7)

(24.9)

105.4(4)
(16.8)
(33.0)

55.6

8.6

(61.5)

(28.4)

(17.3)
5.6
8.3

(3.4)

10.9(12)

171.3(13)

(50.7)
–
(9.6)

(60.3)

–

20.3

134.7(14)

313.1

633.4

1,082.8

1,716.2

(45.0)
20.5
45.4
123.9
(12.3)
(86.7)
(101.4)

(55.6)

(68.0)(4)
5.6
(1.3)

(63.7)

10.9

171.3

155.0

(1) Amounts recorded in net realized gains (losses) in 2020 include net gains (losses) on investments that were disposed of
pursuant to the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa on December 8, 2020 and European Run-off on March 31, 2020 as
described in note 23.

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

(3)

Includes the Atlas (formerly Seaspan) $8.05 equity warrants and forward contracts relating to commitments to purchase
Atlas warrants and debentures in January 2019. See note 6.

(4) Foreign currency net gains on investing activities during 2020 primarily reflected strengthening of the euro and Canadian
dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency net losses on investing activities during 2019 primarily related to
U.S. dollar denominated investments held by subsidiaries with a Canadian dollar or British pound functional currency as
the U.S. dollar weakened relative to those currencies.

(5) On February 28, 2020 the company sold its investment in APR Energy to Atlas in an all-stock transaction as described in

note 6.

(6) On September 30, 2020 the company sold its investment in Davos Brands for cash proceeds of $58.6 and recorded a net

realized gain of $19.3 as described in note 6.

(7) On December 8, 2020 Fairfax Africa was deconsolidated and an equity accounted investment in Helios Fairfax Partners
Corporation (‘‘HFP’’) was recognized, resulting in a net realized loss of $61.5 (inclusive of foreign currency translation
losses of $26.9 recycled from accumulated other comprehensive income to the consolidated statement of earnings)
pursuant to the transaction described in note 23.

(8) On June 28, 2019 EXCO Resources Inc. (‘‘EXCO’’) emerged from bankruptcy protection and settled the company’s
holdings of EXCO bonds with common shares, resulting in the company recording a net loss on investment of $179.3
(realized losses of $296.3, of which $117.0 was recorded as unrealized losses in prior years).

(9) On December 21, 2019 Fairfax India’s holdings of Sanmar Chemicals Group (‘‘Sanmar’’) bonds with a principal amount
of $300.0 were settled for net cash proceeds of $425.5 (30.3 billion Indian rupees) including accrued interest, resulting in
the company recording a net gain on investment of $48.8 (realized gains of $156.5, of which $107.7 was recorded as
unrealized gains in prior years).

(10) On December 23, 2019 Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited (‘‘Digit’’) entered into definitive agreements whereby
its general insurance subsidiary Go Digit Insurance Limited (‘‘Digit Insurance’’) subsequently issued approximately $91
(6.5 billion Indian rupees) of new equity shares primarily to three Indian investors. This transaction valued Digit
Insurance at approximately $858 (61.2 billion Indian rupees) and resulted in the company recording net unrealized gains
on investments of $350.9 on its investment in Digit compulsory convertible preferred shares. The company also holds a
49.0% equity interest in Digit as described in note 6.

(11) During 2019 the company sold its 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard for gross proceeds of $729.0 and recognized a
net gain on investment of $240.0 (realized gains of $311.2, of which $71.2 was recorded as unrealized gains in prior
years), primarily related to the removal of the discount for lack of marketability previously applied by the company to the
traded market price of its ICICI Lombard common stock.

(12) On April 18, 2019 Brit acquired the 50.0% equity interest in Ambridge Partners LLC (‘‘Ambridge Partners’’) that it did not
already own for $46.6, remeasured its existing equity interest to fair value for a gain of $10.4, and commenced
consolidating Ambridge Partners.

(13) On May 17, 2019 the company deconsolidated Grivalia Properties upon its merger into Eurobank and recognized a

non-cash gain of $171.3. See note 23.

(14) During 2019 it was determined that the company will receive additional consideration of $33.9 pursuant to its sale of

First Capital in 2017.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Investments in Associates

The company’s investments in associates are as follows:

December 31, 2020

Carrying value

Ownership
percentage(a)

Fair
value(b)

Associates
and joint
ventures

Fairfax India
associates(c)

Total

Year ended
December 31,
2020

Share of
profit
(loss)

Insurance and reinsurance:

Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A. (‘‘Eurolife’’)(1)
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance

Joint Stock Corporation (‘‘BIC Insurance’’)
Thai Re Public Company Limited (‘‘Thai Re’’)
Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited (‘‘Singapore Re’’)
Falcon Insurance PLC (‘‘Falcon Thailand’’)
Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited (‘‘Digit’’)
RiverStone (Barbados) Ltd. (‘‘RiverStone Barbados’’), held for

sale(2)

Other

Non-insurance:

India

Bangalore International Airport Limited (‘‘Bangalore Airport’’)
Quess Corp Limited (‘‘Quess’’)(10)
IIFL Finance Limited (‘‘IIFL Finance’’)(10)
Sanmar Chemicals Group (‘‘Sanmar’’)
CSB Bank Limited (‘‘CSB Bank’’)
IIFL Securities Limited (‘‘IIFL Securities’’)(10)
Seven Islands Shipping Limited (‘‘Seven Islands’’)
Other

Africa(11)

Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (‘‘HFP’’)
Atlas Mara Limited (‘‘Atlas Mara’’)(10)(12)
AFGRI Holdings Proprietary Limited (‘‘AFGRI’’)
Other

Agriculture

Astarta Holding N.V. (‘‘Astarta’’)(10)
Farmers Edge Inc. (‘‘Farmers Edge’’)(4)

Real estate

KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships (‘‘KWF LPs’’)
Other

Other

Eurobank Ergasias Services & Holdings S.A (‘‘Eurobank’’)(10)
Atlas Corp. (‘‘Atlas’’, formerly Seaspan Corporation)(6)
EXCO Resources Inc. (‘‘EXCO’’)
Resolute Forest Products Inc. (‘‘Resolute’’)(10)
APR Energy plc (‘‘APR Energy’’)(6)
Peak Achievement Athletics (‘‘Peak Achievement’’)
Partnerships, trusts and other(7)

50.0%

457.9

336.2(d)

41.3
84.9
36.2
11.5
120.5

729.5
59.7

51.0
35.2
39.2
11.5
41.8

729.5(d)
60.3

1,541.5

1,304.7

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

336.2

6.1

51.0
35.2
39.2
11.5
41.8

729.5
60.3

1,304.7

642.4
558.9
233.6
128.6
164.4
125.5
100.8
31.6

3.7
(12.9)
0.5
1.5
8.8

113.0
(1.4)

119.3

(30.5)
(124.6)
19.9
(48.6)
14.1
9.8
17.8
0.1

1,396.1
366.8
175.6
338.6
214.4
74.3
103.6
37.1

–

558.9(d)
57.7
–
–
32.1
–
8.8

642.4
–
175.9
128.6
164.4
93.4
100.8
22.8

2,706.5

657.5

1,328.3

1,985.8

(142.0)

185.9
19.3
–
–

185.9
21.3
–
–

205.2

207.2

49.9
–

49.9

84.3
48.3

65.3
–

65.3

84.3(d)
50.8

132.6

135.1

799.9
978.9
237.7
161.9
–
171.5
165.7

1,166.3
900.1
238.5
134.3
–

140.2(d)
162.1

2,515.6

2,741.5

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

185.9
21.3
–
–

207.2

65.3
–

65.3

84.3
50.8

135.1

1,166.3
900.1
238.5
134.3
–
140.2
162.1

2,741.5

–
(31.3)
(18.4)
(24.5)

(74.2)

(28.0)
(21.8)

(49.8)

(17.9)
(0.2)

(18.1)

(11.9)
116.4
(4.6)
(57.0)
(13.6)
34.2
(11.5)

52.0

35.0%
47.1%
28.2%
41.2%
49.0%

60.0%
–

54.0%
33.2%
29.9%
42.9%
49.7%
35.3%
48.5%
–

32.3%
50.0%
–
–

28.4%
–

–
–

30.5%
36.7%
43.7%
30.6%
–
42.6%
–

Investments in associates

7,151.3

5,111.3

1,328.3

6,439.6

(112.8)

5,609.8

3,806.6

1,328.3

5,134.9

(232.1)

As presented on the consolidated balance sheet:

Investments in associates
Investment in associate held for sale(2)(d)
Fairfax India investments in associates

4,154.3
729.5
2,267.5

7,151.3

4,381.8
729.5
1,328.3

6,439.6

December 31, 2019

Ownership
percentage(a)(e)

Fair
value(b)(e)

Carrying value

Fairfax India
Associates
and
and joint Fairfax Africa
associates(c)
ventures(e)

Insurance and reinsurance:

Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A. (‘‘Eurolife’’)(1)
Thai Re Public Company Limited (‘‘Thai Re’’)
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance

Joint Stock Corporation (‘‘BIC Insurance’’)

Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited (‘‘Singapore Re’’)
Falcon Insurance PLC (‘‘Falcon Thailand’’)
Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited (‘‘Digit’’)(3)
Other

Non-insurance:
India

Quess Corp Limited (‘‘Quess’’)(8)
Bangalore International Airport Limited (‘‘Bangalore Airport’’)
Sanmar Chemicals Group (‘‘Sanmar’’)
IIFL Finance Limited (‘‘IIFL Finance’’)(9)
CSB Bank Limited (‘‘CSB Bank’’)
IIFL Securities Limited (‘‘IIFL Securities’’)(9)
Seven Islands Shipping Limited (‘‘Seven Islands’’)
Other

Africa

Atlas Mara Limited (‘‘Atlas Mara’’)
AFGRI Holdings Propriety Limited (‘‘AFGRI’’)
Other

Agriculture

Astarta Holding N.V. (‘‘Astarta’’)
Farmers Edge Inc. (‘‘Farmers Edge’’)

50.0%
47.1%

35.0%
27.8%
41.2%
49.0%
–

33.2%
54.0%
42.9%
35.4%
49.7%
35.4%
48.5%
–

42.4%
62.8%
–

27.4%
50.4%

Real estate

KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships (‘‘KWF LPs’’)
Other

–
–

Other

Eurobank Ergasias Services & Holdings S.A (‘‘Eurobank’’)(5)
Resolute Forest Products Inc. (‘‘Resolute’’)
APR Energy plc (‘‘APR Energy’’)
Atlas Corp. (‘‘Atlas’’, formerly Seaspan Corporation)
Peak Achievement Athletics (‘‘Peak Achievement’’)
EXCO Resources Inc. (‘‘EXCO’’)
Partnerships, trusts and other

30.5%
27.7%
53.4%
32.5%
42.6%
43.3%
–

Investments in associates

As presented on the consolidated balance sheet:

Investments in associates
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa investments in associates

403.1
43.3

45.2
35.6
10.4
122.3
46.6

706.5

332.1
1,429.8
412.9
221.4
229.3
65.0
88.8
24.3

2,803.6

78.1
141.0
66.3

285.4

28.9
43.8

72.7

99.0
80.8

179.8

1,164.4
104.0
266.2
994.5
163.9
238.2
221.7

3,152.9

6,494.4

7,200.9

4,521.7
2,679.2

7,200.9

Year ended
December 31,
2019

Share of
profit
(loss)

154.8
(15.0)

2.7
3.2
0.5
(7.6)
7.9

Total

303.9
43.3

48.6
39.2
10.4
–
46.7

492.1

146.5

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

303.9(d)
43.3

48.6
39.2
10.4
–
46.7

492.1

704.1(d)

–
–
56.4
–
30.8
–
8.8

115.5
41.0

156.5

99.0(d)
74.7

173.7

1,164.4
207.5
189.3(d)
626.9
104.4(d)
243.2
202.1

2,737.8

3,868.1

4,360.2

–
689.3
178.7
167.2
157.8
90.3
84.7
23.3

704.1
689.3
178.7
223.6
157.8
121.1
84.7
32.1

(183.2)
30.8
–
198.9
(4.0)
1.6
3.0
(0.3)

800.1

1,391.3

2,191.4

46.8

–
–
–

–

82.3
79.6
71.0

232.9

(54.0)
19.5
(6.6)

(41.1)

(19.1)
(39.9)

(59.0)

49.8
(5.8)

44.0

–
(4.9)
(57.0)
83.8
(5.1)
21.6
(6.0)

32.4

23.1

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

115.5
41.0

156.5

99.0
74.7

173.7

1,164.4
207.5
189.3
626.9
104.4
243.2
202.1

2,737.8

1,624.2

5,492.3

1,624.2

5,984.4

169.6

4,360.2
1,624.2

5,984.4

(a) Ownership percentages include the effects of financial instruments that are considered in-substance equity.
(b) See note 5 for fair value hierarchy information.
(c) Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa’s associates are domiciled in India and Africa respectively.
(d) These investments are joint ventures.
(e) Excludes European Run-off’s investments in associates and joint ventures with a carrying value of $442.9 and a fair value
of $504.6 that were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and
principally comprised of investments in Gulf Insurance, Eurobank, Atlas (formerly Seaspan Corporation), APR Energy and
Resolute. See note 23.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Insurance and reinsurance associates and joint ventures

(1) The company holds a 50.0% indirect interest in Eurolife at December 31, 2020 through its 62.5% interest in a
joint venture with OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario’s municipal employees. The joint venture holds an
80.0% equity interest in Eurolife, with the remaining 20.0% equity interest held by Eurobank. During
2020 Eurolife invested $93.7 (2019 – $22.1) in a Fairfax consolidated internal investment fund, which was
presented as an increase of non-controlling interests in other net changes in capitalization in the consolidated
statement of changes in equity and as an issuance of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests in the
consolidated statement of cash flows.

(2) On March 31, 2020 the company received a 60.0% joint venture interest with a fair value of $605.0 in RiverStone
Barbados pursuant to its contribution of European Run-off to RiverStone Barbados, and at December 31, 2020
that joint venture interest was held for sale, pursuant to the transactions described in note 23.

(3) On December 23, 2019 Digit entered into definitive agreements whereby its general insurance subsidiary Digit
Insurance subsequently issued approximately $91 (6.5 billion Indian rupees) of new equity primarily to three
Indian investors. This transaction valued Digit Insurance at approximately $858 (61.2 billion Indian rupees) and
valued the company’s 49.0% equity interest in Digit at $122.3 at December 31, 2019. The company’s 49.0%
equity interest in Digit is comprised of a 45.3% interest in Digit common shares and a 3.7% interest through
Digit compulsory convertible preferred shares that are considered in-substance equity. Foreign direct ownership
in the insurance sector in India is limited to 49.0% and as a result the remainder of the company’s investment in
Digit compulsory convertible preferred shares is recorded at FVTPL as described in note 5.

Non-insurance associates and joint ventures

(4) On July 1, 2020 the company commenced consolidating Farmers Edge as the company held convertible
debentures and warrants that, together with its holdings of common shares, represented a substantive potential
voting interest of approximately 67%.

(5) The carrying value and fair value of non-insurance associates at December 31, 2019 was revised to include the
company’s investment in Eurobank of $1,164.4 that was previously included in holding company cash and
investments and common stocks on the company’s consolidated balance sheet as described in note 3.

(6) On February 27, 2020 Seaspan Corporation (‘‘Seaspan’’) completed a reorganization pursuant to which Atlas, a
newly created holding company, became its parent. Shareholders of Seaspan, including the company,
exchanged their Seaspan shares for Atlas shares with no change in ownership percentage. On February 28, 2020
Atlas acquired all issued and outstanding shares of APR Energy from the company and other APR Energy
shareholders in an all-stock transaction at a deemed value of $388.3 (including certain Atlas shares reserved for
holdback). Accordingly, the company derecognized its investment in APR Energy, recorded a pre-tax loss of $7.6,
increased its equity accounted carrying value of Atlas by the fair value of the APR Energy shares exchanged
(considered to be equal to the fair value of the newly issued Atlas common shares received of $178.1, which
excluded the Atlas shares received by European Run-off of $45.9), and continued to apply the equity method of
accounting to its investment in Atlas.

On February 28, 2020 the company invested $100.0 in Atlas 5.50% unsecured debentures due March 1, 2027,
which increased the company’s aggregate investment in Atlas debentures to a principal amount of $575.0. At
December 31, 2020 the company’s holdings of Atlas debentures and warrants (the ‘‘$8.05 warrants’’) had fair
values of $575.9 and $110.5 and were presented as bonds and derivatives respectively on the consolidated
balance sheet.

(7) On September 30, 2020 the company sold its investment in Davos Brands for cash proceeds of $58.6 and
recorded a net realized gain of $19.3 in the consolidated statement of earnings. The company and other former
shareholders of Davos Brands are eligible to receive additional consideration contingent on the brand
performance over the next ten years of Aviation Gin, which is majority owned by Davos Brands.

(8) On December 9, 2019 Thomas Cook India completed a non-cash spin-off of its 48.6% equity interest in Quess as
a return of capital to its shareholders. This resulted in the company receiving a direct 31.8% joint venture
interest in Quess as a transfer between companies under common control, with the company’s carrying value of
Quess remaining unchanged and subject to impairment testing as described in footnote 10 below. Prior to the
spin-off Thomas Cook India recorded the Quess shares to be transferred to its minority shareholders at fair value
and recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $190.6, which was included in share of profit (loss) of associates in
the consolidated statement of earnings and fully attributed to non-controlling interests.

(9) On May 31, 2019 IIFL Holdings Limited (‘‘IIFL Holdings’’) spun off its wholly-owned subsidiary IIFL Securities
(comprised of investment brokerage, distribution and investment banking businesses) and its 53.3% equity
interest in its subsidiary IIFL Wealth Management Limited (‘‘IIFL Wealth’’, comprised of wealth and asset
management businesses) in a non-cash transaction. IIFL Holdings was renamed IIFL Finance (comprised of loans
and mortgage business) and continues to be publicly listed. The company recorded share of profit of IIFL
Holdings of $172.9, reflecting its share of a gain at IIFL Holdings from the spin-offs, and recorded its initial
investments in IIFL Wealth and IIFL Securities at fair values of $255.6 and $121.9. Subsequently, the company
applied the equity method of accounting to its 35.4% equity interest in each of IIFL Finance and IIFL Securities,
and recorded its 19.0% equity interest in IIFL Wealth at FVTPL. The shares of IIFL Wealth and IIFL Securities were
listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India in September 2019.

(10) Please refer to the ‘‘Impairment Assessments’’ section below.

Fairfax Africa

(11) On December 7, 2020 the holding company acquired Atlas Mara from Fairfax Africa in an intercompany
transaction. On December 8, 2020 the company deconsolidated Fairfax Africa (subsequently renamed Helios
Fairfax Partners Corporation) and accounted for its interest in HFP as an investment in associate pursuant to the
transaction described in note 23.

(12) On December 31, 2020 Atlas Mara repurchased 26.4 million of its outstanding common shares for treasury
which increased the company’s ownership of Atlas Mara to 50.0%. The company will continue to report Atlas
Mara under the equity method of accounting due to contractual arrangements with Atlas Mara that preclude the
company from fully exercising its voting rights.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Annual changes in carrying value

Changes in the carrying value of investments in associates, including investment in associate held for sale, for the
years ended December 31 were as follows:

2020

Associates(1)

ventures(1)

Joint Fairfax India Fairfax Africa
associates

associates

Total

Balance – January 1
Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss):

Share of profit (loss)
Impairments(2)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding losses on

defined benefit plans

Share of losses on defined benefit plans

Dividends and distributions received
Purchases and acquisitions
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization
Reclassifications(3)
Deconsolidation of non-insurance subsidiary (note 23)
Transfers(4)
Foreign exchange effect

2,876.6

1,483.6

1,391.3

232.9

5,984.4

83.4
(88.3)

88.0
(32.2)

50.9
(70.0)
223.4
(107.2)
174.4
–
21.3
1.0

91.8
(98.9)

42.1
(20.8)

14.2
(3.7)
20.8
(180.6)
605.0
–
–
1.6

(24.8)
–

3.2
(4.9)

(26.5)
(4.9)
–
0.9
–
–
–
(32.5)

(27.3)
(35.0)

(41.7)
–

(104.0)
(1.4)
5.0
(1.7)
–
(103.6)
(21.3)
(5.9)

123.1
(222.2)

91.6
(57.9)

(65.4)
(80.0)
249.2
(288.6)
779.4
(103.6)
–
(35.8)

Balance – December 31

3,170.4

1,940.9

1,328.3

–

6,439.6

2019

Associates ventures

Joint Fairfax India Fairfax Africa
associates

associates

Total

Balance – January 1
Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss):

Share of profit (loss)
Impairments(2)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding losses on

defined benefit plans

Share of losses on defined benefit plans

Dividends and distributions received
Purchases and acquisitions
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization(5)
Reclassifications(3)
Assets held for sale (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect

1,465.6 2,006.3

1,103.0

288.1

4,863.0

111.6
(20.6)

131.1
(190.6)

26.2
(42.3)

(3.8)
(0.2)

74.9
(160.7)
677.2
(0.5)
1,201.8
(390.9)
9.2

(63.5)
(245.0)
71.6
(221.0)
–
(52.0)
(12.8)

179.2
–

(0.7)
(5.5)

173.0
(288.8)
441.0
(9.7)
–
–
(27.2)

(41.1)
–

(51.6)
–

(92.7)
–
45.1
(7.4)
–
–
(0.2)

380.8
(211.2)

(29.9)
(48.0)

91.7
(694.5)
1,234.9
(238.6)
1,201.8
(442.9)
(31.0)

Balance – December 31

2,876.6 1,483.6

1,391.3

232.9

5,984.4

(1) Excludes European Run-off’s investments in associates and joint ventures that were included in assets held for sale on the

consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 as described in note 23.

(2)

Impairments recorded on associates and joint ventures are included in share of profit (loss) of associates in the consolidated
statement of earnings. Impairments of $222.2 recorded during 2020 included non-cash impairment charges on Quess,
Resolute, Atlas Mara and Astarta. Not shown in the table above are impairments of $18.1 recorded during 2020 on certain
investments in associates and joint ventures held by European Run-off and Fairfax Africa subsequent to those subsidiaries
being classified as held for sale. Impairments of $211.2 recorded during 2019 included non-cash impairment charges on
Quess of $190.6 (related to Thomas Cook India’s non-cash spin-off of Quess shares to its minority shareholders and fully
attributed to non-controlling interests) and on Astarta of $10.1.

(3) Primarily reflects the investments in HFP (an associate) and RiverStone Barbados (a joint venture), and the consolidation
of Farmers Edge in 2020, and the reclassification of Eurobank and Brit’s consolidation of Ambridge Partners in 2019. See
note 23.

(4) Primarily reflects the holding company’s acquisition of Atlas Mara from Fairfax Africa prior to the deconsolidation of

Fairfax Africa. See note 23.

(5)

Includes the deconsolidation of Grivalia Properties’ investments in associates of $68.5 in 2019. See note 23.

Impairment assessments

At December 31, 2020 the company conducted impairment assessments of its non-insurance associates and joint
ventures that had carrying values in excess of their fair values as determined by current market conditions affected by
the COVID-19 pandemic. From those assessments the company concluded there were no impairments except as
described below.

For certain non-insurance associates and joint ventures where the market prices of their shares were lower than
carrying value, the company performed a value-in-use analysis with multi-year free cash flow projections. A
non-cash impairment charge was recorded where the recoverable amount (higher of fair value and value-in use) was
determined to be lower than carrying value. Assumptions for each value-in-use analysis are set out in the table below:

Non-insurance
associate
or joint venture
Eurobank(4)

December 31,
2020

Fair Carrying
value

value

799.9

1,166.3

Impairment Source of free
recorded in cash flow

2020(1) projections

Discount rate(2)

Long term

December 31, December 31,
2019

2020

growth Summary of cash flow and

rate(3) other assumptions

– Internal

9.5%

N/A

estimates
consistent
with third
party analyst
reports

Quess(5)

366.8

558.9

(98.3) Quess

13.6%

12.8%

management

IIFL Finance

175.6

233.6

– IIFL Finance
management

17.7%

N/A

IIFL Securities

74.3

125.5

– IIFL Securities
management

13.2%

12.3%

1.5% Growth in net interest, fee and
commission
income
comparable to industry peers,
in
and a gradual decline
as
provisions
non-performing
exposures
continue to decrease.

expense

6.0% Achieve

forecasts,
revenue
annual capital expenditures
reverting to lower historical
levels,
capital
working
requirements comparable to
industry peers and reduced
cash taxes payable in the next
eight years through utilization
of existing tax incentives.

3.0% Growth in net interest income
from a growing loan portfolio
in
and a gradual decline
provisions expense
to be
comparable to industry peers.

6.0% Achieve

forecasts,
revenue
annual capital expenditures
normalizing to levels that are
comparable
to non-capital
intensive service-based peers
and
capital
requirements comparable to
industry peers.

working

All other(1)

110.5

137.6

(142.0)

1,527.1

2,221.9

(240.3)

(1)

Impairments are included in share of profit (loss) of associates in the consolidated statement of earnings. All other
impairments of $142.0 recorded during 2020 included non-cash impairment charges on Resolute of $56.5, Atlas Mara of
$35.0 and Astarta of $26.3. Impairments recorded on associates of $211.2 during 2019 included non-cash impairment
charges on Quess of $190.6 and Astarta of $10.1.

(2) The discount rate is representative of the cost of capital of industry peers.

(3) The long term growth rate is consistent with growth expectations for the industry and the economies in which each
associate or joint venture operates. Long term growth rates applied at December 31, 2020 remained unchanged from those
at December 31, 2019 where applicable.

(4) At December 31, 2020 the recoverable amount of Eurobank represented approximately 108% of carrying value
(December 31, 2019 – value-in-use analysis not required as fair value equaled carrying value). Increasing (decreasing) the
discount rate by 0.5% and decreasing (increasing) the long term growth rate by 0.25% in the value-in-use analysis would
decrease (increase) the recoverable amount to approximately 102% (115%) of carrying value.

(5) At December 31, 2020 the recoverable amount of Quess represented approximately 113% of carrying value (December 31,
2019 – approximately 109%). Increasing (decreasing) the discount rate by 0.5% and decreasing (increasing) the long term
growth rate by 0.25% in the value-in-use analysis would decrease (increase) the recoverable amount to approximately
103% (125%) of carrying value.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Subsequent to December 31, 2020

Sale of minority interest in Anchorage Infrastructure Investments Holdings Limited

On December 16, 2019 Fairfax India entered into an agreement to sell an approximate 11% equity interest on a
fully-diluted basis of its wholly-owned subsidiary Anchorage Infrastructure Investments Holdings Limited
(‘‘Anchorage’’) for gross proceeds of approximately $130 (9.5 billion Indian rupees). Fairfax India formed Anchorage
in 2019 to act as its primary holding company for investments in the airport sector of India. Pursuant to the
agreement Fairfax India will transfer approximately 44% of its 54.0% equity interest in Bangalore Airport to
Anchorage. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including various third-party
consents, and is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2021.

Subscription for unsecured debentures of HFP

On January 21, 2021 the company entered into an agreement to subscribe for $100.0 of 3.0% unsecured debentures
of HFP. The debentures will mature on the third anniversary of closing or, at the company’s option, on either the first
or second anniversary. At redemption, if the fair value of certain Fairfax Africa legacy investments held by HFP are
below their fair value at June 30, 2020 of $102.6, the redemption price of the debentures will be reduced by that
difference. The company will also receive 3 million warrants on HFP subordinate voting shares that are exercisable at
$4.90 per share any time prior to the fifth anniversary of closing, which if exercised would represent approximately
2.7% of all HFP shares outstanding. Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to
occur in the first quarter of 2021.

7. Derivatives

The following table summarizes the company’s derivative financial instruments:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Notional
amount

Fair value

Cost Assets Liabilities

Notional
amount

Fair value

Cost Assets Liabilities

Equity contracts:

Equity total return swaps – short positions

Equity total return swaps – long positions
Equity warrants and options(1)

CPI-linked derivative contracts

U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
Foreign currency forward and swap contracts(2)
Foreign currency options

Other derivative contracts

Total

–

1,788.3

– 144.3

626.9 102.4 133.2

74,906.0 347.5

330.8

–

53.7

25.6

2.8

3.1

66.4

5.8

27.1

382.7

–

18.0

0.4

369.8

406.3

–

11.1

528.1 114.8 200.3

– 99,804.7 614.9

–

846.5

–

6.7

3.9

–

1.8

55.3

– 102.7

–

3.4

8.2

2.5

136.0

–

35.0

189.4

84.6

3.0

–

1.7

114.5

–

2.1

288.0

205.9

(1)

(2)

Includes the company’s investment in Atlas (formerly Seaspan) $8.05 warrants with a fair value at December 31, 2020 of
$110.5 (December 31, 2019 – $164.8). See note 6.

Includes AGT’s foreign currency forward and swap liabilities with a fair value at December 31, 2020 of $46.2
(December 31, 2019 – $53.3).

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 investments or economic hedges and are not designated as hedges for financial reporting.

Equity contracts

The company has held short equity total return swaps for investment purposes from time to time, but no longer held
any at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – original notional amount of $194.4). These contracts provide a
return which is inverse to changes in the fair values of the underlying individual equities. During 2020 the company
paid net cash of $613.2 (2019 – received net cash of $48.2) in connection with the closures and reset provisions of its
short equity total return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements). During 2020 the company closed
out $898.4 notional amount of short equity total return swaps and recognized net losses on investments of $528.6
(realized losses of $703.9, of which $175.3 was recognized as unrealized losses in prior years). During 2019 the
company closed out $89.9 notional amount of short equity total return swaps and recognized net gains on
investments of $30.3 (realized losses of $7.9, of which $38.2 was recognized as unrealized losses in prior years).

During 2020 the company entered into $1,906.9 notional amount of long equity total return swaps on individual
equities for investment purposes following significant declines in global equity markets in the first quarter of 2020.
Included in those contracts were long equity total return swaps on an aggregate of 994,695 Fairfax subordinate
voting shares with an original notional amount of $329.2 (Cdn$426.5) or approximately $330.95 (Cdn$428.82) per
share, all of which remained open at December 31, 2020. Subsequent to December 31, 2020 the company entered
into long equity total return swaps on an additional 413,169 Fairfax subordinate voting shares with an original
notional amount of $155.7 (Cdn$198.5). At December 31, 2020 the company held long equity total return swaps on
individual equities for investment purposes with an original notional amount at December 31, 2020 of $1,746.2
(December 31, 2019 – $501.5). These contracts provide a return which is directly correlated to changes in the fair
values of the underlying individual equities. During 2020 the company received net cash of $207.4 (2019 – paid net
cash of $34.5) in connection with the closures and reset provisions of its long equity total return swaps (excluding
the impact of collateral requirements). During 2020 the company closed out $878.8 notional amount of its long
equity total return swaps and recorded net realized gains on investments of $216.7. During 2019 the company did
not initiate or close out any long equity total return swaps.

At December 31, 2020 the fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of derivative counterparties included in
holding company cash and investments and in assets pledged for derivative obligations was $275.9 (December 31,
2019 – $152.4), comprised of collateral of $226.4 (December 31, 2019 – $70.3) required to be deposited to enter into
such derivative contracts (principally related to total return swaps), and collateral of $49.5 (December 31, 2019 –
$82.1) securing amounts owed to counterparties in respect of fair value changes since the most recent reset date.

CPI-linked derivative contracts

The company holds derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (‘‘CPI’’) in the geographic regions in
which it operates to serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the company of
decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2020 these contracts have a remaining weighted average life of 2.7 years
(December 31, 2019 – 2.8 years) and notional amounts and fair values as shown in the table below. In the event of a
sale, expiration or early settlement of a contract, the company would receive the fair value of that contract on the

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

date of the transaction. The company’s maximum potential loss on a contract is limited to the original cost of that
contract. The CPI-linked derivative contracts are summarized as follows:

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

2.6
3.8
2.4
2.4
2.1

2.7

Notional amount

Contract

currency

U.S.

dollars

32,175.0 32,175.0
12,600.0 12,600.0
19,800.0 24,226.4
2,050.4
3,854.2

1,500.0
3,150.0

December 31, 2020

Weighted

average

Index value

strike

price

232.09
238.30
98.96
249.23
99.27

at period

end

Cost

260.47 121.0
260.47
39.8
104.70 155.6
10.4
295.40
20.7
104.09

74,906.0

347.5

Fair Unrealized

Cost in
bps(3)

Fair

value

value in
bps(3)

37.6
31.6
64.2
50.7
53.7

0.3
0.9
0.2
–
0.5

0.9
1.1
0.6
–
0.2

2.8

gain

(loss)

(120.1)
(38.7)
(155.0)
(10.4)
(20.5)

(344.7)

Underlying CPI

index

Average

life

in years

Floor
rate(1)

0.0%
United States
0.5%
United States
European Union
0.0%
United Kingdom 0.0%
0.0%
France

2.7
4.8
2.2
2.9
3.1

2.8

Notional amount

Contract
currency(2)

44,775.0
12,600.0
32,525.0
1,800.0
3,150.0

U.S.
dollars(2)

44,775.0
12,600.0
36,509.3
2,384.5
3,535.9

99,804.7

December 31, 2019

Weighted

average

Index value

Fair Unrealized

strike

price

231.35
238.30
96.57
243.79
99.27

at period

end

Cost

256.97 277.5
256.97
39.7
105.13 263.6
13.4
291.90
20.7
104.39

614.9

Cost in
bps(3)

Fair
value(2)

value in
bps(3)

62.0
31.5
72.2
56.2
58.5

0.4
3.5
0.2
–
0.3

1.6
4.4
0.6
–
0.1

6.7

gain

(loss)

(275.9)
(35.3)
(263.0)
(13.4)
(20.6)

(608.2)

(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 based on an equivalent weighted average strike
price of 250.49 if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5% per year over the life of the contract. At December 31, 2020
the equivalent weighted average strike price for the United States 0.5% CPI-linked derivative contracts was 245.86
(December 31, 2019 – 244.63).

(2) Excludes European Run-off’s contracts with a notional amount of $12,054.3 and a fair value of $0.2 referenced to CPI in
the United States, European Union and United Kingdom that were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated
balance sheet at December 31, 2019.

(3) Expressed as a percentage of the notional amount.

During 2020 the company recorded net losses of $13.9 (2019 – $12.3) on its CPI-linked derivative contracts and did
not enter into any new contracts. During 2020 certain CPI-linked derivative contracts referenced to CPI in the
United States, European Union and United Kingdom with a notional amount of $27,215.3 (2019 – $1,800.3)
matured.

U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
To reduce its exposure to interest rate risk (primarily exposure to certain long dated U.S. corporate bonds and
U.S. state and municipal bonds held in its fixed income portfolio), the company held forward contracts to sell long
dated U.S. treasury bonds with a notional amount at December 31, 2020 of $330.8 (December 31, 2019 – $846.5).
These contracts have an average term to maturity of less than three months, and may be renewed at market rates.
During 2020 the company recorded net losses of $102.0 (2019 – $86.7) on its U.S. treasury bond forward contracts.

Foreign currency forward contracts
Long and short foreign currency 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. These contracts have an average term to maturity of less than one year and may be
renewed at market rates.

Counterparty collateral
The company endeavours to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to its derivative
contracts and through the terms of negotiated agreements. The fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of the
company at December 31, 2020 consisted of cash of $116.4 and government securities of $12.9 (December 31, 2019 –
$5.3 and $10.8). The cash is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in subsidiary cash and short term
investments with a corresponding liability recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The company had
not exercised its right to sell or repledge collateral at December 31, 2020. The company’s exposure to counterparty
risk and the management thereof are discussed in note 24.

Hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries
At December 31, 2020 the company had designated the carrying value of Cdn$2,796.0 principal amount of its
Canadian dollar denominated unsecured senior notes with a fair value of $2,397.6 (December 31, 2019 – principal
amount of Cdn$2,796.0 with a fair value of $2,270.0) as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in subsidiaries with
a Canadian dollar functional currency. During 2020 the company recognized pre-tax losses of $38.0 (2019 – $105.6)
related to exchange rate movements on the Canadian dollar denominated unsecured senior notes in losses on hedge
of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on March 1, 2021 the company issued Cdn$850.0 principal amount of unsecured
senior notes due March 3, 2031 and will use the net proceeds from the issuance for the redemptions of its Cdn$446.0
principal amount of unsecured senior notes due October 14, 2022 and its Cdn$400.0 principal amount of unsecured
senior notes due March 22, 2023. Contemporaneously with the redemptions, the company will designate the
carrying value of its Cdn$850.0 principal amount of unsecured senior notes as a hedge of a portion of its net
investment in Canadian subsidiaries. See note 15 for details.

Hedge of net investment in European operations
At December 31, 2020 the company had designated the carrying value of A750.0 principal amount of its euro
denominated unsecured senior notes with a fair value of $1,023.9 (December 31, 2019 – principal amount of
A277.0 with a fair value of $336.2) as a hedge of its net investment in European operations with a euro functional
currency. The increase in principal amount of euro denominated unsecured senior notes designated as a hedging
instrument during 2020 was due to the classification of Eurobank as an investment in associate (notes 3 and 6) which
increased the company’s net investment in European operations with a euro functional currency. During 2020 the
company recognized pre-tax losses of $75.8 (2019 – $35.3) related to exchange rate movements on the euro
denominated unsecured senior notes in losses on hedge of net investment in European operations in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Insurance Contract Liabilities

Provision for unearned premiums
Provision for losses and loss adjustment

expenses

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Gross
8,397.5

Ceded
1,899.1

Net
6,498.4

Gross
7,222.4

Ceded
1,583.7

Net
5,638.7

30,809.3

7,947.3

22,862.0

28,500.2

6,934.8

21,565.4

Total insurance contract liabilities

39,206.8

9,846.4

29,360.4

35,722.6

8,518.5

27,204.1

Current
Non-current

17,389.7
21,817.1

4,218.2
5,628.2

13,171.5
16,188.9

15,023.9
20,698.7

3,715.8
4,802.7

11,308.1
15,896.0

39,206.8

9,846.4

29,360.4

35,722.6

8,518.5

27,204.1

At December 31, 2020 the company’s net provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses of $22,862.0
(December 31, 2019 – $21,565.4) was comprised of case reserves of $9,390.3 and IBNR of $13,471.7 (December 31,
2019 – $9,061.1 and $12,504.3). Excluded from the December 31, 2019 balances are European Run-off’s net
provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses of $1,590.2, comprised of case reserves of $793.4 and IBNR of
$796.8. See note 23.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Provision for unearned premiums, gross
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(1)
Less: gross premiums earned(1)

Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

Provision for unearned premiums – December 31

2020
7,222.4
18,979.4
(17,782.9)
–
–
(21.4)

2019
6,272.2
17,511.2
(16,611.0)
53.6
(6.0)
2.4

8,397.5

7,222.4

(1) Changes in the provision for unearned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2020 exclude European Run-off’s gross
premiums written and gross premiums earned of $146.5 and $115.9, as the liabilities of European Run-off were included
in liabilities associated with assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and European
Run-off was deconsolidated on March 31, 2020 as described in note 23.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses, gross
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(1)
Paid on claims occurring during:

the current year
the prior years

Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other(2)

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – December 31

2020
28,500.2
(267.7)
12,303.9

2019
29,081.7
(166.5)
11,927.5

(2,987.5)
(7,338.0)
–
–
598.4

(2,830.3)
(7,733.7)
44.0
(1,830.8)
8.3

30,809.3

28,500.2

(1) Effective January 1, 2019 Run-off Syndicate 3500 reinsured a portfolio of business predominantly comprised of casualty
(principally employers’ liability and public liability), professional indemnity, property, marine and aviation exposures
relating to accident years 2018 and prior (the ‘‘first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction’’). Pursuant to this transaction
Run-off Syndicate 3500 assumed $556.8 of net insurance contract liabilities for consideration of $561.5.

(2)

Included in 2020 is $347.7 of unpaid losses from loss reserves assumed from European Run-off which were previously
eliminated on consolidation. See note 23.

Changes in the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses presented in the table above for the year ended
December 31, 2020 exclude European Run-off’s losses and loss adjustment expenses of $196.9 and its two
transactions described in the paragraphs below, as the liabilities of European Run-off were included in liabilities
associated with assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and European Run-off
was deconsolidated on March 31, 2020 as described in note 23.

Effective January 31, 2020 a portfolio of business predominantly comprised of U.S. asbestos, pollution and other
hazards (‘‘APH’’) exposures relating to accident years 2001 and prior was transferred to RiverStone (UK) through a
Part VII transfer under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended. Pursuant to this transaction
RiverStone (UK) assumed net insurance contract liabilities of $134.7 for cash consideration of $143.3.

Effective January 1, 2020 Run-off Syndicate 3500 reinsured a portfolio of business predominantly comprised of
property, liability and marine exposures relating to accident years 2019 and prior. Pursuant to this transaction
Run-off Syndicate 3500 assumed net insurance contract liabilities of $145.5 for consideration of $146.5.

Development of insurance losses, gross
The development of insurance liabilities illustrates the estimation uncertainty associated with these liabilities and
provides a measure of the company’s ability to estimate the ultimate value of claims. The loss development table
below 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 year’s
provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses as at December 31, 2020.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment

expenses

Less: CTR Life(1)

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

17,232.2
24.2

19,648.8
20.6

19,212.8
17.9

17,749.1
15.2

19,816.4
14.2

19,481.8
12.8

28,610.8
8.7

29,081.7
8.0

28,500.2
7.0

30,809.3
5.5

17,208.0

19,628.2

19,194.9

17,733.9

19,802.2

19,469.0

28,602.1

29,073.7

28,493.2

30,803.8

Calendar year

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

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

3,627.6
6,076.7
7,920.3
9,333.4
10,458.7
11,263.6
12,030.0
12,558.1
13,047.5

17,316.4
17,013.6
16,721.0
16,233.9
16,269.6
16,331.8
16,340.6
16,535.1
16,659.3

4,323.5
7,153.1
9,148.0
10,702.8
11,783.3
12,729.6
13,335.1
13,877.0

19,021.2
18,529.4
17,820.5
17,735.5
17,830.5
17,791.8
17,931.9
18,041.2

4,081.1
6,787.6
8,775.5
10,212.4
11,354.4
12,123.4
12,754.2

18,375.6
17,475.0
17,307.9
17,287.2
17,203.5
17,340.1
17,420.0

3,801.6
6,364.5
8,172.7
9,561.8
10,496.4
11,202.2

4,441.4
7,283.6
9,466.5
10,914.2
12,013.9

16,696.4
16,269.2
16,114.0
15,938.9
16,049.6
16,123.1

19,169.3
18,973.6
18,502.5
18,469.1
18,490.5

4,608.0
7,631.4
9,655.9
11,122.6

7,564.0
12,081.3
15,222.3

7,732.0
12,313.5

7,288.8

19,343.1
18,804.8
18,752.8
18,743.9

27,580.6
27,565.9
27,451.3

28,974.3
28,839.4

28,225.5

Favourable development

548.7

1,587.0

1,774.9

1,610.8

1,311.7

725.1

1,150.8

234.3

267.7

Favourable development comprised of:
Effect of foreign currency translation
Favourable loss reserve development

250.9
297.8

570.7
1,016.3

483.2
1,291.7

266.5
1,344.3

(201.5)
1,513.2

(159.2)
884.3

518.3
632.5

135.5
98.8

1.0
266.7

548.7

1,587.0

1,774.9

1,610.8

1,311.7

725.1

1,150.8

234.3

267.7

(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 run-off
in 2002.

The effect of foreign currency translation in the table above primarily arose on translation to U.S. dollars of loss
reserves of subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The company’s exposure to foreign
currency risk and the management thereof are discussed 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 2020 of $266.7 in the table above was principally comprised of
favourable loss emergence on accident years 2019, 2017 and 2015, partially offset by adverse development primarily
related to asbestos and other latent claims liabilities.

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

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of claims, which affects 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 or 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.

Changes in the company’s provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to U.S. asbestos exposure on a
gross and net basis for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

2020

2019

Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses – January 1

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (note 23)

Net

Gross
Gross
860.5 1,217.9
1,074.6
135.4
161.0
121.2
(164.0)
(205.0) (141.7)
(114.7)
–

–

Net
995.3
114.8
(138.4)
(111.2)

Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses – December 31

1,030.6

840.0 1,074.6

860.5

Fair Value
The estimated fair value of the company’s insurance and ceded reinsurance contracts is as follows:

Insurance contracts
Ceded reinsurance contracts

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Fair
value
40,475.1
9,668.5

Carrying
value
39,206.8
9,846.4

Fair
value
35,248.0
8,049.4

Carrying
value
35,722.6
8,518.5

The fair value of insurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of both unpaid claims liabilities and unearned
premiums. The fair value of ceded reinsurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of reinsurers’ share of unpaid
claims liabilities and unearned premiums. Both reflect the time value of money through discounting, whereas the
carrying values (including the reinsurers’ share thereof) do not. The calculation of the fair value of unearned
premiums includes acquisition expenses to reflect the deferral of these expenses at the inception of the insurance
contract. The estimated fair 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 the expected future cash flows. The difference between the sum of the undiscounted expected
future cash flows and the sum of the discounted expected future cash flows represents the time value of money. A
margin for risk and uncertainty is added to the discounted cash flows to reflect the volatility of the lines of business
written, quantity of reinsurance purchased, credit quality of reinsurers and the possibility of future changes in
interest rates. The significant decrease in global interest rates during 2020 resulted in the margin for risk and
uncertainty exceeding the effect of discounting for the time value of money when determining the fair value of
insurance contracts at December 31, 2020.

The table that follows illustrates the potential impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of the company’s
insurance and reinsurance contracts:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Change in interest rates
100 basis point increase
100 basis point decrease

Fair value of Fair value of Fair value of Fair value of
reinsurance
contracts
7,836.5
8,285.1

reinsurance
contracts
9,360.8
10,007.0

insurance
contracts
34,240.4
36,343.0

insurance
contracts
39,216.0
41,853.2

9. Reinsurance

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

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Gross
recoverable

Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers

from uncollectible
reinsurance(1)

reinsurers

Gross
recoverable

Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers

from uncollectible
reinsurance(1)

reinsurers

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

7,971.7
818.0
1,899.1

(24.4)
(131.2)
–

7,947.3
686.8
1,899.1

6,956.7
776.9
1,583.7

(21.9)
(139.6)
–

6,934.8
637.3
1,583.7

10,688.8

(155.6)

10,533.2

9,317.3

(161.5)

9,155.8

Current
Non-current

4,839.0
5,694.2

10,533.2

4,314.8
4,841.0

9,155.8

(1) Management of credit risk on reinsurance recoverables is discussed in note 24.

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

Balance – January 1

Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds
Reinsurance recoveries received
Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums

earned(1)

Premiums ceded to reinsurers
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired

balances

Foreign exchange effect and other(2)

2020

Paid Unpaid
losses
losses
776.9 6,956.7
2,375.4 (2,375.4)
–
(2,317.9)

Unearned uncollectible
reinsurance
premiums
(161.5)
1,583.7
–
–
–
–

Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers
9,155.8
–
(2,317.9)

– 2,842.3
–
–

(3,923.6)
4,261.4

–
–

(1,081.3)
4,261.4

(2.7)
(13.7)

–
548.1

–
(22.4)

6.0
(0.1)

3.3
511.9

Balance – December 31

818.0 7,971.7

1,899.1

(155.6)

10,533.2

Balance – January 1

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

balances

Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Assets held for sale (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

2019

Paid Unpaid
losses
losses
792.6 6,482.3
2,299.4 (2,299.4)
–
(2,277.0)
– 3,069.6
–
–

Unearned uncollectible
reinsurance
premiums
(164.8)
1,290.8
–
–
–
–
–
(3,381.3)
–
3,675.6

Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers
8,400.9
–
(2,277.0)
(311.7)
3,675.6

(20.6)
0.2
(19.4)
1.7

–
8.7
(241.0)
(63.5)

–
2.9
–
(4.3)

3.4
–
0.4
(0.5)

(17.2)
11.8
(260.0)
(66.6)

Balance – December 31

776.9 6,956.7

1,583.7

(161.5)

9,155.8

(1) Changes in reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and unearned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2020 exclude
European Run-off’s reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned of $70.6 and $13.5 as the assets of European

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Run-off were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and European
Run-off was deconsolidated on March 31, 2020 as described in note 23.

(2)

Includes $467.1 of unpaid losses from loss reserves ceded to European Run-off which were previously eliminated on
consolidation. See note 23.

Commission income earned on premiums ceded to reinsurers in 2020 of $821.0 (2019 – $652.3) is included in
commissions, net in the consolidated statement of earnings.

10. Insurance Contract Receivables and Payables

Insurance contract receivables were comprised as follows:

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

Current
Non-current

December 31,
2020
3,665.6
1,385.3
567.3
235.6
(37.7)

December 31,
2019
3,325.0
1,176.0
753.7
211.0
(30.7)

5,816.1

5,144.7
671.4

5,816.1

5,435.0

4,921.5
513.5

5,435.0

Changes in insurance premiums receivable and reinsurance premiums receivable for the years ended December 31
were as follows:

Balance – January 1

Gross premiums written(1)
Premiums collected
Amounts due to brokers and agents
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Assets held for sale (note 23)
Recovery (impairments)
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

Insurance
premiums receivable

Reinsurance
premiums receivable

2020
3,325.0
14,309.4
(12,537.2)
(1,417.3)
–
–
(0.4)
(13.9)

2019
2,949.8
13,167.8
(11,516.3)
(1,284.5)
17.1
(1.7)
(1.3)
(5.9)

2020
1,176.0
4,670.0
(3,375.6)
(1,104.8)
–
–
(1.7)
21.4

2019
1,082.1
4,343.4
(3,288.5)
(917.2)
–
(22.6)
0.3
(21.5)

3,665.6

3,325.0

1,385.3

1,176.0

(1) Changes in insurance premiums receivable and reinsurance premiums receivable for the year ended December 31, 2020
exclude European Run-off’s gross premiums written of $146.5 as the assets of European Run-off were included in assets
held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and European Run-off was deconsolidated on
March 31, 2020 as described in note 23.

Insurance contract payables were comprised as follows:

Payable to reinsurers
Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Amounts payable to agents and brokers
Accrued commissions
Accrued premium taxes
Other insurance contract payables

Current
Non-current

December 31,
2020
1,669.5
441.1
206.3
127.2
69.0
93.1
357.8

December 31,
2019
1,469.4
373.2
239.1
101.8
95.5
82.7
229.3

2,964.0

2,705.8
258.2

2,964.0

2,591.0

2,315.4
275.6

2,591.0

11. Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs

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

Balance – January 1

Premium acquisition costs deferred
Amortization(1)
Assets held for sale (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

2020

2019

1,344.3
3,629.4
(3,424.0)
–
(6.0)

1,127.3
3,271.4
(3,068.2)
(1.7)
15.5

1,543.7

1,344.3

(1) Excludes in 2020 amortization of European Run-off’s commission expenses of $7.7 as the assets of European Run-off were
included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and European Run-off was
deconsolidated on March 31, 2020 as described in note 23.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets were comprised as follows:

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Total

Balance – January 1, 2020

Additions
Disposals(2)
Amortization
Impairments(3)
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31, 2020

Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Accumulated impairment

2,997.3
182.1
(30.3)
–
(33.0)
10.2

3,126.3

3,199.6
–
(73.3)

3,126.3

Lloyd’s
participation

Customer
and broker
rights(1) relationships
969.8
(1.0)
–
(100.4)
(2.1)
1.2

503.2
–
–
–
–
–

Brand
names(1)

1,181.1
0.1
–
–
(44.7)
16.8

Computer
software
and other(1)

542.7
221.0
(66.5)
(115.6)
(6.3)
3.5

6,194.1
402.2
(96.8)
(216.0)
(86.1)
31.7

503.2

503.2
–
–

503.2

867.5

1,153.3

578.8

6,229.1

1,383.6
(513.7)
(2.4)

1,200.4
–
(47.1)

1,210.4
(611.9)
(19.7)

7,497.2
(1,125.6)
(142.5)

867.5

1,153.3

578.8

6,229.1

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Total

Balance – January 1, 2019

Additions
Disposals
Amortization
Impairments(3)
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31, 2019

Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Accumulated impairment

2,702.7
316.2
–
–
(43.9)
22.3

2,997.3

3,043.9
–
(46.6)

2,997.3

Lloyd’s
participation

Customer
and broker
rights(1) relationships
932.8
134.9
–
(105.5)
–
7.6

503.2
–
–
–
–
–

Brand
names(1)

1,096.8
34.8
–
–
–
49.5

Computer
software
and other(1)

441.4
218.6
(1.3)
(117.6)
(2.9)
4.5

5,676.9
704.5
(1.3)
(223.1)
(46.8)
83.9

503.2

503.2
–
–

503.2

969.8

1,181.1

542.7

6,194.1

1,391.4
(421.9)
0.3

1,181.1
–
–

1,071.2
(512.6)
(15.9)

7,190.8
(934.5)
(62.2)

969.8

1,181.1

542.7

6,194.1

(1)

Indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization had an aggregate carrying value at December 31, 2020 of
$1,751.6 (December 31, 2019 – $1,790.5).

(2) During 2020 AMAG Insurance settled its bancassurance agreement with PT Bank Pan Indonesia Tbk, received cash

consideration of $66.3 and recorded a net gain of $3.2 on disposal of the intangible asset.

(3) Non-cash impairment charges recorded in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings by the Non-insurance

companies reporting segment and principally attributable to non-controlling interests.

Goodwill and intangible assets were allocated to the company’s cash-generating units (‘‘CGUs’’) as follows:

Insurance and reinsurance

companies

Allied World
Brit
Zenith National
Crum & Forster
Northbridge
Odyssey Group
All other(1)

Non-insurance companies
Recipe
Boat Rocker
Farmers Edge(2)
AGT(2)
Thomas Cook India
Dexterra Group
All other(3)

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Goodwill

Intangible
assets

Total Goodwill

Intangible
assets

Total

940.0
200.2
317.6
188.8
95.4
119.7
148.4

611.7
581.1
93.2
104.2
105.5
57.3
64.2

1,551.7
781.3
410.8
293.0
200.9
177.0
212.6

938.8
200.2
317.6
188.2
92.5
119.7
151.6

659.2
594.2
99.3
111.7
90.9
62.8
132.1

1,598.0
794.4
416.9
299.9
183.4
182.5
283.7

2,010.1

1,617.2

3,627.3

2,008.6

1,750.2

3,758.8

280.9
90.1
202.6
168.5
144.6
75.9
153.6

1,011.0
230.8
17.0
47.1
56.3
17.7
105.7

1,291.9
320.9
219.6
215.6
200.9
93.6
259.3

1,116.2

1,485.6

2,601.8

279.3
93.8
–
174.7
150.6
75.8
214.5

988.7

1,035.5
154.1
–
58.9
55.8
15.7
126.6

1,314.8
247.9
–
233.6
206.4
91.5
341.1

1,446.6

2,435.3

3,126.3

3,102.8

6,229.1

2,997.3

3,196.8

6,194.1

(1) Comprised primarily of balances related to U.S. Run-off, AMAG Insurance and Pacific Insurance.

(2) Farmers Edge was consolidated on July 1, 2020 as described in note 6 and AGT was acquired on April 17, 2019 as

described in note 23.

(3) Comprised primarily of balances related to Fairchem, Privi, Mosaic Capital, Sterling Resorts, CIG (deconsolidated

December 8, 2020) and Pethealth.

