RLI
Annual Report 2018

Plain-text annual report

2018 RLI CORP. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10K A HIGHER STANDARD2018 YEAR IN REVIEW1____As a leading provider of specializedinsurance, RLI is focused on developinginnovative solutions that meet customer needs and delivering results that surpass the expectations of shareholders.OUR VISIONFINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS In thousands, except combined ratio, per-share data and return on equity 2018 2017 % Change Gross premiums written $ 983,216 $ 885,312 Net premiums written Consolidated revenue Net earnings Operating earnings1 GAAP combined ratio Total shareholders’ equity Per-share data: 823,175 818,123 64,179 92,088 94.7 806,842 749,854 797,224 105,028 102,161 96.4 853,598 Net earnings (diluted) $ 1.43 $ 2.36 Operating earnings (diluted)1 $ 2.05 $ 2.30 Cash dividends declared: Regular Special Book value2 Year-end closing stock price $ 0.87 $ 0.83 1.00 18.13 68.99 1.75 19.33 60.66 Return on equity 7.6% 12.3% 11.1% 9.8% 2.6% -38.9% -9.9% -1.8% -5.5% -39.4% -10.9% 4.8% -42.9% -6.2% 13.7% -38.2% 1 See discussion of non-GAAP measures in note 1 of the SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA section on page 12 of the Year In Review wrap. 2 With the inclusion of dividends paid (regular and special), book value per share growth was 3% year over year. 2 3Dear Shareholders, Our story began in 1965, when RLI sold its first contact lens insurance policy in Peoria, IL. We’ve grown from these humble roots into a leading U.S. specialty insurer with a diverse product portfolio. Over time, we’ve made a difference for countless customers, shouldering risks in niche markets to provide our policyholders with the security to create, explore, grow and prosper. As RLI’s late founder Gerald D. Stephens once said, “We want to be known for excellence – a desire to bring an unprecedented standard of quality to our customers.” It is the continual pursuit of excellence that propels us to raise the bar across everything we do, year after year. We maintain an unwavering focus on providing best-in-class insurance products and exceptional service to our customers. We prudently manage our business through all market cycles and cultivate a company culture that encourages our employees to achieve more and do more for our customers and communities. At RLI, we hold ourselves to a higher standard.In 2018, we added another successful chapter to our story, delivering strong financial results amid highly competitive market conditions and another active year of catastrophic events in the United States. Through a combination of our superior service, hallmark underwriting discipline, diversified product portfolio and strong fiscal management, we helped our customers recover from unexpected events, while maintaining profitability and delivering value to shareholders. Highlights of our 2018 accomplishments include: • Achieving our 23rd consecutive year of underwriting profit, while sustaining our largest aggregate catastrophe loss in over two decades• Delivering broad-based growth across most of our product portfolio and ending the year with the highest gross and net premiums in our history and• Maintaining a strong balance sheet while returning capital to our shareholders through regular quarterly dividends and a $1.00 special dividend. A STANDARD OF UNDERWRITING DISCIPLINEHighly competitive market conditions continued in 2018 and extraordinary catastrophe activity in the U.S. — most notably the Kilauea volcano eruptions in Hawaii and hurricanes along the East Coast and Florida — impacted many RLI customers. Hurricane Michael, which was particularly destructive, resulted in the largest hurricane loss in RLI’s history and the largest single event loss our company has experienced since the Northridge earthquake struck the West Coast in 1994.Throughout the year, our team proactively responded to the needs of our policyholders with the highest levels of professionalism and provided the unparalleled claim service our producers and policyholders have come to expect from RLI. Despite the impact of catastrophe losses, RLI’s underwriting performance was strong and we posted underwriting income of $41.6 million, resulting in a 94.7 combined ratio. This marks our 23rd consecutive year of achieving a combined ratio below 100. JONATHAN E. MICHAELChairman & CEOSTATUTORY COMBINED RATIO Our average statutory combined ratio has outperformed the industry average by 15 points over the last decade. 110 100 90 80 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 10-YEAR AVG. RLI P&C Industry* 83.9 100.5 81.4 102.5 79.1 108.2 88.0 103.1 82.2 95.8 84.1 97.2 83.9 97.9 89.0 100.7 96.2 103.9 94.0 99.4 86.2 100.9 *Sources: (1) A.M. Best (2018). Aggregate & Averages – Property/Casualty, United States & Canada. 2009 – 2017. (2) Conning (2018). Property-Casualty Forecast & Analysis: By Line of Insurance, Fourth Quarter 2018. Estimated for the year ended December 31, 2018. P&C Industry* RLI To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data. The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply. Note: Some minor adjustments may be necessary after updating: • Update Values Below graph (these are not updated automatically) • Update shaded area 4 In addition to achieving profitability, we succeeded in significantly growing our top line. Gross premiums written increased by 11 percent in 2018, as mature products grew through enhanced marketing, product development and technology initiatives and as new products gained traction. RLI’s casualty segment grew its top-line results 12 percent during the year and posted a 98 combined ratio. Premium growth was largely driven by our mature casualty products, but was supplemented by growth within newer products added to the segment over the past few years.Property segment gross premiums were up 16 percent year over year and significant growth was experienced across all major products. Although segment profitability was negatively impacted by catastrophe activity during the year, especially within our non-admitted property lines, the business achieved a 99 combined ratio. Our surety segment gross premiums grew 1 percent in 2018, but the business delivered an exceptional 75 combined ratio. This segment continues to perform well despite intense competition. Maintaining discipline will continue to be critical for long-term success in this space. We uphold high underwriting standards across all of the markets we serve. Our strong culture of discipline and ownership requires us to constantly assess the performance of our product portfolio. We invest and nurture products that show promise and address those that are underperforming. At the end of the year, we repositioned our product portfolio and exited a few underperforming businesses to achieve better balance and profitability. Overall, our underwriting performance was strong and our customer service distinguished us during the year. We made many strategic investments in our business to enhance our product, distribution, service and technology capabilities. As we move forward, we will build on our successes and continue to execute our strategic plan. We will focus on further developing our talented team, elevating the customer experience, improving productivity through operational improvements and seeking new growth opportunities. We believe focused investments in these areas will help keep us at the forefront of the industry and differentiate us from the competition. 5A STANDARD OF FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND STABILITY In 2018, market volatility experienced late in the year adversely impacted our investment portfolio performance. While the investment portfolio’s total return was down –0.2 percent overall, operating income benefited from investment income growth of 13 percent for the year. This growth was driven by an increased asset base as well as higher than average interest rates throughout the year. We remain steadfast in our long-term approach to our investments and maintain a well-diversified portfolio structured to maximize our total return.A STANDARD OF DELIVERING VALUE TO SHAREHOLDERSRLI’s operational and financial strategies are designed to create consistent value for you, our shareholders. While our top priority is to make strategic investments in our business that will support its growth and long-term success, when Over the past 10 years, RLI’s total return to shareholders has outpaced that of the S&P 500 and S&P 500 P&C Index.10-YEAR CUMULATIVE SHAREHOLDER RETURNAssumes $100 invested on December 31, 2008, in RLI, S&P 500 and S&P 500 P&C Index, with reinvestment of dividends. Comparison of 10-year annualized total return: RLI: 15.6% | S&P 500: 13.1% | S&P 500 P&C Index: 13.2%To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data.The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply.Note: Some minor adjustments may be necessary after updating:• Update Values Below graph (these are not updated automatically) $100 89 102 154 150 236 259 340 363 364 425 $100 126 145 149 172 228 259 263 294 359 343 $100 112 122 122 147 203 235 257 297 364 347RLIS&P 500S&P 500 P&C Index$50$100$150$200$250$300$350$400S&P 500 P&C IndexS&P 500RLI201820172016201520142013201220112010200920086A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE Our ability to grow over the past year and achieve an underwriting profit in the face of significant catastrophe losses speaks volumes about the quality of our people, the disciplined underwriting standards we uphold and the resilience of our unique business model. While we lost our founder and friend, Jerry Stephens, this past year, we remain faithful to his uncompromising vision to serve our customers well, further solidify our position as a recognized performance leader of the U.S. specialty insurance industry and deliver value to shareholders. Note: Some minor adjustments may be necessary after updating: The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply. To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data. 11% Insiders & ESOP 89% Institutions & other public investors • Update Values & Labels as necessary To accomplish these objectives, we will continue to execute on our strategies to grow, improve productivity, provide great customer experiences and empower our organization to deliver outstanding results. We will strive to prove once again that Different Works. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I would like to thank our customers for their trust, our employees for their hard work and you, our shareholders, for your support. Jonathan E. Michael Chairman & CEO we generate capital faster than we can effectively deploy it, we return it to shareholders. During the year, we paid regular quarterly dividends and a $1.00 per share special dividend. RLI has paid dividends for 170 consecutive quarters and has increased regular dividends in each of the last 43 years. Over the past 10 years, RLI has returned $1.2 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. STOCK OWNERSHIP Insiders and employees own 11 percent of the company. Our balance sheet remains strong, as demonstrated by our A+ (Superior) financial strength rating by A.M. Best. We are well- positioned to continue pursuing profitable opportunities in the year ahead. A STANDARD OF SHARED REWARDS RLI is proud to be a specialty insurance performance leader. It’s an honor we’ve achieved with the help of our talented associates. Our smart, empowered employees make RLI different and serve as our greatest source of competitive advantage. We believe exceptional service and integrity are as critical as diligence and technical expertise in every interaction we have with customers and distribution partners. Our employee stock ownership plan is foundational for driving a higher standard of care and support for our customers. This long-ingrained culture of ownership gives employees a vested interest in our results and helps them see the connection between their efforts and company profitability. It also positions our company as a desirable destination for the best and the brightest talent in the industry. 7 EARNINGS PER SHARE Each share of our stock has generated $12.59 of diluted net earnings since 2013. BOOK VALUE GROWTH with dividends Over the past five years, RLI has returned nearly $600 million in dividends to its shareholders. $3.00 $3.00 $2.50 $2.50 $2.00 $2.00 $1.50 $1.50 $1.00 $1.00 $0.50 $0.50 $0.00 $0.00 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 Operations ROE Operations ROE Net EPS Net EPS $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 9 0 . 9 0 . 3 3 1 6 . 2 1 6 . 2 2 1 . 3 2 1 . 3 3 5 . 2 3 5 . 2 9 5 . 2 9 5 . 2 8 0 . 2 8 0 . 2 6 3 . 2 6 0 3 3 . 2 2 . 0 3 . 2 5 0 . 2 5 0 . 2 3 4 . 1 3 4 . 1 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2 0 % 2 0 % 2014 2015 2016 2017 Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Diluted Operating Earnings Per Share1 Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Diluted Operating Earnings Per Share1 2018 1 See discussion of non-GAAP measures in note 1 of the SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA section on page 12 of the Year In Review wrap. $900 $900 $900 $600 $600 $600 $300 $300 $300 2 0 % 2 0 % $0 $0 $0 2 0 % (Use Group selection tool to edit colors) (Use Group selection tool to edit colors) To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data. To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data. The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply. The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply. After editing graph, some formatting may need to be re-applied: After editing graph, some formatting may need to be re-applied: • Change X Axis values to black fill • Add 2nd decimal back in manually • Change X Axis values to black fill • Add 2nd decimal back in manually This element is the building block for the column design. The %02 is a code that allows the value to be displayed on the graph. This element is the building block for the column design. The %02 is a code that allows the value to be displayed on the graph. 2 0 % 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Cumulative Dividends 2015 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 Reported Book Value Cumulative Dividends Cumulative Dividends Reported Book Value Reported Book Value To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data. To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data. To update graph, go to Object > Graph > Data. The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply. The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. The contents of the graph will pop up in a table. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply. Edit the table and click the check mark to apply. Note: Some minor adjustment to formatting may be necessary after updating: Note: Some minor adjustment to formatting may be Note: Some minor adjustment to formatting may be necessary after updating: necessary after updating: • Commas added to X Axis values • Verify Legend is accurate • Commas added to X Axis values • Commas added to X Axis values • Verify Legend is accurate • Verify Legend is accurate Cumulative Dividends Cumulative Dividends Cumulative Dividends Reported Book Value Reported Book Value Reported Book Value 8 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kaj Ahlmann (2, 3) Director since 2009 Retired Global Head of Strategic Services and Chairman of the Advisory Board for Deutsche Bank Michael E. Angelina (2, 5) Director since 2013 Executive Director of the Academy of Risk Management and Insurance at Saint Joseph’s University John T. Baily (3, 4) Director since 2003 Retired President of Swiss Re Capital Partners Calvin G. Butler, Jr. (2, 3) Director since 2016 CEO of Baltimore Gas & Electric Company David B. Duclos (1, 4) Director since 2017 Retired CEO of QBE, North America Susan S. Fleming (3, 4) Director since 2018 Executive Educator, Speaker and Angel Investor Jordan W. Graham (1, 4) Director since 2004 Managing Director for Quotient Partners Jonathan E. Michael Director since 1997 Chairman & CEO of RLI Corp. Robert P. Restrepo, Jr. (1, 5) Director since 2016 Retired Chairman, CEO & President of State Auto Insurance Company Debbie S. Roberts (2, 5) Director since 2018 Retired President East Zone of McDonald’s Corporation James J. Scanlan (1, 2) Director since 2015 Retired U.S. Insurance Industry Leader of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP Michael J. Stone (4, 5) Director since 2012 Former President & COO of RLI Insurance Company 1: Executive Resources Committee 2: Audit Committee 3: Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee 4: Finance and Investment Committee 5: Strategy Committee EXECUTIVE TEAM Thomas L. Brown Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Industry experience - 38 years Todd W. Bryant Vice President, Finance & Controller Industry experience - 25 years Seth A. Davis Vice President, Corporate Services Industry experience - 23 years Aaron P. Diefenthaler Vice President, Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer Industry experience - 17 years Patrick D. Ferrell Vice President, Internal Audit Industry experience - 26 years Jeffrey D. Fick Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer Industry experience - 14 years Bryan T. Fowler Vice President, Chief Information Officer Industry experience - 21 years Robert S. Handzel Vice President, Chief Claim Officer Industry experience - 41 years Aaron H. Jacoby Vice President, Corporate Development Industry experience - 18 years Jill C. Johnson Vice President, Branch Operations Industry experience - 35 years Kathleen M. Kappes Vice President, Human Resources Industry experience - 16 years Craig W. Kliethermes President & COO Industry experience - 34 years EXECUTIVE TEAM (Cont.) Jennifer L. Klobnak Senior Vice President, Operations Industry experience - 19 years Elizabeth K. McLaughlin Vice President, Chief Claim Counsel Industry experience - 33 years Jonathan E. Michael Chairman & CEO Industry experience - 42 years Christopher D. Randall Vice President, Risk Services Industry experience - 24 years Jean M. Stephenson Vice President, Corporate Secretary Industry experience - 24 years FIELD OFFICERS CASUALTY William R. Bell, III Vice President, Environmental E&S Industry experience - 31 years Chad S. Berberich Vice President, Executive Products Group Industry experience - 22 years Carol J. Denzer Vice President, Small Commercial Lines Industry experience - 33 years Paul C. Dietrich Vice President, Professional Services Group Industry experience - 31 years Dennis H. Drees Vice President, Casualty Brokerage Industry experience - 37 years Jeffrey D. Foering Vice President, Energy Casualty Industry experience - 35 years Daniel N. Meyer President, RLI Transportation Industry experience - 18 years Richard D. Nesbitt Vice President, General Binding Authority Industry experience - 41 years Richard W. Quehl Senior Vice President, Commercial P&C Industry experience - 49 years Eric J. Raudins Vice President, Specialty Personal Lines Industry experience - 28 years Paul J. Simoneau Senior Vice President, E&S Lines Industry experience - 41 years CONTRACTORS BONDING AND INSURANCE COMPANY Robert M. Ogle Vice President, Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company Industry experience - 30 years PROPERTY Robert J. Schauer President, RLI Marine Industry experience - 31 years John A. Stenhouse Vice President, E&S Property Industry experience - 30 years SURETY Greg E. Chilson Vice President, Surety Industry experience - 27 years Barton W. Davis Vice President, Surety Underwriting Industry experience - 31 years Robert G. Kirk Vice President, Commercial Surety Industry experience - 28 years Brian A. Schick Vice President, Contract Surety Industry experience - 24 years CLAIM Matthew R. Campen Vice President, Claim Industry experience - 15 years Donald J. Driscoll Vice President, Claim Industry experience - 33 years Kevin S. Horwitz Vice President, Claim Industry experience - 18 years William J. Irish Vice President, Claim Industry experience - 32 years Nicolas C. Mesco Vice President, Claim Industry experience - 11 years 10 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 The following is selected financial data of RLI Corp. and subsidiaries for the 10 years ended December 31, 2018. Amounts in thousands, except per share data and combined ratios. 11 Operating Results Gross premiums written Consolidated revenue Net earnings Comprehensive earnings Operating earnings(1) Net cash provided from operating activities Financial Condition Total investments and cash Total assets Unpaid losses and settlement expenses Total debt Total shareholders’ equity Statutory surplus(2) Share Information(3) Net earnings per share(1): Basic Diluted Comprehensive earnings per share: Basic Diluted Operating earnings per share (1): Basic Diluted Cash dividends declared per share: Regular Special Book value per share Closing stock price Stock split Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Common shares outstanding Other Non-GAAP Financial Information Net premiums written to statutory surplus(2) GAAP combined ratio(4) Statutory combined ratio(2)(4) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 983,216 818,123 64,179 30,182 92,088 217,102 2,194,230 3,105,065 1,461,348 149,115 806,842 829,775 885,312 797,224 105,028 140,337 102,161 197,525 2,140,790 2,947,244 1,271,503 148,928 853,598 864,554 874,864 816,328 114,920 113,756 92,401 174,463 2,021,827 2,777,633 1,139,337 148,741 823,572 859,976 853,586 794,634 137,544 89,935 111,654 152,586 1,951,543 2,735,465 1,103,785 148,554 823,469 865,268 863,848 775,165 135,445 170,801 114,526 123,085 1,964,285 2,774,284 1,121,040 148,367 845,062 849,297 1.45 1.43 0.68 0.67 2.08 2.05 0.87 1.00 18.13 68.99 2.39 2.36 3.19 3.15 2.32 2.30 0.83 1.75 19.33 60.66 2.63 2.59 2.60 2.56 2.11 2.08 0.79 2.00 18.74 63.13 3.18 3.12 2.08 2.04 2.58 2.53 0.75 2.00 18.91 61.75 44,358 44,835 44,504 44,033 44,500 44,148 99% 94.7 94.0 87% 96.4 96.2 43,772 44,432 43,945 86% 89.5 89.0 43,299 44,131 43,544 83% 84.5 83.9 3.15 3.09 3.97 3.90 2.66 2.61 0.71 3.00 19.61 49.40 43,020 43,819 43,103 83% 84.5 84.1 134,966 36,240(5) 117,991(5) 843,195 705,601 126,255 119,112 111,932 1,922,058 2,738,912 1,129,433 148,184 828,966 859,221 784,799 660,774 103,346 129,191 86,854 702,107 619,169 126,598 147,931 115,525 1,840,881 2,644,520 1,158,483 99,888 796,363 684,072 1,900,288 2,654,615 1,150,714 99,781 792,634 710,186 636,316 583,424 128,197 146,778 113,089 100,235 1,803,021 2,480,073 1,173,943 99,674 769,151 732,379 631,200 546,552 92,431 154,712 100,722 127,759 1,852,502 2,502,850 1,146,460 99,567 809,260 784,161 2.95 2.90 2.79 2.74 2.62 2.57 0.67 1.50 19.29 48.69 200%(3) 42,744 43,514 42,982 78% 83.1 82.2 2.44 2.39 3.04 2.99 2.05 2.01 0.63 2.50 18.73 32.22 3.00 2.95 3.51 3.45 2.74 2.69 0.60 2.50 18.73 36.43 3.05 3.02 3.49 3.46 2.69 2.66 0.58 3.50 18.34 26.29 2.14 2.13 3.59 3.56 2.34 2.32 0.54 – 19.03 26.63 42,431 43,160 42,525 42,156 42,869 42,324 42,040 42,482 41,929 43,123 43,461 42,259 87% 89.0 88.0 77% 79.6 79.1(6) 66% 80.4 81.4 60% 82.8 83.9 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 Operating Results Gross premiums written Consolidated revenue Net earnings Comprehensive earnings Operating earnings(1) Net cash provided from operating activities Financial Condition Total investments and cash Total assets Total debt Unpaid losses and settlement expenses Total shareholders’ equity Statutory surplus(2) Share Information(3) Net earnings per share(1): Comprehensive earnings per share: Operating earnings per share (1): Cash dividends declared per share: Regular Special Book value per share Closing stock price Stock split Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Common shares outstanding Other Non-GAAP Financial Information Net premiums written to statutory surplus(2) GAAP combined ratio(4) Statutory combined ratio(2)(4) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 983,216 818,123 64,179 30,182 92,088 217,102 2,194,230 3,105,065 1,461,348 149,115 806,842 829,775 885,312 797,224 105,028 140,337 102,161 197,525 2,140,790 2,947,244 1,271,503 148,928 853,598 864,554 874,864 816,328 114,920 113,756 92,401 174,463 2,021,827 2,777,633 1,139,337 148,741 823,572 859,976 853,586 794,634 137,544 89,935 111,654 152,586 1,951,543 2,735,465 1,103,785 148,554 823,469 865,268 863,848 775,165 135,445 170,801 114,526 123,085 1,964,285 2,774,284 1,121,040 148,367 845,062 849,297 1.45 1.43 0.68 0.67 2.08 2.05 0.87 1.00 18.13 68.99 2.39 2.36 3.19 3.15 2.32 2.30 0.83 1.75 19.33 60.66 2.63 2.59 2.60 2.56 2.11 2.08 0.79 2.00 18.74 63.13 3.18 3.12 2.08 2.04 2.58 2.53 0.75 2.00 18.91 61.75 44,358 44,835 44,504 44,033 44,500 44,148 99% 94.7 94.0 87% 96.4 96.2 43,772 44,432 43,945 86% 89.5 89.0 43,299 44,131 43,544 83% 84.5 83.9 3.15 3.09 3.97 3.90 2.66 2.61 0.71 3.00 19.61 49.40 43,020 43,819 43,103 83% 84.5 84.1 843,195 705,601 126,255 119,112 111,932 134,966 1,922,058 2,738,912 1,129,433 148,184 828,966 859,221 784,799 660,774 103,346 129,191 86,854 36,240(5) 702,107 619,169 126,598 147,931 115,525 117,991(5) 1,840,881 2,644,520 1,158,483 99,888 796,363 684,072 1,900,288 2,654,615 1,150,714 99,781 792,634 710,186 636,316 583,424 128,197 146,778 113,089 100,235 1,803,021 2,480,073 1,173,943 99,674 769,151 732,379 631,200 546,552 92,431 154,712 100,722 127,759 1,852,502 2,502,850 1,146,460 99,567 809,260 784,161 2.95 2.90 2.79 2.74 2.62 2.57 0.67 1.50 19.29 48.69 200%(3) 42,744 43,514 42,982 78% 83.1 82.2 2.44 2.39 3.04 2.99 2.05 2.01 0.63 2.50 18.73 32.22 3.00 2.95 3.51 3.45 2.74 2.69 0.60 2.50 18.73 36.43 3.05 3.02 3.49 3.46 2.69 2.66 0.58 3.50 18.34 26.29 2.14 2.13 3.59 3.56 2.34 2.32 0.54 – 19.03 26.63 42,431 43,160 42,525 42,156 42,869 42,324 42,040 42,482 41,929 43,123 43,461 42,259 87% 89.0 88.0 77% 79.6 79.1(6) 66% 80.4 81.4 60% 82.8 83.9 (1) Operating earnings and operating earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures and consist of our GAAP net earnings adjusted by net realized gains/ (losses), net unrealized gains/(losses) on equity securities that are recognized through net earnings in 2018 and forward and taxes related thereto. Net earnings and net earnings per share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to operating earnings and operating earnings per share. (2) Ratios and surplus information are presented on a statutory basis. As discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, statutory accounting principles differ from GAAP and are generally based on a solvency concept. Further discussion is included in note 9 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Reporting of statutory surplus is a required disclosure under GAAP. (3) On January 15, 2014, our stock split on a 2-for-1 basis. All share and per share data has been retroactively stated to reflect this split. (4) See page 35 for information regarding non-GAAP financial measures. (5) Operating cash flow for 2011 includes a $50.0 million cash deposit that we received from a commercial surety customer in lieu of credit. The return of this $50.0 million deposit is reflected in operating cash flow for 2012. (6) Includes statutory results of CBIC post-acquisition. 12 INVESTOR INFORMATION RLI STOCK RLI Corp. common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RLI. COMPANY FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS A.M. Best: A+ (Superior) RLI Group Standard & Poor’s: A+ (Strong) RLI Insurance Company SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES Shareholders of record with requests concerning individual account balances, stock certificates, dividends, stock transfers, tax information or address corrections should contact the transfer agent and registrar: Moody’s: A+ (Strong) Mt. Hawley Insurance Company A2 (Good) A2 (Good) RLI Insurance Company Mt. Hawley Insurance Company Our financial strength ratings reflect each rating agency’s opinion of our financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet our obligations to policyholders and are not evaluations directed toward the protection of investors. CONTACTING RLI For investor relations requests and management’s perspective on specific issues, contact Aaron Jacoby, Vice President, Corporate Development, at 309-693-5880 or at aaron.jacoby@rlicorp.com. RLI Corp. 9025 N. Lindbergh Drive Peoria, Illinois 61615-1431 Phone: 309-692-1000 or 800-331-4929 Fax: 309-692-1068 Find comprehensive investor information at rlicorp.com. EQ Shareholder Services P.O. Box 64856 St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 Phone: 800-468-9716 or 651-450-4064 Fax: 651-450-4085 shareowneronline.com DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLANS If you wish to sign up for an automatic dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan or to have your dividends deposited directly into your checking, savings or money market accounts, send your request to the transfer agent and registrar. REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Electronic versions of the following documents are or will be made available on our website: 2018 annual report on form 10-K; 2019 proxy statement; code of conduct; corporate governance guidelines; and charters of the executive resources, audit, finance and investment, strategy and nominating/corporate governance committees of our board. Printed copies of these documents are available without charge to any shareholder. To be placed on a mailing list to receive shareholder materials, contact our corporate headquarters. 13 OUR MISSION• We provide our customers with outstanding service through innovative risk management products and solutions.• We are dedicated to carefully chosen niche markets.• We attract outstanding talent and continuously develop our expertise.• We constantly re-evaluate, enhance and reinvigorate our business model to create new products, services and delivery systems.• We create long-term shareholder value by pursuing profitable growth, underwriting for a profit and earning returns that significantly exceed our cost of capital.OUR VALUESWe are talented.We are innovative.We are customer focused.We are driven.We are people of integrity.We are respectful.We are owners. 15A HIGHER STANDARD2018 YEAR IN REVIEW9025 N. LINDBERGH DRIVEPEORIA, IL 61615-1431P: 309.692.1000 | RLICORP.COM©2018 RLI CORP.1.0MUNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 or  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File Number 001-09463 RLI CORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 37-0889946 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 9025 North Lindbergh Drive, Peoria, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices) 61615 (Zip Code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (309) 692-1000 Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock $0.01 par value New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  No  Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes  No  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  No  Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated filer  Smaller reporting company  Emerging growth company  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  No  The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2018, based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2018 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, was $2,616,706,281. Shares of Common Stock held directly or indirectly by each reporting officer and director along with shares held by the Company ESOP have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes. The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, on February 7, 2019 was 44,512,543. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders to be held May 2, 2019, are incorporated herein by reference into Part III of this document, including: “Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” “Board Meetings and Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion & Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” “Executive Management,” “Corporate Governance and Board Matters,” “Audit Committee Report” and “Proposal three: Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” Exhibit index is located on pages 121-122 of this document, which lists documents filed as exhibits or incorporated by reference herein. 2 RLI Corp. Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K Part I Item 1. Item 1A. Item 1B. Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. Business Risk Factors Unresolved Staff Comments Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Selected Financial Data Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Procedures Other Information Part II Item 5. Item 6. Item 7. Item 7A. Item 8. Item 9. Item 9A. Item 9B. Part III Items 10-14. Part IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules Page 4 23 30 30 30 30 31 33 34 60 63 110 110 110 110 110 3 Item 1. Business PART I RLI Corp. (the “Company”) was founded in 1965. We underwrite select property and casualty insurance through major subsidiaries collectively known as RLI Insurance Group. We conduct operations principally through three insurance companies. RLI Insurance Company (RLI Ins.), a subsidiary of RLI Corp. and our principal insurance subsidiary, writes multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company (Mt. Hawley), a subsidiary of RLI Ins., writes excess and surplus lines insurance on a non-admitted basis in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company (CBIC), a subsidiary of RLI Ins., writes multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each of our insurance companies is domiciled in Illinois. We have no material foreign operations. As a specialty insurance company with a niche focus, we offer insurance coverages in the specialty admitted and excess and surplus markets. We distribute our property and casualty insurance through our branch offices that market to wholesale and retail producers. We offer limited coverages on a direct basis to select insureds, as well as various reinsurance coverages. In addition, from time to time, we produce a limited amount of business under agreements with managing general agents under the direction of our product vice presidents. We make our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available free of charge on our website (rlicorp.com). Information contained on our website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this annual report and you should not consider that information a part of this annual report. The SEC also maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the Company. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the following table provides the geographic distribution of our risks insured as represented by direct premiums earned for all coverages: State California New York Florida Texas Washington New Jersey Illinois Arizona Louisiana Georgia Pennsylvania Ohio Hawaii All Other Total direct premiums earned Direct Premiums Earned Percent of Total (in thousands) $ $ 141,868 126,672 88,992 79,766 32,374 27,754 25,323 24,475 24,136 21,296 19,529 19,165 18,575 246,309 896,234 15.8 % 14.1 % 9.9 % 8.9 % 3.6 % 3.1 % 2.8 % 2.7 % 2.7 % 2.4 % 2.2 % 2.2 % 2.1 % 27.5 % 100.0 % In the ordinary course of business, we rely on other insurance companies to share risks through reinsurance. A large portion of the reinsurance is put into effect under contracts known as treaties and, in some instances, by negotiation on each individual risk (known as facultative reinsurance). We have quota share, excess of loss and catastrophe (CAT) reinsurance contracts that protect against losses over stipulated amounts arising from any one occurrence or event. These arrangements allow the Company to pursue greater diversification of business and serve to limit the maximum net loss on catastrophes and large risks. Reinsurance is subject to certain risks, specifically market risk, which affect the cost of and the ability to secure these contracts, and credit risk, which is the risk that our reinsurers may not pay on losses in a timely fashion or at all. The following table illustrates the degree to which we have utilized reinsurance during the past three years. For an expanded discussion of the impact of reinsurance on our operations, see note 5 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 4 (in thousands) PREMIUMS WRITTEN Direct & Assumed Reinsurance ceded Net PREMIUMS EARNED Direct & Assumed Reinsurance ceded Net Year Ended December 31, 2017 2018 2016 $ 983,216 $ 874,864 $ 885,312 (160,041) (135,458) (133,912) $ 740,952 $ 749,854 $ 823,175 $ 938,160 $ 863,180 $ 867,639 (146,794) (129,702) (134,572) $ 728,608 $ 737,937 $ 791,366 SPECIALTY INSURANCE MARKET OVERVIEW The specialty insurance market differs significantly from the standard market. In the standard market, products and coverage are largely uniform with relatively predictable exposures and companies tend to compete for customers on the basis of price. In contrast, the specialty market provides coverage for risks that do not fit the underwriting criteria of the standard carriers. Competition tends to focus less on price and more on availability, coverage, service and other value-based considerations. While specialty market exposures may have higher insurance risks than their standard admitted market counterparts, we manage these risks to achieve higher financial returns. To reach our financial and operational goals, we must have extensive knowledge of, and expertise in, our markets. Many of our risks are underwritten on an individual basis and tailored coverages are employed in order to respond to distinctive risk characteristics. We operate in the specialty admitted insurance market, the excess and surplus insurance market and the specialty reinsurance markets. SPECIALTY ADMITTED INSURANCE MARKET We write business in the specialty admitted market. Most of these risks are unique and hard to place in the standard admitted market, but for marketing and regulatory reasons, they must remain with an admitted insurance company. The specialty admitted market is subject to greater state regulation than the excess and surplus market, particularly with regard to rate and form filing requirements, restrictions on the ability to exit lines of business, premium tax payments and membership in various state associations, such as state guaranty funds and assigned risk plans. For 2018, our specialty admitted operations produced gross premiums written of $619.6 million, representing approximately 63 percent of our total gross premiums for the year. EXCESS AND SURPLUS INSURANCE MARKET The excess and surplus market focuses on hard-to-place risks. Participating in this market allows the Company to underwrite non-standard risks with more flexible policy forms and unregulated premium rates. This typically results in coverages that are more restrictive and more expensive than in the standard admitted market. The excess and surplus lines regulatory environment and production model also effectively filter submission flow and match market opportunities to our expertise and appetite. According to the 2018 edition of A.M. Best Aggregate & Averages – Property/Casualty, United States & Canada, the excess and surplus market represented approximately $23 billion, or 4 percent, of the entire $642 billion domestic property and casualty industry in 2017, as measured by direct premiums written. Our excess and surplus operations wrote gross premiums of $316.9 million, or 32 percent, of our total gross premiums written in 2018. SPECIALTY REINSURANCE MARKETS We write business in the specialty reinsurance markets. This business is generally written on a portfolio (treaty) basis. We write contracts on an excess of loss and a proportional basis. Contract provisions are written and agreed upon between the company and its reinsurance clients. The business is typically more volatile as a result of unique underlying exposures and excess and aggregate attachments. For 2018, our specialty reinsurance operations wrote gross premiums of $46.7 million, representing approximately 5 percent of our total gross premiums written for the year. BUSINESS SEGMENT OVERVIEW The segments of our insurance operations are casualty, property and surety. For additional information, see note 11 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 5 CASUALTY SEGMENT Commercial Excess and Personal Umbrella Our commercial excess coverage is written in excess of primary liability insurance provided by other carriers and in excess of primary liability written by the Company. The personal umbrella coverage is written in excess of homeowners’ and automobile liability coverage provided by other carriers, except in Hawaii, where some underlying homeowners’ coverage is written by the Company. Net premiums earned from this business totaled $124.4 million, $115.5 million and $111.1 million, or 16 percent, 16 percent and 15 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. General Liability Our general liability business consists primarily of coverage for third-party liability of commercial insureds including manufacturers, contractors, apartments and mercantile. We also offer coverages for security guards and in the specialized areas of onshore energy-related businesses and environmental liability for underground storage tanks, contractors and asbestos and environmental remediation specialists. Net premiums earned from our general liability business totaled $93.9 million, $90.3 million and $86.9 million, or 12 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Commercial Transportation Our transportation insurance provides commercial automobile liability and physical damage insurance to local, intermediate and long haul truckers, public transportation entities and equipment dealers, along with other types of specialty commercial automobile risks. We also offer incidental, related insurance coverages including general liability, excess liability and motor truck cargo. We produce business through independent agents and brokers nationwide. Net premiums earned from this business totaled $81.1 million, $78.1 million and $81.4 million, or 10 percent, 11 percent and 11 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Professional Services We offer professional liability coverages focused on providing errors and omission coverage to small to medium-sized design, technical, computer and miscellaneous professionals. Our product suite for these customers also includes a full array of multi-peril package products including general liability, property, automobile, excess liability and workers’ compensation coverages. This business primarily markets its products through specialty retail agents nationwide. Net premiums earned from the professional services group totaled $80.0 million, $78.5 million and $75.9 million, or 10 percent, 11 percent and 10 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Small Commercial Our small commercial business offers property and casualty insurance coverages to small contractors and other small to medium-sized retail businesses. The coverages included in these packages are predominantly general liability, but also have some inland marine coverages as well as commercial automobile, property and umbrella coverage. These products are primarily marketed through retail agents. Net premiums earned from the small commercial business totaled $51.5 million, $49.6 million and $45.7 million, or 6 percent, 7 percent and 6 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Executive Products We provide a suite of management liability coverages, such as directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance, fiduciary liability and fidelity coverages, for a variety of risk classes, including both public and private businesses. Our publicly traded D&O appetite generally focuses on offering excess “Side A” D&O coverage (where corporations cannot indemnify the individual directors and officers) as well as excess full coverage D&O. Additionally, we offer representations and warranties coverage for companies involved in mergers and acquisitions, tax liability representations and warranties coverage for companies claiming certain tax credits and excess cyber liability coverage to medium to large size public and private businesses. Net premiums earned from the executive products business totaled $21.3 million, $18.1 million and $18.8 million, or 3 percent, 2 percent and 3 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 6 Medical Professional Liability We provide healthcare liability coverage focused on long-term care. In early 2019, we exited the long-term care business on a runoff basis. We also offer medical professional liability insurance specializing in hard-to-place individuals and group physicians. This business is marketed through wholesale brokers and retail agents. Net premiums earned from the medical professional liability business totaled $16.0 million, $17.1 million and $17.4 million, or 2 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other Casualty We offer a variety of other smaller products in our casualty segment, including home business insurance, which provides limited liability and property coverage, on and off-site, for a variety of small business owners who work from their own home. We have a quota share reinsurance agreement with Prime Insurance Company and Prime Property and Casualty Insurance Inc., the two insurance subsidiaries of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime). We assume general liability, excess, commercial auto, property and professional liability coverages on hard-to-place risks that are written in the excess and surplus and admitted insurance markets. Additionally, we write mortgage reinsurance, which provides credit risk transfer on pools of mortgages, and offer general liability coverage through a general binding authority (GBA) group. Net premiums earned from these lines totaled $55.3 million, $31.4 million and $17.8 million, or 7 percent, 4 percent and 2 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. PROPERTY SEGMENT Commercial Property Our commercial property coverage consists primarily of excess and surplus lines and specialty insurance such as fire, earthquake and difference in conditions (DIC), which can include earthquake, wind, flood and collapse coverages. We provide insurance for a wide range of commercial and industrial risks, such as office buildings, apartments, condominiums, builders’ risks and certain industrial and mercantile structures. Net premiums earned from the commercial property business totaled $71.5 million, $63.1 million and $68.2 million, or 9 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Marine Our marine coverages include cargo, hull, protection and indemnity (P&I), marine liability, as well as inland marine coverages including builders’ risks and contractors’ equipment. Although the predominant exposures are located within the United States, there is some incidental international exposure written within these coverages. Net premiums earned from the marine business totaled $59.8 million, $50.9 million and $48.3 million, or 8 percent, 7 percent and 7 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Specialty Personal We offer specialized homeowners’ insurance in select locations, including homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance through retail agents in Hawaii and a limited amount of homeowners’ insurance in Massachusetts and North Carolina. We also offered recreational vehicle insurance, which we began phasing out towards the end of 2016. Net premiums earned from specialty personal coverages totaled $16.9 million, $20.8 million and $25.0 million, or 2 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other Property Our other property coverages consist of newer product offerings, such as general binding authority, and lines which we have recently exited, including property reinsurance. Net premiums earned from these lines totaled $1.1 million, $3.5 million and $10.7 million, or 1 percent or less of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 7 SURETY SEGMENT Miscellaneous Our miscellaneous surety coverage includes small bonds for businesses and individuals written through independent insurance agencies throughout the United States. Examples of these types of bonds are license and permit, notary and court bonds. These bonds are usually individually underwritten and utilize extensive automation tools for the underwriting and bond delivery to our agents and principals. Net premiums earned from miscellaneous surety coverages totaled $47.0 million, $47.2 million and $46.2 million, or 6 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Contract We offer bonds for small to medium-sized contractors throughout the United States, underwritten on an account basis. Typically, these are performance and payment bonds for individual construction contracts. These bonds are marketed through a select number of insurance agencies that have surety and construction expertise. We also offer bonds for small and emerging contractors that are reinsured through the Federal Small Business Administration. Net premiums earned from contract surety coverages totaled $28.2 million, $28.6 million and $28.2 million, or 4 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Commercial We offer a large variety of commercial surety bonds for medium to large-sized businesses across a broad spectrum of industries. These risks are underwritten on an account basis and coverage is marketed through a select number of regional and national brokers with surety expertise. Net premiums earned from commercial surety coverages totaled $26.8 million, $27.6 million and $29.1 million, or 3 percent, 4 percent and 4 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Energy Our energy surety coverages provide commercial surety bonds for the energy, petrochemical and refining industries both on and off shore. These risks are primarily underwritten on an account basis and are primarily marketed through insurance producers with expertise in these industries. Net premiums earned from energy coverages totaled $16.7 million, $17.6 million and $18.0 million, or 2 percent of total net premiums earned for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION We distribute our coverages primarily through branch offices throughout the country that market to wholesale and retail brokers and through independent agents. BROKERS The largest volume of broker-generated premium is in our commercial property, general liability, commercial surety, commercial excess, commercial transportation and medical professional liability coverages. This business is produced through independent wholesale and retail brokers. INDEPENDENT AGENTS We target classes of insurance, such as homeowners’ and dwelling fire, home business, surety and personal umbrella, through independent agents. Several of these products involve detailed eligibility criteria, which are incorporated into strict underwriting guidelines and prequalification of each risk using a system accessible by the independent agent. The independent agent cannot bind the risk unless they receive approval from our underwriters or through our automated systems. UNDERWRITING AGENTS We contract with certain underwriting agencies, which have limited authority to bind or underwrite business on our behalf. The underwriting agreements involve strict underwriting guidelines and the agents are subject to audits upon request. These agencies may receive some compensation through contingent profit commission. 