At December 31, 2020 goodwill and intangible assets were comprised primarily of amounts arising on the
consolidation of Farmers Edge during 2020, the acquisitions of AGT during 2019, Allied World during 2017,
St-Hubert and Original Joe’s (both by Recipe) during 2016, Recipe and Brit during 2015, Thomas Cook India during
2012, and Zenith National during 2010. Impairment tests for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets were
completed during 2020 and it was concluded that no significant impairments had occurred. When testing for
impairment, the recoverable amount of each CGU or group of CGUs was based on the higher of (i) fair value less costs
of disposal, determined using discounted cash flow models, and (ii) value-in-use, determined using discounted cash
flow models.

In preparing discounted cash flow models, cash flow projections typically covering a five year period were derived
from financial budgets approved by management. Cash flows beyond the projected periods were extrapolated using
estimated growth rates which do not exceed the long term average historic growth rate for the business in which
each CGU operates. A number of other assumptions and estimates including premiums, investment returns,
revenues, expenses, royalty rates and working capital requirements were required to be incorporated into the
discounted cash flow models. The forecasts were based on best estimates of future premiums or revenues and
operating expenses using historical trends, general geographical market conditions, industry trends and forecasts
and other available information. These assumptions and estimates were reviewed by the applicable CGU’s
management and by Fairfax’s management. The cash flow forecasts were adjusted by applying appropriate discount
rates within a range of 7.3% to 13.9% for insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, and 8.8% to 15.3% for
non-insurance subsidiaries. A long term investment return of 5.0% was applied to the investment portfolios of
insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. The long term growth rates used to extrapolate cash flows beyond five years
for the majority of the CGUs ranged from 2.5% to 3.0%.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

13. Other Assets

Other assets were comprised as follows:

Premises and equipment

Right-of-use assets (note 22)

Inventories

Other revenue receivables

Finance lease receivables (note 22)

Prepaid expenses

Accrued interest and dividends

Subsidies and taxes receivable

Prepaid losses on claims

Deferred compensation plans

Income taxes refundable

Pension surplus (note 21)

Other

Current

Non-current

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Insurance and

Non-
reinsurance insurance
companies(1) companies

362.0

396.1

–

8.5

125.2

195.5

22.4

118.6

89.1

63.0

48.8

559.5

1,384.1

611.9

645.6

550.8

296.9

120.7

2.4

145.2

–

25.7

–

85.2

Total

1,746.1

1,008.0

645.6

550.8

305.4

245.9

197.9

167.6

118.6

89.1

88.7

48.8

644.7

Insurance and

Non-
reinsurance insurance
companies(1) companies

367.8

385.4

–

8.8

113.2

195.7

22.3

114.4

87.4

126.3

51.9

490.3

1,319.9

635.2

694.5

583.5

367.1

168.9

10.8

102.6

–

42.7

–

118.6

Total

1,687.7

1,020.6

694.5

583.5

375.9

282.1

206.5

124.9

114.4

87.4

169.0

51.9

608.9

1,988.7

3,868.5

5,857.2

1,963.5

4,043.8

6,007.3

925.5

1,063.2

1,504.5

2,364.0

2,430.0

3,427.2

789.7

1,173.8

1,668.1

2,375.7

2,457.8

3,549.5

1,988.7

3,868.5

5,857.2

1,963.5

4,043.8

6,007.3

(1)

Includes the Run-off reporting segment and Corporate and Other.

14. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were comprised as follows:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Insurance and

Non-
reinsurance insurance
companies(1) companies

Lease liabilities (note 22)

Payables related to cost of sales

Salaries and employee benefit liabilities

Deferred gift card, hospitality and other revenue

Amounts withheld and accrued taxes

Pension and post retirement liabilities (note 21)

Cash collateral from counterparties to derivative contracts

(note 24)

Accrued interest expense

Advances and deposits from customers

Accrued legal and professional fees

Income taxes payable

Amounts payable for securities purchased but not yet settled

Accrued rent, storage and facilities costs

Administrative and other

Current

Non-current

(1)

Includes the Run-off reporting segment and Corporate and Other.

Insurance and

Non-
reinsurance insurance
companies(1) companies

Total

434.3

1,062.1

1,496.4

–

354.9

21.2

314.7

338.8

5.3

64.9

–

57.3

47.5

6.2

16.4

778.4

79.7

351.6

31.5

21.8

–

2.2

778.4

434.6

372.8

346.2

360.6

5.3

67.1

109.6

11.4

30.9

–

8.8

68.7

78.4

6.2

25.2

Total

1,452.1

625.7

485.0

454.4

396.4

351.9

995.3

625.7

90.6

433.3

29.1

26.6

–

116.4

11.4

74.0

12.3

21.7

–

9.0

84.5

74.0

71.6

64.5

47.4

15.6

456.8

–

394.4

21.1

367.3

325.3

116.4

73.1

–

59.3

42.8

47.4

6.6

519.2

237.4

756.6

418.5

246.1

664.6

2,429.7

2,566.4

4,996.1

2,080.0

2,734.1

4,814.1

1,274.7

1,155.0

1,414.6

2,689.3

869.9

1,594.1

2,464.0

1,151.8

2,306.8

1,210.1

1,140.0

2,350.1

2,429.7

2,566.4

4,996.1

2,080.0

2,734.1

4,814.1

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

15. Borrowings

Borrowings – holding company
Fairfax unsecured notes:(4)

5.84% due October 14, 2022 (Cdn$446.0)(d)(3)
4.50% due March 22, 2023 (Cdn$400.0)(d)(3)
4.142% due February 7, 2024(d)
4.875% due August 13, 2024(d)
4.95% due March 3, 2025 (Cdn$350.0)(d)
8.30% due April 15, 2026(e)
4.70% due December 16, 2026 (Cdn$450.0)(d)
4.25% due December 6, 2027 (Cdn$650.0)(d)
2.75% due March 29, 2028 (A750.0)(d)
4.85% due April 17, 2028(d)
4.23% due June 14, 2029 (Cdn$500.0)(d)
4.625% due April 29, 2030(d)(1)
7.75% due July 15, 2037(e)

Revolving credit facility(2)

Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance companies
Odyssey Group floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2021
Allied World 4.35% senior notes due October 29, 2025
Allied World revolving credit facility and other borrowings
Zenith National 8.55% debentures due August 1, 2028(d)
Brit 3.6757% subordinated notes due December 9, 2030 (£135.0)(5)
Brit floating rate revolving credit facility
First Mercury trust preferred securities due 2036 and 2037

Borrowings – non-insurance companies(c)
Fairfax India floating rate term loan(6)
Fairfax India subsidiary borrowings
AGT credit facilities, senior notes and loans (note 23)(7)
Recipe term loans and credit facilities
Boat Rocker demand loans and revolving credit facilities
Fairfax Africa subsidiary borrowings(f)
Loans and revolving credit facilities primarily at floating rates(8)

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Carrying

Fair

Principal

value(a) value(b) Principal

Carrying

Fair
value(a) value(b)

350.1
314.0
85.0
282.5
274.7
91.8
353.2
510.2
917.7
600.0
392.5
650.0
91.3
700.0

377.6
351.1
334.1
312.9
85.1
85.0
309.7
280.6
306.3
272.5
118.6
91.7
394.6
351.5
508.5
558.3
904.4 1,023.9
677.6
595.8
426.7
390.6
731.8
645.4
123.1
90.6
700.0
700.0

343.9
308.5
85.0
282.5
269.9
91.8
347.0
501.3
841.9
600.0
385.6
–
91.3
–

345.9
307.0
85.0
280.0
267.1
91.6
345.1
499.3
827.0
595.2
383.6
–
90.5
–

373.8
326.0
85.1
300.8
293.1
116.1
370.0
515.7
910.2
648.9
391.4
–
113.8
–

5,613.0

5,580.6 6,167.4

4,148.7

4,117.3 4,444.9

90.0
500.0
40.8
38.5
184.5
130.0
41.4

90.0
505.0
44.2
38.3
184.5
130.0
41.4

91.0
544.9
51.4
38.3
170.4
130.0
41.4

90.0
500.0
39.4
38.5
178.8
140.0
41.4

90.0
506.1
43.0
38.3
180.8
140.0
41.4

92.5
524.1
46.4
38.3
181.2
140.0
41.3

1,025.2

1,033.4 1,067.4

1,028.1

1,039.6 1,063.8

550.0
167.1
516.4
430.7
184.6
–
362.0

547.2
166.4
514.2
428.4
183.0
–
360.8

550.0
166.4
514.0
428.4
183.0
–
360.8

550.0
155.1
435.7
413.5
147.6
102.4
279.9

547.2
155.1
432.8
410.7
147.6
102.4
279.9

550.0
155.1
433.1
410.8
147.5
102.4
277.7

2,210.8

2,200.0 2,202.6

2,084.2

2,075.7 2,076.6

Total debt

8,849.0

8,814.0 9,437.4

7,261.0

7,232.6 7,585.3

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

(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).

(d)

Issuer may redeem any time at prices specified in the instrument’s offering document.

(e) Not redeemable prior to the contractual maturity date.

(f) On December 8, 2020 Fairfax Africa’s borrowings were deconsolidated pursuant to the transaction described in note 23.

During and subsequent to 2020 the company and its subsidiaries completed the following debt transactions:

Holding company

(1) On April 29, 2020 the company completed an offering of $650.0 principal amount of 4.625% unsecured senior
notes due April 29, 2030 at par for net proceeds after commissions and expenses of $645.0. Commissions and
expenses of $5.0 were included in the carrying value of the notes. The company used $500.0 of the net proceeds
from the offering towards the repayment on its credit facility as described in the next paragraph. On October 28,
2020 the notes were exchanged by their holders for an equal principal amount of substantially identical notes
that had been registered under the U.S. Securities Act.

(2) At March 31, 2020 the company had drawn $1,770.0 on its $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility as
added liquidity support for the insurance and reinsurance companies should it be needed as a result of the effects
of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company subsequently repaid $1,070.0 during 2020, leaving $700.0 borrowed
on the credit facility at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – nil). The principal financial covenants of the
revolving credit facility require the company to maintain a ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated
capitalization not exceeding 0.35:1 and consolidated shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
of not less than $9.5 billion. At December 31, 2020 the company was in compliance with its financial covenants,
with a consolidated debt to consolidated capitalization ratio of 0.306:1 and consolidated shareholders’ equity
attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $13.9 billion, both calculated as defined in the financial covenants.

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the company made a net repayment of $200.0 on its revolving credit facility,
leaving $500.0 borrowed at March 5, 2021.

(3) Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on March 1, 2021 the company completed an offering of $671.6 (Cdn$850.0)
principal amount of 3.95% unsecured senior notes due March 3, 2031 for net proceeds of $666.2 after premium,
commissions and expenses. Commissions and expenses of $5.4 will be included in the carrying value of the
notes. The company will use the net proceeds from the offering for the announced redemptions of its $350.1
(Cdn$446.0) principal amount of 5.84% unsecured senior notes due October 14, 2022 and its $314.0
(Cdn$400.0) principal amount of 4.50% unsecured senior notes due March 22, 2023. Contemporaneously with
the redemptions, the company will designate the Cdn$850.0 senior notes due March 3, 2031 as a hedge of a
portion of its net investment in Canadian subsidiaries.

(4) Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on March 3, 2021 the company completed an offering of $600.0 principal
amount of 3.375% unsecured senior notes due March 3, 2031 for net proceeds of $583.8 after discount,
commissions and expenses. Commissions and expenses of $15.4 will be included in the carrying value of the
notes.

Insurance and reinsurance companies

(5) On December 9, 2020 the interest rate on Brit’s £135.0 subordinated debt was reset from 6.625% to 3.6757%

until maturity as the company determined not to exercise its redemption option on that debt.

Non-insurance companies

(6) On June 26, 2020 Fairfax India extended its $550.0 principal amount floating rate term loan for one year to
June 28, 2021 with an option to extend for an additional year. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on
February 26, 2021 Fairfax India completed an offering of $500.0 principal amount of 5.00% unsecured senior
notes due February 26, 2028 and subsequently used the net proceeds to repay $500.0 principal amount of its
floating rate term loan. The company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries had purchased $58.4 of Fairfax
India’s 5.00% unsecured senior notes on the same terms as other participants and that intercompany investment
will be eliminated in the company’s consolidated financial reporting.

(7) On February 21, 2020 AGT extended the maturity of its Cdn$525.0 floating rate secured senior credit facility to
March 15, 2021. At December 31, 2020 there was $440.5 (Cdn$561.2) borrowed on this credit facility
(December 31, 2019 – $386.9 (Cdn$501.7)). On January 4, 2021 AGT extended the maturity on its credit facility
to January 24, 2022.

(8) Pursuant to the reverse acquisition of Horizon North by Dexterra on May 29, 2020 (note 23) Dexterra
consolidated Horizon North’s Cdn$175.0 floating rate revolving credit facility maturing December 30, 2022.

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Changes in the carrying values of borrowings for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

2020

2019

Balance – January 1

Cash inflows from issuances
Cash outflows from repayments
Net cash inflows (outflows)

from credit facilities and short
term loans

Non-cash changes:

Acquisitions (note 23)
Deconsolidation of subsidiary

(note 23)

Loss on redemption
Liabilities associated with

assets held for sale
(note 23)

Foreign exchange effect and

other

Insurance
and
Holding reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies

Insurance
and
Holding reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies

Total company

Total

1,039.6
–
(0.3)

2,075.7 7,232.6
752.8
(82.8)

107.8
(82.5)

3,859.5
456.5
(326.5)

995.7
–
(0.2)

1,625.2 6,480.4
759.2
(635.2)

302.7
(308.5)

company

4,117.3
645.0
–

700.0

(10.0)

60.5

750.5

127.4

(118.7)
–

–
23.7

–

132.1

(16.9)

115.2

–

–
–

687.7

(246.2)
–

(246.2)
23.7

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

(91.4)

–

(91.4)

118.3

4.1

29.8

152.2

104.1

3.4

31.7

139.2

Balance – December 31

5,580.6

1,033.4

2,200.0 8,814.0

4,117.3

1,039.6

2,075.7 7,232.6

Principal repayments on borrowings are due as follows:

Holding company
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Non-insurance companies

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 Thereafter

Total

700.0
242.8
1,309.2

350.1
0.3
210.8

314.0
0.3
58.7

367.5
0.3
309.5

274.7
500.4
34.5

3,606.7
281.1
288.1

5,613.0
1,025.2
2,210.8

Total

2,252.0

561.2

373.0

677.3

809.6

4,175.9

8,849.0

Interest Expense

Interest expense was comprised of interest expense on borrowings of $413.1 and interest expense on accretion of
lease liabilities of $62.8 (2019 – $404.2 and $67.8).

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 (cumulatively carrying 41.8% voting power) and an unlimited number
of subordinate voting shares carrying one vote per share.

Issued capital

Issued capital at December 31, 2020 was comprised of 1,548,000 multiple voting shares and 27,124,093 subordinate
voting shares without par value prior to deducting 1,696,357 subordinate voting shares reserved in treasury for share-
based payment awards (December 31, 2019 – 1,548,000, 27,467,964 and 1,385,665 respectively). The multiple
voting shares are not traded.

Common stock

The number of shares outstanding was as follows:

Subordinate voting shares – January 1

Purchases for cancellation
Treasury shares acquired
Treasury shares reissued

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

shareholder – beginning and end of year

Common stock effectively outstanding – December 31

2020

2019

26,082,299
(343,871)
(457,603)
146,911

26,489,177
(249,361)
(229,189)
71,672

25,427,736
1,548,000

26,082,299
1,548,000

(799,230)

26,176,506

26,831,069

During 2020 the company purchased for cancellation 343,871 subordinate voting shares (2019 – 249,361) under the
terms of its normal course issuer bids at a cost of $100.9 (2019 – $118.0), of which $15.7 (2019 – $56.2) was charged
to retained earnings. Subsequent to December 31, 2020 and up to March 4, 2021 the company purchased for
cancellation 137,923 subordinate voting shares under the terms of its normal course issuer bid at a cost of $57.2.

During 2020 the company purchased for treasury 457,603 subordinate voting shares at a cost of $137.9 (2019 –
229,189 subordinate voting shares at a cost of $104.4) on the open market for use in its share-based payment awards.
Subsequent to December 31, 2020 and up to March 4, 2021 the company purchased for treasury 42,197 subordinate
voting shares at a cost of $17.4 on the open market for use in its share-based payment awards.

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

Date of declaration

Date of record

January 5, 2021
January 3, 2020
January 3, 2019

January 21, 2021
January 17, 2020
January 18, 2019

Date of payment

January 28, 2021
January 28, 2020
January 28, 2019

Dividend
per share

$10.00
$10.00
$10.00

Total
cash
payment

$272.1
$275.7
$278.0

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Preferred stock

The terms of the company’s cumulative five-year rate reset preferred shares at December 31, 2020 were as follows:

Series C
Series D
Series E
Series F
Series G
Series H
Series I
Series J
Series K
Series M

Next possible
redemption and
conversion date(1)(2)

December 31, 2024
December 31, 2024
March 31, 2025
March 31, 2025
September 30, 2025
September 30, 2025
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2025
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2025

Number of

outstanding(3)

shares Carrying
value(3)

7,515,642
2,484,358
5,440,132
2,099,046
7,719,843
2,280,157
10,420,101
1,579,899
9,500,000
9,200,000

$170.8
$56.4
$124.5
$48.1
$182.1
$53.8
$250.5
$38.0
$231.7
$179.6

Stated
capital(3)

Cdn$187.9
Cdn$62.1
Cdn$136.0
Cdn$52.5
Cdn$193.0
Cdn$57.0
Cdn$260.5
Cdn$39.5
Cdn$237.5
Cdn$230.0

$1,335.5

Cdn$1,456.0

Liquidation
preference
per share

Fixed
dividend rate
per annum

Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00
Cdn$25.00

4.71%
–
3.18%
–
2.96%
–
3.33%
–
4.67%
5.00%

Floating
dividend
rate per
annum(4)

–
3.26%
–
2.27%
–
2.67%
–
2.96%
–
–

(1) Fixed and floating rate cumulative preferred shares are redeemable by the company at each stated redemption date and on

each subsequent five-year anniversary date at Cdn$25.00 per share.

(2) Holders of Series C, Series E, Series G, Series I, Series K and Series M fixed rate cumulative preferred shares will have the
option to convert their shares into Series D, Series F, Series H, Series J, Series L and Series N floating rate cumulative
preferred shares respectively, at the specified conversion dates, and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date. Holders
of Series D, Series F, Series H and Series J floating rate cumulative preferred shares will have the option to convert their
shares into Series C, Series E, Series G and Series I fixed rate cumulative preferred shares respectively, at the specified
conversion dates, and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date.

(3) For each series of preferred shares, the number of shares outstanding, carrying value and stated capital have remained
consistent at January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020 except for the conversions described below.

(4) The Series D, Series F, Series H, and Series J preferred shares, and the Series L and Series N preferred shares (of which none
are currently issued), have a floating dividend rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada treasury bill yield plus
3.15%, 2.16%, 2.56%, 2.85%, 3.51% and 3.98% respectively, with rate resets at the end of each calendar quarter.

On December 31, 2020 there was a net conversion of 45,452 Series I floating rate cumulative preferred shares with an
aggregate carrying value of $1.1 and stated capital of Cdn$1.1 into an equal number of Series J fixed rate cumulative
preferred shares.

On September 30, 2020 there was a net conversion of 286,891 Series H floating rate cumulative preferred shares with
an aggregate carrying value of $6.8 and stated capital of Cdn$7.2 into an equal number of Series G fixed rate
cumulative preferred shares.

On March 31, 2020 there was a net conversion of 1,472,998 Series F floating rate cumulative preferred shares with an
aggregate carrying value of $33.7 and stated capital of Cdn$36.8 into an equal number of Series E fixed rate
cumulative preferred shares.

On December 31, 2019 there was a net conversion of 1,499,258 Series D floating rate cumulative preferred shares
with an aggregate carrying value of $34.1 and stated capital of Cdn$37.5 into an equal number of Series C fixed rate
cumulative preferred shares.

During 2020 the company paid preferred share dividends of $44.0 (2019 – $45.8).

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax was comprised as follows:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

(Provision for)

Pre-tax
amount

recovery of After-tax Pre-tax
amount amount
income tax

recovery of After-tax
amount
income tax

Items that may be subsequently reclassified

to net earnings

Foreign currency translation losses

(550.8)

12.2

(538.6)

(423.4)

1.4

(422.0)

Share of accumulated other comprehensive income

(loss) of associates, excluding net losses on
defined benefit plans

Items that will not be subsequently

reclassified to net earnings

43.7

(507.1)

(12.3)

31.4

(79.3)

(2.4)

(81.7)

(0.1)

(507.2)

(502.7)

(1.0)

(503.7)

Net losses on defined benefit plans

(214.9)

54.7

(160.2)

(147.7)

36.2

(111.5)

Share of net losses on defined benefit plans of

associates

Other

(159.1)

(0.8)

(374.8)

18.2

10.1

(140.9)

(120.9)

9.3

(0.8)

15.1

10.1

(105.8)

9.3

83.0

(291.8)

(269.4)

61.4

(208.0)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

(loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax

(881.9)

82.9

(799.0)

(772.1)

60.4

(711.7)

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Non-controlling interests

Details of non-controlling interests as at and for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Voting
Domicile percentage(8)

Carrying
value

Voting
percentage(8)

Carrying
value

Net earnings
(loss) attributable to
non-controlling
interests

2020

2019

Insurance and
reinsurance
companies
Allied World(1)
Brit(2)
All other(3)

Bermuda
U.K.
–

29.1%
–
–

Non-insurance
companies
Fairfax India(4)
Recipe(5)
Dexterra Group(6)
Thomas Cook India
Fairfax Africa(7)
All other

Canada
Canada
Canada
India
Canada
–

6.6%
38.9%
51.0%
33.1%
–
–

1,329.0
121.7
381.1

1,831.8

1,130.9
447.7
121.4
69.4
–
69.5

1,838.9

3,670.7

29.9%
10.7%
–

6.2%
38.4%
–
33.1%
1.5%
–

1,256.3
197.4
90.9

1,544.6

1,117.2
437.5
–
93.8
195.6
140.4

1,984.5

3,529.1

106.6
(10.9)
10.9

106.6

(29.4)
(48.4)
11.4
(23.5)
(161.1)
(36.6)

(287.6)

(181.0)

88.1
15.8
4.3

108.2

59.0
28.5
–
(186.2)
(41.4)
(1.0)

(141.1)

(32.9)

(1) On April 30, 2020 Allied World paid a dividend of $126.4 (April 29, 2019 – $126.4) to its minority shareholders
(OMERS, AIMCo and others). On June 30, 2020 Allied World received a capital contribution from the company of $100.0
primarily to support its underwriting plans, which increased the company’s ownership interest in Allied World to 70.9%
from 70.1% at December 31, 2019. During 2019 Allied World redomesticated from Switzerland to Bermuda.

(2) On April 9, 2020 Brit paid a dividend of $20.6 (April 29, 2019 – $20.6) to its minority shareholder (OMERS). The
decrease in carrying value of Brit’s non-controlling interests during 2020 primarily reflected the company’s acquisition of
the remaining shares of Brit that it did not already own on August 28, 2020 from Brit’s minority shareholder (OMERS) for
cash consideration of $220.0, inclusive of an accrued dividend paid of $13.6 on the shares purchased, partially offset by a
third party’s investment of $124.4 in Brit’s newly formed subsidiary Ki Insurance, a fully digital and algorithmically-
driven Lloyd’s of London syndicate that commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. Subsequent to December 31,
2020 the company entered into an agreement to sell an approximate 14% equity interest in Brit to OMERS as described in
note 23.

(3) Principally related to Fairfax consolidated internal investment funds held by the company’s associates RiverStone
Barbados and Eurolife. The increase in carrying value during 2020 primarily reflected the deconsolidation of European
Run-off and its holdings in those funds as described in note 23.

(4) The carrying value of Fairfax India’s non-controlling interests increased modestly during 2020, primarily reflecting the
deconsolidation of European Run-off and its investment in Fairfax India ($91.8) as described in note 23, partially offset
by the non-controlling interests’ share of Fairfax India’s net loss ($29.4), the impact of share repurchases ($29.1) and the
weakening of the Indian rupee relative to the U.S. dollar ($23.5). Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests of
Fairfax India in 2019 primarily reflected the non-controlling interests’ 66.2% share of Fairfax India’s share of a spin-off
distribution gain at IIFL Holdings on May 31, 2019.

(5) The carrying value of Recipe’s non-controlling interests increased modestly during 2020, primarily reflecting the
deconsolidation of European Run-off and its investment in Recipe ($54.1) as described in note 23 and the strengthening of
the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar ($10.9), partially offset by the non-controlling interests’ share of Recipe’s
net loss ($48.4).

(6) The company acquired Horizon North (subsequently renamed ‘‘Dexterra Group’’) on May 29, 2020 as described in

note 23.

(7) Fairfax Africa was deconsolidated on December 8, 2020 as described in note 23. The non-controlling interests’ share of
Fairfax Africa’s net loss ($161.1) during 2020 included the net loss on deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa ($33.2).

(8) Non-controlling interests voting percentages are consistent with economic ownership in each subsidiary at December 31,
2020 except for Fairfax India and Recipe whose non-controlling interest economic ownership were 72.0% and 59.8%
(December 31, 2019 – 66.2% and 52.1%). At December 31, 2019 Fairfax Africa’s non-controlling interest economic
ownership was 38.0%.

Other net changes in capitalization

The impact on retained earnings and non-controlling interests of certain capital transactions and changes in
ownership interests of the company’s consolidated subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are
included in other net changes in capitalization in the consolidated statement of changes in equity as shown in the
table below. See note 23 and under the heading ‘‘Non-controlling interests’’ earlier in this note for details of those
transactions.

Third party’s investment in Brit’s newly formed subsidiary

Ki Insurance

Dividends paid to co-investors in Allied World and Brit
Eurolife’s investment in a Fairfax consolidated internal

investment fund (note 6)

Boat Rocker issuance of preferred shares
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa share repurchases
Acquisition of Brit’s non-controlling interest
Thomas Cook India’s spin-off of its investment in Quess
Purchase of multiple voting shares from Recipe’s

non-controlling interests and Recipe’s share repurchases

Other

2020

2019

Non-

Retained
earnings

controlling Retained
earnings

interests

Non-
controlling
interests

–
(107.2)

–
–
1.4
(17.8)
–

0.1
7.0

124.4
107.2

93.7
–
(32.1)
(189.6)
–

–
(104.1)

–
–
1.7
–
–

(0.3)
7.0

(15.5)
8.8

–
104.1

22.1
20.0
(31.8)
–
(147.2)

(105.5)
6.6

As presented in other net changes in capitalization in the

consolidated statement of changes in equity

(116.5)

110.3

(109.1)

(131.7)

17. Earnings per Share

Net earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average common shares outstanding as follows:

Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Preferred share dividends

Net earnings attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted

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

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

Net earnings per common share – basic
Net earnings per common share – diluted

2020
218.4
(44.0)

174.4

2019
2,004.1
(45.8)

1,958.3

26,446,939
1,273,250

26,901,184
1,159,352

27,720,189

28,060,536

$
$

6.59
6.29

$
$

72.80
69.79

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

18. Income Taxes

The company’s provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 were comprised 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 income taxes

2020

2019

172.6
(23.8)

175.0
2.7

148.8

177.7

51.1
15.4
(8.6)

57.9

87.5
(17.1)
13.4

83.8

206.7

261.5

A significant portion of the company’s earnings or losses before income taxes may be earned or incurred outside of
Canada. The statutory income tax rates for jurisdictions outside of Canada generally differ 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 income taxes for the years ended December 31 are summarized
in the following table:

Canada(1) U.S.(2) U.K.(3) Other(4)

Total Canada(1) U.S.(2) U.K.(3) Other(4)

Total

2020

2019

Earnings (loss) before

income taxes

Provision for income

taxes

212.6 (110.8)

(221.4)

363.7

244.1

183.4

848.0

244.7

956.6

2,232.7

121.0

31.4

5.7

48.6

206.7

79.3

23.5

24.0

134.7

261.5

Net earnings (loss)

91.6 (142.2)

(227.1)

315.1

37.4

104.1

824.5

220.7

821.9

1,971.2

(1)

Includes Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa (deconsolidated on December 8, 2020).

(2) Principally comprised of Crum & Forster, Zenith National, Odyssey Group (notwithstanding that certain operations of Odyssey Group

conduct business outside of the U.S.), U.S. Run-off and other associated holding company results.

(3) Principally comprised of Brit, European Run-off (deconsolidated on March 31, 2020) and other associated holding company results.

(4)

Includes primarily companies in India, Asia, Europe (excluding the U.K.) and Allied World (the majority of Allied World’s net earnings
(loss) is sourced from outside the U.S. and the U.K.).

Increased pre-tax profitability in Canada in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily reflected improved net gains on
investments and underwriting profit, partially offset by lower pre-tax profitability in the Non-insurance companies
reporting segment resulting from COVID-19 impacts on the underlying operations. Decreased pre-tax profitability in
the U.S. in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily reflected net losses on investment in 2020 compared to net gains on
investments in 2019 due to significant declines in global financial markets related to the COVID-19 pandemic,
partially offset by improved underwriting performance. Decreased pre-tax profitability in the U.K. in 2020 compared
to 2019 primarily reflected underwriting losses at Brit in 2020 principally related to COVID-19 losses and an increase
in current period catastrophe losses. Decreased pre-tax profitability in Other in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily
reflected decreased net gains on investments due COVID-19 impacts on global financial markets.

100

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

Canadian statutory income tax rate

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

Provision for income taxes

2020
2019
26.5% 26.5%

64.7
(108.3)
5.2
172.8
(5.7)
(8.4)
40.9
45.5

591.7
(56.6)
(209.5)
(90.7)
0.5
(14.4)
(3.7)
44.2

206.7

261.5

Non-taxable investment income of $108.3 in 2020 and $56.6 in 2019 were principally comprised of dividend
income, non-taxable interest income, the 50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada and share of
profit of associates in certain jurisdictions. Non-taxable investment income in 2020 principally reflected the gain on
deconsolidation of European Run-off, as described in note 23, that was not taxable in Canada or Barbados.

The tax rate differential on income and losses outside Canada of $5.2 in 2020 principally related to losses tax-effected
at lower rates at Brit and Fairfax Africa (deconsolidated on December 8, 2020), and in Barbados, partially offset by
income taxed at lower rates at Allied World. The tax rate differential on income and losses outside Canada of $209.5
in 2019 principally related to income taxed at lower rates in the U.S. and Barbados, and at Fairfax India, Brit, and
Allied World.

The change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences of an income tax rate expense of $172.8 in
2020 principally related to unrecorded deferred tax assets in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. of $63.3, $54.7 and $53.9
respectively. The change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences of an income tax rate benefit
of $90.7 in 2019 principally reflected the recognition of U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards of $104.0 that are
expected to be utilized prior to expiration without incurring an equal amount of base erosion anti-abuse tax, partially
offset by deferred tax assets in Canada of $13.8 that were not recorded, as it was not considered probable that those
losses could be utilized.

Other including permanent differences of $45.5 in 2020 principally reflected non-cash impairment charges on
goodwill and intangible assets recorded by the Non-insurance companies reporting segment as described in note 12.
Other including permanent differences of $44.2 in 2019 included $13.4 related to a non-cash goodwill impairment
charge recorded by Fairfax India.

Income taxes refundable and payable were as follows:

Income taxes refundable
Income taxes payable

Net income taxes refundable

December 31, December 31,
2019
169.0
(78.4)

2020
88.7
(64.5)

24.2

90.6

101

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

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

Balance – January 1

Amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings
Payments made during the year
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Assets held for sale (note 23)
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (note 23)
Deconsolidation of non-insurance subsidiary (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

2020
90.6
(148.8)
63.3
(0.3)
–
–
7.6
11.8

2019
72.2
(177.7)
178.9
6.7
(17.1)
29.6
–
(2.0)

24.2

90.6

Changes in the net deferred income tax asset during the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Operating
and

Provision
for losses Provision
for

and loss

Deferred
premium Intan-

2020

Balance – January 1

Amounts recorded in the

consolidated statement of
earnings

Amounts recorded in total equity
Acquisitions of subsidiaries

(note 23)

Deconsolidation of non-insurance

subsidiary (note 23)

Foreign exchange effect and other

capital adjustment unearned acquisition
gible Invest-
costs
expenses premiums
assets ments credits Other Total
(96.9) (428.2) 128.0 211.0 177.6 375.9
119.9

losses
119.2

145.3

Tax

105.0
0.4

(0.1)

(0.5)
12.3

22.5
–

–

–
1.0

21.8
–

(19.3)
–

–

–
–

–

–
0.1

37.9 (110.8) (36.0) (79.0) (57.9)
– 25.1 26.1

0.6

–

0.1

6.0

–
0.8

–
6.1

–

2.3
(0.3) (14.4)

1.8
5.6

Balance – December 31

236.3

168.8

141.7

(116.1) (389.5)

23.9 174.8 117.6 357.5

Operating
and

Provision
for losses Provision
for

and loss

Deferred
premium Intan-

2019

Balance – January 1

Amounts recorded in the

consolidated statement of
earnings

Amounts recorded in total equity
Acquisitions of subsidiaries

(note 23)

Assets held for sale (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

capital adjustment unearned acquisition
gible Invest-
costs
expenses premiums
assets ments credits Other Total
(81.1) (419.6) 314.9 118.9 225.9 497.9
96.8

losses
107.4

134.7

Tax

(11.7)
2.5

22.9
–
(1.9)

8.8
–

–
–
1.8

23.1
–

(16.0)
–

28.3 (181.0) 92.5 (27.8) (83.8)
– 35.3 26.4

(11.4)

–

–
–
–

–
–
0.2

(29.5)
–
(7.4)

–
0.8
4.7

– (58.3) (64.9)
(2.2)
–
2.5
(0.4)

(3.0)
5.5

Balance – December 31

119.2

145.3

119.9

(96.9) (428.2) 128.0 211.0 177.6 375.9

Management expects that the deferred income tax asset will be realized in the normal course of operations. The most
significant temporary differences included in the net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2020 related to

102

operating and capital losses, tax credits, provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses, provision for unearned
premiums and investments (related primarily to net unrealized investment losses in the U.S.), partially offset by a
deferred income tax liability related to intangible assets and deferred premium acquisition costs. In these
consolidated financial statements, investment gains and losses are primarily recognized on a mark-to-market basis
but are only recognized for income tax when realized (particularly in the U.S. and several other jurisdictions). 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 income tax, resulting in
temporary differences. Deferred income tax liabilities on intangible assets primarily relate to intangible assets
recognized on acquisitions (principally Allied World, Recipe and Brit) that are typically not deductible in the
determination of income taxes payable. The deferred income tax asset related to operating and capital losses arises
primarily at the U.S. Tax Group, Brit, Northbridge, AGT and Fairfax Latam. Tax credits are primarily in the U.S. and
relate to foreign taxes paid that will reduce U.S. taxes payable in the future. Other deferred taxes include temporary
differences related to pensions, and premises and equipment principally at the Non-insurance companies reporting
segment.

Management conducts ongoing reviews of the recoverability of the deferred income tax asset and adjusts, as
necessary, to reflect its anticipated realization. At December 31, 2020 deferred income tax assets of $837.8
(December 31, 2019 – $814.7) related principally to operating and capital losses and U.S. foreign tax credits have not
been recorded. The losses for which deferred income tax assets have not been recorded are comprised of losses in
Canada of $2,102.8 (December 31, 2019 – $1,863.5), losses in Europe of $537.6 (December 31, 2019 – $495.8), losses
in the U.S. of $46.1 (December 31, 2019 – $46.1), losses at Allied World of $338.8 across various jurisdictions
(December 31, 2019 – $359.4) and U.S. foreign tax credits of $43.0 (December 31, 2019 – $55.0). The losses in Canada
expire between 2026 and 2040. The losses and foreign tax credits in the U.S. expire between 2025 and 2040.
Substantially all of the losses in Europe do not have an expiry date. Allied World’s losses are primarily in the U.K. and
Asia, with no expiry date, while the remainder expire between 2022 and 2040.

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 $3.2 billion at
December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – $3.5 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 company’s insurance and
reinsurance subsidiaries. Those 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 2020 by
the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, which are eliminated on consolidation, was $239.7 (2019 – $282.3).

Based on the surplus and net earnings (loss) of the primary insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries as at and for the
year ended December 31, 2020, the maximum dividend capacity available in 2021 at each of those subsidiaries,
payable to all shareholders (including non-controlling interests) is as follows:

Allied World
Odyssey Group
Northbridge(1)
Crum & Forster(1)
Zenith National

December 31,
2020
809.3
362.4
175.2
151.9
52.2

1,551.0

(1) Subject to prior regulatory approval.

When determining the amount of dividends to be paid from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, the company
considers regulatory capital requirements, and also rating agency capital tests, future capital levels required to
support growth and tax planning matters, among other factors. In addition, the co-investors in Allied World have a
dividend in priority to the company.

During 2020 the company provided $1,381.4 of cash and marketable securities in capital support to its subsidiaries,
all to its insurance and reinsurance companies to support growth in a favourable pricing environment and to support
fluctuations in their investment portfolios from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

103

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

20. Contingencies and Commitments

Lawsuits

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. On April 27, 2017, the appeals court
issued a decision reinstating certain claims but affirming the dismissal of the major portion of the claims. On July 10,
2017, Fairfax filed with the New Jersey Supreme Court a petition for certification of the appeal court’s decision. On
October 20, 2017, that petition was denied by the court. The case allowed then moved ahead to a trial, which took
place in September and October 2018. Prior to the trial, Fairfax agreed, in exchange for the receipt of a payment of
$20.0, to resolve its claims against Morgan Keegan & Company, Incorporated; that payment was received in
September 2018. At the trial, the jury awarded Fairfax and its Crum & Forster subsidiary damages of $10.9 against
Exis Capital Management and related Exis companies, Adam Sender and Andrew Heller, including punitive damages
of $3.0 against Exis, $2.25 against Mr. Sender and $0.25 against Mr. Heller, although the court subsequently relieved
Messrs. Sender and Heller of any liability for damages. Fairfax intends to appeal this relief to Messrs. Sender and
Heller, and to continue to pursue its remaining claims against other defendants in the lawsuit by way of appeals
against previous court decisions. 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, except for the receipt of the $20.0 payment in 2018 as described
above.

Other

Subsidiaries of the company, in the ordinary course of their business, are or may be anticipated to be defendants, or
named as third parties, in damage suits. The uninsured exposure to the company is not considered to be material to
the company’s financial position, financial performance or cash flows.

Odyssey Group, Brit and Allied World (‘‘the Lloyd’s participants’’) underwrite in the Lloyd’s of London insurance
market through their participation in certain Lloyd’s syndicates. The Lloyd’s participants have pledged cash and cash
equivalents of $27.9 and securities with a fair value of $1,666.5 at December 31, 2020 as capital to support those
underwriting activities. Pledged securities primarily consist of short term investments, bonds and equity investments
presented within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheet. The Lloyd’s participants have the ability
to substitute other securities for these pledged securities, subject to certain admissibility criteria. The Lloyd’s
participants’ liability in respect of assets pledged as capital 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,
associates and joint ventures at December 31, 2020 was $878.2.

104

21. Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits

The funded status of the company’s defined benefit pension and post retirement plans at December 31 were
as follows:

Benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Funded status of plans – deficit
Impact of asset ceiling

Net accrued liability(1)

Defined benefit
pension plans

2020
(914.8)
700.9

(213.9)
–

2019
(789.4)
605.8

(183.6)
0.3

Defined benefit
post retirement
plans

2020
(89.2)
–

(89.2)
–

2019
(125.4)
–

(125.4)
–

(213.9)

(183.3)

(89.2)

(125.4)

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Health care cost trend

2.2%
2.6%
–

3.0%
2.6%
–

2.6%
3.4%
3.5%

3.3%
3.6%
4.5%

(1) The defined benefit pension plan net accrued liability at December 31, 2020 of $213.9 (December 31, 2019 – $183.3)
was comprised of pension deficits of $262.7, partially offset by pension surpluses of $48.8 (December 31, 2019 – $235.2,
partially offset by $51.9). See notes 13 and 14.

Pension and post retirement benefit expenses recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings for the years
ended December 31 were as follows:

Defined benefit pension plan expense
Defined contribution pension plan expense
Defined benefit post retirement plan expense (recovery)(1)

2020
24.3
53.7
(39.8)

2019
18.8
53.1
8.4

38.2

80.3

(1) During 2020 Odyssey Group amended its post retirement plan which resulted in a recovery of $48.5.

Pre-tax actuarial net gains (losses) recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years
ended December 31 were comprised as follows:

Defined benefit pension plans

Actuarial net gains on plan assets and change in asset ceiling
Actuarial net losses on benefit obligations

Defined benefit post retirement plans – actuarial net losses on benefit obligations

2020

2019

17.6
(101.5)

18.8
(109.9)

(83.9)
(4.4)

(91.1)
(8.0)

(88.3)

(99.1)

During 2020 the company contributed $80.3 (2019 – $36.8) to its defined benefit pension and post retirement plans,
and expects to contribute $26.1 in 2021.

105

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

22. Leases

Changes in the company’s right-of-use assets for the year ended December 31 were as follows:

2020

2019

Insurance and

Balance – January 1

Additions
Disposals
Depreciation(2)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries

(note 23)

Assets held for sale

(note 23)

Foreign exchange effect and

other(3)

Balance – December 31

(note 13)

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies(1)
companies
385.4
81.5
(3.1)
(68.9)

Total
635.2 1,020.6
182.1
100.6
(23.0)
(19.9)
(186.9)
(118.0)

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies(1)
companies
418.9
59.9
(8.3)
(69.3)

Total
632.5 1,051.4
133.1
(9.9)
(178.7)

73.2
(1.6)
(109.4)

–

1.2

20.1

–

(6.1)

(4.9)

4.4

(22.9)

2.7

16.2

20.6

–

(22.9)

24.3

27.0

396.1

611.9 1,008.0

385.4

635.2 1,020.6

(1)

Includes the Run-off reporting segment and Corporate and Other.

(2) Recorded in operating expenses and other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

(3)

Includes non-cash impairment charges of $18.2 (2019 – $0.9), principally related to COVID-19 in the Non-insurance
companies reporting segment.

The maturity profile of the company’s lease liabilities was as follows:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Insurance and

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies
212.9
179.6
152.0
128.7
110.6
373.0

companies
78.7
72.5
64.3
56.5
50.6
213.4

Total
291.6
252.1
216.3
185.2
161.2
586.4

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies
209.4
193.1
163.8
136.5
115.6
428.5

companies
78.0
72.0
63.2
54.7
48.8
240.8

Total
287.4
265.1
227.0
191.2
164.4
669.3

One year or less
One to two years
Two to three years
Three to four years
Four to five years
More than five years

Lease liabilities, undiscounted

536.0

1,156.8 1,692.8

557.5

1,246.9 1,804.4

Lease liabilities, discounted

(note 14)

Weighted average incremental

borrowing rate

456.8

995.3 1,452.1

434.3

1,062.1 1,496.4

4.2%

4.5% 4.4%

4.6%

4.6% 4.6%

During 2020 the company recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings interest expense on lease liabilities
of $62.8 (2019 – $67.8) (note 15), and short-term, low value and other lease costs of $46.5 (2019 – $78.0) that
included the benefit of COVID-19 lease concessions of $14.9 primarily in the Non-insurance companies reporting
segment (note 26).

106

The maturity profile of the company’s finance lease receivables was as follows:

One year or less
One to two years
Two to three years
Three to four years
Four to five years
More than five years

Finance lease receivables,

undiscounted

Unearned finance income

Finance lease receivables

(note 13)

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Insurance and

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies
65.4
59.3
49.6
42.0
35.6
90.5

companies
1.8
1.8
1.6
0.7
0.7
3.4

Total
67.2
61.1
51.2
42.7
36.3
93.9

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies
72.0
66.9
59.3
49.6
41.4
130.2

companies
1.7
1.7
1.8
1.6
0.7
4.0

Total
73.7
68.6
61.1
51.2
42.1
134.2

10.0
1.5

8.5

342.4
45.5

352.4
47.0

296.9

305.4

11.5
2.7

8.8

419.4
52.3

430.9
55.0

367.1

375.9

During 2020 the company recognized on finance lease receivables interest revenue of $14.1 (2019 – $14.7) in other
revenue and COVID-19 related non-cash impairment charges in the Non-insurance companies reporting segment of
$11.1 (2019 – nil) in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

23. Acquisitions and Divestitures

Subsequent to December 31, 2020

Sale of non-controlling interest in Brit

On February 10, 2021 the company entered into an agreement pursuant to which OMERS, the pension plan for
Ontario’s municipal employees, will acquire an approximate 14% equity interest in Brit for cash consideration of
approximately $375. Closing of the transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals and is expected to occur in
the second quarter of 2021. After closing, the company will have the ability to repurchase OMERS’ interest in Brit
over time.

Sale of RiverStone Barbados to CVC Capital Partners

On December 2, 2020 the company entered into an agreement with CVC Capital Partners (‘‘CVC’’) whereby CVC
will acquire 100% of RiverStone (Barbados) Ltd. (‘‘RiverStone Barbados’’). OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario’s
municipal employees, will sell its 40.0% joint venture interest in RiverStone Barbados as part of the transaction. On
closing the company expects to receive proceeds of approximately $730 for its 60.0% joint venture interest in
RiverStone Barbados and a contingent value instrument for potential future proceeds of up to $235.7. Closing of the
transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals and is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2021. Pursuant to
the agreement with CVC, prior to closing the company entered into an arrangement with RiverStone Barbados to
purchase (unless sold earlier) certain investments owned by RiverStone Barbados at a fixed price of approximately
$1.2 billion prior to the end of 2022.

Year ended December 31, 2020

Fairfax Africa transaction with Helios Holdings Limited

On December 8, 2020 Helios Holdings Limited (‘‘Helios’’) acquired a 45.9% voting and equity interest in Fairfax
Africa in exchange for contributing its entitlement to cash flows from certain fee streams. Upon closing Helios was
appointed sole investment advisor to Fairfax Africa and its co-founders were appointed as Co-Chief Executive
Officers, resulting in Fairfax no longer being able to exercise control over Fairfax Africa. Fairfax Africa was
subsequently renamed Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (‘‘HFP’’) and continues to be listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange.

107

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Prior to closing, in an intercompany transaction on December 7, 2020 the holding company acquired Fairfax Africa’s
42.3% equity interest in Atlas Mara for consideration of $40.0, guaranteed the repayment obligations of Atlas Mara’s
$40.0 secured borrowing with Fairfax Africa, and provided other guarantees of $19.7. At closing the company
deconsolidated Fairfax Africa from the Non-insurance companies reporting segment, recognized its 32.3% equity
interest in HFP as an associate and recorded a loss of $61.5 in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated
statement of earnings, inclusive of foreign currency translation losses of $26.9 that were reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The pre-tax loss of $61.5 reflected a partial reversal of the initial
impairment loss of $164.0 recorded in the third quarter of 2020 when Fairfax Africa was classified as held for sale, due
to an increase in Fairfax Africa’s market traded share price from $2.96 at September 30, 2020 to $3.92 at closing.
Subsequent to December 31, 2020 the company entered into a subscription agreement for HFP debentures and
warrants as described in note 6.

HFP is an investment holding company whose investment objective is to achieve long term capital appreciation,
while preserving capital, by investing in public and private equity securities and debt instruments in Africa and
African businesses or other businesses with customers, suppliers or business primarily conducted in, or dependent
on, Africa.

Acquisition of Horizon North Logistics

On May 29, 2020 Horizon North Logistics Inc. (‘‘Horizon North’’) legally acquired 100% of Dexterra by issuing
common shares to the company representing a 49.0% equity interest in Horizon North. The company obtained de
facto voting control of Horizon North as its largest equity and voting shareholder and accounted for the transaction
as a reverse acquisition of Horizon North by Dexterra. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of Horizon
North were consolidated in the Non-insurance companies reporting segment. Horizon North, which was
subsequently renamed Dexterra Group Inc. (‘‘Dexterra Group’’), is a Canadian publicly listed corporation that
provides a range of industrial services and modular construction solutions.

Contribution of European Run-off to a joint venture

On March 31, 2020 the company contributed its wholly owned European run-off group (‘‘European Run-off’’) to
RiverStone (Barbados) Ltd. (‘‘RiverStone Barbados’’), a newly created joint venture entity, for cash proceeds of $599.5
and a 60.0% equity interest in RiverStone Barbados with a fair value of $605.0. OMERS, the pension plan for
municipal employees in the province of Ontario, contemporaneously subscribed for a 40.0% equity interest for cash
consideration of $599.5, based on the fair value of European Run-off at December 31, 2019 pursuant to a subscription
agreement on December 20, 2019, and entered into a shareholders’ agreement with the company to jointly direct the
relevant activities of RiverStone Barbados. At closing on March 31, 2020, the company deconsolidated the assets and
liabilities of European Run-off from assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale on the
consolidated balance sheet respectively, which included European Run-off’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents
of $377.8, and commenced applying the equity method of accounting to its joint venture interest in RiverStone
Barbados. The company recorded a pre-tax gain on deconsolidation of insurance subsidiary of $117.1 in the
consolidated statement of earnings, comprised of a gain of $243.4 on the disposal of 40.0% of European Run-off and
a gain of $35.6 on remeasurement to fair value at the closing date of the 60.0% of European Run-off retained,
partially offset by foreign currency translation losses of $161.9 that were reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statement of earnings. The deconsolidation of European Run-off
increased the company’s non-controlling interests by $340.4 at March 31, 2020 as RiverStone Barbados holds
investments in certain of the company’s subsidiaries as described in note 16.

108

As the agreement to contribute European Run-off to a joint venture was entered into prior to December 31, 2019, the
assets and liabilities of European Run-off were presented on the company’s consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 2019 in assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale as follows:

Assets held for sale:

Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments(2)
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Other assets

Liabilities associated with assets held for

sale:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivative obligations
Insurance contract payables
Insurance contract liabilities
Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance

companies

December 31, 2019

European
Run-off

Intercompany
reinsurance(1)

Consolidation
adjustments(1)

As presented on
the consolidated
balance sheet

53.1
2,688.7
1.9
642.0
2.2
351.2

3,739.1

77.6
2.0
49.5
2,340.7

91.4

2,561.2

8.2
–
(0.2)
(382.0)
–
–

(374.0)

–
–
(11.7)
(503.9)

–

(515.6)

–
(313.4)
–
–
–
(266.1)

(579.5)

(10.5)
–
–
–

–

(10.5)

61.3
2,375.3
1.7
260.0
2.2
85.1

2,785.6

67.1
2.0
37.8
1,836.8

91.4

2,035.1

(1) Primarily reflects reinsurance with Wentworth and investments in Fairfax subsidiaries.

(2)

Includes cash and cash equivalents of $283.7. See note 27.

Year ended December 31, 2019

Acquisition of Universalna

On November 5, 2019 the company transferred its investment in ARX Insurance (described below) into Limited
Liability Company FFH Ukraine Holdings (‘‘Fairfax Ukraine’’), a newly formed subsidiary. On November 6, 2019
Fairfax Ukraine completed the acquisition of Private Joint Stock Company Insurance Company Universalna
(‘‘Universalna’’), a property and casualty insurance company in Ukraine. Purchase consideration for Universalna was
comprised of cash of $4.6 and the transfer of a 30.0% equity interest in Fairfax Ukraine to the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of Fairfax Ukraine were
consolidated in the Insurance and Reinsurance – Other reporting segment.

Merger of Grivalia Properties REIC and Eurobank Ergasias S.A.

On May 17, 2019 Grivalia Properties REIC (‘‘Grivalia Properties’’) merged into Eurobank Ergasias S.A. (‘‘Eurobank’’),
as a result of which shareholders of Grivalia Properties, including the company, received 15.8 newly issued Eurobank
shares in exchange for each share of Grivalia Properties. Accordingly, the company deconsolidated Grivalia
Properties from the Non-insurance companies reporting segment, recognized a non-cash gain of $171.3 and reduced
non-controlling interests by $466.2. In connection with the merger, Grivalia Properties had paid a pre-merger capital
dividend of A0.42 per share on February 5, 2019. The company owned approximately 53% of Grivalia Properties and
18% of Eurobank prior to the merger, and owned 32.4% of Eurobank upon completion of the merger. The company
has presented its investment in Eurobank of $1,164.4 at December 31, 2019 as an investment in associate whereas it
was previously presented as a common stock at FVTPL as described in note 3. Eurobank is a financial services provider
in Greece and is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

109

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Privatization of AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.

Contemporaneously with the acquisition of AGT, Purchase Co. acquired the company’s preferred shares and the
remaining common shares of AGT held by the buying group in exchange for its own common shares which diluted
the company’s interest in AGT to 59.6%, with AGT management and other co-investors owning the remainder.
Purchase Co. and AGT subsequently amalgamated and the amalgamated entity was renamed AGT. The company
holds warrants that, if exercised, would increase its equity interest in AGT to approximately 80%. The preferred
shares were subsequently canceled and the warrants are eliminated on consolidation of AGT. The assets, liabilities
and results of operations of AGT were consolidated in the Non-insurance companies reporting segment. AGT is a
supplier of pulses, staple foods and food ingredients.

Acquisition of AXA operations in Ukraine

On February 14, 2019 the company completed the acquisition of the insurance operations of AXA in Ukraine
(subsequently renamed ARX Insurance Company (‘‘ARX Insurance’’)) for purchase consideration of $17.4. The
assets, liabilities and results of operations of ARX Insurance were consolidated in the Insurance and Reinsurance –
Other reporting segment.

Additional investment in Consolidated Infrastructure Group

On January 4, 2019 Fairfax Africa acquired an additional 41.2% equity interest in Consolidated Infrastructure Group
(‘‘CIG’’) for $44.9 (628.3 million South African rand) which increased its total equity interest in CIG to 49.1%. Fairfax
Africa has de facto control of CIG as its largest shareholder, and as an owner of currently exercisable CIG convertible
debentures that would provide majority voting control if converted. CIG is a pan-African engineering infrastructure
company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of CIG were
consolidated in the Non-insurance companies reporting segment.

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, 2020 compared to those identified at December 31, 2019, except as discussed below.

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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. In addition, although the company and its operating subsidiaries each have an officer with designated
responsibility for risk management, 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 Chief Operating Officer reports on risk considerations to the company’s Executive Committee and
provides a quarterly report on key risk exposures to the company’s Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, in
consultation with the Chief Operating Officer, approves certain policies for overall risk management, as well as
policies addressing specific areas such as investments, underwriting, catastrophe risk and reinsurance. The
company’s 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 company’s
risks and the management of those risks is an agenda item for every regularly scheduled meeting of the Board
of Directors.

COVID-19 pandemic

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, which was declared by the World Health Organization to be a pandemic on
March 11, 2020, and actions taken globally in response to COVID-19, have significantly disrupted business activities
throughout the world. The company’s businesses rely, to a certain extent, on free movement of goods, services, and
capital from around the world, which has been significantly restricted as a result of COVID-19. Although the
company was able to have its insurance businesses remain open during the pandemic, the businesses of many of the
company’s insureds have been affected, resulting in increased counterparty risk. The company increased its leverage
under its revolving credit facility as it added liquidity support for its insurance and reinsurance companies should it
be needed during the pandemic. In addition, the company experienced losses on its equity investment portfolio as
well as certain asset impairments, which impacted the company’s financial results for the year ended
December 31, 2020.

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, it is difficult to predict how
significant the impact of COVID-19, including any responses to it, will be on the global economy and the company’s
businesses, investments and employees in particular, or for how long any disruptions are likely to continue. The
extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, rapidly evolving and
difficult to predict, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and
additional actions which may be taken to contain COVID-19 including the distribution of vaccines, as well as the
timing of the re-opening of the economy in various parts of the world. Such further developments could have a
material adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The slowdown in the global economy as a result of COVID-19 has adversely affected the company’s operating
segments to varying degrees. Underwriting results in 2020 were negatively affected by COVID-19 losses, primarily
from international business interruption exposures and event cancellation coverage, and the company expects its
insurance and reinsurance operations to experience a reduction in premiums written in certain segments where
premiums are directly or indirectly linked to economic activity. In addition, certain government officials, including
U.S. state insurance commissioners, have taken actions to protect consumers and specified classes of workers from
hardship caused by COVID-19 which in the aggregate may adversely affect the company’s operating results in the
near term. While it is likely that certain insurance and reinsurance lines of business may experience increased loss
activity due to COVID-19, there are also many that will likely experience improved loss experience due to reduced
exposures to loss. Certain of the company’s non-insurance operations continue to experience reductions in revenue
due to current economic conditions, particularly those in the restaurant, retail and hospitality sectors whose
business volumes are directly linked to the re-opening of the economy in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The
ultimate impact of COVID-19 on the company will not be fully known for many months, perhaps years.

Underwriting Risk

Underwriting risk is the risk that the total cost of claims, claims adjustment expenses, commissions and premium
acquisition costs will exceed premiums received and can arise as a result of numerous factors, including pricing risk,

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

reserving risk and catastrophe risk. As discussed in the preceding section, COVID-19 has increased uncertainty and
may adversely affect the company’s future underwriting results. There were no other significant changes to the
company’s exposure to underwriting risk, and there were no changes to the framework used to monitor, evaluate and
manage underwriting risk at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019.

Principal lines of business

The company’s principal insurance and reinsurance lines of business and the significant insurance risks inherent
therein are as follows:

• 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;

• Casualty, which insures against accidents (including workers’ compensation and automobile) and also
includes employers’ liability, accident and health, medical malpractice, professional liability and umbrella
coverage; and

• Specialty, which insures against marine, aerospace and surety risk, and other various risks and liabilities that

are not identified above.

An analysis of net premiums earned by line of business is included in note 25.

The table that follows shows the company’s concentration of insurance 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) in 2020 by line of business was comprised of property of $1,470.7 (2019 – $1,471.5), casualty of
$2,361.2 (2019 – $1,842.9) and specialty of $429.5 (2019 – $361.2).

For the years ended
December 31

Property
Casualty
Specialty

Total

Insurance
Reinsurance

Canada

United States

Asia(1)

International(2)

Total

2020

996.2
899.1
188.9

2019

853.5
805.4
177.6

2020

2019

3,364.7
7,812.8
735.7

3,087.9
6,903.4
597.7

2020

735.4
446.6
248.4

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

710.4 1,756.2 1,669.4
411.6 1,279.4 1,424.6
632.1
662.5
237.6

6,852.5
10,437.9
1,835.5

6,321.2
9,545.0
1,645.0

2,084.2 1,836.5

11,913.2

10,589.0 1,430.4 1,359.6 3,698.1 3,726.1

19,125.9

17,511.2

1,969.4 1,724.5
112.0

114.8

9,020.4
2,892.8

8,389.9
2,199.1

682.2
748.2

676.1 2,637.4 2,377.3
683.5 1,060.7 1,348.8

14,309.4
4,816.5

13,167.8
4,343.4

2,084.2 1,836.5

11,913.2

10,589.0 1,430.4 1,359.6 3,698.1 3,726.1

19,125.9

17,511.2

(1) The Asia geographic segment is primarily comprised of countries located throughout Asia, including China, Japan, India,

Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and the Middle East.

(2) The International geographic segment is primarily comprised of countries located in South America, Europe and Africa.

Pricing risk

Pricing risk arises because actual claims experience may differ adversely from the assumptions used in pricing
insurance risk. Historically, the underwriting results of the property and casualty industry have fluctuated
significantly due to the cyclicality of the insurance market. Market cycles are 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

Reserving risk arises because actual claims experience may differ adversely from the assumptions used 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

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insurer and the ultimate resolution of the claim. The degree of uncertainty will vary by line of business according to
the characteristics of the insured risks, with the ultimate cost of a claim determined by the actual insured loss suffered
by the policyholder. 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 severities and frequencies, developing case law and other factors.

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, environmental pollution, workers’
compensation and product liability. Information concerning the loss event and ultimate cost of a long-tail claim may
not be readily available, making the reserving analysis of long-tail lines of business more difficult and subject to
greater uncertainties than for short-tail lines of business. In the extreme cases, long-tail claims involving asbestos and
environmental pollution, it may take upwards of 40 years to settle. 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.

The establishment of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses is an inherently uncertain process that can
be affected by internal factors such as: the 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; the intrinsic risk as to the homogeneity of
the underlying data used in carrying out the reserve analyses; and external factors such as trends relating to jury
awards; economic inflation; medical cost 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 settlement of the claim, provisions may ultimately develop differently
from the actuarial assumptions made when initially estimating the provision for losses.

The diversity of insurance risk within the company’s portfolio of issued policies makes it difficult to predict whether
material prior year reserve development will occur and, if it does occur, the location and the timing of such
an occurrence.

Catastrophe risk

Catastrophe risk arises from exposure to large losses caused by man-made or natural catastrophes that could result in
significant underwriting losses. Weather-related catastrophe losses are also affected by climate change which
increases the unpredictability of both frequency and severity of such losses. As 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. 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 assumes
insurance risk.

Each operating company 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, and those guidelines are regularly
monitored and updated. Operating companies also manage 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 tolerance guidelines. The
company’s head office aggregates catastrophe exposure company-wide and continually monitors the group’s
aggregate exposure. Independent exposure limits for each entity in the group are aggregated to produce an exposure
limit for the group as there is presently 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

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

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.

Management of underwriting risk

To manage exposure to underwriting risk, and the pricing, reserving and catastrophe risks contained therein,
operating companies have established limits for underwriting authority and requirements for specific approvals of
transactions involving new products or 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 the establishment of goals, delegation of authorities, financial monitoring,
underwriting reviews and remedial actions to facilitate continuous improvement. The company’s provision for
claims is reviewed separately by, and must be acceptable to, internal actuaries at each operating company and the
company’s Chief Actuary. Additionally, independent actuaries are periodically engaged to review an operating
company’s reserves or reserves for certain lines of business. The company purchases reinsurance protection for risks
assumed when it is considered prudent and cost effective to do so at the operating companies for specific exposures
and, if needed, at the holding company for aggregate exposures. Steps are taken to actively reduce the volume of
insurance and reinsurance underwritten on particular types of risks when the company 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 company follows a policy of
underwriting and reinsuring contracts of insurance and reinsurance which, depending on the type of contract,
generally limits the liability of an operating company on any policy to a maximum amount on any one loss.
Reinsurance decisions are made by operating companies 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 operating companies 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. The effects
of low interest rates, increased catastrophes and rising claims costs are currently elevating reinsurance pricing, which
has affected the company’s reinsurance cost for loss affected business and retroactive reinsurance. Notwithstanding
the significant current period catastrophe losses suffered by the industry since 2017 and uncertainty surrounding the
losses ultimately ceded to reinsurers related to COVID-19, capital adequacy within the reinsurance market remains
strong with new capital entering the market and alternative forms of reinsurance capacity continuing to be available.
As a result, reinsurance pricing of loss affected business has increased while non-loss affected property has increased
to a lesser extent. The company remains opportunistic in its use of reinsurance, balancing capital requirements and
the cost of reinsurance.

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 on cash and short term investments, investments in debt instruments,
insurance contract receivables, recoverable from reinsurers and receivables from counterparties to derivative
contracts (primarily foreign currency forward contracts, total return swaps and CPI-linked derivatives). During 2020
the company’s exposure to credit risk increased primarily due to the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on
the company’s reinsurers and the underlying issuers of the company’s investments in bonds. There were no other

114

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, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019.

The company’s gross credit risk exposure (without consideration of amounts held by the company as collateral) was
comprised as follows:

Cash and short term investments
Investments in debt instruments:
U.S. sovereign government(1)
Other sovereign government rated AA/Aa or higher(1)(2)
All other sovereign government(3)
Canadian provincials
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other(4)(5)

Receivable from counterparties to derivative contracts
Insurance contract receivables
Recoverable from reinsurers
Other assets

Total gross credit risk exposure

December 31, December 31,
2019
10,703.6

2020
13,920.6

3,058.4
311.2
649.3
49.9
378.2
11,848.3
222.4
5,816.1
10,533.2
1,424.2

48,211.8

5,610.8
1,090.4
1,230.0
2.9
216.5
8,164.8
85.2
5,435.0
9,155.8
1,362.9

43,057.9

(1) Represented together 7.8% of the company’s total investment portfolio at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 –

17.2%) and considered by the company to have nominal credit risk.

(2) Comprised primarily of bonds issued by the governments of Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Canada with fair values
at December 31, 2020 of $95.7, $58.7, $42.0 and $16.5 respectively (December 31, 2019 – $99.4, $105.9, $89.0
and $664.4).

(3) Comprised primarily of bonds issued by the governments of Spain, Poland and India with fair values at December 31,

2020 of $233.9, $128.7 and $22.5 respectively (December 31, 2019 – $218.2, $149.6 and $519.0).

(4) Represented 27.4% of the company’s total investment portfolio at December 31, 2020 compared to 20.9% at
December 31, 2019, with the increase principally related to net purchases of high quality corporate bonds rated A/A and
BBB/Baa of $875.3 and $1,601.4, and net purchases of corporate bonds rated BB/Ba of $242.6.

(5)

Includes the company’s investments in mortgage loans at December 31, 2020 of $775.4 (December 31, 2019 – $232.0)
secured by real estate primarily in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

The company had income taxes refundable of $88.7 at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – $169.0) that are
considered to have nominal credit risk and are not included in the table above.

Cash and short term investments

The company’s cash and short term investments (including those of the holding company) are primarily held at
major financial institutions in the jurisdictions in which the company operates. At December 31, 2020, 86.7% of
these balances were held in Canadian and U.S. financial institutions, 10.2% in European financial institutions and
3.1% in other foreign financial institutions (December 31, 2019 – 83.5%, 11.0% and 5.5% 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. From these reviews, the company may transfer balances from financial institutions where it perceives
heightened credit risk to others considered to be more stable.

Investments in debt instruments

The company’s risk management strategy for debt instruments is to invest primarily in those of high credit quality
issuers and to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one corporate issuer. Management considers high quality
debt instruments to be those with a S&P or Moody’s issuer credit rating of BBB/Baa or higher. While the company
reviews third party credit ratings, it also performs 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

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

individual corporate issuers and on credit quality and may, from time to time, initiate positions in certain types of
derivatives to further mitigate credit risk exposure.

The composition of the company’s investments in debt instruments 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
Unrated(1)(2)

Total

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Amortized
cost
3,574.3
779.1
3,856.5
4,157.4
489.6
41.7
62.4
2,458.9

Fair
value
3,604.8
805.1
4,086.6
4,590.8
518.8
42.9
63.8
2,582.5

Amortized
cost
6,795.2
870.0
2,979.4
3,059.6
121.9
59.9
31.6
2,125.8

%
22.1
4.9
25.1
28.2
3.2
0.3
0.4
15.8

Fair
value
6,820.4
881.8
3,008.0
3,206.2
135.0
61.6
16.4
2,186.0

%
41.8
5.4
18.4
19.7
0.8
0.4
0.1
13.4

15,419.9

16,295.3

100.0

16,043.4

16,315.4

100.0

(1) Comprised primarily of the fair value of the company’s investments in Atlas Corp. of $575.9 (December 31, 2019 –
$483.4), Blackberry Limited of $438.6 (December 31, 2019 – $442.1) and Chorus Aviation Inc. of $153.0 (December 31,
2019 – $155.8).

(2)

Includes the company’s investments in mortgage loans at December 31, 2020 of $775.4 (December 31, 2019 – $232.0)
secured by real estate primarily in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

At December 31, 2020, 80.3% (December 31, 2019 – 85.3%) of the fixed income portfolio’s carrying value was rated
investment grade or better, with 27.0% (December 31, 2019 – 47.2%) rated AA or better (primarily consisting of
government bonds). The decrease in the fair value of bonds rated AAA/Aaa primarily reflected net sales and
maturities of short-dated U.S. treasury bonds and Canadian government bonds for net proceeds of $2,521.5 and
$626.0. The increase in the fair value of bonds rated A/A and BBB/Baa was primarily due to net purchases of high
quality corporate bonds of $875.3 and $1,601.4, partially offset by net sales of Indian government bonds rated
BBB/Baa of $479.6. The increase in the fair value of bonds rated BB/Ba was primarily due to net purchases of corporate
bonds of $242.6. The increase in the fair value of unrated bonds was primarily due to net purchases of unrated
corporate bonds and mortgage loans of $839.1, partially offset by the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa’s bond
holdings (note 23).

At December 31, 2020 holdings of bonds in the ten issuers to which the company had the greatest exposure
(excluding U.S., Canadian, U.K. and German sovereign government bonds) totaled $3,474.4 (December 31, 2019 –
$3,201.5), which represented approximately 8.0% (December 31, 2019 – 8.2%) of the total investment portfolio.
Exposure to the largest single issuer of corporate bonds at December 31, 2020 was the company’s investment in Atlas
Corp. of $575.9 (December 31, 2019 – $483.4), which represented approximately 1.3% (December 31, 2019 – 1.2%)
of the total investment portfolio.

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 have insufficient 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).

116

associated with providing initial margin is mitigated where possible through the use of segregated third party
custodian accounts that only permit counterparties to take control of the collateral in the event of default by
the company.

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 against amounts receivable by the company from that counterparty (the ‘‘net settlement
arrangements’’). The following table sets out the company’s net derivative counterparty risk assuming all derivative
counterparties are simultaneously in default:

Total derivative assets(1)
Obligations that may be offset under 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,
2019
85.2
(19.2)
(14.2)
1.9
–

2020
222.4
(32.0)
(124.3)
11.7
5.6

Net derivative counterparty exposure after net settlement and collateral

arrangements

83.4

53.7

(1) Excludes equity warrants, equity call options and other derivatives which are not subject to counterparty risk.

(2) Excludes excess collateral pledged by counterparties of $5.0 at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – $1.9).

Collateral deposited for the benefit of the company at December 31, 2020 consisted of cash of $116.4 and
government securities of $12.9 (December 31, 2019 – $5.3 and $10.8). The company had not exercised its right to sell
or repledge collateral at December 31, 2020.

Recoverable from reinsurers

Credit risk on the company’s recoverable from reinsurers balance existed at December 31, 2020 to the extent that any
reinsurer may be unable or unwilling to reimburse the company under the terms of the relevant reinsurance
arrangements. The company is also exposed to the credit risk assumed in fronting arrangements and to potential
reinsurance capacity constraints. The company regularly assesses the creditworthiness of reinsurers with whom it
transacts business, with particular focus during 2020 on the actions of its reinsurers in response to the economic
effects of COVID-19, which did not result in any impairments. Internal guidelines generally require reinsurers to
have strong A.M. Best ratings and to maintain capital and surplus in excess of $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 for each individual reinsurer.

The company’s reinsurance security staff conduct ongoing detailed assessments of current and potential reinsurers,
perform annual reviews of impaired reinsurers, and provide recommendations for uncollectible reinsurance
provisions for the group. The reinsurance security staff also collect and maintain individual operating company and
group reinsurance exposures across the company. Most of the reinsurance balances for reinsurers rated B++ or lower
were inherited by the company on acquisition of a subsidiary. The company’s single largest recoverable from
reinsurer (Munich Reinsurance Company) represented 8.0% of shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of
Fairfax at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – 6.4%) and is rated A+ by A.M. Best.

The company’s gross exposure to credit risk from its reinsurers increased at December 31, 2020 compared to
December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting increased business volumes (principally at Allied World and Odyssey
Group), reinsurers’ share of COVID-19 losses (primarily at Brit and Bryte) and amounts ceded to European Run-off by
Group Re and Brit, which are included in recoverable from reinsurers at December 31, 2020 as a result of the
deconsolidation of European Run-off compared with December 31, 2019, when those balances were intercompany
and eliminated on consolidation. Changes that occurred in the provision for uncollectible reinsurance during the
year are disclosed in note 9.

117

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The following table presents the gross recoverable from reinsurers classified according to the financial strength
ratings of the reinsurers. Pools and associations are generally government or similar insurance funds with limited
credit risk.

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

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
473.9
5,244.2
3,072.9
359.1
55.9
2.6
16.0
1,101.8
362.4

10,688.8
(155.6)

10,533.2

Outstanding
balances

Net
Gross
unsecured
for which recoverable recoverable
from
reinsurers
357.1
5,005.9
2,567.7
217.7
18.1
3.9
11.0
941.1
194.8

from
reinsurers
446.4
4,882.7
2,975.3
329.2
50.7
2.6
15.6
374.9
355.4

security
is held
27.5
361.5
97.6
29.9
5.2
–
0.4
726.9
7.0

Outstanding
balances

Net
unsecured
for which recoverable
from
reinsurers
328.3
4,654.0
2,461.7
208.0
16.9
3.5
9.6
416.8
188.3

security
is held
28.8
351.9
106.0
9.7
1.2
0.4
1.4
524.3
6.5

1,256.0

9,432.8
(155.6)

9,317.3
(161.5)

9,277.2

9,155.8

1,030.2

8,287.1
(161.5)

8,125.6

Liquidity risk is the potential for loss if the company is unable to meet financial commitments in a timely manner at
reasonable cost as they fall due. The company’s cash flows in the near term may be impacted by the need to provide
capital to support growth in the insurance and reinsurance companies in a favourable pricing environment and to
support fluctuations in their investment portfolios due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The
company’s policy is 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 regularly at both the holding company and operating companies to ensure that future cash
needs are met or exceeded by cash flows generated by operating companies.

Holding Company

The holding company’s known significant commitments for 2021 consist of payment of a common share dividend
of $272.1 ($10.00 per common share, paid in January 2021), interest and corporate overhead expenses, preferred
share dividends, income tax payments, potential payments on amounts borrowed from the revolving credit facility
and other investment related activities.

The company believes that holding company cash and investments, net of holding company derivative obligations,
at December 31, 2020 of $1,229.4 provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s known commitments
in 2021. The holding company expects to continue to receive investment management and administration fees and
dividends from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, and investment income on its holdings of cash and
investments. In the first quarter of 2021 the holding company expects to receive proceeds of approximately $730
from the sale of its 60.0% joint venture interest in RiverStone Barbados to CVC (note 23). To further augment its
liquidity, the holding company can borrow from its $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility as described in
note 15. At December 31, 2020 there was $700.0 borrowed on the company’s credit facility.

The holding company may experience cash inflows or outflows on occasion related to its derivative contracts,
including collateral requirements. During 2020 the holding company received net cash of $222.8 (2019 – paid net
cash of $17.0) in connection with long equity total return swap derivative contracts (excluding the impact of
collateral requirements).

118

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the company completed offerings of $671.6 (Cdn$850.0) and $600.0 principal
amounts of unsecured senior notes due 2031 and made a net repayment of $200.0 on its revolving credit facility,
leaving $500.0 borrowed at March 5, 2021. The company also announced redemptions of its unsecured senior notes
due 2022 and 2023 with principal amounts of $350.1 (Cdn$446.0) and $314.0 (Cdn$400.0). See note 15 for details.

Insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries

The liquidity requirements of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries principally relate to liabilities associated
with underwriting, operating 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,
investment commitments 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 on debt investments, 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 at a consolidated level, 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 a 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, 2020 portfolio investments, net of derivative obligations, was $41.9 billion (December 31, 2019 –
$38.0 billion). Portfolio investments include investments that may lack liquidity or are inactively traded, including
corporate debentures, preferred stocks, common stocks, limited partnership interests, other invested assets and
investments in associates. At December 31, 2020 these asset classes represented approximately 11.3% (December 31,
2019 – 12.5%) of the carrying value of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ portfolio investments. Fairfax
India held investments that may lack liquidity or are inactively traded with a carrying value of $1,095.5 at
December 31, 2020 (Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa at December 31, 2019 – $1,415.3).

The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may experience cash inflows or outflows on occasion related to their
derivative contracts, including collateral requirements. During 2020 the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries paid
net cash of $628.6 (2019 – received net cash of $30.7) in connection with long and short equity total return swap
derivative contracts (excluding the impact of collateral requirements).

Non-insurance companies

The non-insurance companies have principal repayments coming due in 2021 of $1,309.2, primarily related to AGT’s
senior notes and credit facilities, Fairfax India’s secured term loan, and the maturity of certain convertible
debentures. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, AGT extended the maturity on its senior credit facility of Cdn$525.0
to January 24, 2022, and Fairfax India completed an offering of $500.0 principal amount of 5.00% unsecured senior
notes on February 26, 2021 and used the net proceeds to repay $500.0 principal amount of its floating rate term loan.
Borrowings of the non-insurance companies are non-recourse to the holding company and are generally expected to
be settled through a combination of refinancing and operating cash flows.

119

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Maturity profile of the company’s consolidated financial liabilities

The following tables set out the maturity profile of the company’s financial liabilities based on the expected
undiscounted cash flows from the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1)
Insurance contract payables(2)
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses

Borrowings – holding company and insurance and

reinsurance companies:

Principal

Interest

Borrowings – non-insurance companies:

Principal

Interest

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1)
Insurance contract payables(2)
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses

Borrowings – holding company and insurance and

reinsurance companies:

Principal

Interest

Borrowings – non-insurance companies:

Principal

Interest

December 31, 2020

3 months 3 months
to 1 year

or less

1,464.8

775.6

2,880.5

816.6

1,493.0

6,111.7

1 – 3 years

3 – 5 years

More than
5 years

Total

854.5

205.6

454.3

13.5

675.3

4,265.5

13.5

2,501.2

9,577.5

4,753.5

7,486.1 30,809.3

50.1

54.6

547.6

27.2

892.7

204.2

761.6

43.3

664.7

479.0

269.5

76.5

1,142.9

3,887.8

6,638.2

411.5

554.1

1,703.4

344.0

40.7

288.1

103.4

2,210.8

291.1

5,800.4

10,323.1

12,127.3

7,160.4

13,008.3 48,419.5

December 31, 2019

3 months 3 months
to 1 year

or less

1,321.1

717.2

2,475.6

799.9

1,294.8

5,325.9

1 – 3 years

3 – 5 years

More than
5 years

Total

798.1

133.2

426.0

9.6

853.2

4,198.3

63.0

2,217.8

8,490.8

4,619.5

7,588.4 28,500.2

–

53.1

533.4

59.9

140.0

180.5

771.5

45.4

433.9

456.4

392.7

60.4

676.0

391.1

114.8

38.4

3,926.9

5,176.8

648.0

1,729.1

271.8

113.9

2,084.2

318.0

5,160.3

8,558.0

10,765.5

6,275.4

13,465.2 44,224.4

(1) Excludes pension and post retirement liabilities (note 21), deferred gift card, hospitality and other revenue, accrued interest

expense and other. The maturity profile of lease liabilities included in the table above is described in note 22.

(2) Excludes ceded deferred premium acquisition costs.

The timing of claims payments is not fixed and represents the company’s best estimate. The payment obligations
which are due beyond one year in insurance contract payables primarily relate to certain payables to brokers and
reinsurers not expected to be settled in the short term.

120

The following table provides a maturity profile of the company’s derivative obligations based on the expected
undiscounted cash flows from the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

3 months
or less

3 months More than
1 year
to 1 year

Total

3 months
or less

3 months More than
1 year
to 1 year

Equity total return swaps –

short positions

Equity total return swaps –

long positions

U.S. treasury bond forward

contracts

Foreign currency forward
and swap contracts

Other derivative contracts

Market Risk

–

8.3

–

74.3
25.8

108.4

–

9.7

–

16.1
9.5

35.3

–

18.0

–

45.6
0.1

136.0
35.4

–

58.0

26.6

–

1.7

59.3
1.6

3.0

–

1.9
0.4

Total

84.6

3.0

1.7

–

53.3
0.1

114.5
2.1

45.7

189.4

120.6

31.9

53.4

205.9

Market risk, comprised of foreign 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, and also in its underwriting activities where 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, with policies to limit and
monitor individual issuer exposures and aggregate equity exposure at the subsidiary and consolidated levels. The
following is a discussion of the company’s primary market risk exposures and how those exposures are 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. Typically, 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 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, 2020 the company’s investment portfolio
included fixed income securities with an aggregate fair value of approximately $16.3 billion (December 31, 2019 –
$16.3 billion) that is subject to interest rate risk.

The company’s exposure to interest rate risk increased during 2020 primarily due to economic disruption caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic and also due to net purchases of short to mid-dated high quality corporate bonds of
$2,071.9, partially offset by decreased bond holdings, primarily reflecting net sales and maturities of short-dated
U.S. treasury bonds and Canadian government bonds for proceeds of $2,521.5 and $626.0, and net sales of India
government bonds for net proceeds of $479.6. To reduce its exposure to interest rate risk (primarily exposure to
certain long-dated U.S. corporate bonds and U.S. state and municipal bonds held in its fixed income portfolio), the
company held forward contracts to sell long-dated U.S. treasury bonds with a notional amount at December 31, 2020
of $330.8 (December 31, 2019 – $846.5). There were no other significant changes to the company’s framework used
to monitor, evaluate and manage interest rate risk at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019.

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 sold, and the
proceeds reinvested at lower interest 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 fixed income securities held. These risks are monitored by the company’s senior portfolio managers and Chief
Executive Officer, and taken into consideration when managing the consolidated bond portfolio.

121

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The table below displays the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the company’s fixed income portfolio
based on parallel 200 basis points shifts up and down, in 100 basis points increments, which the company believes to
be reasonably possible in the current economic environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. This analysis was
performed on each individual security to determine the hypothetical effect 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

Fair value
of fixed
income
portfolio

15,540.5
15,889.8
16,295.3
16,790.2
17,348.4

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Hypothetical
change in net
earnings(1)

Hypothetical
% change
in fair
value(1)

Fair value
of fixed
income
portfolio

Hypothetical
change in net
earnings(1)

Hypothetical
% change
in fair
value(1)

(624.5)
(335.2)
–
410.0
871.6

(4.6)
(2.5)
–
3.0
6.5

15,752.1
16,018.9
16,315.4
16,712.8
17,162.3

(463.3)
(243.6)
–
326.8
695.8

(3.5)
(1.8)
–
2.4
5.2

(1)

Includes the impact of forward contracts to sell long dated U.S. treasury bonds with a notional amount at December 31,
2020 of $330.8 (December 31, 2019 – $846.5).

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 may include
non-parallel shifts in the term structure of interest rates and changes 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 foreign 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. The company’s risk management objective for market price
fluctuations places primary emphasis on the preservation of invested capital. The company holds significant
investments
in the preceding sections, the
COVID-19 pandemic has increased market uncertainty and may adversely impact the fair values or future cash flows
of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings. The company’s exposure to equity price risk through its equity
and equity-related holdings increased at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019 as shown in the
table below.

in equity and equity-related

instruments. As discussed

The company holds significant investments in equity and equity-related instruments. 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 following table summarizes
the net effect of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings (long exposures net of short exposures) on the
company’s financial position as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and results of operations for the years then ended. In
that table the company considers its non-insurance investments in associates (note 6) with a fair value at

122

December 31, 2020 of $5,609.8 (December 31, 2019 – $6,494.4) as a component of its equity and equity-related
holdings when assessing its net equity exposures.

Year ended

December 31, December 31,

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

2020

2019

Exposure/

Pre-tax

Notional

Carrying

Notional

Carrying

earnings

amount

value

amount

value

(loss)

Long equity exposures:
Common stocks(1)
Preferred stocks – convertible(2)
Bonds – convertible
Investments in associates(2)(3)(4)
Deconsolidation of non-insurance

subsidiaries(5)(6)

Derivatives and other invested assets:

Equity total return swaps – long positions
Equity warrant forward contracts(7)
Equity warrants and options(7)

Other

4,939.7 4,939.7 4,604.2 4,604.2
20.7
667.6
5,609.8 5,134.9 6,494.4 5,492.3

27.9
461.3

20.7
667.6

27.9
461.3

24.7
4.4
143.4
8.6

915.9
0.9
1.4
0.7

–

(61.5)

171.3

1,788.3
–
132.8
–

126.3
–
132.8
–

406.3
–
200.3
–

8.1
–
200.3
–

325.6
–
(56.3)
(17.0)

20.5
45.4
123.9
–

Total equity and equity related holdings

12,959.8 10,822.9 12,393.5 10,993.2

371.9

1,280.0

Short equity exposures:

Derivatives and other invested assets:

Equity total return swaps – short positions
Other

–
–

–

–
–

–

(369.8)
–

(84.6)
–

(528.6)
–

(369.8)

(84.6)

(528.6)

(45.0)
(12.8)

(57.8)

Net equity exposures and financial effects

12,959.8

12,023.7

(156.7)

1,222.2

(1) During 2019 the company sold its 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard for gross proceeds of $729.0 and recognized a
net gain on investment of $240.0 (realized gains of $311.2, of which $71.2 was recorded as unrealized gains in prior
years), primarily related to the removal of the discount for lack of marketability previously applied by the company to the
traded market price of its ICICI Lombard common stock.

(2) Excludes the company’s insurance and reinsurance investments in associates and joint ventures and certain other equity

and equity-related holdings which are considered long term strategic holdings. See note 6.

(3) On September 30, 2020 the company sold its investment in Davos Brands for cash proceeds of $58.6 and recorded a net

realized gain of $19.3 as described in note 6.

(4) On February 28, 2020 the company sold its investment in APR Energy to Atlas in an all-stock transaction as described in

note 6.

(5) On December 8, 2020 Fairfax Africa was deconsolidated pursuant to the transaction described in note 23.

(6) On May 17, 2019 the company deconsolidated Grivalia Properties upon its merger into Eurobank and recognized a

non-cash gain of $171.3. See note 23.

(7)

Includes the Atlas (formerly Seaspan) warrants and forward contracts.

123

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The table that follows illustrates the potential impact on net earnings of changes in the fair value of the company’s
equity and equity-related holdings (long exposures net of short exposures) as a result of changes in global equity
markets at December 31, 2020 and 2019. The analysis assumes variations of 10% and 20% (December 31, 2019 – 5%
and 10%) which the company believes to be reasonably possible in the current economic environment based on
analysis of the return on various equity indexes and management’s knowledge of global equity markets.

Change in global equity markets

20% increase

10% increase

No change

10% decrease

20% decrease

Fair value of equity and equity-related holdings
Hypothetical $ change in net earnings
Hypothetical % change in fair value

8,799.0
1,227.5
19.7

8,074.2
613.3
9.9

7,350.0
–
–

6,627.5
(611.6)
(9.8)

5,897.4
(1,228.8)
(19.8)

December 31, 2020

Change in global equity markets

10% increase

5% increase

No change

5% decrease

10% decrease

Fair value of equity and equity-related holdings
Hypothetical $ change in net earnings
Hypothetical % change in fair value

6,048.3
433.9
9.4

5,788.2
216.4
4.7

5,529.3
–
–

5,271.8
(215.1)
(4.7)

5,015.7
(428.8)
(9.3)

December 31, 2019

The change in fair value of non-insurance investments in associates and joint ventures have been excluded from
each of the scenarios presented above as any change in the fair value of an investment in associate is generally
recognized in the company’s consolidated financial reporting only upon disposition of the associate. The change in
fair value of equity and equity-related holdings related to insurance and reinsurance investments in associates and
joint ventures and certain other equity and equity-related holdings have also been excluded from each of the
scenarios presented above as they are considered long term strategic holdings.

At December 31, 2020 the company’s ten largest holdings within common stocks, long equity total return swaps and
non-insurance investments in associates totaled $4,981.5 or 11.5% of the total investment portfolio (December 31,
2019 – $5,136.2 or 13.2%), of which the largest single holding was the company’s investment in Eurobank of
$1,166.3 (note 6) or 2.7% of the total investment portfolio (December 31, 2019 – $1,164.4 or 3.0%).

Risk of decreasing price levels

The risk of decreases in the general price level of goods and services is the potential for negative impacts on the
consolidated balance sheet (including the company’s equity and equity-related holdings and fixed income
investments in non-sovereign debt) and the 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 consumer price indexes (‘‘CPI’’) in the geographic
regions in which it operates to serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the
company of decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2020 these contracts have a remaining weighted average life of
2.7 years (December 31, 2019 – 2.8 years), a notional amount of $74.9 billion (December 31, 2019 – $99.8 billion)
and a fair value of $2.8 (December 31, 2019 – $6.7). 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. During 2020 the company recorded net losses of $13.9
(2019 – $12.3) on its CPI-linked derivative contracts and did not enter into any new contracts. During 2020 certain
CPI-linked derivative contracts referenced to CPI in the United States, European Union and United Kingdom with a
notional amount of $27.2 billion (2019 – $1.8 billion) matured.

Foreign currency risk

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of a financial instrument or another asset or liability
will fluctuate because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and produce an adverse effect on earnings or
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, including net premiums earned and losses on claims,
net that are denominated in foreign currencies. Investments in associates and net investments in subsidiaries with
functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar also result in exposure to foreign currency risk. There were no

124

significant changes to the company’s exposure to foreign currency risk or the framework used to monitor, evaluate
and manage foreign currency risk at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019.

The company’s foreign currency risk management objective is to mitigate the impact of foreign currency exchange
rate fluctuations on total equity, notwithstanding the company’s exposure to the Indian rupee from its investment
in Fairfax India. The company monitors its invested assets for exposure to foreign currency risk and limits such
exposure as deemed necessary. At the consolidated level the company accumulates and matches all significant asset
and liability foreign currency exposures to identify net unmatched positions, whether long or short. To mitigate
exposure to an unmatched position, the company may: enter into long and short foreign currency forward contracts
(primarily denominated in the euro, the British pound sterling and the Canadian dollar) to manage exposure on
foreign currency denominated transactions; identify or incur foreign currency denominated liabilities to manage
exposure to investments in associates and net investments in subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the
U.S. dollar; and, purchase investments denominated in the same currency as foreign currency exposed liabilities.
Despite such efforts, the company may experience gains or losses resulting from foreign currency fluctuations, which
may favourably or adversely affect operating results.

At December 31, 2020 the company has designated the carrying value of Cdn$2,796.0 principal amount of its
Canadian dollar denominated unsecured senior notes with a fair value of $2,397.6 (December 31, 2019 – principal
amount of Cdn$2,796.0 with a fair value of $2,270.0) as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in Canadian
subsidiaries. During 2020 the company recognized pre-tax losses of $38.0 (2019 – $105.6) related to exchange rate
movements on the Canadian dollar denominated unsecured senior notes in losses on hedge of net investment in
Canadian subsidiaries in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

At December 31, 2020 the company has designated the carrying value of A750.0 principal amount of its euro
denominated unsecured senior notes with a fair value of $1,023.9 (December 31, 2019 – principal amount of
A277.0 with a fair value of $336.2) as a hedge of its net investment in European operations with a euro functional
currency. The increase in principal amount of euro denominated unsecured senior notes designated as a hedging
instrument during 2020 was due to the classification of Eurobank as an investment in associate (notes 3 and 6) which
increased the company’s net investment in European operations with a euro functional currency. During 2020 the
company recognized pre-tax losses of $75.8 (2019 – $35.3) related to exchange rate movements on the euro
denominated unsecured senior notes in losses on hedge of net investment in European operations in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The pre-tax foreign exchange effects included in net gains (losses) on investments in the company’s consolidated
statements of earnings for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Net gains (losses) on investments:

Investing activities
Underwriting activities
Foreign currency contracts

Foreign currency net gains (losses)

2020

2019

105.4
(16.8)
(33.0)

(68.0)
5.6
(1.3)

55.6

(63.7)

Foreign currency net gains on investing activities during 2020 primarily reflected strengthening of the euro and
Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency net losses on investing activities during 2019 primarily
related to U.S. dollar denominated investments held by subsidiaries with a Canadian dollar or British pound
functional currency as the U.S. dollar weakened relative to those currencies.

125

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The table below shows the approximate effect of a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against each of the Canadian
dollar, euro, British pound sterling, Indian rupee and all other currencies, respectively, on pre-tax earnings (loss), net
earnings (loss), pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Certain
shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented, including the assumption that the 10% appreciation
of the U.S. dollar occurred at December 31, 2020 with all other variables held constant.

Canadian
dollar

Euro

British
pound
sterling

Indian rupee

All other
currencies

Total

2020
(25.6)
(25.1)

2019
2020
18.3 (35.2)
14.0 (26.5)

2019
59.0
44.2

2020
58.3
48.8

2019
(5.1)
(2.0)

2020
2019
(47.3) (110.1)
(95.3)
(45.9)

2020
45.0
36.0

2019
(57.7)
(38.1)

2020
(4.8)
(12.7)

2019
(95.6)
(77.2)

(112.1) (110.0) (17.4)

(86.1)

(56.4) (125.5) (247.7) (275.4) (108.6) (123.3) (542.2) (720.3)

(115.5) (113.2) 13.7

(55.6)

(55.6) (124.7) (229.2) (254.2) (109.1) (118.0) (495.7) (665.7)

Pre-tax earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss)
Pre-tax other

comprehensive
income (loss)

Other comprehensive

income (loss)

The hypothetical impact in 2020 of the foreign currency movements on pre-tax earnings (loss) in the table above
principally related to the following:

Canadian dollar: Primarily related to net assets at Allied World, Corporate and Other, Zenith National,
Insurance and Reinsurance – Other (primarily at Wentworth), Run-off, Brit and Crum & Forster, partially offset
by net liabilities at Odyssey Group. A net asset exposure at December 31, 2020 compared to a net liability
exposure at December 31, 2019 primarily reflected increases in net assets at Allied World and Crum & Forster
(principally related to portfolio investments), a decrease in net liability exposure at Odyssey Group (primarily
related to its U.S. operations and Newline branch) and the impact of the deconsolidation of European Run-off.

Euro: Primarily related to net assets at Corporate and Other, non-insurance companies, Crum & Forster,
Odyssey Group and Allied World. A net asset exposure at December 31, 2020 compared to a net liability exposure
at December 31, 2019 primarily reflected Corporate and Other designating the entire carrying value of A750.0
principal amount of its euro borrowings as a hedge of its net investment in European operations during 2020, a
net asset exposure at Odyssey Group compared to a net liability exposure (primarily related to its European
branch), the impact of the deconsolidation of European Run-off and increased portfolio investments at Brit.

British pound sterling: Primarily related to net liabilities at Brit, Odyssey Group and Allied World. A net liability
exposure at December 31, 2020 compared to a net asset exposure at December 31, 2019 primarily related to
foreign exchange contracts used as an economic hedge at Brit and Odyssey Group.

Indian rupee: Primarily related to the company’s investment in compulsory convertible preferred shares of Digit
held at Fairfax Asia. The net asset exposure at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019 decreased
primarily reflecting decreased portfolio investment exposure at Odyssey Group, Northbridge and Corporate and
Other, principally related to net sales of India government bonds.

All other currencies: Primarily related to U.S. dollar, Egyptian pound and Australian dollar net assets at entities
where the functional currency is other than those currencies (primarily at Odyssey Group’s Paris branch and
Newline syndicate and Allied World, reflecting changes in operational exposure) and net liabilities at Fairfax
India (primarily U.S. dollar borrowings). The change in net exposure in all other currencies primarily reflected
increased exposure to the U.S. dollar (principally at Odyssey Group’s various branches and the impact of the
deconsolidation of European Run-off), decreased exposure to the Egyptian pound and Kuwaiti dinar (principally
as a result of the deconsolidation of European Run-off), partially offset by increased net asset exposure to the
Australian dollar (primarily at Odyssey Group and Allied World).

The hypothetical impact in 2020 of the foreign currency movements on pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)
in the table above principally related to the translation of the company’s non-U.S. dollar net investments in
subsidiaries and investments in associates as follows:

Canadian dollar: Primarily related to net investments in Northbridge and Canadian subsidiaries within the
Non-insurance companies reporting segment, partially offset by the impact of Canadian dollar borrowings
applied as a hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries.

126

Euro: Primarily related to the company’s investments in associates (principally Eurobank, Eurolife and Astarta)
and a net investment in Colonnade Insurance, partially offset by Odyssey Group’s net investment in its
European branch (net liability exposure) and the impact of euro borrowings applied as a hedge of net investment
in European operations. The net asset exposure at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019 decreased
primarily reflecting an increase in the carrying value of A750.0 euro denominated borrowings designated as a
hedging instrument during 2020, the deconsolidation of European Run-off and increased net liability exposure
at Odyssey Group’s European branch.

British pound sterling: Primarily related to Odyssey Group’s net investment in its Newline syndicate. The net
asset exposure in British pound sterling decreased during 2020 primarily reflecting the deconsolidation of
European Run-off.

Indian rupee: Primarily related to net investments in Fairfax India and Thomas Cook India, and the company’s
investments in associates (principally Quess and Digit). The net asset exposure decreased during 2020 primarily
reflecting decreased net investments in Fairfax India and Thomas Cook India, and a non-cash impairment
charge on the company’s investment in Quess.

All other currencies: Primarily related to net investments in Fairfax Latin America (Argentine peso, Chilean peso,
Colombian peso, Uruguayan peso, Brazilian real), Bryte Insurance (South African rand), Polish Re (Polish zloty),
AMAG Insurance (Indonesian rupiah), Fairfirst Insurance (Sri Lankan rupee), Pacific Insurance (Malaysian
ringgit), Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgarian lev, Czech koruna, Hungarian forint, Romanian leu and
Ukrainian hryvnia) and non-insurance companies (primarily AGT’s net investment in its Turkish subsidiary
(Turkish lira)), and investments in associates (primarily Vietnamese dong at BIC Insurance).

127

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, 2020, comprising total debt, shareholders’
equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax and non-controlling interests, was $26,341.3 compared to $25,139.8 at
December 31, 2019. The company manages its capital based on the following financial measurements and ratios to
provide an indication of the company’s ability to issue and service debt without impacting the operating companies
or their portfolio investments:

Consolidated

Excluding consolidated
non-insurance companies

December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2019

2019

2020

Holding company cash and investments (net of derivative

obligations)

Borrowings – holding company
Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance companies
Borrowings – non-insurance companies

Total debt

Net debt(1)

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital(2)
Total debt/total capital(3)
Interest coverage(4)
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution

coverage(5)

1,229.4

5,580.6
1,033.4
2,200.0

8,814.0

7,584.6

975.2

4,117.3
1,039.6
2,075.7

7,232.6

6,257.4

1,229.4

5,580.6
1,033.4
–

6,614.0

5,384.6

975.2

4,117.3
1,039.6
–

5,156.9

4,181.7

12,521.1
1,335.5
3,670.7

13,042.6
1,335.5
3,529.1

12,521.1
1,335.5
1,831.8

13,042.6
1,335.5
1,544.6

17,527.3

17,907.2

15,688.4

15,922.7

43.3%
30.2%
33.5%
1.6x

34.9%
25.9%
28.8%
6.5x

34.3%
25.6%
29.7%

26.3%
20.8%
24.5%

3.3x (6)

9.8x (6)

1.4x

5.7x

2.7x (6)

7.9x (6)

(1) Net debt is calculated by the company as total debt less holding company cash and investments (net of derivative

obligations).

(2) Net total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and net debt.

(3) Total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and total debt.

(4)

(5)

Interest coverage is calculated by the company as earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense on borrowings,
divided by interest expense on borrowings.

Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage is calculated by the company as earnings (loss) before income
taxes and interest expense on borrowings divided by the sum of interest expense on borrowings and preferred share dividend
distributions adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate.

(6) Excludes earnings (loss) before income taxes, and interest expense on borrowings, of consolidated non-insurance

companies.

The company’s capital management objectives include maintaining sufficient liquid resources at the holding
company to be able to pay interest on debt, dividends to 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 5 of the table above.

128

In the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (‘‘NAIC’’) applies 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, 2020 Odyssey
Group, Crum & Forster, Zenith National, Allied World and U.S. Run-off subsidiaries had capital and surplus that met
or exceeded the regulatory minimum requirement of two times the authorized control level.

In Bermuda, the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 imposes solvency and liquidity standards on Bermuda insurers and
reinsurers. There is a requirement to hold available statutory economic capital and surplus equal to or in excess of an
enhanced capital and target capital level as determined by the Bermuda Monetary Authority under the Bermuda
Solvency Capital Requirement model. The target capital level is measured as 120% of the enhanced capital
requirements. At December 31, 2020 Allied World’s subsidiary was in compliance with Bermuda’s regulatory
requirements.

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, 2020 Northbridge’s subsidiaries had a weighted average MCT ratio in excess of the 150% minimum
supervisory target.

In countries other than the U.S., Bermuda, Canada and the U.K. where the company operates, the company met or
exceeded the applicable regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2020.

25. Segmented Information

The company identifies its operating segments by operating company, consistent with its management structure.
Certain of the operating segments have been aggregated into reporting segments that are categorized by type of
business as described below. The accounting policies of the reporting segments are the same as those described in
note 3. Prices for inter-segment transactions are set at arm’s length. Geographic premiums are determined by the
domicile of the operating companies and where the primary underlying insurance risk resides.

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge – A national commercial property and casualty insurer in Canada providing property and casualty
insurance products through its Northbridge Insurance and Federated subsidiaries.

Odyssey Group – A U.S.-based reinsurer that provides a full range of property and casualty products worldwide, and
that underwrites specialty insurance, primarily in the U.S. and in the U.K., both directly and through the Lloyd’s
market in London.

Crum & Forster – A national commercial property and casualty insurer in the U.S. that principally underwrites
specialty coverages. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on January 1, 2021 Pethealth became a wholly owned
subsidiary of Crum & Forster.

Zenith National – An insurer primarily engaged in workers’ compensation business in the U.S.

Brit – A market-leading global Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer.

Allied World – A global property, casualty and specialty insurer and reinsurer with a presence at Lloyd’s.

Fairfax Asia – This reporting segment includes the company’s operations that underwrite insurance and
reinsurance coverages in Hong Kong (Falcon), Malaysia (Pacific Insurance), Indonesia (AMAG Insurance) and
Sri Lanka (Fairfirst Insurance). Fairfax Asia also includes the company’s equity accounted interests in Vietnam-based
BIC Insurance (35.0%) and Thailand-based Falcon Thailand (41.2%).

129

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other – This reporting segment is comprised of Group Re, Bryte Insurance, Fairfax
Latin America and Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe (‘‘Fairfax CEE’’). Group Re primarily constitutes the
participation of the company’s Barbados based reinsurance subsidiaries CRC Re, Wentworth and Connemara
(established in 2019) 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. Bryte Insurance is an established property and casualty insurer in South Africa and Botswana. Fairfax
Latin America is comprised of Fairfax Brasil, which writes commercial property and casualty insurance in Brazil, and
Fairfax Latam, consisting of property and casualty insurance operations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay.
Fairfax CEE is comprised of Polish Re, which writes reinsurance in Central and Eastern Europe, Colonnade Insurance,
a Luxembourg property and casualty insurer with branches in each of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia,
Poland, Bulgaria and Romania and an insurance subsidiary in Ukraine, and Fairfax Ukraine which comprises ARX
Insurance (acquired February 14, 2019) and Universalna (acquired November 6, 2019), both property and casualty
insurers in Ukraine.

Run-off

This reporting segment is comprised of U.S. Run-off, which includes TIG Insurance Company. European Run-off,
which principally consisted of RiverStone (UK), Advent, Syndicate 3500 at Lloyd’s (managed by RiverStone
Managing Agency Limited) and TIG Insurance (Barbados) Limited, was classified as held for sale at December 31,
2019 and deconsolidated on March 31, 2020 as described in note 23.

Non-insurance companies

This reporting segment is comprised as follows:

Restaurants and retail – Comprised of Recipe, Toys ‘‘R’’ Us Canada, Praktiker, Golf Town, Sporting Life, Kitchen
Stuff Plus and William Ashley.

Fairfax India – Comprised of Fairfax India and its subsidiaries NCML, Fairchem, Privi and Saurashtra Freight.

Thomas Cook India – Comprised of Thomas Cook India and its subsidiary Sterling Resorts.

Other – Comprised primarily of AGT (acquired on April 17, 2019), Dexterra Group (formerly Horizon North,
acquired on May 29, 2020), Mosaic Capital, Boat Rocker, Pethealth, Rouge Media, Farmers Edge (consolidated on
July 1, 2020), Fairfax Africa and its subsidiary CIG (both deconsolidated on December 8, 2020) and Grivalia
Properties (deconsolidated on May 17, 2019). Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on January 1, 2021 Pethealth
became a wholly owned subsidiary of Crum & Forster, and the company sold substantially all of its interest in Rouge
Media as described in note 29.

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.

130

Zenith
Northbridge Group Forster National

Odyssey Crum &

Brit World

Allied Fairfax
Asia

Other

Insurance and Reinsurance

insurance
Total Run-off(1) companies

Non- Corporate Eliminations
and

and

Other adjustments Consolidated

Sources of Earnings by Reporting Segment

Sources of earnings by reporting segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

2020

Gross premiums written

External

Intercompany

Share of profit (loss) of

associates

Other

Revenue

Expenses

1,727.5

4,306.3

3,082.4

661.7

2,407.6

4,633.8

421.2

1,738.6

18,979.1

7.7

140.4

27.0

–

16.8

46.9

3.5

135.4

377.7

146.8

–

1,735.2

4,446.7

3,109.4

661.7

2,424.4

4,680.7

424.7

1,874.0

19,356.8

146.8

Net premiums written

1,540.4

3,789.6

2,543.0

646.1

1,775.6

3,017.6

221.6

1,183.8

14,717.7

146.8

Net premiums earned

External

Intercompany

1,435.1

3,555.8

2,462.7

646.6

1,710.4

2,788.4

229.2

1,030.8

13,859.0

(11.0)

30.8

(36.5)

(2.8)

0.3

(65.8)

(7.5)

94.1

1.6

Underwriting expenses(2)

(1,315.3)

(3,396.7)

(2,366.1)

(591.9)

(1,951.0)

(2,596.6)

(214.6)

(1,119.4)

(13,551.6)

1,424.1

3,586.6

2,426.2

643.8

1,710.7

2,722.6

221.7

1,124.9

13,860.6

129.7

(1.6)

128.1

(336.2)

Underwriting profit (loss)

108.8

189.9

60.1

51.9

(240.3)

126.0

7.1

5.5

309.0

(208.1)

–

Interest income

Dividends

59.6

7.9

173.6

8.6

91.9

2.2

Investment expenses

(11.3)

(31.0)

(14.5)

24.3

1.8

(7.1)

67.1

3.4

136.5

20.3

(12.3)

(30.1)

14.1

7.1

(1.2)

52.6

3.7

(6.6)

619.7

55.0

(114.1)

Interest and dividends

56.2

151.2

79.6

19.0

58.2

126.7

20.0

49.7

560.6

28.5

4.9

(8.7)

24.7

20.5

17.2

9.4

47.1

57.1

0.7

(2.0)

55.8

–

4,742.4

(4,868.0)

(125.6)

–

Operating income (loss)

162.0

368.9

124.9

66.7

(175.5)

288.3

41.7

38.8

915.8

(194.6)

(178.7)

8.2

Net gains (losses) on

investments

Gain (loss) on

deconsolidation of
insurance subsidiary

Interest expense

Corporate overhead

105.7

(26.9)

(158.2)

(59.9)

24.4

246.0

12.3

(7.0)

136.4

(96.9)

(65.6)

339.2

–

(1.3)

(8.1)

(30.5)

(6.4)

(10.5)

(25.8)

(4.7)

(28.2)

–

(3.8)

(9.8)

–

(19.0)

(11.9)

–

(30.3)

(79.2)

–

(0.4)

(6.0)

–

(1.7)

(1.4)

(56.3)

(67.6)

(155.1)

(9.0)

(2.3)

(0.2)

–

(170.6)

–

182.4

(235.6)

(82.6)

Pre-tax income (loss)

258.3

294.6

(92.0)

(6.8)

(182.0)

424.8

47.6

28.7

773.2

(303.0)

(414.9)

211.6

Provision for income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

–

19,125.9

(377.7)

–

(377.7)

19,125.9

–

(9.3)

–

90.3

81.0

14,864.5

13,988.7

–

13,988.7

(13,887.8)

100.9

716.5

77.8

(25.1)

769.2

(22.8)

9.1

(13.7)

67.3

–

0.2

(90.3)

(22.8)

4,719.6

(4,858.9)

(139.3)

618.0

313.1

117.1

(475.9)

(328.2)

244.1

(206.7)

37.4

218.4

(181.0)

37.4

(3.0)

27.8

(14.8)

(4.2)

6.6

35.6

14.6

(16.4)

46.2

(11.2)

(100.2)

(47.6)

–

(112.8)

(1)

Includes European Run-off prior to its deconsolidation on March 31, 2020 pursuant to the transaction described in
note 23.

(2) Underwriting expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were comprised as shown below. Accident year underwriting

expenses exclude the impact of favourable or adverse prior year claims reserve development.

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting

expenses

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Northbridge

Group Forster National

Brit World

Asia

Other

Total

878.9
243.8

2,652.2 1,521.7
415.2

693.5

401.8 1,301.8 1,931.2
253.7
436.4

74.1

148.3
30.8

687.6
215.6

9,523.5
2,363.1

231.8

270.5

434.4

190.1

275.6

416.8

54.0

246.7

2,119.9

Underwriting expenses – accident year
Net favourable claims reserve development

1,354.5
(39.2)

3,616.2 2,371.3
(5.2)

(219.5)

666.0 2,013.8 2,601.7
(5.1)
(62.8)
(74.1)

233.1 1,149.9 14,006.5
(454.9)
(30.5)
(18.5)

Underwriting expenses – calendar year

1,315.3

3,396.7 2,366.1

591.9 1,951.0 2,596.6

214.6 1,119.4 13,551.6

131

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

2019

Gross premiums written

External

Intercompany

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Non- Corporate Eliminations

insurance

and

Northbridge

Group Forster National

Brit World

Asia

Other

Total Run-off companies

Other adjustments Consolidated

1,513.6

3,742.8

2,805.0

732.7

2,245.4

3,809.3

439.3

1,616.7

16,904.8

606.4

7.9

73.2

22.8

–

48.1

51.0

(1.0)

94.2

296.2

3.2

1,521.5

3,816.0

2,827.8

732.7

2,293.5

3,860.3

438.3

1,710.9

17,201.0

609.6

–

17,511.2

(299.4)

–

(299.4)

17,511.2

Net premiums written

1,350.3

3,393.8

2,331.5

720.8

1,656.2

2,428.9

231.2

1,148.4

13,261.1

574.5

Net premiums earned

External

Intercompany

1,247.3

3,162.2

2,234.4

737.3

1,608.1

2,345.9

228.2

(7.0)

17.0

(40.6)

(2.3)

33.8

(10.5)

(13.0)

981.3

65.5

12,544.7

685.0

42.9

(42.9)

Underwriting expenses(1)

(1,193.6)

(3,089.3) (2,142.0)

(626.2)

(1,590.8)

(2,277.7)

(208.8)

(1,064.7)

(12,193.1)

(906.3)

1,240.3

3,179.2

2,193.8

735.0

1,641.9

2,335.4

215.2

1,046.8

12,587.6

642.1

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest income

Dividends

46.7

65.9

10.4

89.9

51.8

108.8

51.1

57.7

6.4

(17.9)

394.5

(264.2)

189.5

17.5

93.6

7.0

36.7

4.0

82.0

3.0

165.6

16.7

16.9

8.6

66.8

3.6

717.0

70.8

60.5

9.5

Investment expenses

(11.3)

(31.1)

(14.7)

(7.6)

(11.5)

(33.4)

(7.8)

(13.4)

(130.8)

(14.2)

Interest and dividends

65.0

175.9

85.9

33.1

73.5

148.9

17.7

57.0

657.0

55.8

(52.7)

32.9

1.1

55.1

19.1

(16.4)

(2.4)

13.3

(0.1)

(13.7)

56.0

(6.3)

(45.2)

165.1

Share of profit (loss) of

associates

Other

Revenue

Expenses

–

Operating income (loss)

Net gains on investments

112.8

0.5

320.9

149.5

156.8

75.2

125.5

22.5

122.2

62.1

219.9

210.2

24.0

632.3

25.4

106.2

1,107.5

(214.7)

1,258.5

168.2

Loss on repurchase of

borrowings

Interest expense

Corporate overhead

–

(1.5)

(5.7)

–

(7.8)

(5.3)

(10.7)

(20.5)

–

(3.9)

(8.5)

–

(19.1)

(9.2)

–

(29.1)

(59.7)

–

(0.4)

(9.8)

–

(1.9)

(0.6)

–

(69.0)

(124.7)

–

(7.0)

0.4

Pre-tax income (loss)

106.1

451.9

206.2

135.6

156.0

341.3

646.1

129.1

2,172.3

(53.1)

(114.7)

228.2

–

Provision for income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

–

(9.4)

–

196.6

187.2

–

8.4

195.6

–

1.0

(196.6)

13,835.6

13,229.7

–

13,229.7

(13,099.4)

130.3

826.3

93.7

(39.8)

880.2

169.6

5,537.1

(5,433.2)

103.9

1,284.0

1,716.2

(23.7)

(472.0)

(271.8)

2,232.7

(261.5)

1,971.2

2,004.1

(32.9)

1,971.2

–

24.5

11.8

(89.0)

33.7

1.6

(2.4)

5,537.1

(5,441.6)

95.5

(2.4)

72.6

–

(184.9)

–

198.0

216.9

(23.7)

(212.1)

49.1

(1) Underwriting expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 were comprised as shown below. Accident year underwriting

expenses exclude the impact of favourable or adverse prior year claims reserve development.