8 DIGITAL AND DIRECT We utilize digital efforts to produce and efficiently process and service business including home businesses, high performance drivers, small commercial and personal umbrella risks and surety bonding. On a direct basis, we also assume premium on various reinsurance treaties. COMPETITION Our specialty property and casualty insurance subsidiaries are part of a very competitive industry that is cyclical and historically characterized by periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity followed by periods of severe competition and excess underwriting capacity. Within the United States alone, approximately 2,600 companies actively market property and casualty coverages. Our primary competitors in the casualty segment include Arch, Aspen, Chubb, CNA, Great American, Great West, Hartford, Lancer, Markel, Navigators, Protective, RSUI, Sompo, USLI, Travelers and Zurich. Primary competitors in the property segment include Arch, Aspen, Chubb, CNA, Crum & Forster, Great American, Lexington, Sompo and Travelers. Primary competitors in the surety segment are AIG, Arch, Chubb, CNA, Great American, HCC, Navigators, Sompo, Travelers and XL. The combination of coverages, service, pricing and other methods of competition vary from line to line. Our principal methods of meeting this competition are innovative coverages, marketing structure and quality service to the agents and policyholders at a fair price. We compete favorably, in part, because of our sound financial base and reputation, as well as our broad, geographic footprint in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. In the casualty, property and surety areas, we have experienced underwriting specialists in our branch and home offices. We continue to maintain our underwriting and marketing standards by not seeking market share at the expense of earnings. We have a track record of withdrawing from markets when conditions become overly adverse, and offering new coverages and programs where the opportunity exists to provide needed insurance coverage with exceptional service on a profitable basis. FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS A.M. Best financial strength ratings for the industry range from ‘‘A++’’ (Superior) to ‘‘F’’ (In liquidation) with some companies not being rated. Standard & Poor’s financial strength ratings for the industry range from ‘‘AAA’’ (Extremely strong) to ‘‘R’’ (Regulatory action). Moody’s financial strength ratings for the industry range from “Aaa” (Exceptional) to “C” (Lowest). The following table illustrates the range of ratings assigned by each of the three major rating companies that has issued a financial strength rating on our insurance companies: A.M. Best SECURE Superior Excellent Very good A++, A+ A, A- B++, B+ B, B- C++, C+ C, C- D E F S VULNERABLE Fair Marginal Weak Poor Under regulatory supervision In liquidation Rating suspended Standard & Poor’s SECURE Extremely strong Very strong Strong Good VULNERABLE Marginal Weak Very weak Extremely weak Regulatory action AAA AA A BBB BB B CCC CC R Aaa Aa A Baa Ba B Caa Ca C Moody’s STRONG Exceptional Excellent Good Adequate WEAK Questionable Poor Very poor Extremely poor Lowest Within-category modifiers +,- 1,2,3 (1 high, 3 low) Publications of A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s indicate that ‘‘A’’ and ‘‘A+’’ ratings are assigned to those companies that, in their opinion, have achieved exceptional overall performance compared to the standards they have established and have a strong ability to meet their obligations to policyholders over a long period of time. In evaluating a company’s financial and operating performance, each of the firms review the company’s profitability, leverage and liquidity, as well as the company’s spread of risk, the quality and appropriateness of its reinsurance, the quality and diversification of its 9 assets, the adequacy of its policy and loss reserves, the adequacy of its surplus, its capital structure, its risk management practices and the experience and objectives of its management. These ratings are based on factors relevant to policyholders, agents, insurance brokers and intermediaries and are not specifically related to securities issued by the company. At December 31, 2018, the following ratings were assigned to our insurance companies: A.M. Best RLI Ins., Mt. Hawley and CBIC* (group-rated) A+, Superior Standard & Poor’s RLI Ins. and Mt. Hawley Moody’s RLI Ins. and Mt. Hawley * CBIC is only rated by A.M. Best A+, Strong A2, Good For A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, the financial strength ratings represented above are affirmations of previously assigned ratings. A.M. Best, in addition to assigning a financial strength rating, also assigns financial size categories. In October 2018, RLI Ins., Mt. Hawley and CBIC, which are collectively rated as a group, were assigned a financial size category of “XI” (adjusted policyholders’ surplus of between $750 million and $1 billion). As of December 31, 2018, the policyholders’ statutory surplus of RLI Insurance Group totaled $829.8 million, which continues to result in A.M. Best’s financial size category “XI”. REINSURANCE We reinsure a portion of our insurance exposure, paying or ceding to the reinsurer a portion of the premiums received on such policies. Earned premiums ceded to non-affiliated reinsurers totaled $146.8 million, $129.7 million and $134.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Insurance is ceded principally to reduce net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. We use reinsurance as an alternative to using our own capital to take risks and reduce volatility. Retention levels are evaluated each year to maintain a balance between the growth in surplus and the cost of reinsurance. Although reinsurance does not legally discharge an insurer from its primary liability for the full amount of the policies, it does make the assuming reinsurer liable to the insurer to the extent of the insurance ceded. Reinsurance is subject to certain risks, specifically market risk (which affects the cost and ability to secure reinsurance contracts) and credit risk (which relates to the ability to collect from the reinsurer on our claims). We purchase reinsurance from financially strong reinsurers. We evaluate reinsurers’ ability to pay based on their financial results, level of surplus, financial strength ratings and other risk characteristics. A reinsurance committee, comprised of senior management, reviews and approves our security guidelines and reinsurer usage. More than 93 percent of our reinsurance recoverables are due from companies with financial strength ratings of “A” or better by A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s rating services. For more information regarding our largest reinsurers, see note 5 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. We utilize both treaty and facultative reinsurance coverage for our risks. Treaty coverage refers to a reinsurance contract under which the company agrees to cede all risks within a defined class of business to the reinsurer, who agrees to provide coverage on all risks ceded without individual underwriting. Facultative coverage is applied to individual risks at the company’s discretion and is subject to underwriting by the reinsurer. It is used for a variety of reasons, including supplementing the limits provided by the treaty coverage or covering risks or perils excluded from treaty reinsurance. Much of our reinsurance is purchased on an excess of loss basis. Under an excess of loss arrangement, we retain losses on a risk up to a specified amount and the reinsurers assume any losses above that amount. We may choose to participate in the reinsurance layers purchased by retaining a percentage of the layer. It is common to find conditions in excess of loss covers such as occurrence limits, aggregate limits and reinstatement premium charges. Occurrence limits cap our recovery for multiple losses caused by the same event. Aggregate limits cap our recovery for all losses ceded during the contract term. We may be required to pay additional premium to reinstate or have access to use the reinsurance limits for potential future recoveries during the same contract year. Some property and surety treaties include reinstatement provisions which require the Company, in certain circumstances, to pay reinstatement premiums after a loss has occurred in order to preserve coverage. 10 Excluding CAT reinsurance, the table below summarizes the reinsurance treaty coverage currently in effect. We may purchase facultative coverage in excess of the per risk limits shown. (in millions) Product Line(s) Covered General liability Commercial excess Personal umbrella and eXS Commercial transportation Package - liability and workers' comp Workers' compensation catastrophe Medical professional liability Professional services - professional liability Executive products Property - risk cover Marine Surety Contract Type Date Renewal Attachment Point Per Risk Limit Maximum Purchased Retention * Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Quota Share Excess of Loss Excess of Loss Excess of Loss $ 1/1 $ 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 4/1 7/1 1.0 $ 1.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 11.0 1.0 1.0 N/A 1/1 6/1 4/1 1.0 2.0 2.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 4.5 10.0 14.0 9.0 9.0 25.0 24.0 28.0 73.0 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.1 1.9 — ** 1.9 3.3 8.8 1.2 2.0 9.7 *** * ** Maximum retention includes first-dollar retention plus any co-participation we retain through the reinsurance tower. The workers’ compensation catastrophe treaty responds after our package liability and workers’ compensation excess of loss treaty with no additional retention. *** A limited number of commercial and energy surety accounts are permitted to exceed the $75.0 million limit. These accounts are subject to additional levels of review and are monitored on a monthly basis. At each renewal, we consider any plans to change the underlying insurance coverage we offer, as well as updated loss activity, the level of RLI Insurance Group’s surplus, changes in our risk appetite and the cost and availability of reinsurance treaties. In the last renewal cycle, we maintained similar retentions on most lines of business. PROPERTY REINSURANCE — CATASTROPHE COVERAGE Our property CAT reinsurance reduces the financial impact of a CAT event involving multiple claims and policyholders. Reinsurance limits purchased fluctuate due to changes in the amount of exposure we insure, reinsurance costs, insurance company surplus levels and our risk appetite. In addition, we monitor the expected rate of return for each of our CAT lines of business. At high rates of return, we grow the book of business and may purchase additional reinsurance to increase our capacity. As the rate of return decreases, we shrink the book and may purchase less reinsurance as this capacity becomes unnecessary. Our reinsurance coverage for the last three years and for 2019 are shown in the following table: Catastrophe Coverages (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 2016 First- Dollar Retention Limit First- Dollar Retention Limit First- Dollar Retention Limit First- Dollar Retention Limit California Earthquake Non-California Earthquake Other Perils $ 25 25 25 400 $ 425 275 25 25 25 300 $ 325 225 25 25 25 300 $ 325 225 25 25 25 300 325 225 These CAT limits are in addition to the per-occurrence coverage provided by facultative and other treaty coverages. We have participated in the CAT layers purchased by retaining a percentage of each layer throughout this period. Our participation has varied based on price and the amount of risk transferred by each layer. Since 2014, all layers of the treaty have included one prepaid reinstatement. Our property CAT program continues to be applied on an excess of loss basis. It attaches after all other reinsurance has been considered. Although covered in one program, limits and attachment points differ for California earthquakes and all other 11 perils. The following charts use information from our CAT modeling software to illustrate our pre-tax net retention resulting from particular events that would generate the gross losses. Catastrophe - California Earthquake (in millions) Projected Gross Loss Ceded Losses Net Losses Ceded Losses Net Losses Ceded Losses Net Losses 2019 2018 2017 $ $ 50 100 200 300 450   $ 29 73 163 257 396   $ 21 27 37 43 54   $ 29 72 163 256 391   $ 21 28 37 44 59   $ 29 73 163 256 395   21 27 37 44 55 Catastrophe - Other (Earthquake outside of California, Wind, Other) (in millions) Projected Gross Loss Ceded Losses Net Losses Ceded Losses Net Losses Ceded Losses Net Losses 2019 2018 2017 $ $ $ 25 50 100 200 300 7 24 63 144 226 $ 18 26 37 56 74 $ 6 24 64 143 224 $ 19 26 36 57 76 $ 5 20 59 146 231 20 30 41 54 69 In the above table, projected losses for 2019 were estimated based on our exposure as of December 31, 2018, utilizing the treaty structure in place as of January 1, 2019. All previous years were estimated similarly by utilizing the treaty structure in place at the start of the listed year and the exposure at the end of the previous year. The previous tables were generated using theoretical probabilities of events occurring in areas where our portfolio of currently in-force policies could generate the level of loss illustrated. Actual results could vary significantly from these tables as the actual nature or severity of a particular event cannot be predicted with any reasonable degree of accuracy. Reinsurance limits are purchased based on the anticipated losses from large events. The largest losses shown above are possible, but have a low probability of actually occurring. However, there is a remote chance that a larger event could occur. If the actual event losses are larger than anticipated, we could retain additional losses above the limit of our CAT reinsurance. We continuously monitor and quantify our exposure to catastrophes including earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, convective storms, terrorist acts and other aggregating events. In the normal course of business, we manage our concentrations of exposures to catastrophic events, primarily by limiting concentrations of locations insured to acceptable levels and by purchasing reinsurance. Exposure and coverage detail is recorded for each risk location. We quantify and monitor the total policy limit insured in each geographical region. In addition, we use third-party CAT exposure models and an internally developed analysis to assess each risk to ensure we include an appropriate charge for assumed CAT risks. CAT exposure modeling is inherently uncertain due to the model’s reliance on an infrequent observation of actual events and exposure data, increasing the importance of capturing accurate policy coverage data. The model results are used both in the underwriting analysis of individual risks and at a corporate level for the aggregate book of CAT-exposed business. From both perspectives, we consider the potential loss produced by individual events that represent moderate-to-high loss potential at varying probabilities and magnitudes. In calculating potential losses, we select appropriate assumptions including, but not limited to, loss amplification and loss adjustment expense. We establish risk tolerances at the portfolio level based on market conditions, the level of reinsurance available, changes to the assumptions in the CAT models, rating agency capital constraints, underwriting guidelines and coverages and internal preferences. Our risk tolerances for each type of CAT, and for all perils in aggregate, change over time as these internal and external conditions change. We are required to report to the rating agencies estimated loss to a single event that could include all potential earthquakes and hurricanes contemplated by the CAT modeling software. This reported loss includes the impact of insured losses based on the estimated frequency and severity of potential events, loss adjustment expense, reinstatements paid after the loss, reinsurance recoveries and taxes. Based on the CAT reinsurance treaty purchased on January 1, 2019, there is a 99.6 percent likelihood that the loss will be less than 16.2 percent of policyholders’ surplus as of December 31, 2018. The exposure levels are within our tolerances for this risk. 12             LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES OVERVIEW Loss and loss adjustment expense (LAE) reserves represent our best estimate of ultimate payments for losses and related settlement expenses from claims that have been reported but not paid and losses that have been incurred but not yet reported to the Company (IBNR). Loss reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent our estimates, generally utilizing individual claim estimates, actuarial expertise and estimation techniques at a given accounting date. The loss reserve estimates are expectations of what ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost upon final resolution. These estimates are based on facts and circumstances then known to the Company, review of historical settlement patterns, estimates of trends in claims frequency and severity, projections of loss costs, expected interpretations of legal theories of liability and many other factors. In establishing reserves, we also take into account estimated recoveries from reinsurance, salvage and subrogation. The reserves are reviewed regularly by a team of actuaries we employ. Net loss and loss adjustment reserves by product line at year-end 2018 and 2017 are illustrated in the following table. LAE is classified in the table as either allocated loss adjustment expense (ALAE) or unallocated loss adjustment expense (ULAE). ALAE refers to estimates of claim settlement expenses that can be identified with a specific claim or case, while ULAE cannot be identified with a specific claim. For a detailed discussion of loss reserves, refer to our critical accounting policy in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. (as of December 31, in thousands) Product Line Casualty segment net loss and ALAE reserves Commercial excess Personal umbrella General liability Commercial transportation Professional services Small commercial Executive products Medical professional liability Other casualty Property segment net loss and ALAE reserves Commercial property Marine Specialty personal Other property Surety segment net loss and ALAE reserves Miscellaneous Contract Commercial Energy Latent liability net loss and ALAE reserves Total net loss and ALAE reserves ULAE reserves Total net loss and LAE reserves $ Case 8,172 21,208 68,295 87,544 35,127 19,351 21,617 19,087 10,763 26,012 11,426 2,465 2,060 2,932 4,311 137 2,195 2018 IBNR Total Case 2017 IBNR Total $ $ 122,690 42,203 171,640 46,015 85,002 37,885 47,581 21,058 49,208 $ 130,862 63,411 239,935 133,559 120,129 57,236 69,198 40,145 59,971 13,021 20,189 3,490 3,751 3,769 7,639 5,482 3,244 39,033 31,615 5,955 5,811 6,701 11,950 5,619 5,439 9,724 21,452 78,360 81,543 28,543 12,075 11,327 16,621 6,595 21,375 11,512 1,989 3,348 2,550 (1,939) 1,686 2,843 $ 99,745 39,395 149,102 38,161 81,558 34,344 44,484 10,526 31,302 $ 109,469 60,847 227,462 119,704 110,101 46,419 55,811 27,147   37,897 10,615 18,095 3,525 6,682 5,035 7,638 6,276 2,254 31,990 29,607 5,514 10,030 7,585 5,699 7,962 5,097 5,061 $ 347,763 — $ 347,763 13,828 $ 697,695 50,891 $ 748,586 18,889 $ 1,045,458 50,891 $ 1,096,349 6,532 $ 316,136 — $ 316,136 15,795 $ 604,532 48,844 $ 653,376 22,327 $ 920,668 48,844 $ 969,512 Following is a table of significant risk factors involved in estimating losses grouped by major product line. We distinguish between loss ratio risk and reserve estimation risk. Loss ratio risk refers to the possible dispersion of loss ratios from year to year due to inherent volatility in the business, such as high severity or aggregating exposures. Reserve estimation risk recognizes the difficulty in estimating a given year’s ultimate loss liability. As an example, our property CAT business (included below in “other property”) has significant variance in year over year results; however, its reserving estimation risk is relatively moderate. 13     Product line Commercial excess Significant Risk Factors Length of Reserve Tail Long Emergence patterns relied upon Internal Personal umbrella Medium Internal General liability Long Internal Commercial transportation Medium Internal Expected loss Reserve ratio variability High estimation variability High Other risk factors Low frequency High severity Loss trend volatility Exposure growth Unforeseen tort potential Exposure changes/mix Medium Low frequency High severity Loss trend volatility Exposure growth Unforeseen tort potential Medium Exposure changes/mix Unforeseen tort potential Medium High High severity Exposure growth/mix Loss trend volatility Unforeseen tort potential Medium Medium Professional services Medium Internal & external Highly varied exposures Medium Medium Small commercial Long Internal Loss trend volatility Unforeseen tort potential Exposure growth/mix Unforeseen tort potential Small volume Medium Medium Executive products Long Internal & significant external Low frequency High severity Loss trend volatility Economic volatility Unforeseen tort potential Exposure growth/mix Small volume High High Medical professional liability Long External High severity Exposure changes/mix Unforeseen tort potential Small volume Loss trend volatility High High Other casualty Marine Other property Medium Internal & external Small volume Medium Medium Medium Internal & external Exposure growth/mix High High Short Internal CAT aggregation exposure Low frequency High severity High Medium Economic volatility Uniqueness of exposure Medium Medium Surety Medium Internal Runoff including asbestos & environmental Long Internal & external Loss trend volatility Mass tort/latent exposure High High On a quarterly basis, actuaries perform a ground-up reserve study of the expected value of the unpaid loss and LAE derived using multiple standard actuarial methodologies that are described below. In addition, an emergence analysis is completed quarterly to determine if further adjustments are necessary. The purpose of this analysis is to provide validation of our carried loss reserves. These estimates are then compared to the carried loss reserves to determine the appropriateness of the current reserve balance. The methodologies we have chosen to incorporate are a function of data availability and are reflective of our own book of business. From time to time, we evaluate the need to add supplementary methodologies. New methods are incorporated if it is 14 believed they improve the estimate of our ultimate loss and LAE liability. All of the actuarial methods eventually converge to the same estimate as an accident year matures. Our core methodologies are listed below with a short description and their relative strengths and weaknesses: Paid Loss Development — Historical payment patterns for prior claims are used to estimate future payment patterns for current claims. These patterns are applied to current payments by accident year to yield an expected ultimate loss. Strengths: The method reflects only the claim dollars that have been paid and is not subject to case-basis reserve changes or changes in case reserve practices. Weaknesses: External claims environment changes can impact the rate at which claims are settled and losses paid (e.g. increase in attorney involvement or legal precedent). Adjustments to reflect changes in payment patterns on a prospective basis are difficult to quantify. For losses that have occurred recently, payments can be minimal and thus early estimates are subject to significant instability. Incurred Loss Development — Historical case-incurred patterns (paid losses plus case reserves) for past claims are used to estimate future case-incurred amounts for current claims. These patterns are applied to current case-incurred losses by accident year to yield an expected ultimate loss. Strengths: Losses are reported more quickly than paid, therefore, the estimates stabilize sooner. The method reflects more information in the analysis than the paid loss development method. Weaknesses: Method involves additional estimation risk if significant changes to case reserving practices have occurred. Case Reserve Development — Patterns of historical development in reported losses relative to historical case reserves are determined. These patterns are applied to current case reserves by accident year and the result is combined with paid losses to yield an expected ultimate loss. Strengths: Like the incurred development method, this method benefits from using the additional information available in case reserves that is not available from paid losses only. It also can provide a more reasonable estimate than other methods when the proportion of claims still open for an accident year is unusually high or low. Weaknesses: It is subject to the risk of changes in case reserving practices or philosophy. It may provide unstable estimates when an accident year is immature and more of the IBNR is expected to come from unreported claims rather than development on reported claims and when accident years are very mature with infrequent case reserves. Expected Loss Ratio — Historical loss ratios, in combination with projections of frequency and severity trends, as well as estimates of price and exposure changes, are analyzed to produce an estimate of the expected loss ratio for each accident year. The expected loss ratio is then applied to the earned premium for each year to estimate the expected ultimate losses. The current accident year expected loss ratio is also the prospective loss and ALAE ratio used in our initial IBNR generation process. Strengths: Reflects an estimate independent of how losses are emerging on either a paid or a case reserve basis. This method is particularly useful in the absence of historical development patterns or where losses take a long time to emerge. Weaknesses: Ignores how losses are actually emerging and thus produces the same estimate of ultimate loss regardless of favorable/unfavorable emergence. Paid and Incurred Bornhuetter/Ferguson (BF) — This approach blends the expected loss ratio method with either the paid or incurred loss development method. In effect, the BF methods produce weighted average indications for each accident year. As an example, if the current accident year for commercial automobile liability is estimated to be 20 percent paid, then the paid loss development method would receive a weight of 20 percent and the expected loss ratio method would receive an 80 percent weight. Over time, this method will converge with the ultimate estimated by the respective loss development method. Strengths: Reflects actual emergence that is favorable/unfavorable, but assumes remaining emergence will continue as previously expected. Does not overreact to the early emergence (or lack of emergence) where patterns are most unstable. 15 Weaknesses: Could potentially understate favorable or unfavorable development by putting weight on the expected loss ratio. In most cases, multiple estimation methods will be valid for the particular facts and circumstances of the claim liabilities being evaluated. Each estimation method has its own set of assumption variables and its own advantages and disadvantages, with no single estimation method being better than the others in all situations, and no one set of assumption variables being meaningful for all product line components. The relative strengths and weaknesses of the particular estimation methods, when applied to a particular group of claims, can also change over time. Therefore, the weight given to each estimation method will likely change by accident year and with each evaluation. The actuarial central estimates typically follow a progression that places significant weight on the BF methods when accident years are younger and claim emergence is immature. As accident years mature and claims emerge over time, increasing weight is placed on the incurred development method, the paid development method and the case reserve development method. For product lines with faster loss emergence, the progression to greater weight on the incurred and paid development methods occurs more quickly. For our long and medium-tail products, the BF methods are typically given the most weight for the first 36 months of evaluation. These methods are also predominant for the first 12 months of evaluation for short-tail lines. Beyond these time periods, our actuaries apply their professional judgment when weighting the estimates from the various methods deployed but place significant reliance on the expected stage of development in normal circumstances. Judgment can supersede this natural progression if risk factors and assumptions change, or if a situation occurs that amplifies a particular strength or weakness of a methodology. Extreme projections are critically analyzed and may be adjusted, given less credence or discarded altogether. Internal documentation is maintained that records any substantial changes in methods or assumptions from one loss reserve study to another. RESERVE SENSITIVITIES There are three major parameters that have significant influence on our actuarial estimates of ultimate liabilities by product. They are the actual losses that are reported, the expected loss emergence pattern and the expected loss ratios used in the analyses. If the actual losses reported do not emerge as expected, it may cause the Company to challenge all or some of its previous assumptions. We may change expected loss emergence patterns, the expected loss ratios used in our analysis and/or the weights we place on a given actuarial method. The impact will be much greater and more leveraged for products with longer emergence patterns. Our general liability product is an example of a product with a relatively long emergence pattern. We have constructed a chart that illustrates the sensitivity of our general liability reserve estimates to these key parameters. We believe the scenarios to be reasonable as similar favorable variations have occurred in recent years. For example, while our general liability emergence has ranged from 8 percent to 18 percent favorable over the last three years, our emergence for all products combined, excluding general liability, has ranged from 5 percent to 18 percent favorable. The numbers below are the changes in estimated ultimate loss and ALAE in millions of dollars as of December 31, 2018, resulting from the change in the parameters shown. These parameters were applied to a general liability net loss and LAE reserve balance of $239.9 million, in addition to associated ULAE and latent liability reserves, at December 31, 2018. (in millions) Result from favorable Result from unfavorable change in parameter change in parameter +/-5 point change in expected loss ratio for all accident years +/-10% change in expected emergence patterns +/-30% change in actual loss emergence over a calendar year $ $ $ Simultaneous change in expected loss ratio (5pts), expected emergence patterns (10%), and actual loss emergence (30%). $ (9.0) $ (6.5) $ 9.0 6.2 (13.3) $ 13.3 (28.1) $ 29.1 16 There are often significant inter-relationships between our reserving assumptions that have offsetting or compounding effects on the reserve estimate. Thus, in almost all cases, it is impossible to discretely measure the effect of a single assumption or construct a meaningful sensitivity expectation that holds true in all cases. The scenario above is representative of general liability, one of our largest and longest-tailed products. It is unlikely that all of our products would have variations as wide as illustrated in the example. It is also unlikely that all of our products would simultaneously experience favorable or unfavorable loss development in the same direction or at their extremes during a calendar year. Because our portfolio is made up of a diversified mix of products, there would ordinarily be some offsetting favorable and unfavorable emergence by product as actual losses start to emerge and our loss estimates become more reliable. OPERATING RATIOS PREMIUMS TO SURPLUS RATIO The following table shows, for the periods indicated, our insurance subsidiaries’ statutory ratios of net premiums written to policyholders’ surplus. While there is no statutory requirement applicable to the Company that establishes a permissible net premiums written to surplus ratio, guidelines established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provide that this ratio should generally be no greater than 3 to 1. While the NAIC provides this general guideline, rating agencies often require a more conservative ratio to maintain strong or superior ratings. (dollars in thousands) Statutory net premiums written Policyholders’ surplus Ratio $ 2018 823,175 829,775 1.0 to 1 GAAP AND STATUTORY COMBINED RATIOS $ 2017 749,854 864,554 0.9 to 1 Year Ended December 31, 2016 740,952 859,976 0.9 to 1 $ 2015 $ 722,189 865,268 0.8 to 1 $ 2014 703,152 849,297 0.8 to 1 Our underwriting experience is best indicated by our GAAP combined ratio, which is the sum of (a) the ratio of incurred losses and settlement expenses to net premiums earned (loss ratio) and (b) the ratio of policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses to net premiums earned (expense ratio). The difference between the combined ratio and 100 reflects the per-dollar rate of underwriting income or loss, with ratios below 100 indicating underwriting profit and ratios above 100 indicating underwriting loss. GAAP Loss ratio Expense ratio Combined ratio 2018 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 54.1 40.6 94.7 54.4 42.0 96.4 48.0 41.5 89.5 42.7 41.8 84.5 43.2 41.3 84.5 We also calculate the statutory combined ratio, which is not indicative of GAAP underwriting income due to accounting for policy acquisition costs differently for statutory accounting purposes compared to GAAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of (a) the ratio of statutory loss and settlement expenses incurred to statutory net premiums earned (loss ratio) and (b) the ratio of statutory policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to statutory net premiums written (expense ratio). The difference between the combined ratio and 100 reflects the per-dollar rate of underwriting income or loss. Statutory Loss ratio Expense ratio Combined ratio 2018 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 54.1 39.9 94.0 54.4 41.8 96.2 48.0 41.0 89.0 42.7 41.2 83.9 43.2 40.9 84.1 P&C industry combined ratio 99.4 * 103.9 ** 100.7 ** 97.9 ** 97.2 ** * Source: Conning (2018). Property-Casualty Forecast & Analysis: By Line of Insurance, Fourth Quarter 2018. Estimated for the year ended December 31, 2018. ** Source: A.M. Best (2018). Aggregate & Averages – Property/Casualty, United States & Canada. 2014 – 2017. 17 INVESTMENTS Our investment portfolio serves as the primary resource for loss payments and secondly as a source of income to support operations. Our investment strategy is based on preservation of capital as the first priority, with a secondary focus on growing book value through total return. Investments of the highest quality and marketability are critical for preserving our claims- paying ability. Our portfolio contains no derivatives or off-balance sheet structured investments. In addition, we have a diversified investment portfolio that distributes credit risk across many issuers and a policy that limits aggregate credit exposure. Despite periodic fluctuations in market value, our equity portfolio is part of a long-term asset allocation strategy and has contributed significantly to our growth in book value. Investment portfolios are managed both internally and externally by experienced portfolio managers. We follow an investment policy that is reviewed quarterly and revised periodically, with oversight conducted by our senior officers and board of directors. Our investments include fixed income debt securities, common stock equity securities, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and a small number of limited partnership interests. The fixed income portfolio increased to 80 percent of the total portfolio, while the equity allocation declined to 16 percent of the overall portfolio. Other invested assets represented 2 percent of the total portfolio and include investments in low income housing tax credit partnerships, membership stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and investments in private funds. The remaining 2 percent was made up of cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2018, 84 percent of the fixed income portfolio was rated A or better and 64 percent was rated AA or better. We classify all of the securities in our fixed income portfolio as available-for-sale, which are carried at fair value. Beyond available operating cash flow, the portfolio provides an additional source of liquidity and can be used to address potential future changes in our asset/liability structure. Aggregate maturities for the fixed-income portfolio as of December 31, 2018, are as follows: (in thousands) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 and later Total excluding Mtge/ABS/CMBS* Par Value Amortized $ 41,303 $ 62,908 133,843 92,805 119,041 101,398 188,572 127,478 120,870 69,847 41,445 36,264 14,510 5,520 5,266 51,490 Cost 41,319 $ 62,723 134,661 93,779 119,991 103,602 190,550 126,953 121,652 72,303 45,912 40,214 16,148 6,405 6,349 53,688 Fair Value Carrying Value 41,333 $ 62,382 134,556 93,421 120,321 102,314 189,259 125,060 119,678 71,804 47,244 40,595 16,299 6,496 6,314 51,464 41,333 62,382 134,556 93,421 120,321 102,314 189,259 125,060 119,678 71,804 47,244 40,595 16,299 6,496 6,314 51,464 $ 1,212,560 $ 1,236,249 $ 1,228,540 $ 1,228,540 Mtge/ABS/CMBS* $ 533,232 $ 540,216 $ 531,975 $ 531,975 Grand Total $ 1,745,792 $ 1,776,465 $ 1,760,515 $ 1,760,515 *Mortgage-backed, asset-backed & commercial mortgage-backed We had cash, short-term investments and fixed income securities maturing within one year of $83.0 million at year-end 2018. This total represented 4 percent of cash and investments, compared to 2 percent at year-end 2017. Our short-term investments consist of investments with original maturities of 90 days or less, primarily AAA-rated prime and government money market funds. 18 REGULATION STATE REGULATION As an insurance holding company, we, as well as our insurance company subsidiaries, are subject to regulation by the states and territories in which the insurance subsidiaries are domiciled or transact business. Registration in each insurer’s state of domicile requires periodic reporting to such state’s insurance regulatory authority of the financial, operational and management information regarding the insurers within the holding company system. All transactions within a holding company system affecting insurers must have fair and reasonable terms, and the insurers’ policyholders’ surplus following any transaction must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate for its needs. Notice to and, in some cases, consent from regulators is required prior to the consummation of certain transactions affecting insurance company subsidiaries of the holding company system. Each state and territory individually regulates the insurance operations of both insurance companies and insurance agents/brokers. Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of policyholders rather than shareholders and other investors. Two primary focuses of state regulation of insurance companies are financial solvency and market conduct practices. Regulations designed to ensure financial solvency of insurers are enforced by various filing, reporting and examination requirements. Marketplace oversight is conducted by monitoring and periodically examining trade practices, approving policy forms, licensing of agents and brokers and requiring the filing and, in some cases, approval of premiums and commission rates to ensure they are fair and adequate. Because our insurance company subsidiaries operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam, we must comply with the individual insurance laws, regulations, rules and case law of each state and territory, including those regulating the filing of insurance rates and forms. Each of our three insurance company subsidiaries is domiciled in Illinois, with the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) as its principal insurance regulator. As a holding company, the amount of dividends we are able to pay depends upon the funds available for distribution, including dividends or distributions from our subsidiaries. The insurance laws applicable to our insurance company subsidiaries impose certain restrictions on their ability to pay dividends. The insurance holding company laws require that ordinary dividends paid by an insurance company be reported to the insurer’s domiciliary regulator prior to payment of the dividend and that extraordinary dividends may not be paid without such regulator’s prior approval (or non-disapproval). An extraordinary dividend is generally defined under Illinois law as a dividend that, together with all other dividends made within the past 12 months, exceeds the greater of 100 percent of the insurer’s statutory net income for the 12-month period ending as of December 31 of the preceding year or 10 percent of the insurer’s statutory policyholders’ surplus as of the preceding year- end. Insurance regulators have broad powers to prevent the reduction of statutory surplus to inadequate levels, and there is no assurance that extraordinary dividend payments would be permitted. In addition, changes to the state insurance regulatory requirements are frequent, including changes caused by state legislation, regulations by the state insurance departments and court rulings. State insurance regulators are members of the NAIC. The NAIC is a non-governmental regulatory support organization that seeks to promote uniformity and to enhance state regulation of insurance through various activities, initiatives and programs. Among other regulatory and insurance company support activities, the NAIC maintains a state insurance department accreditation program and proposes model laws, regulations and guidelines for approval by state legislatures and insurance regulators. Such proposed laws and regulations cover areas including risk assessments, corporate governance and financial and accounting rules. To the extent such proposed model laws and regulations are adopted by states, they will apply to insurance carriers. In December 2010, the NAIC adopted amendments to the Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act and Model Regulation (Amended Holding Company Model Act). The Amended Holding Company Model Act introduces the concept of “enterprise risk” within an insurance holding company system and imposes more extensive informational requirements on parents and other affiliates of licensed insurers or reinsurers, with the purpose of protecting the licensed companies from enterprise risk, including requiring an annual enterprise risk report by the ultimate controlling person identifying the material risks within the insurance holding company system that could pose enterprise risk to the licensed companies. An enterprise risk is generally defined as an activity or event involving affiliates of an insurer that could have a material adverse effect on the insurer or the insurer’s holding company system. Illinois has adopted a version of the Amended Holding Company Model Act. We are in compliance with the enterprise risk reporting requirements as adopted by Illinois. The Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) model act was developed by the NAIC and proposed for adoption by each state insurance regulatory department. Illinois has adopted the Risk Management and ORSA Law, applicable to Illinois- 19 domiciled insurance companies meeting certain size requirements, including ours. The ORSA program is a key component of an insurance company’s overall enterprise risk management (ERM) framework, which is the process by which organizations identify, measure, monitor and manage key risks affecting the entire enterprise. An ORSA summary report, filed by the Company with the IDOI each year, is an internal identification, description and assessment of the risks associated with our business plan, and the sufficiency of capital resources to support those risks. The NAIC uses a risk-based capital (RBC) model to monitor and regulate the solvency of licensed property and casualty insurance companies. Illinois has adopted a version of the NAIC’s model law. The RBC calculation is used to measure an insurer’s capital adequacy with respect to: the risk characteristics of the insurer’s premiums written and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, rate of growth and quality of assets, among other measures. Depending on the results of the RBC calculation, insurers may be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action. RBC is calculated annually by insurers, as of December 31 of each year. As of December 31, 2018, each of our insurance company subsidiaries had RBC levels significantly in excess of the company action level RBC, defined as being 200 percent of the authorized control level RBC, which would prompt corrective action under Illinois law. RLI Ins., our principal insurance company subsidiary, had an authorized control level RBC of $170.9 million compared to actual statutory capital and surplus of $829.8 million as of December 31, 2018, resulting in a statutory capital to authorized control level RBC ratio of 489 percent. The calculation of RBC requires certain judgments to be made, and, accordingly, each of our insurance company subsidiaries’ current RBC may be greater or less than the RBC calculated as of any date of determination. Each of our insurance company subsidiaries is required to file detailed annual reports, including financial statements, in accordance with prescribed statutory accounting rules, with regulatory officials in the jurisdictions in which they conduct business. The quarterly and annual financial reports filed with the states utilize statutory accounting principles (SAP) that are different from U.S. GAAP. As a basis of accounting, SAP was developed to monitor and regulate the solvency of insurance companies. In developing SAP, insurance regulators were primarily concerned with assuring an insurer’s ability to pay all its current and future obligations to policyholders. As a result, statutory accounting focuses on conservatively valuing the assets and liabilities of insurers, generally in accordance with standards specified by the insurer’s domiciliary state. The values for assets, liabilities and equity reflected in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP are usually different from those reflected in financial statements prepared under SAP. As part of their routine regulatory oversight process, state insurance departments conduct periodic detailed examinations, generally once every three to five years, of the books, records, accounts and operations of insurance companies that are domiciled in their states. Examinations are generally carried out in cooperation with the insurance departments of other, non- domiciliary states under guidelines promulgated by the NAIC. The most recent examination report of our insurance company subsidiaries completed by the IDOI was issued on November 27, 2018 for the five-year period ending December 31, 2017. The examination report is available to the public. Each of our insurance company subsidiaries is subject to Illinois laws and regulations that impose restrictions on the amount and type of investments our insurance company subsidiaries may have. Such laws and regulations generally require diversification of the insurer’s investment portfolio and limit the amounts of investments in certain asset categories, such as below investment grade fixed income securities, real estate-related equity, other equity investments and derivatives. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would generally cause investments that exceed regulatory limitations to be treated as non-admitted assets for measuring statutory surplus and, in some instances, could require the divestiture of such non-qualifying investments. Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations that limit an insurer’s ability to withdraw from a particular market. For example, states may limit an insurer’s ability to cancel or non-renew policies. Furthermore, certain states prohibit an insurer from withdrawing one or more lines of business from the state, except pursuant to a plan that is approved by the state insurance department. The state insurance department may disapprove a withdrawal plan that may lead to marketplace disruption. Laws and regulations that limit cancellation and non-renewal, and that subject program withdrawals to prior approval requirements, may restrict our ability to exit unprofitable marketplaces in a timely manner. Virtually all states require licensed insurers to participate in various forms of guaranty associations in order to bear a portion of the loss suffered by qualified policyholders of insurance companies that become insolvent. Depending upon state law, licensed insurers can be assessed a small percentage of the annual premiums written for the relevant lines of insurance in that state to contribute to paying the claims of insolvent insurers. These assessments may increase or decrease in the future, depending upon the rate of insurance company insolvencies. In some states, these assessments may be wholly or partially recovered through policy fees paid by insureds. We cannot predict the amount and timing of future assessments. Therefore, the 20 liabilities we have currently established for these potential assessments may not be adequate and an assessment may materially impact our financial condition. In addition, the insurance holding company laws require advance approval by state insurance commissioners of any change in control of an insurance company that is domiciled, or in some cases, having such substantial business that it is deemed to be commercially domiciled in that state. “Control” is generally presumed to exist through the ownership of 10 percent or more of the voting securities of a domestic insurance company or of any company that controls a domestic insurance company. In addition, insurance laws in many states contain provisions that require pre-notification to the insurance commissioners of a change in control of a non-domestic insurance company licensed in those states. Any future transactions that would constitute a change in control of our insurance company subsidiaries, including a change of control of RLI, would generally require the party acquiring control to obtain the prior approval by the insurance departments of the insurance company subsidiaries’ state of domicile (Illinois) or commercial domicile, if applicable. It may also require pre-acquisition notification in applicable states that have adopted pre-acquisition notification provisions. Obtaining these approvals could result in a material delay of, or deter, any such transaction. In light of the number and severity of recent U.S. company data breaches, some states have recently enacted new insurance laws that require certain regulated entities to implement and maintain comprehensive information security programs to safeguard the personal information of insureds. In 2017, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) enacted a cybersecurity regulation. This regulation requires banks, insurance companies and other financial services institutions regulated by the NYDFS to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program “designed to protect consumers and ensure the safety and soundness of New York State’s financial services industry.” We are implementing the requirements of the regulation and are in compliance with those phases already enacted. We anticipate that the NYDFS will examine the cybersecurity programs of financial institutions in the future and that may result in additional regulatory scrutiny, expenditure of resources and possible regulatory actions and reputational harm. In October 2017, the NAIC adopted a new Insurance Data Security Model Law. The law is intended to establish the standards for data security and standards for the investigation and notification of data breaches applicable to insurance licensees in states adopting such law, with provisions that are generally consistent with the NYDFS cybersecurity regulation discussed above. As with all NAIC model laws, this model law must be adopted by a state before becoming law in the state. Currently, only South Carolina and Ohio have adopted this model law in some form. Illinois has not adopted a version of the Insurance Data Security Model Law. The NAIC has also adopted a guidance document that sets forth 12 principles for effective insurance regulation of cybersecurity risks. The document is based on similar regulatory guidance adopted by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and the “Roadmap for Cybersecurity Consumer Protections,” which describes the protections to which the NAIC believes consumers should be entitled from their insurance companies, agents and other businesses concerning the collection and maintenance of consumers’ personal information, as well as what consumers should expect when such information has been involved in a data breach. We expect cybersecurity risk management, prioritization and reporting to continue to be an area of significant regulatory focus by such regulatory bodies and self- regulatory organizations. The rates, policy terms and conditions of reinsurance agreements generally are not subject to regulation by any regulatory authority. However, the ability of a ceding insurer to take credit for the reinsurance purchased from reinsurance companies is a significant component of reinsurance regulation. Typically, a ceding insurer will only enter into a reinsurance agreement if it can obtain credit against its reserves on its statutory basis financial statements for the reinsurance ceded to the reinsurer. With respect to U.S.-domiciled ceding companies, credit is usually granted when the reinsurer is licensed or accredited in the state where the ceding company is domiciled. States also generally permit ceding insurers to take credit for reinsurance if the reinsurer is: (i) domiciled in a state with a credit for reinsurance law that is substantially similar to the credit for reinsurance law in the primary insurer’s state of domicile, and (ii) meets certain financial requirements. Credit for reinsurance purchased from a reinsurer that does not meet the foregoing conditions is generally allowed to the extent that such reinsurer secures its obligations with qualified collateral. FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND REGULATION The U.S. insurance industry is not currently subject to any significant federal regulation and instead is regulated principally at the state level. However, the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley Act), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) and creation of the Federal Insurance Office (summarized below) include elements that affect the insurance industry, insurance companies and public companies such as ours. 21 The Sarbanes-Oxley Act established several significant corporate governance-related laws and SEC regulations applicable to public companies. The Dodd-Frank Act created significant changes in regulatory structures of banking and other financial institutions, created new governmental agencies (while merging and removing others), increased oversight of financial institutions and enhanced regulation of capital markets. The legislation also mandates new rules affecting executive compensation and corporate governance for public companies such as ours. Federal agencies have been given significant discretion in drafting the rules and regulations that will implement the Dodd-Frank Act. We will continue to monitor, implement and comply with all Dodd-Frank Act-related changes to our regulatory environment. Changes in general political, economic or market conditions, including the latest U.S. presidential and congressional elections, could affect the scope, timing and final implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act. We cannot predict if or when future legislation or administrative guidance will be enacted or issued or what impact any changing regulation may have on our operations. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act contains insurance industry-specific provisions, including establishment of the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) and streamlining the regulation and taxation of surplus lines insurance and reinsurance among the states. The FIO, part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has limited authority and no direct regulatory authority over the business of insurance. The FIO’s principal mandates include monitoring the insurance industry, collecting insurance industry information and data and representing the U.S. with international insurance regulators. Although the FIO does not provide substantive regulation of the insurance industry at this time, we will monitor its activities carefully for any regulatory impact on our company. Furthermore, the Dodd-Frank Act authorized the U.S. Treasury Secretary and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate covered agreements. A covered agreement is an agreement between the U.S. and one or more foreign governments, authorities or regulatory entities, regarding prudential measures with respect to insurance or reinsurance. Pursuant to this authority, in September 2017, the U.S. and the European Union (EU) signed a covered agreement to address, among other things, reinsurance collateral requirements (Covered Agreement). The Covered Agreement became provisionally effective on November 7, 2017, following completion of the EU’s procedural requirements, but must be approved by the European Parliament before treated as “fully” effective. We cannot predict with any certainty whether the Covered Agreement will be implemented or what the impact of such implementation will be on our business. As part of the passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIPRA) in January 2015, the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB) was established by federal law, which is expected to streamline insurance agent/broker licensing. There has been little progress in implementing the provisions of NARAB to date. Other federal laws and regulations apply to many aspects of our company and its business operations. This federal regulation includes, without limitation, laws affecting privacy and data security and credit reporting — examples of which include the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. It also includes international economic and trade sanctions — examples of which include the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the Iran Threat Reduction and Syrian Human Rights Act (ITR/SHR). ITR/SHR generally prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in certain transactions with the government of Iran or certain Iranian businesses, including the provision of insurance or reinsurance. Under ITR/SHR, we must disclose whether RLI Corp. or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain specified activities identified in that law. For the year 2018, neither RLI Corp. nor its affiliates have knowingly engaged in any transaction or dealing reportable under Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, as required by the ITR/SHR. LICENSES AND TRADEMARKS We hold a U.S. federal service mark registration of our corporate logo “RLI” and several other company service marks and trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Such registrations protect our intellectual property nationwide from deceptively similar use. The duration of these registrations is 10 years, unless renewed. We monitor our trademarks and service marks and protect them from unauthorized use as necessary. EMPLOYEES As of December 31, 2018, we employed a total of 912 associates. Of the 912 total associates, 25 were part-time and 887 were full-time. 22 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 appear throughout this report. These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, goals or strategies regarding the future and are based on certain underlying assumptions by the Company. These forward looking statements generally include words such as “expect,” “predict,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe” and similar expressions. Such assumptions are, in turn, based on information available and internal estimates and analyses of general economic conditions, competitive factors, conditions specific to the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industries, claims development and the impact thereof on our loss reserves, the adequacy and financial security of our reinsurance programs, developments in the securities market and the impact on our investment portfolio, regulatory changes and conditions and other factors and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation those set forth below in “Item 1A Risk Factors.” Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements. We assume no obligation to update any such statements. You should review the various risks, uncertainties and other factors listed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Item 1A. Risk Factors Our results of operations and revenues may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including cyclical changes in the insurance industry, which may cause the price of our securities to be volatile. The results of operations of companies in the property and casualty insurance industry historically have been subject to significant fluctuations and uncertainties. Our profitability can be affected significantly by:  Competitive pressures impacting our ability to write new business or retain existing business at an adequate rate,  Rising levels of loss costs that we cannot anticipate at the time we price our coverages,  Volatile and unpredictable developments, including man-made, weather-related and other natural CATs, terrorist attacks or significant price changes of the commodities we insure,  Changes in the level of reinsurance capacity,  Changes in the amount of losses resulting from new types of claims and new or changing judicial interpretations relating to the scope of insurers’ liabilities and  The ability of our underwriters to accurately select and price risk and our claim personnel to appropriately deliver fair outcomes. In addition, the demand for property and casualty insurance, both admitted and excess and surplus lines, can vary significantly, rising as the overall level of economic activity increases and falling as that activity decreases, causing our revenues to fluctuate. These fluctuations in results of operations and revenues may not reflect long-term results and may cause the price of our securities to be volatile. Adverse changes in the economy could lower the demand for our insurance products and could have an adverse effect on the revenue and profitability of our operations. Factors such as business revenue, construction spending, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets and inflation can all affect the business and economic environment. These same factors affect our ability to generate revenue and profits. Insurance premiums in our markets are heavily dependent on our customer revenues, values transported, miles traveled and number of new projects initiated. In an economic downturn characterized by higher unemployment, declines in construction spending and reduced corporate revenues, the demand for insurance products is adversely affected. Adverse changes in the economy may lead our customers to have less need for insurance coverage, to cancel existing insurance policies, to modify coverage or to not renew with the Company, all of which affect our ability to generate revenue. Catastrophic losses, including those caused by natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, or man-made events such as terrorist attacks, are inherently unpredictable and could cause the Company to suffer material financial losses. We face the risk of property damage resulting from catastrophic events, particularly earthquakes on the West Coast and hurricanes and tropical storms affecting the continental U.S. or Hawaii. We also face risk from lava flows in Hawaii impacting 23 our homeowners business and from wildfires, particularly on the West Coast. Since the Northridge, California earthquake in 1994, most of our catastrophe-related claims have resulted from hurricanes and other seasonal storms such as tornadoes and hail storms. The incidence and severity of CATs are inherently unpredictable. The extent of losses from a CAT is a function of both the total amount of insured values in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Most CATs are restricted to fairly specific geographic areas. However, hurricanes and earthquakes may produce significant damage in large, heavily populated areas. In addition to hurricanes and earthquakes, CAT losses can be due to windstorms, severe winter weather and fires and may include terrorist events. In addition, climate change could have an impact on longer-term natural CAT trends. Extreme weather events that are linked to rising temperatures, changing global weather patterns, sea, land and air temperatures, as well as sea levels, rain and snow could result in increased occurrence and severity of CATs. CATs can cause losses in a variety of our property and casualty segments, and it is possible that a catastrophic event or multiple catastrophic events could cause the Company to suffer material financial losses. In addition, CAT claim costs may be higher than we originally estimate and could cause substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year. Our ability to write new business could also be affected. We believe that increases in the value and geographic concentration of insured property, the effects of inflation and the growth of our workers’ compensation business could also increase the severity of claims from CAT events in the future. For information on our approaches to catastrophe risk mitigation, including reinsurance and catastrophe modeling, see the Property Reinsurance – Catastrophe Coverage section within “Item 1. Business” and Note 1.S to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. However, since our CAT models cannot contemplate all possible CAT scenarios and includes underlying assumptions based on a limited set of actual events, the losses we might incur from an actual catastrophe could be higher than our expectation of losses generated from modeled catastrophe scenarios and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Our loss reserves are based on estimates and may be inadequate to cover our actual insured losses, which would negatively impact our profitability. Significant periods of time often elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of the loss to the Company and the payment of that loss. To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, we establish reserves as balance sheet liabilities representing estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported losses and the related loss adjustment expenses. Loss reserves are estimates of the ultimate cost of claims and do not represent an exact calculation of liability. These estimates are based on historical information and on estimates of future trends that may affect the frequency and severity of claims that may be reported in the future. Estimating loss reserves is a difficult, complex and inherently uncertain process involving many variables and subjective judgments. As part of the reserving process, we review historical data and consider the impact of various factors such as:  Loss emergence and cedant reporting patterns,  Underlying policy terms and conditions,  Business and exposure mix,  Trends in claim frequency and severity,  Changes in operations,  Emerging economic and social trends,  Inflation and  Changes in the regulatory and litigation environments. This process assumes that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future events. It also assumes adequate historical or other data exists upon which to make these judgments. For more information on the estimates used in the establishment of loss reserves, see the loss and settlement expenses section of our critical accounting policies contained within Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. However, there is no precise method for evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of reserves and actual results are likely to differ from original estimates. If the actual amount of insured losses is greater than the amount we have reserved for these losses, our profitability could suffer. 24 We may suffer losses from litigation, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and business operations. As is typical in our industry, we continually face risks associated with litigation of various types, including general commercial and corporate litigation, and disputes relating to bad faith allegations that could result in the Company incurring losses in excess of policy limits. We are party to a variety of litigation matters throughout the year. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and if there were an outcome unfavorable to the Company, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position in the period in which the outcome occurs. Even if an unfavorable outcome does not materialize, we still may face substantial expense and disruption associated with the litigation. Our reinsurers may not pay on losses in a timely fashion, or at all, which may increase our costs. We purchase reinsurance to transfer part of the risk we have assumed (known as ceding) to a reinsurance company in exchange for part of the premium we receive in connection with the risk. Although reinsurance makes the reinsurer liable to the Company to the extent the risk is transferred or ceded to the reinsurer, it does not relieve the Company (the reinsured) of its liability to its policyholders. Accordingly, we bear credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. That is, our reinsurers may not pay claims made by the Company on a timely basis, or they may not pay some or all of these claims for a variety of reasons. Either of these events would increase our costs and could have a materially adverse effect on our business. If we cannot obtain adequate reinsurance protection for the risks we have underwritten, we may be exposed to greater losses from these risks or we may reduce the amount of business we underwrite, which will reduce our revenues. Market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection that we purchase. In addition, the historical results of reinsurance programs and the availability of capital also affect the availability of reinsurance. Our reinsurance agreements are generally subject to annual renewal. We cannot be sure that we can maintain our current reinsurance protection, obtain other reinsurance facilities in adequate amounts and at favorable rates or diversify our exposure among an adequate number of high quality reinsurance partners. If we are unable to renew our expiring facilities or to obtain new reinsurance facilities on terms we deem acceptable, either our net exposures would increase—which could increase the volatility of our results—or, if we were unwilling to bear an increase in net exposures, we would have to reduce the level of our underwriting commitments, which would reduce our revenues. Our investment results and, therefore, our financial condition may be impacted by changes in the business, financial condition or operating results of the entities in which we invest, as well as changes in interest rates, government monetary policies, general economic conditions, liquidity and overall market conditions. We invest the premiums we receive from customers until they are needed to pay expenses or policyholder claims. Funds remaining after paying expenses and claims remain invested and are included in retained earnings. The value of our investment portfolio can fluctuate as a result of changes in the business, financial condition or operating results of the entities in which we invest. In addition, fluctuations can result from changes in interest rates, credit risk, government monetary policies, liquidity of holdings and general economic conditions. The equity portfolio will fluctuate with movements in the overall stock market. While the equity portfolio has been constructed to have lower downside risk than the market, the portfolio is positively correlated with movements in domestic stocks. The bond portfolio is affected by interest rate changes and movement in credit spreads. We attempt to mitigate our interest rate and credit risks by constructing a well-diversified portfolio of high-quality securities with varied maturities. These fluctuations may negatively impact our financial condition. However, we attempt to manage this risk through asset allocation, duration and security selection. We compete with a large number of companies in the insurance industry for underwriting revenues. We compete with a large number of other companies in our selected lines of business. During periods of intense competition for premium (soft markets), we are vulnerable to the actions of other companies who may seek to write business without the appropriate regard for risk and profitability. During these times, it is very difficult to grow or maintain premium volume without sacrificing underwriting discipline and income. We face competition from specialty insurance companies, underwriting agencies and intermediaries, as well as diversified financial services companies that are significantly larger than we are and that have significantly greater financial, marketing, management and other resources. We may also face competition from new sources of capital such as institutional investors seeking access to the insurance market, sometimes referred to as alternative capital, which may depress pricing or limit our opportunities to write business. Some of these competitors also have greater experience and market recognition than 25 we do. We may incur increased costs in competing for underwriting revenues. If we are unable to compete effectively in the markets in which we operate or expand our operations into new markets, our underwriting revenues may decline, as well as overall business results. A number of new, proposed or potential legislative or industry developments could further increase competition in our industry. These developments include:  An increase in capital-raising by companies in our lines of business, which could result in new entrants to our markets and an excess of capital in the industry,  The deregulation of commercial insurance lines in certain states and the possibility of federal regulatory reform of the insurance industry, which could increase competition from standard carriers for our excess and surplus lines of insurance business,  Programs in which state-sponsored entities provide property insurance in CAT-prone areas or other “alternative markets” types of coverage,  Changing practices, which may lead to greater competition in the insurance business and  The emergence of insurtech companies and the development of new technologies, which may lead to disruption of current business models and the insurance value chain. New competition from these developments could cause the supply and/or demand for insurance or reinsurance to change, which could affect our ability to price our coverages at attractive rates and thereby adversely affect our underwriting results. A downgrade in our ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s could negatively affect our business. Financial strength ratings are a critical factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Our insurance companies are rated for overall financial strength by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s ratings reflect their opinions of our financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet our obligations to policyholders, and are not evaluations directed to investors. Our ratings are subject to periodic review by such firms, and the criteria used in the rating methodologies is subject to change; as such, we cannot assure the continued maintenance of our current ratings. All of our ratings were reviewed during 2018. A.M. Best reaffirmed its “A+, Superior” rating for the combined entity of RLI Ins., Mt. Hawley and CBIC (group-rated). Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed our “A+, Strong” rating for the group of RLI Ins. and Mt. Hawley. Moody’s reaffirmed our group rating of “A2, Good” for RLI Ins. and Mt. Hawley. Because these ratings have become an increasingly important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies, if our ratings are reduced from their current levels by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s, our competitive position in the industry, and therefore our business, could be adversely affected. A significant downgrade could result in a substantial loss of business, as policyholders might move to other companies with higher claims-paying and financial strength ratings. We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which may adversely affect our ability to achieve our business objectives. Moreover, if we fail to comply with these regulations, we may be subject to penalties, including fines and suspensions, which may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and reputation. Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of policyholders rather than shareholders and other investors. These regulations, generally administered by a department of insurance in each state and territory in which we do business, relate to, among other things:  Approval of policy forms and premium rates,  Standards of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements,  Licensing of insurers and their producers,  Restrictions on agreements with our large revenue-producing agents,  Cancellation and non-renewal of policies,  Restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments, 26  Restrictions on the ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company,  Restrictions on transactions between insurance company subsidiaries and their affiliates,  Restrictions on the size of risks insurable under a single policy,  Requiring deposits for the benefit of policyholders,  Requiring certain methods of accounting,  Periodic examinations of our operations and finances,  Prescribing the form and content of records of financial condition required to be filed and  Requiring reserves for unearned premium, losses and other purposes. State insurance departments also conduct periodic examinations of the conduct and affairs of insurance companies and require the filing of annual, quarterly and other reports relating to financial condition, holding company issues and other matters. These regulatory requirements may adversely affect or inhibit our ability to achieve some or all of our business objectives. In addition, regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to deny or revoke licenses for various reasons, including the violation of regulations. In some instances, we follow practices based on our interpretations of regulations or practices that we believe may be generally followed by the industry. These practices may turn out to be different from the interpretations of regulatory authorities. If we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, insurance regulatory authorities could fine the Company, preclude or temporarily suspend the Company from carrying on some or all of its activities or otherwise penalize the Company. This could adversely affect our ability to operate our business. Further, changes in the level of regulation of the insurance industry or changes in laws or regulations themselves or interpretations by regulatory authorities could adversely affect our ability to operate our business as currently conducted. In addition to regulations specific to the insurance industry, including the insurance laws of our principal state regulator (Illinois), as a public company we are also subject to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), each of which regulate many areas such as financial and business disclosures, corporate governance and shareholder matters. We are also subject to the corporation laws of Delaware, where we are incorporated. At the federal level, among other laws, we are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, each of which regulate corporate governance, executive compensation and other areas, as well as laws relating to federal trade restrictions, privacy/data security and terrorism risk insurance laws. We monitor these laws, regulations and rules on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance and make appropriate changes as necessary. Implementing such changes may require adjustments to our business methods, increases to our costs and other changes that could cause the Company to be less competitive in the industry. We may be unable to attract and retain qualified key employees. We depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified executive officers, experienced underwriting talent and other skilled employees who are knowledgeable about our business. Providing suitable succession planning for such positions is also important. If we cannot attract or retain top-performing executive officers, underwriters and other employees, if the quality of their performance decreases or if we fail to implement succession plans for our key staff, we may be unable to maintain our current competitive position in the markets in which we operate or expand our operations into new markets. We are an insurance holding company and therefore may not be able to receive adequate or timely dividends from our insurance subsidiaries. RLI Corp. is the holding company for our three insurance operating companies. At the holding company level, our principal assets are the shares of capital stock of our insurance company subsidiaries. We rely largely on dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries to meet our obligations for paying principal and interest on outstanding debt, corporate expenses and dividends to RLI Corp. shareholders. Dividend payments to RLI Corp. from our principal insurance subsidiary are restricted by state insurance laws as to the amount that may be paid without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities of Illinois. As a result, we may not be able to receive dividends from such subsidiary at times and in amounts necessary to pay RLI Corp. obligations and desired dividends to shareholders. Ordinary dividends, which may be paid by our principal insurance subsidiary without prior regulatory approval, are subject to certain limitations based upon income, surplus 27 and earned surplus. The maximum ordinary dividend distribution from our principal insurance subsidiary in a rolling 12-month period is limited by Illinois law to the greater of 10 percent of RLI Ins. policyholder surplus as of December 31 of the preceding year, or the net income of RLI Ins. for the 12-month period ending December 31 of the preceding year. Ordinary dividends are further restricted by the requirement that they be paid from earned surplus. Any dividend distribution in excess of the ordinary dividend limits is deemed extraordinary and requires prior approval (or non-disapproval) from the IDOI. Because the limitations are based upon a rolling 12-month period, the presence, amount and impact of these restrictions vary over time. Anti-takeover provisions affecting the Company could prevent or delay a change of control that is beneficial to you. Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as well as applicable Delaware law, federal and state regulations and insurance company regulations may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, tender offer or other change of control that holders of our securities may consider favorable. Some of these provisions impose various procedural and other requirements that could make it more difficult for shareholders to effect certain corporate actions. These provisions could:  Have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company,  Discourage bids for our securities at a premium over the market price,  Adversely affect the market price, the voting and other rights of the holders of our securities or  Impede the ability of the holders of our securities to change our management. In particular, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law which, under certain circumstances, restricts our ability to engage in a business combination, such as a merger or sale of assets, with any stockholder that, together with affiliates, owns 15 percent or more of our common stock, which similarly could prohibit or delay the accomplishment of a change of control transaction. Any significant interruption in the operation of our facilities, systems and business functions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We rely on multiple computer systems to interact with producers and customers, issue policies, pay claims, run modeling functions, assess insurance risks and complete various important internal processes including accounting and bookkeeping. Our business is highly dependent on our ability to access these systems to perform necessary business functions. Additionally, some of these systems may include or rely upon third-party systems not located on our premises. Any of these systems may be exposed to unplanned interruption, unreliability or intrusion from a variety of causes, including among others, storms and other natural disasters, terrorist attacks, utility outages or complications encountered as existing systems are replaced or upgraded. Any such issues could materially impact our company including the impairment of information availability, compromise of system integrity/accuracy, misappropriation of confidential information, reduction of our volume of transactions and interruption of our general business. Although we believe our computer systems are securely protected and continue to take steps to ensure they are protected against such risks, we cannot guarantee such problems will not occur. If they do, interruption to our business and damage to our reputation, and related costs, could be significant, which could impair our profitability. Technology breaches or failures, including but not limited to cyber security incidents, could disrupt our operations and result in the loss of critical and confidential information, which could adversely impact our reputation and results of operations. Global cyber security threats can range from uncoordinated individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information technology systems and those of our business partners or service providers to sophisticated and targeted measures known as advanced persistent threats. While we, our business partners and service providers employ measures to prevent, detect, address and mitigate these threats (including access controls, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, continuous monitoring of information technology networks and systems and maintenance of backup and protective systems), cyber security incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties) and the disruption of business operations. Security breaches could expose the Company to a risk of loss or misuse of our or our customers’ information, litigation and potential liability. In addition, cyber incidents that impact the availability, reliability, speed, accuracy or other proper functioning of our technology systems could impact our operations. We may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent every type of cyber attack. A significant cyber incident, including system failure, security breach, disruption by malware or other damage could interrupt or delay our operations, result in a violation of 28 applicable privacy and other laws, damage our reputation, cause a loss of customers or give rise to remediation costs, monetary fines and other penalties, which could be significant. It is possible that insurance coverage we have in place would not entirely protect the Company in the event that we experienced a cyber security incident, interruption or widespread failure of our information technology systems. We rely on third party vendors for a number of key components of our business. We contract with a number of third party vendors to support our business. For example, we have license agreements for services that include natural catastrophe modeling, policy management, claims processing, producer management and accounting and financial management. The vendors range from large national companies, who are dominant in their area of expertise and would be difficult to quickly replace, to smaller or start-up vendors with leading technology, but with shorter operating histories and fewer financial resources. Failures of certain vendors to provide services could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers, disrupting our business and causing the Company to incur significant expense. If one or more of our vendors fail to protect personal information of our customers, claimants or employees, we may incur operational impairments, or could be exposed to litigation, compliance costs or reputation damage. We maintain a vendor management program to establish procurement policies and to monitor vendor risk, including the financial stability of our critical vendors. If we are unable to keep pace with the technological advancements in the insurance industry, our ability to compete effectively could be impaired. Our operations rely upon complex and expensive information technology systems for interacting with policyholders, brokers and other business partners. The pace at which information systems must be upgraded is continually increasing, requiring an ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain or upgrade to current standards. We are committed to developing and maintaining information technology systems that will allow our insurance subsidiaries to compete effectively. There can be no assurance that the development of current technology will not result in our being competitively disadvantaged, especially with those companies that have greater resources. If we are unable to keep pace with the advancements being made in technology, our ability to compete with other insurance companies who have advanced technological capabilities will be negatively affected. Further, if we are unable to effectively update or replace our key legacy technology systems as they become obsolete or as emerging technology renders them competitively inefficient, our competitive position and our cost structure could be adversely affected. We may not be able to effectively start up or integrate new product opportunities. Our ability to grow our business depends, in part, on our creation, implementation or acquisition of new insurance products that are profitable and fit within our business model. Our ability to grow profitably requires that we identify market opportunities, which may include acquisitions, and that we attract and retain underwriting and claims expertise to support that growth. New product launches as well as resources to integrate business acquisitions are subject to many obstacles, including ensuring we have sufficient business and systems processes, determining appropriate pricing, obtaining reinsurance, assessing opportunity costs and regulatory burdens and planning for internal infrastructure needs. If we cannot effectively or accurately assess and overcome these obstacles or we improperly implement new insurance products, our ability to grow profitably could be impaired. Access to capital and market liquidity may adversely affect our ability to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. Our ability to grow our business depends in part on our ability to access capital when needed. We cannot predict capital market liquidity or the availability of capital. We also cannot predict the extent and duration of future economic and market disruptions, the impact of government interventions into the market to address these disruptions and their combined impact on our industry, business and investment portfolios. If our company needs capital but cannot raise it, our business and future growth could be adversely affected. Our success will depend on our ability to maintain and enhance effective operating procedures and manage risks on an enterprise wide basis. Operational risk and losses can result from, among other things, fraud, errors, failure to document transactions properly, failure to obtain proper internal authorization, failure to comply with regulatory requirements, information technology failures or external events. We continue to enhance our operating procedures and internal controls to effectively support our business 29 and our regulatory and reporting requirements. The NAIC and state legislatures have increased their focus on risks within an insurer’s holding company system that may pose enterprise risk to insurers. The Illinois legislature has adopted the Risk Management and ORSA Law, which requires domestic insurers to maintain a risk management framework and establishes a legal requirement for domestic insurers to conduct an ORSA in accordance with the NAIC’s ORSA Guidance Manual. The ORSA Law also provides that, no less than annually, an insurer must submit an ORSA summary report. Under the Illinois insurance holding company laws, on an annual basis, we are also required to file with the IDOI an enterprise risk report, which is intended to identify the material risks within our insurance holding company system that could pose enterprise risk to our insurance company subsidiaries. We operate within an ERM framework designed to assess and monitor our risks. However, assurance that we can effectively review and monitor all risks or that all of our employees will operate within the ERM framework cannot be guaranteed. Assurances that our ERM framework will result in the Company accurately identifying all risks and accurately limiting our exposures based on our assessments also cannot be guaranteed. We may not be able to, or might not choose to, continue paying dividends on our common stock. We have a history of paying regular, quarterly dividends and in recent years have paid special dividends. Any determination to pay either type of dividend to our stockholders in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Our ability to pay dividends depends largely on our subsidiaries’ earnings and operating capital requirements and is subject to the regulatory, contractual and other constraints of our subsidiaries, including the effect of any such dividends or distributions on the A.M. Best rating or other ratings of our insurance subsidiaries. In addition, we may choose to retain capital to support growth or further mitigate risk, as opposed to returning excess capital to our shareholders. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments None. Item 2. Properties We own five commercial buildings totaling 173,000 square feet on our 23-acre campus that serves as our corporate headquarters in Peoria, Illinois. All of our branch offices and other company operations lease office space throughout the country. Management considers our office facilities suitable and adequate for our current levels of operations. Item 3. Legal Proceedings We are party to numerous claims, losses and litigation matters that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such claims, losses or litigation matters involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer. We believe that the resolution of these claims, losses and litigation matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We are also involved in various other legal proceedings and litigation unrelated to our insurance business from time to time that arise in the ordinary course of business operations. Management believes that any liabilities that may arise as a result of these legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 30 Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities PART II Market Information; Holders; Dividends Closing Stock Price 2018 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 2017 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Low Ending High $ 64.47 $ 58.71 $ 63.39 $ 61.74 66.53 64.57 69.71 79.86 76.82 66.19 78.58 68.99 Dividends Declared 0.21 0.22 0.22 1.22 Closing Stock Price Low Ending High $ 61.61 $ 57.15 $ 60.02 $ 53.01 51.02 56.99 58.67 58.68 60.93 54.62 57.36 60.66 Dividends Declared 0.20 0.21 0.21 1.96 RLI Corp. common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RLI. RLI Corp. has paid dividends for 170 consecutive quarters and increased quarterly dividends in each of the last 43 years. In December 2018 and 2017, RLI Corp. paid special cash dividends of $1.00 and $1.75 per share, respectively, to shareholders. As of February 7, 2019, there were 765 registered holders of the Company’s common stock. Performance The following graph provides a five-year comparison of RLI’s total return to shareholders compared to that of the S&P 500 and S&P 500 P&C Index: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 -------------- RLI S&P 500 •••••••••••••••• S&P 500 P&C Index — — — $ $ $ 100 100 100 110 114 116 144 115 127 154 129 147 154 157 180 180 150 171 Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2013, in RLI, S&P 500 and S&P 500 P&C Index, with reinvestment of dividends. Comparison of five-year annualized total return — RLI: 12.4%, S&P 500: 8.5%, and S&P 500 P&C Index: 11.3%. 31 Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans Refer to Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” of this document for information on securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plan. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Uses of Proceeds from Registered Securities Not applicable. Equity Repurchases In 2010, our Board of Directors implemented a $100 million share repurchase program. We last repurchased shares in 2011. We have $87.5 million of remaining capacity from the repurchase program. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. 32 Item 6. Selected Financial Data The following is selected financial data of RLI Corp. and Subsidiaries for the five years ended December 31, 2018: (amounts in thousands, except per share data and ratios) 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 OPERATING RESULTS Gross premiums written Consolidated revenue (1) Net earnings (1) Comprehensive earnings Net cash provided from operating activities $ $ $ $ $ 983,216 818,123 64,179 30,182 217,102 885,312 797,224 105,028 140,337 197,525 874,864 816,328 114,920 113,756 174,463 853,586 794,634 137,544 89,935 152,586 863,848 775,165 135,445 170,801 123,085 FINANCIAL CONDITION Total investments and cash Total assets Unpaid losses and settlement expenses Total debt Total shareholders’ equity Statutory surplus (2) SHARE INFORMATION Net earnings per share (1): Basic Diluted Comprehensive earnings per share: Basic Diluted Cash dividends declared per share: Regular Special Book value per share Closing stock price Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Common shares outstanding OTHER NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION Net premiums written to statutory surplus (2) GAAP combined ratio (3) Statutory combined ratio (2)(3) $ 2,194,230 $ 3,105,065 $ 1,461,348 149,115 $ 806,842 $ 829,775 $ 2,140,790 2,947,244 1,271,503 148,928 853,598 864,554 2,021,827 1,951,543 1,964,285 2,777,633 2,735,465 2,774,284 1,139,337 1,103,785 1,121,040 148,367 845,062 849,297 148,741 823,572 859,976 148,554 823,469 865,268 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 1.45 1.43 0.68 0.67 0.87 1.00 18.13 68.99 2.39 2.36 3.19 3.15 0.83 1.75 19.33 60.66 2.63 2.59 2.60 2.56 0.79 2.00 18.74 63.13 3.18 3.12 2.08 2.04 0.75 2.00 18.91 61.75 3.15 3.09 3.97 3.90 0.71 3.00 19.61 49.40 44,358 44,835 44,504 44,033 44,500 44,148 43,772 44,432 43,945 43,299 44,131 43,544 43,020 43,819 43,103 99 % 87 % 94.7 94.0 96.4 96.2 86 % 89.5 89.0 83 % 84.5 83.9 83 % 84.5 84.1 (1) Unrealized gains and losses on equity securities were included in consolidated revenue and net earnings in 2018 and flowed through comprehensive earnings in prior years. (2) Ratios and surplus information are presented on a statutory basis. As discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, statutory accounting principles differ from GAAP and are generally based on a solvency concept. Further discussion is included in note 9 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Reporting of statutory surplus is a required disclosure under GAAP. (3) See page 35 for information regarding non-GAAP financial measures. 33 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations OVERVIEW RLI Corp. is a U.S.-based, specialty insurance company that underwrites select property and casualty insurance through major subsidiaries collectively known as RLI Insurance Group. As a specialty insurance company with a niche focus, we offer insurance coverages in the specialty admitted and excess and surplus markets. Coverages in the specialty admitted market, such as our energy surety bonds, are for risks that are unique or hard-to-place in the standard market, but must remain with an admitted insurance company for regulatory or marketing reasons. In addition, our coverages in the specialty admitted market may be designed to meet specific insurance needs of targeted insured groups, such as our professional liability and package coverages for design professionals and our stand-alone personal umbrella policy. The specialty admitted market is subject to more state regulation than the excess and surplus market, particularly with regard to rate and form filing requirements, restrictions on the ability to exit lines of business, premium tax payments and membership in various state associations, such as state guaranty funds and assigned risk plans. We also underwrite coverages in the excess and surplus market. The excess and surplus market, unlike the admitted market, is less regulated and more flexible in terms of policy forms and premium rates. This market provides an alternative for customers with risks or loss exposures that generally cannot be written in the standard market. This typically results in coverages that are more restrictive and more expensive than coverages in the admitted market. When we underwrite within the excess and surplus market, we are selective in the lines of business and type of risks we choose to write. Using our non-admitted status in this market allows the Company to tailor terms and conditions to manage these exposures effectively. Often, the development of these coverages is generated through proposals brought to the Company by an agent or broker seeking coverage for a specific group of clients or loss exposures. Once a proposal is submitted, our underwriters determine whether it would be a viable product based on our business objectives. We focus on niche markets and developing unique products that are tailored to customers’ needs. We hire underwriters with deep expertise and provide exceptional customer service and support. We maintain a highly diverse product portfolio and underwrite for profit in all market conditions. In 2018, we achieved our 23rd consecutive year of profitability, averaging an 88.1 combined ratio over that period. This drives our ability to provide shareholder returns in three different ways: the underwriting income itself, net investment income from our investment portfolio and long-term appreciation in our equity portfolio. Our investment strategy is based on preservation of capital as the first priority, with a secondary focus on generating total return. The fixed income portfolio consists primarily of highly-rated, diversified, liquid, investment-grade securities. Consistent underwriting income allows a portion of our investment portfolio to be invested in equity securities and other risk asset classes. Our equity portfolio consists of a core stock portfolio weighted toward dividend-paying stocks, as well as exchange traded funds (ETFs). Our minority equity ownership interests in Maui Jim, Inc. (Maui Jim), a manufacturer of high- quality sunglasses, and Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime), a specialty insurance company, have also enhanced financial results. We have a diversified investment portfolio and closely monitor our investment risks. Despite periodic fluctuations in market value, our equity portfolio is part of a long-term asset allocation strategy and has contributed significantly to our historic growth in book value. We measure the results of our insurance operations by monitoring growth and profitability across three distinct business segments: casualty, property and surety. Growth is measured in terms of gross premiums written, and profitability is analyzed through combined ratios, which are further subdivided into their respective loss and expense components. The casualty portion of our business consists largely of commercial excess, personal umbrella, general liability, transportation and executive products coverages, as well as package business and other specialty coverages, such as professional liability and workers’ compensation for office-based professionals. We also offer fidelity and crime coverage for commercial insureds and select financial institutions and medical and healthcare professional liability coverage. The casualty business is subject to the risk of estimating losses and related loss reserves because the ultimate settlement of a casualty claim may take several years to fully develop. The casualty segment is also subject to inflation risk and may be affected by evolving legislation and court decisions that define the extent of coverage and the amount of compensation due for injuries or losses. Our property segment is comprised primarily of commercial fire, earthquake, difference in conditions and marine coverages. We also offer select personal lines policies, including homeowners’ coverages. Our property reinsurance and recreational vehicle (RV) products are in runoff after we began curtailing offerings at the end of 2015 and 2016, respectively. Property insurance results are subject to the variability introduced by perils such as earthquakes, fires and hurricanes. Our major catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by earthquakes, primarily on the West Coast. Our second largest catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by wind storms to commercial properties throughout the Gulf and East Coast, as well as to homes we insure in Hawaii. We limit our net aggregate exposure to a catastrophic event by minimizing the total policy limits written in a particular region, purchasing reinsurance and maintaining policy terms and conditions throughout market cycles. We also 34 use computer-assisted modeling techniques to provide estimates that help the Company carefully manage the concentration of risks exposed to catastrophic events. The surety segment specializes in writing small to large-sized commercial and contract surety coverages, as well as those for the energy, petrochemical and refining industries. We also offer miscellaneous bonds including license and permit, notary and court bonds. Often, our surety coverages involve a statutory requirement for bonds. While these bonds typically maintain a relatively low loss ratio, losses may fluctuate due to adverse economic conditions affecting the financial viability of our principals. The contract surety product guarantees the construction work of a commercial contractor for a specific project. Generally, losses occur due to the deterioration of a contractor’s financial condition. This line has historically produced marginally higher loss ratios than other surety lines during economic downturns. GAAP, NON-GAAP AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES Throughout this annual report, we include certain non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) financial measures. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures better explain the Company’s results of operations and allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). In addition, our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies. Following is a list of non-GAAP measures found throughout this report with their definitions, relationships to GAAP measures and explanations of their importance to our operations. Underwriting Income Underwriting income or profit represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses from net premiums earned, which are all GAAP financial measures. Each of these captions is presented in the statements of earnings but is not subtotaled. However, this information is available in total and by segment in note 11 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The nearest comparable GAAP measure is earnings before income taxes which, in addition to underwriting income, includes net investment income, net realized gains or losses, net unrealized gains or losses on equity securities in 2018, general corporate expenses, debt costs and our portion of earnings from unconsolidated investees. Combined Ratio The combined ratio, which is derived from components of underwriting income, is a common industry performance measure of profitability for underwriting operations and is calculated in two components. First, the loss ratio is losses and settlement expenses divided by net premiums earned. The second component, the expense ratio, reflects the sum of policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses divided by net premiums earned. All items included in these components of the combined ratio are presented in our GAAP consolidated financial statements. The sum of the loss and expense ratios is the combined ratio. The difference between the combined ratio and 100 reflects the per-dollar rate of underwriting income or loss. For example, a combined ratio of 90 implies that for every $100 of premium we earn, we record $10 of underwriting income. Net Unpaid Loss and Settlement Expenses Unpaid losses and settlement expenses, as shown in the liabilities section of our balance sheets, represents the total obligations to claimants for both estimates of known claims and estimates for incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims. The related asset item, reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expense, is the estimate of known claims and estimates of IBNR that we expect to recover from reinsurers. The net of these two items is generally referred to as net unpaid loss and settlement expenses and is commonly used in our disclosures regarding the process of establishing these various estimated amounts. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES In preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the 35 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. The most critical accounting policies involve significant estimates and include those used in determining the liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses, investment valuation and other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI), recoverability of reinsurance balances, deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred taxes. LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES Overview Loss and loss adjustment expense (LAE) reserves represent our best estimate of ultimate payments for losses and related settlement expenses from claims that have been reported but not paid and those losses that have occurred but have not yet been reported to the Company. Loss reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent our estimates, generally utilizing individual claim estimates, actuarial expertise and estimation techniques at a given accounting date. The loss reserve estimates are expectations of what ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost upon final resolution. These estimates are based on facts and circumstances then known to the Company, review of historical settlement patterns, estimates of trends in claims frequency and severity, projections of loss costs, expected interpretations of legal theories of liability and many other factors. In establishing reserves, we also take into account estimated recoveries from reinsurance, salvage and subrogation. The reserves are reviewed regularly by a team of actuaries we employ. The process of estimating loss reserves involves a high degree of judgment and is subject to a number of variables. These variables can be affected by both internal and external events, such as changes in claims handling procedures, claim personnel, economic inflation, legal trends and legislative changes, among others. The impact of many of these items on ultimate costs for loss and LAE is difficult to estimate. Loss reserve estimations also differ significantly by coverage due to differences in claim complexity, the volume of claims, the policy limits written, the terms and conditions of the underlying policies, the potential severity of individual claims, the determination of occurrence date for a claim and reporting lags (the time between the occurrence of the policyholder event and when it is actually reported to the insurer). Informed judgment is applied throughout the process. We continually refine our loss reserve estimates as historical loss experience develops and additional claims are reported and settled. We rigorously attempt to consider all significant facts and circumstances known at the time loss reserves are established. Due to inherent uncertainty underlying loss reserve estimates, including, but not limited to, the future settlement environment, final resolution of the estimated liability may be different from that anticipated at the reporting date. Therefore, actual paid losses in the future may yield a significantly different amount than currently reserved — favorable or unfavorable. The amount by which estimated losses differ from those originally reported for a period is known as “development.” Development is unfavorable when the losses ultimately settle for more than the levels at which they were reserved or subsequent estimates indicate a basis for reserve increases on unresolved claims. Development is favorable when losses ultimately settle for less than the amount reserved or subsequent estimates indicate a basis for reducing loss reserves on unresolved claims. We reflect favorable or unfavorable developments of loss reserves in the results of operations in the period the estimates are changed. We record two categories of loss and LAE reserves: case-specific reserves and IBNR reserves. Within a reasonable period of time after a claim is reported, our claim department completes an initial investigation and establishes a case reserve. This case-specific reserve is an estimate of the ultimate amount we will have to pay for the claim, including related legal expenses and other costs associated with resolving and settling it. The estimate reflects all of the current information available regarding the claim, the informed judgment of our professional claim personnel regarding the nature and value of the specific type of claim and our reserving practices. During the life cycle of a particular claim, as more information becomes available, we may revise the estimate of the ultimate value of the claim either upward or downward. We may determine that it is appropriate to pay portions of the reserve to the claimant or related settlement expenses before final resolution of the claim. The amount of the individual claim reserve will be adjusted accordingly and is based on the most recent information available. We establish IBNR reserves to estimate the amount we will have to pay for claims that have occurred, but have not yet been reported to the Company, claims that have been reported to the Company that may ultimately be paid out differently than reflected in our case-specific reserves and claims that have been closed but may reopen and require future payment. 36 Our IBNR reserving process involves three steps: (1) an initial IBNR generation process that is prospective in nature, (2) a loss and LAE reserve estimation process that occurs retrospectively and (3) a subsequent discussion and reconciliation between our prospective and retrospective IBNR estimates, which includes changes in our provisions for IBNR where deemed appropriate. These three processes are discussed in more detail in the following sections. LAE represents the cost involved in adjusting and administering losses from policies we issued. The LAE reserves are frequently separated into two components: allocated and unallocated. Allocated loss adjustment expense (ALAE) reserves represent an estimate of claims settlement expenses that can be identified with a specific claim or case. Examples of ALAE would be the hiring of an outside adjuster to investigate a claim or an outside attorney to defend our insured. The claim adjuster typically estimates this cost separately from the loss component in the case reserve. Unallocated loss adjustment expense (ULAE) reserves represent an estimate of claims settlement expenses that cannot be identified with a specific claim. An example of ULAE would be the cost of an internal claim examiner to manage or investigate claims. Our best estimate of ultimate loss and LAE reserves are proposed by our lead reserving actuary and approved by our Loss Reserve Committee (LRC). The LRC is made up of various members of the management team including the lead reserving actuary, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, general counsel and other selected executives. We do not use discounting (recognition of the time value of money) in reporting our estimated reserves for losses and settlement expenses. Based on current assumptions used in calculating reserves, we believe that our reserve levels at December 31, 2018, make a reasonable provision to meet our future obligations. Initial IBNR Generation Process Initial carried IBNR reserves are determined through a reserve generation process. The intent of this process is to establish an initial total reserve that will provide a reasonable provision for the ultimate value of all unpaid loss and ALAE liabilities. For most casualty and surety products, this process involves the use of an initial loss and ALAE ratio that is applied to the earned premium for a given period. The result is our best initial estimate of the expected amount of ultimate loss and ALAE for the period by product. Payments and case reserves are subtracted from this initial estimate of ultimate loss and ALAE to determine a carried IBNR reserve. For most property products, we use an alternative method of determining an appropriate provision for initial IBNR. Since this segment is characterized by a shorter period of time between claim occurrence and claim settlement, the IBNR reserves are determined by IBNR percentages applied to premium earned. The percentages are determined based on expected loss ratios and loss development assumptions. The loss development assumptions are typically based on historical reporting patterns but could consider alternative sources of information. The IBNR percentages are reviewed and updated periodically. No deductions for paid or case reserves are made. This alternative method of determining initial IBNR allows incurred losses and ALAE to react more rapidly to the actual emergence and is more appropriate for our property products where final claim resolution occurs over a shorter period of time. We do not reserve for natural or man-made catastrophes until an event has occurred. Shortly after such occurrence, we review insured locations exposed to the event and industry loss estimates of the event. We also consider our knowledge of frequency and severity from early claim reports to determine an appropriate reserve for the catastrophe. These reserves are reviewed frequently to consider actual losses reported and appropriate changes to our estimates are made to reflect the new information. The initial loss and ALAE ratios that are applied to earned premium are reviewed at least semi-annually. Prospective estimates are made based on historical loss experience adjusted for exposure mix, price change and loss cost trends. The initial loss and ALAE ratios also reflect our judgment as to estimation risk. We consider estimation risk by product and coverage within product, if applicable. A product with greater volatility and uncertainty has greater estimation risk. Products or coverages with higher estimation risk include, but are not limited to, the following characteristics:  Significant changes in underlying policy terms and conditions,  A new business or one experiencing significant growth and/or high turnover,  Small volume or lacking internal data requiring significant utilization of external data,  Unique reinsurance features including those with aggregate stop-loss, reinstatement clauses, commutation provisions or clash protection, 37  Longer emergence patterns with exposures to latent unforeseen mass tort,  Assumed reinsurance businesses where there is an extended reporting lag and/or a heavier utilization of ceding company data and claims and product expertise,  High severity and/or low frequency,  Operational processes undergoing significant change and/or  High sensitivity to significant swings in loss trends, economic change or judicial change. The historical and prospective loss and ALAE estimates, along with the risks listed, are the basis for determining our initial and subsequent carried reserves. Adjustments in the initial loss ratio by product and segment are made where necessary and reflect updated assumptions regarding loss experience, loss trends, price changes and prevailing risk factors. The LRC approves all final decisions regarding changes in the initial loss and ALAE ratios. Loss and LAE Reserve Estimation Process Estimates of the expected value of the unpaid loss and LAE are derived using standard actuarial methodologies on a quarterly basis. In addition, an emergence analysis is completed quarterly to determine if further adjustments are necessary. These estimates are then compared to the carried loss reserves to determine the appropriateness of the current reserve balance. The process of estimating ultimate payment for claims and claim expenses begins with the collection and analysis of current and historical claim data. Data on individual reported claims, including paid amounts and individual claim adjuster estimates, are grouped by common characteristics. There is judgment involved in this grouping. Considerations when grouping data include the volume of the data available, the credibility of the data available, the homogeneity of the risks in each cohort and both settlement and payment pattern consistency. We use this data to determine historical claim reporting and payment patterns, which are used in the analysis of ultimate claim liabilities. In some analyses, including business without sufficiently large numbers of policies or that have not accumulated sufficient historical statistics, our own data is supplemented with external or industry average data as available and when appropriate. For our newer products such as medical professional liability and workers’ compensation, as well as for executive products, we utilize external data extensively. In addition to the review of historical claim reporting and payment patterns, we also incorporate estimated losses relative to premium (loss ratios) by year into the analysis. The expected loss ratios are based on a review of historical loss performance, trends in frequency and severity and price level changes. The estimates are subject to judgment including consideration given to available internal and industry data, growth and policy turnover, changes in policy limits, changes in underlying policy provisions, changes in legal and regulatory interpretations of policy provisions and changes in reinsurance structure. For the most current year, these are equivalent with the ratios used in the initial IBNR generation process. Increased recognition is given to actual emergence as the years age. We use historical development patterns, expected loss ratios and standard actuarial methods to derive an estimate of the ultimate level of loss and LAE payments necessary to settle all the claims occurring as of the end of the evaluation period. Our reserve processes include multiple standard actuarial methods for determining estimates of IBNR reserves. Other supplementary methodologies are incorporated as necessary. Mass tort and latent liabilities are examples of exposures for which supplementary methodologies are used. Each method produces an estimate of ultimate loss by accident year. We review all of these various estimates and assign weights to each based on the characteristics of the product being reviewed. Our estimates of ultimate loss and LAE reserves are subject to change as additional data emerges. This could occur as a result of change in loss development patterns, a revision in expected loss ratios, the emergence of exceptional loss activity, a change in weightings between actuarial methods, the addition of new actuarial methodologies, new information that merits inclusion or the emergence of internal variables or external factors that would alter our view. There is uncertainty in the estimates of ultimate losses. Significant risk factors to the reserve estimate include, but are not limited to, unforeseen or unquantifiable changes in:  Loss payment patterns,  Loss reporting patterns, 38  Frequency and severity trends,  Underlying policy terms and conditions,  Business or exposure mix,  Operational or internal processes affecting the timing of loss and LAE transactions,  Regulatory and legal environment and/or  Economic environment. Our actuaries engage in discussions with senior management, underwriting and the claim department on a regular basis to ascertain any substantial changes in operations or other assumptions that are necessary to consider in the reserving analysis. A considerable degree of judgment in the evaluation of all these factors is involved in the analysis of reserves. The human element in the application of judgment is unavoidable when faced with uncertainty. Different experts will choose different assumptions based on their individual backgrounds, professional experiences and areas of focus. Hence, the estimates selected by various qualified experts may differ significantly from each other. We consider this uncertainty by examining our historic reserve accuracy and through an internal peer review process. Given the substantial impact of the reserve estimates on our financial statements, we subject the reserving process to significant diagnostic testing and reasonability checks. In addition, there are data validity checks and balances in our front-end processes. Data anomalies are researched and explained to reach a comfort level with the data and results. Leading indicators such as actual versus expected emergence and other diagnostics are also incorporated into the reserving processes. Determination of Our Best Estimate Upon completion of our loss and LAE estimation analysis, the results are discussed with the LRC. As part of this discussion, the analysis supporting the actuarial central estimate of the IBNR reserve by product is reviewed. The actuaries also present explanations supporting any changes to the underlying assumptions used to calculate the indicated central estimate. A review of the resulting variance between the indicated reserves and the carried reserves takes place. Our actuaries make a recommendation to management in regards to booked reserves that reflect their analytical assessment and view of estimation risk. After discussion of these analyses and all relevant risk factors, the LRC determines whether the reserve balances require adjustment. Resulting reserve balances have always fallen within our actuaries’ reasonable range of estimates. As a predominantly excess and surplus lines and specialty admitted insurer serving niche markets, we believe there are several reasons to carry, on an overall basis, reserves above the actuarial central estimate. We believe we are subject to above- average variation in estimates and that this variation is not symmetrical around the actuarial central estimate. One reason for the variation is the above-average policyholder turnover and changes in the underlying mix of exposures typical of an excess and surplus lines business. This constant change can cause estimates based on prior experience to be less reliable than estimates for more stable, admitted books of business. Also, as a niche market insurer, there is little industry-level information for direct comparisons of current and prior experience and other reserving parameters. These unknowns create greater-than-average variation in the actuarial central estimates. Actuarial methods attempt to quantify future outcomes. However, insurance companies are subject to unique exposures that are difficult to foresee at the point coverage is initiated and, often, many years subsequent. Judicial and regulatory bodies involved in interpretation of insurance contracts have increasingly found opportunities to expand coverage beyond that which was intended or contemplated at the time the policy was issued. Many of these policies are issued on an “all risk” and occurrence basis. Aggressive plaintiff attorneys have often sought coverage beyond the insurer’s original intent including court interpretations of exclusionary language. We believe that because of the inherent variation and the likelihood that there are unforeseen and under-quantified liabilities absent from the actuarial estimate, it is prudent to carry loss reserves above the actuarial central estimate. Most of our variance between the carried reserve and the actuarial central estimate is in the most recent accident years for our casualty segment, where the most significant estimation risks reside. These estimation risks are considered when setting the initial loss ratios. In the cases where these risks fail to materialize, favorable loss development will likely occur over subsequent accounting periods. It is also possible that the risks materialize above the amount we considered when booking our initial loss reserves. In this case, unfavorable loss development is likely to occur over subsequent accounting periods. 39 Our best estimate of loss and LAE reserves may change as a result of a revision in the actuarial central estimate, the actuary’s certainty in the estimates and processes and our overall view of the underlying risks. From time to time, we benchmark our reserving policies and procedures and refine them by adopting industry best practices where appropriate. A detailed, ground-up analysis of the actuarial estimation risks associated with each of our products and segments, including an assessment of industry information, is performed annually. This information is used when determining management’s best estimate of booked reserves. Loss reserve estimates are subject to a high degree of variability due to the inherent uncertainty of ultimate settlement values. Periodic adjustments to these estimates will likely occur as the actual loss emergence reveals itself over time. Our loss reserving processes reflect accepted actuarial practices and our methodologies result in a reasonable provision for reserves as of December 31, 2018. INVESTMENT VALUATION AND OTTI Throughout each year, we and our investment managers buy and sell securities to achieve investment objectives in accordance with investment policies established and monitored by our board of directors and executive officers. Equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded within net earnings in 2018. Prior to 2018, unrealized gains and losses on equity securities were recognized through other comprehensive earnings. We classify our investments in fixed income securities into one of three categories: trading, held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. We do not hold any securities classified as trading or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of comprehensive earnings and shareholders’ equity, net of deferred income taxes. Fair value is defined as the price in the principal market that would be received for an asset to facilitate an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We determined the fair value of certain financial instruments based on their underlying characteristics and relevant transactions in the marketplace. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. We regularly evaluate our fixed income securities using both quantitative and qualitative criteria to determine impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of the investments. The following are some of the key factors we consider for determining if a security is other-than-temporarily impaired:  The length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost,  The probability of significant adverse changes to the cash flows,  The occurrence of a discrete credit event resulting in the issuer defaulting on a material obligation, the issuer seeking protection from creditors under the bankruptcy laws, or the issuer proposing a voluntary reorganization under which creditors are asked to exchange their claims for cash or securities having a fair value substantially lower than par value of their claims or  The probability that we will recover the entire amortized cost basis of our fixed income securities prior to maturity. Quantitative criteria considered during this process include, but are not limited to: the degree and duration of current fair value as compared to the amortized cost of the security, degree and duration of the security’s fair value being below cost and whether the issuer is in compliance with the terms and covenants of the security. Qualitative criteria include the credit quality, current economic conditions, the anticipated speed of cost recovery, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, as well as the absence of intent to sell or requirement to sell securities prior to recovery. In addition, we consider price declines in our OTTI analysis when they provide evidence of declining credit quality, and we distinguish between price changes caused by credit deterioration as opposed to rising interest rates. Key factors that we consider in the evaluation of credit quality include:  Changes in technology that may impair the earnings potential of the investment, 40  The discontinuance of a segment of business that may affect future earnings potential,  Reduction or elimination of dividends,  Specific concerns related to the issuer’s industry or geographic area of operation,  Significant or recurring operating losses, poor cash flows and/or deteriorating liquidity ratios and  A downgrade in credit quality by a major rating agency. For mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities that have significant unrealized loss positions and major rating agency downgrades, credit impairment is assessed using a cash flow model that estimates likely payments using security-specific collateral and transaction structure. All of our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities remain AAA- rated by one of the major rating agencies and the fair value is not significantly less than amortized cost. Under current accounting standards, an OTTI write-down of debt securities, where fair value is below amortized cost, is triggered by circumstances where (1) an entity has the intent to sell a security, (2) it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or (3) the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If an entity intends to sell a security or if it is more likely than not the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery, an OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the security’s amortized cost and its fair value. If an entity does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and the amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. Part of our evaluation of whether particular securities are other-than-temporarily impaired involves assessing whether we have both the intent and ability to continue to hold equity securities in an unrealized loss position. For fixed income securities, we consider our intent to sell a security (which is determined on a security-by-security basis) and whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of our amortized cost basis. Significant changes in these factors could result in a charge to net earnings for impairment losses. Impairment losses result in a reduction of the underlying investment’s cost basis. RECOVERABILITY OF REINSURANCE BALANCES Ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance balances recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses are reported separately as assets, rather than being netted with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its liability to policyholders. Such balances are subject to the credit risk associated with the individual reinsurer. Additionally, the same uncertainties associated with estimating unpaid losses and settlement expenses impact the estimates for the ceded portion of such liabilities. We continually monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers. As part of our monitoring efforts, we review their annual financial statements, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings for reinsurers that are publicly traded, A.M. Best and S&P rating developments and insurance industry developments that may impact the financial condition of our reinsurers. In addition, we subject our reinsurance recoverables to detailed recoverability tests, including one based on average default by S&P rating. Based upon our review and testing, our policy is to charge to earnings, in the form of an allowance, an estimate of unrecoverable amounts from reinsurers. This allowance is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the amount makes a reasonable provision for reinsurance balances that we may be unable to recover. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS We defer incremental direct costs that relate to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts, including commissions and premium taxes. Acquisition-related costs may be deemed ineligible for deferral when they are based on contingent or performance criteria beyond the basic acquisition of the insurance contract, or when efforts to obtain or renew the insurance contract are unsuccessful. All eligible costs are capitalized and charged to expense in proportion to premium revenue recognized. The method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. This would also give effect to the premiums to be earned and anticipated losses and settlement expenses, as well as certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premiums are earned. Judgments as to the ultimate recoverability of such deferred costs are reviewed on a segment basis and are highly dependent upon estimated future loss costs associated with the premiums written. This deferral methodology applies to both gross and ceded premiums and acquisition costs. 41 DEFERRED TAXES We record deferred tax assets and liabilities to the extent that temporary differences between the tax basis and GAAP basis of an asset or liability result in future taxable or deductible amounts. Our deferred tax assets relate to expected future tax deductions arising from claim reserves and future taxable income related to changes in our unearned premium. We also have a significant amount of deferred tax liabilities from unrealized gains on the investment portfolio and deferred acquisition costs. Periodically, management reviews our deferred tax positions to determine if it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized. These reviews include, among other things, the nature and amount of the taxable income and expense items, the expected timing of when assets will be used or liabilities will be required to be reported, as well as the reliability of historical profitability of businesses expected to provide future earnings. Furthermore, management considers tax-planning strategies it can use to increase the likelihood that the tax assets will be realized. After conducting the periodic review, if management determines that the realization of the tax asset does not meet the more likely than not criteria, an offsetting valuation allowance is recorded, thereby reducing net earnings and the deferred tax asset in that period. In addition, management must make estimates of the tax rates expected to apply in the periods in which future taxable items are realized. Such estimates include determinations and judgments as to the expected manner in which certain temporary differences, including deferred amounts related to our equity method investment, will be recovered. These estimates enter into the determination of the applicable tax rates and are subject to change based on the circumstances. We consider uncertainties in income taxes and recognize those in our financial statements as required. As it relates to uncertainties in income taxes, our unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalty accruals, are not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. Also, no tax uncertainties are expected to result in significant increases or decreases to unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12-month period. Penalties and interest related to income tax uncertainties, should they occur, would be included in income tax expense in the period in which they are incurred. Additional discussion of other significant accounting policies may be found in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Consolidated revenue, as displayed in the table that follows, totaled $818.1 million in 2018, compared to $797.2 million in 2017 and $816.3 million in 2016. CONSOLIDATED REVENUE (in thousands) Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains Net unrealized losses on equity securities Total consolidated revenue 2016 2018 Year ended December 31, 2017 $ 791,366 $ 737,937 $ 728,608 53,075 34,645 — $ 818,123 $ 797,224 $ 816,328 62,085 63,407 (98,735) 54,876 4,411 — Increased levels of earned premium, investment income and realized gains all led to increased consolidated revenue in 2018. Net premiums earned were up 7 percent, driven by growth from our casualty and property segments. Premium production was impacted by exits from our recreational vehicle and treaty reinsurance lines in 2017 and 2016, but net premiums earned still increased on an overall basis in each of those periods, with growth of 1 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Investment income increased by 13 percent in 2018, compared to a 3 percent increase during the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a larger asset base as well as higher average interest rates throughout the year. We recorded net realized gains on our investment portfolio in each of the past three years. The majority of gains realized over this period related to sales activities versus calls or maturities. Sales activity was largely due to normal portfolio rebalancing, as well as raising cash to support special dividends paid. Net realized gains for each of the past three years included $4.4 million, $3.4 million and $7.2 million, respectively, of non-cash realized losses on goodwill and definite-lived intangible asset impairments. In 2018, we recorded $98.7 million of net unrealized losses on equity securities. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, these losses were recognized in consolidated revenue. Prior to 2018, unrealized gains and losses on equity securities were recognized through other comprehensive earnings. 42 NET EARNINGS (in thousands) Underwriting income Net investment income Net realized gains Net unrealized losses on equity securities Interest expense on debt General corporate expenses Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees Earnings before income taxes Income tax benefit (expense) Net earnings 2018 2016 62,085 63,407 (98,735) (7,437) (9,427) 16,056 Year ended December 31, 2017 $ 41,632 $ 26,844 $ 76,125 53,075 34,645 — (7,426) (10,170) 10,833 $ 67,581 $ 84,589 $ 157,082 (42,162) $ 64,179 $ 105,028 $ 114,920 54,876 4,411 — (7,426) (11,340) 17,224 20,439 (3,402) Net earnings for 2018 totaled $64.2 million, down from $105.0 million in the prior year. The components of net earnings differed significantly from prior years for two reasons. First, the inclusion of unrealized losses from equity securities in net earnings in 2018 significantly reduced pretax earnings and lowered income tax expense. Second, our effective tax rate and income tax expense were impacted by the application of a 21 percent federal corporate tax rate in 2018, compared to the historical 35 percent rate applied in prior years, as a result of tax reform legislation enacted in 2017. While current tax expense benefited from this reduction in 2018, earnings were lower because our deferred tax items were revalued to reflect the lower enacted rate in 2017. The revaluation reduced our net deferred tax liability and income tax expense by $32.8 million in 2017, which increased earnings, and decreased the effective tax rate by 38.8 percent. Additional information on income tax expense and the impact of tax reform can be found in note 7 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Underwriting Results Gross premiums written increased by 11 percent in 2018 to record levels despite intense competition across all of our segments, which was unfavorably influenced by excess levels of capital that remain in the industry. New product initiatives within our casualty segment, underlying economic growth and increased marketing efforts in our more established products all contributed to growth during the year. While rates were up modestly for most products, they were up more meaningfully for wind-exposed catastrophe and auto-related coverages. The 2018 fiscal year was the second consecutive year of active catastrophes for our Company and the industry as a whole. While these types of losses are not unexpected, Hurricane Michael resulted in the largest hurricane loss in our history and was the first time we ceded loss to the first layer of our catastrophe reinsurance treaty since 2005. Catastrophe losses totaled $40.5 million in 2018, adding 5.1 points to the combined ratio, with Hurricane Michael responsible for $23.0 million, Hurricane Florence responsible for $7.5 million and other storms and volcanic activity in Hawaii composing the balance. In 2017, catastrophe losses totaled $39.8 million, adding 5.4 points to the combined ratio, with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria responsible for $36.0 million of the total. Catastrophe losses in 2016 were $16.3 million, split evenly between amounts related to spring storms and Hurricane Matthew. Apart from the impact of catastrophes, results for each of these years reflected a combination of positive underwriting results for the current accident year and favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years. Favorable development in prior accident years’ reserves was higher than the past two years, with results for 2018 including $50.0 million in favorable development, compared to $38.9 million in 2017 and $42.0 million in 2016. Further discussion of reserve development can be found in note 6 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Incentive and profit-sharing amounts earned by executives, managers and associates are predominately influenced by corporate performance including net earnings excluding after-tax net realized and unrealized gains or losses, combined ratio and return on capital. Return on capital measures components of comprehensive earnings against a minimum required return on capital. Return on capital is the primary measure of executive bonus achievement and a significant component of manager and associate incentive targets. Incentive and profit sharing-related expenses attributable to the favorable reserve developments totaled $7.8 million, $5.9 million and $6.6 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. An additional $7.7 million in incentive and profit-sharing-related expenses was recorded in 2017 in connection with the tax reform benefits recognized during the year, $7.0 million of which was recorded in underwriting expenses. These performance-related expenses impact policy acquisition, insurance operating and general corporate expenses line items in the financial statements. Partially offsetting the 2018, 2017 and 2016 increases were $6.1 million, $4.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, in reductions to incentive and profit-sharing amounts earned due to losses associated with natural catastrophe activity. 43 In total, underwriting income was $41.6 million on a 94.7 combined ratio in 2018, compared to $26.8 million on a 96.4 combined ratio in 2017 and $76.1 million on an 89.5 combined ratio in 2016. We achieved our 23rd consecutive year of underwriting profit in 2018, with all three segments contributing to the positive performance. Our ability to continue to produce underwriting income, and to do so at margins which have consistently outperformed the broader industry, is a testament to our underwriters’ discipline throughout the insurance cycle and our continued commitment to underwriting for a profit. We believe our underwriting discipline can differentiate the Company from the broader insurance market by ensuring sound risk selection and appropriate pricing, which helps slow the pace of deterioration in our underwriting results. The following tables and narrative provide a more detailed look at individual segment performance over the last three years. GROSS PREMIUMS WRITTEN AND NET PREMIUMS EARNED (in thousands) CASUALTY Commercial excess and personal umbrella General liability Commercial transportation Professional services Small commercial Executive products Medical professional liability Other casualty Total Gross Premiums Written 2017 % Change % Change 2018 2016 Net Premiums Earned 2017 2016 2018 $ 153,540 100,997 101,267 87,243 53,432 68,501 17,426 71,788 $ 654,194 12 % $ 137,265 95,217 6 % 92,449 10 % 84,019 4 % 53,302 0 % 55,598 23 % 21,847 (20)% 57 % 45,752 12 % $ 585,449 91,557 (13)% 105,697 83,672 51,391 51,291 21,060 21,680 2 % $ 134,000 $ 124,350 $ 115,543 $ 111,079 86,853 4 % 81,402 75,872 45,660 18,755 17,449 17,773 4 % $ 560,348 $ 523,472 $ 478,603 $ 454,843 90,283 78,061 78,508 49,601 18,086 17,072 31,449 93,928 81,053 79,951 51,519 21,326 16,042 55,303 0 % 4 % 8 % 4 % 111 % PROPERTY Commercial property Marine Specialty personal Other property Total SURETY Miscellaneous Contract Commercial Energy Total Grand total Casualty $ 110,974 71,784 18,789 1,370 $ 202,917 15 % $ 96,770 59,663 20 % 17,804 6 % 5 % 1,301 16 % $ 175,538 $ 47,461 30,139 29,857 18,648 $ 126,105 $ 983,216 2 % $ 46,461 29,441 2 % 29,954 (0)% 1 % 18,469 1 % $ 124,325 11 % $ 885,312 0 % $ 96,701 $ 71,501 $ 63,117 $ 68,165 59,795 48,301 13 % 24,981 16,901 (31)% (88)% 10,720 1,064 (6)% $ 186,137 $ 149,261 $ 138,346 $ 152,167 50,931 20,793 3,505 52,638 25,867 10,931 30,540 30,098 19,557 (4)% $ 48,184 $ 46,968 $ 47,237 $ 46,235 28,240 (4)% 29,105 (0)% (6)% 18,018 (3)% $ 128,379 $ 118,633 $ 120,988 $ 121,598 1 % $ 874,864 $ 791,366 $ 737,937 $ 728,608 28,573 27,625 17,553 28,196 26,751 16,718 Gross premiums written from the casualty segment totaled $654.2 million, up 12 percent in 2018, following increases of 4 percent in 2017 and 8 percent in 2016. Almost all products within the segment posted top line growth. Within other casualty, premiums assumed from Prime increased by 39 percent after more than doubling in 2017, while general binding authority (GBA) more than doubled in 2018, to $12.8 million, after launching in 2017. Diversification and exposure growth led to a 23 percent increase in gross premiums written within our executive products group, as newer coverages, such as cyber liability, supplemented growth from mature product lines. Small price increases for executive product offerings broke the trend of low single digit rate declines that were experienced in recent years. Commercial excess and personal umbrella also grew 12 percent in 2018. Increased marketing efforts, modest rate increases and investments in technology and customer experience initiatives yielded this improved level of production. Continued expansion into the energy casualty space, which we entered in 2016, also benefited the top line for commercial excess. Premium written by commercial transportation increased by 10 percent. The increase was rate driven, as 2018 marked the second consecutive year of low double digit increases. This follows a 13 percent decline in 2017, which occurred as a result of 44                                 re-underwriting actions taken in response to higher commercial auto loss trends. This business posted growth of 16 percent in 2016. General liability growth was 6 percent, 4 percent and 5 percent in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Rates for general liability were relatively flat. Growth was achieved from mature coverages as well as the recently-entered energy casualty line. Production from small commercial was relatively flat in 2018 as a result of level pricing and the exit from select underperforming lines. Small commercial posted premium growth of 4 percent in 2017 and 7 percent in 2016. Premiums were up 4 percent for our professional services group during 2018 despite rates being relatively flat. The 20 percent decrease in medical professional liability premiums is the result of rate decreases, market competition and changes in our underwriting approach. Property Gross premiums written in the property segment increased 16 percent in 2018, after decreasing 6 percent in 2017 and 11 percent in 2016. The declines for 2017 and 2016 reflect exits from our RV, treaty reinsurance and facultative reinsurance lines. These products were discontinued due to factors such as poor underwriting performance, lack of scale or unfavorable market conditions. Production for 2016 was also impacted by our exit from crop reinsurance, which occurred due to the acquisition of the cedant company. Our commercial property business grew 15 percent in 2018, due to a combination of exposure growth and rate increases on wind-prone business. Rates on other catastrophe coverages, such as earthquake, continued to decline, albeit at lower levels than in recent years. Our commercial property business was relatively flat in 2017, as modest exposure growth served to offset rate declines from the catastrophe exposed coverages, and followed a decline of 9 percent in 2016. Premiums from marine increased by 20 percent in 2018, as we secured new business, improved retentions and increased rates on our inland marine coverages. Marine was up 13 percent in 2017, due to a combination of exposure growth and modestly higher prices for inland marine, after declining 2 percent in 2016. Specialty personal lines is primarily composed of homeowners’ insurance in select locations, including Hawaii, Massachusetts and North Carolina. Premiums from our Hawaii homeowners business increased 10 percent in 2018, after posting a 7 percent increase during 2017 and 8 percent in 2016. Rates have been flat for this coverage, but increased marketing efforts and recognition of our exceptional claim service following the Hawaii volcano losses have helped bring in new business. Specialty personal offerings also included our RV product, which we exited at the end of 2016 due to poor underwriting performance. RV wrote $10.4 million of specialty personal premium in 2016, but decreased to less than $1.0 million in 2017 and had almost no premium in 2018. Other property increased in 2018 as a result of property exposed GBA business. Other property also includes reinsurance premiums, which declined after we exited our treaty reinsurance business in 2016 and discontinued our facultative reinsurance line in 2015. Surety Gross premiums written from our surety segment increased 1 percent in 2018, following a 3 percent decline in 2017 and 2 percent growth in 2016. Miscellaneous surety was up 2 percent in 2018, as a realignment of our sales team allowed the Company to grow in a very competitive market. This product experienced a 4 percent decline in 2017, largely due to targeted reductions to select programs. Contract surety was also up 2 percent in 2018. Despite competition putting pressure on rates and terms, expansion of the commercial construction market and initiatives aimed at improving the customer experience provided an opportunity for growth with conditions and prices that met our high underwriting standards. Contract surety was down 4 percent in 2017, as certain accounts which no longer met our underwriting appetite were non-renewed, and was up 5 percent in 2016 when growth was experienced from bonds targeted to smaller contractors. Commercial surety was down slightly in 2018 and 2017, as market conditions made it difficult to compete on new account submissions. Efforts to selectively trim the portfolio in favor of retaining higher quality, lower risk accounts led to a decline in commercial surety premium in 2016. Energy surety was up 1 percent in 2018 and is combating the lower energy prices and soft market conditions that resulted in the 6 percent decline in 2017. Gross premiums written from energy surety for 2016 were up slightly. 45 UNDERWRITING INCOME (LOSS) (in thousands) Casualty Property Surety Total $ $ 2018 2017 2016 11,140 $ 884 29,608 41,632 $ 3,904 $ (11,859) 34,799 26,844 $ 36,329 12,832 26,964 76,125 COMBINED RATIO Casualty Property Surety Total Casualty 2018 2017 2016 97.9 99.4 75.0 94.7 99.2 108.6 71.2 96.4 92.0 91.6 77.8 89.5 Underwriting income for the casualty segment was $11.1 million on a 97.9 combined ratio in 2018. The current accident year combined ratio in 2018 was higher than prior years due to a shift in mix of business and new products on which we take a cautious approach to loss ratio selection. The current year loss ratio for 2018 and 2017 was also impacted by higher loss ratio selections on transportation and other auto-related exposures and higher catastrophe losses, as hurricane losses were sustained on certain casualty-oriented products that include ancillary property exposures. Favorable development on prior accident years’ loss reserves benefited underwriting earnings in each of the past three years. The total benefit from favorable development on prior years’ reserves was $33.3 million for 2018, with the largest amounts of the development coming from accident years 2015 through 2017. Products which generated the majority of the favorable development include commercial excess, personal umbrella, professional services, general liability and small commercial. Increased favorable development on commercial excess, personal umbrella, general liability and professional services was responsible for a significant amount of the difference between the release in 2018 and 2017. Additionally, our transportation business experienced $0.5 million of favorable development in 2018 compared to $7.4 million of adverse development in 2017 and $15.4 million of adverse development in 2016. In response to adverse commercial auto loss trends, we began re-underwriting our transportation book in the fourth quarter 2016, with a focus on obtaining appropriate rate increases and improving risk selection. Our transportation re-underwriting efforts were completed during the second half of 2017 and have helped stabilize the business. Partially offsetting these favorable impacts was an increased level of adverse development on medical professional liability and adverse development on executive products. Comparatively, overall results for the casualty segment in 2017 included favorable development of $17.5 million, with the bulk of the development attributable to commercial excess, personal umbrella, general liability, executive products, small commercial and professional services across accident years 2014 through 2016. For 2016, results included favorable development of $32.4 million, with the bulk of the development attributable to general liability, executive products, small commercial and commercial excess across accident years 2009 through 2015. The segment’s loss ratio was 63.0 in 2018, compared to 63.9 in 2017 and 57.1 in 2016. The lower loss ratio in 2018 was due to the higher amounts of favorable development on prior years’ reserves, partially offset by an increased current accident year loss ratio. The expense ratio for the casualty segment was 34.9 in 2018, compared to 35.3 in 2017 and 34.9 in 2016. The decrease in expense ratio in 2018 was a result of lower incentive and profit-sharing expenses. An additional $3.9 million of incentive and profit-sharing expenses was recognized in connection with tax reform benefits during 2017, accounting for nearly 1 point of the expense ratio. Adjusting for this one-time impact, an increase in the expense ratio would have been observed in 2018, as investments were made in technology and our mix had a modest shift towards products with higher acquisition rates. Property Underwriting income from the property segment was $0.9 million on a 99.4 combined ratio in 2018. Despite the largest hurricane loss in our history, the segment was still able to achieve profitability for the year. Catastrophe losses for the property segment totaled $38.3 million in 2018 and included $28.9 million from Hurricanes Michael and Florence and $6.1 million from volcanic activity in Hawaii. In comparison, 2017 experienced an underwriting loss that was driven by $38.4 million in catastrophe losses during the year, $34.9 million of which related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Underwriting profitability was also attained in 2016 and was impacted by $15.8 million of catastrophe loss related to Hurricane Matthew and seasonal wind storms. 46 Partially offsetting the catastrophe losses described above, favorable development in prior years’ reserves benefited underwriting results in each of the past three years. Results for 2018 included $10.8 million of favorable development on prior years’ reserves, primarily from accident years 2017 and 2015. Our marine product was the predominant driver of the favorable development, but our commercial property and assumed reinsurance products also contributed. Results for 2017 included $12.1 million of favorable development in prior years’ reserves, largely from marine and commercial property. Releases from marine and other property reinsurance offset adverse development from RV in 2016, resulting in $4.8 million of total favorable development. The segment’s loss ratio was 56.2 in 2018 compared to 61.5 in 2017 and 46.9 in 2016. Catastrophe losses added nearly 26 points to the loss ratio, compared to 28 points and 10 points of impact from catastrophe losses in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Higher current accident year losses from our fire business also contributed to the higher loss ratio in 2017. These items were partially offset by approximately 5 points of favorable development on prior years’ reserves in 2018, compared to 6 points and 1 point of benefit in the two previous years. The expense ratio for the property segment was 43.2 in 2018 compared to 47.1 in 2017 and 44.7 in 2016. Lower incentive and profit-sharing expenses and a higher premium base led to the lower expense ratio in 2018. The 2017 expense ratio was affected by $1.8 million of incentive and profit-sharing expenses that was recognized in connection with tax reform benefits, which added approximately 1 point to the expense ratio. Surety Underwriting income for the surety segment totaled $29.6 million on a 75.0 combined ratio in 2018. Underwriting performance for each of the past three years reflects a combination of positive current accident year results and favorable development in prior accident years’ loss reserves. The current accident year combined ratio in each of the past three years has been in the low 80s, with each product line contributing underwriting profit. Results for 2018 included $5.9 million of favorable development in prior years’ reserves, compared to $9.3 million and $4.8 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The segment’s loss ratio was 12.3 in 2018, compared to 9.0 in 2017 and 15.2 in 2016. A combination of increased current accident year claim activity and lower amounts of favorable development on prior years’ reserves resulted in a higher loss ratio in 2018 when compared to 2017. Increased losses on energy and contract surety in 2016 also contributed to the higher loss ratio in that period. The expense ratio for the surety segment was 62.7 in 2018, compared to 62.2 in 2017 and 62.6 in 2016. The increase in 2018 was due to a modest decline in earned premium, increased investments in technology and a modest shift in mix towards miscellaneous surety, which has a higher commission structure. The 2017 expense ratio included $1.4 million of incentive and profit-sharing expenses that were recognized in connection with tax reform benefits, which added approximately 1 point to the expense ratio. NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS During 2018, net investment income increased by 13 percent. The increase was primarily due to a larger asset base as well as higher average interest rates throughout the year. The average annual yields on our investments were as follows for 2018, 2017 and 2016: PRETAX YIELD Taxable (on book value) Tax-exempt (on book value) Equities (on fair value) AFTER-TAX YIELD Taxable (on book value) Tax-exempt (on book value) Equities (on fair value) 2018 2017 2016 3.31 % 2.71 % 2.54 % 3.20 % 2.57 % 2.71 % 3.20 % 2.64 % 2.85 % 2.61 % 2.57 % 2.21 % 2.08 % 2.44 % 2.31 % 2.08 % 2.50 % 2.43 % The after-tax yield reflects the different tax rates applicable to each category of investment. In 2018, our taxable fixed income securities were subject to a corporate tax rate of 21.0 percent, our tax-exempt municipal securities were subject to a tax rate of 5.3 percent and our dividend income was generally subject to a tax rate of 13.1 percent. In 2017 and 2016, our taxable fixed income securities were subject to a corporate tax rate of 35.0 percent, our tax-exempt municipal securities were subject to a tax rate of 5.3 percent and our dividend income was generally subject to a tax rate of 14.2 percent. During 2018, the average after-tax yield on the taxable fixed income portfolio was 2.6 percent, an increase from 2.1 percent in the prior year due to the 47 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered the federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The average after- tax yield on the tax-exempt portfolio increased to 2.6 percent. The fixed income portfolio increased by $88.3 million during the year as the majority of operating cash flows were used for fixed income purchases. The tax-adjusted total return on a mark-to-market basis was 0.7 percent. Our equity portfolio decreased by $60.0 million to $340.5 million in 2018 as a result of the decline in equity markets in the fourth quarter, rebalancing to other asset classes and outright sales to support our special dividend. The total return for the year on the equity portfolio was -5.7 percent. Our investment results for the last five years are shown in the following table: Net Investment Income (2)(3) Net Realized Gains (Losses) (3) Average Invested Assets (1) 1,943,172 1,957,914 1,986,685 2,081,309 2,167,510 $ 2,027,318 $ 55,608 54,644 53,075 54,876 62,085 56,058 $ Pre-tax Annualized Return on Change in Unrealized Appreciation (3)(4) 55,180 (71,049) (2,313) 53,719 (140,513) (20,995) 32,182 39,829 34,645 4,411 63,407 34,895 $ Avg. Invested Assets 7.4 % 1.2 % 4.3 % 5.4 % (0.7)% 3.5 % Tax Equivalent Annualized Return on Avg. Invested Assets 7.7 % 1.5 % 4.6 % 5.8 % (0.6) % 3.8 % (in thousands) 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 5-yr Avg. (1) Average amounts at beginning and end of year (inclusive of cash and short-term investments). (2) Investment income, net of investment expenses. (3) Before income taxes. (4) Relates to available-for-sale fixed income and equity securities. We realized a total of $63.4 million in net gains in 2018. Included in this number is $69.9 million in net realized gains in the equity portfolio, $2.2 million in net realized losses in the fixed income portfolio and $4.2 million in other net realized losses, $4.4 million of which related to a non-cash impairment charge on goodwill and definite-lived intangibles. In 2017, we realized $4.4 million in net gains. Included in this number is $10.3 million in net realized gains in the equity portfolio, $1.7 million in net realized losses in the fixed income portfolio and $4.2 million in other net realized losses, $3.4 million of which related to a non-cash impairment charge on goodwill and definite-lived intangibles. In 2016, we realized $34.6 million in net gains. Included in this number is $38.7 million in net realized gains in the equity portfolio, $4.2 million in net realized gains in the fixed income portfolio and $8.3 million in other net realized losses, $7.2 million of which related to a non-cash impairment charge on goodwill. We regularly evaluate the quality of our investment portfolio. When we determine that a fixed income security has suffered an other-than-temporary decline in value, the investment’s value is adjusted by reclassifying the decline from unrealized to realized losses. This has no impact on shareholders’ equity. We recognized $0.2 million, $2.6 million and $0.1 million in impairment losses in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. All losses were taken on fixed income securities we no longer had the intent to hold until recovery. The fixed income portfolio contained 777 positions at an unrealized loss as of December 31, 2018. Of these 777 securities, 302 have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 consecutive months or longer and represent $19.7 million in unrealized losses. All fixed income securities in the investment portfolio continue to pay the expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Based on our analysis, our fixed income portfolio is of a high credit quality and we believe we will recover the amortized cost basis. Key components to our OTTI procedures are discussed in our critical accounting policy on investment valuation and OTTI and in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Based on our analysis, we have concluded that the securities in an unrealized loss position were not other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2018. 48 INVESTMENTS We maintain a diversified investment portfolio with a prudent mix of fixed income and risk assets. We continually monitor economic conditions, our capital position and the insurance market to determine our tactical allocation. As of December 31, 2018, the portfolio had a fair value of $2.2 billion, an increase of $53.4 million from the end of 2017. We determined the fair value of certain financial instruments based on their underlying characteristics and relevant transactions in the marketplace. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. For additional information, see notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. As of December 31, 2018, our investment portfolio had the following asset allocation breakdown: PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION (in thousands) Asset Class U. S. government U.S. agency Non-U.S. govt & agency Agency MBS ABS/CMBS** Corporate Municipal Total fixed income Equities Short-term investments Other invested assets Cash Total portfolio Cost or Amortized Unrealized % of Total Gain/(Loss) Fair Value $ Fair Value Cost 199,982 $ 31,716 8,170 402,992 137,224 681,909 314,472 200,229 $ 31,904 7,639 395,253 136,723 668,679 320,088 247 188 (531) (7,739) (501) (13,230) 5,616 $ 1,776,465 $ 1,760,515 $ (15,950) 340,483 $ 120,110 $ 11,550 $ — $ (218) 51,542 — 30,140 $ 2,090,288 $ 2,194,230 $ 103,942 220,373 $ 11,550 $ 51,760 30,140 Quality* 9.1 % AAA 1.5 % AAA 0.3 % BBB+ 18.0 % AAA 6.2 % AAA 30.5 % A- 14.6 % AA 80.2 % AA- 15.5 % 0.5 % 2.4 % 1.4 % 100.0 % * Quality ratings provided by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch ** Non-agency asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed Quality in the previous table and in all subsequent tables is an average of each bond’s credit rating, adjusted for its relative weighting in the portfolio. Fixed income represented 80 percent of our total 2018 portfolio, up 2 percent from 2017. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of our fixed income portfolio consisted of 48 percent AAA-rated securities, 16 percent AA-rated securities, 20 percent A-rated securities, 10 percent BBB-rated securities and 6 percent non-investment grade or non-rated securities. This compares to 38 percent AAA-rated securities, 28 percent AA-rated securities, 17 percent A-rated securities, 11 percent BBB- rated securities and 6 percent non-investment grade or non-rated securities in 2017. In selecting the maturity of securities in which we invest, we consider the relationship between the duration of our fixed income investments and the duration of our liabilities, including the expected ultimate payout patterns of our reserves. We believe that both liquidity and interest rate risk can be minimized by such asset/liability management. As of December 31, 2018, our fixed income portfolio’s duration was 4.5 years. Our equity portfolio had a fair value of $340.5 million at December 31, 2018. Equities comprised 16 percent of our total 2018 portfolio, down 3 percent over 2017. Securities within the equity portfolio are well diversified and are primarily invested in large-cap issues with a preference for dividend income. Our strategy has a value tilt and security selection takes precedence over market timing. Likewise, low turnover throughout our long investment horizon minimizes transaction costs and taxes. 49 FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO As of December 31, 2018, our fixed income portfolio had the following rating distributions: FAIR VALUE (in thousands) Bonds: AAA AA A BBB Grade No Rating Fair Value Below Investment U.S. government & agency (GSE) $ 222,277 $ Non-U.S. government & agency Corporate - financial All other corporate Corporate financial - private placements All other corporate - private placements Municipal — — 15,553 — 72,826 2,972 9,856 $ — 30,025 26,018 — $ 690   132,639 119,609 6,949 42,705 100,351 — $ — 3,114 21,475 — $ — $ — — — 232,133 7,639 208,483 283,006 13,550 18,440 4,558 5,759 — 45,279 4,801 197,593 38,851 46,461 22,101 — 66,158 — — 3,208 131,911 320,088 Structured: GSE - RMBS ABS - utility ABS - credit cards ABS - auto loans All other ABS GSE - CMBS CMBS Total $ 291,278 $ 15,508 31,100 49,990 14,077 103,975 26,048 291,278 15,508 31,100 49,990 14,077 103,975 26,048 $ 845,604 $ 281,843 $ 356,690 $ 176,664 $ 96,506 $ 3,208 $ 1,760,515 — $ — — — — — — — $ — — — — — — — $ — — — — — — — $ — — — — — — — $ — — — — — — Mortgage-Backed, Commercial Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities The following table summarizes the distribution of our mortgage-backed securities (MBS) portfolio by investment type, as of the dates indicated: AGENCY MBS (in thousands) 2018 Pass-throughs Sequential Planned amortization class Total 2017 Pass-throughs Sequential Planned amortization class Total Amortized Cost Fair Value % of Total $ $ $ $ 262,752 $ 107,951 32,289 402,992 $ 259,728 103,975 31,550 395,253 210,492 $ 82,766 35,871 329,129 $ 211,706 81,355 35,410 328,471 65.7 % 26.3 % 8.0 % 100.0 % 64.4 % 24.8 % 10.8 % 100.0 % Our allocation to agency mortgage-backed securities totaled $395.3 million as of December 31, 2018. MBS represented 22 percent of the fixed income portfolio compared to $328.5 million or 20 percent of that portfolio as of December 31, 2017. 50             We believe MBS investments add diversification, liquidity, credit quality and additional yield to our portfolio. Our objective for the MBS portfolio is to provide reasonable cash flow stability where we are compensated for the call risk associated with residential refinancing. The MBS portfolio includes mortgage-backed pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO) which include planned amortization classes (PACs) and sequential pay structures. Our MBS portfolio does not include interest-only securities or principal-only securities. As of December 31, 2018, all of the securities in our MBS portfolio were rated AAA and issued by Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) such as the Governmental National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC). Variability in the average life of principal repayment is an inherent risk of owning mortgage-related securities. However, we reduce our portfolio’s exposure to prepayment risk by seeking characteristics that tighten the probable scenarios for expected cash flows. As of December 31, 2018, the MBS portfolio contained 66 percent of pure pass-throughs compared to 64 percent as of December 31, 2017. An additional 26 percent of the MBS portfolio was invested in sequential payer, up from 25 percent in 2017. The following table summarizes the distribution of our asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities portfolio as of the dates indicated: ABS/CMBS (in thousands) 2018 Auto Credit card CMBS CLO Equipment Student Other Total 2017 Auto Credit card CMBS CLO Equipment Student Other Total Amortized Cost Fair Value % of Total $ $ $ $ 50,062 $ 31,058 26,490 15,582 5,870 4,594 3,568 137,224 $ 49,990 31,100 26,048 15,508 5,878 4,616 3,583 136,723 28,664 $ 5,187 29,807 — 3,866 — 2,881 70,405 $ 28,503 5,207 30,102 — 3,860 — 2,854 70,526 36.6 % 22.7 % 19.1 % 11.3 % 4.3 % 3.4 % 2.6 % 100.0 % 40.4 % 7.4 % 42.7 % — % 5.5 % — % 4.0 % 100.0 % An asset-backed security (ABS) or commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) is a securitization collateralized by the cash flows from a specific pool of underlying assets. These asset pools can include items such as credit card payments, auto loans, structured bank loans in the form of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and residential or commercial mortgages. As of December 31, 2018, ABS/CMBS investments were $136.7 million (8 percent) of the fixed income portfolio, compared to $70.5 million (4 percent) as of December 31, 2017. All of the securities in the ABS/CMBS portfolio were rated AAA as of December 31, 2018. We believe that ABS/CMBS investments add diversification and additional yield to the portfolio while often adding superior cash flow stability over mortgage pass-throughs or CMOs. When making investments in MBS/ABS/CMBS, we evaluate the quality of the underlying collateral, the structure of the transaction (which dictates how any losses in the underlying collateral will be distributed) and prepayment risks. All of our collateralized securities carry the highest credit rating by one or more major rating agencies and continue to pay according to contractual terms. We had $10.3 million in unrealized losses in these asset classes as of December 31, 2018. 51     Municipal Fixed Income Securities As of December 31, 2018, municipal bonds totaled $320.1 million (18 percent) of our fixed income portfolio, compared to $636.2 million (38 percent) as of December 31, 2017. We reduced our allocation to municipal bonds during 2018 as the lower corporate tax rate from the TCJA diminished the asset class’ relative value when compared to other sectors. Despite the change, we still believe municipal fixed income securities can provide diversification and additional tax-advantaged yield to our portfolio. Our objective for the municipal fixed income portfolio is to provide reasonable cash flow stability and increased after-tax yield. Our municipal fixed income portfolio is comprised of general obligation (GO) and revenue securities. The revenue sources include sectors such as sewer and water, public improvement, school, transportation and colleges and universities. As of December 31, 2018, approximately 42 percent of the municipal fixed income securities in the investment portfolio were GO and the remaining 58 percent were revenue based. Eighty-five percent of our municipal fixed income securities were rated AA or better, while 99 percent were rated A or better. Corporate Debt Securities As of December 31, 2018, our corporate debt portfolio totaled $668.7 million (38 percent) of the fixed income portfolio compared to $519.0 million (31 percent) as of December 31, 2017. The corporate allocation includes floating rate bank loans and bonds that are below investment grade in credit quality and offer incremental yield over our core fixed income portfolio. Non-investment grade bonds totaled $96.5 million at the end of 2018. The corporate debt portfolio has an overall quality rating of A- diversified among 628 issues. The following table illustrates our corporate debt exposure to the financial and non-financial sectors as of December 31, 2018, including fair value, cost basis and unrealized gains and losses: CORPORATES (in thousands) Bonds: Corporate - financial All other corporate Financials - private placements All other corporate - private placements Total Amortized Gross Unrealized Cost Fair Value Gains Gross unrealized losses $ $ 211,023 $ 288,737 45,661 136,488 681,909 $ 208,483 $ 283,006 45,279 131,911 668,679 $ 1,112 $ 1,292 304 186 2,894 $ (3,652) (7,023) (686) (4,763) (16,124) We believe corporate debt investments add diversification and additional yield to our portfolio. Because corporates make up a large portion of the fixed income opportunity set, the corporate debt investments will continue to be a significant part of our investment program. The amortized cost and fair value of fixed income securities at December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown as follows: TOTAL FIXED INCOME (in thousands) Due in one year or less Due after one year through five years Due after five years through 10 years Due after 10 years Mtge/ABS/CMBS* Total fixed income * Mortgage-backed, asset backed and commercial mortgage-backed 52 Amortized Cost Fair Value 41,319 $ $ 41,333 410,680 608,115 168,412 531,975 $ 1,776,465 $ 1,760,515 411,154 615,060 168,716 540,216                         EQUITY SECURITIES As of December 31, 2018, our equity portfolio totaled $340.5 million (16 percent) of the investment portfolio, compared to $400.5 million (19 percent) as of December 31, 2017. The securities within the equity portfolio remain primarily invested in large-cap issues with a focus on dividend income. In addition, we have investments in three broadly diversified, exchange traded funds (ETFs) that represent market indexes similar to the Russell 1000 Index, Russell 2000 Index and the S&P 500 Index. The ETF portfolio is congruent with the actively managed equity portfolios and solves for exposures that line up with our overall benchmark index, the Russell 3000. INTEREST AND CORPORATE EXPENSE We incurred $7.4 million of interest expense on outstanding debt during 2018, 2017 and 2016. At December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, our long-term debt consisted of $150.0 million in senior notes maturing September 15, 2023, and paying interest semi-annually at the rate of 4.875 percent. As discussed previously, general corporate expenses tend to fluctuate relative to our incentive compensation plans. Our compensation model measures components of comprehensive earnings against a minimum required return on our capital. Bonuses are earned as we generate earnings in excess of this required return. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, we exceeded the required return, resulting in the accrual of executive bonuses. Decreased levels of comprehensive earnings in 2018 resulted in lower variable compensation earned than in 2017 and 2016. INVESTEE EARNINGS We maintain a 40 percent equity interest in Maui Jim, a manufacturer of high-quality sunglasses. Maui Jim’s chief executive officer owns a controlling majority of the outstanding shares of Maui Jim. Maui Jim is a private company and, as such, the market for its stock is limited. Our investment in Maui Jim is carried at the holding company, RLI Corp., level as it is not core to our insurance operations. As a minority shareholder, we are subject to the decisions of the controlling shareholder, which may impact the value of our investment. In 2018, we recorded $12.5 million in earnings from this investment compared to $14.4 million in 2017 and $9.7 million in 2016. Sunglass sales were up 1 percent in 2018, after increasing 9 percent in 2017 and 2 percent in 2016. The decrease in Maui Jim’s earnings in 2018 was related to increased advertising expense and foreign exchange losses in 2018, compared to foreign exchange gains in 2017, and benefits recognized in 2017 associated with tax reform. In 2018 and 2016, we received a dividend from Maui Jim. Dividends from Maui Jim have been irregular in nature and while they provide added liquidity when received, we do not rely on those dividends to meet our liquidity needs. While these dividends do not flow through the investee earnings line, they do result in the recognition of a tax benefit, which is discussed in the income tax section that follows. As of December 31, 2018, we had a 23 percent interest in the equity and earnings of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime). Prime writes business through two Illinois domiciled insurance carriers, Prime Insurance Company, an excess and surplus lines company, and Prime Property and Casualty Insurance Inc., an admitted insurance company. As a minority shareholder, we are subject to the decisions of the controlling shareholder, which may impact the value of our investment. In 2018, we recorded $3.6 million in investee earnings for Prime, compared to $2.8 million in 2017 and $1.1 million in 2016. Additionally, we maintained a 25 percent quota share reinsurance treaty with Prime, which contributed $41.1 million of gross premiums written and $34.2 million of net premiums earned during 2018, compared to $29.6 million of gross premiums written and $21.0 million of net premiums earned during 2017 and $13.4 million of gross premiums written and $11.4 million of net premiums earned during 2016. Our participation on the quota share reinsurance treaty will be reduced to 6 percent in 2019 as discussed in the Outlook for 2019 section below. INCOME TAXES Our effective tax rates were 5.0 percent, -24.2 percent and 26.8 percent for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Effective rates are dependent upon components of pretax earnings and the related tax effects. While the effective rate was low in 2018, it was significantly lower in 2017 as a result of the impact of tax reform. Major factors contributing to the low rate in 2018 are the inclusion of unrealized losses from equity securities in pretax earnings in 2018, a reduced federal tax rate and adjustments to provisional deferred tax amounts recorded in 2017. 53 Among other provisions, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) lowered the federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018. Our deferred tax items were revalued as of year-end 2017 to reflect the lower rate, which reduced our net deferred tax liability and income tax expense by $32.8 million and decreased the effective tax rate by 38.8 percent. Except for two aspects, the accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the TCJA were completed as of December 31, 2017. The first provisional item recorded in 2017 was related to an expected disallowance of deductions for certain performance based compensation, including bonuses and stock options. At the time of enactment, there was a lack of clarity on whether some amounts could be grandfathered in as deductible. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department provided additional guidance and we were able to finalize the accounting in 2018 by recording a $2.3 million deferred tax benefit to restore the deferred tax assets related to those performance based compensation amounts. The second provisional item related to discount factors on loss reserves that the IRS had not yet published. The IRS published the factors in the fourth quarter of 2018 and we were able to complete the accounting for the effects of the enactment of the TCJA. While there was no net impact to the deferred tax amount that was recorded at December 31, 2017, we implemented the new discounting methodology and will recognize the adjustment ratably over the allowed eight-year period beginning in 2018. New accounting guidance required the excess tax benefit on share-based compensation to flow through income tax expense beginning in 2017. Prior to the adoption, excess tax benefits on share-based compensation were recorded directly to shareholders’ equity and had no impact on the effective tax rate. Due to the new accounting method, we recognized a $4.5 million and $5.8 million tax benefit in 2018 and 2017, respectively, which decreased the effective tax rate by 6.7 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively. Our net earnings include equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees, Maui Jim and Prime. The investees do not have a policy or pattern of paying dividends. As a result, we record a deferred tax liability on the earnings at the recently revised corporate capital gains rate of 21 percent in anticipation of recovering our investments through means other than through the receipt of dividends, such as a sale. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Maui Jim gave notification that a $9.9 million dividend would be paid in January 2018. Even though no dividend was received in 2017, we were aware that the lower tax rate applicable to affiliated dividends (7.4 percent in 2018) would be applied when the dividend was paid in 2018 and we therefore recorded a $1.4 million tax benefit in 2017. We received a $9.9 million dividend from Maui Jim in the fourth quarter of 2016 and recognized a $2.8 million tax benefit from applying the lower tax rate applicable to affiliated dividends (7.0 percent in 2016), as compared to the corporate capital gains rate on which the deferred tax liabilities were based. Standing alone, the dividends resulted in a 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent reduction to the 2017 and 2016 effective tax rates, respectively. As no additional dividends were declared from unconsolidated investees in 2018, there was no impact to the 2018 effective tax rate. Dividends paid to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) also result in a tax deduction. Dividends paid to the ESOP in 2018, 2017 and 2016 resulted in tax benefits of $1.2 million $2.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. These tax benefits reduced the effective tax rate for 2018, 2017 and 2016 by 1.8 percent, 3.4 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. In addition, our pretax earnings in 2018 included $21.1 million of investment income that is partially exempt from federal income tax, compared to $25.4 million and $24.9 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. NET UNPAID LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES The primary liability on our balance sheet relates to unpaid losses and settlement expenses, which represents our estimated liability for losses and related settlement expenses before considering offsetting reinsurance balances recoverable. The largest asset on our balance sheet, outside of investments, is the reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, which serves to offset this liability. The liability can be split into two parts: (1) case reserves representing estimates of losses and settlement expenses on known claims and (2) IBNR reserves representing estimates of losses and settlement expenses on claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported to the Company. Our gross liability for both case and IBNR reserves is reduced by reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses to calculate our net reserve balance. This net reserve balance increased to $1,096.3 million at December 31, 2018, from $969.5 million as of December 31, 2017. This reflects incurred losses of $428.2 million in 2018 offset by paid losses of $301.4 million compared to incurred losses of $401.6 million offset by $283.2 million paid in 2017. For more information on the changes in loss and LAE reserves by segment, see note 6 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 54 Gross reserves (liability) and the reinsurance balances recoverable (asset) are generally subject to the same influences that affect net reserves, though changes to our reinsurance agreements can cause reinsurance balances recoverable to behave differently. Total gross loss and LAE reserves increased to $1.5 billion at December 31, 2018 from $1.3 billion at December 31, 2017 while ceded loss and LAE reserves increased to $365.0 million from $302.0 million over the same period. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES OVERVIEW We have three primary types of cash flows: (1) operating cash flows, which consist mainly of cash generated by our underwriting operations and income earned on our investment portfolio, (2) investing cash flows related to the purchase, sale and maturity of investments and (3) financing cash flows that impact our capital structure, such as changes in debt and shares outstanding. The following table summarizes these three cash flows over the last three years: (in thousands) Operating cash flows Investing cash flows (uses) Financing cash flows (uses) 2018 2017 $ 217,102 $ 197,525 $ 174,463 (53,622) (113,653) (81,212) (110,311) (134,209) (77,024) 2016 We have posted positive operating cash flow in each of the last three years. Variations in operating cash flow between periods are largely driven by the volume and timing of premium receipt, claim payments, reinsurance and taxes. In addition, fluctuations in insurance operating expenses impact operating cash flow. During 2018, the majority of cash flow uses were related to financing and investing activities, and associated with the payments of dividends and net purchases of investments, respectively. We have entered into certain contractual obligations that require the Company to make recurring payments. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018: CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS (in thousands) Loss and settlement expense reserves Long-term debt Operating leases Other invested assets Total Payments due by period More than Less than 1 yr. 1-3 yrs. 3-5 yrs. $ 405,882 $ 545,320 $ 271,154 $ 238,992 $ 1,461,348 150,000 150,000 32,165 10,343 26,238 587 $ 426,698 $ 567,745 $ 432,084 $ 243,224 $ 1,669,751 — 11,943 10,482 — 5,911 14,905 — 3,968 264 5 yrs. Total Loss and settlement expense reserves represent our best estimate of the ultimate cost of settling reported and unreported claims and related expenses. As discussed previously, the estimation of loss and loss expense reserves is based on various complex and subjective judgments. Actual losses and settlement expenses paid may deviate, perhaps substantially, from the reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements. Similarly, the timing for payment of our estimated losses is not fixed and is not determinable on an individual or aggregate basis. The assumptions used in estimating the payments due by periods are based on our historical claims payment experience. Due to the uncertainty inherent in the process of estimating the timing of such payments, there is a risk that the amounts paid in any period can be significantly different than the amounts disclosed above. Amounts disclosed above are gross of anticipated amounts recoverable from reinsurers. Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid loss and settlement reserves are reported separately as assets, instead of being netted with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not discharge the Company of our liability to policyholders. Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid loss and settlement reserves totaled $365.0 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $302.0 million in 2017. The next largest contractual obligation relates to long-term debt outstanding. On October 2, 2013, we completed a public debt offering of $150.0 million in senior notes maturing September 15, 2023, (a 10-year maturity) and paying interest semi- annually at the rate of 4.875 percent. The notes were issued at a discount resulting in proceeds, net of discount and commission, of $148.6 million. We are not party to any off-balance sheet arrangements. See note 4 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for more information on our long-term debt. Additionally, see note 2 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for information on our obligations for other invested assets. 55           Our primary objective in managing our capital is to preserve and grow shareholders’ equity and statutory surplus to improve our competitive position and allow for expansion of our insurance operations. Our insurance subsidiaries must maintain certain minimum capital levels in order to meet the requirements of the states in which we are regulated. Our insurance companies are also evaluated by rating agencies that assign financial strength ratings that measure our ability to meet our obligations to policyholders over an extended period of time. We have historically grown our shareholders’ equity and/or policyholders’ surplus as a result of three sources of funds: (1) earnings on underwriting and investing activities, (2) appreciation in the value of our investments and (3) the issuance of common stock and debt. At December 31, 2018, we had cash, short-term investments and other investments maturing within one year of approximately $83.0 million and an additional $410.7 million of investments maturing between 1 to 5 years. We maintain a revolving line of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., which permits the Company to borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $50.0 million. This facility was entered into during the second quarter of 2018 and replaced the previous $40.0 million facility which expired on May 28, 2018. Under certain conditions, the line may be increased up to an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million. The facility has a two-year term that expires on May 24, 2020. As of and during the year ended December 31, 2018, no amounts were outstanding on this facility. Additionally, two of our insurance companies, RLI Ins. and Mt. Hawley, are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC). Membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank system provides both companies access to an additional source of liquidity via a secured lending facility. Based on qualifying assets at year-end, aggregate borrowing capacity is approximately $20 million. However, under certain circumstances, that capacity may be increased based on additional FHLBC stock purchased and available collateral. Our membership allows each insurance subsidiary to determine tenor and structure at the time of borrowing. As of and during the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no outstanding borrowings with the FHLBC. We believe that cash generated by operations, cash generated by investments and cash available from financing activities will provide sufficient sources of liquidity to meet our anticipated needs over the next 12 to 24 months. We have consistently generated positive operating cash flow. The primary factor in our ability to generate positive operating cash flow is underwriting profitability, which we have achieved for 23 consecutive years. OPERATING ACTIVITIES The following list highlights some of the major sources and uses of cash flow from operating activities: Sources Premiums received Loss payments from reinsurers Investment income (interest & dividends) Unconsolidated investee dividends from affiliates Funds held Uses Claims Ceded premium to reinsurers Commissions paid Operating expenses Interest expense Income taxes Funds held Our largest source of cash is from premiums received from our customers, which we receive at the beginning of the coverage period for most policies. Our largest cash outflow is for claims that arise when a policyholder incurs an insured loss. Because the payment of claims occurs after the receipt of the premium, often years later, we invest the cash in various investment securities that earn interest and dividends. We use cash to pay commissions to brokers and agents, as well as to pay for ongoing operating expenses such as salaries, rent, taxes and interest expense. We also utilize reinsurance to manage the risk that we take on our policies. We cede, or pay out, part of the premiums we receive to our reinsurers and collect cash back when losses subject to our reinsurance coverage are paid. The timing of our cash flows from operating activities can vary among periods due to the timing by which payments are made or received. Some of our payments and receipts, including loss settlements and subsequent reinsurance receipts, can be significant, so their timing can influence cash flows from operating activities in any given period. We are subject to the risk of incurring significant losses on catastrophes, both natural (such as earthquakes and hurricanes) and man-made (such as 56 terrorism). If we were to incur such losses, we would have to make significant claims payments in a relatively concentrated period of time. INVESTING ACTIVITIES The following list highlights some of the major sources and uses of cash flow from investing activities: Sources Proceeds from sale, call or maturity of bonds Proceeds from sale of stocks Proceeds from sale of other invested assets Uses Purchase of bonds Purchase of stocks Purchase of other invested assets Acquisitions Purchase of property & equipment We maintain a diversified investment portfolio representing policyholder funds that have not yet been paid out as claims, as well as the capital we hold for our shareholders. As of December 31, 2018, our portfolio had a carrying value of $2.2 billion. Portfolio assets at December 31, 2018, increased by $53.4 million, or 2 percent, from December 31, 2017. Our overall investment philosophy is designed to first protect policyholders by maintaining sufficient funds to meet corporate and policyholder obligations and then generate long-term growth in shareholders’ equity. Because our existing and projected liabilities are sufficiently funded by the fixed income portfolio, we can improve returns by investing a portion of the surplus (within limits) in a risk assets portfolio largely made up of equities. As of December 31, 2018, 42 percent of our shareholders’ equity was invested in equities, compared to 47 percent at December 31, 2017 and 45 percent at December 31, 2016. The fixed income portfolio is structured to meet policyholder obligations and optimize the generation of after-tax investment income and total return. FINANCING ACTIVITIES In addition to the previously discussed operating and investing activities, we also engage in financing activities to manage our capital structure. The following list highlights some of the major sources and uses of cash flow from financing activities: Sources Proceeds from stock offerings Proceeds from debt offerings Short-term borrowing Shares issued under stock option plans Uses Shareholder dividends Debt repayment Share buy-backs Our capital structure is comprised of equity and debt obligations. As of December 31, 2018, our capital structure consisted of $149.1 million in 10-year maturity senior notes (long-term debt) and $806.8 million of shareholders’ equity. Debt outstanding comprised 16 percent of total capital as of December 31, 2018. At the holding company (RLI Corp.) level, we rely largely on dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries to meet our obligations for paying principal and interest on outstanding debt, corporate expenses and dividends to RLI Corp. shareholders. As discussed further below, dividend payments to RLI Corp. from our principal insurance subsidiary are restricted by state insurance laws as to the amount that may be paid without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities of Illinois. As a result, we may not be able to receive dividends from such subsidiary at times and in amounts necessary to pay desired dividends to RLI Corp. shareholders. On a GAAP basis, as of December 31, 2018, our holding company had $806.8 million in equity. This includes amounts related to the equity of our insurance subsidiaries, which is subject to regulatory restrictions under state insurance laws. The unrestricted portion of holding company net assets is comprised primarily of investments and cash, including $63.1 million in liquid investment assets, which more than covers our annual holding company expenditures. Unrestricted funds at the holding company are available to fund debt interest, general corporate obligations and regular dividend payments to our shareholders. If necessary, the holding company also has other potential sources of liquidity that could provide for additional funding to meet corporate obligations or pay shareholder dividends, which include a revolving line of credit, as well as access to the capital markets. 57 Ordinary dividends, which may be paid by our principal insurance subsidiary without prior regulatory approval, are subject to certain limitations based upon statutory income, surplus and earned surplus. The maximum ordinary dividend distribution from our principal insurance subsidiary in a rolling 12-month period is limited by Illinois law to the greater of 10 percent of RLI Ins. policyholder surplus, as of December 31 of the preceding year, or the net income of RLI Ins. for the 12- month period ending December 31 of the preceding year. Ordinary dividends are further restricted by the requirement that they be paid from earned surplus. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, our principal insurance subsidiary paid ordinary dividends totaling $13.0 million, $107.0 million and $123.6 million, respectively, to RLI Corp. Any dividend distribution in excess of the ordinary dividend limits is deemed extraordinary and requires prior approval from the IDOI. In 2018, our principal insurance subsidiary sought and received regulatory approval prior to the payment of extraordinary dividends totaling $110.0 million. No extraordinary dividends were paid in 2017 or 2016. Given the amount of dividends paid during the prior rolling 12-month period, the net assets of our principal insurance subsidiary are restricted until the fourth quarter of 2019 and cannot be distributed to RLI Corp. without prior approval of the IDOI. In addition to restrictions from our principal subsidiary’s insurance regulator, we also consider internal models and how capital adequacy is defined by our rating agencies in determining amounts available for distribution. However, as discussed above, RLI Corp. had the necessary amount of unrestricted liquid net assets on hand at December 31, 2018 to cover normal annual holding company expenditures as they are incurred and become payable in 2019. Our 171st consecutive dividend payment was declared in February 2019 and will be paid on March 20, 2019, in the amount of $0.22 per share. Since the inception of cash dividends in 1976, we have increased our annual dividend every year. OUTLOOK FOR 2019 In 2018, the insurance industry experienced its second consecutive year of poor underwriting results due to severe catastrophe activity. Our combined ratio was impacted by catastrophe losses and rose to 94.7 and 96.4 in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Despite this elevated level of catastrophe losses, we produced an underwriting profit, exhibiting once again the benefits of our underwriting discipline and diverse product portfolio. The result for 2018 represented our 23rd consecutive year of producing an underwriting profit. We expect to produce a 24th year of underwriting profit in 2019. The insurance industry’s return on equity has been generally poor, averaging 6.9 percent over the past five years. The industry has had a difficult time maintaining pricing discipline and significant competition continues in most of our lines of business. Broadened coverage and aggressive plaintiffs’ attorneys have also impacted loss severity trends. While we have been impacted by broader industry events, we remain a disciplined underwriting company. We outperformed the industry on both a combined ratio and return on equity basis and expect that to continue in 2019. While we have added new products in recent years that are gaining momentum, we have increased our focus on modernizing and investing in our proven, mature, profitable offerings. This focus helped produce solid premium growth in 2018, and investments made and a continued focus in these areas should provide further growth opportunities in ongoing products in 2019. We have also taken underwriting actions, including exiting certain unprofitable products, as discussed in the casualty section that follows. We believe these decisions will improve the health of our product portfolio but will challenge our ability to grow premiums on an overall basis. Our willingness to sacrifice top-line premium growth to improve profitability is a hallmark of our culture. Within our investment portfolio, we expect investment income to grow modestly, as interest rates continue to rise and our invested asset base grows. As a result of these factors, we have a positive outlook for 2019, as we continue to execute on our specialty business model and focus on underwriting excellence. Some additional detail by segment follows. CASUALTY We expect the pricing environment in casualty to be relatively stable to modestly positive for most products. Persistent industry adverse development in commercial auto coverages has led to significant rate increases for several years, which we anticipate will continue. While trends impacting commercial auto have not spread more broadly, several insurers have noted worsening loss trends in general and professional liability lines, which could lead to improved broader industry pricing discipline. Our executive products group may face a volatile loss environment and reactionary industry pricing as products such as directors and officers insurance have experienced elevated securities class action activity and cyber liability continues to evolve in terms of coverage and loss expectations. To foster growth, we expect to continue to make investments in marketing and technology in our personal lines, transportation and professional services. Achieving growth in our small commercial package business will be difficult due to competitive pressures, particularly with regard to workers’ compensation coverage where rate decreases are likely to continue. 58 Several of our newer products experienced significant growth in 2018. We expect this growth to continue, although at a slower pace, in products such as energy casualty, general binding authority and cyber liability. Because we lack robust historical loss information on these newer products, our reserving practices have tended to increase our loss ratio as the weighting of these products has increased. Our recent re-underwriting in our transportation business has also resulted in our overall loss ratio increasing. It is difficult to estimate the timing, magnitude or direction of future adjustment to reserves for these products as actual loss activity matures. From a premium perspective, casualty will be under pressure in 2019, due to a decision at the end of 2018 to curtail or exit certain lines of business. We reduced our participation in our assumed reinsurance treaty with Prime from 25 percent to 6 percent. Our 23 percent minority interest remains unchanged. While Prime results have been positive, we are one step removed from both underwriting and claims handling. Given their significant premium growth and the increasing portion of our total premium they were becoming, we believed this action was necessary to reduce concentration risk. We also exited our healthcare liability business, which included primary and excess liability coverage for long-term care facilities, and our Real Estate Investment Trust business, which included liability coverage for large real estate portfolios. These actions were taken as losses had exceeded our expectations and our assessment of the competitive environment did not support a conclusion that an underwriting profit could be achieved in the near term. In combination, these decisions will reduce gross written premium by approximately $50 million, although they should result in improved underwriting results. PROPERTY We expect growth in the property segment in 2019, but at a slower pace than in 2018. Industry catastrophe activity was elevated for the second consecutive year. Industry pricing has not increased materially, but this remains a distinct possibility as such losses have historically served as a potential catalyst for improved pricing discipline. We believe such discipline, as well as tighter terms and conditions, are warranted. Our catastrophe book is diverse, which aided in our ability to produce an underwriting profit in 2018, despite significant catastrophe losses incurred. Marine has been growing and achieving rate increases for six consecutive years. Given market turmoil driven by Lloyds re-underwriting efforts and industry losses, we expect more submissions and the ability to increase rates to continue. Our focus on marketing and investment in technology to improve our producers’ operating efficiency in Hawaii should continue growth for that product as well. We received positive feedback on claim handling for the catastrophe events of 2018. That is the touchpoint that matters most to our customers and will support growth in this segment. Further expense ratio improvement is planned given continued growth in this segment and the loss ratio should return to more historical levels absent above average catastrophe losses in 2019. SURETY Our surety segment has experienced one of the most competitive environments among our product portfolio. A key driver of this competition has been continued strong profitability, although there have been several noticeable losses in this market recently. Our growth in surety has been curtailed by our underwriters’ reluctance to chase premium dollars and loosen terms and conditions, which are trends we have seen among our competitors. In addition to the competitive environment, surety’s forecast for 2019 will depend on economic activity and levels of public construction, particularly within our contract surety products. After a lengthy period of economic expansion, we are wary of the financial health of contractors and will therefore exercise caution when considering new business opportunities. Our commercial and energy surety account-driven business will also be difficult to grow, given the competitive environment. We do expect growth in the miscellaneous surety product. In the last few years, we have re-evaluated and simplified our underwriting approach, upgraded technology and focused on ease of doing business with producers. We expect growth trends for miscellaneous surety to continue, but the overall top line for surety to remain flat given the pressure on larger accounts that make up the majority of this segment. The surety segment’s loss ratio may be under pressure, but we expect the segment to produce underwriting profit in 2019. INVESTMENTS A confluence of headline events and a shift in market sentiment in the early fall led to a rise in market volatility in late 2018. Although the year began with significant optimism about a new tax regime and higher levels of sustained growth, it ended with tighter financial conditions, uncertainty surrounding trade policy and risk assets in decline. Unfortunately, the downdraft was enough to keep our portfolio’s total return results below zero for the year (-0.2 percent) for the first time since the financial crisis. Nevertheless, we did experience an uplift in investment income, over 13 percent for the year. While we 59 cannot predict the exact path of interest rates in the new year, we would expect a larger invested asset base and wider credit spreads to be supportive of tempered increases in investment income. The Federal Reserve and corresponding monetary policy continues to weigh heavily on markets as higher rates are now having an impact on housing and other rate sensitive parts of the economy. Participants’ concern centers on the regularity of five consecutive quarterly Fed Funds increases through December 2018, and whether the new chairman is on a linear forward path. Additionally, in the years following the financial crisis the Fed’s balance sheet was used to purchase securities as part of a quantitative easing program. That blunt procedure is now in reverse and the economic impact of quantitative tightening is not exceedingly clear. While monetary policy should react to the 2019 macroeconomic data, the mixed signals that accompany the later stages of the economic cycle make the Fed’s objective all the more challenging. We would expect a modest uplift in treasury yields over a portion of the new year, albeit capped by a more shallow growth trajectory, nascent inflation expectations and a demographically-driven demand for interest rate sensitive sectors. Should wage pressure accelerate, we may experience pass through pricing pressure and / or corporate margin compression, both of which would be a headwind. The differential in long-term versus short-term yields will likely remain very narrow over the course of 2019, which will allow an opportunity to adjust yield curve exposure without a degradation of potential income. As asset prices and credit spreads were under pressure in the later stages of 2018, the starting point for the new year contains some cushion in both lower valuations and higher risk premia. While this raises the probability of positive total return results for 2019, we shall remain vigilant to our long-standing risk management practices focused on diversification and regular rebalancing. Our invested asset base has been a consistent support to RLI’s insurance operations through investment income and remains an important component of our long-term growth in book value. PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Prospective accounting standards are those which we have not implemented because the implementation date has not yet occurred. For a discussion of relevant prospective accounting standards, see note 1.D. to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk MARKET RISK DISCLOSURE Market risk is a general term describing the potential economic loss associated with adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. Management of market risk is a critical component of our investment decisions and objectives. We manage our exposure to market risk by using the following tools:  Monitoring the fair value of all financial assets on a constant basis,  Changing the character of future investment purchases as needed and  Maintaining a balance between existing asset and liability portfolios. FIXED INCOME AND INTEREST RATE RISK The most significant short-term influence on our fixed income portfolio is a change in interest rates. Because there is intrinsic difficulty predicting the direction and magnitude of interest rate moves, we attempt to minimize the impact of interest rate risk on the balance sheet by matching the duration of assets to that of our liabilities. Furthermore, the diversification of sectors and given issuers is core to our risk management process, increasing the granularity of individual credit risk. Liquidity and call risk are elements of fixed income that we regularly evaluate to ensure we are receiving adequate compensation. Our fixed income portfolio has a meaningful impact on financial results and is a key component in our enterprise risk simulations. Interest rate risk can also affect our income statement due to its impact on interest expense. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had no short-term debt obligations. We maintain a debt obligation that is long-term in nature and carries a fixed interest rate. As such, our interest expense on this obligation is not subject to changes in interest rates. As this debt is not due until 2023, we will not assume additional interest rate risk in our ability to refinance this debt for more than four years. 60 EQUITY PRICE RISK Equity price risk is the potential that we will incur economic loss due to the decline of common stock prices. Beta analysis is used to measure the sensitivity of our equity portfolio to changes in the value of the S&P 500 Index (an index representative of the broad equity market). Our current equity portfolio has a beta of 0.9 in comparison to the S&P 500 with a beta of 1.0. This lower beta statistic reflects our long-term emphasis on maintaining a value-oriented, dividend-driven investment philosophy for our equity portfolio. SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS The tables that follow detail information on the market risk exposure for our financial investments as of December 31, 2018. Listed on each table is the December 31, 2018 fair value for our assets and the expected pretax reduction in fair value given the stated hypothetical events. This sensitivity analysis assumes the composition of our assets remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes interest rate changes are reflected uniformly across the yield curve. For example, our ability to hold non-trading securities to maturity mitigates price fluctuation risks. For purposes of this disclosure, market-risk- sensitive instruments are all classified as held for non-trading purposes, as we do not hold any trading securities. The examples given are not predictions of future market events, but rather illustrations of the effect such events may have on the fair value of our investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2018, our fixed income portfolio had a fair value of $1.8 billion. The sensitivity analysis uses scenarios of interest rates increasing 100 and 200 basis points from their December 31, 2018, levels with all other variables held constant. Such scenarios would result in modeled decreases in the fair value of the fixed income portfolio of $63.2 million and $118.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, our equity portfolio had a fair value of $340.5 million. The base sensitivity analysis uses market scenarios of the S&P 500 Index declining both 10 percent and 20 percent. These scenarios would result in approximate decreases in the equity fair value of $29.3 million and $58.5 million, respectively. While the declines in market value outlined below are modeled as instantaneous changes, we would expect movements in capital markets to occur over time, with investment income offering an offset to any decrease in prices. Under the assumptions of rising interest rates and a decreasing S&P 500 Index, the fair value of our assets will decrease from their present levels by the indicated amounts. Effect of a 100-basis-point increase in interest rates and a 10 percent decline in the S&P 500: (in thousands) Held for non-trading purposes: Fixed income securities Equity securities Total non-trading 12/31/18 Fair Value Interest Rate Risk Equity Risk $ 1,760,515 $ 340,483 $ 2,100,998 $ (63,168) $ — (63,168) $ — (29,259) (29,259) Effect of a 200-basis-point increase in interest rates and a 20 percent decline in the S&P 500: (in thousands) Held for non-trading purposes: Fixed income securities Equity securities Total non-trading 12/31/18 Fair Value Interest Rate Risk Equity Risk $ 1,760,515 $ (118,622) $ 340,483 — $ 2,100,998 $ (118,622) $ — (58,519) (58,519) Comparatively, under the assumptions of falling interest rates and an increasing S&P 500 Index, the fair value of our assets will increase from their present levels by the indicated amounts. 61 Effect of a 100-basis-point decrease in interest rates and a 10 percent increase in the S&P 500: (in thousands) Held for non-trading purposes: Fixed income securities Equity securities Total non-trading 12/31/18 Fair Value Interest Rate Risk Equity Risk $ 1,760,515 $ 340,483 $ 2,100,998 $ 65,232 $ — 65,232 $ — 29,259 29,259 Effect of a 200-basis-point decrease in interest rates and 20 percent increase in the S&P 500: (in thousands) Held for non-trading purposes: Fixed income securities Equity securities Total non-trading 12/31/18 Fair Value Interest Rate Risk Equity Risk $ 1,760,515 $ 340,483 $ 2,100,998 $ 135,752 $ — 135,752 $ — 58,519 58,519 62 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Index to Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Page 64 65 66 67 68-107 108 63 Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except per share data) Assets Investments and Cash: Fixed income: Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $1,776,465 in 2018 and $1,646,411 in 2017) Equity securities, at fair value (cost - $220,373 in 2018 and $182,002 in 2017) Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value Other invested assets Cash Total investments and cash Accrued investment income Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $16,967 in 2018 and $16,935 in 2017 Ceded unearned premiums Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $9,793 in 2018 and $10,014 in 2017 Deferred policy acquisition costs, net Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $54,275 in 2018 and $47,676 in 2017 Investment in unconsolidated investees Goodwill and intangibles Other assets Total assets Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity Liabilities: Unpaid losses and settlement expenses Unearned premiums Reinsurance balances payable Funds held Income taxes - deferred Bonds payable, long-term debt Accrued expenses Other liabilities Total liabilities Shareholders’ equity: Common stock ($0.01 par value in 2018 and $1.00 par value in 2017) (100,000,000 share authorized, 67,434,257 shares issued and 44,504,043 shares outstanding in 2018) (100,000,000 share authorized, 67,078,569 shares issued and 44,148,355 shares outstanding in 2017) Paid-in capital Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax Retained earnings Deferred compensation Treasury stock, at cost (22,930,214 shares in 2018 and 2017) Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 64 December 31, 2018 2017 $ 1,760,515 340,483 11,550 51,542 30,140 $ 2,194,230 14,033 $ $ 1,672,239 400,492 9,980 33,808 24,271 $ 2,140,790 15,166 $ 152,576 71,174 364,999 84,934 134,351 57,928 301,991 77,716 54,692 94,967 54,534 18,926 $ 3,105,065 55,849 90,067 59,302 14,084 $ 2,947,244 $ 1,461,348 496,505 22,591 72,309 24,238 149,115 45,124 26,993 $ 2,298,223 $ 1,271,503 451,449 21,624 74,560 53,768 148,928 52,848 18,966 $ 2,093,646 $ 674 305,660 (14,572) 908,079 8,354 (401,353) $ 806,842 $ 3,105,065 $ 67,079 233,077 157,919 788,522 8,640 (401,639) $ 853,598 $ 2,947,244           2018 2016 54,876 6,970 (2,559) — 62,085 63,624 (217) (98,735) Years ended December 31, 2017 $ 791,366 $ 737,937 $ 728,608 53,075 34,740 (95) — $ 818,123 $ 797,224 $ 816,328 $ 428,193 $ 401,584 $ 349,778 249,612 252,515 53,093 56,994 7,426 7,426 10,170 11,340 $ 766,598 $ 729,859 $ 670,079 10,833 $ 67,581 $ 84,589 $ 157,082 267,738 53,803 7,437 9,427 17,224 16,056 $ 23,917 $ (20,515) 9,302 $ 41,034 1,128 3,402 $ (20,439) $ 42,162 $ $ 64,179 $ 105,028 $ 114,920 (29,741) (33,997) (1,164) $ 30,182 $ 140,337 $ 113,756 35,309 $ $ 1.45 $ 0.68 $ 2.39 $ 3.19 $ 2.63 2.60 $ $ 1.43 $ 0.67 $ 2.36 $ 3.15 $ 2.59 2.56 44,358 44,835 44,033 44,500 43,772 44,432 Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings (in thousands, except per share data) Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains Other-than-temporary-impairment losses on investments Net unrealized losses on equity securities Consolidated revenue Losses and settlement expenses Policy acquisition costs Insurance operating expenses Interest expense on debt General corporate expenses Total expenses Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees Earnings before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit): Current Deferred Income tax expense (benefit): Net earnings Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax Comprehensive earnings Basic: Net earnings per share Comprehensive earnings per share Diluted: Net earnings per share Comprehensive earnings per share Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic Diluted See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 65 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity Common Shareholders’ Common Total Accumulated Other (in thousands, except per share data) Balance, January 1, 2016 Net earnings Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax Deferred compensation under Rabbi trust plans Stock option excess tax benefit Share-based compensation Dividends and dividend equivalents ($2.79 per share) Balance, December 31, 2016 Net earnings Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax Deferred compensation under Rabbi trust plans Stock option excess tax benefit Share-based compensation Dividends and dividend equivalents ($2.58 per share) Balance, December 31, 2017 Cumulative-effect adjustment from ASU 2016-01 and 2018-02 Par value conversion from $1.00 per share to $0.01 per share Net earnings Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax Deferred compensation under Rabbi trust plans Stock option excess tax benefit Share-based compensation Dividends and dividend equivalents ($1.87 per share) Balance, December 31, 2018 Shares 43,544,128 $ — $ Stock Equity 823,469 $ 66,474 $ 221,345 $ — $ 114,920 $ — $ 123,774 $ 804,875 $ — $ 114,920 $ 10,647 $ — $ Paid-in Capital Comprehensive Retained Earnings (Loss) Earnings Deferred Compensation Treasury Stock at Cost (403,646) — — (1,164) — — (1,164) — — 400,569 — 9,576 (741) — — 401 — 9,576 (1,142) — — — — — — — — 849 — — — (849) — — — (122,488) — — — (122,488) 43,944,697 $ — $ 823,572 $ 66,875 $ 229,779 $ — $ 105,028 $ — $ 122,610 $ 797,307 $ — $ 105,028 $ — 35,309 — — 35,309 — — 203,658 — — 3,502 — — 204 — — 3,298 — — — — — — — — (113,813) — — — (113,813) 44,148,355 $ 853,598 $ 67,079 $ 233,077 $ 157,919 $ 788,522 $ — 11,496 $ — $ — (404,495) — — — (2,856) — — 2,856 — — — 8,640 $ — (401,639) — $ 86 $ — $ — $ (138,494) $ 138,580 $ — $ — — — (66,409) — 64,179 66,409 — — — — 64,179 — (33,997) — — (33,997) — — — (286) — — — — — — — — — — 286 — — — — 355,688 — — — 6,178 — — 4 — — 6,174 — — — 44,504,043 $ (83,202) 806,842 $ — 674 $ 305,660 $ — — (83,202) (14,572) $ 908,079 $ — 8,354 $ — (401,353) See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 66 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Net realized gains Net unrealized losses on equity securities Depreciation Other items, net Change in: Accrued investment income Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable (net of direct write-offs and commutations) Reinsurance balances payable Funds held Ceded unearned premium Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses Deferred policy acquisition costs Accrued expenses Unpaid losses and settlement expenses Unearned premiums Income taxes: Current Deferred Stock option excess tax benefit Changes in investment in unconsolidated investees: Undistributed earnings Dividends received Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of: Fixed income, available-for-sale Equity securities Short-term investments, net Property and equipment Acquisition of agency Other Proceeds from sale of: Fixed income, available-for-sale Equity securities Short-term investments, net Property and equipment Subsidiary or agency Other Proceeds from call or maturity of: Fixed income, available-for-sale Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Stock option excess tax benefit Proceeds from stock option exercises Cash dividends paid Net cash used in financing activities Net increase in cash Cash at beginning of year Cash at end of year See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 2018 2017 2016 $ 64,179 $ 105,028 $ 114,920 (63,407) 98,735 7,042 6,171 1,132 (18,225) 967 (2,251) (13,246) (63,008) (7,218) (7,724) 189,845 45,056 5,725 (20,515) — (4,411) — 6,944 16,368 (573) (7,964) 3,696 1,818 (5,755) (13,767) (4,569) 856 132,166 17,672 (3,019) (29,741) — (34,645) — 6,430 17,699 285 17,275 (19,628) 18,488 660 9,620 (3,318) (3,750) 35,552 11,683 12,573 1,128 (9,576) (16,056) 9,900 217,102 $ (17,224) — 197,525 $ (10,833) 9,900 174,463 (725,675) $ (115,921) (1,570) (6,087) — (18,754) (430,727) $ (20,719) (4,965) (9,238) — (19,112) (557,067) (36,335) — (16,155) (850) (7,722) 395,019 147,838 — 167 — 3,394 168,760 36,573 — 128 408 2,063 329,091 89,909 2,564 1,688 — — $ $ 187,380 (134,209) $ 195,617 (81,212) $ 141,255 (53,622) $ $ — $ — $ 6,076 (83,100) (77,024) $ 3,502 (113,813) (110,311) $ $ 9,576 (741) (122,488) (113,653) $ 5,869 $ 6,002 $ 7,188 $ 24,271 $ 18,269 $ 11,081 $ 30,140 $ 24,271 $ 18,269 67 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS RLI Corp. (the “Company”) is an insurance holding company that was founded in 1965. On May 4, 2018, RLI Corp. changed its state of incorporation from the State of Illinois to the State of Delaware (the “Reincorporation”). The Reincorporation was effected by merging RLI Corp., an Illinois corporation (“RLI Illinois”) into RLI Corp., a Delaware corporation (“RLI Delaware”). The separate corporate existence of RLI Illinois ceased and RLI Delaware continues in existence as the surviving corporation and possesses all rights, privileges, powers and franchises of RLI Illinois. The Reincorporation did not result in any change in the name, business, management, fiscal year, location of the principal executive offices, assets or liabilities of the Company. Each outstanding share of RLI Illinois common stock, which had a par value of $1.00 per share, was automatically converted into one outstanding share of RLI Delaware common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share. In order to reflect the new par value of common stock on the balance sheet, a $66.4 million reclassification from common stock to paid-in-capital was made. For more information on the Reincorporation, see RLI Corp.’s Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2018. We underwrite select property and casualty insurance coverages through major subsidiaries collectively known as RLI Insurance Group. We conduct operations principally through three insurance companies. RLI Insurance Company (RLI Ins.), a subsidiary of RLI Corp. and our principal insurance subsidiary, writes multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company (Mt. Hawley), a subsidiary of RLI Ins., writes surplus lines insurance on a non-admitted basis in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company (CBIC), a subsidiary of RLI Ins., writes multiple lines of insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. B. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), which differ in some respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our holding company and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications were made to 2017 and 2016 to conform to the classifications used in the current year. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued. There were no subsequent events requiring adjustment to the financial statements or disclosure. C. ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ASU 2014-09 was issued to clarify and remove inconsistencies within revenue recognition requirements. The core principle of the update is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, the transaction price for a contract is allocated among separately identifiable performance obligations and a portion of the transaction price is recognized as revenue when the associated performance obligation has been completed or transferred to the customer. All contracts and fulfillment activities within the scope of Topic 944, Financial Services – Insurance, investment income, investment-related gains and losses and equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees are outside the scope of this ASU. We adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. However, nearly all (over 99 percent) of our consolidated revenue is scoped out and therefore exempt from the guidance contained within this ASU. For the remaining portion, the revenue recognition policy we utilize aligns with the new guidance and there were no changes to the way we recognize revenue. Although the recognition of earnings from equity method investees is out of scope from the update, the recognition of revenue by our equity method investees would be subject to the new guidance if the revenue streams are within this update’s scope. Any impact on revenues would affect the net income of each of the equity method investees, upon which we calculate our portion of earnings to recognize. Our equity method investees are private companies and this guidance becomes effective for private companies in periods beginning after December 15, 2018. As a result, their earnings and our portion of those earnings 68 are not impacted in 2018. We expect that revenue generated by both of our equity method investees will either be outside the scope of this update or largely unaffected by the changes. ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities This ASU was issued to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance makes targeted improvements to GAAP as follows: a. Requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings, b. Simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, c. Eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, d. Requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, e. Requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive earnings the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, f. Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and g. Clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available- for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. We adopted ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018. A cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet was made as of the beginning of the year, which moved $142.2 million of net unrealized gains and losses on equity securities from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to retained earnings. During 2018, we recognized $98.7 million of unrealized losses on equity securities within net earnings and $20.7 million of income tax benefit. This compares to $24.0 million and $5.6 million of unrealized gains on equity securities, net of tax, that were recognized through other comprehensive earnings for the comparable periods in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The future impact to our net earnings will vary depending upon the level of volatility in the performance of the securities held in our equity portfolio and the overall market. There were no other material impacts to the financial statements. ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ASU 2016-15 was issued to reduce the diversity in practice of how certain cash receipts and payments, for which previous guidance was silent, are classified in the statement of cash flows. The update addresses eight specific issues, including contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, distributions received from equity method investees and the classification of cash receipts and payments that have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016- 15 on January 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on our statement of cash flows. ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ASU 2018-02 was issued as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) on December 22, 2017. Accounting guidance required deferred tax items to be revalued based on the new tax laws (the most significant of which reduced the corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent) with the change included in income from continuing operations. Since other comprehensive income was not affected by the revaluation of the deferred tax items, the net accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) balance was reflective of the historic 35 percent tax rate instead of the newly enacted rate, a difference that is referred to as a stranded tax effect. This ASU allows for the option to reclassify the stranded tax effects resulting from the implementation of the TCJA out of AOCI and into retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 does not replace the guidance requiring changes from the enactment of other tax laws or rates to be included within income from continuing operations and is applicable only to changes from the TCJA. We adopted ASU 2018-02 during the first quarter of 2018. A current period adjustment was made to the balance sheet, which moved $3.7 million of stranded tax effects on the unrealized balances of our fixed income securities and equity method investees from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to retained earnings. The entire unrealized balance on equity 69 securities was reclassified from AOCI into retained earnings from the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018 and was therefore unaffected by this ASU. As there was no impact to net earnings and the balance sheet effect is limited to a reclassification within the equity section, there was not a material impact on our financial statements. D. PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ASU 2016-02 was issued to improve the financial reporting of leasing transactions. Under current guidance for lessees, leases are only included on the balance sheet if certain criteria, classifying the agreement as a capital lease, are met. This update will require the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability, discounted to the present value, for all leases that extend beyond 12 months. For operating leases, the asset and liability will be amortized over the lease term on a straight-line basis, with all cash flows included in the operating section of the statement of cash flows. For finance leases, interest on the lease liability will be recognized separately from the amortization of the right-of-use asset in the statement of comprehensive income and the repayment of the principal portion of the lease liability will be classified as a financing activity while the interest component will be included in the operating section of the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases was issued to clarify certain aspects of ASU 2016- 02 and the two updates will be adopted concurrently. ASU 2016-02 requires leases to be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach upon adoption. However, ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements provides an alternative transition method by which leases are recognized at the date of adoption and a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings is recognized in the period of adoption. We plan to adopt using this alternative. It is expected that total assets and total liabilities will increase by approximately $25 million to $30 million upon implementation and the adoption of this update will not have a material impact on net earnings. ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) ASU 2016-13 was issued to provide more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments. Current GAAP delays the recognition of credit losses until it is probable a loss has been incurred. The update will require a financial asset measured at amortized cost, including reinsurance balances recoverable, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by means of an allowance for credit losses that runs through net earnings. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. However, the amendments would limit the amount of the allowance to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. The measurement of credit losses on available-for-sale securities is similar under current GAAP, but the update requires the use of the allowance account through which amounts can be reversed, rather than through an irreversible write-down. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted beginning after December 15, 2018. Upon adoption, the update will be applied using the modified-retrospective approach, by which a cumulative-effect adjustment will be made to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period presented. This update will have the most impact on our available-for-sale fixed income portfolio and reinsurance balances recoverable. However, as our fixed income portfolio is weighted towards higher rated bond (84 percent rated A or better at December 31, 2018) and we purchase reinsurance from financially strong reinsurers for which we already have an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance amounts, we do not expect that the effect of adoption will be material. ASU 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities Under current practices, the amortization period for callable debt securities held at a premium is generally the contractual life of the instrument. However, if an entity has a large number of similar loans, it may consider estimates of future principal prepayments. For those who choose to not incorporate an estimate of future prepayments, ASU 2017-08 shortens the amortization period for premium on debt securities to the earliest call date, rather than the maturity date, to align the amortization method with how the securities are quoted, priced and traded. After the earliest call date, if the call option is not exercised, the entity shall reset the effective yield using the payment terms of the debt security. Any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount payable will be amortized to the next call date or to maturity if there are no other call dates. The method of accounting for a discount does not change and will continue to be amortized over the life of the bond. 70 This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The update will be applied using a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. As we currently incorporate estimates of future principal prepayments when calculating the effective yield for bonds carrying a premium, we do not expect the adoption of this update to have a material impact on our financial statements. ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting ASU 2018-07 was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based transactions by expanding the scope of Topic 718 from only being applicable to share-based payments to employees to also include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. As a result, nonemployee share-based transactions will be measured by estimating the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date, taking into consideration the probability of satisfying performance conditions. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Our long-term incentive plan limits the awards of share-based payments to employees and directors of the Company or any affiliate. The share-based compensation expense to nonemployee directors was $0.3 million in 2018. Costs associated with such payments are not expected to materially increase and we do not expect this update to have a material impact on our financial statements. ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements for assets and liabilities measured at fair value. The requirements to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements have all been removed. However, the changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period must be disclosed along with the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements (or other quantitative information if it is more reasonable). Finally, for investments measured at net asset value, the requirements have been modified so that the timing of liquidation and the date when restrictions from redemption might lapse are only disclosed if the investee has communicated the timing to the entity or announced the timing publicly. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. As the amendments are only disclosure-related and we do not currently have any assets or liabilities that are measured based on Level 3 inputs, our financial statements will not be materially impacted by this update. ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract ASU 2018-15 requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (i.e. hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. Relevant implementation costs in the development stage are capitalized, while costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are expensed as the activities are performed. Capitalized costs are expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. This update can either be applied retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. We have not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect our financial statements. E. INVESTMENTS: Equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded within net earnings in 2018. Prior to 2018, unrealized gains and losses on equity securities were recognized through other comprehensive earnings. We classify our investments in fixed income securities into one of three categories: trading, held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES Debt securities not included as held-to-maturity or trading are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on these securities are excluded from net earnings but are recorded as a separate component of 71 comprehensive earnings and shareholders’ equity, net of deferred income taxes. All of our debt securities are classified as available-for-sale. HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES Debt securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. Except for declines that are other-than-temporary, changes in the fair value of these securities are not reflected in the financial statements. We do not hold any debt security classified as held-to-maturity. TRADING SECURITIES Debt securities purchased for short-term resale are classified as trading securities. These securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. We do not hold any debt securities classified as trading. OTHER THAN TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENT We regularly evaluate our fixed income securities using quantitative and qualitative criteria to determine impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of the investments. The following are the key factors for determining if a security is other-than-temporarily impaired:  The length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost,  The probability of significant adverse changes to the cash flows,  The occurrence of a discrete credit event resulting in the issuer defaulting on a material obligation, the issuer seeking protection from creditors under the bankruptcy laws, the issuer proposing a voluntary reorganization under which creditors are asked to exchange their claims for cash or securities having a fair value substantially lower than par value of their claims or  The probability that we will recover the entire amortized cost basis of our fixed income securities prior to maturity. Quantitative criteria considered during this process include, but are not limited to: the degree and duration of current fair value as compared to the amortized cost of the security, degree and duration of the security’s fair value being below cost and whether the issuer is in compliance with terms and covenants of the security. Qualitative criteria include the credit quality, current economic conditions, the anticipated speed of cost recovery, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, as well as our absence of intent to sell or requirement to sell fixed income securities prior to recovery. In addition, we consider price declines in our other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) analysis when they provide evidence of declining credit quality, and we distinguish between price changes caused by credit deterioration, as opposed to rising interest rates. See note 2 for further discussion of OTTI. Interest on fixed maturities and short-term investments is credited to earnings on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the lives of the related fixed maturities. Dividends on equity securities are credited to earnings on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains and losses on disposition of investments are based on specific identification of the investments sold on the settlement date. F. CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND OTHER INVESTED ASSETS Cash consists of uninvested balances in bank accounts. Short-term investments consist of investments with original maturities of 90 days or less, primarily AAA-rated prime and government money market funds. Short-term investments are carried at cost. We have not experienced losses on these instruments. Other invested assets include investments in low income housing tax credit partnerships (LIHTC), membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) and investments in private funds. Our LIHTC investments are carried at amortized cost, and our investment in FHLBC stock is carried at cost. Due to the nature of cash, short-term investments, the LIHTC and our membership in the FHLBC, their carrying amounts approximate fair value. The private funds are carried at fair value, using each investment’s net asset value. 72 G. REINSURANCE Ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance balances recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses are reported separately as assets, instead of being netted with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not relieve the Company of our legal liability to our policyholders. We continuously monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers. As part of our monitoring efforts, we review their annual financial statements, quarterly disclosures and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings for reinsurers that are publicly traded. We also review insurance industry developments that may impact the financial condition of our reinsurers. We analyze the credit risk associated with our reinsurance balances recoverable by monitoring the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) ratings of our reinsurers. In addition, we subject our reinsurance recoverables to detailed recoverable tests, including one based on average default by S&P rating. Based upon our review and testing, our policy is to charge to earnings, in the form of an allowance, an estimate of unrecoverable amounts from reinsurers. This allowance is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the amount makes a reasonable provision for reinsurance balances that we may be unable to recover. H. POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS We defer incremental direct costs that relate to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts, including commissions and premium taxes. Acquisition-related costs may be deemed ineligible for deferral when they are based on contingent or performance criteria beyond the basic acquisition of the insurance contract or when efforts to obtain or renew the insurance contract are unsuccessful. All eligible costs are capitalized and charged to expense in proportion to premium revenue recognized. The method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. This would also give effect to the premiums to be earned and anticipated losses and settlement expenses, as well as certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premiums are earned. Judgments as to the ultimate recoverability of such deferred costs are reviewed on a segment basis and are highly dependent upon estimated future loss costs associated with the premiums written. This deferral methodology applies to both gross and ceded premiums and acquisition costs. I. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment are presented at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated on a straight-line basis for financial statement purposes over periods ranging from 3 to 10 years for equipment and up to 30 years for buildings and improvements. J. INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED INVESTEES We maintain a 40 percent interest in the equity and earnings of Maui Jim, Inc. (Maui Jim), a manufacturer of high-quality sunglasses, which is accounted for under the equity method. We also maintain a similar minority representation on their board of directors. Maui Jim’s chief executive officer owns a controlling majority of the outstanding shares of Maui Jim. We carry this investment at the holding company level as it is not core to our insurance operations. Our investment in Maui Jim was $79.5 million in 2018 and $77.7 million in 2017. In 2018, we recorded $12.5 million in investee earnings for Maui Jim, compared to $14.4 million in 2017 and $9.7 million in 2016. Maui Jim recorded net income of $30.3 million in 2018, $34.4 million in 2017 and $26.9 million in 2016. Additional summarized financial information for Maui Jim for 2018 and 2017 is outlined in the following table: (in millions) Total assets Total liabilities Total equity 2018 2017 $ 265.6 $ 259.4 88.0 171.4 90.4 175.2 Approximately $68.9 million of undistributed earnings from Maui Jim are included in our retained earnings as of December 31, 2018. We received dividends of $9.9 million from Maui Jim in 2018 and 2016. No dividends were received in 2017. As of December 31, 2018, we had a 23 percent interest in the equity and earnings of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime), which is accounted for under the equity method. Prime writes business through two Illinois domiciled insurance carriers, Prime Insurance Company, an excess and surplus lines company, and Prime Property and Casualty Insurance Inc., an admitted insurance company. Our investment in Prime was $15.4 million at December 31, 2018 and $12.4 million at December 73 31, 2017. In 2018, we recorded $3.6 million in investee earnings for Prime, compared to $2.8 million in 2017 and $1.1 million in 2016. Additionally, we maintain a 25 percent quota share reinsurance treaty with Prime, which contributed $41.1 million of gross premiums written and $34.2 million of net premiums earned during 2018, compared to $29.6 million of gross premiums written and $21.0 million of net premiums earned during 2017 and $13.4 million of gross premiums written and $11.4 million of net premiums earned during 2016. We perform annual impairment reviews of our investments in unconsolidated investees, which take into consideration current valuation and operating results. Based upon the most recent reviews, the assets were not impaired. K. INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and intangibles totaled $54.5 million and $59.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as detailed in the following table. Goodwill and Intangible Assets (in thousands) Goodwill Energy surety Miscellaneous and contract surety Small Commercial Medical professional liability * Total goodwill Intangibles State insurance licenses Definite-lived intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $3,062 at 12/31/18 and $5,678 at 12/31/17 Total intangibles Total goodwill and intangibles 2018 2017 $ 25,706 $ 25,706 15,110 15,110 5,246 5,246 3,595 - $ 46,062 $ 49,657 $ 7,500 $ 7,500 972 8,472 $ 2,145 9,645 $ $ 54,534 $ 59,302 * The medical professional liability goodwill balance reflects a cumulative non-cash impairment charge of $12.4 million and $8.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is not permitted, the assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or earlier if there is reason to suspect that their values may have been diminished or impaired. Annual impairment testing was performed on each of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during 2018. Based upon these reviews, our energy surety goodwill, miscellaneous and contract surety goodwill, small commercial goodwill and state insurance license indefinite-lived intangible asset were not impaired. In addition, as of December 31, 2018, there were no triggering events on the above-mentioned goodwill and intangible assets that would suggest an updated review was necessary. As previously disclosed, adverse loss experience triggered the need to test the medical professional liability reporting unit during the first quarter of 2018 and the second quarters of 2017 and 2016. The testing resulted in a $4.4 million non-cash impairment charge on goodwill and intangible assets in 2018, a $3.4 million non-cash impairment charge on goodwill and intangible assets in 2017 and a $7.2 million non-cash impairment charge on goodwill in 2016. In each instance, a fair value for the medical professional liability reporting unit’s agency relationships, carried as a definite-lived intangible asset, was determined by using a discounted cash flow valuation. In 2018, the carrying value exceeded the fair value, resulting in a $0.8 million non-cash impairment charge. In 2017, the resulting non-cash impairment charge on definite-lived intangibles was $1.8 million. A fair value for the medical professional liability reporting unit’s goodwill was determined by using a weighted average of a market approach and discounted cash flow valuation. The carrying value exceeded the fair value in each year, resulting in a $3.6 million non-cash impairment charge in 2018, a $1.6 million non-cash impairment charge during 2017 and a $7.2 million non-cash impairment charge in 2016. Subsequent to the 2018 impairment, the medical professional liability reporting unit had no remaining goodwill or intangible assets. All impairment charges were recorded as net realized losses in the respective period’s consolidated statement of earnings. 74 The definite-lived intangible assets are amortized against future operating results based on their estimated useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets was $0.4 million, $0.7 million and $0.9 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We anticipate we will recognize amortization expense of $0.4 million in 2019 and 2020 and $0.1 million in 2021. L. UNPAID LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES The liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses represents estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported claims and related expenses. The estimates are based on certain actuarial and other assumptions related to the ultimate cost to settle such claims. Such assumptions are subject to occasional changes due to evolving economic, social and political conditions. All estimates are periodically reviewed and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments are reflected in the results of operations in the period in which they are determined. Due to the inherent uncertainty in estimating reserves for losses and settlement expenses, there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not exceed recorded amounts. If actual liabilities do exceed recorded amounts, there will be an adverse effect. Furthermore, we may determine that recorded reserves are more than adequate to cover expected losses, which would lead to a reduction in our reserves. M. INSURANCE REVENUE RECOGNITION Insurance premiums are recognized ratably over the term of the contracts, net of ceded reinsurance. Unearned premiums are calculated on a monthly pro rata basis. N. INCOME TAXES We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Federal income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities, operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. The effect on deferred taxes for a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all or some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider uncertainties in income taxes and recognize those in our financial statements as required. As it relates to uncertainties in income taxes, our unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalty accruals, are not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. Also, no tax uncertainties are expected to result in significant increases or decreases to unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12-month period. Penalties and interest related to income tax uncertainties, should they occur, would be included in income tax expense in the period in which they are incurred. As an insurance company, we are subject to minimal state income tax liabilities. On a state basis, since the majority of our income is from insurance operations, we pay premium taxes which are calculated as a percentage of gross premiums written in lieu of state income taxes. Premium taxes are a component of policy acquisition costs. O. EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted- average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock or common stock equivalents were exercised or converted into common stock. When inclusion of these items increases the earnings per share or reduces the loss per share, the effect on earnings is anti-dilutive. Under these circumstances, the diluted net earnings or net loss per share is computed excluding these items. 75 The following represents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted EPS computations contained in the consolidated financial statements: (in thousands, except per share data) For the year ended December 31, 2018 Basic EPS Income available to common shareholders Stock options Diluted EPS Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions For the year ended December 31, 2017 Basic EPS Income available to common shareholders Stock options Diluted EPS Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions For the year ended December 31, 2016 Basic EPS Income available to common shareholders Stock options Diluted EPS Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions P. COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS Income (Numerator) Weighted Average Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount $ 64,179 — 44,358 $ 477 1.45 $ 64,179 44,835 $ 1.43 $ 105,028 — 44,033 $ 467 2.39 $ 105,028 44,500 $ 2.36 $ 114,920 — 43,772 $ 660 2.63 $ 114,920 44,432 $ 2.59 Our comprehensive earnings include net earnings plus after-tax unrealized gains and losses on our available-for-sale fixed income portfolio in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, after-tax unrealized gains and losses on our equity portfolio were also included. With the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, we began recognizing unrealized gains and losses on the equity portfolio through net income. See note 1.C for more information. In reporting the components of comprehensive earnings, we used the federal statutory tax rate of 21 percent in 2018 and 35 percent in 2017 and 2016. Other comprehensive income (loss), as shown in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings, is net of tax expense (benefit) of $(9.0) million, $19.0 million and $(0.6) million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The following table illustrates the changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings for each period presented in the consolidated financial statements. The 2016 and 2017 activity and balances include the net unrealized gain and loss activity on both fixed income and equity securities, while the 2018 activity and ending balance reflect only the net unrealized gain and loss activity on fixed income securities due to the aforementioned adoption of ASU 2016-01. Unrealized Gains/Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities (in thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2017 2018 Beginning balance Cumulative effect adjustment of ASU 2016-01 Adjusted beginning balance $ 157,919 $ 122,610 $ 123,774 — 15,700 $ 122,610 $ 123,774 (142,219) — $ Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings Net current-period other comprehensive earnings (loss) (35,763) 1,766 40,887 26,740 (5,578) (27,904) $ (33,997) $ 35,309 $ (1,164) Reclassification of stranded tax effect per ASU 2018-02 (see note 1.C) Ending balance 76 3,725 — $ (14,572) $ 157,919 $ 122,610 — The sale or other-than-temporary impairment of an available-for-sale security results in amounts being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to current period net earnings. The effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive earnings by the respective line items of net earnings are presented in the following table. As previously mentioned, 2018 activity is reflective of activity on fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale, while 2017 and 2016 also includes activity from the equity portfolio. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (in thousands) Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2017 2018 Affected line item in the Statement of Earnings Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities $ (2,018) $ 11,141 $ 43,024 Net realized investment gains (217) (2,235) $ 469 (1,766) $ $ $ (2,559) 8,582 $ (3,004) 5,578 $ (95) Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on investments 42,929 Earnings before income taxes (15,025) Income tax benefit (expense) 27,904 Net earnings Q. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES Fair value is defined as the price in the principal market that would be received for an asset to facilitate an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We determined the fair value of certain financial instruments based on their underlying characteristics and relevant transactions in the marketplace. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The following are the levels of the fair value hierarchy and a brief description of the type of valuation inputs that are used to establish each level. Financial assets are classified based upon the lowest level of significant input that is used to determine fair value.  Pricing Level 1 is applied to valuations based on readily available, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.  Pricing Level 2 is applied to valuations based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities) or can be corroborated by observable market data.  Pricing Level 3 is applied to valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable. As a part of management’s process to determine fair value, we utilize widely recognized, third-party pricing sources to determine our fair values. We have obtained an understanding of the third-party pricing sources’ valuation methodologies and inputs. The following is a description of the valuation techniques used for financial assets that are measured at fair value, including the general classification of such assets pursuant to the fair value hierarchy. Corporate, Agencies, Government and Municipal Bonds: The pricing vendor employs a multi-dimensional model which uses standard inputs including (listed in approximate order of priority for use) benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers and other reference data. The pricing vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events. All bonds valued using these techniques are classified as Level 2. All Corporate, Agencies, Government and Municipal securities are deemed Level 2. Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS)/Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO) and Asset-backed Securities (ABS): The pricing vendor evaluation methodology includes principally interest rate movements and new issue data. Evaluation of the tranches (non-volatile, volatile or credit sensitivity) is based on the pricing vendors’ interpretation of accepted modeling and pricing conventions. This information is then used to determine the cash flows for each tranche, benchmark yields, pre-payment assumptions and to incorporate collateral performance. To evaluate CMO volatility, an option 77 adjusted spread model is used in combination with models that simulate interest rate paths to determine market price information. This process allows the pricing vendor to obtain evaluations of a broad universe of securities in a way that reflects changes in yield curve, index rates, implied volatility, mortgage rates and recent trade activity. MBS/CMO and ABS with corroborated, observable inputs are classified as Level 2. All of our MBS/CMO and ABS are deemed Level 2. For all of our fixed income securities classified as Level 2, as described above, we periodically conduct a review to assess the reasonableness of the fair values provided by our pricing services. Our review consists of a two-pronged approach. First, we compare prices provided by our pricing services to those provided by an additional source. In some cases, we obtain prices from securities brokers and compare them to the prices provided by our pricing services. In our comparisons, if discrepancies are found, we compare our prices to actual reported trade data for like securities. No changes to the fair values supplied by our pricing services have occurred as a result of our reviews. Based on these assessments, we have determined that the fair values of our Level 2 securities provided by our pricing services are reasonable. Common Stock: All but one of our common stock holdings are traded on an exchange. Exchange traded equities have readily observable price levels and are classified as Level 1 (fair value based on quoted market prices). Pricing for the equity security not traded on an exchange is provided by a third-party pricing source and is classified as Level 2. Due to the relatively short-term nature of cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable, their carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of fair value. Our investments in private funds, classified as other invested assets, are measured using the investments’ net asset value per share and are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of our long-term debt is discussed further in note 4. R. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION We expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options and similar awards. We measure compensation cost for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of those awards and recognize compensation expense over the service period that the awards are expected to vest. The tax effects related to share-based payments were made through net earnings in 2018 and 2017. In 2016, the tax effects of share-based compensation were recognized in additional paid-in capital under the alternative transition method. The alternative transition method used simplified methods to determine the impact on the additional paid-in capital pool and consolidated statements of cash flows. See note 8 for further discussion and related disclosures regarding stock options. S. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES: Certain risks and uncertainties are inherent to our day-to-day operations and to the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements. The more significant risks and uncertainties, as well as our attempt to mitigate, quantify and minimize such risks, are presented below and throughout the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Insurance Risks We compete with a large number of other companies in our selected lines of business. During periods of intense competition for premium, we are vulnerable to the actions of other companies who may seek to write business without the appropriate regard for risk and profitability. The insurance industry is currently operating under highly competitive conditions and, as a result, margins in the industry are under pressure. During these times, it is very difficult to grow or maintain premium volume without sacrificing underwriting discipline and income. Our profitability can be affected significantly by the ability of our underwriters to accurately select and price risk and our claim personnel to appropriately deliver fair outcomes. We attempt to mitigate this risk by incentivizing our underwriters to maximize underwriting profit and remain disciplined in pricing and selecting risks. If we are unable to compete effectively in the markets in which we operate or expand our operations into new markets, our underwriting revenues may decline, as well as overall business results. Our loss reserves are based on estimates and may be inadequate to cover our actual insured losses, which would negatively impact our profitability. As of December 31, 2018 we had $1.5 billion of gross loss and LAE reserves. Significant periods of time often elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of the loss to the Company and our payment of that loss. As part of the reserving process, we review historical data and consider the impact of various factors such as trends in claim frequency and severity, emerging economic and social trends, inflation and changes in the regulatory and 78 litigation environments. If the actual amount of insured losses is greater than the amount we have reserved for these losses, our profitability would suffer. Catastrophe Exposures Our insurance coverages include exposure to catastrophic events. We monitor all catastrophe exposures by quantifying our exposed policy limits in each region and by using computer-assisted modeling techniques. Additionally, we limit our risk to such catastrophes through restraining the total policy limits written in each region and by purchasing reinsurance. Our major catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by earthquakes, primarily on the West Coast. In 2018, we had reinsurance protection of $300 million in excess of $25 million first-dollar retention for earthquakes in California and $325 million in excess of a $25 million first-dollar retention for earthquakes outside of California. These amounts are subject to certain co-participations by the Company on losses in excess of the $25 million retentions. Our second largest catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by wind storms to commercial properties throughout the Gulf and East Coasts, as well as to homes we insure in Hawaii. In 2018, these coverages were supported by $225 million in excess of a $25 million first-dollar retention in traditional catastrophe reinsurance protection, subject to certain co-participations by the Company in the excess layers. In addition, we have incidental exposure to international catastrophic events. Our catastrophe reinsurance treaty renewed on January 1, 2019. We purchased reinsurance protection of $400 million in excess of $25 million first-dollar retention for earthquakes in California and $425 million in excess of a $25 million first-dollar retention for earthquakes outside of California. For other CAT events, such as hurricanes, we purchased reinsurance protection of $275 million in excess of a $25 million first dollar retention. These amounts are subject to certain co-participations by the Company on losses in excess of the $25 million retentions. We actively manage our catastrophe program to keep our net retention in line with risk tolerances and to optimize the risk/return trade off. Environmental Exposures We are subject to environmental claims and exposures primarily through our commercial excess, general liability and discontinued assumed casualty reinsurance lines of business. Although exposure to environmental claims exists in these lines of business, we seek to mitigate or control the extent of this exposure on the vast majority of this business through the following methods: (1) our policies include pollution exclusions that have been continually updated to further strengthen them, (2) our policies primarily cover moderate hazard risks and (3) we began writing this business after the insurance industry became aware of the potential pollution liability exposure and implemented changes to limit exposure to this hazard. We offer coverage for low to moderate environmental liability exposures for small contractors and asbestos and mold remediation specialists. We also provide limited coverage for individually underwritten underground storage tanks. The overall exposure is mitigated by focusing on smaller risks with low to moderate exposures. Risks that have large-scale exposures are avoided including petrochemical, chemical, mining, manufacturers and other risks that might be exposed to superfund sites. This business is covered under our casualty ceded reinsurance treaties. We made loss and settlement expense payments on environmental liability claims and have loss and settlement expense reserves for others. We include this historical environmental loss experience with the remaining loss experience in the applicable line of business to project ultimate incurred losses and settlement expenses as well as related incurred but not reported (IBNR) loss and settlement expense reserves. Although historical experience on environmental claims may not accurately reflect future environmental exposures, we used this experience to record loss and settlement expense reserves in the exposed lines of business. See further discussion of environmental exposures in note 6. Reinsurance Reinsurance does not discharge the Company from our primary liability to policyholders, and to the extent that a reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations, we would be liable. We continuously monitor the financial condition of prospective and existing reinsurers. As a result, we purchase reinsurance from a number of financially strong reinsurers. We provide an allowance for reinsurance balances deemed uncollectible. See further discussion of reinsurance exposures in note 5. 