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting

expenses

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Northbridge

Group Forster National

Brit World

Asia

Other

Total

851.9
204.1

2,383.6 1,387.4
350.8

629.9

423.4
80.1

961.0 1,585.8
256.2
444.6

151.3
29.1

678.8
187.5

8,423.2
2,182.3

204.7

305.4

410.0

204.8

231.7

403.7

56.7

250.4

2,067.4

Underwriting expenses – accident year
Net (favourable) adverse claims reserve development

1,260.7
(67.1)

3,318.9 2,148.2
(6.2)

(229.6)

708.3 1,637.3 2,245.7
32.0
(46.5)
(82.1)

237.1 1,116.7 12,672.9
(479.8)
(52.0)
(28.3)

Underwriting expenses – calendar year

1,193.6

3,089.3 2,142.0

626.2 1,590.8 2,277.7

208.8 1,064.7 12,193.1

132

Investments in Associates, Additions to Goodwill, Segment Assets and Segment Liabilities

Investments in associates, segment assets and segment liabilities at December 31, and additions to goodwill for the
years then ended, by reporting segment were as follows:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Run-off
Non-insurance companies
Corporate and Other and eliminations

and adjustments

Investments in
associates

Additions to
goodwill

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

182.1
1,164.9
368.2
124.5
363.1
537.0
149.9
219.6

3,109.3
129.3
1,373.5

198.6
1,050.5
394.3
154.7
358.5
513.2
92.1
255.6

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

3,017.5

260.5(1)

1,663.0

–
–
182.1

–
–
0.5
–
45.9
–
–
3.9

50.3
3.8
262.1

5,231.6
15,041.7
7,596.0
2,472.0
9,040.7
16,975.5
1,920.1
5,097.8

63,375.4
2,601.9
8,349.0

4,654.4
13,489.0
6,803.3
2,504.8
8,106.8
15,596.0
2,231.5
4,520.1

57,905.9

6,372.6(2)
9,261.1

3,418.3
10,141.0
5,448.2
1,539.1
6,826.2
12,547.4
794.7
4,021.4

44,736.3
2,095.9
5,124.2

3,085.0
8,710.8
4,995.4
1,527.7
6,329.2
11,499.3
805.1
3,442.5

40,395.0

4,530.2(2)
5,232.5

1,827.5(3) 1,043.4

–

(272.3)

(3,031.1)

4,570.3

2,443.6

Consolidated

6,439.6

5,984.4

182.1

316.2

74,054.0

70,508.5

56,526.7

52,601.3

(1) Excludes European Run-off’s investments in associates and joint ventures with a carrying value of $442.9 and a fair value
of $504.6 that were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and
principally comprised of investments in Gulf Insurance, Eurobank, Atlas (formerly Seaspan Corporation), APR Energy
and Resolute.

(2)

Includes European Run-off’s assets and liabilities that were included in assets held for sale and liabilities associated with
assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019. See note 23.

(3)

Includes investment in associate held for sale related to RiverStone Barbados of $729.5 as described in note 23.

133

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Product Line

Net premiums earned by product line for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Insurance and Reinsurance – net
premiums earned
Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Run-off(1)

Consolidated net premiums earned
Interest and dividends
Share of profit (loss) of associates
Net gains on investments
Gain on deconsolidation of insurance

subsidiary (note 23)

Other revenue (Non-insurance

companies)

Consolidated income

Property

Casualty

Specialty

Total

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

626.4
1,838.9
364.2
37.5
544.3
882.6
74.5
634.3

5,002.7
31.6

538.0
1,598.8
293.8
39.1
494.3
832.1
74.7
601.2

4,472.0
103.8

659.6
1,444.0
1,837.5
605.9
853.0
1,755.4
116.4
332.1

7,603.9
31.5

581.4
1,288.2
1,771.6
695.9
844.3
1,394.1
113.7
305.8

6,995.0
379.2

138.1
303.7
224.5
0.4
313.4
84.6
30.8
158.5

120.9
292.2
128.4
–
303.3
109.2
26.8
139.8

1,424.1
3,586.6
2,426.2
643.8
1,710.7
2,722.6
221.7
1,124.9

1,254.0
65.0

1,120.6
159.1

13,860.6
128.1

5,034.3

4,575.8

7,635.4

7,374.2

1,319.0

1,279.7

13,988.7
769.2
(112.8)
313.1

1,240.3
3,179.2
2,193.8
735.0
1,641.9
2,335.4
215.2
1,046.8

12,587.6
642.1

13,229.7
880.2
169.6
1,716.2

117.1

–

4,719.6

5,537.1

19,794.9

21,532.8

Distribution of net premiums earned

36.0%

34.6%

54.6%

55.7%

9.4%

9.7%

100.0%

(1)

Includes European Run-off prior to its deconsolidation on March 31, 2020 pursuant to the transaction described in
note 23.

134

Geographic Region

Net premiums earned by geographic region for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Canada

United States

Asia(1)

International(2)

Total

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020 2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Insurance and Reinsurance – net premiums
earned

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Run-off(3)

Consolidated net premiums earned
Interest and dividends
Share of profit (loss) of associates
Net gains on investments
Gain on deconsolidation of insurance
subsidiary (note 23)
Other revenue (Non-insurance companies)

Consolidated income

1,407.3 1,223.8

16.5
16.8
80.8 2,356.3 2,126.5
– 2,409.2 2,191.7
735.0
643.8
–
107.0 1,228.5 1,119.5
34.7 2,030.5 1,710.2
–
31.1

–
54.8

–
–

–

0.2
–
45.9

–
469.8 377.1
–
–
48.9
227.6 239.7
221.7 215.2
139.6 111.1

–
659.3
16.8
–
338.6
411.9
–
930.4

–
594.8
2.1
–
366.5
350.8
–
904.6

643.8

1,424.1 1,240.3
3,586.6 3,179.2
2,426.2 2,193.8
735.0
1,710.7 1,641.9
2,722.6 2,335.4
215.2
1,124.9 1,046.8

221.7

101.2
–
–
97.7
52.6
–
0.1

1,658.9 1,446.3 8,739.9 7,930.5 1,104.8 992.0 2,357.0
126.9

29.8

1.1

0.1

0.5

5.8

–

2,218.8 13,860.6 12,587.6
642.1

606.0

128.1

1,659.0 1,452.1 8,741.0 7,960.3 1,104.8 992.5 2,483.9

2,824.8 13,988.7 13,229.7
880.2
769.2
(112.8)
169.6
313.1 1,716.2

117.1

–
4,719.6 5,537.1

19,794.9 21,532.8

Distribution of net premiums earned

11.9% 11.0% 62.4% 60.1% 7.9% 7.5% 17.8%

21.4% 100.0% 100.0%

(1) The Asia geographic segment is primarily comprised of countries located throughout Asia, including China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia,

Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and the Middle East.

(2) The International geographic segment is primarily comprised of countries located in South America, Europe and Africa.

(3)

Includes European Run-off prior to its deconsolidation on March 31, 2020 pursuant to the transaction described in note 23.

Non-insurance companies

Revenue and expenses of the non-insurance companies were comprised as follows for the years ended December 31:

Revenue
Expenses

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest

expense and other(3)
Interest and dividends
Share of profit (loss) of associates

Operating income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on investments

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest

expense

Restaurants
and retail

Fairfax
India(1)

Thomas Cook
India(2)

Other

Total

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

1,734.2
(1,811.1)

2,120.6
(2,049.5)

312.8
(305.9)

410.7
(401.8)

225.2
(288.3)

1,087.4
(1,081.3)

2,470.2
(2,462.7)

1,918.4
(1,909.0)

4,742.4
(4,868.0)

5,537.1
(5,441.6)

(76.9)
6.1
1.3

(69.5)
(6.6)

71.1
8.3
–

79.4
9.2

8.9
6.9
28.9
(74.5)
(24.8) 179.2

11.0
(12.4)

113.6
54.7

(63.1)
–
(3.4)

(66.5)
4.0

6.1
–
(182.8)

(176.7)
4.2

7.5
12.1
(73.3)

(53.7)
(50.6)

9.4
13.5
(41.6)

(18.7)
4.5

(125.6)
47.1
(100.2)

(178.7)
(65.6)

95.5
(52.7)
(45.2)

(2.4)
72.6

(76.1)

88.6

(1.4) 168.3

(62.5)

(172.5)

(104.3)

(14.2)

(244.3)

70.2

(1) These results differ from those published by Fairfax India due to Fairfax India’s application of investment entity accounting under IFRS.

(2) These results differ from those published by Thomas Cook India primarily due to differences between IFRS and Ind AS, and acquisition accounting

adjustments.

(3)

Excludes interest and dividends, share of profit (loss) of associates and net gains (losses) on investments.

135

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Segmented Balance Sheet

The company’s segmented balance sheets as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 present the assets, liabilities and
non-controlling interests in each of the company’s reporting segments in accordance with the company’s IFRS
accounting policies and includes. where applicable, acquisition accounting adjustments principally related to
goodwill and intangible assets which arose on initial acquisition of the subsidiaries or on a subsequent step
acquisition. Certain of the company’s subsidiaries hold equity interests in other Fairfax subsidiaries (‘‘affiliates’’)
which are carried at cost. Affiliated insurance and reinsurance balances are not shown separately and are eliminated
in ‘‘Corporate and eliminations’’.

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Insurance
and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance

Corporate
and

Insurance
and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance

Corporate
and

companies Run-off companies eliminations(6) Consolidated companies Run-off companies eliminations(6) Consolidated

Assets

Holding company cash

and investments

Insurance contract

receivables

Portfolio investments(1)(2)
Assets held for sale(3)
Deferred premium
acquisition costs

Recoverable from

reinsurers

Deferred income tax

assets

Goodwill and intangible

assets

Due from affiliates

Other assets
Investments in affiliates(4)

598.1

–

654.1

1,252.2

685.3

–

290.2

975.5

6,052.5
37,947.8

8.4
1,592.4

–
1,810.3

–

1,574.4

–

11,254.2

453.7

–

(244.8)
758.1

–

5,816.1
42,108.6

–

5,588.0
33,918.5

4.1
1,906.3

–
2,730.7

–

3,386.6

(30.7)

1,543.7

1,364.7

–

(1,174.7)

10,533.2

9,839.0

494.8

(157.1)
(320.5)

(601.0)

5,435.0
38,235.0

2,785.6

(20.4)

1,344.3

(1,178.0)

9,155.8

–

460.0

0.1

64.5

189.3

713.9

526.0

6.3

50.6

(207.0)

375.9

3,586.2

222.6

1,526.4
153.2

41.1

357.7

119.2
29.3

2,601.8

3.8

3,868.6
–

–

6,229.1

(584.1)

343.0
(182.5)

–

5,857.2
–

3,714.5

573.2

1,465.6
231.1

43.5

356.1

112.5
62.4

2,435.3

0.6

4,043.9
–

0.8

(929.9)

385.3
(293.5)

6,194.1

–

6,007.3
–

Total assets

63,375.4

2,601.9

8,349.0

(272.3)

74,054.0

57,905.9

6,372.6

9,261.1

(3,031.1)

70,508.5

Liabilities

Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities

Derivative obligations

Due to affiliates

Liabilities associated with
assets held for sale(3)

Deferred income tax

liabilities

Insurance contract

payables

Provision for losses and

loss adjustment
expenses(5)

Provision for unearned

premiums(5)

Borrowings

1,843.3

114.9

8.3

–

152.7

59.9

1.1

–

3,224.2

11.6

29,809.4

2,023.3

8,550.1

1,033.4

–

2,566.4

50.0

117.6

–

197.7

–

2,192.5

526.5

23.4

(125.9)

–

6.0

4,996.1

189.4

–

1,785.4

145.4

14.7

75.4

4.8

–

2,734.1

55.4

145.1

219.2

0.3

(159.8)

4,814.1

205.9

–

2,203.7

–

(168.6)

2,035.1

356.4

133.3

–

229.5

(362.8)

–

(271.8)

2,964.0

2,731.9

14.1

(1,023.4)

30,809.3

27,226.8

2,232.2

(152.6)

5,588.1

8,397.5

8,814.0

7,317.9

1,039.6

–

2,068.4

(155.0)

2,591.0

(958.8)

28,500.2

(95.5)

4,124.6

7,222.4

7,232.6

Total liabilities

44,736.3

2,095.9

5,124.2

4,570.3

56,526.7

40,395.0

4,530.2

5,232.5

2,443.6

52,601.3

Equity

Shareholders’ equity
attributable to
shareholders of Fairfax

17,117.4

506.0

Non-controlling interests

1,521.7

–

1,385.9

1,838.9

(5,152.7)

310.1

13,856.6

3,670.7

15,991.1

1,842.4

1,519.8

–

2,044.1

1,984.5

(5,499.5)

24.8

14,378.1

3,529.1

Total equity

18,639.1

506.0

3,224.8

(4,842.6)

17,527.3

17,510.9

1,842.4

4,028.6

(5,474.7)

17,907.2

Total liabilities and total

equity

63,375.4

2,601.9

8,349.0

(272.3)

74,054.0

57,905.9

6,372.6

9,261.1

(3,031.1)

70,508.5

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

Includes intercompany investments in Fairfax non-insurance subsidiaries carried at cost that are eliminated on consolidation.

Includes investment in associate held for sale of at December 31, 2020 of $729.5 (December 31, 2019 – nil). See note 6 and note 23.

At December 31, 2019 the effects of intercompany reinsurance with Wentworth, which decreased assets held for sale by $352.5 and liabilities associated with assets held for sale by
$357.7, were adjusted in the Run-off reporting segment. See note 23.

Intercompany investments in Fairfax insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries carried at cost that are eliminated on consolidation.

Included in insurance contract liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Corporate and eliminations includes the Fairfax holding company, subsidiary intermediate holding companies, and consolidating and eliminating entries. The most significant of
those entries are the elimination of intercompany reinsurance provided by Group Re, and reinsurance provided by Odyssey Group and Allied World to the primary insurers.

136

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
Cost of sales
Wages and salaries
Depreciation, amortization and

impairment charges(2)

Employee benefits
Premium taxes
Information technology costs
Audit, legal and tax professional fees
Share-based payments to directors

and employees

Shipping and delivery
Marketing costs
Repairs and maintenance
Utilities
Short-term, low value and other

lease costs(3)

Travel and entertainment
Loss on repurchase of borrowings

(note 15)

Administrative expense and other

Losses on claims, net, operating

expenses and other expenses(4)(5)

Commissions, net (note 9)(6)
Interest expense (note 15)(6)

2020

2019

Insurance and

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies(1)
companies
8,954.5
–
1,359.1

–
2,997.6
632.4

Total

8,954.5
2,997.6
1,991.5

reinsurance Non-insurance
companies(1)
companies
8,401.5
–
1,263.2

–
3,474.1
801.4

Total

8,401.5
3,474.1
2,064.6

234.6
293.0
240.3
194.4
141.0

103.6
1.2
27.6
4.8
7.9

15.7
19.6

–
263.7

517.5
105.2
–
33.0
64.0

5.9
107.5
67.5
61.4
48.6

30.8
23.0

–
164.5

752.1
398.2
240.3
227.4
205.0

109.5
108.7
95.1
66.2
56.5

46.5
42.6

–
428.2

253.8
326.7
223.9
163.1
137.0

89.1
1.5
30.8
4.8
7.7

17.5
57.5

–
186.3

397.0
121.8
–
29.9
52.3

13.4
69.6
108.5
63.8
46.2

60.5
34.2

23.7
160.5

650.8
448.5
223.9
193.0
189.3

102.5
71.1
139.3
68.6
53.9

78.0
91.7

23.7
346.8

11,861.0
2,355.0
305.3

14,521.3

4,858.9
–
170.6

16,719.9
2,355.0
475.9

5,029.5

19,550.8

11,164.4
2,206.8
288.1

13,659.3

5,456.9
–
183.9

16,621.3
2,206.8
472.0

5,640.8

19,300.1

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Includes the Run-off reporting segment and Corporate and Other.

Includes non-cash impairment charges on right-of-use assets of $18.2 (2019 – $0.9) and finance lease receivables of $11.1 (2019 – nil) principally
related to COVID-19 in the non-insurance companies reporting segment.

Includes the benefit of COVID-19 lease concessions of $14.9, primarily in the non-insurance companies reporting segment.

Expenses of the insurance and reinsurance companies, excluding commissions, net and interest expense, are included in losses on claims, net and
operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Expenses of the non-insurance companies, excluding commissions, net and interest expense, and loss on repurchase of borrowings of the holding
company, are included in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

(6)

Presented as separate lines in the consolidated statement of earnings.

During 2020 the Non-insurance companies reporting segment recognized COVID-19-related government wage
assistance of $123.8 (2019 – nil) as a reduction of other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

137

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

27. Supplementary Cash Flow Information

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows excludes
restricted cash and cash equivalents that are amounts primarily required to be maintained on deposit with various
regulatory authorities to support the operations of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Cash equivalents are
comprised of treasury bills and other eligible bills.

Holding company cash and

investments

Subsidiary cash and short term

investments

Fairfax India

Holding company cash and

investments

Subsidiary cash and short term

investments

Fairfax India
Fairfax Africa
Assets held for sale (note 23)

December 31, 2020

Unrestricted cash and cash
equivalents included in the
consolidated statement of
cash flows

Restricted cash and cash
equivalents

Cash
Cash equivalents

Total Cash equivalents Total

Cash

Cash and cash equivalents
included on the
consolidated balance sheet

Cash
Cash equivalents

Total

81.9

192.3

274.2

5.8

–

5.8

87.7

192.3

280.0

2,736.0
36.0

2,853.9

1,398.6 4,134.6 349.4
31.9

58.3

22.3

402.5
–

751.9 3,085.4
67.9

31.9

1,801.1 4,886.5
90.2

22.3

1,613.2 4,467.1 387.1

402.5

789.6 3,241.0

2,015.7 5,256.7

December 31, 2019

Unrestricted cash and cash
equivalents included in the
consolidated statement of
cash flows

Restricted cash and cash
equivalents

Cash
Cash equivalents

Total Cash equivalents Total

Cash

Cash and cash equivalents
included on the
consolidated balance sheet

Cash
Cash equivalents

Total

98.8

84.5

183.3

0.6

–

0.6

99.4

84.5

183.9

1,934.7
67.0
77.9
160.5

2,338.9

1,355.0 3,289.7 469.4
18.6
7.5
54.0

86.1
78.7
225.5

19.1
0.8
65.0

195.4
–
–
4.2

664.8 2,404.1
85.6
85.4
214.5

18.6
7.5
58.2

1,550.4 3,954.5
104.7
86.2
283.7

19.1
0.8
69.2

1,524.4 3,863.3 550.1

199.6

749.7 2,889.0

1,724.0 4,613.0

138

Details of certain cash flows included in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31
were as follows:

Net (purchases) sales of securities classified at FVTPL

Short term investments
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Net Derivatives

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Net increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provision for unearned premiums
Insurance contract receivables
Insurance contract payables
Recoverable from reinsurers
Other receivables
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Other

Net interest and dividends received

Interest and dividends received
Interest paid on borrowings
Interest paid on lease liabilities

Net income taxes paid

28. Related Party Transactions

Management and Director Compensation

2020

2019

(2,138.1)
287.2
(24.5)
18.4
(479.2)

(4,646.5)
3,618.7
(52.4)
898.3
(184.8)

(2,336.2)

(366.7)

(187.8)
1,884.3
1,243.2
(496.7)
441.9
(898.8)
104.9
(45.4)
(172.4)

(170.3)
1,171.5
893.9
(383.9)
616.5
(1,112.3)
192.4
3.8
(297.0)

1,873.2

914.6

789.8
(370.4)
(62.4)

819.2
(376.9)
(60.4)

357.0

381.9

(63.3)

(178.9)

Compensation for the company’s key management team for the years ended December 31 determined in accordance
with the company’s IFRS accounting policies was as follows:

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments

2020
10.9
3.5

14.4

Compensation for the company’s Board of Directors for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Retainers and fees
Share-based payments

2020
1.1
0.6

1.7

2019
9.8
5.1

14.9

2019
1.1
0.2

1.3

139

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Fairfax India Senior Notes Offering

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on February 26, 2021 the company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries
purchased $58.4 principal amount of Fairfax India’s 5.00% unsecured senior notes pursuant to the offering described
in note 15.

Fairfax India Performance Fee Receivable

At December 31, 2020 the holding company recorded an intercompany performance fee receivable of $5.2 pursuant
to its investment advisory agreement with Fairfax India whereby the company receives a performance fee as the
increase in Fairfax India’s book value per share (common shareholders’ equity divided by the number of common
shares effectively outstanding) over the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 exceeded a specified
threshold. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on March 5, 2021 the holding company received 546,263 newly issued
Fairfax India subordinate voting shares as settlement of the performance fee receivable.

Acquisition of Atlas Mara from Fairfax Africa

In an intercompany transaction on December 7, 2020 the holding company acquired Fairfax Africa’s 42.3% equity
interest in Atlas Mara for consideration of $40.0, guaranteed the repayment obligations of Atlas Mara’s $40.0 secured
borrowing with Fairfax Africa, and provided other guarantees of $19.7, pursuant to Fairfax Africa’s transaction with
Helios Holdings Limited as described in note 23.

Sale of APR Energy plc to Seaspan Corporation

On February 28, 2020 Seaspan Corporation completed a reorganization pursuant to which its newly created holding
company acquired all issued and outstanding shares of APR Energy plc from the company and other shareholders as
described in note 6.

Eurolife investments in Fairfax consolidated internal investment funds

During 2020 Eurolife invested $93.7 (2019 – $22.1) in a Fairfax consolidated internal investment fund as described in
note 6.

CEO acquires additional shares of Fairfax

During 2020 Prem Watsa, the company’s Chair and CEO, indirectly acquired 482,600 subordinate voting shares of
the company on the open market for an aggregate cost of $148.9, which increased Mr. Watsa’s voting power over the
company’s outstanding shares to 43.6% at December 31, 2020 from 42.5% at December 31, 2019.

140

29. Subsidiaries

During 2020 the company acquired Dexterra Group (formerly Horizon North), consolidated Farmers Edge and
deconsolidated Fairfax Africa and European Run-off as described in note 23. The company has wholly-owned
subsidiaries not presented in the tables below that are intermediate holding companies of investments in subsidiaries
and intercompany balances, and that are eliminated on consolidation.

December 31, 2020
Insurance and reinsurance
Northbridge Financial Corporation (Northbridge)
Odyssey Group Holdings, Inc. (Odyssey Group)
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. (Crum & Forster)
Zenith National Insurance Corp. (Zenith National)
Brit Limited (Brit)(1)
Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd (Allied World)
Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe, which consists of:

Polskie Towarzystwo Reasekuracji Sp ´olka Akcyjna (Polish Re)
Colonnade Insurance S.A. (Colonnade Insurance)
FFH Ukraine Holdings (Fairfax Ukraine), which consists of:

ARX Insurance Company (ARX Insurance)
Private Joint Stock Company Insurance Company Universalna

(Universalna)

Fairfax Latin America, which consists of:

Fairfax Brasil Seguros Corporativos S.A. (Fairfax Brasil)
La Meridional Compa ˜n´ıa Argentina de Seguros S.A. (La Meridional

Argentina)

SBS Seguros Colombia S.A. (SouthBridge Colombia)
SBI Seguros Uruguay S.A. (SouthBridge Uruguay)
Southbridge Compa ˜n´ıa de Seguros Generales S.A. (SouthBridge

Chile)

Bryte Insurance Company Ltd (Bryte Insurance)
Group Re, which underwrites business in:
CRC Reinsurance Limited (CRC Re)
Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd. (Wentworth)
Connemara Reinsurance Company Ltd. (Connemara)

Fairfax Asia, which consists of:

Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited (Falcon)
The Pacific Insurance Berhad (Pacific Insurance)
PT Asuransi Multi Artha Guna Tbk (AMAG Insurance)
Fairfirst Insurance Limited (Fairfirst Insurance)

Run-off
U.S. Run-off: TIG Insurance Company (TIG Insurance)

Investment management
Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. (Hamblin Watsa)

Domicile

Canada
United States
United States
United States
United Kingdom
Bermuda

Poland
Luxembourg
Ukraine
Ukraine

Ukraine

Brazil

Argentina
Colombia
Uruguay

Chile
South Africa

Barbados
Barbados
Barbados

Hong Kong
Malaysia
Indonesia
Sri Lanka

United States

Canada

Fairfax’s ownership
(100% other than
as shown below)

70.9%

70.0%

85.0%
80.0%
78.0%

141

Kitchen Stuff Plus, Inc. (Kitchen Stuff Plus)

Canada

55.0% Retailer of housewares and home

decor

William Ashley China Corporation (William

Canada

100.0% Retailer of tableware and gifts

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

December 31, 2020
Non-insurance companies

Restaurants and retail
Recipe Unlimited Corporation (Recipe)

Praktiker Hellas Trading Single Member SA

(Praktiker)

Toys ‘‘R’’ Us (Canada) Ltd. (Toys ‘‘R’’ Us Canada)
Sporting Life Group Limited, which owns:

100.0% of Sporting Life Inc. (Sporting Life)

Canada

Greece

Canada
Canada
Canada

100.0% of Golf Town Limited (Golf Town)

Canada

Ashley)

Fairfax India
Fairfax India Holdings Corporation (Fairfax India),

which owns:
89.5% of National Collateral Management

Services Limited (NCML)

Canada

India

48.8% of Fairchem Organics Limited (Fairchem)

India

48.8% of Privi Speciality Chemicals Limited

(Privi)

51.0% of Saurashtra Freight Private Limited

(Saurashtra Freight)

Thomas Cook India
Thomas Cook (India) Limited (Thomas Cook

India), which owns:
100.0% of Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited

(Sterling Resorts)

Other
AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. (AGT)

India

Domicile

Fairfax’s
ownership

Primary business

40.2%(2) Franchisor, owner and operator of

restaurants

100.0% Retailer of home improvement

goods

84.6% Retailer of toys and baby products
71.4% Invests in retail businesses
71.4% Retailer of sporting goods and

sports apparel
71.4% Retailer of golf equipment,

apparel and accessories

28.0%(2) Invests in public and private
Indian businesses

25.1% Provider of agricultural
commodities storage

13.7% Manufacturer of oleochemicals
and neutraceuticals

13.7% Manufacturer, supplier and

exporter of aroma chemicals

14.3% Container freight station operator

66.9% Provider of integrated travel and
travel-related financial services

66.9% Owner and operator of holiday

resorts

Canada

58.0% Originator, processor and

Dexterra Group Inc. (Dexterra Group)

Boat Rocker Media Inc. (Boat Rocker)

Canada

Mosaic Capital Corporation (Mosaic Capital)

Canada

Pethealth Inc. (Pethealth)

Rouge Media Group Inc. and Rouge Media, Inc.

(Rouge Media)

Farmers Edge Inc. (Farmers Edge)

Canada

Canada and
United States
Canada

distributor of value-added
pulses and staple foods

49.0% Provider of Infrastructure support

services

55.7%(3) Entertainment content creator,

producer and distributor
–(4) Invests in private Canadian

businesses
100.0%(5) Pet medical insurance and

database services
65.0%(5) Media and marketing solutions

41.1%(6) Provider of advanced digital tools

for agriculture

(1) Subsequent to December 31, 2020 the company entered into an agreement to sell an approximate 14% equity interest in

Brit to OMERS (note 23).

(2) The company owns multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares of Recipe and Fairfax India that give it voting

rights of 61.1% and 93.4%.

(3) The company has voting rights of 59.1% due to Boat Rocker’s issuance of non-voting shares to non-controlling interests.

(4) The company owns Mosaic Capital warrants that represent a substantive potential voting interest of approximately 61%.

142

(5) Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on January 1, 2021 Pethealth became a wholly owned subsidiary of Crum & Forster,
and the company sold substantially all of its interest in Rouge Media for consideration of approximately $10 and expects
to record a nominal gain in the first quarter of 2021.

(6) The company holds convertible debentures and warrants in Farmers Edge that, together with its holdings of common
shares, represents a substantive potential voting interest of approximately 69%. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on
March 3, 2021 Farmers Edge completed an Initial Public Offering (‘‘IPO’’) of common shares, prior to which the company
exercised its warrants and converted its convertible debentures for common shares of Farmers Edge, resulting in the
company’s controlling equity interest in Farmers Edge increasing to approximately 62% on completion of the IPO (prior to
any over-allotment option that may be exercised by the underwriters of the IPO).

143

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

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 Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Premiums Earned by Geographic Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sources of Net Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Earnings by Reporting Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Components of Net Earnings

Underwriting and Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share of Profit (Loss) of Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Gains on Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate Overhead and Other
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance Sheets by Reporting Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Components of Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheet Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asbestos, Pollution and Other Latent Hazards
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recoverable from Reinsurers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Investments

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview of Investment Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share of Profit (Loss) of Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contingencies and Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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 Policy 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

145
146

147
149
150
153
154
157

158
176
176
176
177
178
179
179
180

183
185
187
189

192
193
194
195
198
200
202
202
204
204

206
210
210
214
214

214
214
215
215
215

215
215

227
228
228
229

144

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(as of March 5, 2021)

(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 about 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 and reinsurance and run-off operations, and
the financial position of the consolidated group, in various ways. Certain of the measures and ratios
provided in this Annual Report, which have been used consistently and disclosed regularly in the company’s
Annual Reports and interim financial reporting, do not have a prescribed meaning under International
Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘‘IFRS’’) and may
not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

(3) The company presents information on gross premiums written and net premiums written throughout this
MD&A. Gross premiums written represents the total premiums on policies issued during a specified period,
irrespective of the portion ceded or earned, and is an indicator of the volume of new business generated by
the company. Net premiums written represents gross premiums written less amounts ceded to reinsurers
and is considered a measure of the insurance risk that the company has chosen to retain from the new
business it has generated. These performance measures are used in the insurance industry and by
management primarily to evaluate business volumes.

(4) The combined ratio is the traditional performance measure of underwriting results of property and casualty
companies and 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 ratios used by the company include the commission expense ratio (commissions expressed as a
percentage of net premiums earned), the underwriting expense ratio (premium acquisition costs and other
underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned), the accident year loss ratio
(claims losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding the net favourable or adverse development of reserves
established for claims that occurred in previous accident years, expressed as a percentage of net premiums
earned), the accident year combined ratio (the sum of the accident year loss ratio and the expense ratio) and
combined ratio points (expressing a particular loss such as a catastrophe loss as a percentage of net
premiums earned). All of the ratios described above are calculated from information disclosed in note 25
(Segmented Information) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020
and are used by management for comparisons to historical underwriting results, to the underwriting results
of competitors and to the broader property and casualty industry.

(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 an individual equity instrument (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 an individual equity instrument in exchange for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional
amount. Throughout this MD&A, the terms ‘‘total return swap expense’’ and ‘‘total return swap income’’
refer to the net dividends and interest paid and received respectively on the company’s long and short
equity total return swaps. Interest and dividends as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings
includes total return swap expense or income.

(6) The measures ‘‘pre-tax income (loss) before net gains (losses) on investments’’, ‘‘net realized gains (losses) on
investments’’, ‘‘pre-tax income (loss) including net realized gains (losses) on investments’’ and ‘‘net change
in unrealized gains (losses) on investments’’ are presented separately in this MD&A, consistent with the
manner in which management reviews the results of the company’s investment management strategies.
The two measures ‘‘net realized gains (losses) on investments’’, and ‘‘net change in unrealized gains (losses)

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

on investments’’ are performance measures derived from the details of net gains (losses) on investments as
presented in note 5 (Cash and Investments) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020, and their sum is equal to ‘‘net gains on investments’’ as presented in the consolidated
statement of earnings.

(7)

In this MD&A ‘‘long equity exposures’’ and ‘‘short equity exposures’’ refer to long and short positions
respectively, in equity and equity-related instruments held for investment purposes, and ‘‘net equity
exposures and financial effects’’ refers to the company’s long equity exposures net of its short equity
exposures. ‘‘Long equity exposures’’ exclude the company’s insurance and reinsurance investments in
associates, joint ventures, and other equity and equity-related holdings which are considered long-term
strategic holdings. For details, see note 24 (Financial Risk Management, under the heading of ‘‘Market risk’’)
to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

(8) Ratios presented 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. Those ratios are
used by the company to assess the amount of leverage employed in its operations. The company also
presents an interest coverage ratio and an interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage ratio
as measures of its ability to service its debt and pay dividends to its preferred shareholders. These ratios are
calculated using amounts presented in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020 and are explained in note 24 (Financial Risk Management, under the heading of
‘‘Capital Management’’) thereto.

(9) Book value per basic share (also referred to as book value per share or common shareholders’ equity per
share) is a performance measure calculated by the company as common shareholders’ equity divided by the
number of common shares effectively outstanding. Those amounts are presented in the consolidated
balance sheet and note 16 (Total Equity, under the heading of ‘‘Common stock’’) respectively to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

(10) On the segmented balance sheets intercompany shareholdings of insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are
presented as ‘‘Investments in Fairfax insurance and reinsurance affiliates’’, intercompany shareholdings of
non-insurance subsidiaries are included in ‘‘Portfolio investments’’ and total intercompany shareholdings
of subsidiaries are presented as ‘‘Investments in Fairfax affiliates’’ in the ‘‘Capital’’ section. These methods of
presentation are non-IFRS measures as intercompany shareholdings of subsidiaries are carried at cost in the
segmented balance sheets whereas those shareholdings are eliminated upon consolidation in the
consolidated financial statements.

(11) References in this MD&A to the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations do not include the
company’s run-off operations, consistent with the presentation in note 25 (Segmented Information) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

(12) Cash provided by (used in) operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to
investments recorded at FVTPL) is presented for the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries in this MD&A as
management believes this amount to be a useful estimate of cash generated or used by a subsidiary’s
underwriting activities. This performance measure is calculated from amounts that comprise cash provided
by (used in) operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Overview of Consolidated Performance

The consolidated combined ratio of the insurance and reinsurance operations was 97.8%, producing an
underwriting profit of $309.0 in 2020 despite COVID-19 losses of $668.7 (primarily at Brit, Odyssey Group and Allied
World, representing 4.8 combined ratio points) and catastrophe losses of $644.3 (representing 4.7 combined ratio
points), compared to a combined ratio of 96.9% and an underwriting profit of $394.5 in 2019. The insurance and
reinsurance operations continued to experience net favourable prior year reserve development, with a benefit of
$454.9 or 3.3 combined ratio points. The decrease in underwriting profit in 2020 principally reflected
COVID-19 losses and increased frequency in catastrophe events that resulted in higher current period catastrophe
losses, partially offset by increased business volumes as a result of improved pricing and new business. Net premiums
earned by the insurance and reinsurance operations increased by 10.1% to $13,860.6 in 2020 primarily reflecting
increases at Odyssey Group, Allied World and Crum & Forster. The insurance and reinsurance operations reported

146

operating income (excluding net gains (losses) on investments) of $915.8 in 2020 compared to $1,107.5 in 2019,
reflecting decreased interest and dividends and underwriting profit, and reduced share of profit of associates.

Operating loss in the Non-insurance companies reporting segment of $178.7 (2019 – $2.4) was primarily comprised
of losses related to the decreased economic activity resulting from COVID-19 at the Restaurants and retail segment of
$69.5 (2019 – operating income of $79.4) and Thomas Cook India of $66.5 (2019 – $176.7), and also included losses
from the Other segment of $53.7 (2019 – $18.7), principally comprised of losses at Fairfax Africa of $110.1, partially
offset by income at Dexterra Group and AGT.

Net gains on investments of $313.1 in 2020 principally reflected net gains on bonds and other equity derivatives,
partially offset by net losses on short equity derivatives and U.S. treasury bond forward contracts. Net gains on
investments of $1,716.2 in 2019 principally reflected net gains on common stocks, net unrealized gains on the
company’s investment in Digit compulsory convertible preferred shares, net gains on bonds and equity derivatives,
and a non-cash gain of $171.3 as a result of the deconsolidation of Grivalia Properties upon its merger into Eurobank,
partially offset by net losses on other derivative contracts and U.S. treasury bond forward contracts. At December 31,
2020 subsidiary cash and short term investments (excluding those of Fairfax India) of $13,311.7 represented 31.7%
of portfolio investments.

Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax decreased to $218.4 in 2020 from $2,004.1 in 2019, with the
year-over-year decrease in profitability principally reflecting decreased net gains on investments, decreased
operating income in the insurance and reinsurance operations (reflecting decreased interest and dividends and
underwriting profit, and reduced share of profit of associates) and increased operating loss in the Non-insurance
companies reporting segment, partially offset by a gain on deconsolidation of European Run-off.

The company’s consolidated total debt to total capital ratio increased to 33.5% at December 31, 2020 from 28.8% at
December 31, 2019 primarily reflecting the $700.0 drawn on its revolving credit facility and the issuance of $650.0
principal amount of 4.625% unsecured senior notes due April 29, 2030. Common shareholders’ equity decreased to
$12,521.1 ($478.33 per basic share) at December 31, 2020 from $13,042.6 ($486.10 per basic share) at December 31,
2019 (an increase of 0.6%, adjusted for the $10.00 per common share dividend paid in the first quarter of 2020),
principally reflecting the payment of dividends on the company’s common and preferred shares, unrealized foreign
currency translation losses and purchases of subordinate voting shares for cancellation and for use in share-based
payment awards, partially offset by net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax.

Maintaining an emphasis on financial soundness, the company held $1,252.2 of cash and investments at the
holding company ($1,229.4 net of derivative obligations) at December 31, 2020 compared to $975.5 ($975.2 net of
derivative obligations) at December 31, 2019.

Business Developments

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The following narrative sets out the company’s key business developments in 2020 and 2019 by reporting segment.
Unless indicated otherwise, all completed acquisitions described in the following paragraphs resulted in a 100%
ownership interest in the acquiree. For details of these transactions (including definitions of terms set out in italics),
refer to note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020 or to the Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the relevant reporting
segment.

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Brit

Subsequent to December 31, 2020

Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

During 2020 the company increased its ownership interest in Brit to 100% from 89.3% at December 31, 2019 (2019 –
increased to 89.3% from 88.9% at December 31, 2018).

In the fourth quarter of 2020 Brit launched Ki Insurance, a newly formed subsidiary that is a fully digital and
algorithmically-driven Lloyd’s of London syndicate accessible from anywhere, at anytime.

On April 18, 2019 Brit acquired the 50.0% equity interest in Ambridge Partners that it did not already own.

Allied World

During 2020 the company increased its ownership interest in Allied World to 70.9% from 70.1% at December 31,
2019 (2019 – increased to 70.1% from 67.8% at December 31, 2018).

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

On November 6, 2019 Fairfax Ukraine completed the acquisition of Universalna for purchase consideration comprised
of cash and the transfer of a 30.0% equity interest in Fairfax Ukraine to the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development.

On November 5, 2019 the company transferred its investment in ARX Insurance into Fairfax Ukraine, a newly formed
subsidiary.

On February 14, 2019 the company completed the acquisition of the insurance operations of AXA in Ukraine (ARX
Insurance).

Effective January 1, 2019 Advent was reported as part of the European Run-off group in the Run-off reporting segment.

Run-off

Subsequent to December 31, 2020

On December 2, 2020 the company entered into an agreement with CVC Capital Partners (‘‘CVC’’) whereby CVC
will acquire 100% of RiverStone Barbados. OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario’s municipal employees, will sell its
40.0% joint venture interest in RiverStone Barbados as part of the transaction. On closing the company expects to
receive proceeds of approximately $730 for its 60.0% joint venture interest in RiverStone Barbados and a contingent
value instrument for potential future proceeds of up to $235.7. Closing of the transaction is subject to various
regulatory approvals and is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2021. Pursuant to the agreement with CVC, prior
to closing the company entered into an arrangement with RiverStone Barbados to purchase (unless sold earlier) certain
investments owned by RiverStone Barbados at a fixed price of approximately $1.2 billion prior to the end of 2022.

Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

On March 31, 2020 the company contributed its wholly owned European Run-off group to RiverStone Barbados, a
newly created joint venture entity in which the company received a 60.0% equity interest. OMERS jointly manages
RiverStone Barbados and had contemporaneously subscribed for a 40.0% equity interest pursuant to the subscription
agreement entered into on December 20, 2019. At the closing date the company deconsolidated the assets and
liabilities of European Run-off from assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale on the
consolidated balance sheet respectively, and commenced applying the equity method of accounting to its joint
venture interest in RiverStone Barbados.

Effective January 1, 2019 Advent was reported as part of the European Run-off group in the Run-off reporting segment.

148

Non-insurance companies

Restaurants and retail

During 2020 the company’s economic ownership interest in Recipe decreased to 40.2% from 47.9% at December 31,
2019 (2019 – increased to 47.9% from 43.7% at December 31, 2018). The company owns multiple voting shares and
subordinate voting shares of Recipe that give it voting rights of 61.1%.

Fairfax India

At December 31, 2020 the holding company recorded an intercompany performance fee receivable of $5.2 pursuant
to its investment advisory agreement with Fairfax India. On March 5, 2021 the holding company received 546,263
newly issued Fairfax India subordinate voting shares as settlement of that performance fee receivable.

During 2020 Fairchem reorganized into two separate entities, Fairchem Organics Limited (‘‘Fairchem’’), comprised of
the oleochemicals and neutraceuticals businesses, and Privi Speciality Chemicals Limited (‘‘Privi’’), comprised of the
aroma chemicals business.

During 2019 Fairfax India acquired a 48.5% equity interest in Seven Islands, a private shipping company
headquartered in Mumbai, India that transports liquid cargo along the Indian coast and in international waters.

Thomas Cook India

On December 9, 2019 Thomas Cook India completed a non-cash spin-off of its 48.6% equity interest in Quess as a
return of capital to its shareholders, which resulted in the company holding a direct 31.8% joint venture interest
in Quess.

On March 28, 2019 Thomas Cook India acquired a 51.0% equity interest in DEI, an imaging solutions and services
provider for the attractions industry headquartered in Dubai with over 250 locations worldwide.

Other

On December 8, 2020 Helios acquired a 45.9% voting and equity interest in Fairfax Africa. Fairfax Africa was
subsequently renamed Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (‘‘HFP’’). Prior to closing, in an intercompany transaction
the holding company acquired Fairfax Africa’s 42.3% equity interest in Atlas Mara for consideration of $40.0,
guaranteed the repayment obligations of Atlas Mara’s $40.0 secured borrowing with Fairfax Africa, and provided
other guarantees of $19.7. At closing the company deconsolidated Fairfax Africa from the Non-insurance companies
reporting segment and recognized its 32.3% equity interest in HFP as an investment in associate.

On July 1, 2020 the company commenced consolidating Farmers Edge, a provider of advanced digital tools to
growers and other key participants in the agricultural value chain.

On May 29, 2020 Horizon North legally acquired 100% of Dexterra by issuing common shares to the company
representing a 49.0% equity interest in Horizon North. The company obtained de facto voting control of Horizon North
as its largest shareholder and accounted for the transaction as a reverse acquisition of Horizon North by Dexterra.
Horizon North was subsequently renamed Dexterra Group.

On May 17, 2019 the company deconsolidated Grivalia Properties upon its merger into Eurobank.

On April 17, 2019 the company acquired a 59.6% equity interest in AGT, a supplier of pulses, staple foods and food
ingredients. The company holds warrants that, if exercised, would increase its equity interest in AGT to
approximately 80%.

On January 4, 2019 Fairfax Africa increased its equity interest in CIG, a pan-African engineering infrastructure
company, to 49.1%.

Operating Environment

Insurance Environment

Property and casualty insurers had a very eventful year in 2020, with COVID-19 losses, increased frequency and
severity of catastrophe events and increased market volatility which included sharp declines in yield curves. Despite
these extraordinary events, the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry is expected to report an

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

underwriting profit in 2020, primarily due to improved pricing across most lines of business, partially offset by
reductions in lines of business affected by COVID-19 that are directly or indirectly linked to economic activity.
Insurance pricing on most property and casualty lines of business continue to reflect more favourable terms resulting
from higher frequencies of catastrophe losses in recent years and the impact of rising claims costs. Decreased
economic activity resulting from COVID-19 and continued remote working arrangements are expected to provide a
more competitive rating environment for other lines of business including automobile and workers’ compensation.
Future net favourable prior year reserve development could diminish despite favourable rate increases, particularly if
future judicial or regulatory decisions on extending coverage to include losses from COVID-19 are unfavourable
(primarily related to international business interruption exposures). Investment returns in the latter half of 2020
benefited from a rebound in equity and credit markets following a significant decline in the first quarter of 2020 and
with yields at record lows, future investment returns are expected to remain under pressure.

The reinsurance sector remains well capitalized, despite increased frequency and severity of catastrophe losses during
2020 and significant market volatility, as a result of well diversified investment portfolios that benefited from the
rebound in capital markets in the latter half of 2020 following the significant decline in the first quarter of 2020.
Opportunistic capital raises remain available at lower rates providing additional reinsurance capacity which is
partially offset by decreased alternative capital and increased retrocession rates. Reinsurance pricing continues to
improve following significant catastrophe activity in recent years and adverse loss trends on certain U.S. casualty
lines, providing noteworthy rate increases across many lines.

Sources of Income

Income for the most recent three years was comprised as follows:

Net premiums earned – Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Run-off

Net premiums earned
Interest and dividends(1)
Share of profit (loss) of associates(1)
Net gains on investments(1)
Gain on deconsolidation of insurance subsidiary(2)
Other revenue(3)

2020

2019

2018

1,424.1
3,586.6
2,426.2
643.8
1,710.7
2,722.6
221.7
1,124.9
128.1

1,240.3
3,179.2
2,193.8
735.0
1,641.9
2,335.4
215.2
1,046.8
642.1

1,119.2
2,755.4
1,960.9
804.3
1,479.7
2,286.8
189.5
1,065.6
404.6

13,988.7
769.2
(112.8)
313.1
117.1
4,719.6

13,229.7
880.2
169.6
1,716.2
–
5,537.1

12,066.0
783.5
221.1
252.9
–
4,434.2

19,794.9

21,532.8

17,757.7

(1) An analysis of interest and dividends, share of profit (loss) of associates and net gains on investments in 2020 and 2019 is

provided in the Investments section of this MD&A.

(2) On March 31, 2020 the company deconsolidated European Run-off and recorded a gain of $117.1 as described in the

Run-off section of this MD&A.

(3) Represents revenue earned by the Non-insurance companies reporting segment, which is comprised primarily of the revenue
earned by Recipe, Thomas Cook India and its subsidiaries (Sterling Resorts and Quess (deconsolidated on March 1,
2018)), AGT (consolidated on April 17, 2019), Toys ‘‘R’’ Us Canada (acquired on May 31, 2018), and Fairfax India and
its subsidiaries (NCML, Fairchem, Privi and Saurashtra Freight). Also included is the revenue earned by Mosaic Capital,
Boat Rocker, Dexterra Group (formerly Horizon North (acquired on May 29, 2020)), Praktiker, Sporting Life, Golf Town,
Grivalia Properties (deconsolidated on May 17, 2019), Pethealth, Fairfax Africa and its subsidiary CIG (both
deconsolidated on December 8, 2020), Farmers Edge (consolidated on July 1, 2020), Kitchen Stuff Plus, Rouge Media and
William Ashley.

150

Year ended December 31, 2020

The decrease in income to $19,794.9 in 2020 from $21,532.8 in 2019 principally reflected decreased net gains on
investments and other revenue, share of loss of associates in 2020 compared to share of profit of associates in 2019
and decreased interest and dividends, partially offset by increased net premiums earned reflecting strong growth in
the insurance and reinsurance operations, and a gain on the deconsolidation of European Run-off.

Net investment gains of $313.1 in 2020 principally reflected net gains on bonds (due to unrealized appreciation of
high quality corporate bonds) and long equity exposures, partially offset by net losses on short equity exposures
(resulting from closing out the company’s remaining short equity total return swaps) and U.S. treasury bond forward
contracts. Net investment gains of $1,716.2 in 2019 principally reflected net gains on common stocks, net unrealized
gains on the company’s investment in the Digit compulsory convertible preferred shares, net gains on bonds and
equity derivatives, and a non-cash gain of $171.3 as a result of the deconsolidation of Grivalia Properties upon its
merger into Eurobank, partially offset by net losses on other derivative contracts and U.S. treasury bond forward
contracts.

Interest and dividends decreased to $769.2 in 2020 from $880.2 in 2019, primarily reflecting lower interest income
earned, principally on U.S. treasury bonds and cash and short term investments, partially offset by higher interest
income earned on high quality U.S. corporate bonds.

Share of loss of associates of $112.8 in 2020 primarily reflected non-cash impairment losses of $240.3 (principally
related to investments in Quess, Resolute, Atlas Mara and Astarta) and share of loss of Sanmar of $48.6 and Bangalore
Airport of $30.5, partially offset by share of profit of Atlas of $116.4 and RiverStone Barbados of $113.0. Share of
profit of associates of $169.6 in 2019, principally reflected share of a spin-off distribution gain at IIFL Holdings, share
of profit of Eurolife and share of a significant gain at Atlas (formerly Seaspan), partially offset by a non-cash
impairment loss of $190.6 recognized by Thomas Cook India on the Quess shares that were transferred to its
minority shareholders (fully attributed to non-controlling interests) and share of loss of APR Energy and Atlas Mara.

The increase in net premiums earned by the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations in 2020 reflected
increases at Odyssey Group ($407.4, 12.8%), Allied World ($387.2, 16.6%), Crum & Forster ($232.4, 10.6%),
Northbridge ($183.8, 14.8%, inclusive of the unfavourable effect of foreign currency translation), Insurance and
Reinsurance – Other ($78.1, 7.5%), Brit ($68.8, 4.2%) and Fairfax Asia ($6.5, 3.0%), partially offset by a decrease at
Zenith National ($91.2, 12.4%). Net premiums earned at Run-off in 2020 and 2019 principally reflected the first
quarter 2020 Part VII transfer and reinsurance transactions and the first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction
described in the Run-off section of this MD&A.

The decrease in other revenue to $4,719.6 in 2020 from $5,537.1 in 2019 principally reflected temporary closures
and other economic effects related to COVID-19 at the company’s Non-insurance companies reporting segment
primarily impacting Restaurants and retail, Thomas Cook India, Fairfax India’s subsidiaries (lower business volumes
at NCML and Privi, partially offset by higher business volumes at Saurashtra Freight), and Fairfax Africa’s subsidiary
CIG (both deconsolidated on December 8, 2020), and the deconsolidation of Grivalia Properties (on May 17, 2019),
partially offset by the inclusion of a full year of revenue of AGT in 2020 (consolidated on April 17, 2019) and the
consolidation of Horizon North (on May 29, 2020) and Farmers Edge (on July 1, 2020). Refer to the Non-insurance
companies section of this MD&A for additional details on other revenue.

Year ended December 31, 2019

The increase in income to $21,532.8 in 2019 from $17,757.7 in 2018 principally reflected increased net gains on
investments, net premiums earned, other revenue, and interest and dividends, partially offset by decreased share of
profit of associates.

Net investment gains of $1,716.2 in 2019 were as described above. Net investment gains of $252.9 in 2018
principally reflected a net realized gain recorded on re-measurement of Quess ($889.9) upon its deconsolidation,
partially offset by net losses on common stocks and convertible bonds which arose primarily in the fourth quarter of
2018 as a result of marking those positions to market and foreign currency net losses that resulted primarily from the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Indian rupee and euro.

Interest and dividends increased to $880.2 in 2019 from $783.5 in 2018, primarily reflecting higher interest income
from increased holdings of higher yielding, high quality U.S. corporate bonds in 2019, the reinvestment of cash and
short term investments into short-dated U.S. treasury bonds and Canadian government bonds in the second half of

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

2018, and higher dividend income earned on common stocks, partially offset by lower interest income earned from a
reduction in holdings of U.S. municipal bonds in 2018.

Share of profit of associates decreased to $169.6 in 2019 from $221.1 in 2018, principally reflecting a non-cash
impairment loss of $190.6 recognized by Thomas Cook India on the Quess shares that were transferred to its
minority shareholders (fully attributed to non-controlling interests) and share of loss of Atlas Mara and Resolute
(compared to share of profit in 2018), partially offset by share of a spin-off distribution gain at IIFL Holdings,
increased share of profit of Eurolife, and share of a significant gain at Atlas (formerly Seaspan).

The increase in net premiums earned by the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations in 2019 reflected
increases at Odyssey Group ($423.8, 15.4%), Crum & Forster ($232.9, 11.9%), Allied World ($138.7, 6.1% excluding
the impact of the Allied World loss portfolio transfer described in the Allied World section of this MD&A),
Northbridge ($121.1, 10.8% including the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation), Fairfax Asia ($25.7,
13.6%) and Insurance and Reinsurance – Other ($8.5, 0.9% excluding the impact of the transfer of Advent to Run-off
and the consolidation of the net premiums earned by ARX Insurance and Universalna described in the Insurance and
Reinsurance – Other section of this MD&A), partially offset by decreases at Zenith National ($69.3, 8.6%) and Brit
($12.2, 0.7% excluding the impact of a 2018 reinsurance transaction). Net premiums earned at Run-off in 2019
principally reflected the impact of the first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction and the run-off of Advent’s
unearned premium reserve described in the Run-off section of this MD&A.

Other revenue earned by the Non-insurance companies reporting segment increased to $5,537.1 in 2019 from
$4,434.2 in 2018 principally reflecting the consolidation of AGT (on April 17, 2019) and CIG (on January 4, 2019),
the inclusion of a full year of revenue of Toys ‘‘R’’ Us Canada in 2019 (consolidated on May 31, 2018) and increased
business volume at Boat Rocker (principally as a result of business acquisitions in 2019 and 2018) and Thomas Cook
India, partially offset by the deconsolidation of Quess (on March 1, 2018) and Grivalia Properties (on May 17, 2019).
Refer to the Non-insurance companies section of this MD&A for additional details on other revenue.

Net Premiums Written by Reporting Segment

The table which follows presents net premiums written by the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations.

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

2020
1,540.4
3,789.6
2,543.0
646.1
1,775.6
3,017.6
221.6
1,183.8

2019
1,350.3
3,393.8
2,331.5
720.8
1,656.2
2,428.9
231.2
1,148.4

% change
year-over-
year
14.1
11.7
9.1
(10.4)
7.2
24.2
(4.2)
3.1

Net premiums written

14,717.7

13,261.1

11.0

Northbridge’s net premiums written increased by 14.1% in 2020 (increased by 15.2% in Canadian dollar terms),
primarily reflecting price increases, new business and strong retention of renewal business, partially offset by
returned premium due to reduced exposure stemming from COVID-19 (primarily related to automobile lines).

Odyssey Group’s net premiums written increased by 11.7% in 2020, principally reflecting increases across all
divisions, primarily North America (U.S. property and U.S. casualty reinsurance) and London Market (Newline
Insurance), partially offset by a decrease in U.S. Insurance related to growth in business with higher cession rates.

Crum & Forster’s net premiums written increased by 9.1% in 2020, primarily reflecting growth in surety, credit and
programs, and accident and health, partially offset by reduced exposure resulting from targeted underwriting actions
in commercial automobile, workers’ compensation, and health and social services and the increased use of
reinsurance, primarily in casualty lines of business.

Zenith National’s net premiums written decreased by 10.4% in 2020, primarily reflecting decreased premium volume
from ongoing price decreases and lower payroll exposure due to the economic effects of COVID-19 in the workers’
compensation business, partially offset by price increases and growth in other property and casualty lines.

152

Brit’s net premiums written increased by 7.2% in 2020, primarily reflecting growth in core lines of business generated
by both price increases and increased business volume, principally within the insurance segment (primarily specialty
and property) and the reinsurance segment (primarily property treaty), and targeted reductions in ceded premiums
to retain higher performing business, partially offset by reductions in non-core lines of business through active
portfolio management and reduced exposure resulting from decreased economic activity associated with COVID-19.

Allied World’s net premiums written increased by 24.2% in 2020, primarily due to new business and improved
pricing across both the insurance segment (principally the North America and Global Markets platforms relating to
excess casualty and professional lines) and the reinsurance segment (principally related to North American lines of
business), and the impact of a loss portfolio transfer that was completed in the fourth quarter of 2019 with a third
party reinsurer to reinsure all net reserves for risks Allied World had insured in its U.S. primary casualty line of
business which decreased net premiums written by $90.1 in 2019.

Fairfax Asia’s net premiums written decreased by 4.2% in 2020, primarily reflecting decreased business volume at
Pacific Insurance and AMAG Insurance (primarily automobile lines of business due to the economic impact of
COVID-19), partially offset by modest increases in business volume at Fairfirst Insurance.

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other net premiums written increased by 3.1% in 2020, principally reflecting increases
at Group Re, Fairfax Latin America (Fairfax Brasil) and Fairfax CEE (Polish Re and ARX Insurance), partially offset by
decreases at Bryte Insurance (primarily reflecting the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation), lower
premium retention at Fairfax Latam (primarily related to a new quota share reinsurance arrangement covering
commercial and automobile lines of business at La Meridional Argentina) and reduced business volume at Fairfax
Latam (primarily at Southbridge Colombia).

Net Premiums Earned by Geographic Region

As presented in note 25 (Segmented Information) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020, the United States, Canada, International and Asia accounted for 62.4%, 11.9%, 17.8% and 7.9%
respectively, of net premiums earned by geographic region in 2020, compared to 60.1%, 11.0%, 21.4% and 7.5%
respectively, in 2019.

United States

Net premiums earned in the United States geographic region increased by 9.8% from $7,960.3 in 2019 to $8,741.0 in
2020 primarily reflecting increases at Allied World (growth in casualty and professional lines in both the insurance
and reinsurance segments), Odyssey Group (growth in both reinsurance (primarily property and casualty) and
insurance (financial products and professional liability)) and Crum & Forster (growth in surety, credit and programs,
and accident and health), partially offset by decreases at Zenith National (ongoing price decreases and lower payroll
exposure due to the economic effects of COVID-19 in the workers’ compensation business).

Canada

Net premiums earned in the Canada geographic region increased by 14.2% from $1,452.1 in 2019 to $1,659.0 in
2020 primarily reflecting an increase at Northbridge (price increases, new business and strong retention of renewal
business, partially offset by returned premium due to reduced exposure stemming from COVID-19 (primarily related
to automobile lines)).

International

Net premiums earned in the International geographic region decreased by 12.1% to $2,483.9 in 2020 from $2,824.8
in 2019 primarily reflecting the net premiums earned in 2019 related to the first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction
described in the Run-off section of this MD&A, partially offset by increases at Odyssey Group (growth at Newline
Insurance), Allied World (primarily growth in European professional lines) and Fairfax Ukraine (reflecting a full year
of net premiums earned in 2020 at ARX Insurance and Universalna, which were both acquired during 2019 as
described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020).

Asia

Net premiums earned in the Asia geographic region increased by 11.3% from $992.5 in 2019 to $1,104.8 in 2020
primarily reflecting increases at Odyssey Group (growth in property reinsurance).

153

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Sources of Net Earnings

The table below presents the sources of the company’s net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and
2018 using amounts presented in note 25 (Segmented Information) to the company’s consolidated financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, set out in a format the company has consistently used
as it believes it assists in understanding the composition and management of the company. In that table, combined
ratios and underwriting results for each of the insurance and reinsurance segments is shown separately. Operating
income (loss) presented for the insurance and reinsurance, Run-off and Non-insurance companies reporting
segments includes interest and dividends and share of profit (loss) of associates, and excludes net gains (losses) on
investments which are considered a less predictable source of investment income. Net gains on investments as
presented in the consolidated statement of earnings is disaggregated into net realized gains (losses) on investments
and net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, consistent with the manner in which management
reviews the results of the company’s investment management strategies.

Combined ratios – Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Consolidated

Sources of net earnings
Underwriting – Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Underwriting profit – Insurance and Reinsurance
Interest and dividends – Insurance and Reinsurance
Share of profit of associates – Insurance and Reinsurance

Operating income – Insurance and Reinsurance
Run-off (excluding net gains (losses) on investments)
Non-insurance companies reporting segment (excluding net gains (losses) on investments)
Interest expense
Corporate overhead and other
Gain on deconsolidation of insurance subsidiary

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

Pre-tax income (loss) including net realized gains (losses) on investments
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

Earnings before income taxes
Provision for income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Net earnings per share
Net earnings per diluted share
Cash dividends paid per share

154

2020

2019

2018

92.4%
94.7%
97.5%
91.9%
114.0%
95.4%
96.8%
99.5%

96.2%
97.2%
97.6%
85.2%
96.9%
97.5%
97.0%
101.7%

95.8%
93.4%
98.3%
82.6%
105.2%
98.1%
99.8%
104.6%

97.8%

96.9%

97.3%

108.8
189.9
60.1
51.9
(240.3)
126.0
7.1
5.5

309.0
560.6
46.2

915.8
(194.6)
(178.7)
(475.9)
(252.7)
117.1

(69.0)
(750.5)

46.7
89.9
51.8
108.8
51.1
57.7
6.4
(17.9)

394.5
657.0
56.0

1,107.5
(214.7)
(2.4)
(472.0)
98.1
–

516.5
611.8

(819.5)
1,063.6

1,128.3
1,104.4

244.1
(206.7)

2,232.7
(261.5)

37.4

1,971.2

218.4
(181.0)

2,004.1
(32.9)

37.4

1,971.2

6.59
$
$
6.29
$ 10.00

$ 72.80
$ 69.79
$ 10.00

$
$
$

47.0
181.1
32.6
140.2
(77.0)
42.9
0.4
(48.9)

318.3
544.1
93.7

956.1
(197.9)
380.3
(347.1)
(182.2)
–

609.2
1,174.9

1,784.1
(922.0)

862.1
(44.2)

817.9

376.0
441.9

817.9

12.03
11.65
10.00

The company’s insurance and reinsurance operations produced an underwriting profit of $309.0 (combined ratio of
97.8%) in 2020 compared to an underwriting profit of $394.5 (combined ratio of 96.9%) in 2019. The decrease in
underwriting profitability in 2020 principally reflected COVID-19 losses, increased current period catastrophe losses
and decreased net favourable prior year reserve development, partially offset by an improvement in current accident
year attritional loss experience and a lower underwriting expense ratio.

Net favourable prior year reserve development decreased to $454.9 (3.3 combined ratio points) in 2020 from $479.8
(3.8 combined ratio points) in 2019 and was comprised as follows:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Net favourable development

2020

2019

(39.2)
(219.5)
(5.2)
(74.1)
(62.8)
(5.1)
(18.5)
(30.5)

(67.1)
(229.6)
(6.2)
(82.1)
(46.5)
32.0
(28.3)
(52.0)

(454.9)

(479.8)

Current period catastrophe losses and COVID-19 losses in 2020 and 2019 were comprised as follows:

Hurricane Laura
Hurricane Sally
Midwest Derecho
Typhoon Hagibis
Typhoon Faxai
Hurricane Dorian
Other

Total catastrophe losses
COVID-19 losses(2)

2020

2019

Combined
ratio impact
1.1
0.5
0.4
–
–
–
2.7

4.7
4.8

Losses(1)
–
–
–
146.0
76.1
66.1
209.6

497.8
–

Combined
ratio impact
–
–
–
1.2
0.6
0.5
1.7

4.0
–

9.5 points

497.8

4.0 points

Losses(1)
148.7
69.9
55.4
–
–
–
370.3

644.3
668.7

1,313.0

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

(2) COVID-19 losses in 2020 were comprised primarily of business interruption exposures (approximately 35%, and
principally in the International geographic segment) and event cancellation coverage (approximately 34%), with
approximately 51% of the total related to incurred but not reported losses.

The following table presents the components of the company’s combined ratios for the years ended December 31:

Underwriting profit – Insurance and Reinsurance

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expense

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

155

2020
309.0

2019
394.5

68.7% 66.9%
17.0% 17.3%
15.4% 16.5%

101.1% 100.7%
(3.3)% (3.8)%

97.8% 96.9%

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The commission expense ratio of 17.0% in 2020 modestly decreased compared to 17.3% in 2019, principally
reflecting decreases at Allied World (primarily reflecting lower average gross commissions, increased ceding
commission income (primarily in the insurance segment) and the loss portfolio transfer completed in the fourth
quarter of 2019, reducing net premiums earned) and Brit (primarily resulting from changes in the mix of business
written toward lower commission business), partially offset by increases at Crum & Forster (primarily reflecting
increased business volumes in the surety and accident and health business which attracts higher commissions,
partially offset by decreased business volumes in the travel business which attracts lower commissions), Northbridge
and Zenith National.

The underwriting expense ratio decreased to 15.4% in 2020 from 16.5% in 2019, principally reflecting lower
underwriting expense ratios at Odyssey Group (primarily reflecting increased premiums earned relative to more
modest increases in underwriting expenses and a reduction in post retirement benefit expenses resulting from a
recovery following a plan amendment, partially offset by an increase in IT costs), Allied World (primarily reflecting
increased net premiums earned relative to modest increases in underwriting expenses and the loss portfolio transfer
completed in the fourth quarter of 2019, reducing net premiums earned) and Crum & Forster, partially offset by an
increase at Brit.

Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses increased to $2,119.9 in 2020 from $2,067.4 in 2019,
primarily reflecting increased business volumes at Brit, Northbridge and Crum & Forster, partially offset by a decrease
at Odyssey Group, primarily reflecting a reduction in retirement benefit expenses from an amendment to its post
retirement plan. For further details refer to note 25 (Segmented Information) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Operating expenses as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings increased to $2,536.5 in 2020 from
$2,476.3 in 2019, primarily reflecting increases in underwriting expenses of the insurance and reinsurance
operations (as described in the preceding paragraph) and higher Fairfax and subsidiary holding companies’ corporate
overhead, partially offset by lower operating expenses at Run-off. Refer to the Run-off and Corporate and Other
sections in this MD&A for further details.

Other expenses as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings decreased to $4,858.9 in 2020 from $5,456.9
in 2019, principally reflected temporary closures and other economic effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic at
Thomas Cook India, Restaurants and retail, Fairfax India‘s subsidiaries NCML and Privi, Mosaic Capital, Boat Rocker,
and Fairfax Africa’s subsidiary CIG (both deconsolidated on December 8, 2020) and the deconsolidation of Grivalia
Properties (on May 17, 2019), partially offset by the inclusion of a full year of expenses of AGT in 2020 (consolidated
on April 17, 2019) and the consolidation of Horizon North (on May 29, 2020) and Farmers Edge (on July 1, 2020).
Other expenses in 2019 also included a loss on repurchase of long term debt of $23.7. Refer to the Non-insurance
companies section in this MD&A for further details.

An analysis of interest and dividends, share of profit (loss) of associates and net gains on investments for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is provided in the Investments section of this MD&A.

The company reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $218.4 (net earnings of $6.59 per basic
share and $6.29 per diluted share) in 2020 compared to net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of
$2,004.1 (net earnings of $72.80 per basic share and $69.79 per diluted share) in 2019. The year-over-year decrease in
profitability principally reflected decreased net gains on investments, decreased operating income in the insurance
and reinsurance operations (reflecting decreased interest and dividends and underwriting profit, and reduced share
of profit of associates) and increased operating loss in the Non-insurance companies reporting segment, partially
offset by a gain on deconsolidation of European Run-off.

Common shareholders’ equity decreased to $12,521.1 at December 31, 2020 from $13,042.6 at December 31, 2019,
primarily reflecting the payments of common and preferred share dividends ($319.7), purchases of subordinate
voting shares for use in share-based payment awards ($137.9) and for cancellation ($100.9), other comprehensive
loss ($115.4, principally comprised of net unrealized foreign currency translation losses on foreign operations
($231.0) and net losses on defined benefit plans ($66.0), partially offset by net unrealized foreign currency
translation losses reclassified to net earnings ($188.7)) and other net change in capitalization ($113.9), partially
offset by net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax ($218.4).

Book value per basic share at December 31, 2020 was $478.33 compared to $486.10 per basic share at December 31,
2019, representing a decrease of 1.6% (without adjustment for the $10.00 per common share dividend paid in the
first quarter of 2020, or an increase of 0.6% adjusted to include that dividend).

156

Net Earnings by Reporting Segment

The company’s sources of net earnings (loss) shown by reporting segment are set out below for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019. In the Eliminations and adjustments column, the gross premiums written adjustment
eliminates premiums on reinsurance ceded within the group, primarily to Odyssey Group, Allied World and
Group Re. Also presented in that column are adjustments to eliminate investment management and administration
fees paid by the operating companies to the holding company. Those fees are included in interest and dividends
(as investment management expense) by the operating companies and in corporate overhead and other (expense)
income by the Corporate and Other reporting segment.

Year ended December 31, 2020

Insurance and Reinsurance

Zenith
Northbridge Group Forster National

Odyssey Crum &

Allied Fairfax

Brit World

Asia Other

Total Run-off companies and Other adjustments Consolidated

Non-

insurance Corporate

Eliminations
and

Gross premiums written

1,735.2

4,446.7

3,109.4

661.7 2,424.4 4,680.7

424.7 1,874.0 19,356.8

146.8

Net premiums written

1,540.4

3,789.6

2,543.0

646.1 1,775.6 3,017.6

221.6 1,183.8 14,717.7

146.8

Net premiums earned

1,424.1

3,586.6

2,426.2

643.8 1,710.7 2,722.6

221.7 1,124.9 13,860.6

128.1

108.8

56.2

(3.0)

189.9

151.2

27.8

60.1

79.6

(14.8)

51.9 (240.3) 126.0

19.0

(4.2)

58.2

126.7

6.6

35.6

7.1

20.0

14.6

5.5

49.7

(16.4)

309.0

560.6

46.2

(208.1)

24.7

(11.2)

–

47.1

(100.2)

55.8

(47.6)

(377.7)

19,125.9

–

81.0

–

14,864.5

13,988.7

100.9

769.2

(112.8)

–

(125.6)

–

(13.7)

(139.3)

162.0

105.7

368.9

124.9

66.7 (175.5) 288.3

(26.9)

(158.2)

(59.9)

24.4

246.0

41.7

12.3

38.8

(7.0)

915.8

136.4

(194.6)

(96.9)

–

(1.3)

(30.5)

(6.4)

(25.8)

(4.7)

–

(3.8)

(19.0)

(30.3)

(0.4)

(1.7)

(56.3)

(67.6)

(9.0)

(2.3)

(178.7)

(65.6)

–

(170.6)

8.2

339.2

182.4

(235.6)

67.3

–

0.2

618.0

313.1

117.1

(475.9)

(8.1)

(10.5)

(28.2)

(9.8)

(11.9)

(79.2)

(6.0)

(1.4)

(155.1)

(0.2)

–

(82.6)

(90.3)

(328.2)

258.3

294.6

(92.0)

(6.8)

(182.0) 424.8

47.6

28.7

773.2

(303.0)

(414.9)

211.6

(22.8)

244.1

(206.7)

37.4

218.4

(181.0)

37.4

Year ended December 31, 2019

Insurance and Reinsurance

Zenith
Northbridge Group Forster National

Odyssey Crum &

Allied Fairfax

Brit World

Asia Other

Total Run-off companies and Other adjustments Consolidated

Non-

insurance Corporate

Eliminations
and

Gross premiums written

1,521.5

3,816.0

2,827.8

732.7 2,293.5 3,860.3

438.3 1,710.9 17,201.0

609.6

Net premiums written

1,350.3

3,393.8

2,331.5

720.8 1,656.2 2,428.9

231.2 1,148.4 13,261.1

574.5

Net premiums earned

1,240.3

3,179.2

2,193.8

735.0 1,641.9 2,335.4

215.2 1,046.8 12,587.6

642.1

46.7

65.0

1.1

89.9

175.9

55.1

51.8

85.9

19.1

108.8

33.1

51.1

73.5

57.7

148.9

6.4

17.7

(17.9)

57.0

(16.4)

(2.4)

13.3

(0.1)

(13.7)

394.5

657.0

56.0

(264.2)

55.8

(6.3)

–

112.8

0.5

(1.5)

320.9

149.5

(7.8)

75.2

(5.3)

156.8

125.5

122.2

22.5

62.1

219.9

210.2

24.0

25.4

1,107.5

(214.7)

632.3

106.2

1,258.5

168.2

(3.9)

(19.1)

(29.1)

(0.4)

(1.9)

(69.0)

(7.0)

(184.9)

(212.1)

–

(52.7)

(45.2)

95.5

(2.4)

72.6

–

32.9

165.1

–

198.0

216.9

(299.4)

17,511.2

–

187.2

–

8.4

195.6

–

1.0

13,835.6

13,229.7

130.3

880.2

169.6

103.9

1,284.0

1,716.2

(472.0)

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest and dividends

Share of profit (loss) of associates

Non-insurance companies

reporting segment

Operating income (loss)

Net gains (losses) on investments

Gain (loss) on deconsolidation of

insurance subsidiary

Interest expense

Corporate overhead and other

(expense) income

Earnings (loss) before income

taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest and dividends

Share of profit (loss) of associates

Non-insurance companies

reporting segment

Operating income (loss)

Net gains on investments

Interest expense

Corporate overhead and other

(expense) income

Earnings (loss) before income

taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

(5.7)

(10.7)

(20.5)

(8.5)

(9.2)

(59.7)

(9.8)

(0.6)

(124.7)

0.4

–

25.4

(196.6)

(295.5)

106.1

451.9

206.2

135.6

156.0

341.3

646.1

129.1

2,172.3

(53.1)

(114.7)

228.2

–

2,232.7

(261.5)

1,971.2

2,004.1

(32.9)

1,971.2

157

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Components of Net Earnings

Underwriting and Operating Income

Set out and discussed below are the underwriting and operating results of the company’s insurance and reinsurance,
Run-off and Non-insurance companies reporting segments for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Northbridge

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
Share of profit (loss) of associates

Operating income

Cdn$

2020
145.8

61.7%
17.1%
16.4%

2019
62.0

68.7%
16.5%
16.4%

2020
108.8

61.7%
17.1%
16.4%

2019
46.7

68.7%
16.5%
16.4%

95.2%
(2.8)%

101.6%
(5.4)%

95.2%
(2.8)%

101.6%
(5.4)%

92.4%

96.2%

92.4%

96.2%

2,325.9

2,018.8

1,735.2

1,521.5

2,064.8

1,791.6

1,540.4

1,350.3

1,909.0

1,645.6

1,424.1

1,240.3

145.8
75.3
(4.0)

62.0
86.3
1.5

108.8
56.2
(3.0)

46.7
65.0
1.1

217.1

149.8

162.0

112.8

The Canadian dollar weakened relative to the U.S. dollar (measured using average foreign exchange rates) by 1.0% in
2020 compared to 2019. To avoid the distortion caused by foreign currency translation, the table above presents
Northbridge’s underwriting and operating results in both U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars (Northbridge’s
functional currency). The discussion which follows makes reference to those Canadian dollar figures unless
otherwise indicated.

Northbridge reported an underwriting profit of Cdn$145.8 ($108.8) and a combined ratio of 92.4% in 2020
compared to an underwriting profit of Cdn$62.0 ($46.7) and a combined ratio of 96.2% in 2019. The increase in
underwriting profit in 2020 principally reflected lower current accident year attritional loss experience (across most
lines of business) as a result of reduced claims frequency due to COVID-19, improved pricing and increased business
volumes, partially offset by COVID-19 losses, returned premium due to reduced exposure stemming from COVID-19,
a decrease in net favourable prior year reserve development and an increase in current period catastrophe losses
(as set out in the table below).

Catastrophe losses(2)
COVID-19 losses(3)

Cdn$
Losses(1)
38.6
58.9

2020

Losses(1)
28.8
43.9

Combined
ratio impact
2.0
3.1

Cdn$
Losses(1)
16.4
–

2019

Losses(1)
12.4
–

Combined
ratio impact
1.0
–

97.5

72.7

5.1 points

16.4

12.4

1.0 point

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

(2) Current period catastrophe losses in 2020 principally related to the Fort McMurray floods and the Calgary hailstorms. Current period

catastrophe losses in 2019 principally related to several storms in Ontario and Quebec.

(3) COVID-19 losses in 2020 primarily related to potential long-term care facilities and business interruption exposures.

158

Net favourable prior year reserve development in 2020 of Cdn$52.6 ($39.2 or 2.8 combined ratio points), principally
reflected better than expected loss emergence across all major lines of business and primarily related to accident years
2013 through 2018. Net favourable prior year reserve development in 2019 of Cdn$89.1 ($67.1 or 5.4 combined ratio
points) principally reflected better than expected loss emergence across all major lines of business primarily related
to accident years 2011 to 2015.

Gross premiums written increased by 15.2% in 2020, reflecting price increases, new business and strong retention of
renewal business, partially offset by returned premium due to reduced exposure stemming from COVID-19
(primarily related to automobile lines). Net premiums written increased by 15.2% in 2020, consistent with the
growth in gross premiums written. Net premiums earned increased by 16.0% in 2020, primarily reflecting the growth
in net premiums written during 2020 and 2019.

Interest and dividends decreased to Cdn$75.3 ($56.2) in 2020 from Cdn$86.3 ($65.0) in 2019, principally reflecting
lower dividend income earned on preferred stocks, and lower interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents
and on decreased holdings of Canadian government bonds.

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to investments recorded at
FVTPL) increased to Cdn$328.6 ($245.2) in 2020 from Cdn$257.2 ($193.9) in 2019, primarily reflecting higher net
premium collections.

Odyssey Group(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
Share of profit of associates

Operating income

2020
189.9

73.9%
19.3%
7.6%

2019
89.9

75.0%
19.8%
9.6%

100.8%
(6.1)%

104.4%
(7.2)%

94.7%

97.2%

4,446.7

3,816.0

3,789.6

3,393.8

3,586.6

3,179.2

189.9
151.2
27.8

368.9

89.9
175.9
55.1

320.9

(1) These results differ from those published by Odyssey Group 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 Odyssey Group
in 2009.

Odyssey Group reported an underwriting profit of $189.9 and a combined ratio of 94.7% in 2020 compared to an
underwriting profit of $89.9 and a combined ratio of 97.2% in 2019. The increase in underwriting profit in 2020
principally reflected increased net premiums earned relative to modest increases in underwriting expenses and loss

159

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

and loss adjustment expenses, and decreased current period catastrophe losses (as set out in the table below),
partially offset by COVID-19 losses.

Hurricane Laura
Midwest Derecho
Typhoon Hagibis
Typhoon Faxai
Hurricane Dorian
Other

Total catastrophe losses
COVID-19 losses(2)

2020

2019

Combined
ratio impact
0.7
0.5
–
–
–
4.1

5.3
3.9

Losses(1)
–
–
88.2
42.4
25.0
124.3

279.9
–

Combined
ratio impact
–
–
2.8
1.3
0.8
3.9

8.8
–

9.2 points

279.9

8.8 points

Losses(1)
25.8
16.4
–
–
–
147.9

190.1
140.0

330.1

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

(2) COVID-19 losses in 2020 primarily related to international reinsurance business interruption exposures.

Net favourable prior year reserve development decreased to $219.5 (6.1 combined ratio points) in 2020 from $229.6
(7.2 combined ratio points) in 2019. Net favourable prior year reserve development in 2020 primarily reflected better
than expected emergence across all divisions (primarily EuroAsia, U.S. Insurance and London Market) from both
non-catastrophe loss experience and property catastrophe loss experience (primarily reinsurance). Net favourable
prior year reserve development in 2019 primarily reflected better than expected emergence from both
non-catastrophe loss experience (primarily casualty, motor, and marine and aviation) and property catastrophe loss
experience.

Gross premiums written increased by 16.5% in 2020, reflecting increases across all divisions, primarily North
America (U.S. property and U.S. casualty reinsurance), U.S. Insurance (financial products and professional liability),
and London Market (Newline Insurance). Net premiums written increased by 11.7% in 2020, principally reflecting
the growth in gross premiums written, partially offset by a decrease in U.S. Insurance from growth in business with
higher cession rates. Net premiums earned in 2020 increased by 12.8% consistent with the growth in net premiums
written during 2020 and 2019.

The underwriting expense ratio decreased to 7.6% in 2020 from 9.6% in 2019, primarily reflecting increased
premiums earned relative to more modest increases in underwriting expenses and a reduction in post retirement
benefit expenses resulting from a recovery following a plan amendment, partially offset by an increase in IT costs.

Interest and dividends decreased to $151.2 in 2020 from $175.9 in 2019, primarily reflecting reduced interest income
earned on lower yielding short term investments and decreased dividend income earned on common stocks.

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to investments recorded at
FVTPL) increased to $957.4 in 2020 from $666.1 in 2019, primarily reflecting higher net premium collections and
lower tax payments, partially offset by lower ceded loss recoveries on prior year losses.

During 2019 Odyssey Group received a capital contribution of $225.5 from the company to support its capital
requirements and paid a dividend of $50.0 to the company.

160

Crum & Forster

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
Share of profit (loss) of associates

Operating income

2020
60.1

2019
51.8

62.7%
17.1%
17.9%

97.7%
(0.2)%

63.2%
16.0%
18.7%

97.9%
(0.3)%

97.5%

97.6%

3,109.4

2,827.8

2,543.0

2,331.5

2,426.2

2,193.8

60.1
79.6
(14.8)

51.8
85.9
19.1

124.9

156.8

Crum & Forster reported an underwriting profit of $60.1 and a combined ratio of 97.5% in 2020 compared to an
underwriting profit of $51.8 and a combined ratio of 97.6% in 2019. The increase in underwriting profit in 2020
principally reflected growth in net premiums earned relative to modest increases in underwriting expenses, rate
increases across most lines of business and improvement in current accident year attritional loss experience, partially
offset by an increase in current period catastrophe losses and COVID-19 losses (as set out in the table below). Net
favourable prior year reserve development was nominal in 2020 and 2019.

Hurricane Sally
Hurricane Laura
Other

Total catastrophe losses
COVID-19 losses(2)

2020

2019

Losses(1)
34.5
16.6
44.3

95.4
42.5

137.9

Combined
ratio impact
1.4
0.7
1.8

3.9
1.8

5.7 points

Losses(1)
–
–
18.1

18.1
–

18.1

Combined
ratio impact
–
–
0.8

0.8
–

0.8 points

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

(2) COVID-19 losses in 2020 primarily related to travel and business interruption exposures.

Gross premiums written increased by 10.0% in 2020, primarily reflecting growth in surety, credit and programs, and
accident and health, partially offset by reduced exposure resulting from targeted underwriting actions in commercial
automobile, workers’ compensation, and health and social services. Net premiums written increased by 9.1% in
2020, consistent with the factors that affected gross premiums written, partially offset by the increased use of
reinsurance, primarily in casualty lines of business. Net premiums earned increased by 10.6% in 2020, primarily
reflecting the growth in net premiums written during 2020 and 2019.

The commission expense ratio increased to 17.1% in 2020 from 16.0% in 2019, principally reflected increased
business volumes in the surety and accident and health business which attracts higher commissions, partially offset
by decreased business volumes in the travel business which attracts lower commissions. The underwriting expense
ratio decreased to 17.9% in 2020 from 18.7% in 2019 primarily reflecting increased net premiums earned relative to
modest increases in underwriting expenses.

161

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Interest and dividends decreased to $79.6 in 2020 from $85.9 in 2019, primarily reflecting lower dividend income
earned on common and preferred stocks, and lower interest income earned on reduced holdings of U.S. municipal
bonds, partially offset by higher interest income earned on increased holdings of high quality U.S. corporate bonds.

During 2020 Crum & Forster received capital contributions of $405.0 (2019 – $122.4) from the company to support
its underwriting plans. During 2020 Crum & Forster paid a dividend of nil (2019 – $50.0) to the company.

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to investments recorded at
FVTPL) increased to $429.9 in 2020 from $294.3 in 2019 primarily due to increased net premium collections and
lower net paid losses.

Zenith National(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
Share of loss of associates

Operating income

2020
51.9

62.4%
11.5%
29.5%

2019
108.8

57.6%
10.9%
27.9%

103.4%
(11.5)%

96.4%
(11.2)%

91.9%

85.2%

661.7

646.1

643.8

51.9
19.0
(4.2)

66.7

732.7

720.8

735.0

108.8
33.1
(16.4)

125.5

(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.

Zenith National reported an underwriting profit of $51.9 and a combined ratio of 91.9% in 2020 compared to an
underwriting profit of $108.8 and a combined ratio of 85.2% in 2019. The decrease in underwriting profit in 2020
principally reflected decreased premium volume from ongoing price decreases and lower payroll exposure due to the
economic effects of COVID-19 in the workers’ compensation business, partially offset by price increases and growth
in other property and casualty lines.

Net favourable prior year reserve development of $74.1 (11.5 combined ratio points) in 2020 principally reflected net
favourable emergence related to accident years 2015 through 2019. Net favourable prior year reserve development of
$82.1 (11.2 combined ratio points) in 2019, principally reflected net favourable emergence related to accident years
2013 through 2018.

Gross premiums written decreased by 9.7% in 2020, primarily reflecting decreased premium volume from ongoing
price decreases and lower payroll exposure due to the economic effects of COVID-19 in the workers’ compensation
business, partially offset by price increases and growth in other property and casualty lines. Net premiums written
and net premiums earned decreased by 10.4% and 12.4% in 2020, consistent with the decrease in gross premiums
written.

162

Interest and dividends decreased to $19.0 in 2020 from $33.1 in 2019, primarily reflecting lower interest income
earned on bonds due to sales and maturities of higher yielding short-dated U.S. treasury bonds and the reinvestment
of the proceeds into lower yielding U.S. treasury bonds and lower interest income earned on decreased holdings of
U.S. municipal bonds and short term investments.

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to investments recorded at
FVTPL) increased to $72.0 in 2020 from $45.4 in 2019, primarily reflecting decreased net claims paid, underwriting
expenses and income taxes paid, partially offset by reduced net premium collections.

Brit(1)

Underwriting profit (loss)

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 (loss)
Interest and dividends
Share of profit (loss) of associates

Operating income (loss)

2020

2019

(240.3)

51.1

76.1%
25.5%
16.1%

117.7%
(3.7)%

58.5%
27.1%
14.1%

99.7%
(2.8)%

114.0%

96.9%

2,424.4

2,293.5

1,775.6

1,656.2

1,710.7

1,641.9

(240.3)
58.2
6.6

(175.5)

51.1
73.5
(2.4)

122.2

(1) These results differ from those published by Brit primarily due to acquisition accounting adjustments recorded by Fairfax
related to the acquisition of Brit on June 5, 2015 and different measurement and presentation of certain items including
investments and foreign exchange.

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the company entered into an agreement on February 10, 2021 pursuant to which
OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario’s municipal employees, will acquire an approximate 14% equity interest in Brit
for cash consideration of approximately $375. Closing of the transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals
and is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2021. After closing, the company will have the ability to repurchase
OMERS’ interest in Brit over time.

On December 14, 2020 Brit sponsored a $300.0 catastrophe bond to provide additional multi-year reinsurance
protection for a range of U.S. catastrophe perils through its U.K protected cell company.

In the fourth quarter of 2020 Brit completed the launch of Ki Insurance, a newly formed subsidiary. Ki Insurance
underwrites business through a dedicated fully digital and algorithmically-driven Lloyd’s of London syndicate, that
is accessible from anywhere, at anytime.

On August 28, 2020 the company acquired the remaining shares of Brit that it did not already own from Brit’s
minority shareholder (OMERS) for cash consideration of $220.0. On April 9, 2020 Brit paid a dividend of $20.6
(April 29, 2019 – $20.6) to its minority shareholder.

163

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Brit reported an underwriting loss of $240.3 and a combined ratio of 114.0% in 2020 compared to an underwriting
profit of $51.1 and a combined ratio of 96.9% in 2019. The decrease in underwriting profitability in 2020 principally
reflected COVID-19 losses and an increase in current period catastrophe losses (as set out in the table that follows),
partially offset by increased net favourable prior year reserve development.

Hurricane Laura
Hurricane Sally
Midwest Derecho
Typhoon Hagibis
Hurricane Dorian
Typhoon Faxai
Other

Total catastrophe losses
COVID-19 losses(2)

2020

2019

Losses(1)
63.8
26.9
15.9
–
–
–
50.8

157.4
269.9

427.3

Combined
ratio impact
3.7
1.6
0.9
–
–
–
3.0

9.2
15.8

25.0 points

Losses(1)
–
–
–
24.7
24.3
12.5
8.3

69.8
–

69.8

Combined
ratio impact
–
–
–
1.5
1.5
0.8
0.5

4.3
–

4.3 points

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

(2) COVID-19 losses in 2020 primarily related to event cancellation and business interruption exposures.

Net favourable prior year reserve development of $62.8 (3.7 combined ratio points) in 2020 primarily reflected better
than expected claims experience across most lines of business (primarily the 2017-2019 catastrophe events and the
London Direct division’s property and specialty lines of business), partially offset by net adverse prior year reserve
development in the Overseas Distribution division’s U.S. casualty business. Net favourable prior year reserve
development of $46.5 (2.8 combined ratio points) in 2019 primarily reflected better than expected claims experience
across most lines of business (primarily financial and professional, specialty, property, and programs and facilities
lines of business), partially offset by net adverse development in U.S. specialty business.

Gross premiums written increased by 5.7% in 2020 primarily reflecting growth in core lines of business generated by
both price increases and increased business volume within the insurance segment (primarily specialty and property)
and the reinsurance segment (primarily property treaty), partially offset by reductions in non-core lines of business
through active portfolio management and reduced exposure resulting from decreased economic activity associated
with COVID-19. Net premiums written increased by 7.2% in 2020, consistent with the growth in gross premiums
written and targeted reductions in ceded premiums to retain higher performing business. Net premiums earned
increased by 4.2% in 2020, primarily reflecting growth in net premiums written in 2020 and 2019.

The underwriting expense ratio increased to 16.1% in 2020 from 14.1% in 2019, primarily reflecting a reduction in
underwriting related fee income with underlying operating expenses remaining stable

The commission expense ratio decreased to 25.5% in 2020 from 27.1% in 2019, primarily reflecting changes in the
mix of business written.

Interest and dividends decreased to $58.2 in 2020 from $73.5 in 2019, principally reflecting lower interest income
earned on cash and cash equivalents, lower yielding short term investments and decreased holdings of U.S treasury
bonds, partially offset by reduced investment management and administration fees.

Cash used in operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to securities recorded at FVTPL) of
$139.7 in 2020 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $152.1 in 2019, primarily reflecting increased
net paid losses.

During 2020 Brit received capital contributions from the company of $524.0 (2019 – $70.6) primarily to support its
underwriting plans.

164

Allied World(1)

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net (favourable) adverse development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends
Share of profit of associates

Operating income

2020
126.0

2019(2)
57.7

70.9%
9.3%
15.4%

95.6%
(0.2)%

95.4%

67.9%
11.0%
17.2%

96.1%
1.4%

97.5%

4,680.7

3,860.3

3,017.6

2,428.9

2,722.6

2,335.4

126.0
126.7
35.6

288.3

57.7
148.9
13.3

219.9

(1) These results differ from those published by Allied World primarily due to acquisition accounting adjustments recorded by

Fairfax related to the acquisition of Allied World on July 6, 2017.

(2)

Includes the impact of a loss portfolio transfer with a third party reinsurer to reinsure all net reserves for risks Allied World
had insured in its U.S. primary casualty line of business (the ‘‘Allied World loss portfolio transfer’’). The Allied World loss
portfolio transfer resulted in a decrease of both net premiums written and net premiums earned by $90.1 and decreased
losses on claims, net by $65.4 in 2019.

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on March 1, 2021 Allied World sold its majority interest in Vault Insurance and
anticipates recording a nominal gain on disposition in the first quarter of 2021. Vault Insurance was founded in 2017
by Allied World and focuses on serving the needs of the high net worth market.

Allied World reported an underwriting profit of $126.0 and a combined ratio of 95.4% in 2020 compared to an
underwriting profit of $57.7 and a combined ratio of 97.5% in 2019. The increase in underwriting profit in 2020
principally reflected growth in net premiums earned relative to modest changes in commission and underwriting
expenses, improvement in current accident year attritional loss experience and net favourable prior year reserve
development compared to net adverse prior year reserve development in 2019, partially offset by COVID-19 losses
and an increase in current period catastrophe losses (as set out in the table below).

Hurricane Laura
Western U.S. wildfires
Midwest Derecho
Typhoon Hagibis
Typhoon Faxai
Hurricane Dorian
Other

Total catastrophe losses
COVID-19 losses(2)

2020

2019

Losses(1)
41.7
30.5
23.1
–
–
–
69.6

164.9
112.8

277.7

Combined
ratio impact
1.5
1.1
0.9
–
–
–
2.6

6.1
4.2

10.3 points

Losses(1)
–
–
–
30.6
19.5
14.3
20.8

85.2
–

85.2

Combined
ratio impact
–
–
–
1.3
0.8
0.6
1.0

3.7
–

3.7 points

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

(2) COVID-19 losses in 2020 primarily related to business interruption and event cancellation exposures.

165

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Net favourable prior year reserve development was nominal at $5.1 (0.2 of a combined ratio point) in 2020 compared
to net adverse prior year reserve development of $32.0 (1.4 combined ratio points) in 2019. Net adverse prior year
reserve development in 2019 primarily reflected deterioration in the insurance segment (principally related to the
North American casualty lines of business primarily related to the 2017 accident year, partially offset by a reduction
in unallocated loss adjustment expenses) and the reinsurance segment (principally related to Typhoon Jebi).

Gross premiums written increased by 21.3% in 2020, primarily due to new business and improved pricing across
both the insurance segment (principally the North America and Global Markets platforms relating to excess casualty
and professional lines of business) and the reinsurance segment (principally related to property and casualty
reinsurance lines of business). Excluding the impact of the Allied World loss portfolio transfer in 2019, net premiums
written increased by 19.8% in 2020 reflecting the growth in gross premiums written. Excluding the impact of the
Allied World loss portfolio transfer in 2019, net premiums earned increased by 12.2% in 2020, primarily reflecting
the changes in net premiums written during 2020 and 2019.

The commission expense ratio decreased to 9.3% in 2020 from 11.0% in 2019, primarily reflecting lower average
gross commissions, increased ceding commission income (primarily in the insurance segment) and the loss portfolio
transfer completed in the fourth quarter of 2019, reducing net premiums earned.

The underwriting expense ratio decreased to 15.4% in 2020 from 17.2% in 2019, primarily reflecting increased net
premiums earned relative to modest increases in underwriting expenses and the loss portfolio transfer completed in
the fourth quarter of 2019, reducing net premiums earned.

Interest and dividends decreased to $126.7 in 2020 from $148.9 in 2019 primarily reflecting decreased interest
income earned on short-dated U.S. treasury bonds and lower net interest income earned on funds withheld, partially
offset by increased dividends earned on common stocks.

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to investments recorded at
FVTPL) increased to $1,049.4 in 2020 from $117.3 in 2019, primarily reflecting higher net premium collections and
lower net paid losses.

During 2020 Allied World received a capital contribution from the company of $100.0 (2019 – $320.8) primarily to
support its underwriting plans, which increased the company’s ownership interest in Allied World to 70.9% from
70.1% at December 31, 2019. On April 30, 2020 Allied World paid a dividend of $126.4 (April 29, 2019 – $126.4) to its
minority shareholders (OMERS, AIMCo and others).

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
Share of profit (loss) of associates

Operating income

166

2020
7.1

66.9%
13.9%
24.4%

2019
6.4

70.3%
13.5%
26.4%

105.2%
(8.4)%

110.2%
(13.2)%

96.8%

97.0%

424.7

221.6

221.7

7.1
20.0
14.6

41.7

438.3

231.2

215.2

6.4
17.7
(0.1)

24.0

Fairfax Asia comprises the company’s Asian holdings and operations: Hong Kong-based Falcon Insurance (Hong
Kong) Company Ltd. (‘‘Falcon’’), 85.0%-owned Malaysia-based The Pacific Insurance Berhad (‘‘Pacific Insurance’’),
80.0%-owned Indonesia-based PT Asuransi Multi Artha Guna Tbk. (‘‘AMAG Insurance’’), 78.0%-owned Sri Lanka-
based Fairfirst Insurance Limited (‘‘Fairfirst Insurance’’), 35.0%-owned Vietnam-based Bank for Investment and
Development of Vietnam Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (‘‘BIC Insurance’’), 41.2%-owned Bangkok-based Falcon
Insurance PLC (‘‘Falcon Thailand’’), 49.0%-owned Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited (‘‘Digit’’) and the
majority of the company’s 28.2%-owned Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited (‘‘Singapore Re’’). Fairfax Asia
also has an investment in Digit compulsory convertible preferred shares.

During 2020 AMAG Insurance principally settled its bancassurance agreement with PT Bank Pan Indonesia Tbk,
received cash consideration of $66.3 and recorded a net gain of $3.2 on disposal of the intangible asset.

Fairfax Asia reported an underwriting profit of $7.1 and a combined ratio of 96.8% in 2020 compared to an
underwriting profit of $6.4 and a combined ratio of 97.0% in 2019. The companies comprising Fairfax Asia produced
combined ratios as follows:

Falcon
Pacific Insurance
AMAG Insurance
Fairfirst Insurance

2019

2020
95.4% 96.0%
99.2% 97.8%
93.8% 94.7%
97.5% 98.5%

Fairfax Asia’s underwriting profit in 2020 included net favourable prior year reserve development of $18.5
(8.4 combined ratio points), primarily related to automobile, property and health lines of business. Fairfax Asia’s
underwriting profit in 2019 included the benefit of $28.3 (13.2 combined ratio points) of net favourable prior year
reserve development, primarily related to automobile, marine and workers’ compensation lines of business.

Gross premiums written decreased by 3.1% in 2020, primarily reflecting decreased business volume at Pacific
Insurance and AMAG Insurance (primarily automobile lines of business due to the economic impact of COVID-19),
partially offset by modest increases in business volume at Fairfirst Insurance. Net premiums written decreased by
4.2% in 2020, principally reflecting the decrease in gross premiums written, the majority of which were in lines of
business which are principally retained. Net premiums earned increased by 3.0% in 2020 reflecting the growth in net
premiums written in 2019.

The underwriting expense ratio decreased to 24.4% in 2020 from 26.4% in 2019, primarily reflecting decreased
underwriting expenses at Pacific Insurance and increased net premiums earned relative to modest increases in
underwriting expenses at the other companies comprising Fairfax Asia.

Interest and dividends increased to $20.0 in 2020 from $17.7 in 2019, primarily reflecting decreased investment
management and administrative fees, partially offset by lower interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents
and lower dividend income earned on common stocks.

167

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

2020

Group Re

Bryte
Insurance

Fairfax
Latin
America

Fairfax
Central
and
Eastern
Europe

Inter-
company

Underwriting profit (loss)

0.6

(21.5)

4.8

21.6

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

72.8%
29.0%
2.8%

77.8%
15.7%
19.5%

54.9%
9.3%
37.5%

104.6%
(5.0)%

113.0%
(4.2)%

101.7%
(3.3)%

48.5%
23.6%
22.2%

94.3%
–%

Combined ratio – calendar year

99.6%

108.8%

98.4%

94.3%

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

Total

5.5

61.1%
19.2%
21.9%

102.2%
(2.7)%

99.5%

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit (loss)
Interest and dividends
Share of loss of associates

Operating income (loss)

256.9

241.0

210.5

0.6
5.7
(13.7)

(7.4)

319.5

246.0

245.6

(21.5)
11.5
(1.6)

(11.6)

855.9

442.5

(0.8)

1,874.0

–

–
–
–

–

1,183.8

1,124.9

5.5
49.7
(16.4)

38.8

306.1

390.7

291.9

376.9

4.8
21.0
–

25.8

21.6
11.5
(1.1)

32.0

2019

Group Re

Bryte
Insurance

Fairfax
Latin
America

Fairfax
Central
and
Eastern
Europe

Inter-
company

Underwriting profit (loss)

7.0

(2.9)

(37.9)

15.9

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

83.5%
25.2%
3.5%

69.7%
17.0%
18.3%

62.1%
10.3%
40.5%

53.3%
22.2%
23.8%

112.2%
(16.5)%

105.0%
(3.9)%

112.9%
(0.2)%

99.3%
(4.4)%

Combined ratio – calendar year

95.7%

101.1%

112.7%

94.9%

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

Total

(17.9)

64.8%
17.9%
24.0%

106.7%
(5.0)%

101.7%

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit (loss)
Interest and dividends
Share of loss of associates

Operating income (loss)

191.1

184.3

163.8

7.0
0.7
(12.4)

(4.7)

344.3

278.7

273.9

(2.9)
14.6
–

11.7

797.6

378.3

(0.4)

1,710.9

354.5

330.9

299.0

310.1

(37.9)
31.7
–

(6.2)

15.9
10.0
(1.3)

24.6

–

–
–
–

–

1,148.4

1,046.8

(17.9)
57.0
(13.7)

25.4

Group Re primarily constitutes the participation of the company’s Barbados based reinsurance subsidiaries CRC Re,
Wentworth and Connemara (established in 2019) 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.

168

Bryte Insurance is an established property and casualty insurer in South Africa and Botswana.

Fairfax Latin America is comprised of Fairfax Brasil and Fairfax Latam, which writes property and casualty insurance
through its operating companies in Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay.

Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe (‘‘Fairfax CEE’’) is comprised of Polish Re, which writes reinsurance in Central and
Eastern Europe, Colonnade Insurance, which is a Luxembourg property and casualty insurer with branches in each
of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania and an insurance subsidiary in Ukraine,
and Fairfax Ukraine, which comprises ARX Insurance (acquired February 14, 2019) and Universalna (acquired
November 6, 2019), both property and casualty insurers in Ukraine.

Year ended December 31, 2019

On February 14, 2019 the company completed the acquisition of the insurance operations of AXA in Ukraine
(subsequently renamed ARX Insurance Company (‘‘ARX Insurance’’)) for purchase consideration of $17.4. ARX
Insurance contributed an underwriting profit of $6.9 in 2020.

Effective January 1, 2019 Advent was reported in the Run-off reporting segment. The decision to place Advent
Syndicate 780 into run-off reflected the considerable strategic challenges it faced as it endeavored to build a
significant presence in its target areas of business in an extremely competitive market place. Prior to January 1, 2019,
certain ongoing classes of Advent’s business were transferred to Brit (casualty, direct and faculty property binder and
terrorism classes), Allied World (consumer products classes) and Odyssey Group’s Newline (pet health class). The
capital supporting Advent Syndicate 780 and Run-off Syndicate 3500 was made interavailable from January 1, 2019
and almost all of Advent’s employees were retained within Fairfax.

Operating Results

The Insurance and Reinsurance – Other segment produced an underwriting profit of $5.5 and a combined ratio of
99.5% in 2020 compared to an underwriting loss of $17.9 and a combined ratio of 101.7% in 2019. The improved
underwriting result in 2020 principally reflected lower catastrophe losses (as set out in the table below) and growth in
net premiums earned relative to modest increases in underwriting expenses (primarily at Fairfax Latin America and
Fairfax CEE), partially offset by COVID-19 losses (as set out in the table below) and lower net favourable prior year
reserve development.

Chilean riots
Typhoon Hagibis
Typhoon Faxai
Hurricane Dorian
Other

Total catastrophe losses
COVID-19 losses(2)

2020

2019

Losses(1)
–
–
–
–
4.3

4.3
39.5

43.8

Combined
ratio impact
–
–
–
–
0.4

0.4
3.5

3.9 points

Losses(1)
19.2
2.5
1.7
0.3
8.2

31.9
–

31.9

Combined
ratio impact
1.8
0.2
0.2
–
0.9

3.1
–

3.1 points

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

(2) COVID-19 losses in 2020 primarily related to business interruption exposure at Bryte Insurance.

169

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The underwriting result in 2020 included net favourable prior year reserve development of $30.5 (2.7 combined ratio
points) reflecting favourable emergence across most segments. The underwriting results in 2019 included net
favourable prior year reserve development of $52.0 (5.0 combined ratio points), principally reflecting net favourable
prior year reserve development at Group Re, Fairfax CEE (primarily at Colonnade Insurance relating principally to
commercial property and casualty lines of business) and Bryte Insurance (primarily related to property and
automobile lines of business).

Gross premiums written increased by 9.5% in 2020, principally reflecting increases at Group Re, Fairfax Latin
America (Fairfax Brasil) and Fairfax CEE (Polish Re and ARX Insurance), partially offset by decreases at Bryte
Insurance (primarily reflecting the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation). Net premiums written
increased by 3.1% in 2020, primarily reflecting the factors that affected gross premiums written, partially offset by
lower premium retention at Fairfax Latam (primarily related to a new quota share reinsurance arrangement covering
commercial and automobile lines of business at La Meridional Argentina) and reduced business volumes at Fairfax
Latam (primarily at Southbridge Colombia). Net premiums earned increased by 7.5% in 2020, consistent with the
factors that affected net premiums written.

The underwriting expense ratio decreased to 21.9% in 2020 from 24.0% in 2019, principally reflecting
improvements at Fairfax Latin America (primarily at Southbridge Chile, Southbridge Colombia and Fairfax Brasil)
and Fairfax CEE (primarily at Polish Re and Fairfax Ukraine).

Interest and dividends decreased to $49.7 in 2020 from $57.0 in 2019 primarily reflecting lower interest income
earned on cash and cash equivalents, short term investments and on decreased holdings of U.S. treasury and other
government bonds, partially offset by lower investment management expenses.

Run-off

The Run-off reporting segment was formed with the acquisition of the company’s interest in The Resolution Group
(‘‘TRG’’) on August 11, 1999, and currently consists of the U.S. Run-off group, principally consisting of TIG Insurance
Company. The Run-off reporting segment also includes Resolution Group Reinsurance (Barbados) Limited. The
European Run-off group, which was deconsolidated on March 31, 2020 as described in the following paragraph,
principally consists of RiverStone (UK), Syndicate 3500 at Lloyd’s, TIG Insurance (Barbados) Limited, formed to
facilitate certain reinsurance transactions, and Advent (effective January 1, 2019). The U.S Run-off group is managed
by the dedicated RiverStone Run-off management operation which has 359 employees in the U.S.

Year ended December 31, 2020

Effective January 31, 2020 a portfolio of business predominantly comprised of U.S. asbestos, pollution and other
hazards exposures relating to accident years 2001 and prior was transferred to RiverStone (UK) through a Part VII
transfer under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the ‘‘first quarter 2020 Part VII transfer’’).
Pursuant to this transaction RiverStone (UK) assumed net insurance contract liabilities of $134.7 for cash
consideration of $143.3.

170

Effective January 1, 2020 Run-off Syndicate 3500 reinsured a portfolio of business predominantly comprised of
property, liability and marine exposures relating to accident years 2019 and prior (the ‘‘first quarter 2020 reinsurance
transaction’’). Pursuant to this transaction Run-off Syndicate 3500 assumed net insurance contract liabilities of
$145.5 for consideration of $146.5.

Year ended December 31, 2019

Effective April 1, 2019 Run-off ceded to Brit, for initial consideration of $17.6, a portfolio of business written by
Advent Syndicate 780 related to accident years 2018 and prior, comprised of property direct and facultative, property
binders and terrorism policies (the ‘‘second quarter 2019 Brit reinsurance transaction’’).

Effective January 1, 2019 Run-off Syndicate 3500 reinsured a portfolio of business predominantly comprised of
casualty (principally employers’ liability and public liability), professional indemnity, property, marine and aviation
exposures relating to accident years 2018 and prior (the ‘‘first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction’’). Pursuant to
this transaction Run-off Syndicate 3500 assumed $556.8 of net insurance contract liabilities for consideration
of $561.5.

Effective January 1, 2019 Advent was reported in the Run-off reporting segment. Refer to the Insurance and
Reinsurance – Other section of this MD&A for details.

Operating results

Set out below is a summary of the operating results of Run-off for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Losses on claims, net
Operating expenses
Interest and dividends
Share of loss of associates

Operating profit (loss)

2020

2019

First quarter
2020
transactions(1)
146.5

146.5

125.6

(124.7)
8.7
–
–

Other(2)
0.3

0.3

2.5

Total
146.8

146.8

128.1

(131.2)
(89.0)
24.7
(11.2)

(255.9)
(80.3)
24.7
(11.2)

First quarter
2019 reinsurance
transaction(3)
561.5

561.5

(556.8)
–
–
–

Other(4)
48.1

Total
609.6

13.0

574.5

80.6

642.1

(187.9)
(161.6)
55.8
(6.3)

(744.7)
(161.6)
55.8
(6.3)

9.6

(204.2)

(194.6)

4.7

(219.4)

(214.7)

(1) The first quarter 2020 Part VII transfer and reinsurance transaction described in the preceding paragraphs.

(2) Run-off excluding the first quarter 2020 Part VII transfer and reinsurance transaction described in the preceding

paragraphs.

(3) The first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction described in the preceding paragraphs.

(4) Run-off including the second quarter 2019 Brit reinsurance transaction and excluding the first quarter 2019 reinsurance

transaction described in the preceding paragraphs.

References to 2020 and 2019 throughout the remainder of this section exclude the impact of the first quarter 2020
Part VII transfer, the first quarter 2020 reinsurance transaction and the first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction
described above in order to normalize results. Commencing April 1, 2020, the operating results of the Run-off
reporting segment only include U.S. Run-off.

Run-off reported an operating loss of $204.2 in 2020 compared to an operating loss of $219.4 in 2019. Net premiums
earned of $80.6 in 2019 principally reflected the run-off of Advent’s unearned premium reserve ($104.3), partially
offset by net premiums ceded to Brit ($24.5) related to the second quarter 2019 Brit reinsurance transaction.

Losses on claims, net of $131.2 in 2020 principally reflected net adverse prior year development on asbestos,
pollution and other hazards reserves ($125.6).

171

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Losses on claims, net of $187.9 in 2019 principally reflected net adverse prior year reserve development at
U.S. Run-off of $216.4 and an increase in loss reserves associated with the run-off of Advent’s unearned premium
reserve of $54.1, partially offset by net favourable prior year reserve development at European Run-off of $65.9. Net
adverse prior year reserve development at U.S. Run-off of $216.4 principally related to continued deterioration of
asbestos, pollution and other hazards exposures ($213.7), and strengthening of other loss reserves ($6.7), partially
offset by net favourable emergence on workers’ compensation loss reserves ($5.5). Net favourable prior year reserve
development at European Run-off of $65.9 principally related to improvement in RiverStone (UK)’s employers’
liability and public liability exposures ($49.4) and improvement in Advent’s marine and property exposures ($9.5).

Operating expenses decreased to $89.0 in 2020 from $161.6 in 2019, primarily reflecting the deconsolidation of
European Run-off on March 31, 2020, a recovery on uncollectible reinsurance recoverables in 2020 compared to a
provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables in 2019 at U.S. Run-off, and decreased commission expense as a
result of the run-off of Advent’s unearned premium reserve.

Interest and dividends decreased to $24.7 in 2020 from $55.8 in 2019, primarily reflecting the deconsolidation of
European Run-off on March 31, 2020 and lower interest income earned on bonds.

During 2020 Fairfax made capital contributions to Run-off of $131.9 that was used to augment Run-off’s capital.
During 2019 Fairfax made capital contributions to Run-off of $290.1, comprised of cash of $205.2 that was used to
augment Run-off’s capital ($120.2) and support the first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction ($85.0), and the
contribution of the net assets of Advent that were placed into run-off of $84.9.

Run-off’s cash flows may be volatile as to timing and amount, with potential variability arising principally from the
requirement to pay gross claims initially while third party reinsurance is only subsequently collected 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.

Non-insurance companies

Restaurants

and Fairfax
retail(1) India(2)
312.8
1,734.2
(305.9)
(1,811.1)

2020

Thomas
Cook

India(3) Other(4) Total(5)
2,470.2
4,742.4
(2,462.7) (4,868.0)

225.2
(288.3)

Restaurants

and Fairfax
retail(1) India(2)
410.7
2,120.6
(401.8)
(2,049.5)

2019

Thomas
Cook

India(3) Other(4) Total(5)
1,918.4
1,087.4
5,537.1
(1,909.0) (5,441.6)
(1,081.3)

Revenue
Expenses(6)

Pre-tax income (loss)

before interest expense
and other
Interest and
dividends

Share of profit (loss)

of associates

Operating income

(loss)

Net gains (losses)
on investments

Pre-tax income
(loss) before
interest expense

(76.9)

6.9

(63.1)

7.5

(125.6)

71.1

8.9

28.9

–

12.1

47.1

8.3

(74.5)

6.1

–

9.4

95.5

13.5

(52.7)

(24.8)

(3.4)

(73.3)

(100.2)

–

179.2

(182.8)

(41.6)

(45.2)

6.1

1.3

(69.5)

11.0

(66.5)

(53.7)

(178.7)

79.4

113.6

(176.7)

(18.7)

(2.4)

(6.6)

(12.4)

4.0

(50.6)

(65.6)

9.2

54.7

4.2

4.5

72.6

(76.1)

(1.4)

(62.5)

(104.3)

(244.3)

88.6

168.3

(172.5)

(14.2)

70.2

(1) Comprised primarily of Recipe, Toys ‘‘R’’ Us Canada, Praktiker, Golf Town, Sporting Life, Kitchen Stuff Plus and

William Ashley.

(2) Comprised of Fairfax India and its subsidiaries NCML, Fairchem, Privi and Saurashtra Freight. These results differ from
those published by Fairfax India primarily due to Fairfax India’s application of investment entity accounting under IFRS.

(3) Comprised of Thomas Cook India and its subsidiary Sterling Resorts. These results differ from those published by Thomas

Cook India primarily due to differences between IFRS and Ind AS, and acquisition accounting adjustments.

(4) Comprised primarily of AGT (consolidated on April 17, 2019), Dexterra Group (formerly Horizon North, acquired on
May 29, 2020), Grivalia Properties (deconsolidated on May 17, 2019), Mosaic Capital, Pethealth, Boat Rocker, Farmers

172

Edge (consolidated on July 1, 2020), Fairfax Africa and its subsidiary CIG (both deconsolidated on December 8, 2020),
and Rouge Media.

(5) Amounts as presented in note 25 (Segmented Information) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended

December 31, 2020.

(6) During 2020 the Non-insurance companies reporting segment recognized COVID-19-related government wage assistance

of $123.8 as a reduction of other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Restaurants and retail

Year ended December 31, 2019

In 2019 the company’s ownership interest in Recipe increased to 47.9%, principally related to Recipe’s purchase of its
common shares for cancellation and the company’s purchase of multiple voting shares from Recipe’s
non-controlling interests. These transactions reduced Recipe’s non-controlling interests by $85.3 and $20.2
respectively and resulted in a dilution loss recorded by the company of $15.5, which were included in Other net
changes in capitalization in the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Operating Results

The decrease in the revenue and expenses of Restaurants and retail in 2020 primarily reflected lower business volume
at Recipe, Toys ‘‘R’’ Us Canada, Praktiker and Sporting Life resulting from the impact of COVID-19, partially offset by
higher business volume at Golf Town. The expenses of Restaurants and retail in 2020 included COVID-19 related
non-cash impairment charges, principally on right-of-use assets and finance lease receivables related to Recipe’s
previously announced restaurant portfolio restructuring and certain of Recipe’s brand names.

Fairfax India

Subsequent to December 31, 2020

On December 16, 2019 Fairfax India entered into an agreement to sell an approximate 11% equity interest on a fully-
diluted basis of its wholly-owned subsidiary Anchorage Infrastructure Investments Holdings Limited (‘‘Anchorage’’)
for gross proceeds of approximately $130 (9.5 billion Indian rupees). Fairfax India formed Anchorage in 2019 to act
as its primary holding company for investments in the airport sector of India. Pursuant to the agreement Fairfax
India will transfer approximately 44% of its 54.0% equity interest in Bangalore International Airport Limited
(‘‘Bangalore Airport’’) to Anchorage. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including
various third-party consents, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2021.

Year ended December 31, 2020

Year ended December 31, 2019

On December 21, 2019 Fairfax India’s holdings of Sanmar Chemicals Group (‘‘Sanmar’’) bonds with a principal
amount of $300.0 were settled for net cash proceeds of $425.5 (30.3 billion Indian rupees) including accrued interest,
resulting in the company recording a net gain on investment of $48.8 (realized gains of $156.5, of which $107.7 was
recorded as unrealized gains in prior years). Fairfax India reinvested $198.0 (14.1 billion Indian rupees) of the net
cash proceeds to increase its equity interest in Sanmar from 30.0% to 42.9%. Sanmar is one of the largest suspension
PVC manufacturers in India.

On May 31, 2019 IIFL Holdings Limited (‘‘IIFL Holdings’’) spun off its wholly-owned subsidiary IIFL Securities
Limited (‘‘IIFL Securities’’, comprised of investment brokerage, distribution and investment banking businesses) and
its 53.3% equity interest in its subsidiary IIFL Wealth Management Limited (‘‘IIFL Wealth’’, comprised of wealth and
asset management businesses) in a non-cash transaction. IIFL Holdings was renamed IIFL Finance Limited (‘‘IIFL
Finance’’, comprised of loans and mortgages businesses) and continues to be publicly listed. The shares of IIFL
Wealth and IIFL Securities were listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India in
September 2019.

173

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

During 2019 Fairfax India acquired a 48.5% equity interest in Seven Islands Shipping Limited (‘‘Seven Islands’’) for
$83.8 (5.8 billion Indian rupees). Seven Islands is a private shipping company headquartered in Mumbai, India that
transports liquid cargo along the Indian coast and in international waters.

During 2019 Fairfax India increased its equity interest in CSB Bank Limited (‘‘CSB Bank’’, formerly The Catholic
Syrian Bank Limited) to 49.7% for cash consideration of $81.0 (5.6 billion Indian rupees). CSB Bank, established in
1920, is headquartered in Thrissur, India, offering banking services through branches and automated teller machines
across India. In December 2019 CSB Bank became publicly listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock
Exchange of India.

Operating Results

The decrease in the revenue and expenses of Fairfax India in 2020 primarily reflected lower business volumes at
NCML and Privi resulting from the impact of COVID-19, partially offset by higher business volumes at Saurashtra
Freight.

Interest and dividends income in 2020 of $28.9 included the reversal in 2020 of a $47.9 accrual of a performance fee
receivable from Fairfax India in 2019, partially offset by a performance fee receivable recorded in 2020 from Fairfax
India of $5.2. Interest and dividends expense in 2019 of $74.5 included an accrual of a performance fee payable to
Fairfax by Fairfax India of $47.9. The performance fee accrual and reversal of accrual represented intercompany
transactions that were eliminated on consolidation. On March 5, 2021 the holding company received 546,263 newly
issued Fairfax India subordinate voting shares as settlement of the $5.2 performance fee receivable.

Net losses on investments of $12.4 in 2020 primarily reflected foreign exchange losses on Fairfax India’s U.S. dollar
borrowings as the U.S. dollar strengthened relative to the Indian rupee. Net gains on investments of $54.7 in 2019
primarily reflected net gains on corporate bonds and common stocks, partially offset by net losses on equity
derivatives and foreign exchange losses on Fairfax India’s U.S. dollar borrowings as the U.S. dollar strengthened
relative to the Indian rupee.

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on February 26, 2021 Fairfax India completed an offering of $500.0 principal
amount of 5.00% unsecured senior notes due February 26, 2028 and subsequently used the net proceeds to repay
$500.0 principal amount of its floating rate term loan. The company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries had
purchased $58.4 of Fairfax India’s 5.00% unsecured senior notes on the same terms as other participants and that
intercompany investment will be eliminated in the company’s consolidated financial reporting.

Thomas Cook India

Year ended December 31, 2019

On December 9, 2019 Thomas Cook India completed a non-cash spin-off of its 48.6% equity interest in Quess Corp
Limited (‘‘Quess’’) as a return of capital to its shareholders. This resulted in the company receiving a 31.8% direct
equity interest in Quess as a transfer between companies under common control, with the company’s carrying value
of Quess remaining unchanged. Prior to the spin-off Thomas Cook India recorded the Quess shares to be transferred
to its minority shareholders at fair value and recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $190.6, which is included in
share of profit of associates in the consolidated statement of earnings and fully attributed to non-controlling
interests.

On March 28, 2019 Thomas Cook India acquired a 51.0% equity interest in DEI Holdings Limited (‘‘DEI’’) for $20.4
(1.4 billion Indian rupees). DEI is an imaging solutions and services provider for the attractions industry
headquartered in Dubai with over 250 locations worldwide.

Operating Results

The decrease in the revenue and expenses of Thomas Cook India in 2020 primarily reflected lower business volume
resulting from travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

174

Other

Subsequent to December 31, 2020

On March 3, 2021 Farmers Edge completed an Initial Public Offering (‘‘IPO’’) for Cdn$125.0 ($99.0) in exchange for
7,353,000 common shares of Farmers Edge. Prior to the IPO the company exercised its warrants and converted its
convertible debentures for common shares of Farmers Edge, resulting in the company’s controlling equity interest in
Farmers Edge increasing to approximately 62% on completion of the IPO (prior to any over-allotment option that
may be exercised by the underwriters of the IPO).

During February 2021 Boat Rocker filed a preliminary long form prospectus for an IPO of Cdn$175.0 (approximately
$139) of subordinate voting shares. Closing of the IPO is expected to be in the first quarter of 2021.

Year ended December 31, 2020

On July 1, 2020 the company commenced consolidating Farmers Edge as the company held convertible debentures
and warrants that, together with its holdings of common shares, represented a substantive potential voting interest
of approximately 67%. Farmers Edge provides advanced digital tools to growers and other key participants in the
agricultural value chain.

Year ended December 31, 2019

175

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

was previously presented as a common stock at FVTPL as described in note 3. Eurobank is a financial services provider
in Greece and is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

On April 17, 2019 AGT Food & Ingredients Inc. (‘‘AGT’’) completed a management-led privatization for Cdn$18.00
per common share. The buying group, comprised of the company, AGT management and other co-investors,
acquired through a newly formed subsidiary of the company (‘‘Purchase Co.’’) all AGT common shares not already
owned by the buying group for cash consideration of $226.5 (Cdn$301.8), resulting in the company acquiring a
69.9% controlling equity interest in AGT upon closing and effectively settling the company’s pre-existing interests in
AGT’s preferred shares and warrants at fair value. Contemporaneously with the acquisition of AGT, Purchase Co.
acquired the company’s preferred shares and the remaining common shares of AGT held by the buying group in
exchange for its own common shares which diluted the company’s interest in AGT to 59.6%, with AGT management
and other co-investors owning the remainder. Purchase Co. and AGT subsequently amalgamated and the
amalgamated entity was renamed AGT. The company holds warrants that, if exercised, would increase its equity
interest in AGT to approximately 80%. The preferred shares were subsequently canceled and the warrants are
eliminated on consolidation of AGT. AGT is a supplier of pulses, staple foods and food ingredients.

Operating Results

The increase in the revenue and expenses of Other in 2020 primarily reflected the consolidation of Farmers Edge
(on July 1, 2020), the reverse acquisition of Horizon North by Dexterra (on May 29, 2020) and the inclusion of a full
year of revenue and expenses of AGT in 2020 (consolidated on April 17, 2019), partially offset by lower business
volume due to COVID-19 at Mosaic Capital, Boat Rocker and Fairfax Africa’s subsidiary CIG (both deconsolidated on
December 8, 2020) and the deconsolidation of Grivalia Properties (on May 17, 2019). The operating loss of Other of
$53.7 in 2020 principally reflected Fairfax Africa’s operating loss of $110.1 (primarily related to share of loss of
associates of Atlas Mara and AFGRI, and an operating loss at CIG), partially offset by operating income of
Dexterra Group.

Net losses on investments of $50.6 in 2020 primarily related to net losses on corporate bonds at Fairfax Africa and a
loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary at CIG, partially offset by net gains on foreign currency contracts at AGT.

Interest and Dividends

An analysis of interest and dividends is presented in the Investments section of this MD&A.

Share of Profit (Loss) of Associates

An analysis of share of profit (loss) of associates is presented in the Investments section of this MD&A.

Net Gains on Investments

An analysis of consolidated net gains on investments is provided in the Investments section of this MD&A.

176

Interest Expense

Consolidated interest expense of $475.9 in 2020 (2019 – $472.0) was comprised as follows:

Interest expense on borrowings:

Holding company
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Non-insurance companies(1)

Interest expense on lease liabilities:(2)

Holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies
Non-insurance companies

Interest expense as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings

2020

2019

235.3
51.0
126.8

211.8
56.6
135.8

413.1

404.2

19.0
43.8

62.8

19.7
48.1

67.8

475.9

472.0

(1) Borrowings and related interest expense are non-recourse to the holding company.

(2) Represents accretion of lease liabilities using the effective interest method subsequent to the adoption of IFRS 16 on

January 1, 2019.

The increase in interest expense on borrowings at the holding company in 2020 principally reflected the issuance on
April 29, 2020 of $650.0 principal amount of 4.625% senior notes due 2030 and the issuance on June 14, 2019 of
Cdn$500.0 principal amount of 4.23% senior notes due 2029, partially offset by the redemption on July 15, 2019 of
the remaining Cdn$395.6 principal amount of 6.40% senior notes due 2021 and the effects of lower interest rates.

The decrease in interest expense on borrowings at the insurance and reinsurance companies in 2020 principally
reflected the deconsolidation of European Run-off and its borrowings on March 31, 2020.

The decrease in interest expense on borrowings at the non-insurance companies in 2020 principally reflected the
effects of lower interest rates, decreased borrowings at CIG and NCML, and the deconsolidation of Grivalia Properties
(on May 17, 2019), partially offset by the inclusion of a full year of interest expense of AGT in 2020 (consolidated on
April 17, 2019), the consolidation of Horizon North (on May 29, 2020) and Farmers Edge (on July 1, 2020), and
additional borrowings at Recipe.

Interest expense by reporting segment is set out in the Net Earnings by Reporting Segment section of this MD&A.

For details of the company’s borrowings refer to note 15 (Borrowings) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2020.

177

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Corporate Overhead and Other

Corporate overhead and other primarily consists of the expenses of all of the group holding companies (corporate
overhead), net of investment management and administration fees earned by the holding company, interest and
dividends earned on holding company cash and investments and holding company share of (profit) loss
of associates.

Fairfax corporate overhead
Subsidiary holding companies’ corporate overhead
Subsidiary holding companies’ non-cash intangible asset amortization(1)

Corporate overhead(2)
Holding company interest and dividends
Holding company share of (profit) loss of associates
Investment management and administration fees and other(3)
Loss on repurchase of borrowings

2020
172.9
61.6
93.7

328.2
(55.8)
47.6
(67.3)
–

252.7

2019
147.5
27.9
96.4

271.8
(32.9)
(165.1)
(195.6)
23.7

(98.1)

(1) Non-cash intangible asset amortization is principally related to customer and broker relationships.

(2) Presented as consolidated corporate overhead in note 25 (Segmented Information) to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended December 31, 2020.

(3) Presented as a consolidation elimination in note 25 (Segmented Information) to the consolidated financial statements for

the year ended December 31, 2020.

Fairfax corporate overhead increased to $172.9 in 2020 from $147.5 in 2019, primarily reflecting increased employee
compensation expenses, partially offset by lower office and general expenses due to the effects of COVID-19 on
operations. Fairfax corporate overhead included charitable donations of $10.1 in 2020 (2019 – $7.7).

Subsidiary holding companies’ corporate overhead increased to $61.6 in 2020 from $27.9 in 2019, primarily
reflecting increased employee compensation expenses and consulting fees (principally related to the
implementation of IFRS 17 Insurance contracts of $7.0), and higher net costs related to insurance agents and brokers at
Allied World and Crum & Forster (primarily reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on certain lines of business).

Subsidiary holding companies’ non-cash intangible asset amortization of $93.7 in 2020 and $96.4 in 2019 primarily
related to amortization of intangible assets at Allied World and Crum & Forster.

Holding company interest and dividends included increased income earned on long equity total return swaps of
$22.1 in 2020 compared to $3.6 in 2019, primarily reflecting higher dividend income. Excluding the impact of
income earned on long equity total return swaps, holding company interest and dividends of $33.7 in 2020
increased from $29.3 in 2019, primarily reflecting higher interest income earned from cash and short-term
investments, partially offset by lower interest income earned from bonds.

Investment management and administration fees and other of $67.3 in 2020 (2019 – $195.6) were primarily
comprised of investment and administration fees of $90.3 (2019 – $196.6) earned from the insurance and
reinsurance subsidiaries, partially offset by consolidation eliminations. The decrease in investment and
administration fees in 2020 primarily reflected the reversal in 2020 of a $47.9 accrual of a performance fee receivable
from Fairfax India in 2019, partially offset by a performance fee receivable recorded in 2020 from Fairfax India of
$5.2. The performance fee receivable of $5.2 was earned by the company pursuant to its investment advisory
agreement with Fairfax India whereby the company receives a performance fee as the increase in Fairfax India’s book
value per share (common shareholders’ equity divided by the number of common shares effectively outstanding)
over the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 exceeded a specified threshold. On March 5, 2021 the
holding company received 546,263 newly issued Fairfax India subordinate voting shares as settlement of the $5.2
performance fee receivable.

Loss on repurchase of long term debt of $23.7 in 2019 related to the redemption on July 15, 2019 of the company’s
remaining Cdn$395.6 principal amount of 6.40% unsecured senior notes due May 25, 2021.

178

Net gains (losses) on investments and share of profit (loss) of associates attributable to the Corporate and Other
reporting segment are set out in the Investments section of this MD&A.

Income Taxes

The company’s effective income tax rate in 2020 of 84.7% (provision for income taxes of $206.7) was higher than the
company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5% primarily due to the non-recognition of the tax benefit of
losses and temporary differences (principally related to unrecorded deferred tax assets in Canada, the U.S. and the
U.K.) and permanent differences (principally reflecting non-cash impairment charges on goodwill and intangible
assets recorded by the Non-insurance companies reporting segment), partially offset by non-taxable investment
income (principally comprised of dividend income, non-taxable interest income, the 50% of net capital gains which
are not taxable in Canada, share of profit of associates in certain jurisdictions and the non-taxable gain on
deconsolidation of European Run-off).

The company’s effective income tax rate in 2019 of 11.7% (provision for income taxes of $261.5) was lower than the
company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5% primarily due to income taxed at lower rates than the
Canadian statutory income tax rate (principally in the U.S., Barbados, Fairfax India, Brit and Allied World), the
recognition of previously unrecorded U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards, and non-taxable investment income
(principally comprised of dividend income and non-taxable interest income and share of profit of associates in
certain jurisdictions).

For details refer to note 18 (Income Taxes) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests principally related to Allied World, Fairfax India, Recipe, Brit and Dexterra Group. For
details refer to note 16 (Total Equity) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

179

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Balance Sheets by Reporting Segment

The company’s segmented balance sheets as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 present the assets and liabilities of, and
the capital invested by the company in, each of the company’s reporting segments. The segmented balance sheets
have been prepared on the following basis:

(a) The balance sheet for each reporting segment is on a legal entity basis for the subsidiaries within that
segment, in accordance with Fairfax’s IFRS accounting policies and includes, where applicable, acquisition
accounting adjustments principally related to goodwill and intangible assets which arose on initial
acquisition of the subsidiaries or on a subsequent step acquisition.

(b) Certain of the company’s subsidiaries held equity interests in other Fairfax subsidiaries (‘‘Fairfax affiliates’’)
at December 31, 2020. These investments in Fairfax affiliates are carried at cost and are disclosed in the table
below. Affiliated insurance and reinsurance balances, including premiums receivable (included in insurance
contracts receivable), deferred premium acquisition costs, recoverable from reinsurers, insurance contract
payables, 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 holding company and its subsidiary intermediate holding
companies, and 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 Odyssey Group and Allied World and the primary insurers), which affects recoverable from
reinsurers, provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums. Corporate and
Other’s borrowings of $5,588.1 at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – $4,124.6) primarily consisted of
Fairfax holding company borrowings of $5,580.6 (December 31, 2019 – $4,117.3).

Equity interests in Fairfax affiliates at December 31, 2020

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Group Forster National Brit World

Insurance &
Allied Fairfax Reinsurance –
Other

Asia

Run- Corporate &

off

Other Consolidated

6.1%

2.0%

–

31.5%

–

91.9%

68.5%

100.0%

9.4%

5.7%

1.5%

3.5%

7.4%

0.4%

–

4.6% 0.6%

0.9% 3.2%

5.6% 1.0%

5.6%

12.9%

1.1% 2.4%

5.9%

–

8.0%

–

26.1%

19.3%

28.2% 28.2%

28.2%

7.8% 12.3%

3.1%

–

16.3%

17.0%

–

5.3%

7.2%

– 3.1% 11.0%

6.8% 3.4%

8.5%

–

0.2% 2.5%

2.2%

–

3.3% 0.2%

10.3%

–

7.2%

–

3.4%

–

47.7%

5.9%

1.4%

–

18.5%

9.2%

–

66.9%

28.0%

40.2%

55.7%

84.6%

58.0%

49.0%

41.1%

(1)

(2)

(3)

This table excludes subsidiaries where the company’s equity interest is entirely held by the holding company including Northbridge, Odyssey Group, Crum & Forster, Brit, Allied World,
Fairfax Asia, Fairfax Brasil, Fairfax Latam, Bryte Insurance, Polish Re, Colonnade Insurance and Fairfax Ukraine.

Investments in insurance and reinsurance affiliates are reported in investments in Fairfax insurance and reinsurance affiliates on the segmented balance sheet.

Investments in non-insurance affiliates are reported in portfolio investments on the segmented balance sheet.

180

Northbridge

–

Investments in

insurance and
reinsurance
affiliates(1)(2)

Zenith National

TRG (Run-off)

Investments in

non-insurance
affiliates(3)

Thomas Cook India

Fairfax India

Recipe

Boat Rocker

Toys ‘‘R’’ Us Canada

AGT

Dexterra Group

Farmers Edge

Segmented Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2020

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Non-

Corporate

insurance

and

Northbridge

Group Forster National

Brit World

Asia Other

Total Run-off companies eliminations(5) Consolidated

76.3

499.6

8.1

14.1

–

537.5

1,674.0

412.9

233.1 1,015.9 1,409.7

100.5

668.9

598.1

6,052.5

–

8.4

–

3,472.2

10,347.5

5,023.1

1,616.3 4,912.0 9,224.0

1,246.1 2,106.6

37,947.8

1,592.4

1,810.3

169.4

379.4

58.1

200.9

207.4

130.4

387.4

197.3

12.8

222.3

404.9

22.5

157.8

1,574.4

–

1,497.2

1,143.4

38.5 1,829.3

4,092.6

330.1 1,943.7

11,254.2

453.7

159.9

177.0

8.0

148.1

293.0

3.6

59.4

–

2.0

410.8

781.3 1,551.7

119.5

0.2

0.5

2.0

0.7

32.5

52.0

0.2

202.0

337.1

86.8

279.4

290.6

98.7

101.4

460.0

3,586.2

222.6

1,526.4

0.1

41.1

357.7

119.2

–

64.5

2,601.8

3.8

3,868.6

654.1

(244.8)

758.1

(30.7)

(1,174.7)

189.3

–

(584.1)

343.0

1,252.2

5,816.1

42,108.6

1,543.7

10,533.2

713.9

6,229.1

–

5,857.2

–

89.1

29.4

–

34.7

153.2

29.3

–

(182.5)

–

5,231.6

15,041.7

7,596.0

2,472.0 9,040.7 16,975.5

1,920.1 5,097.8

63,375.4

2,601.9

8,349.0

(272.3)

74,054.0

Assets

Holding company cash and

investments

Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments(1)(2)

Deferred premium acquisition costs

Recoverable from reinsurers

Deferred income tax assets

Goodwill and intangible assets

Due from affiliates

Other assets

Investments in Fairfax insurance and

reinsurance affiliates(3)

Total assets

Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

248.4

552.1

350.9

63.9

172.8

276.0

41.0

138.2

1,843.3

0.1

0.6

0.9

82.0

0.3

–

12.6

1.6

–

3.2

3.5

–

10.6

–

6.3

0.4

28.9

64.0

128.3

818.3

183.2

88.1

495.5

889.8

–

0.5

47.9

85.0

0.1

1.4

11.0

536.0

114.9

8.3

152.7

59.9

1.1

–

2,566.4

50.0

117.6

197.7

3,224.2

11.6

–

2,192.5

8,550.1

1,033.4

–

526.5

23.4

(125.9)

6.0

(271.8)

(1,023.4)

(152.6)

5,588.1

4,996.1

189.4

–

356.4

2,964.0

30,809.3

8,397.5

8,814.0

Provision for unearned premiums(4)

931.2

1,681.3

1,010.4

279.6 1,020.4

2,607.6

196.4

823.2

–

90.0

41.4

38.3

314.5

549.2

–

2,108.8

6,917.0

3,848.1

1,062.5 4,783.5 8,154.1

423.9 2,511.5

29,809.4

2,023.3

3,418.3

10,141.0

5,448.2

1,539.1 6,826.2 12,547.4

794.7 4,021.4

44,736.3

2,095.9

5,124.2

4,570.3

56,526.7

1,813.2

4,900.7

2,147.8

932.9 2,092.8

4,436.6

1,060.0 1,071.3

18,455.3

506.0

0.1

–

121.7

(8.5)

65.4

5.1

183.8

–

3,080.0

144.8

(8,184.7)

3,342.1

13,856.6

3,670.7

Derivative obligations

Due to affiliates

Deferred income tax liabilities

Insurance contract payables

Provision for losses and loss adjustment

expenses(4)

Borrowings

Total liabilities

Equity

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

1,813.3

4,900.7

2,147.8

932.9 2,214.5

4,428.1

1,125.4 1,076.4

18,639.1

506.0

3,224.8

(4,842.6)

17,527.3

Total liabilities and total equity

5,231.6

15,041.7

7,596.0

2,472.0 9,040.7 16,975.5

1,920.1 5,097.8

63,375.4

2,601.9

8,349.0

(272.3)

74,054.0

Capital

Borrowings

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

–

61.8

90.0

489.7

41.4

258.2

38.3

63.5

314.5

105.1

549.2

274.1

–

29.2

122.9

1,033.4

1,404.5

–

65.8

1,751.4

4,411.0

1,889.6

869.4 1,987.7

2,825.0

1,030.8

948.0

15,712.9

440.2

0.1

–

121.7 1,329.0

65.4

5.5

1,521.7

–

2,192.5

–

1,385.9

1,838.9

5,588.1

(1,470.3)

(3,682.4)

310.1

8,814.0

–

13,856.6

3,670.7

Total capital

1,813.3

4,990.7

2,189.2

971.2 2,529.0

4,977.3

1,125.4 1,076.4

19,672.5

506.0

5,417.3

745.5

26,341.3

% of consolidated total capital

6.9%

18.9%

8.3%

3.7% 9.6% 18.9%

4.3% 4.1%

74.7%

1.9%

20.6%

2.8%

100.0%

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Includes intercompany investments in Fairfax non-insurance subsidiaries carried at cost that are eliminated on consolidation.

Includes investment in associate held for sale of at December 31, 2020 of $729.5 (December 31, 2019 – nil). See note 6 (Investments in Associates) and note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Intercompany investments in Fairfax insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries carried at cost that are eliminated on consolidation.

Included in insurance contract liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Corporate and eliminations includes the Fairfax holding company, subsidiary intermediate holding companies, and consolidating and eliminating entries. The most significant of those entries are the elimination
of intercompany reinsurance provided by Group Re, and reinsurance provided by Odyssey Group and Allied World to the primary insurers.

181

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Segmented Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2019

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Non-

Corporate

insurance

and

Northbridge

Group Forster National

Brit World

Asia Other

Total Run-off companies eliminations(5) Consolidated

Assets

Holding company cash and investments

79.6

582.8

Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments(1)
Assets held for sale(2)

Deferred premium acquisition costs

Recoverable from reinsurers

Deferred income tax assets

Goodwill and intangible assets

Due from affiliates

Other assets

Investments in Fairfax insurance
and reinsurance affiliates(3)

441.7

1,473.2

10.8

325.8

12.1

–

229.8

964.5

1,512.0

89.9

551.1

685.3

5,588.0

–

4.1

–

3,012.4

9,237.0

4,408.0

1,667.8 4,200.1

8,235.0

1,117.4 2,040.8

33,918.5

1,906.3

2,730.7

–

144.2

406.3

85.7

183.4

203.2

97.9

–

3,386.6

316.1

164.8

12.8

215.5

342.1

22.8

146.4

1,138.4

1,045.1

38.9 1,695.7

3,638.1

354.4 1,522.1

239.6

182.5

2.6

125.7

299.9

4.1

42.2

–

416.9

794.4

1,598.0

–

0.1

0.2

–

185.2

363.0

32.8

54.2

–

184.9

353.9

84.3

236.5

270.6

98.8

138.7

1,364.7

9,839.0

526.0

3,714.5

573.2

1,465.6

–

494.8

6.3

43.5

356.1

112.5

–

50.6

2,435.3

0.6

4,043.9

290.2

(157.1)

(320.5)

(601.0)

(20.4)

(1,178.0)

(207.0)

0.8

(929.9)

385.3

975.5

5,435.0

38,235.0

2,785.6

1,344.3

9,155.8

375.9

6,194.1

–

6,007.3

–

131.9

65.2

–

34.0

231.1

62.4

–

(293.5)

–

Total assets

4,654.4

13,489.0

6,803.3

2,504.8 8,106.8 15,596.0

2,231.5 4,520.1

57,905.9

6,372.6

9,261.1

(3,031.1)

70,508.5

Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

222.7

531.7

324.7

62.9

188.3

285.7

39.2

130.2

1,785.4

–

1.1

–

61.6

2.3

–

53.3

1.5

–

1.8

1.7

–

15.1

1.0

–

23.3

105.1

528.6

150.5

57.9

524.8

2.6

0.3

–

53.1

796.6

0.5

0.8

–

44.4

89.7

10.5

6.0

–

12.5

478.7

145.4

14.7

75.4

4.8

–

2,203.7

133.3

2,731.9

–

14.1

Provision for unearned premiums(4)

779.2

1,338.1

–

90.0

876.0

41.4

276.6

38.3

969.5

320.8

2,139.2

206.5

732.8

549.1

–

7,317.9

1,039.6

–

1,976.9

6,158.5

3,548.0

1,088.5 4,286.4

7,672.7

424.0 2,071.8

27,226.8

2,232.2

2,734.1

55.4

145.1

–

229.5

–

2,068.4

219.2

0.3

(159.8)

(168.6)

(362.8)

(155.0)

(958.8)

(95.5)

4,124.6

4,814.1

205.9

–

2,035.1

–

2,591.0

28,500.2

7,222.4

7,232.6

3,085.0

8,710.8

4,995.4

1,527.7 6,329.2 11,499.3

805.1 3,442.5

40,395.0

4,530.2

5,232.5

2,443.6

52,601.3

1,569.3

4,778.2

1,807.9

977.1 1,777.6

4,100.4

1,362.5 1,074.9

17,447.9

1,842.4

0.1

–

(3.7)

63.9

2.7

63.0

–

3,869.3

159.3

(8,781.5)

3,306.8

14,378.1

3,529.1

Derivative obligations

Due to affiliates

Liabilities associated with assets

held for sale(2)

Deferred income tax liabilities

Insurance contract payables

Provision for losses and loss
adjustment expenses(4)

Borrowings

Total liabilities

Equity

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

1,569.4

4,778.2

1,807.9

977.1 1,777.6

4,096.7

1,426.4 1,077.6

17,510.9

1,842.4

4,028.6

(5,474.7)

17,907.2

Total liabilities and total equity

4,654.4

13,489.0

6,803.3

2,504.8 8,106.8 15,596.0

2,231.5 4,520.1

57,905.9

6,372.6

9,261.1

(3,031.1)

70,508.5

Capital

Borrowings

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

–

66.4

90.0

627.0

41.4

293.7

38.3

106.5

320.8

133.6

549.1

301.9

–

32.3

130.6

1,039.6

1,692.0

–

2,068.4

530.6

–

1,502.9

4,151.2

1,514.2

870.6 1,446.6

2,538.5

1,330.2

944.9

14,299.1

1,311.8

0.1

–

197.4

1,256.3

63.9

2.1

1,519.8

–

2,044.1

1,984.5

4,124.6

(2,222.6)

(3,276.9)

24.8

7,232.6

–

14,378.1

3,529.1

Total capital

1,569.4

4,868.2

1,849.3

1,015.4 2,098.4

4,645.8

1,426.4 1,077.6

18,550.5

1,842.4

6,097.0

(1,350.1)

25,139.8

% of consolidated total capital

6.2%

19.4%

7.4%

4.0%

8.3%

18.5%

5.7%

4.3%

73.8%

7.3%

24.3%

(5.4)%

100.0%

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Includes intercompany investments in Fairfax non-insurance subsidiaries carried at cost that are eliminated on consolidation.

The effects of intercompany reinsurance with Wentworth, which decreased assets held for sale by $352.5 and liabilities associated with assets held for sale by $357.7 were adjusted in the Run-off reporting
segment. See note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Intercompany investments in Fairfax insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries carried at cost that are eliminated on consolidation.

Included in insurance contract liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Corporate and eliminations includes the Fairfax holding company, subsidiary intermediate holding companies, and consolidating and eliminating entries. The most significant of those entries are the elimination
of intercompany reinsurance provided by Group Re, and reinsurance provided by Odyssey Group and Allied World to the primary insurers.)

182

Components of Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheet Summary

The assets and liabilities on the company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 compared to
December 31, 2019 were primarily affected by the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa on December 8, 2020 (with the
exception of the investment in Atlas Mara) and European Run-off on March 31, 2020 (classified as held for sale at
December 31, 2019), and the consolidation of Farmers Edge on July 1, 2020 and Horizon North on May 29, 2020, as
described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020.

Holding company cash and investments increased to $1,252.2 ($1,229.4 net of $22.8 of holding company
derivative obligations) at December 31, 2020 from $975.5 at December 31, 2019 ($975.2 net of $0.3 of holding
company derivative obligations). Significant cash movements at the holding company in 2020 are set out in the
Financial Condition section of this MD&A under the heading ‘‘Liquidity’’.

Insurance contract receivables increased by $381.1 to $5,816.1 at December 31, 2020 from $5,435.0 at
December 31, 2019 primarily reflecting higher insurance and reinsurance premiums receivable due to increased
business volumes (principally at Odyssey Group, Northbridge and Crum & Forster), partially offset by a decrease in
funds withheld receivable (principally at Allied World).

Portfolio investments comprise investments carried at fair value and equity accounted investments, the
aggregate carrying value of which was $42,108.6 at December 31, 2020 ($41,942.0 net of subsidiary derivative
obligations) compared to an aggregate carrying value at December 31, 2019 of $38,235.0 ($38,029.4 net of subsidiary
derivative obligations). The increase of $3,912.6 principally reflected net gains on bonds and a joint venture
investment in RiverStone Barbados (held for sale at December 31, 2020), partially offset by the deconsolidation of
Fairfax Africa, 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 derivative
obligations) increased by $3,013.3, primarily reflecting the reinvestment of net proceeds from sales and maturities of
U.S. treasury and Canadian government bonds into U.S. treasury short term investments, partially offset by the
deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents at Fairfax Africa.

Bonds (including bonds pledged for derivative obligations) decreased by $78.7, primarily reflecting net sales and
maturities of U.S. treasury bonds, Indian government and Canadian government bonds and the deconsolidation of
bonds held by Fairfax Africa, partially offset by the investment in, and appreciation of high quality corporate bonds.

Common stocks increased by $405.1 primarily reflecting net unrealized appreciation.

Investments in associates (which includes investment in associate held for sale), increased by $455.2 primarily
reflecting a joint venture investment in RiverStone Barbados following the company’s contribution of European
Run-off to RiverStone Barbados and an associate investment in HFP following the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa,
pursuant to the transactions described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, partially offset by share of loss of associates (which included
non-cash impairment charges on Quess, Resolute, Atlas Mara and Astarta), the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa’s
investments in associates, the sale of Davos Brands and the recognition of distributions and dividends from
associates and joint ventures.

Derivatives and other invested assets, net of derivative obligations, increased by $90.7 primarily reflecting higher net
receivables from counterparties on total return swaps and the company closing out $898.4 notional amount of short
equity total return swaps, no longer holding any positions at December 31, 2020, partially offset by net unrealized
losses on equity warrants.

Recoverable from reinsurers increased by $1,377.4 to $10,533.2 at December 31, 2020 from $9,155.8 at
December 31, 2019 primarily reflecting increased business volumes (principally at Allied World and Odyssey Group),
reinsurers’ share of COVID-19 losses (primarily at Brit and Bryte) and amounts ceded to RiverStone Barbados by
Group Re and Brit that are included in recoverable from reinsurers at December 31, 2020 as a result of the
deconsolidation of European Run-off, whereas at December 31, 2019 those were intercompany balances that
eliminated on consolidation.

183

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Deferred income tax assets increased by $338.0 to $713.9 at December 31, 2020 from $375.9 at December 31,
2019 primarily due to the separate presentation of deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities on
the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 as described in note 3 (Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. After adjusting for the
change in presentation, deferred income tax assets decreased by $49.4, primarily due to decreased temporary tax
differences on net unrealized investment losses, partially offset by the recognition of operating losses.

Goodwill and intangible assets increased by $35.0 to $6,229.1 at December 31, 2020 from $6,194.1 at
December 31, 2019 primarily due to the additions of intangible assets, the consolidation of Horizon North and
Farmers Edge, and the impact of foreign currency translation (principally the strengthening of the Canadian dollar
relative to the U.S. dollar), partially offset by the amortization of intangible assets, the disposal of an intangible asset
at AMAG Insurance, and the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa.

The allocation by operating segment at December 31, 2020 of goodwill of $3,126.3 and intangible assets of $3,102.8
(December 31, 2019 – $2,997.3 and $3,196.8), is described in note 12 (Goodwill and Intangible Assets) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. Impairment tests for goodwill and
indefinite-lived intangible assets were completed during 2020 and it was concluded that no significant impairments
had occurred.

Other assets decreased by $150.1 to $5,857.2 at December 31, 2020 from $6,007.3 at December 31, 2019 primarily
due to the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa, decreases in inventories, prepaid expenses and revenue receivables in
the Non-insurance companies reporting segment due to the impact of COVID-19 on business volumes, and
decreased income taxes refundable and finance lease receivables, partially offset by the consolidation of Horizon
North and Farmers Edge, and government subsidies receivable at certain non-insurance companies for relief from the
impact of COVID-19.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased by $182.0 to $4,996.1 at December 31, 2020 from $4,814.1
at December 31, 2019 primarily due to the consolidation of Horizon North and Farmers Edge, higher cash collateral
received from counterparties to derivative contracts, higher deferred revenue due to additional production contracts
at Boat Rocker and higher payables for securities purchased but not yet settled, partially offset by lower payables
related to cost of sales in the Non-insurance companies reporting segment due to the impact of COVID-19 on
business volumes, the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa and decreased lease liabilities.

Deferred income tax liabilities increased to $356.4 at December 31, 2020 from nil at December 31, 2019
primarily due to the separate presentation of deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities on the
consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 as described in note 3 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies)
to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. After adjusting for the change in
presentation, deferred income tax liabilities decreased by $30.8, primarily due to the recognition of operating losses
(at operating companies with net deferred income tax liabilities), partially offset by increased temporary tax
differences on net unrealized investment gains.

Insurance contract payables increased by $373.0 to $2,964.0 at December 31, 2020 from $2,591.0 at
December 31, 2019 primarily reflecting an increase in premiums payable to reinsurers due to an increase in
premiums ceded and timing of associated payments (primarily at Odyssey Group in its U.S. Insurance and London
Market divisions) and an increase in ceded deferred premium acquisition costs.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses increased by $2,309.1 to $30,809.3 at December 31, 2020
from $28,500.2 at December 31, 2019 primarily reflecting COVID-19 and catastrophe losses, increased business
volumes (principally at Odyssey Group and Allied World), the impact of foreign currency translation (principally the
strengthening of the euro, British pound and Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar) and loss reserves assumed
from, and subsequently ceded to, European Run-off which were previously eliminated on consolidation, partially
offset by the impact of U.S. Run-off’s continued progress settling its claims liabilities and net favourable prior year
reserve development (principally at Odyssey Group, Fairfax Latam, Zenith National, Fairfax Asia, Northbridge
and Brit).

Non-controlling interests increased by $141.6 to $3,670.7 at December 31, 2020 from $3,529.1 at December 31,
2019 primarily reflecting the deconsolidation of European Run-off and its investments in certain of the company’s
Non-insurance subsidiaries ($340.4), a third party’s investment in Brit’s subsidiary Ki Insurance ($124.4), the
acquisition of Horizon North on May 29, 2020 ($103.3) and Eurolife’s investment in a Fairfax consolidated internal
investment fund ($93.7), partially offset by the acquisition of the minority interest in Brit ($189.6), non-controlling

184

interests’ share of net loss ($181.0), the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa and dividends paid to minority shareholders
($165.6). For further details on other net changes in capitalization refer to note 16 (Total Equity) and note 23
(Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Comparison of 2019 to 2018 – Total assets increased to $70,508.5 at December 31, 2019 from $64,372.1 at
December 31, 2018 primarily reflecting the acquisition of AGT, the additional investment in CIG by Fairfax Africa
and the increase in the fair value of investments, partially offset by the deconsolidation of Grivalia Properties. The
aforementioned transactions are described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

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 ‘‘loss 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 and reinsurance operations
and Run-off are subject to several reviews. The reserves are reviewed separately by, and must be acceptable to, internal
actuaries at each operating company and the company’s Chief Actuary. Additionally, independent actuaries are
periodically engaged to review an operating company’s reserves or reserves for certain lines of business.

The tables below present the company’s gross provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses by reporting segment
and line of business at December 31:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum & Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Corporate

Northbridge Group Forster National

Brit World

Asia Other

Total Run-off and Other Consolidated

305.8

1,873.4

243.5

6.0

755.6 1,294.0

105.3 1,192.5

5,776.1

77.6

1,720.1

4,469.6

3,433.9

1,049.6 3,252.5 6,534.2

73.9

398.0

159.3

6.9

726.1

275.7

166.7

148.5

784.3

342.8

21,410.9

1,412.0

2,131.2

1.5

2,099.8

6,741.0

3,836.7

1,062.5 4,734.2 8,103.9

420.5 2,319.6

29,318.2

1,491.1

–

Intercompany

9.0

176.0

11.4

–

49.3

50.2

3.4

191.9

491.2

532.2

(1,023.4)

Provision for losses

and LAE

2,108.8

6,917.0

3,848.1

1,062.5 4,783.5 8,154.1

423.9 2,511.5

29,809.4

2,023.3

(1,023.4)

30,809.3

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum & Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Corporate

Northbridge Group Forster National

Brit World

Asia Other

Total Run-off(1) and Other Consolidated

332.8

1,772.2

157.7

18.2

716.8 1,170.0

104.6 1,079.1

5,351.4

107.1

1,571.4

3,887.4

3,248.2

1,063.4 2,809.8 6,172.1

62.8

353.0

91.8

6.9

709.3

297.1

170.8

147.1

574.8

266.2

19,497.9

1,606.7

1,934.2

2.9

1,967.0

6,012.6

3,497.7

1,088.5 4,235.9 7,639.2

422.5 1,920.1

26,783.5

1,716.7

–

Intercompany

9.9

145.9

50.3

–

50.5

33.5

1.5

151.7

443.3

515.5

(958.8)

Provision for losses

and LAE

1,976.9

6,158.5

3,548.0

1,088.5 4,286.4 7,672.7

424.0 2,071.8

27,226.8

2,232.2

(958.8)

28,500.2

(1)

Excludes European Run-off’s gross provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses that are included in liabilities associated with assets held for sale on the consolidated
balance sheet at December 31, 2019. See note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In the ordinary course of carrying on business, the company’s insurance and reinsurance and Run-off operations 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 pledged (either directly or to support letters of credit) 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. Cash and investments pledged by the company’s subsidiaries at
December 31, 2020 of $6.0 billion, as described in note 5 (Cash and Investments) to the consolidated financial

185

2020

Property

Casualty

Specialty

2019

Property

Casualty

Specialty

5,853.7

22,822.9

2,132.7

30,809.3

–

5,458.5

21,104.6

1,937.1

28,500.2

–

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, 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 (these pledges
do not involve the cross-collateralization by one subsidiary of another subsidiary’s obligations).

The provision for losses is established by the company’s insurance companies using the case method when 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 premium and loss information received from ceding companies to establish estimates of their
provisions for losses. 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 losses including incurred but not reported losses 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 claims becomes known and the provision for losses 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 can be developed.

The development of the provision for losses is often measured as the difference between estimates of reserves as of
the initial year-end and the re-estimated reserves 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 net favourable reserve development in the two tables that follow
excludes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary in the year it is acquired. In the ‘‘Reconciliation of Provision for
Claims – Consolidated’’ table, a subsidiary’s provision for losses at December 31 in the year of acquisition is included
in the line ‘‘Provision for claims of companies acquired during the year at December 31’’, whereas the net favourable
reserve development as set out in the Sources of Net Earnings section of this MD&A and in the consolidated
statement of earnings includes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary from its acquisition date.

Aggregate net favourable reserve development for the years ended December 31 were comprised as shown in the
following table:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Odyssey Group
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit
Allied World
Fairfax Asia
Other

Run-off

Net favourable development

Favourable/(Unfavourable)

2020
39.2
219.5
5.2
74.1
62.8
5.1
18.5
30.5

454.9
(132.6)

322.3

2019
67.1
229.6
6.2
82.1
46.5
(32.0)
28.3
51.8

479.6
(150.5)

329.1

186

Changes in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded on the consolidated balance sheets and the
related effect on losses on claims, net for the years ended December 31 were as shown in the following table:

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Consolidated

Provision for claims at January 1 – net
Foreign exchange effect
Losses on claims for claims occurring:

In the current year
In the prior years – net favourable development

Paid on claims during the year related to:

The current year
The prior years

2019

2020

2018
21,558.4 22,614.6 22,412.4
(444.6)

190.5

69.7

2017
16,289.4
463.3

2016
16,596.3
(103.7)

9,520.0
(322.3)

8,982.3
(329.1)

8,505.4
(580.4)

6,192.9
(454.6)

5,286.9
(573.7)

(2,540.4) (2,293.8) (2,034.8)
(5,521.9) (5,927.8) (5,777.2)

(1,691.3)
(3,876.8)

(1,304.5)
(3,695.2)

Provision for claims of companies acquired and reinsurance

transactions during the year, at December 31

Divestitures during the year
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale(1)

–
(27.8)

32.7
–
– (1,590.2)

533.8
–
–

5,725.0
(235.5)
–

83.3
–
–

Provision for claims at December 31 before the undernoted 22,856.5 21,558.4 22,614.6
CTR Life(2)
8.0

5.5

7.0

22,412.4
8.7

16,289.4
12.8

Provision for claims at December 31 – net
Reinsurers’ share of provision for claims at December 31

22,862.0 21,565.4 22,622.6
6,459.1
6,934.8

7,947.3

22,421.1
6,189.7

16,302.2
3,179.6

Provision for claims at December 31 – gross

30,809.3 28,500.2 29,081.7

28,610.8

19,481.8

(1)

(2)

European Run-off’s reinsurance recoverable and provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses are included in assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale respectively on the
consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019. See note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

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 run-off in 2002.

The foreign exchange effect of change in provision for claims in 2020 primarily reflected the strengthening of the
Canadian dollar, euro and the British pound relative to the U.S. dollar (principally at Odyssey Group, Northbridge,
Allied World and Brit). The company generally manages foreign currency risk on claims liabilities by investing in
financial instruments and other assets denominated in the same currency as the liabilities to which they relate.

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 which could
be significantly different from the past due to many unknown factors.

Available on Fairfax’s website (www.fairfax.ca) in the Annual Financial Supplement for the year ended December 31,
2020 are tables that show the historical reserve reconciliation and the reserve development of Northbridge, Odyssey
Group, Crum & Forster, Zenith National, Brit, Allied World, Fairfax Asia and Insurance and Reinsurance – Other
(comprised of Group Re, Bryte Insurance, Fairfax Latin America and Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe), and
Run-off’s reconciliation of provision for claims.

Asbestos, Pollution and Other Latent Hazards

General Discussion

The company’s insurance contract liabilities include estimates for exposure to asbestos claims, environmental
pollution and other types of latent hazard claims (collectively ‘‘APH exposures’’).

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. Substantially all of the
company’s exposure to asbestos losses are now under the management of Run-off. The vast majority of these claims
are presented under policies written many years ago. There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of
claims, which affects the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the amount of unpaid claims and related
settlement expenses. These claims differ from most other types of claims because legal precedent is inadequate to
determine what coverage obligations attach and which, if any, policy years and insurers/reinsurers may be liable.

187

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

These uncertainties are exacerbated by judicial rulings and legislation that have undermined the clear and express
intent of the insurer and policyholder and expanded theories of liability. Further, asbestos litigation itself continues
to be an imperfect process for resolving asbestos claims fairly and cost effectively. The insurance industry is engaged
in extensive litigation over these coverage and liability issues and thus confronts continuing uncertainty in its efforts
to quantify asbestos exposures.

The company also faces claims exposure related to environmental pollution and other latent injury allegedly from
exposure to potentially harmful products or substances such as pharmaceutical products, chemical products,
lead-based pigments and talc. Other latent injury claims also arise from insureds’ alleged responsibility for sports
head trauma, sexual molestation, and opioid addiction. The potential exposure associated with sexual molestation
claims has increased based on several developments including heightened awareness and investigation into past
abuse, high profile claims and, most significantly, efforts by legislative bodies to abolish or revise statute of
limitations to support alleged victims seeking redress through litigation. The company is monitoring the emergence
of water and soil contamination claims involving perfluorinated chemicals (‘‘PFCs’’) which are a group of
compounds widely used in water and stain resistant products, as well as firefighting materials. The company is also
monitoring litigation brought against manufacturers and retailers of weed killer products, including the popular
brand ‘‘Roundup’’, alleging that its use caused cancer and other ailments. Additionally, the company is evaluating a
recent court decision finding certain paint manufacturers liable for the presence of and abatement of lead paint in
residential structures based on those manufacturers’ advertising practices decades ago. The company continues to be
presented with claims by companies seeking coverage for suits by women who claim bodily injury from exposure to
talc as an ingredient of consumer products such as powders and cosmetics. Many such suits have alleged the talc in
these products caused ovarian cancer; other suits assert the talc was contaminated with asbestos which caused
ovarian cancer or other more typical asbestos injury such as mesothelioma. Since 2016, a number of large talc
verdicts have been awarded against a number of defendants. However, there also have been developments in
defendants’ favour, as there have been several defense verdicts and the most significant plaintiff trial verdicts have
been appealed. In recent months there has been movement toward negotiated resolutions in litigated talc cases as
well as in connection with bankruptcy proceedings for a major talc mining company heavily involved in the
litigation. There remains a great deal of uncertainty as to the future development of these claims and the degree of
the company’s exposure to them. Whether other latent injury claims will develop into material exposures to the
company is yet to be determined due to the lack of developed scientific proof of causation and significant questions
around coverage.

Asbestos Claims Discussion

Tort reform in the first decade of the millennium, both legislative and judicial, had a significant impact on the
asbestos litigation landscape. The majority of claims now being filed and litigated continue to be mesothelioma and
lung cancer claims. With unimpaired and non-malignant claims brought much less frequently and in few
jurisdictions, the litigation industry has focused on the more seriously injured plaintiffs, and the number of
mesothelioma cases has not tailed off as expected. Though there are fewer cases overall, the average number of
defendants named in each case continues to rise, and each year more defendants not previously sued for asbestos
liability are named in lawsuits. Furthermore, plaintiffs’ firms in the asbestos litigation continue to push for an
increase in the settlement values of asbestos cases involving malignancies. This is a trend the insurance industry
continues to resist. Defense costs continue to be a significant driver of the liability as well as the malignancy cases
often are more heavily litigated and because the asbestos litigation process and practices in the U.S. continue to be
inefficient, in particular with respect to the continued over-naming of defendants in the litigation. Asbestos trial
results have been mixed, with both plaintiff and defense verdicts having been rendered in courts throughout the
U.S. Some plaintiffs continue to focus their efforts on maximizing their recoveries in the U.S. tort system from
solvent defendants by heavily emphasizing their exposure to these defendants’ products and operations, however
limited that exposure may have been. Separately, these plaintiffs often also seek to recover from the trusts established
in prior bankruptcies of asbestos defendants based on alleged exposures not identified in the tort system, resulting in
a disproportionate shift in financial responsibility from large bankrupt entities to solvent peripheral defendants. The
company continues to implement strategies and initiatives to address these issues and will prudently evaluate and
adjust its asbestos reserves as necessary as the litigation landscape continues to evolve. As set out in the table that
follows, during 2020 the company strengthened gross asbestos reserves by $161.0, or 15.0% (2019 – $135.4 or 11.1%)
of the provision for asbestos claims and ALAE at January 1, 2020.

188

In October 2020, A.M. Best Company issued its Market Segment Report for Asbestos and Environmental losses where
it maintained its estimate of net ultimate asbestos losses in the U.S. property and casualty industry at $100 billion,
noting asbestos incurred losses were down approximately 13% in 2019. The company continues to see in the Run-off
portfolio some of the underlying litigation factors A.M. Best cites. The policyholders with the most significant
asbestos exposure continue to be defendants who manufactured, distributed or installed asbestos products on a
nationwide basis. The Run-off portfolio is exposed to these risks and face the majority of the direct asbestos exposure
within the company. 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 be
named as defendants. For the most part, these are regional, rather than nationwide defendants. Reinsurance
contracts entered into before 1984 also continue to present exposure to asbestos.

Reserves for asbestos cannot be estimated using traditional loss reserving techniques that rely on historical accident
year loss development factors. As 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 the company has utilized a sophisticated
methodology that draws upon company experience and asbestos claim data sets to assess asbestos liabilities on
reported claims. The methodology utilizes a ground-up, exposure-based analysis that constitutes the industry ‘‘best
practice’’. In conjunction with the exposure based analysis, the company also uses aggregate industry methods when
setting its overall asbestos reserves.

Following is an analysis of the company’s gross and net loss and ALAE reserves from U.S. asbestos exposures for the
years ended December 31:

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
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale(1)

2020

2019

Gross

Net

Gross

Net

1,074.6
161.0
(205.0)
–

860.5
121.2
(141.7)
–

1,217.9
135.4
(164.0)
(114.7)

995.3
114.8
(138.4)
(111.2)

Provision for asbestos claims and ALAE at December 31

1,030.6

840.0

1,074.6

860.5

(1)

European Run-off’s reinsurance recoverables and provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses are included in assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale respectively on the
consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019. See note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Summary

Management believes that the asbestos reserves reported at December 31, 2020 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 asbestos reserves are
monitored by management and regularly reviewed by actuaries. To the extent that future social, scientific, economic,
legal, or legislative developments alter the volume of claims, the liabilities of policyholders, the original intent of the
policies and the ability to recover reinsurance, adjustments to loss reserves may emerge in future periods.

Recoverable from Reinsurers

The company’s subsidiaries purchase reinsurance to reduce their exposure on insurance and reinsurance risks they
underwrite. Credit risk associated with reinsurance is managed through adherence to internal reinsurance guidelines
whereby the company’s ongoing reinsurers generally 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 recoverable from reinsurance
balances rated B++ and lower were inherited by the company on acquisition of a subsidiary.

Recoverable from reinsurers of $10,533.2 on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 consisted of future
recoverable amounts from reinsurers on unpaid claims ($7,971.7), reinsurance receivable on paid losses ($818.0) and
the unearned portion of premiums ceded to reinsurers ($1,899.1), net of provision for uncollectible balances
($155.6). Recoverables from reinsurers on unpaid claims increased by $1,015.0 to $7,971.7 at December 31, 2020
from $6,956.7 at December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting increased business volumes (principally at Allied World
and Odyssey Group), reinsurers’ share of COVID-19 losses (primarily at Brit and Bryte) and amounts ceded to
European Run-off by Group Re and Brit, which are included in recoverable from reinsurers at December 31, 2020 as a
result of the deconsolidation of European Run-off compared with December 31, 2019, when those balances were
intercompany and eliminated on consolidation.

189

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The following table presents the company’s top 25 reinsurance groups (ranked by gross recoverable from reinsurers)
at December 31, 2020, which represented 84.1% (December 31, 2019 – 83.1%) of gross recoverable from reinsurers.

Reinsurance group
Munich
Swiss Re
AIG
Lloyd’s
Everest
HDI
Axis
Markel
Risk Management

Agency

RiverStone Barbados
Berkshire Hathaway
Sompo Holdings
EXOR
RenaissanceRe
Alleghany
Liberty Mutual
SCOR
AXA
W.R. Berkley
Arch Capital
IRB
Tokio Marine
Aspen
Singapore Re
Helvetia Group

Principal reinsurers
Munich Reinsurance Company
Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation
New Hampshire Insurance Company
Lloyd’s
Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd
Hannover R ¨uck SE
Axis Reinsurance Company
Markel Global Reinsurance Company
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

TIG Insurance (Barbados) Limited
General Reinsurance Corporation
Endurance Assurance Corporation
Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.
Renaissance Reinsurance U.S. Inc
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
SCOR Reinsurance Company
XL Reinsurance America Inc
Berkley Insurance Company
Arch Reinsurance Company
IRB – Brasil Resseguros S.A.
Safety National Casualty Corporation
Aspen Insurance UK Limited
Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Ltd
Helvetia Swiss Insurance Company Ltd.

Top 25 reinsurance groups
Other reinsurers

Gross 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
NR

NR
A++
A+
A+
A+
A+
A
A+
A+
A+
A+
A-
A++
A
A-
A

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers(2)
1,426.6
1,156.6
860.5
772.0
563.7
387.0
381.5
369.1
333.0

Net
unsecured
recoverable
from
reinsurers(3)
1,197.5
1,149.3
851.8
768.6
484.7
381.4
374.4
235.7
333.0

327.3
266.1
226.5
220.1
200.7
186.8
186.8
174.2
171.6
142.8
122.7
121.5
110.1
97.1
96.7
89.5

8,990.5
1,698.3

10,688.8
(155.6)

10,533.2

4.3
265.6
225.2
216.0
175.3
184.6
184.8
173.0
164.8
141.4
121.1
119.4
109.4
97.1
96.7
50.5

8,105.6
1,327.2

9,432.8
(155.6)

9,277.2

(1) Financial strength rating of principal reinsurer (or of the group, if principal reinsurer is not rated).

(2) Excludes specific provisions for uncollectible reinsurance.

(3) Net of outstanding balances for which security was held, and excludes specific provisions for uncollectible reinsurance.

190

The following table presents recoverable from reinsurers of $10,533.2 at December 31, 2020 separately for the
insurance and reinsurance and run-off operations, according to the financial strength rating of the reinsurers. Shown
separately are pools and associations, which generally consist of government or similar insurance funds carrying
limited credit risk. At December 31, 2020 approximately 4.2% of recoverable from reinsurers related to Run-off
operations (December 31, 2019 – 5.3%).

Insurance and Reinsurance

Run-off

Consolidated

A.M. Best

Gross

Balance

unsecured

Gross

Balance

unsecured

Gross

Balance

unsecured

rating recoverable

for which recoverable

recoverable

for which recoverable

recoverable

for which recoverable

(or S&P

from security is

from

from security is

from

from security is

from

Net

equivalent)

reinsurers

held

reinsurers

A++

A+

A-

B++

B+

B or lower

Not rated

Pools and associations

Provision for uncollectible
reinsurance

424.5

5,015.3

2,976.7

349.1

54.7

0.6

16.0

922.6

356.5

held

27.2

353.8

90.4

27.7

4.4

–

0.4

675.7

7.0

397.3

4,661.5

2,886.3

321.4

50.3

0.6

15.6

246.9

349.5

49.4

228.9

96.2

10.0

1.2

2.0

–

179.2

5.9

572.8

0.3

7.7

7.2

2.2

0.8

–

51.2

–

69.4

49.1

221.2

89.0

7.8

0.4

2.0

–

128.0

5.9

473.9

5,244.2

3,072.9

359.1

55.9

2.6

16.0

1,101.8

362.4

10,116.0

1,186.6

8,929.4

503.4

10,688.8

1,256.0

9,432.8

held

27.5

361.5

97.6

29.9

5.2

–

0.4

726.9

7.0

reinsurers

446.4

4,882.7

2,975.3

329.2

50.7

2.6

15.6

374.9

355.4

(155.6)

9,277.2

Recoverable from reinsurers

10,086.9

8,900.3

446.3

376.9

10,533.2

(29.1)

(126.5)

(155.6)

To support recoverable from reinsurers balances, the company had the benefit of letters of credit or trust funds
totaling $1,256.0 at December 31, 2020 as follows:

• for reinsurers rated A – or better, security of $516.5 against outstanding reinsurance recoverables of $9,150.1;

• for reinsurers rated B++ or lower, security of $5.6 against outstanding reinsurance recoverables of $74.5;

• for unrated reinsurers, security of $726.9 against outstanding reinsurance recoverables of $1,101.8; and

• for pools and associations, security of $7.0 against outstanding reinsurance recoverables of $362.4.

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 in those jurisdictions.

Substantially all of the provision for uncollectible reinsurance of $155.6 at December 31, 2020 related to net
unsecured reinsurance recoverable of $443.8 from reinsurers rated B++ or lower, including those that are not rated
(which excludes pools and associations).

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, the company believes that its
provision for uncollectible reinsurance is reasonable for all incurred losses arising from uncollectible reinsurance at
December 31, 2020.

The company’s reinsurance security staff, with their expertise in analyzing and managing credit risk, are responsible
for the following with respect to recoverable from reinsurers: evaluating the creditworthiness of all reinsurers and
recommending to the company’s reinsurance committee those reinsurers which should be included on the list of
approved reinsurers; on a quarterly basis, monitoring the reinsurance recoverable by reinsurer, by operating
company and 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 companies purchase reinsurance to achieve various objectives including protection
from catastrophic financial loss resulting from a single event, such as the total loss of a large manufacturing plant
from a fire, 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 $172.9 (2019 – pre-tax benefit of $323.4). The consolidated pre-tax impact of ceded reinsurance was

191

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

comprised as follows: reinsurers’ share of premiums earned (see tables which follow this paragraph); commissions
earned on reinsurers’ share of premiums earned of $821.0 (2019 – $652.3); losses on claims ceded to reinsurers of
$2,842.3 (2019 – $3,069.6); and net recovery of uncollectible reinsurance of $3.3 (2019 – net provision for
uncollectible reinsurance of $17.2).

Year ended December 31, 2020

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith
Group Forster National

Allied Fairfax

Inter-

Brit World(1)

Asia Other

Total Run-off company Consolidated

Reinsurers’ share of premiums

earned

Pre-tax benefit (cost) of ceded

reinsurance

Year ended December 31, 2019

179.8

535.1

548.8

15.0

661.5

1,496.0

212.7

595.8

4,244.7

(11.3)

(323.3)

3,910.1

(62.4)

146.4

94.8

(13.1)

(94.9)

(79.7)

(75.0)

(166.4)

(250.3)

124.4

(47.0)

(172.9)

Northbridge

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith
Group Forster National

Allied Fairfax

Inter-

Brit World(1)

Asia Other

Total Run-off company Consolidated

Reinsurers’ share of premiums

earned

Pre-tax benefit (cost) of ceded

reinsurance

170.6

385.4

490.2

11.7

607.8

1,194.1

203.2

544.2

3,607.2

76.1

(302.0)

3,381.3

(21.3)

57.6

41.5

(12.5)

(156.6)

(81.2)

(35.0)

306.6

99.1

177.2

47.1

323.4

Insurance and Reinsurance

(1) Allied World includes reinsurers’ share of premiums earned of $90.1 and pre-tax cost of ceded reinsurance of $24.7 related to the Allied World loss portfolio

transfer as described in the Allied World section of this MD&A.

Reinsurers’ share of premiums earned increased to $3,910.1 in 2020 from $3,381.3 in 2019, primarily reflecting
increases at Allied World and Odyssey Group due to higher business volumes.

Commissions earned on reinsurers’ share of premiums earned increased to $821.0 in 2020 from $652.3 in 2019,
primarily due to increases at Allied World and Odyssey Group commensurate with the increase in reinsurers’ share of
premiums earned.

Reinsurers’ share of losses on claims decreased to $2,842.3 in 2020 from $3,069.6 in 2019, primarily due to decreases
at Fairfax Latam (reflecting losses ceded to reinsurers in 2019 related to the Chilean Riots) and Run-off (reflecting
reinsurers’ share of the losses assumed in 2019 pursuant to the first quarter 2019 reinsurance transaction described in
the Run-off section of this MD&A). This was partially offset by an increase in reinsurers’ share of losses on claims at
Odyssey Group, Allied World and Crum & Forster (primarily reflecting higher business volumes) and reinsurers’
share of COVID-19 losses (primarily at Brit and Bryte).

The use of reinsurance in 2020 decreased cash provided by operating activities by approximately $1,048 (2019 –
$626) primarily reflecting the timing of premiums paid to reinsurers in each of 2020 and 2019 which was earlier than
the collection of reinsurance on claims paid.

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 the holding company, the insurance and reinsurance operations, Run-off,
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa (up until its deconsolidation on December 8, 2020). Following a long term value-
oriented investment philosophy with primary emphasis on the preservation of invested capital, Hamblin Watsa
looks for investments with a margin of safety by conducting thorough proprietary analysis of investment
opportunities and markets, assessing the financial strength of issuers, identifying attractively priced securities selling
at discounts to intrinsic value and hedging risks where appropriate. Hamblin Watsa is opportunistic and disciplined
in seeking undervalued securities in the market, often investing in out-of-favour securities when sentiment is
negative, and maintaining a large proportion of its investment portfolio in cash and cash equivalents when it
perceives markets to be over-valued.

Hamblin Watsa generally operates as a separate investment management entity, with the company’s Chief Executive
Officer and one other corporate officer serving as members of Hamblin Watsa’s investment committee. This
investment committee is responsible for making all investment decisions, subject to relevant regulatory guidelines

192

and constraints, and oversight by Hamblin Watsa management. The company’s Board of Directors, management and
operating companies served by Hamblin Watsa are kept apprised of significant investment decisions by Hamblin
Watsa through the financial reporting process and periodic presentations by Hamblin Watsa management.

Overview of Investment Performance

Investments at their year end carrying values (including at the holding company) for the company’s first year and for
the past ten years are presented in the following table. Included in bonds are U.S. treasury bond forward contracts,
CPI-linked derivatives and credit default swaps and included in common stocks are investments in associates and
equity derivatives.

Year(1)
1985
(cid:2)

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017(6)
2018
2019(7)
2020

Cash and
short term
investments
6.4

6,899.1
8,085.4
7,988.0
6,428.5
7,368.7
11,214.4
19,186.2
7,423.8
10,652.2
13,860.6

Bonds(2)
14.1

12,074.7
11,545.9
10,710.3
12,660.3
14,905.0
10,358.3
10,392.5
20,727.3
16,499.9
16,483.3

Preferred
stocks
1.0

Common
stocks
2.5

Real
estate(3)
–

Total
investments(4)
24.0

608.3
651.4
764.8
520.6
116.9
70.6
299.6
264.6
582.9
609.9

4,448.8
5,397.6
4,951.0
5,968.1
6,124.4
6,281.1
9,014.1
9,738.1
10,539.5
11,504.9

291.6
413.9
447.5
615.2
501.1
506.3
363.0
686.8
730.1
712.7

24,322.5
26,094.2
24,861.6
26,192.7
29,016.1
28,430.7
39,255.4
38,840.6
39,004.6
43,171.4

Investments
per share
($)(5)
4.80

1,193.70
1,288.89
1,172.72
1,236.90
1,306.22
1,231.11
1,414.55
1,425.97
1,453.71
1,649.24

(1)

(2)

(3)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2020; Canadian GAAP basis for 2009 and prior. Under Canadian GAAP, investments were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

Includes the company’s investment in other funds with a carrying value of $195.4 at December 31, 2020 (December 31,
2019 – $175.6, December 31, 2018 – $150.3, December 31, 2017 – $90.9, December 31, 2016 – $157.1, December 31,
2015 – $1,094.0) that are invested principally in fixed income securities.

Includes the company’s equity accounted investments in KWF LPs, and Grivalia Properties prior to its consolidation
effective July 4, 2017. Grivalia Properties was deconsolidated upon its merger into Eurobank on May 17, 2019 as
described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020. Eurobank is included in common stocks in the table above.

(4) Comprised of holding company cash and investments and portfolio investments, net of derivative obligations

(commencing in 2004), as presented on the consolidated balance sheet.

(5) Total investments divided by the number of common shares effectively outstanding as presented in the consolidated

financial statements.

(6)

Increases primarily related to Allied World’s investment portfolio of $7,918.8, which the company commenced
consolidating on July 6, 2017.

(7) Excludes European Run-off’s portfolio investments that were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance
sheet at December 31, 2019. See note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2020.

Investments per share increased by $195.53 to $1,649.24 at December 31, 2020 from $1,453.71 at December 31, 2019
primarily reflecting the factors that increased investments described under the heading ‘‘Components of
Consolidated Balance Sheets’’ in this MD&A and the impact of the company’s net purchases of its common shares for
treasury (for use in its share-based payment awards) and for cancellation (pursuant to normal course issuer bids). The
company’s common shares effectively outstanding decreased to 26,176,506 at December 31, 2020 from
26,831,069 at December 31, 2019. Since 1985, investments per share has compounded at a rate of 18.2% per year,
including the impact of acquisitions.

193

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Interest and Dividends

The majority of interest and dividends is earned by the insurance and reinsurance operations and Run-off. Interest
and dividends on holding company cash and investments was $33.7 in 2020 (2019 – $29.3) prior to giving effect to
income earned on long equity total return swaps of $22.1 (2019 – $3.6). Interest and dividends earned in the
company’s first year and for the past ten years is presented in the following table. The company calculates a pre-tax
and after-tax interest and dividends yield on average investments at carrying value to determine the return earned on
investments during the holding period prior to realization of capital gains or losses.

Average

Investments at
carrying value(2)
46.3

Amount(3)
3.4

Pre-tax

Yield(4)
(%)
7.34

Interest and dividends

After-tax

Per share(5)
($)
0.70

Amount(3)
1.8

Yield(4)
(%)
3.89

Per share(5)
($)
0.38

23,787.5
25,185.2
25,454.7
25,527.2
27,604.4
28,723.4
33,843.1
39,048.0
40,109.3
41,088.0

705.3
409.3
376.9
403.8
512.2
555.2
559.0
783.5
880.2
769.2

2.97
1.63
1.48
1.58
1.86
1.93
1.65
2.01
2.19
1.87

34.56
19.90
18.51
18.70
22.70
24.12
21.42
27.59
31.37
27.75

505.7
300.8
277.0
296.8
376.5
408.1
410.9
575.9
646.9
565.4

2.13
1.19
1.09
1.16
1.36
1.42
1.21
1.47
1.61
1.38

24.78
14.63
13.60
13.74
16.69
17.73
15.74
20.28
23.05
20.40

Year(1)
1986
(cid:2)

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019(6)
2020

(1)

(2)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2020; Canadian GAAP basis for 2009 and prior. Under Canadian GAAP, investments were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior. All amounts in the table are calculated using information
presented in the consolidated financial statements.

Investments at carrying value is comprised of holding company cash and investments and portfolio investments, net of
derivative obligations (commencing in 2004), as presented on the consolidated balance sheet. Average investments at
carrying value is the simple average of investments at carrying value at the beginning and end of the year.

(3) Pre-tax amount is as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings. After-tax amount is tax effected at the

company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate.

(4)

Interest and dividends, on a pre-tax and after-tax basis, expressed as a percentage of average investments at carrying value.

(5) Calculated using the weighted average diluted number of common shares outstanding during the year as disclosed in the

consolidated financial statements.

(6) Average investments at carrying value and interest and dividends yield on a pre-tax and after-tax basis were calculated
inclusive of European Run-off’s portfolio investments included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 2019.

The company’s pre-tax interest and dividends yield decreased from 2.19% in 2019 to 1.87% in 2020 and the
company’s after-tax interest and dividends yield decreased from 1.61% in 2019 to 1.38% in 2020. Prior to giving
effect to the interest which accrued to reinsurers on funds withheld of $0.9 (2019 – $11.1) and income earned from
long equity total return swaps of $29.0 (2019 – $9.3), interest and dividends in 2020 of $739.3 (2019 – $859.8)
produced a pre-tax yield of 1.80% (2019 – 2.14%), with the year-over-year decrease primarily due to the factors
described in the preceding paragraph (excluding the impact of total return swaps).

In 2020 income earned from long equity total return swaps increased to $29.0 in 2020 from $9.3 in 2019 primarily
related to the company entering into $1,906.9 notional amounts of long equity total return swaps on individual
equities for investment purposes following significant declines in global equity markets in the first quarter of 2020.

194

Share of Profit (Loss) of Associates

Share of loss of associates of $112.8 in 2020 compared to share of profit of associates of $169.6 in 2019 principally
reflected decreased share of profit of IIFL Finance as the company recognized its share of IIFL Finance’s spin-off
distribution gain in 2019, decreased share of profit of Eurolife, share of loss of Bangalore Airport (compared to share
of profit in 2019) and share of loss of Sanmar, partially offset by share of profit of RiverStone Barbados, decreased
share of loss of APR Energy and increased share of profit of Atlas.

Share of loss of associates in 2020 included non-cash impairment charges of $240.3 principally related to
investments in Quess of $98.3, Resolute of $56.5, Atlas Mara of $35.0 and Astarta of $26.3. Share of profit of
associates in 2019 included non-cash impairment charges of $211.2 principally reflecting $190.6 recognized by
Thomas Cook India on the non-cash spin-off of its Quess shares to its minority shareholders that was fully
attributable to non-controlling interests and $10.1 on the investment in Astarta.

195

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Share of profit (loss) of associates by reporting segment in 2020 and 2019 were comprised as shown in the following
tables:

Year ended December 31, 2020

Northbridge Group Forster National Brit World

Asia Other

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Insurance and Reinsurance

insurance
Total Run-off companies

Non- Corporate
and

Other Consolidated

Insurance and reinsurance:

RiverStone Barbados

Digit

Eurolife

BIC Insurance

Falcon Thailand

Singapore Re

Thai Re

Other

Non-insurance:

India

IIFL Finance

Seven Islands

CSB Bank

IIFL Securities

Bangalore Airport

Sanmar
Quess(1)

Other

Africa

AFGRI
Atlas Mara(1)

Other

Agriculture

Farmers Edge
Astarta(1)

Real estate

KWF LPs

Other

Atlas (formerly Seaspan)

Peak Achievement

EXCO

Eurobank

APR Energy
Resolute(1)

Other

Share of profit (loss) of

associates

–

0.3

–

0.2

–

2.3

1.9

–

0.2

(0.8)

–

(1.3)

–

(1.9)

–

2.0

1.7

0.6

(1.9)

2.0

–

0.5

0.1

3.7

0.4

0.6

0.3

0.1

–

2.7

–

1.4

–

(0.4)

–

(2.8)

–

(6.0)

–

0.3

0.5

–

0.1

0.2

–

(0.1)

–

4.2

8.8

–

3.7

1.5

0.5

2.0

–

(4.0)

2.0

(7.0)

5.8

16.7

0.8

4.1

–

2.0

–

0.3

–

0.1

–

(0.5)

(0.1)

–

5.6

–

0.3

–

(1.5)

(2.2)

(5.8)

(2.3)

(1.2)

(2.9)

(3.5)

(5.6)

–

(10.4)

(2.1)

(21.8)

(23.0)

(2.8)

(6.0)

(8.0)

(5.8)

(6.8)

(2.9)

(5.2)

–

(7.5)

0.3

(5.2)

(7.2)

–

7.9

(1.4)

–

(5.0)

3.0

50.6

3.0

(1.5)

(4.4)

(1.6)

–

(6.9)

0.2

–

0.2

6.8

–

(0.2)

(1.3)

(2.0)

(8.3)

(6.3)

–

(0.6)

0.7

–

(0.2)

0.1

(0.2)

2.6 10.2

2.3

8.7

(0.1)

(0.6)

–

(0.9)

(1.4)

(1.8)

1.1

(4.8)

(1.0)

0.1

30.2

12.3

–

(1.4)

(2.0)

(1.0)

–

4.5

39.2

(11.3)

3.5 10.9

38.1

(12.5)

(44.8)

(1.5)

–

3.4

–

(0.5)

(1.4)

(1.2)

(2.7)

(1.5)

(3.9)

(13.1)

0.8

(4.8)

–

(12.3)

(4.8)

103.8

34.2

(4.3)

(9.4)

(10.0)

(20.7)

(12.6)

11.8

–

(0.2)

–

(3.6)

(12.5)

(1.5)

81.0

(6.0)

–

8.8

–

3.7

1.5

0.3

–

14.3

0.2

–

0.1

–

14.9

17.8

14.1

7.4

(30.5)

(48.6)

(3.6)

0.1

106.8

–

6.1

–

(1.9)

(9.2)

101.8

0.6

–

0.3

–

(120.4)

–

113.0

8.8

6.1

3.7

1.5

0.5

(12.9)

(1.4)

119.3

19.9

17.8

14.1

9.8

(30.5)

(48.6)

(124.6)

0.1

(28.4)

(119.5)

(142.0)

(18.4)

(31.3)

(24.5)

(74.2)

–

2.4

–

(3.5)

–

(1.0)

0.8

–

(0.1)

(2.5)

–

(23.8)

0.2

(25.4)

(18.4)

(31.3)

(24.5)

(74.2)

(21.8)

(28.0)

(49.8)

(17.9)

(0.2)

(18.1)

116.4

34.2

(4.6)

(11.9)

(13.6)

(57.0)

(11.5)

52.0

(3.0)

26.1

(15.4)

(2.3)

4.6

35.6

0.3

(16.4)

29.5

(12.0)

(100.2)

(149.4)

(232.1)

(3.0)

27.8

(14.8)

(4.2)

6.6

35.6

14.6

(16.4)

46.2

(11.2)

(100.2)

(47.6)

(112.8)

196

Year ended December 31, 2019

Northbridge Group Forster National Brit World

Asia Other

Odyssey Crum &

Zenith

Allied Fairfax

Insurance and Reinsurance

Insurance and reinsurance:

insurance
Total Run-off companies

Non- Corporate
and

–

1.0

–

(1.9)

–

(0.9)

–

(2.7)

–

0.3

(0.9)

(2.7)

0.3

–

2.2

2.7

0.5

(7.6)

–

(2.2)

–

3.2

2.7

0.5

(7.6)

(5.5)

0.3

–

(10.2)

–

(6.4)

(10.2)

–

Other Consolidated

154.8

–

0.7

7.6

3.2

2.7

0.5

(7.6)

(15.0)

7.9

163.1

146.5

Eurolife

Singapore Re

BIC Insurance

Falcon Thailand

Digit

Thai Re

Other

Non-insurance:

India

IIFL Finance(2)

Bangalore Airport

Seven Islands

IIFL Securities

CSB Bank
Quess(3)

Other

Africa

AFGRI

Atlas Mara

Other

Agriculture

Astarta

Farmers Edge

Real estate

KWF LPs(4)

Other

Atlas (formerly Seaspan)(5)

EXCO

Resolute

Peak Achievement

APR Energy

Other

Share of profit (loss) of

associates

–

3.2

–

0.1

–

(5.4)

–

6.4

(0.5)

(1.2)

–

1.6

6.3

1.1

0.7

27.4

–

0.2

–

3.3

0.7

27.6

–

(5.0)

(2.6)

(3.5)

(4.3)

(2.1)

(3.9)

(4.6)

(2.3)

(5.4)

(7.6)

(7.8)

(6.7)

(6.2)

(3.1)

–

56.3

–

(3.1)

56.3

15.1

6.9

–

(0.5)

(13.9)

(1.0)

0.1

–

0.1

9.4

0.8

(0.8)

–

(8.6)

(0.7)

–

(0.3)

–

(0.3)

1.0

0.6

7.6

2.6

(1.3)

(0.6)

(0.3)

(1.3)

(5.6)

(7.5)

(1.4)

0.3

2.7

4.6

2.1

1.1

–

41.8

–

0.3

–

7.4

–

0.1

–

148.6

30.8

3.0

1.2

(4.0)

(183.2)

(0.3)

1.1

–

198.9

30.8

3.0

1.6

(4.0)

(183.2)

(0.3)

2.7

4.6

2.1

1.1

42.1

7.5

(3.9)

1.1

46.8

–

(5.7)

–

5.3

22.4

–

(0.4)

(1.8)

(8.2)

(2.9)

–

(2.0)

(15.0)

(16.5)

(39.9)

(1.8)

–

(17.0)

(56.4)

(1.8)

–

5.2

2.2

(0.3)

–

(5.0)

0.1

2.2

53.0

5.3

58.3

60.7

19.5

(3.9)

(5.1)

(48.8)

(4.0)

18.4

62.4

(3.2)

–

(3.2)

11.4

1.7

(1.0)

–

(7.9)

(2.8)

1.4

3.9

19.5

(54.0)

(6.6)

(41.1)

–

(0.9)

–

0.7

(45.2)

–

(0.8)

–

(0.8)

–

(10.2)

11.7

0.4

–

(0.3)

0.1

11.9

2.0

19.5

(54.0)

(6.6)

(41.1)

(19.1)

(39.9)

(59.0)

49.8

(5.8)

44.0

83.8

21.6

(4.9)

(5.1)

(57.0)

(6.0)

32.4

23.1

6.6

0.1

(7.0)

1.1

9.1

56.0

20.0

(13.7)

(2.7)

13.3

2.1

(13.7)

1.1

55.1

19.1

(16.4)

(2.4)

13.3

(0.1)

(13.7)

56.0

(6.3)

(45.2)

165.1

169.6

See note 6 (Investments in Associates) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 for details of transactions described below:

(1) During 2020 the company recorded non-cash impairment charges on its investments in Quess, Resolute, Atlas Mara and Astarta of $98.3, $56.5, $35.0 and $26.3

respectively.

(2) During 2019 the company recorded share of profit of IIFL Holdings of $172.9, reflecting its share of a gain at IIFL Holdings from the spin-offs of IIFL Wealth and IIFL

(3)

Securities.
Prior to the non-cash spin-off of its Quess shares as a return of capital, Thomas Cook India recorded the Quess shares to be transferred to its minority shareholders at fair
value and recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $190.6 that was fully attributed to non-controlling interests in 2019.

(4) During 2019 the company recorded share of profit of a KWF LP of $57.0 (B53.6) related to the sale of investment property in Dublin, Ireland. The KWF LP was

subsequently liquidated.

(5) During 2019 the company recorded share of profit of Seaspan of $83.8, principally reflecting Seaspan’s gain of $227.0 related to the modification of charter arrangements

with one of its largest customers.

197

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Net Gains (Losses) on Investments

Net gains on investments of $313.1 in 2020 (2019 – $1,716.2) was comprised as shown in the following table:

2020

2019

realized gains
(losses)(1)

Net Net change in
unrealized
gains (losses)

Net gains
(losses) on realized gains
(losses)

Net Net change in
unrealized
gains (losses)

investments

Common stocks(2)
Preferred stocks – convertible
Bonds – convertible
Disposition of non-insurance associates(3)(4)
Deconsolidation of non-insurance

subsidiary(5)(6)

Other equity derivatives(7)(8)(9)
Other

Long equity exposures
Short equity exposures(8)

Net equity exposure and financial effects

Bonds(10)(11)
Preferred stocks(12)
CPI-linked derivatives
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
Other derivatives
Foreign currency
Disposition of insurance

and reinsurance associate(13)

Other

238.3
–
9.4
8.6

(61.5)
215.1
(17.0)

392.9
(703.9)

(311.0)
102.7
–
(300.0)
(103.0)
(59.0)
(65.7)

–
(14.5)

(213.6)
4.4
134.0
–

–
54.2
–

(21.0)
175.3

154.3
459.5
5.6
286.1
1.0
26.1
121.3

–
9.7

24.7
4.4
143.4
8.6

(61.5)
269.3
(17.0)

371.9
(528.6)

(156.7)
562.2
5.6
(13.9)
(102.0)
(32.9)
55.6

–
(4.8)

545.4
–
(4.4)
0.7

171.3
79.1
–

792.1
(20.7)

771.4
(55.2)
(23.4)
(14.1)
(119.3)
22.7
(3.4)

10.2
22.9

370.5
0.9
5.8
–

–
110.7
–

487.9
(37.1)

450.8
252.3
396.4
1.8
32.6
(111.3)
(60.3)

–
142.1

Net gains
(losses) on
investments

915.9
0.9
1.4
0.7

171.3
189.8
–

1,280.0
(57.8)

1,222.2
197.1
373.0
(12.3)
(86.7)
(88.6)
(63.7)

10.2
165.0

Net gains (losses) on investments

(750.5)

1,063.6

313.1

611.8

1,104.4

1,716.2

Net gains (losses) on bonds is comprised

as follows:
Government bonds
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other

97.5
3.9
1.3

102.7

(30.7)
17.8
472.4

459.5

66.8
21.7
473.7

562.2

21.4
52.5
(129.1)

(55.2)

67.4
6.9
178.0

252.3

88.8
59.4
48.9

197.1

See note 5 (Cash and Investments), note 6 (Investments in Associates) and note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 for details of 2020 transactions described below:

(1) Amounts recorded in net realized gains (losses) in 2020 include net gains (losses) on investments that were disposed of

pursuant to the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa on December 8, 2020 and European Run-off on March 31, 2020.

(2) During 2019 the company sold its 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard for gross proceeds of $729.0 and recognized a
net gain on investment of $240.0 (realized gains of $311.2, of which $71.2 was recorded as unrealized gains in prior
years), primarily related to the removal of the discount for lack of marketability previously applied by the company to the
traded market price of its ICICI Lombard common stock.

(3) On September 30, 2020 the company sold its investment in Davos Brands for cash proceeds of $58.6 and recorded a net

realized gain of $19.3.

(4) On February 28, 2020 the company sold its investment in APR Energy to Atlas in an all-stock transaction.

(5) On December 8, 2020 Fairfax Africa was deconsolidated and an equity accounted investment in HFP was recognized,
resulting in a net realized loss of $61.5 (inclusive of foreign currency translation losses of $26.9 recycled from accumulated
other comprehensive income to the consolidated statement of earnings).

(6) On May 17, 2019 the company deconsolidated Grivalia Properties upon its merger into Eurobank and recognized a

non-cash gain of $171.3.

(7) Other equity derivatives include long equity total return swaps, equity warrant forward contracts, equity warrants

and options.

198

(8) Gains and losses on equity total return swaps that are regularly renewed as part of the company’s long term investment

strategy are presented in net change in unrealized gains (losses).

(9)

Includes the Atlas (formerly Seaspan) $8.05 equity warrants, and forward contracts relating to commitments to purchase
Atlas warrants and debentures in January 2019.

(10) On June 28, 2019 EXCO Resources Inc. (‘‘EXCO’’) emerged from bankruptcy protection and settled the company’s EXCO
bonds with common shares, resulting in the company recording a net loss on investment of $179.3 (realized losses of
$296.3, of which $117.0 was recorded as unrealized losses in prior years).

(11) On December 21, 2019 Fairfax India’s holdings of Sanmar Chemicals Group (‘‘Sanmar’’) bonds with a principal amount
of $300.0 were settled for net cash proceeds of $425.5 (30.3 billion Indian rupees) including accrued interest, resulting in
the company recording a net gain on investment of $48.8 (realized gains of $156.5, of which $107.7 was recorded as
unrealized gains in prior years).

(12) On December 23, 2019 Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited (‘‘Digit’’) entered into definitive agreements whereby
its general insurance subsidiary Go Digit Insurance Limited (‘‘Digit Insurance’’) subsequently issued approximately $91
(6.5 billion Indian rupees) of new equity primarily to three Indian investors. This transaction valued Digit Insurance at
approximately $858 (61.2 billion Indian rupees) and resulted in the company recording net unrealized gains on
investments of $350.9 on its investment in Digit compulsory convertible preferred shares.

(13) On April 18, 2019 Brit acquired the remaining 50.0% equity interest in Ambridge Partners LLC (‘‘Ambridge Partners’’)
that it did not already own for $46.6, remeasured its existing equity interest to fair value for a gain of $10.4, and
commenced consolidating Ambridge Partners.

Net equity exposure and financial effects: Net equity exposure and financial effects excludes the company’s
insurance and reinsurance investments in associates and joint ventures and other equity and equity-related holdings
which are considered long term strategic holdings. During 2020 the company’s net equity exposure (long equity
exposures net of short equity exposures) produced net losses of $156.7 (2019 – net gains of $1,222.2). Net gains on
long equity exposures of $371.9 in 2020 were primarily comprised of net gains on long equity total return swaps
($325.6), net gains on convertible bonds ($143.4) and net gains on common stocks ($24.7), partially offset by a
non-cash loss recorded on deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa ($61.5) and net losses on equity warrants and options
($56.3).

The company has held short equity total return swaps for investment purposes from time to time, but no longer held
any at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – original notional amount of $194.4). The company’s short equity
exposures produced net losses in 2020 of $528.6 (2019 – $57.8). During 2020 the company closed out $898.4
notional amount of short equity total return swaps and recognized net losses on investments of $528.6 (realized
losses of $703.9, of which $175.3 was recognized as unrealized losses in prior years).

Bonds: Net gains on bonds in 2020 of $562.2 were primarily comprised of net gains on corporate and other bonds
($473.7), India government bonds ($22.9), U.S. state and municipal bonds ($21.7) and U.S. treasury bonds ($18.5).
Net gains on bonds in 2019 of $197.1 were primarily comprised of net gains on U.S. state and municipal bonds
($59.4), U.S. treasury bonds ($58.7), corporate and other bonds ($48.9, inclusive of net losses on EXCO bonds and
net gains on Sanmar bonds) and India government bonds ($21.6).

To economically hedge its exposure to interest rate risk (primarily exposure to certain long dated U.S. corporate
bonds and U.S. state and municipal bonds held in its fixed income portfolio), the company held forward contracts to
sell long dated U.S. treasury bonds with a notional amount at December 31, 2020 of $330.8 (December 31, 2019 –
$846.5). These contracts have an average term to maturity of less than three months, and may be renewed at market
rates. During 2020 the company recorded net losses of $102.0 (2019 – $86.7) on its U.S. treasury bond forward
contracts.

CPI-linked derivatives: The company has purchased derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes
(‘‘CPI’’) in the geographic regions in which it operates to serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse
financial impact on the company of decreasing price levels. During 2020 the company recorded net losses of $13.9
(2019 – $12.3) on its CPI-linked derivative contracts and did not enter into any new contracts. During 2020 certain
CPI-linked derivative contracts referenced to CPI in the United States, European Union and United Kingdom with a
notional amount of $27.2 billion (2019 – $1.8 billion) matured. Refer to note 7 (Derivatives, under the heading
‘‘CPI-linked derivatives’’) to the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020
for details.

199

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Foreign currency: Net gains on foreign currency in 2020 of $55.6 primarily reflected foreign currency net gains
on investing activities of $105.4 (principally related to euro and Canadian dollar denominated investments as those
currencies strengthened relative to the U.S. dollar), partially offset by net losses on foreign currency contracts of
$33.0 and underwriting activities of $16.8. Net losses on foreign currency in 2019 of $63.7 primarily related to
foreign currency net losses on investing activities of $68.0 (principally related to U.S. dollar denominated
investments held by subsidiaries with a Canadian dollar or British pound functional currency as the U.S. dollar
weakened relative to those currencies), partially offset by foreign currency net gains on underwriting activities
of $5.6.

Net gains (losses) on investments by reporting segment: Net gains (losses) on investments by reporting
segment in 2020 and 2019 were comprised as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2020

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum & Zenith
Northbridge Group Forster National Brit World

Allied Fairfax

Asia Other

insurance
Total Run-off companies

Non- Corporate
and

Other Consolidated

71.5

76.1

61.5

(28.7) (41.6)

24.4

10.7

(45.0)

128.9

(114.5)

(17.2)

374.7

Long equity exposures(1)(2)
Short equity exposures(1)
Bonds(1)

Preferred stocks

CPI-linked derivatives

U.S treasury bond forward contracts

–

(19.3)

(49.1)

(23.9)

(3.1)

Foreign currency

Other

(7.5)

18.9

10.0

8.2

5.1

7.1

20.6

(10.7)

(15.4)

(14.3)

(0.5)

(6.8)

(7.9)

2.5

19.0

–

(231.7)

(274.8)

–

(13.0)

25.9

(0.6)

(2.5)

158.3

110.7

(10.6) 70.6

208.3

1.4

(6.3)

0.2

(0.6)

0.1

0.2

0.6

(1.4)

(2.0)

5.3

4.5

–

26.9

(0.8)

(2.8)

–

8.7

–

(519.5)

595.4

5.6

(15.6)

(95.4)

41.5

(4.5)

(9.1)

23.2

–

2.0

(6.7)

7.1

1.1

–

(38.3)

–

(1.4)

(8.7)

–

(18.1)

–

(0.3)

0.1

8.4

(25.6)

371.9

(528.6)

562.2

5.6

(13.9)

(102.0)

55.6

(37.7)

Net gains (losses) on investments

105.7

(26.9)

(158.2)

(59.9) 24.4

246.0

12.3

(7.0)

136.4

(96.9)

(65.6)

339.2

313.1

Year ended December 31, 2019

Insurance and Reinsurance

Odyssey Crum & Zenith
Northbridge Group Forster National Brit World

Allied Fairfax

Asia Other

insurance
Total Run-off companies

Non- Corporate
and

Other Consolidated

Long equity exposures(1)(3)
Short equity exposures(1)
Bonds(1)
Preferred stocks(4)

CPI-linked derivatives

U.S treasury bond forward contracts

Foreign currency

Other

40.6

230.1

78.9

11.7 40.1

104.3

244.9 147.6

898.2

177.9

–

(19.6)

(28.6)

(44.6)

5.5

2.0

–

(14.8)

11.8

(5.2)

3.8

(0.7)

(3.5)

(29.0)

(26.4)

74.2

3.2

(0.2)

(43.4)

6.8

(15.7)

(0.6)

24.3

1.4

–

6.4

1.4

(1.4)

(0.3)

(12.1)

–

69.8

6.4

–

4.3

2.1

(5.1) 12.4

15.8

13.9

–

(3.2)

5.6

(10.9)

350.9

–

(10.1)

0.2

(8.9)

–

5.2

41.0

(23.8)

(52.0)

119.6

372.8

(9.5)

(59.0)

(19.7)

8.1

(5.8)

45.5

0.2

(0.6)

(27.7)

(15.5)

(5.8)

24.8

–

50.7

–

(16.3)

13.4

179.1

–

(18.7)

–

(2.2)

–

(12.2)

70.9

1,280.0

(57.8)

197.1

373.0

(12.3)

(86.7)

(63.7)

86.6

Net gains (losses) on investments

0.5

149.5

75.2

22.5 62.1

210.2

632.3 106.2

1,258.5

168.2

72.6

216.9

1,716.2

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Long equity exposures, short equity exposures and bonds as presented in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020.
Includes an aggregate non-cash loss of $61.5 principally at Odyssey Group, Allied World, Zenith National and Brit pursuant to the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa as
described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Includes a net gain on investment of $240.0 (realized gains of $311.2, of which $71.2 was recorded as unrealized gains in prior years) on the disposition of the company’s
remaining 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard at Fairfax Asia.
Includes a net unrealized gain of $350.9 on the company’s investments in compulsory convertible preferred shares of Digit at Fairfax Asia.

Total Return on the Investment Portfolio

The following table presents the performance of the investment portfolio since the company’s inception in 1985. For
the years 1986 to 2006, 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 under Canadian GAAP. For the years 2007 to 2009, Canadian GAAP required the
company to carry the majority of its investments at fair value and as a result, total return on average investments
during this period included interest and dividends, net gains (losses) on investments recorded in the consolidated
statement of earnings and net unrealized gains (losses) on investments recorded in other comprehensive income.
Effective January 1, 2010 the company adopted IFRS and was required to carry the majority of its investments at
FVTPL and as a result, total return on average investments for the years 2010 to 2020 includes interest and dividends,
net gains (losses) on investments and share of profit (loss) of associates, as presented in the consolidated statement of
earnings, expressed as a percentage of average investments at carrying value. All amounts described above are
included on a pre-tax basis in the calculation of total return on average investments.

200

Average
investments
at carrying
value(2)

Interest
and
dividends

Net Change in
realized unrealized
gains
(losses)

gains
(losses)

Net gains (losses)
recorded in:

Consolidated

Other
statement comprehensive
income (loss)

of earnings(3)

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
27,604.4
28,723.4
33,843.1
39,048.0
40,109.3
41,088.0

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
512.2
555.2
559.0
783.5
880.2
769.2

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(4)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(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)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,639.5
2,718.6

904.3(4)
28.7
737.7
639.4
(1,579.8)
1,682.7
(341.3)
(1,223.3)
1,542.4(5)
221.3
1,710.6
329.9

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
304.5
(426.7)
1,076.7
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Share of
profit
(loss) of
associates

Total return
on average
investments

(%)

751.9

3.9
7.2

–
8.4
–
8.9
–
23.5 22.9
–
18.3 16.3
–
(8.8) (4.4)
–
42.8 14.6
–
14.3
4.7
–
61.9 13.1
–
3.0
26.5
–
150.5 12.9
–
289.4 15.5
–
326.2 10.0
–
539.7
9.1
–
(274.9) (2.7)
–
1,377.2 12.2
–
7.3
–
1,164.3 11.2
–
1,300.4 11.3
–
6.5
841.8
–
6.5
924.8
–
1,288.1
8.1
–
2,705.0 15.1
–
2,918.3 15.0
–
2,693.7 13.1
46.0
786.2
3.5
1.8
1,444.8
6.1
4.2
1,063.7
15.0
96.7 (1,106.2) (4.3)
8.6
2,192.2
343.8
1.2
(643.9) (2.2)
6.8
3.1
6.9
2.4

2,301.9
1,225.9
2,760.4
986.3

105.7
172.9
24.2
200.5
221.1
169.6
(112.8)

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
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019(6)
2020

Cumulative from

inception

13,437.9

3,887.8

9,010.7

940.7 28,541.1

7.9(7)

(1)

(2)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2020; Canadian GAAP for 2009 and prior. Under Canadian GAAP, investments were generally
carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(3) Excludes foreign currency net gains (losses) recognized on the company’s underwriting activities since 2008, as presented

in the consolidated financial statements.

(4) Excludes gains on the company’s secondary offerings of certain insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries (2004 – $40.1;
2006 – $69.7), losses on repurchase of long term debt at premiums to par (2004 – $27.0; 2006 – $15.7) and other gains
and losses arising on transactions involving the common and preferred shares of consolidated insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries (2006 – $8.1 loss; 2009 – $25.9 gain).

(5) Excludes the gain of $1,018.6 on the company’s sale of First Capital during 2017.

201

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

(6) Average investments at carrying value and total return on average investments were calculated inclusive of European
Run-off’s portfolio investments that were presented in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 2019.

(7) Simple average of the total return on average investments for each of the 35 years.

Investment gains have been an important component of the company’s financial results since 1985, having
contributed an aggregate $13,957.2 (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 2020,
total return on average investments has averaged 7.9%.

The company has a long term, value-oriented investment philosophy. It continues to expect fluctuations in the
global financial markets for common stocks, bonds, derivatives and other securities.

Bonds

Credit Risk

At December 31, 2020, 80.3% (December 31, 2019 – 85.3%) of the fixed income portfolio’s carrying value was rated
investment grade or better, with 27.0% (December 31, 2019 – 47.2%) rated AA or better (primarily consisting of
government bonds). At December 31, 2020 the fixed income portfolio included the company’s investments in
mortgage loans of $775.4 (December 31, 2019 – $232.0) secured by real estate primarily in the U.S., Europe and
Canada. Refer to note 24 (Financial Risk Management, under the heading ‘‘Investments in Debt Instruments’’) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a discussion of the company’s exposure
to the credit risk in its fixed income portfolio.

Interest Rate Risk

Hypothetical parallel upward shifts in the term structure of interest rates by 100 basis points and 200 basis points
would potentially decrease net earnings by $335.2 and $624.5 respectively (2019 – $243.6 and $463.3).

The company’s exposure to interest rate risk increased during 2020 primarily due to economic disruption caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic and also due to net purchases of short to mid-dated high quality corporate bonds of
$2,071.9, partially offset by decreased bond holdings, primarily reflecting net sales and maturities of short-dated
U.S. treasury bonds and Canadian government bonds for proceeds of $2,521.5 and $626.0, and net sales of India
government bonds for net proceeds of $479.6. To reduce its exposure to interest rate risk (primarily exposure to
certain long-dated U.S. corporate bonds and U.S. state and municipal bonds held in its fixed income portfolio), the
company held forward contracts to sell long-dated U.S. treasury bonds with a notional amount at December 31, 2020
of $330.8 (December 31, 2019 – $846.5). These contracts have an average term to maturity of less than three months
and may be renewed at market rates.

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, 2020.

Common Stocks

The company holds significant investments in equity and equity-related instruments. 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. During 2020 the company’s equity
and equity-related exposure increased, primarily reflecting an increase in the notional amount of long equity total
return swaps on individual equities for investment purposes following significant declines in global equity markets
in the first quarter of 2020, the company’s equity accounted investment in HFP following the deconsolidation of
Fairfax Africa and net unrealized appreciation of common stocks, partially offset by share of loss of associates (which
included non-cash impairment charges on Quess, Resolute, Atlas Mara and Astarta) and the deconsolidation of
Fairfax Africa’s investments in associates.

The company’s risk management objective with respect to market price fluctuations places primary emphasis on the
preservation of invested capital. In the foreseeable future, the company will remain focused on its long term value-

202

oriented investment philosophy, seeking investments that are attractively priced, selling at a discount to intrinsic
value and afford a margin of safety.

A hypothetical decrease in global equity markets of 10% and 20% at December 31, 2020 would potentially decrease
the company’s net earnings by $611.6 and $1,228.8 (December 31, 2019 – 5% and 10%, by $215.1 and $428.8). The
company’s net equity exposure and exposure to market price fluctuations are discussed further in note 24 (Financial
Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The company’s holdings of common stocks, long equity total return swaps and investments in associates at
December 31, 2020 and 2019 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,
2019(1)(2)
5,786.6
2,571.1
2,145.1

2020(1)(2)
6,266.1
3,095.6
2,501.2

11,862.9

10,502.8

(1) Excludes other funds that are invested principally in fixed income securities at December 31, 2020 of $195.4

(December 31, 2019 – $175.6).

(2) Excludes the company’s insurance and reinsurance investments in associates and joint ventures which are considered long

term strategic holdings.

The company’s holdings of common stocks, long equity total return swaps and investments in associates at
December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized by the issuer’s country of domicile in the table below.

United States(3)
Canada(3)
India(4)
Greece
Netherlands
Egypt
Singapore
China
United Kingdom
Brazil
Nigeria
Japan
Germany
Hong Kong
Thailand
Kuwait
All other

December 31, December 31,
2019(1)(2)
2,134.6
1,780.0
2,686.0
1,174.4
704.1
395.2
143.0
145.0
399.2
65.3
71.2
51.6
35.2
65.7
45.2
41.3
565.8

2020(1)(2)
2,977.6
2,910.6
2,487.9
1,185.0
486.5
290.7
191.2
157.5
143.9
86.7
74.2
62.6
46.6
45.5
42.1
30.5
643.8

11,862.9

10,502.8

(1) Excludes other funds that are invested principally in fixed income securities at December 31, 2020 of $195.4

(December 31, 2019 – $175.6).

(2) Excludes the company’s insurance and reinsurance investments in associates and joint ventures which are considered long

term strategic holdings.

(3) The year-over-year increase primarily reflects $1,906.9 notional amount of long equity total return swaps entered into on
individual equities for investment purposes following significant declines in global equity markets in the first quarter
of 2020.

(4) Principally held by Fairfax India, in which the company has a 28.0% economic ownership interest and the remaining

72.0% is held by non-controlling interests.

203

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Derivatives and Derivative Counterparties

The company endeavours to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to its derivative
contracts and through the terms of negotiated agreements. 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 based on the daily fair value of the derivative contracts. 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 company’s exposure to
net derivative counterparty risk at December 31, 2020 was estimated to be $83.4 (December 31, 2019 – $53.7).

Refer to note 24 (Financial Risk Management, under the heading ‘‘Credit Risk – Counterparties to Derivative
Contracts’’) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a discussion and
tabular analysis of the company’s exposure to derivative counterparty risk.

Float

Float in the insurance industry refers to the funds available for investment that arise as an insurance or reinsurance
operation receives premiums in advance of the payment of claims. The company calculates its float as the sum of its
insurance contract liabilities (comprised of provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses and provision for
unearned premiums) and insurance contract payables, less the sum of its insurance contract receivables, recoverable
from reinsurers and deferred premium acquisition costs. The annual cost (benefit) of float is calculated by expressing
annual underwriting loss (profit) as a percentage of average float for the year (the simple average of float at the
beginning and end of the year).

The following table presents the accumulated float and the cost (benefit) of generating that float for the company’s
insurance and reinsurance operations. The average float from those operations increased by 7.5% in 2020 to
$21,668.1, at no cost.

Year
1986
(cid:2)

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Weighted average since inception

Underwriting
profit (loss)(1)
2.5

Average
float
21.6

Cost (benefit)
of float
(11.6)%

575.9
13,986.5
(641.5) 17,200.9
20,009.6
318.3
20,149.6
394.5
21,668.1
309.0

(4.1)%
3.8%
(1.6)%
(2.0)%
(1.4)%
0.1%

(3.1)%

Average long
term Canada
treasury
bond yield
9.6%

1.9%
2.3%
2.4%
1.8%
1.2%
3.2%

Fairfax’s weighted average net benefit of float since inception:

(1)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2020; Canadian GAAP basis for 2009 and prior. Underwriting profit (loss) of the insurance and
reinsurance subsidiaries for 2020 and 2019 is presented in note 25 (Segmented Information) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Consolidated year-end float for the most recent five years was comprised as follows:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Northbridge

Odyssey
Group

Crum &
Forster

Zenith
National

Brit

Allied Fairfax
Asia
World

Other

Total

Run-off Consolidated

1,650.3
1,786.2
1,694.1
1,869.0
2,082.0

4,093.9
4,531.0
4,670.3
5,100.5
5,858.0

2,854.8 1,232.6
2,888.7 1,236.6
2,887.6 1,200.4
3,032.8 1,141.6
3,288.1 1,145.8

– 512.0

2,806.1
900.8 14,050.5 2,808.5 16,859.0
3,079.5 5,459.1 240.6 1,129.5 20,351.2 2,573.1 22,924.3
2,792.3 5,082.5 242.4 1,098.4 19,668.0 3,050.1 22,718.1
3,043.0 5,115.9 253.1 1,075.2 20,631.1 1,747.4 22,378.5
3,231.9 5,744.3 252.2 1,102.7 22,705.0 1,572.8 24,277.8

204

During 2020 the company’s consolidated float increased by $1,899.3 to $24,277.8. A comparison of 2020 to
2019 year-end float for each of the insurance and reinsurance and Run-off reporting segments in the table above is
as follows:

Northbridge’s float increased by 11.4% (increased by 9.4% in Canadian dollar terms) primarily due to increases in
provision for unearned premiums and provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses and the impact of the
weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar, partially offset by higher insurance contract receivables.
The increase in provision for unearned premiums and insurance contract receivables primarily reflected increased
business volumes. The increase in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses primarily reflected the timing of
claim settlements.

Odyssey Group’s float increased by 14.9% primarily due to increases in provision for losses and loss adjustment
expenses, provision for unearned premiums and insurance contract payables (principally related to payables to
reinsurers), partially offset by an increase in recoverable from reinsurers and insurance contracts receivables. The
increase in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses primarily reflected increased business volumes and the
associated losses and foreign exchange movements, partially offset by favourable prior year reserve development.
The increases in provision for unearned premiums and insurance contract receivables primarily reflected higher
business volumes.

Crum & Forster’s float increased by 8.4% primarily reflecting increases in provision for losses and loss adjustment
expenses and provision for unearned premiums, partially offset by increases in recoverable from reinsurers and
insurance contract receivables. The increase in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses primarily reflected
increased business volumes and the associated losses, current period catastrophe losses and COVID-19 losses. The
increase in recoverable from reinsurers reflected an increase in the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
which are reinsured. The increases in provision for unearned premiums and insurance contract receivables
principally reflected increased business volumes.

Zenith National’s float modestly increased by 0.4% principally reflecting higher insurance contract payables related to
estimated policyholder refund liabilities as a result of lower payroll exposure due to the economic effects of
COVID-19 in the workers’ compensation business, partially offset by a decrease in provision for losses and loss
adjustment expenses primarily due to favourable prior year reserve development.

Brit’s float increased by 6.2% primarily due to increases in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses and
provision for unearned premiums, partially offset by increases in recoverable from reinsurers and insurance contract
receivables. The increase in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses principally reflected COVID-19 losses
and current period catastrophe losses, partially offset by favourable prior year reserve development. The increases in
provision for unearned premiums reflected growth in core lines of business generated by both price increases and
increased business volumes. Recoverable from reinsurers increased reflecting increased ceded losses associated with
COVID-19 and current year catastrophe losses.

Allied World’s float increased by 12.3% principally as a result of increases in provision for unearned premiums,
provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses and a decrease in insurance contract receivables, partially offset by
an increase in recoverable from reinsurers. The increase in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
primarily reflected increased business volumes and the associated losses and COVID-19 losses. The increase in the
recoverable from reinsurers reflected the increased use of reinsurance in certain lines of business. The increase in the
provision for unearned premiums primarily reflected new business and improved pricing across both the insurance
segment and the reinsurance segment. Allied World is included in the company’s consolidated financial reporting
with effect from July 6, 2017.

Fairfax Asia’s float modestly decreased by 0.4% primarily due to a decrease in provision for unearned premiums and
an increase in insurance contract receivables, partially offset by a decrease in recoverable from reinsurers. The
decrease in provision for unearned premiums principally reflected a decline in business volume at AMAG Insurance
(primarily automobile lines of business due to the economic impact of COVID-19). The increase in insurance
contract receivables primarily reflects Falcon’s increased business volume from its 25% quota share reinsurance
participation in the net underwriting result of First Capital’s insurance portfolio. The decrease in the recoverable
from reinsurers primarily reflected decreases in ceded business volume at Pacific Insurance.

205

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other’s float increased by 2.6% primarily due to an increase in provision for losses and loss
adjustment expenses and provision for unearned premiums, partially offset by higher recoverable from reinsurers
and insurance contracts receivables. The increase in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses principally
reflected increased business volumes and the associated losses and COVID-19 losses, partially offset by favourable
prior year reserve development. The increases in provision for unearned premiums and recoverable from reinsurers
principally reflected growth in business at Group Re, Fairfax Latin America (Fairfax Brasil) and Fairfax CEE (Polish Re
and ARX Insurance), partially offset by reduced premium retention at Fairfax Latam and reduced business volumes at
Fairfax Latam (primarily at Southbridge Colombia).

Run-off’s float decreased by 10.0% primarily due to a decrease in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
reflecting U.S. Run-off’s continued progress settling its claims liabilities, partially offset by adverse prior year
development on asbestos reserves.

Float, average float and cost (benefit) of float are performance measures that are calculated using amounts presented
in the consolidated financial statements. Consolidated float was calculated using amounts presented on the
consolidated balance sheets at December 31 as follows:

Insurance contract payables
Insurance contract liabilities
Insurance contract receivables
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers

December 31, December 31,
2019
2,591.0
35,722.6
(5,435.0)
(1,344.3)
(9,155.8)

2020
2,964.0
39,206.8
(5,816.1)
(1,543.7)
(10,533.2)

24,277.8

22,378.5

Financial Condition

Capital Resources and Management

The company manages its capital based on the following financial measurements and ratios:

Consolidated
Holding company cash and investments (net of

derivative obligations)

December 31,

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

1,229.4

975.2

1,550.6

2,356.9

1,329.4

Borrowings – holding company
Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance companies
Borrowings – non-insurance companies

5,580.6
1,033.4
2,200.0

4,117.3
1,039.6
2,075.7

3,859.5
995.7
1,625.2

3,475.1
1,373.0
1,566.0

3,472.5
435.5
859.6

Total debt

Net debt(1)

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

8,814.0

7,232.6

6,480.4

6,414.1

4,767.6

7,584.6

6,257.4

4,929.8

4,057.2

3,438.2

12,521.1
1,335.5
3,670.7

13,042.6
1,335.5
3,529.1

11,779.3
1,335.5
4,250.4

12,475.6
1,335.5
4,600.9

8,484.6
1,335.5
2,000.0

17,527.3

17,907.2

17,365.2

18,412.0

11,820.1

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital(2)
Total debt/total capital(3)
Interest coverage(4)
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution

coverage(5)

43.3%
30.2%
33.5%
1.6x

34.9%
25.9%
28.8%
6.5x

28.4%
22.1%
27.2%
3.5x

22.0%
18.1%
25.8%
7.1x

29.1%
22.5%
28.7%
n/a

1.4x

5.7x

3.0x

6.0x

n/a

206

Excluding consolidated non-insurance

companies

Holding company cash and investments (net of

derivative obligations)

December 31,

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

1,229.4

975.2

1,550.6

2,356.9

1,329.4

Borrowings – holding company
Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance companies

5,580.6
1,033.4

4,117.3
1,039.6

3,859.5
995.7

3,475.1
1,373.0

3,472.5
435.5

Total debt

Net debt(1)

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

6,614.0

5,156.9

4,855.2

4,848.1

3,908.0

5,384.6

4,181.7

3,304.6

2,491.2

2,578.6

12,521.1
1,335.5
1,831.8

13,042.6
1,335.5
1,544.6

11,779.3
1,335.5
1,437.1

12,475.6
1,335.5
1,725.9

8,484.6
1,335.5
523.5

15,688.4

15,922.7

14,551.9

15,537.0

10,343.6

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital(2)
Total debt/total capital(3)
Interest coverage(4)(6)
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution

coverage(5)(6)

34.3%
25.6%
29.7%
3.3x

26.3%
20.8%
24.5%
9.8x

22.7%
18.5%
25.0%
3.2x

16.0%
13.8%
23.8%
8.0x

24.9%
20.0%
27.4%
n/a

2.7x

7.9x

2.6x

6.5x

n/a

(1) Net debt is calculated by the company as total debt less holding company cash and investments (net of derivative

obligations).

(2) Net total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and net debt.

(3) Total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and total debt.

(4)

(5)

Interest coverage is calculated by the company as earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense on borrowings,
divided by interest expense on borrowings.

(6) Excludes earnings (loss) before income taxes, and interest expense on borrowings, of consolidated non-insurance
companies. The ratios for the year ended December 31, 2018 include the non-cash gain of $889.9 from the
deconsolidation of Quess.

Borrowings – holding company increased by $1,463.3 to $5,580.6 at December 31, 2020 from $4,117.3 at
December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting $700.0 drawn on the company’s credit facility (as added liquidity support for
the insurance and reinsurance companies should it be needed as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
and to support growth in the insurance and reinsurance companies in a favourable pricing environment), the
issuance on April 29, 2020 of $650.0 principal amount of 4.625% unsecured senior notes due April 29, 2030, and the
unfavourable impact of foreign exchange on the holding company’s Euro and Canadian dollar denominated
borrowings of $113.8. Significant cash movements at the holding company during 2020 are as set out in the
Financial Condition section of this MD&A under the heading ‘‘Liquidity’’. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the
company completed offerings of $671.6 (Cdn$850.0) and $600.0 principal amounts of unsecured senior notes due
2031 and made a net repayment of $200.0 on its revolving credit facility, leaving $500.0 borrowed at March 5, 2021.
The company also announced redemptions of its unsecured senior notes due 2022 and 2023 with principal amounts
of $350.1 (Cdn$446.0) and $314.0 (Cdn$400.0).

Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance companies decreased by $6.2 to $1,033.4 at December 31, 2020 from
$1,039.6 at December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting Brit’s payment of $10.0 on its revolving credit facility.

Borrowings – non-insurance companies increased by $124.3 to $2,200.0 at December 31, 2020 from $2,075.7 at
December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting the consolidation of the borrowings of Horizon North (by Dexterra) and
Farmers Edge and increased borrowings at non-insurance companies to support their operations should it be needed

207

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa’s
borrowings.

Non-controlling interests increased to $3,670.7 at December 31, 2020 from $3,529.1 at December 31, 2019, primarily
reflecting the deconsolidation of European Run-off and its investments in certain of the company’s Non-insurance
subsidiaries ($340.4), a third party’s investment in Brit’s subsidiary Ki Insurance ($124.4), the acquisition of Horizon
North on May 29, 2020 ($103.3) and Eurolife’s investment in a Fairfax consolidated internal investment fund
($93.7), partially offset by the acquisition of the minority interest in Brit ($189.6), non-controlling interests’ share of
net loss ($181.0), the deconsolidation of Fairfax Africa and dividends paid to minority shareholders ($165.6). For
further details on other net changes in capitalization refer to note 16 (Total Equity) and note 23 (Acquisitions and
Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The changes in borrowings and common shareholders’ equity affected the company’s leverage ratios as follows: the
consolidated net debt/net total capital ratio increased to 30.2% at December 31, 2020 from 25.9% at December 31,
2019, primarily as a result of increased net debt, partially offset by increased net total capital. The increase in net debt
was primarily due to increased borrowings by holding company and non-insurance companies (as described in the
preceding paragraphs), partially offset by increased holding company cash and investments. The consolidated total
debt/total capital ratio increased to 33.5% at December 31, 2020 from 28.8% at December 31, 2019, primarily as a
result of increased total debt, partially offset by increased total capital (reflecting increases in total debt and
non-controlling interests, partially offset by decreased common shareholders’ equity).

The company believes that holding company cash and investments, net of derivative obligations, at December 31,
2020 of $1,229.4 (December 31, 2019 – $975.2) provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s known
commitments in 2021. Refer to the Liquidity section of this MD&A for a discussion of the holding company’s
available sources of liquidity and known significant commitments for 2021.

The company’s insurance and reinsurance companies continue to maintain capital above minimum regulatory
levels, at levels adequate to support their issuer credit and financial strength ratings, and above internally calculated
risk management levels as discussed below. A common non-IFRS measure of capital adequacy in the property and
casualty industry is the ratio of net premiums written to statutory surplus (or total equity). This ratio is presented for
the insurance and reinsurance companies for the most recent five years in the following table:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge (Canada)
Odyssey Group (U.S.)
Crum & Forster (U.S.)
Zenith National (U.S.)
Brit
Allied World(1)
Fairfax Asia(2)
Other

Industry

Canadian insurance industry
U.S. insurance industry

Net premiums written to statutory
surplus (total equity)

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

1.3
0.8
1.7
1.2
1.1
0.7
0.4
1.1

1.3
0.7

1.4
0.7
1.7
1.4
1.3
0.6
0.5
1.1

1.2
0.7

1.2
0.7
1.5
1.5
1.4
0.8
0.4
1.1

1.1
0.8

1.0
0.6
1.4
1.5
1.4
0.9
0.4
0.8

1.1
0.7

0.9
0.5
1.5
1.5
1.3
–
0.4
0.7

1.0
0.7

(1) The 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 ratios presented for Allied World include its U.S. GAAP equity of $4,377.4, $4,136.1,
$2,817.3 and $2,523.8 at December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 respectively. The 2017 ratio presented for Allied
World includes net premiums written by Allied World prior to its acquisition by the company on July 6, 2017.

(2) Total equity excludes certain holding company investments.

208

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, 2020 Odyssey Group, Crum & Forster, Zenith National, Allied World and U.S. Run-off subsidiaries had
capital and surplus that met or exceeded the regulatory minimum requirement of two times the authorized control
level; each subsidiary had capital and surplus of at least 3.0 times (December 31, 2019 – 3.1 times) the authorized
control level, except for TIG Insurance which had at least 2.3 times (December 31, 2019 – 2.0 times).

In Bermuda, insurance and reinsurance companies are regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and are subject
to the statutory requirements of the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978. There is a requirement to hold available statutory
economic capital and surplus equal to or in excess of an enhanced capital and target capital level as determined
under the Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement model. The target capital level is measured as 120% of the
enhanced capital requirements. At December 31, 2020 and 2019 Allied World’s subsidiary was in compliance with
Bermuda’s regulatory requirements.

The Lloyd’s market is subject to the solvency and capital adequacy requirements of the Prudential Regulatory
Authority in the U.K. The capital requirements of Brit are based on the output of an internal model which reflects the
risk profile of the business. At December 31, 2020 Brit’s available capital consisted of net tangible assets (total assets
less any intangible assets and all liabilities), subordinated debt and contingent funding in the form of letters of credit
and amounted to $1,881.3 (December 31, 2019 – $1,576.6). This represented a surplus of $341.0 (December 31,
2019 – $348.8) over the management capital requirements (capital required for business strategy and regulatory
requirements), compared to Brit’s minimum targeted surplus of $210.0 (December 31, 2019 – $210.0).

In countries other than the U.S., Bermuda, Canada and the U.K. where the company operates, the company met or
exceeded the applicable regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The issuer credit ratings and financial strength ratings of Fairfax and its insurance and reinsurance operating
companies at December 31, 2020 were as follows:

Issuer Credit Ratings

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

Financial Strength Ratings
Northbridge Financial Corporation(1)
Odyssey Group Holdings, Inc.(1)
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.(1)
Zenith National Insurance Corp.(1)
Brit Limited(2)
Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd(1)
Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited
Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd.
Polish Re
Colonnade Insurance S.A.

Standard

A.M. Best

& Poor’s Moody’s

DBRS

bbb

BBB-

Baa3

BBB
(high)

A
A
A
A
A
A
–
A
A-
A-

A-
A-
A-
A-
A+
A-
A-
–
–
–

A3
A2
Baa1
Baa1
–
A3
–
–
–
–

A
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(1) Financial strength ratings apply to the operating companies.

(2) Brit’s ratings are the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s ratings assigned to Lloyd’s.

209

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Book Value Per Share

Common shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2020 of $12,521.1 or $478.33 per basic share compared to $13,042.6
or $486.10 per basic share at December 31, 2019, representing a decrease per basic share in 2020 of 1.6% (without
adjustment for the $10.00 per common share dividend paid in the first quarter of 2020; an increase of 0.6% adjusted
to include that dividend). The decrease in book value per basic share was primarily due to the payment in the first
quarter of 2020 of the annual common share dividend of $275.7 and unrealized foreign currency translation losses,
partially offset by net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $218.4 and lower number of common shares
effectively outstanding.

During 2020 the number of basic shares decreased primarily as a result of net purchases of 310,692 subordinate
voting shares for treasury (for use in the company’s share-based payment awards) and purchases of
343,871 subordinate voting shares for cancellation. At December 31, 2020 there were 26,176,506 common shares
effectively outstanding.

The company has issued common shares and purchased common shares for cancellation in the most recent five
years as follows:

Year
2016 – issuance of shares(2)
2016 – purchase of shares(3)
2017 – issuance of shares(4)
2017 – purchase of shares(3)
2018 – purchase of shares(3)
2019 – purchase of shares(3)
2020 – purchase of shares(3)

Number of
subordinate
voting shares
1,000,000
(30,732)
5,084,961
(184,367)
(187,476)
(249,361)
(343,871)

Average
issue/purchase
price per share(1)
$523.50
$458.81
$431.94
$521.79
$494.46
$473.21
$293.42

Net proceeds/
(purchase cost)
523.5
(14.1)
2,196.4
(96.2)
(92.7)
(118.0)
(100.9)

(1) The company calculates average issue price per share as aggregate net proceeds divided by the total number of subordinate
voting shares issued, and average purchase price per share as aggregate net purchase cost divided by the number of
subordinate voting shares purchased for cancellation. Both measures are calculated for annual periods using amounts
presented in the consolidated financial statements.

(2) Subordinate voting share issuance pursuant to a public offering.
(3) Subordinate voting shares purchased for cancellation under the terms of the company’s normal course issuer bids.
(4) Subordinate voting share issuance primarily related to the acquisition of Allied World in 2017.

Following the expiry on September 29, 2020 of its then current normal course issuer bid, on September 30, 2020 the
company commenced a normal course issuer bid pursuant to which it is authorized, until expiry of the bid on
September 29, 2021, to acquire up to 2,455,854 subordinate voting shares, 751,034 Series C preferred shares,
178,415 Series D preferred shares, 543,613 Series E preferred shares, 173,574 Series F preferred shares,
743,295 Series G preferred shares, 256,704 Series H preferred shares, 1,046,555 Series I preferred shares,
153,444 Series J preferred shares, 950,000 Series K preferred shares and 919,600 Series M preferred shares,
representing approximately 10% of the public float in respect of the subordinate voting shares and each series of
preferred shares. Decisions regarding any future purchases 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.

The company’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, net earnings per diluted share and book value per basic share figures.

Liquidity

Holding company cash and investments at December 31, 2020 was $1,252.2 ($1,229.4 net of $22.8 of holding
company derivative obligations) compared to $975.5 ($975.2 net of $0.3 of holding company derivative obligations)
at December 31, 2019.

Significant cash and investment inflows at the holding company during 2020 included the following: net
borrowings from the holding company credit facility of $700.0, net proceeds from the issuance of $650.0 principal
amount of 4.625% unsecured senior notes due April 29, 2030, the contribution of European Run-off to a joint

210

venture for proceeds of $599.5, and dividends received from the insurance and reinsurance companies of $239.7
(principally from Odyssey Group ($200.0), Zenith National ($27.6), and Northbridge ($11.1)).

Significant cash and investment outflows at the holding company during 2020 included the following: capital
contributions of $1,381.4 provided to the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to support growth in a favourable
pricing environment and to support fluctuations in their investment portfolios from the economic effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic, payment of common and preferred share dividends of $319.7, the acquisition of the
remaining shares of Brit that the company did not already own for cash consideration of $220.0, purchases of
subordinate voting shares for treasury of $137.9 (for use by the company for share-based payment awards) and
purchases of subordinate voting shares for cancellation of $100.9. The capital contributions of $1,381.4 provided to
the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries principally related to contributions made to support the capital
requirements at Brit ($524.0), Crum & Forster ($405.0), Odyssey Group ($165.1), Run-off ($131.9), and Allied
World ($100.0).

The carrying value of holding company cash and investments was also affected by the following: receipt of
investment management and administration fees and disbursements for corporate overhead expenses and interest
paid on borrowings. The carrying value of holding company cash and investments will vary with changes in the fair
values of those investments (including derivative contracts that may have collateral and cash settlement
requirements).

The company believes that holding company cash and investments, net of holding company derivative obligations
at December 31, 2020 of $1,229.4 provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s known commitments
in 2021. The holding company expects to continue to receive investment management and administration fees from
its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and Fairfax India, 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 the remainder of its $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility.

During 2020 subsidiary cash and short term investments (including cash and short term investments pledged for
derivative obligations) increased by $3,013.3 primarily reflecting the reinvestment of net proceeds from sales and
maturities of U.S. treasury and Canadian government bonds into U.S. treasury short term investments, partially
offset by the deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents at Fairfax Africa.

The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may experience cash inflows or outflows on occasion related to their
derivative contracts, including collateral requirements. During 2020 the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries paid
net cash of $628.6 (2019 – received net cash of $30.7) in connection with long and short equity total return swaps
(excluding the impact of collateral requirements).

The non-insurance companies have principal repayments coming due in 2021 of $1,309.2 primarily related to AGT’s
senior notes and credit facilities, Fairfax India’s secured term loan, and the maturity of certain convertible
debentures. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, AGT extended the maturity on its senior credit facility of Cdn$525.0
to January 24, 2022, and Fairfax India completed an offering of $500.0 principal amount of 5.00% unsecured senior
notes on February 26, 2021 and used the net proceeds to repay $500.0 principal amount of its floating rate term loan.
Borrowings of the non-insurance companies are non-recourse to the holding company and are generally expected to
be settled through a combination of refinancing and operating cash flows.

211

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

The following table presents major components of cash flows for the years ended December 31:

Operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities before net purchases of investments classified at

FVTPL

Net purchases of investments classified at FVTPL

Investing activities

Purchases of investments in associates
Sales of investments in associates
Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from sale of insurance subsidiary, net of cash divested
Cash divested on deconsolidation of non-insurance subsidiary
Net purchases of premises and equipment and intangible assets
Net purchases of investment property

Financing activities

Borrowings – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies
Repayments – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies
Net borrowings – holding company revolving credit facility
Net borrowings (repayments) – insurance and reinsurance companies’ revolving credit

facilities

Borrowings – non-insurance companies
Repayments – non-insurance companies
Net borrowings (repayments) – non-insurance companies’ revolving credit facilities and

short term loans

Principal payments on lease liabilities – holding company and insurance and reinsurance

companies

Principal payments on lease liabilities – non-insurance companies
Purchases of subordinate voting shares for treasury (for share-based payment awards)
Purchases of subordinate voting shares for cancellation
Issuances of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests
Purchases of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests
Common and preferred share dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

2020

2019

2,476.0
(2,336.2)

1,722.1
(366.7)

(29.8)
139.8
–
221.7
(97.4)
(273.3)
(7.8)

645.0
(0.3)
700.0

(10.0)
107.8
(82.5)

(772.1)
323.8
(210.1)
–
(41.6)
(319.6)
(184.4)

456.5
(326.7)
–

132.1
302.7
(308.5)

60.5

(16.9)

(61.9)
(164.6)
(137.9)
(100.9)
218.2
(251.2)
(319.7)
(165.6)

(59.9)
(166.1)
(104.4)
(118.0)
44.7
(151.4)
(323.8)
(197.7)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the year

529.9

(686.0)

Operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding net purchases of investments classified at FVTPL) increased to
$2,476.0 in 2020 from $1,722.1 in 2019, principally reflecting higher net premium collections, lower net paid losses
and lower income taxes paid. Refer to the consolidated statements of cash flows and to note 27 (Supplementary Cash
Flow Information) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 for details of
operating activities, including net purchases of investments classified at FVTPL.

Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020

Sales of investments in associates of $139.8 primarily reflected the sale of Davos Brands and distributions received
from the company’s associates and joint ventures.

Proceeds from sale of insurance subsidiary, net of cash divested of $221.7 reflected the contribution of European
Run-off to a joint venture as described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Cash divested on deconsolidation of non-insurance subsidiary of $97.4 primarily reflected the deconsolidation of
Fairfax Africa as described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2020.

212

Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019

Purchases of investments in associates of $772.1 primarily reflected increased investments in Atlas (formerly
Seaspan), Sanmar Chemicals Group and CSB Bank (both by Fairfax India).

Sales of investments in associates of $323.8 primarily reflected distributions received from the company’s insurance
and non-insurance associates and joint ventures (inclusive of the final cash distributions received from the
liquidation of the KWF LP that sold investment property in Dublin, Ireland).

Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired of $210.1 primarily related to the acquisitions of AGT, CIG (by Fairfax
Africa), Ambridge Partners (by Brit) and ARX Insurance.

Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020

Net proceeds from borrowings – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies of $645.0 reflected net
proceeds from the issuance of $650.0 principal amount of 4.625% unsecured senior notes due April 29, 2030.

Net borrowings from holding company revolving credit facility of $700.0 reflected the company’s draw on its credit
facility as added liquidity support for the insurance and reinsurance companies should it be needed as a result of the
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support growth in the insurance and reinsurance companies in a
favourable pricing environment.

Borrowings – non-insurance companies of $107.8 primarily reflected the net proceeds received from borrowings by
Fairfax India’s subsidiaries NCML and Privi, and Fairfax Africa’s subsidiary CIG (deconsolidated on
December 8, 2020).

Purchases of subordinate voting shares for treasury in 2020 of $137.9 were for the company’s share-based
payment awards.

Issuances of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests of $218.2 primarily reflected a third party’s investment in
Brit’s newly formed subsidiary Ki Insurance and Eurolife’s investment in a Fairfax consolidated internal
investment fund.

Purchases of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests of $251.2 primarily reflected the acquisition of the
remaining shares held by Brit’s minority shareholder and purchases of common shares made under normal course
issuer bids by Fairfax India.

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests of $165.6 primarily reflected dividends paid by Allied World and Brit to
their minority shareholders.

Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019

Net proceeds from borrowings – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies of $456.5 primarily
reflected the issuance of Cdn$500.0 principal amount of 4.23% unsecured senior notes due June 14, 2029 and the
issuance of $85.0 principal amount of 4.142% unsecured senior notes due February 7, 2024.

Repayments – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies of $326.7 reflected the company’s
redemption of its remaining Cdn$395.6 principal amount of unsecured senior notes due 2021.

Net borrowings from revolving credit facilities – insurance and reinsurance companies of $132.1 reflected Brit’s
additional borrowings on its revolving credit facility.

Borrowings – non-insurance companies of $302.7 primarily reflected the net proceeds received from the issuance of
Cdn$250.0 principal amount of secured senior notes due 2029 by Recipe and borrowings by Boat Rocker and Thomas
Cook India.

Repayments – non-insurance companies of $308.5 primarily reflected AGT’s partial repayment of $131.8
(Cdn$175.6) of its Cdn$200.0 principal amount of senior notes due 2021 and Recipe’s repayment of its $111.8
(Cdn$150.0) term loan due 2019.

Purchases of subordinate voting shares for treasury in 2019 of $104.4 were for the company’s share-based
payment awards.

Purchases of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests of $151.4 primarily reflected purchases of common
shares made under the substantial issuer bid by Recipe and under the normal course issuer bids by Fairfax Africa,
Recipe and Fairfax India.

213

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Issuance of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests of $44.7 primarily reflected Eurolife’s investment in a
Fairfax internal investment fund and the issuance of preferred shares by Boat Rocker.

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests of $197.7 primarily reflected dividends paid by Allied World, Brit, Recipe
and Mosaic Capital to their minority shareholders.

Contractual Obligations

For details of the company’s contractual obligations, including the maturity profile of financial liabilities, please see
note 24 (Financial Risk Management, under the heading ‘‘Liquidity Risk’’) to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2020.

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, 2020.

Accounting and Disclosure Matters

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s Chief Executive Officer (‘‘CEO’’) and Chief
Financial Officer (‘‘CFO’’), the company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and
procedures as of December 31, 2020, as required by Canadian and U.S. 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 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, 2020, 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 United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
under National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuer’s Annual and Interim Filings of the Canadian
Securities Administrators). 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 (‘‘IFRS’’) as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board (‘‘IASB’’). 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 IFRS as issued
by the IASB, 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. Furthermore, 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.

The company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2020. 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). Based on this assessment, the company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded
that, as of December 31, 2020, the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the
criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

214

Pursuant to the requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the effectiveness of
the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which appears
within this Annual Report.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

Please see note 4 (Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments) to the consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2020.

Significant Accounting Policy Changes

For a detailed description of the company’s accounting policies and changes thereto during 2020, please see note 3
(Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020.

Future Accounting Changes

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, 2020. The
company does not expect to adopt any of those new standards and amendments in advance of their respective
effective dates except where otherwise specified.

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (‘‘IFRS 17’’)

On May 18, 2017 the IASB issued IFRS 17, a comprehensive standard for the recognition, measurement, presentation
and disclosure of insurance contracts. IFRS 17 requires entities to measure insurance contracts using current
estimates of discounted fulfillment cash flows, including the discounting of loss reserves using one of three
measurement models. On June 25, 2020 the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 17 that included targeted
improvements and the deferral of the effective date to January 1, 2023. The standard must be applied retrospectively
with restatement of comparatives unless impracticable.

Of the three measurement approaches permitted by IFRS 17, the simplified premium allocation approach for short-
duration contracts and the general measurement model are expected to be applicable for substantially all of the
company’s insurance and reinsurance contracts. The need for current estimates of cash flows, discount rates at each
reporting period and additional disclosures in the consolidated financial statements will significantly increase
operational complexity and the effort required for the company’s consolidated financial reporting. The company has
therefore committed considerable time and resources to this project.

The company’s adoption of IFRS 17 is progressing as planned. During 2020 the company commenced building and
testing information technology systems with a goal of conducting parallel reporting in 2022, and also developed
preliminary accounting policies that consider the amendments issued on June 25, 2020. The company will continue
the implementation of information technology systems in 2021 and has begun analyzing the financial impacts of
IFRS 17 on its consolidated financial statements.

Risk Management

Overview

The primary goals of the company’s financial risk management program 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. Please see note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a detailed discussion of the
company’s risk management policies.

Issues and Risks

The following issues and risks, among others, should be considered in evaluating the outlook of the company.
Additional detail on the company’s issues and risks, including those risks discussed below, can be found in the
section entitled ‘‘Risk Factors’’ in the company’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.

215

FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

COVID-19 pandemic

Claims Reserves

Reserves are maintained to cover the estimated ultimate unpaid liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with
respect to insurance and reinsurance policies underwritten by the company at the end of each reporting 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 in future reporting periods.

Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent estimates at a point in time involving
actuarial and statistical projections of the company’s expectations of the ultimate settlement of claims incurred and
the associated claims adjustment expense. 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 to establish appropriate claims reserves. The company’s
management of pricing and reserving risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Catastrophe Exposure

The company’s insurance and reinsurance operations are exposed to claims arising from catastrophes. Catastrophes
can be caused by various events, including natural events such as hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, tornadoes,
hailstorms, severe winter weather and fires, and unnatural events such as terrorist attacks and riots. Weather-related
losses have increased in recent years, in part due to climate change which represents a significant emerging risk that

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will continue to increase the inherent unpredictability of both the frequency and severity of weather-related
catastrophe losses.

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 on the
company’s financial condition, profitability or cash flows. 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 could increase the number and 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, 2020. For further details about the company’s
efforts in support of climate change and environmental initiatives, please see the company’s Environmental, Social
and Governance (‘‘ESG’’) report which is available at www.fairfax.ca.

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 and derivative instruments. Accordingly, fluctuations
in the fixed income or equity markets could have an adverse effect on the company’s financial condition,
profitability 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.

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,
environmental conditions, climate change 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, 2020.

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 or severity of both catastrophic and non-catastrophic events, levels of capital and
underwriting 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 pricing. The company expects to continue to experience the effects of this cyclicality, which,
during down periods, could significantly reduce the amount of premiums the company writes and could harm its
financial position, profitability or cash flows.

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In the reinsurance industry, the supply of reinsurance is related to prevailing prices and levels of underwriting
capacity surplus that, in turn, may fluctuate in response to changes in rates of return being realized in the broader
capital markets. If premium rates change or other reinsurance policy terms and conditions change expanding
coverage, particularly if the present level of demand for reinsurance decreases because insurers require less
reinsurance or the level of supply of reinsurance increases as a result of capital provided by existing reinsurers or
alternative forms of reinsurance capacity enter the market, the profitability of the company’s 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, 2020.

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 all 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 the company’s financial condition, profitability
or cash flows in future periods.

The company’s exposure to asbestos, environmental and other latent claims is discussed in the Asbestos, Pollution
and Other Hazards section of this MD&A. 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, 2020.

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 insurer, called the cedant,
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, as a cedant, of its primary obligation to the
insured. Recoverable from reinsurers balances may become uncollectible due to reinsurer solvency and credit
concerns, due to the potentially long time period over which claims may be paid and the resulting recoveries may be
received from the reinsurers, or due to policy disputes. If reinsurers are unwilling or unable to pay amounts due under
reinsurance contracts, the company may incur unexpected losses and its operations, financial condition and cash
flows could be adversely affected. The credit risk associated with the company’s reinsurance recoverable balances is
described in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020 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.

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. Third-party rating agencies assess and
rate the claims-paying ability of reinsurers and insurers based upon the criteria of such rating agencies. Periodically
the rating agencies evaluate the company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to confirm that they continue to
meet the criteria of the ratings previously assigned to them. The claims-paying ability ratings assigned by rating
agencies to insurance or reinsurance 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
counterparties. A downgrade of the company’s long term debt ratings by the major rating agencies could require the
company and/or its subsidiaries to accelerate their cash settlement obligations for certain derivative transactions to

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which they are a party, and could result in the termination of certain other derivative transactions. 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, however there can be no assurance that these activities will avoid a downgrade by rating
agencies.

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Strategic Initiatives

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 financial condition, profitability or cash
flows. The company may periodically explore opportunities to make strategic investments in all or part of certain
businesses or companies. Acquisitions may involve a number of special risks, including failure to retain key
personnel, unanticipated events or circumstances and legal liabilities, some or all of which could have a material
adverse effect on the company’s business, results of operations and financial position. The company cannot be sure
that any acquired businesses will achieve the anticipated revenues, income and synergies. Failure on the company’s
part to manage its acquisition strategy successfully could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of
operations and financial position. The company cannot be sure that it will be able to identify appropriate targets,
profitably manage additional businesses or successfully integrate any acquired business into its operations.

The strategies and performance of the company’s subsidiaries, and the alignment of those strategies throughout the
organization, are regularly assessed through various processes undertaken by senior management and the company’s
Board of Directors, however there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful to mitigate the risks
identified above. The company’s recent acquisitions and divestitures are discussed in note 23 (Acquisitions and
Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Derivative Instruments

The company may be a counterparty to various derivative instruments, for investment purposes or for general
protection against declines in the fair value of its 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 instruments are 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.

The company’s use of derivative instruments is governed by its investment policies and exposes the company to a
number of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, inflation risk, market risk, basis risk and
counterparty risk. The company endeavors to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to
its derivative instruments and 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 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 have an adverse effect upon its financial position, profitability or cash flows. The company’s use of derivatives
is discussed in note 7 (Derivatives) and its 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, 2020.

Economic Hedging Strategies

The company may use derivative instruments from time to time 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.
The company may choose 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

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price index-linked derivative instruments have been used in the past to hedge macro level risks. The company’s use of
derivatives is discussed in note 7 (Derivatives) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020.

The company’s derivative instruments may expose it to basis risk. Basis risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows
of derivative instruments applied as economic hedges will not experience changes in exactly the opposite directions
from those of the underlying hedged exposure. This imperfect correlation 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, profitability or cash flows.

The company regularly monitors the prospective and retrospective effectiveness of its economic hedging
instruments and will adjust the amount and/or type of hedging instruments as required to achieve its risk
management goals. The management of credit risk and various market risks is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk
Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

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 would 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, 2020.

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
judicial rulings, expansion of insurance coverage to include exposures not contemplated at the time of policy issue
(as was the case with asbestos and pollution exposures), extreme weather events, civil unrest and pandemic.
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 until many years after a policy or contract is issued. The company’s
exposure to this uncertainty is greatest in its ‘‘long-tail’’ casualty lines of business where claims can typically be made
for many years, rendering them more susceptible to these trends than in the property insurance lines of business,
which is more typically ‘‘short-tail’’. In addition, the company could be adversely affected by the growing trend of
plaintiffs targeting participants in the property-liability insurance industry in purported class action litigation
relating to claims handling and other practices.

Although loss exposure is limited by geographic diversification and 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, there can be no assurance that such measures will be successful in limiting the company’s loss

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exposure. The company’s management of reserving risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in the Asbestos, Pollution and Other
Hazards section of this MD&A.

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 company’s operations are conducted through its subsidiaries, none of its
subsidiaries are obligated to make funds available to the holding company for the payment of principal and interest
on 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 the countries where the company operates (principally
the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Bermuda) (in each case, including the provinces, states or other
jurisdictions therein) and is affected by the subsidiaries’ credit agreements and indentures, rating agencies, the
discretion of insurance regulatory authorities and capital support agreements with subsidiaries. Although 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, 2020 and in
the Liquidity section of this MD&A, an inability of subsidiaries to pay dividends could have a negative impact on the
holding company’s liquidity and ability to meet its obligations.

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, financial condition and profitability 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 the revolving credit facility
discussed in note 15 (Borrowings) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The revolving 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. In addition, the revolving credit facility
contains certain financial covenants that require the company to maintain a ratio of consolidated debt to
consolidated capitalization not exceeding 0.35:1 and consolidated shareholders’ equity of not less than $9.5 billion,
both calculated as defined in the financial covenants. A failure to comply with the obligations and covenants under
the revolving credit facility could result in an event of default under such agreement which, if not cured or waived,
could permit acceleration of indebtedness, including other indebtedness of the holding company or its subsidiaries.
The company strives to maintain high levels of liquid assets at the holding company to mitigate risk to the holding
company should this occur, but if such indebtedness were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that the
company’s assets would be sufficient to repay that indebtedness in full. 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, 2020 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

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company’s ability to attract new business and investment opportunities. 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 maintain key employee insurance with respect to any of
its employees.

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. Reinsurance
companies can also add or exclude certain coverages from, or alter terms in, the policies they offer. Reinsurers may
also impose 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. As a result, the company’s insurance
subsidiaries, like other primary insurance companies, increasingly are writing insurance policies which to some
extent do not have the benefit of reinsurance protection. These gaps in reinsurance protection expose the company
to greater risk and greater potential losses.

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 overall. Reinsurance pricing has continued to firm as a
result of catastrophe losses in recent years, the effects of social inflation in the United States and the low interest rate
environment. The retrocession market continues to experience the significant rate increases due to increased
catastrophe activity in recent years. Each of the company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries continue 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.

Regulatory, Political and other Influences

The company is subject to government regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which its operating insurance and
reinsurance subsidiaries are licensed or authorized to conduct business. Governmental bodies have broad
administrative power to regulate many aspects of the insurance business, which may include accounting methods,
governance, premium rates, market practices, policy forms, and capital adequacy. The laws and rules behind this
regulation are concerned primarily with the protection of policyholders rather than investors. Governmental bodies
may impose fines, additional capital requirements or limitations on the company’s insurance and reinsurance
operations, and/or impose criminal sanctions for violation of regulatory requirements. The laws and regulations that
are applicable to the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations are complex and may increase the costs of
regulatory compliance or subject the company’s business to the possibility of regulatory actions or proceedings.

In recent years, the insurance industry has been subject to increased scrutiny by legislatures and regulators alike. New
laws and rules and new interpretations of existing laws and rules could adversely affect the company’s financial
results by limiting its operating insurance subsidiaries’ ability to make investments consistent with the company’s
total return strategy or requiring the company to maintain capital in specific operating subsidiaries in excess of the
amounts the company considers to be appropriate, or causing the company to make unplanned modifications of
products or services, or imposing restrictions on its ability to enter or exit lines of insurance business or to utilize new
methods of assessing and pricing risks or selling products and services. The company cannot predict the future
impact of changing law or regulation on its operations; any changes could have a material adverse effect on it or the
insurance industry in general.

The company’s management of the risks associated with its capital within the various regulatory regimes in which it
operates is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management, under the heading of ‘‘Capital Management’’) in the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in the ‘‘Capital Resources and
Management’’ section of this MD&A.

Economic Sanctions and Foreign Corrupt Practices

The company must comply with all applicable economic sanctions and anti-bribery laws and regulations, including
those of Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, the European Union and other foreign jurisdictions where it
operates. U.S. laws and regulations applicable to the company include the economic trade sanctions laws and

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regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, as well as certain
laws administered by the U.S. Department of State. In addition, the company’s business is subject to the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws such as the U.K. Bribery Act that generally bar corrupt payments or
unreasonable gifts to foreign governments or officials. The company believes that its commitment to honesty and
integrity, set out in its Guiding Principles and regularly communicated, and that the large number of its executives
and employees who have served the company for a long time, significantly enhance the likelihood that it will
comply with those laws and regulations. More specifically, the company has policies and controls in place that are
designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, including policies distributed annually to
employees, controls and oversight at individual operating companies and company wide, and whistleblower
programs that are monitored by senior management and the Board of Directors. Despite these policies and controls,
it is possible that an employee or intermediary could fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, which
could expose the company to civil penalties, criminal penalties and other sanctions, including fines or other
punitive actions. In addition, such violations could damage the company’s business and/or reputation and therefore
have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Information Requests or Proceedings by Government Authorities

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. The
company sometimes receives inquiries and informational requests from insurance regulators or other government
officials in the jurisdictions in which its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries operate. The company’s internal and
external legal counsels coordinate with operating companies in responding to information requests and government
proceedings. From time to time, consumer advocacy groups or the media also focus attention on certain insurance
industry practices. The company cannot predict at this time the effect that investigations, litigation and regulatory
activity or negative publicity from consumers or the media will have on the insurance or reinsurance industry or its
business, or whether activities or practices currently thought to be lawful will be characterized in the future as
unlawful or will become subject to negative scrutiny from consumer advocacy groups or the media. The company’s
involvement in any investigations and related lawsuits would cause it to incur legal costs and, if the company were
found to have violated any laws, could be required to pay fines and damages, perhaps in material amounts. In
addition, the company could be materially adversely affected by the negative publicity for the insurance industry
related to any such proceedings, and by any new industry-wide regulations or practices that may result from such
proceedings or publicity. It is possible that future investigations or related regulatory developments will mandate
changes in industry practices in a fashion that increases the company’s costs of doing business or requires the
company to alter aspects of the manner in which it conducts its business.

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. The company regularly monitors for political and other changes in each country where it
operates. The decentralized nature of the company’s operations generally 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. International operations and assets held abroad
may, however, 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.

Lawsuits and Regulatory Proceedings

The company may, from time to time, become party to a variety of legal claims and regulatory proceedings including,
but not limited to: disputes over coverage or claims adjudication; disputes regarding sales practices, disclosures,
premium refunds, licensing, regulatory compliance and compensation arrangements; disputes with its agents,
brokers or network providers over compensation and termination of contracts and related claims; regulatory actions
relating to consumer pressure in relation to benefits realized by insurers; disputes with taxing authorities regarding
its tax liabilities and tax assets; regulatory proceedings and litigation related to acquisitions or divestitures made or
proposed by the company or its subsidiaries or in connection with subsidiaries in which the company holds an

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investment; and disputes relating to certain businesses acquired or disposed of by the company. 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 existence of such claims against the company or its affiliates,
directors or officers could, however, have various adverse effects, including negative publicity and the incurrence of
significant legal expenses defending claims, even those without merit.

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, 2020.

Technology Infrastructure

The company’s business is highly dependent upon the successful and uninterrupted functioning of its computer and
data processing systems which are relied upon to perform actuarial and other modeling functions necessary for
writing business, to process and make claim payments and to process and summarize investment transactions. 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. The company has highly
trained information technology staff that is committed to the continual development and maintenance of its
technology infrastructure. Security measures, including data security programs to protect confidential personal
information, have been implemented and are regularly upgraded. The company, together with its third party service
providers, also maintains and regularly tests contingency plans for its technology infrastructure. Notwithstanding
these measures, the failure of the company’s systems could interrupt the company’s operations or impact its ability to
rapidly evaluate and commit to new business opportunities. If sustained or repeated, a system failure could result in
the loss of existing or potential business relationships, or compromise the company’s ability to pay claims in a
timely manner.

In addition, a security breach of the company’s computer systems could damage the company’s 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 insureds. Significant capital and other
resources may be required to protect against security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Any
well publicized compromise of security could deter people from conducting transactions that involve transmitting
confidential information to the company’s systems. Therefore, it is critical that these facilities and infrastructure
remain secure and are perceived by the marketplace to be secure. This infrastructure may be vulnerable to physical
break-ins, computer viruses, programming errors, attacks by third parties or similar disruptive problems. In addition,
the company could be subject to liability if hackers were able to penetrate its network security or otherwise
misappropriate confidential information.

Systemic Cyber-Attacks

The company relies on information technology in virtually all aspects of its business. A significant disruption or
failure of the company’s information technology systems could result in service interruptions, safety failures,
security violations, regulatory compliance failures, and inability to protect information and assets against intruders,
and other operational difficulties. Attacks perpetrated against those information systems could result in loss of assets
and critical information, potential breach of privacy laws, expose the company to remediation costs and reputational
damage, and adversely affect the company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Cyber-attacks could further adversely affect the company’s ability to operate facilities, information technology and
business systems, or compromise confidential customer and employee information. Cyber-attacks resulting in
political, economic, social or financial market instability or damage to or interference with the company’s assets, or
its customers or suppliers may result in business interruptions, lost revenue, higher commodity prices, disruption in
fuel supplies, lower energy consumption, unstable markets, increased security and repair or other costs, any of which
may affect the company’s consolidated financial results. Furthermore, instability in the financial markets as a result
of terrorism, sustained or significant cyber-attacks, or war could also adversely affect the company’s ability to
raise capital.

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The company has taken steps intended to mitigate these risks, including implementation of cyber security and cyber
resilience measures, business continuity planning, disaster recovery planning and business impact analysis, and
regularly updates these plans and security measures, however, there can be no assurance that such steps will be
adequate to protect the company from the impacts of a cyber-attack.

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 approximately 43.6% 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.

Amendments were made to the terms of the company’s multiple voting shares, which are controlled by Mr. Watsa, in
August of 2015 having the effect of preserving the voting power represented by the multiple voting shares at 41.8%
even if additional subordinate voting shares are issued in the future. The amendments are described in note 16 (Total
Equity) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in the company’s annual
information form filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.

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 of the
company are hedged) which could adversely affect the company’s financial condition, profitability or cash flows.
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, 2020.

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 company’s reinsurance operations), with the remainder split among the other distribution channels. This is
substantially consistent across the company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.

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
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, financial condition, profitability or cash flows 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.

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Goodwill, Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets and Investments in Associates

The goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and investments in associates on the company’s consolidated
balance sheet originated from various acquisitions and investments made by the company or its operating
subsidiaries. Continued profitability and achievement of financial plans by acquired businesses and associates is a
key consideration for there to be no impairment in the carrying value of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets
and investments in associates. An intangible asset may be impaired if the economic benefit to be derived from its use
is unexpectedly diminished. An investment in associate is considered to be impaired if its carrying value exceeds its
recoverable amount (the higher of the associate’s fair value and value-in-use).

Management regularly reviews the current and expected profitability of operating companies and associates and
their success in achieving financial plans when assessing the carrying value of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible
assets and investments in associates. 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 impairment.
Investments in associates with carrying values that exceed their fair values are tested for impairment using
value-in-use discounted cash flow models at each reporting date. The company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived
intangible assets, and their annual impairment tests, are described in note 12 (Goodwill and Intangible Assets), and
the company’s investments in associates and the results of value-in-use analyses are described in note 6 (Investments
in Associates), to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

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 reduction 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. 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. 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’s deferred income tax assets are described in note 18 (Income Taxes) to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Technological Changes

Technological changes could have unpredictable effects on the insurance and reinsurance industries. It is expected
that new services and technologies will continue to emerge that will affect the demand for insurance and reinsurance
products and services, the premiums payable, the profitability of such products and services and the risks associated
with underwriting certain lines of business, including new lines of business. While the company does maintain an
innovation working group comprised of members with diverse backgrounds from across its global operating
companies to regularly assess new services and technologies that may be applicable or disruptive to the insurance
and reinsurance industries, failure to understand evolving technologies, or to position the company in the
appropriate direction, or to deploy new products and services in a timely way that considers customer demand and
competitor activities could have an adverse impact on the company’s business, financial condition, profitability or
cash flows.

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 a 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. In
addition, as a condition to the ability to conduct business in various jurisdictions, some of the company’s insurance

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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 mandatory guaranty funds that protect insureds in the event of a Canadian property and
casualty insurer becoming insolvent, and certain of the company’s Asian insurance subsidiaries participate in
mandatory pooling arrangements in their local markets.

Other

Quarterly Data (unaudited)

Years ended December 31

2020

Income
Net earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Net earnings (loss) per share
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share

2019

Income
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Net earnings per share
Net earnings per diluted share

First

Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter

Second

Third

Full
Year

5,065.1
426.3
434.9

3,159.1
(1,389.1)
(1,259.3)
$ (47.38) $ 16.00 $
$ (47.38) $ 15.26 $

4,992.6
41.8
133.7

6,578.1
958.4
909.1

4.66 $ 34.28 $
4.44 $ 32.68 $

19,794.9
37.4
218.4
6.59
6.29

5,632.6
814.6
769.2

5,441.3
579.5
494.3

$ 28.04 $ 17.94 $
$ 26.98 $ 17.18 $

5,533.0
502.7
672.0

4,925.9
74.4
68.6
2.13 $ 24.62 $
2.04 $ 23.58 $

21,532.8
1,971.2
2,004.1
72.80
69.79

Income of $3,159.1 in the first quarter of 2020 decreased from $5,632.6 in the first quarter of 2019 principally
reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on the global financial markets with the company reporting significant net losses
on investments in the first quarter of 2020 compared to net gains on investments in the first quarter of 2019, share of
loss of associates in the first quarter of 2020 (primarily related to non-cash impairments recorded on the company’s
investments in Quess, Resolute and Astarta) compared to share of profit of associates in the first quarter of 2019 and a
decrease in net premiums earned, partially offset by an increase in other revenue and a gain on deconsolidation of
European Run-off ($117.1). The company reported net loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $1,259.3
(net loss of $47.38 per basic and diluted share) in the first quarter of 2020 compared to net earnings attributable to
shareholders of Fairfax of $769.2 (net earnings of $28.04 per basic share and $26.98 per diluted share) in the first
quarter of 2019, principally reflecting net losses on investments in the first quarter of 2020 compared to net gains in
the first quarter of 2019.

Income of $5,065.1 in the second quarter of 2020 decreased from $5,441.3 in the second quarter of 2019, principally
as a result of decreased other revenue and share of loss of associates in the second quarter of 2020 compared to share
of profit of associates in the second quarter of 2019, partially offset by increases in net gains on investments and net
premiums earned. The decrease in net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax to $434.9 (net earnings of
$16.00 per basic share and $15.26 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2020 compared to net earnings
attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $494.3 (net earnings of $17.94 per basic share and $17.18 per diluted share)
in the second quarter of 2019, principally reflecting the decrease in profitability in the second quarter of 2020 due to
COVID-19 underwriting losses and share of loss of associates compared to underwriting profit and share of profit of
associates in the second quarter of 2019, partially offset by higher net gains on investments.

Income of $4,992.6 in the third quarter of 2020 increased from $4,925.9 in the third quarter of 2019 principally as a
result of increased net premiums earned and lower net losses on investments, partially offset by decreases in other
revenue, share of profit of associates and interest and dividends. Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
increased to $133.7 (net earnings of $4.66 per basic share and $4.44 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2020
from $68.6 (net earnings of $2.13 per basic share and $2.04 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2019, principally
reflecting lower net losses on investments, partially offset by lower operating income in the insurance and

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

reinsurance operations (reflecting decreases in underwriting profit and interest and dividends, partially offset by
higher share of profit of associates).

Income of $6,578.1 in the fourth quarter of 2020 increased from $5,533.0 in the fourth quarter of 2019 principally as
a result of increases in net premiums earned and net gains on investments as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on
the global financial markets beginning to reverse, and share of profit of associates in the fourth quarter of 2020
compared to share of loss of associates in the fourth quarter of 2019, partially offset by decreases in other revenue and
interest and dividends. The net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $909.1 (net earnings of $34.28 per
basic share and $32.68 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to net earnings attributable to
shareholders of Fairfax of $672.0 (net earnings of $24.62 per basic share and $23.58 per diluted share) in the fourth
quarter of 2019 principally reflecting significantly higher net gains on investments, lower operating losses in the
Non-insurance companies reporting segment and higher operating income in the insurance and reinsurance
operations (reflecting increased underwriting profit and share of profit of associates, partially offset by lower interest
and dividends), partially offset by an income tax provision.

Operating results at the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations have been, and will continue to be, affected
by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the effects it is having on the global economy. Individual quarterly results
have been (and may in the future be) affected by losses from significant natural or other catastrophes, by favourable
or adverse reserve development and by settlements or commutations, the occurrence of which are not predictable,
and have been (and are expected to continue to be) significantly affected by net gains or losses on investments, the
timing of which are not predictable.

Stock Prices and Share Information

At March 4, 2021, Fairfax had 25,247,616 subordinate voting shares and 1,548,000 multiple voting shares
outstanding (an aggregate of 25,996,386 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. The multiple voting shares cumulatively carry 41.8% voting power 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.

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 2020 and 2019.

2020
High
Low
Close

2019
High
Low
Close

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

(Cdn$)

637.11
332.82
431.43

667.23
573.63
619.00

460.13
319.37
419.43

662.29
600.00
642.76

439.84
368.89
392.10

648.59
575.00
584.00

465.01
346.84
433.85

617.21
542.70
609.74

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 and an Anti-Corruption Policy, which are applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the

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company. The Board of Directors also 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; risks
associated with the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, and the related global reduction in commerce and
substantial downturns in stock markets worldwide; 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; our inability to maintain
our long term debt ratings, the inability of our subsidiaries to maintain financial or claims paying ability ratings and
the impact of a downgrade of such ratings on derivative transactions that we or our subsidiaries have entered into;
risks associated with implementing our business strategies; the timing of claims payments being sooner or the receipt
of reinsurance recoverables being later than anticipated by us; risks associated with any use we may make of
derivative instruments; the failure of any hedging methods we may employ 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 or 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; the 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 adverse requirements, 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 developments in foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with legal or
regulatory proceedings or significant litigation; 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; impairment of the carrying
value of our goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets or investments in associates; our failure to realize deferred
income tax assets; technological or other change which adversely impacts demand, or the premiums payable, for the
insurance coverages we offer; disruptions of our information technology systems; assessments and shared market
mechanisms which may adversely affect our insurance subsidiaries; and adverse consequences to our business, our
investments and our personnel resulting from or related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional risks and
uncertainties are described in this Annual Report, which is available at www.fairfax.ca, and in our 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, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable
securities law.

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FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Directors of the Company
Anthony F. Griffiths
Corporate Director
Robert J. Gunn
Corporate Director
The Right Honourable David L. Johnston
Corporate Director
Karen L. Jurjevich
Principal, Branksome Hall
R. William McFarland
Corporate Director
Christine N. McLean
Corporate Director
Timothy R. Price
Chairman, Brookfield Funds, a division of
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Brandon W. Sweitzer
Dean, School of Risk Management, St. John’s University
Lauren C. Templeton
President, Templeton and Phillips Capital Management, LLC
Benjamin P. Watsa
Chief Executive Officer, Marval Capital Ltd.
V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
William C. Weldon
Corporate Director

Officers of the Company
Jennifer Allen
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Peter Clarke
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Jean Cloutier
Vice President, International Operations
Vinodh Loganadhan
Vice President, Administrative Services
Bradley Martin
Vice President, Strategic Investments
Olivier Quesnel
Vice President and Chief Actuary
Eric Salsberg
Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary
John Varnell
Vice President, Corporate Development
Mike Wallace
Vice President, Insurance Operations
V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

General Counsel
Torys LLP

Operating Management

Fairfax Insurance Group

Andrew A. Barnard, President

Northbridge

Silvy Wright, President
Northbridge Financial Corporation

Odyssey Group

Brian D. Young, President
Odyssey Group Holdings, Inc.

Crum & Forster
Marc Adee, President
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.

Zenith National

Kari Van Gundy, President
Zenith National Insurance Corp.

Brit

Matthew Wilson, President
Brit Limited

Allied World

Lou Iglesias, President
Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd

Fairfax Asia

Ramaswamy Athappan, Chief Executive Officer
Sammy Y. Chan, President
Gobinath Athappan, Chief Operating Officer
and President, Pacific Insurance

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Bruno Camargo, President
Fairfax Brasil
Jacek Kugacz, President
Polish Re
Peter Csakvari, President
Colonnade Insurance
Edwyn O’Neill, President
Bryte Insurance
Fabricio Campos, President
Fairfax Latin America
Andrey Peretyazhko, President
ARX Insurance
Oleksiy Muzychko, President
Universalna Insurance

Run-off

Nicholas C. Bentley, President
RiverStone Group

Other

Bijan Khosrowshahi, President
Fairfax International
Wade Burton, President
Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel

Head Office

95 Wellington Street West, Suite 800, Toronto, Canada M5J 2N7
Telephone: (416) 367-4941
Website: www.fairfax.ca

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