79 Investment Risk Our investment portfolio is subject to market, credit and interest rate risks. The equity portfolio will fluctuate with movements in the overall stock market. While the equity portfolio has been constructed to have lower downside risk than the market, the portfolio is positively correlated with movements in domestic stocks. The bond portfolio is affected by interest rate changes and movement in credit spreads. We attempt to mitigate our interest rate and credit risks by constructing a well- diversified portfolio with high-quality securities with varied maturities. Downturns in the financial markets could have a negative effect on our portfolio. However, we attempt to manage this risk through asset allocation, duration and security selection. Liquidity Risk Liquidity is essential to our business and a key component of our concept of asset-liability matching. Our liquidity may be impaired by an inability to collect premium receivable or reinsurance recoverable balances in a timely manner, an inability to sell assets or redeem our investments, an inability to access funds from our insurance subsidiaries, unforeseen outflows of cash or large claim payments or an inability to access debt or equity capital markets. This situation may arise due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as a general market disruption, an operational problem that affects third parties or the Company, or even by the perception among market participants that we, or other market participants, are experiencing greater liquidity risk. Our credit ratings are important to our liquidity. A reduction in our credit ratings could adversely affect our liquidity and competitive position by increasing our borrowing costs or limiting our access to the capital markets. Financial Statements The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. The most significant of these amounts is the liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses. Other estimates include investment valuation and OTTIs, the collectability of reinsurance balances, recoverability of deferred tax assets and deferred policy acquisition costs. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Although recorded estimates are supported by actuarial computations and other supportive data, the estimates are ultimately based on our expectations of future events. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods. External Factors Our insurance subsidiaries are highly regulated by the state in which they are incorporated and by the states in which they do business. Such regulations, among other things, limit the amount of dividends, impose restrictions on the amount and types of investments and regulate rates insurers may charge for various coverages. We are also subject to insolvency and guaranty fund assessments for various programs designed to ensure policyholder indemnification. We generally accrue an assessment during the period in which it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred from an insolvency and the amount of the related assessment can be reasonably estimated. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has developed Property/Casualty Risk-Based Capital (RBC) standards that relate an insurer’s reported statutory surplus to the risks inherent in its overall operations. The RBC formula uses the statutory annual statement to calculate the minimum indicated capital level to support investment and underwriting risk. The NAIC model law calls for various levels of regulatory action based on the magnitude of an indicated RBC capital deficiency, if any. We regularly monitor our subsidiaries’ internal capital requirements and the NAIC’s RBC developments. As of December 31, 2018, we determined that our capital levels are well in excess of the minimum capital requirements for all RBC action levels and that our capital levels are sufficient to support the level of risk inherent in our operations. See note 9 for further discussion of statutory information and related insurance regulatory restrictions. 80 In addition, ratings are a critical factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Our insurance companies are rated by A.M. Best, S&P and Moody’s. Their ratings reflect their opinions of an insurance company’s and an insurance holding company’s financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. 2. INVESTMENTS A summary of net investment income is as follows: NET INVESTMENT INCOME (in thousands) Interest on fixed income securities Dividends on equity securities Interest on cash, short-term investments and other invested assets Gross investment income Less investment expenses Net investment income 2016 2018 9,814 2,309 2017 $ 54,491 $ 48,343 $ 46,834 10,929 10,506 120 945 $ 66,614 $ 59,794 $ 57,883 (4,808) (4,918) (4,529) $ 62,085 $ 54,876 $ 53,075 Pretax net realized investment gains (losses) and net changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows: REALIZED/UNREALIZED GAINS (in thousands) Net realized gains (losses): Fixed income: Available-for-sale Available-for-sale OTTI Equity securities Other Total Net changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments: Fixed income: Available-for-sale Equity securities Other invested assets Investment in unconsolidated investees Total Net realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments 2018 2017 2016 $ $ 859 $ 4,314 (2,018) $ (95) (2,559) (217) 38,709 10,282 69,868 (4,226) (8,283) (4,171) 63,407 $ 4,411 $ 34,645 $ (41,778) $ 16,846 $ (10,972) 8,659 — 522 $ (141,770) $ 54,323 $ (1,791) 36,844 29 604 (98,380) (355) (1,257) $ (78,363) $ 58,734 $ 32,854 During 2018, we recorded $63.4 million in net realized gains, which included $4.4 million of other non-cash realized losses from goodwill and definite-lived intangible impairments. In addition, we recorded a change in net unrealized losses of $141.8 million. The majority of our net realized gains were due to sales of equity securities. The change in unrealized gain/loss position was due to the realization of gains in the course of selling equity securities and the price decline in both equities and bonds during 2018. For 2018, the net realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments totaled $(78.4) million. 81                                          The following is a summary of the disposition of fixed income securities and equities for the years ended December 31, with separate presentations for sales and calls/maturities. SALES (in thousands) 2018 Available-for-sale Equities 2017 Available-for-sale Equities 2016 Available-for-sale Equities CALLS/MATURITIES (in thousands) 2018 Available-for-sale 2017 Available-for-sale 2016 Available-for-sale FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Proceeds From Sales Gross Realized Gains Losses Realized Gain (Loss) Net $ 394,318 $ 147,838 3,131 $ (5,349) $ (2,218) 69,868 (1,197) 71,065 $ 169,002 $ 36,573 2,406 $ (1,670) $ 13,178 (2,896) 736 10,282 $ 329,091 $ 7,158 $ (3,287) $ 89,909 39,668 (959) 3,871 38,709 Proceeds Gains Losses Gross Realized Net Realized Gain (Loss) $ 187,380 $ 311 $ (111) $ 200 $ 195,617 $ 262 $ (139) $ 123 $ 141,255 $ 445 $ (2) $ 443 Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018, are summarized below: Significant (in thousands) Fixed income securities - available-for-sale U.S. government U.S. agency Non-U.S. govt. & agency Agency MBS ABS/CMBS* Corporate Municipal Total fixed income securities - available-for-sale Equity securities Total *Non-agency asset-backed & commercial mortgage-backed Quoted in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total $ $ $ — $ — — — — — — — $ 1,760,515 $ 200,229 $ 31,904 7,639 395,253 136,723 668,679 320,088 339,985 339,985 $ 1,761,013 $ 498 200,229 — $ 31,904 — 7,639 — 395,253 — 136,723 — 668,679 — — 320,088 — $ 1,760,515 — 340,483 — $ 2,100,998 82         Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017, are summarized below: Significant (in thousands) Fixed income securities - available-for-sale U.S. government U.S. agency Non-U.S. govt. & agency Agency MBS ABS/CMBS* Corporate Municipal Total fixed income securities - available-for-sale Equity securities Total *Non-agency asset-backed & commercial mortgage-backed Quoted in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total $ $ $ — $ — — — — — — — $ 1,672,239 $ 91,689 $ 18,778 7,588 328,471 70,526 519,022 636,165 400,492 400,492 $ 1,672,239 $ — 91,689 — $ 18,778 — 7,588 — 328,471 — 70,526 — 519,022 — — 636,165 — $ 1,672,239 — 400,492 — $ 2,072,731 As noted in the previous tables, we did not have any assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Additionally, there were no securities transferred in or out of levels 1 or 2 during 2018 or 2017. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed income securities at December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown as follows: (in thousands) Available-for-sale Due in one year or less Due after one year through five years Due after five years through 10 years Due after 10 years Mtge/ABS/CMBS* Total available-for-sale Amortized Cost Fair Value $ $ 41,319 $ 411,153 615,061 168,716 540,216 1,776,465 $ 41,333 410,680 608,115 168,412 531,975 1,760,515 * Mortgage-backed, asset-backed & commercial mortgage-backed Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to call provisions on some existing securities. At December 31, 2018, the net unrealized losses of available-for-sale fixed income securities totaled $16.0 million pretax. At December 31, 2017, the net unrealized appreciation of available-for-sale fixed maturities securities totaled $25.8 million pretax. 83         In addition, the following table is a schedule of amortized costs and estimated fair values of investments in fixed income securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: 2018 (in thousands) Available-for-sale U.S. government U.S. agency Non-U.S. govt. & agency Agency MBS ABS/CMBS* Corporate Municipal Total fixed income 2017 (in thousands) Available-for-sale U.S. government U.S. agency Non-U.S. govt. & agency Agency MBS ABS/CMBS* Corporate Municipal Total fixed income Amortized Gross Unrealized Cost Fair Value Gains Losses $ 200,229 $ 1,232 $ 199,982 $ 31,716 8,170 402,992 137,224 681,909 314,472 (985) (215) (531) (9,448) (876) (16,124) (1,310) $ 1,776,465 $ 1,760,515 $ 13,539 $ (29,489) 31,904 7,639 395,253 136,723 668,679 320,088 403 — 1,709 375 2,894 6,926 Amortized Gross Unrealized Cost Fair Value Gains Losses $ 23 $ 92,561 $ 18,541 7,501 329,129 70,405 508,128 620,146 (895) (110) (56) (4,078) (315) (1,681) (1,253) $ 1,646,411 $ 1,672,239 $ 34,216 $ (8,388) 91,689 $ 18,778 7,588 328,471 70,526 519,022 636,165 347 143 3,420 436 12,575 17,272 * Non-agency asset-backed & commercial mortgage-backed Mortgage-Backed, Commercial Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Gross unrealized losses in the collateralized securities bond portfolio increased to $10.3 million in 2018 as interest rates increased during the year. All of our collateralized securities carry the highest credit rating by one or more major rating agencies and continue to pay according to contractual terms. For all fixed income securities at an unrealized loss at December 31, 2018, we believe it is probable that we will receive all contractual payments in the form of principal and interest. In addition, we are not required to, nor do we intend to, sell these investments prior to recovering the entire amortized cost basis of each security, which may be at maturity. We do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2018. Corporate Bonds Gross unrealized losses in the corporate bond portfolio increased to $16.1 million in 2018 from $1.7 million at the end of 2017 as interest rates and credit spreads increased during the year. The corporate bond portfolio has an overall rating of A-. Municipal Bonds As of December 31, 2018, municipal bonds totaled $320.1 million with gross unrealized losses of $1.3 million, the same as the previous year. As of December 31, 2018, approximately 42 percent of the municipal fixed income securities in the investment portfolio were general obligations of state and local governments and the remaining 58 percent were revenue based. Eighty-five percent of our municipal fixed income securities were rated AA or better while 99 percent were rated A or better. Equity Securities Our equity portfolio consists of common stocks and exchange traded funds (ETF). Gross unrealized losses in the equity portfolio increased $9.2 million to $10.1 million in 2018 as equity markets declined during the year. 84 Impairment Analysis Under current accounting standards, an OTTI write-down of debt securities, where fair value is below amortized cost, is triggered by circumstances where: (1) an entity has the intent to sell a security, (2) it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or (3) the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If an entity intends to sell a security or if it is more likely than not the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery, an OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the security’s amortized cost and its fair value. If an entity does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and the amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. As part of our evaluation of whether particular securities are other-than-temporarily impaired, we consider our intent to sell a security (which is determined on a security-by-security basis) and whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of our amortized cost basis. Significant changes in these factors could result in a charge to net earnings for impairment losses. Impairment losses result in a reduction of the underlying investment’s cost basis. The following table is also used as part of our impairment analysis and displays the total value of debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017. The table segregates the securities based on type, noting the fair value, amortized cost and unrealized loss on each category of investment as well as in total. The table further classifies the securities based on the length of time they have been in an unrealized loss position. 85 (in thousands) U.S. Government Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss U.S. Agency Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss Non-U.S. Government Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss Agency MBS Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss ABS/CMBS* Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss Corporate Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss Municipal Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss Total fixed income Fair value Amortized cost Unrealized Loss December 31, 2018 12 Mos. & Greater < 12 Mos. Total < 12 Mos. December 31, 2017 12 Mos. & Greater Total $ 7,249 $ 76,073 $ 7,270 77,037 $ (21) $ (964) $ $ $ — $ — — $ 8,843 $ 9,058 (215) $ 83,322 $ 58,009 $ 30,888 $ 88,897 89,792 84,307 (895) (985) $ (434) $ (461) $ 31,349 58,443 8,843 $ 10,917 $ 9,058 (215) $ (110) $ 11,027 — $ 10,917 11,027 — (110) — $ $ $ 5,432 $ 5,571 (139) $ 2,207 $ 2,599 (392) $ 7,639 $ 8,170 (531) $ — $ — — $ 1,840 $ 1,896 (56) $ 1,840 1,896 (56) $ 25,345 $ 261,325 $ 25,486 270,632 $ (141) $ (9,307) $ $ 46,918 $ 32,137 $ 47,146 32,785 $ (228) $ (648) $ $ 306,177 $ 147,751 $ 315,428 154,624 $ (9,251) $ (6,873) $ $ 6,036 $ 55,681 $ 6,052 56,975 $ (16) $ (1,294) $ $ 397,157 $ 584,017 $ 406,953 603,710 $ (9,796) $ (19,693) $ 286,670 $ 122,130 $ 111,306 $ 233,436 237,514 296,118 (9,448) $ (1,429) $ (2,649) $ (4,078) 113,955 123,559 79,055 $ 23,406 $ 21,587 $ 44,993 45,308 79,931 (315) (230) $ (876) $ 21,817 23,491 (85) $ 453,928 $ 86,946 $ 28,600 $ 115,546 470,052 117,227 (891) $ (1,681) (16,124) $ (790) $ 87,736 29,491 61,717 $ 71,059 $ 60,049 $ 131,108 132,361 63,027 (778) $ (1,253) (1,310) $ (475) $ 60,827 71,534 1,010,663 981,174 $ 372,467 $ 254,270 $ 626,737 635,125 (29,489) $ (3,323) $ (5,065) $ (8,388) 375,790 259,335 *Non-agency asset-backed & commercial mortgage-backed The fixed income portfolio contained 777 securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018. Of these 777 securities, 302 have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 consecutive months or longer and represent $19.7 million in unrealized losses. All fixed income securities continue to pay the expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Credit-related impairments on fixed income securities that we do not plan to sell, and for which we are not more likely than not to be required to sell, are recognized in net earnings. Any non-credit related impairment is recognized in comprehensive earnings. Based on our analysis, our fixed income portfolio is of a high credit quality and we believe we will recover the amortized cost basis of our fixed income securities. We continually monitor the credit quality of our fixed income investments to assess if it is probable that we will receive our contractual or estimated cash flows in the form of principal and 86 interest. There were no OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive earnings in the periods presented. Key factors that we consider in the evaluation of credit quality include:  Changes in technology that may impair the earnings potential of the investment,  The discontinuance of a segment of business that may affect future earnings potential,  Reduction or elimination of dividends,  Specific concerns related to the issuer’s industry or geographic area of operation,  Significant or recurring operating losses, poor cash flows and/or deteriorating liquidity ratios and  Downgrades in credit quality by a major rating agency. Based on our analysis, we concluded that the securities in an unrealized loss position were not other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were $0.2 million, $2.6 million and $0.1 million in losses associated with OTTI of securities in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Unrealized Gains and Losses on Equity Securities Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during 2018 on equity securities still held as of December 31, 2018 were $(28.7) million. Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during 2017 on equity securities still held as of December 31, 2017 were $47.2 million. Other Invested Assets We had $51.5 million of other invested assets at December 31, 2018, compared to $33.8 million at the end of 2017. Other invested assets include investments in low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) partnerships, membership stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) and investments in private funds. Our LIHTC investments are carried at amortized cost and our investment in FHLBC stock is carried at cost. Due to the nature of the LIHTC and our membership in the FHLBC, their carrying amounts approximate fair value. The private funds are carried at fair value, using each investment’s net asset value. Our LIHTC interests had a balance of $20.3 million at December 31, 2018 compared to $15.5 million at December 31, 2017 and recognized a total tax benefit of $2.2 million during 2018 compared to $2.4 million during 2017 and $1.9 million during 2016. Our unfunded commitment for our LIHTC investments totaled $7.4 million at December 31, 2018 and will be paid out in installments through 2025. We had $18.8 million of unfunded commitments related to our investments in private funds at December 31, 2018. Additionally, our interest in these investments is generally restricted from being transferred or otherwise redeemed without prior consent by the respective entities. An initial public offering would allow for the transfer of interest in some situations, while the timed dissolution of the partnership would trigger redemption in others. Restricted Assets As of December 31, 2018, $16.1 million of investments were pledged as collateral with the FHLBC to ensure timely access to the secured lending facility that ownership of the FHLBC stock provides. As of and during year ended December 31, 2018, there were no outstanding borrowings with the FHLBC. As of December 31, 2018, fixed income securities with a carrying value of $59.2 million were on deposit with regulatory authorities as required by law. 87 3. POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS Policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized to income for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows: (in thousands) Deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC), beginning of year Deferred: Direct commissions Premium taxes Ceding commissions Net deferred Amortized DAC, end of year Policy acquisition costs: Amortized to expense - DAC Period costs: Ceding commission - contingent Other underwriting expenses Total policy acquisition costs 4. DEBT 2018 2017 $ 77,716 $ 73,147 $ 69,829 2016 12,654 (22,190) $ 175,697 $ 157,723 $ 150,390 11,759 11,651 (17,488) (18,096) $ 166,161 $ 151,278 $ 144,661 141,343 146,709 $ 84,934 $ 77,716 $ 73,147 158,943 $ 158,943 $ 146,709 $ 141,343 (2,241) 111,036 (1,524) (3,575) 109,793 109,381 $ 267,738 $ 252,515 $ 249,612 As of December 31, 2018, outstanding debt balances totaled $149.1 million, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, all of which were our long-term senior notes. On October 2, 2013, we completed a public debt offering, issuing $150.0 million in senior notes maturing September 15, 2023, and paying interest semi-annually at the rate of 4.875 percent. The notes were issued at a discount resulting in proceeds, net of discount and commission, of $148.6 million. The amount of the discount is being charged to income over the life of the debt on an effective-yield basis. The estimated fair value for the senior note was $155.9 million as of December 31, 2018. The fair value of our long-term debt is based on the limited observable prices that reflect thinly traded securities and is therefore classified as a level 2 liability within the fair value hierarchy. We paid $7.3 million of interest on our senior notes in each of the last three years. The average rate on debt was 4.91 percent in 2018, 2017 and 2016. We maintain a revolving line of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., which permits the Company to borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $50.0 million. This facility was entered into during the second quarter of 2018 and replaced the previous $40.0 million facility which expired on May 28, 2018. Under certain conditions, the line may be increased up to an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million. This facility has a two-year term that expires on May 24, 2020. As of and during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, no amounts were outstanding on these facilities. 5. REINSURANCE In the ordinary course of business, our insurance subsidiaries assume and cede premiums and selected insured risks with other insurance companies, known as reinsurance. A large portion of the reinsurance is put into effect under contracts known as treaties and, in some instances, by negotiation on each individual risk (known as facultative reinsurance). In addition, there are several types of treaties including quota share, excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance contracts that protect against losses over stipulated amounts arising from any one occurrence or event. The arrangements allow the Company to pursue greater diversification of business and serve to limit the maximum net loss to a single event, such as a catastrophe. Through the quantification of exposed policy limits in each region and the extensive use of computer-assisted modeling techniques, we monitor the concentration of risks exposed to catastrophic events. Through the purchase of reinsurance, we also generally limit our net loss on any individual risk to a maximum of $3.0 million, although retentions can vary. 88 Premiums written and earned along with losses and settlement expenses incurred for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows: (in thousands) WRITTEN Direct Reinsurance assumed Reinsurance ceded Net EARNED Direct Reinsurance assumed Reinsurance ceded Net LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES INCURRED Direct Reinsurance assumed Reinsurance ceded Net 2018 2017 2016 $ 934,913 $ 848,153 $ 844,430 30,434 (133,912) $ 823,175 $ 749,854 $ 740,952 48,303 (160,041) 37,159 (135,458) $ 896,234 $ 835,118 $ 835,294 27,886 32,521 (134,572) (129,702) $ 791,366 $ 737,937 $ 728,608 41,926 (146,794) $ 560,421 $ 486,986 $ 405,873 13,196 16,072 (69,291) (101,474) $ 428,193 $ 401,584 $ 349,778 20,376 (152,604) At December 31, 2018, we had unearned reinsurance premiums and recoverables on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses totaling $430.0 million. More than 93 percent of our reinsurance recoverables are due from companies with financial strength ratings of “A” or better by A.M. Best and S&P rating services. The following table displays net reinsurance balances recoverable, after consideration of collateral, from our top reinsurers as of December 31, 2018. These reinsurers all have financial strength ratings of “A” or better by A.M. Best and Standard and Poor’s ratings services. Also shown are the amounts of written premium ceded to these reinsurers during the calendar year 2018. A.M. Best Rating S & P Rating Net Reinsurer Exposure as of Percent of 12/31/2018 Total Ceded Premiums Written Percent of (dollars in thousands) Munich Re / HSB Swiss Re / Westport Ins. Corp. Endurance Re Aspen UK Ltd. Berkley Insurance Co. Hannover Ruckversicherung Axis Re Transatlantic Re Toa Re General Re Tokio Millennium Re All other reinsurers* Total ceded exposure A+, Superior AA-, Very Strong $ 73,593 17.1 % $ 24,479 A+, Superior A+, Superior A, Excellent A+, Superior A+, Superior   A+, Superior A+, Superior   A, Excellent A++, Superior A+, Superior AA-, Very Strong A+, Strong A, Strong A+, Strong AA-, Very Strong A+, Strong A+, Strong   A+, Strong AA+, Very Strong A+, Strong 35,095 28,754 27,735 23,267 22,629 19,928 19,517 18,480 18,168 17,044 125,777 $ 429,987 8.2 % 6.7 % 6.4 % 5.4 % 5.3 % 4.6 % 4.5 % 4.3 % 4.2 % 4.0 % 29.3 % 2,100 6,000 7,906 6,335 9,458 6,424 7,911 6,495 5,170 6,947 70,816 100.0 % $ 160,041 Total 15.3 % 1.3 % 3.8 % 4.9 % 4.0 % 5.9 % 4.0 % 4.9 % 4.1 % 3.2 % 4.3 % 44.3 % 100.0 % * All other reinsurance balances recoverable, when considered by individual reinsurer, are less than 2 percent of shareholders’ equity. Ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance balances recoverable on paid losses and settlement expenses are reported separately as an asset, rather than being netted with the related liability, since reinsurance does not relieve the Company of our liability to policyholders. Such balances are subject to the credit risk associated with the individual reinsurer. We continually monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers and actively follow up on any past due or disputed amounts. As part of our monitoring efforts, we review their annual financial statements and SEC filings for those reinsurers that are publicly traded. We 89 also review insurance industry developments that may impact the financial condition of our reinsurers. We analyze the credit risk associated with our reinsurance balances recoverable by monitoring the A.M. Best and S&P ratings of our reinsurers. In addition, we subject our reinsurance recoverables to detailed recoverability tests, including a segment-based analysis using the average default rating percentage by S&P rating, which assists the Company in assessing the sufficiency of the existing allowance. Additionally, we perform an in-depth reinsurer financial condition analysis prior to the renewal of our reinsurance placements. Our policy is to charge to earnings, in the form of an allowance, an estimate of unrecoverable amounts from reinsurers. This allowance is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the amount makes a reasonable provision for reinsurance balances that we may be unable to recover. Once regulatory action (such as receivership, finding of insolvency, order of conservation or order of liquidation) is taken against a reinsurer, the paid and unpaid recoverable for the reinsurer are specifically identified and written off through the use of our allowance for estimated unrecoverable amounts from reinsurers. When we write-off such a balance, it is done in full. We then re-evaluate the remaining allowance and determine whether the balance is sufficient as detailed above and if needed, an additional allowance is recognized and income charged. The amounts of allowances for uncollectible amounts on paid and unpaid recoverables were $16.1 million and $9.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2017, the amounts were $15.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively. We have no receivables with a due date that extends beyond one year that are not included in our allowance for uncollectible amounts. 6. HISTORICAL LOSS AND LAE DEVELOPMENT The following table is a reconciliation of our unpaid losses and settlement expenses (LAE) for the years 2018, 2017 and 2016: (in thousands) Unpaid losses and LAE at beginning of year: Gross Ceded Net Increase (decrease) in incurred losses and LAE: Current accident year Prior accident years Total incurred Loss and LAE payments for claims incurred: Current accident year Prior accident year Total paid 2018 2017 2016 $ 1,271,503 $ 1,139,337 $ 1,103,785 (297,844) 805,941 (301,991) 969,512 $ (288,224) 851,113 $ $ $ $ 478,143 $ (49,950) 428,193 $ 440,452 $ (38,868) 401,584 $ 391,772 (41,994) 349,778 $ (76,050) $ (225,306) (70,540) (234,066) $ (301,356) $ (283,185) $ (304,606) (73,392) $ (209,793) Net unpaid losses and LAE at end of year $ 1,096,349 $ 969,512 $ 851,113 Unpaid losses and LAE at end of year: Gross Ceded Net $ 1,461,348 $ 1,271,503 $ 1,139,337 (288,224) 851,113 (364,999) $ 1,096,349 $ (301,991) 969,512 $ Loss development occurs when our current estimate of ultimate losses, established through our reserve analysis processes, differs from the initial reserve estimate. The recognition of the changes in initial reserve estimates occurred over time as claims were reported, initial case reserves were established, initial reserves were reviewed in light of additional information and ultimate payments were made on the collective set of claims incurred as of that evaluation date. The new information on the ultimate settlement value of claims is continually updated until all claims in a defined set are settled. As a small specialty insurer with a diversified product portfolio, our experience will ordinarily exhibit fluctuations from period to period. While we attempt to identify and react to systematic changes in the loss environment, we also must consider the volume of claim experience directly available to the Company and interpret any particular period’s indications with a realistic technical understanding of the reliability of those observations. The following is information about incurred and paid loss development as of December 31, 2018, net of reinsurance, as well as cumulative claim frequency, the total of IBNR liabilities included within the net incurred loss amounts and average historical 90 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 claims duration as of December 31, 2018. The loss information has been disaggregated so that only losses that are expected to develop in a similar manner are grouped together. This has resulted in the presentation of loss information for our property and surety segments at the segment level, while information for our casualty segment has been separated in four groupings: primary occurrence, excess occurrence, claims made and transportation. Primary occurrence includes select lines within the professional services product along with general liability, small commercial and other casualty products. Excess occurrence encompasses commercial excess and personal umbrella, while claims made includes select lines within the professional services product and medical professional liability and executive products. Reported claim counts represent claim events on a specified policy rather than individual claimants and includes claims that did not or are not expected to result in an incurred loss. The information about incurred and paid claims development for the years ended December 31, 2009 to 2017 is presented as unaudited required supplementary information. Casualty - Primary Occurrence (in thousands, except number of claims) 2009* 85,476 $ 119,957 $ 2010* $ 87,875 Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, 2011* 99,765 $ 96,582 91,139 2012* 91,441 $ 93,589 98,428 91,807 2013* 86,888 $ 88,820 94,145 78,406 80,823 2014* 82,651 $ 85,034 89,622 65,893 67,297 88,092 2015* 81,138 $ 80,289 86,342 61,072 62,882 79,497 94,835 2016* 80,518 $ 78,685 83,181 59,028 60,329 71,592 84,975 101,950 As of December 31, 2018 Cumulative Number of Reported Claims Total IBNR 2,202 2,392 3,180 3,502 6,538 12,492 21,351 38,505 64,662 109,482 5,713 6,117 5,851 5,163 4,287 4,242 4,311 4,148 4,119 3,773 2017* 80,350 $ 78,991 82,193 59,488 60,162 67,237 83,579 96,753 119,741 2018 81,445 $ 80,216 82,248 60,328 59,556 66,389 78,675 90,611 111,391 141,513 $ 852,372 Cumulative Paid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, Total 2009* 2010* $ 1,972 $ 9,233 $ 2,587 2011* 24,115 $ 13,025 5,924 2012* 43,702 $ 29,312 17,124 5,897 * Presented as unaudited required supplementary information. 2017* 2013* 58,460 $ 44,051 32,978 14,539 6,334 2014* 65,913 $ 55,992 48,822 23,889 13,021 11,436 2015* 70,220 $ 61,929 60,769 33,822 22,366 18,771 10,157 2016* 74,920 $ 66,399 67,358 43,276 34,786 29,545 19,902 10,142 2018 77,175 73,318 74,814 51,611 45,753 47,343 45,056 35,764 25,933 15,066 Total $ 491,833 11,911 All outstanding liabilities before 2009, net of reinsurance Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 372,450 75,948 $ 69,514 71,413 47,970 40,609 40,270 33,020 24,186 13,154 Years 1 9.7 % 2 12.4 % 3 16.8 % 4 18.6 % 5 13.9 % 6 7 8 9 10 8.2 % 5.5 % 4.6 % 3.0 % 1.5 % Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Losses by Age, Net of Reinsurance 91 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Casualty - Excess Occurrence (in thousands, except number of claims) Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, 2009* 30,267 $ $ 2010* 19,719 $ 29,314 2011* 14,981 $ 24,244 26,272 2012* 12,893 $ 22,111 17,148 29,042 2013* 12,966 $ 18,932 17,443 21,558 39,984 2014* 12,459 $ 20,044 18,641 21,021 34,824 50,889 2015* 12,601 $ 22,044 19,160 21,885 26,857 39,095 53,672 2016* 11,982 $ 21,018 20,959 21,231 25,425 35,119 50,857 56,341 Cumulative Paid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, 2009* 2010* 2011* 2012* $ 956 $ 3,947 $ 7 6,585 $ 6,002 2,169 9,460 $ 10,705 5,145 1,315 As of December 31, 2018 2017* 2018 Total IBNR Cumulative Number of Reported Claims 12,055 $ 12,072 $ 20,530 21,295 22,433 25,599 32,274 47,392 49,385 62,863 20,527 22,032 23,020 24,922 33,372 42,840 37,676 55,868 69,362 $ 341,691 Total 285 369 824 1,386 3,488 8,832 14,320 25,675 43,891 63,524 567 500 581 855 933 875 669 572 473 258 2017* 2018 2013* 11,001 $ 13,282 6,981 3,573 1,060 2014* 10,808 $ 15,512 8,793 8,843 5,701 1,899 2015* 11,776 $ 17,302 10,772 15,380 10,967 4,006 2,048 2016* 11,780 $ 19,175 16,494 16,879 14,545 11,002 10,127 1,068 11,786 $ 11,787 19,308 19,256 20,214 17,769 19,310 17,747 17,956 16,967 22,541 18,852 23,184 19,571 7,441 3,396 5,679 17 2,506 Total $ 149,926 17,918 All outstanding liabilities before 2009, net of reinsurance Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 209,683 * Presented as unaudited required supplementary information. Years 1 4.5 % 2 15.3 % 3 18.9 % 4 17.0 % 5 10.0 % 6 7 8 9 10 8.2 % 7.4 % 3.8 % 0.2 % 0.0 % Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Losses by Age, Net of Reinsurance Casualty - Claims Made (in thousands, except number of claims) Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, As of December 31, 2018 2017* 2018 Total IBNR Cumulative Number of Reported Claims 11,827 $ 16,056 $ 9,024 7,852 17,612 38,473 55,350 42,206 67,760 60,572 8,735 11,506 17,569 37,959 51,554 39,906 69,493 62,450 66,128 $ 381,356 398 219 640 1,251 3,751 7,271 10,559 23,817 35,365 50,820 383 502 682 803 1,042 1,304 1,335 1,500 1,627 1,272 2009* 12,918 $ $ 2010* 13,703 $ 13,690 2011* 9,687 $ 15,556 17,416 2012* 13,562 $ 9,776 17,454 27,576 2013* 11,710 $ 10,429 12,260 26,144 40,095 2014* 13,117 $ 11,689 10,619 20,727 41,488 53,929 2015* 12,810 $ 10,581 8,510 19,590 44,054 55,386 55,006 2016* 12,053 $ 9,175 7,720 18,022 40,288 58,152 47,831 59,992 Cumulative Paid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, Total 2009* 2010* 2011* 2012* 2013* $ 113 $ 442 $ 259 773 $ 1,548 330 3,413 $ 2,308 1,949 433 2017* 2018 2014* 10,678 $ 5,733 5,947 6,898 7,073 1,705 2015* 11,217 $ 5,749 5,637 9,218 18,425 9,775 2,215 2016* 11,398 $ 6,956 6,209 10,968 26,121 27,923 10,738 2,060 5,176 $ 3,626 4,508 4,086 792 11,475 $ 11,955 8,512 8,485 7,132 6,835 15,621 14,378 32,789 29,678 40,080 35,755 20,920 16,774 27,465 14,558 11,350 2,455 1,964 Total $ 177,788 933 All outstanding liabilities before 2009, net of reinsurance Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 204,501 * Presented as unaudited required supplementary information. Years 1 3.0 % 2 15.3 % 3 18.5 % 4 14.7 % 5 10.0 % 6 13.4 % 7 8 9 10 7.4 % 7.1 % 0.4 % 3.0 % Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Losses by Age, Net of Reinsurance 92 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Casualty - Transportation (in thousands, except number of claims) Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, 2009* 26,349 $ $ 2010* 23,366 $ 27,239 2011* 23,174 $ 23,390 22,957 2012* 22,929 $ 24,912 23,479 21,452 2013* 22,613 $ 25,593 25,747 22,203 32,742 2014* 22,340 $ 23,981 25,272 22,924 32,853 38,361 2015* 21,958 $ 23,625 25,431 23,511 32,989 33,015 38,561 2016* 21,969 $ 23,701 25,376 23,689 37,673 36,452 46,258 50,430 Cumulative Paid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, 2009* 2010* $ 5,035 $ 8,698 $ 6,296 2011* 14,613 $ 10,116 5,295 2012* 19,933 $ 15,475 9,485 4,466 As of December 31, 2018 2017* 2018 Total IBNR Cumulative Number of Reported Claims 21,926 $ 21,911 $ 23,786 25,167 23,620 38,811 38,590 47,021 53,519 55,640 23,776 25,614 23,305 39,974 40,202 46,395 54,105 53,641 57,597 $ 386,520 Total 19 44 52 76 350 911 3,824 7,632 16,406 16,690 2,644 2,843 2,469 2,284 2,852 3,099 3,179 3,920 3,597 3,154 2017* 2018 2013* 21,100 $ 20,045 14,477 8,533 5,306 2014* 21,325 $ 21,792 19,443 12,394 11,978 7,125 2015* 21,640 $ 23,063 22,375 17,318 19,761 13,933 6,984 2016* 21,650 $ 23,488 23,537 20,931 28,220 19,676 20,709 8,923 21,650 $ 21,650 23,556 23,533 24,377 23,941 22,730 22,566 35,923 33,480 33,190 27,457 37,222 29,554 30,354 18,354 17,070 7,979 6,980 Total $ 253,052 90 All outstanding liabilities before 2009, net of reinsurance Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 133,558 * Presented as unaudited required supplementary information. Years 1 17.9 % 2 18.2 % 3 20.1 % 4 20.2 % 5 11.2 % 6 7 8 9 10 4.8 % 1.4 % 0.6 % 0.0 % 0.0 % Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Losses by Age, Net of Reinsurance Property (in thousands, except number of claims) Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, As of December 31, 2018 Cumulative Number of Reported Claims Total IBNR 13 29 142 167 273 315 680 2,093 9,346 23,235 2,630 2,851 3,028 2,640 2,995 4,560 4,076 3,369 2,873 2,030 2018 2017* 49,323 $ 48,925 $ 52,952 62,456 78,125 61,914 48,761 53,958 55,594 90,803 52,903 62,875 78,161 61,834 49,217 52,720 55,384 83,273 89,091 $ 634,383 2009* 59,975 $ $ 2010* 55,821 $ 63,194 2011* 52,286 $ 59,145 70,246 2012* 49,534 $ 55,427 66,924 85,485 2013* 48,969 $ 53,937 64,976 80,155 63,864 2014* 48,857 $ 54,153 63,724 79,181 62,090 56,587 2015* 48,707 $ 52,927 62,770 77,569 62,173 49,441 59,863 2016* 49,267 $ 52,964 62,570 79,175 62,114 48,801 56,103 62,900 2009* 25,464 $ $ 2010* 40,775 $ 25,274 2011* 43,758 $ 43,091 27,676 2012* 46,004 $ 47,743 48,756 39,074 Cumulative Paid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, Total 2018 2013* 48,031 $ 50,055 55,778 66,509 32,208 2014* 48,297 $ 52,729 59,099 72,057 50,840 30,550 2015* 48,329 $ 52,426 60,272 73,705 57,407 43,380 32,184 2017* 49,173 $ 48,898 52,855 52,851 62,729 61,834 77,159 76,152 61,195 60,520 47,799 46,528 51,290 50,197 51,371 46,921 66,818 41,314 37,048 Total $ 557,162 17 All outstanding liabilities before 2009, net of reinsurance Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 77,238 2016* 49,051 $ 52,719 61,428 75,640 59,259 46,148 49,348 33,134 * Presented as unaudited required supplementary information. Years 1 52.0 % 2 30.9 % 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4 % 3.2 % 3.0 % 0.7 % 0.6 % 1.0 % 0.1 % -0.6% Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Losses by Age, Net of Reinsurance 93 Surety (in thousands, except number of claims) Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, 2009* 15,474 $ $ 2010* 2011* 2012* 2013* 4,896 $ 13,961 4,708 $ 8,205 13,842 4,246 $ 6,630 17,832 17,114 4,146 $ 7,076 17,792 11,452 16,080 2014* 4,551 $ 6,810 17,321 8,667 7,516 16,450 2015* 4,288 $ 7,136 16,766 8,180 6,170 8,106 16,958 2016* 4,923 $ 7,645 16,695 7,867 5,399 5,225 12,957 18,928 As of December 31, 2018 Cumulative Number of Reported Claims Total IBNR 2 14 13 22 50 88 824 1,543 3,630 14,535 1,665 1,540 1,674 1,469 1,400 1,337 1,201 1,307 1,409 654 2017* 4,860 $ 6,244 16,480 7,471 5,271 4,427 11,113 11,062 16,127 2018 4,935 $ 6,580 18,281 7,099 5,231 4,267 10,456 9,351 8,641 16,765 $ 91,606 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2009* 2010* 2011* $ 892 $ 1,914 $ 1,724 2,382 $ 3,205 8,160 Cumulative Paid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, Total 2012* 2,493 $ 5,702 16,932 1,883 2017* 2015* 2013* 3,490 $ 7,092 17,151 6,680 1,116 3,919 $ 7,285 17,212 7,416 4,701 4,283 3,192 2014* 4,336 $ 7,151 17,403 6,726 2,856 722 2018 4,933 6,637 17,013 7,065 5,150 4,131 9,436 6,299 2,862 1,835 Total $ 65,361 1,992 All outstanding liabilities before 2009, net of reinsurance Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 28,237 2016* 3,908 $ 7,822 17,086 7,536 4,911 4,166 6,719 3,087 4,849 $ 6,663 17,086 7,406 5,098 4,059 7,695 5,817 979 * Presented as unaudited required supplementary information. Years 1 24.0 % 2 40.0 % 3 12.0 % 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5 % 4.5 % 3.5 % -1.3% -6.1% 9.3 % 1.7 % Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Losses by Age, Net of Reinsurance 94 The following is a reconciliation of the net incurred and paid loss development tables to the liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses in the consolidated balance sheet: Reconciliation of the Disclosure of Incurred and Paid Loss Development to the Liability for Unpaid Losses and Settlement Expenses (in thousands) Net outstanding liabilities: December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Casualty - Primary Occurrence Casualty - Excess Occurrence Casualty - Claims Made Casualty - Transportation Property Surety Unallocated loss adjustment expenses Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses Other $ Liabilities for unpaid loss and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims: Casualty - Primary Occurrence Casualty - Excess Occurrence Casualty - Claims Made Casualty - Transportation Property Surety Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses Other $ Total reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses $ 372,450 $ 209,683 204,501 133,558 77,238 28,237 50,891   9,793   9,998   1,096,349 $ 34,742 $ 81,072 144,921 50,748 50,495 11,834 (9,793) 980 364,999 $ 325,182 188,963 171,241 119,704 68,867 23,375 48,844 10,014 13,322 969,512 36,158 74,400 117,436 46,590 28,613 7,079 (10,014) 1,729 301,991 Total gross liability for unpaid loss and settlement expenses $ 1,461,348 $ 1,271,503 DETERMINATION OF IBNR Initial carried IBNR reserves are determined through a reserve estimation process. For most casualty and surety products, this process involves the use of an initial loss and allocated loss adjustment expense (ALAE) ratio that is applied to the earned premium for a given period. Payments and case reserves are subtracted from this initial estimate of ultimate loss and ALAE to determine a carried IBNR reserve. For most property products, the IBNR reserves are determined by IBNR percentages applied to premium earned. The percentages are determined based on historical reporting patterns and are updated periodically. No deductions for paid or case reserves are made. Shortly after natural or man-made catastrophes, we review insured locations exposed to the event and model losses based on our own exposures and industry loss estimates of the event. We also consider our knowledge of frequency and severity from early claim reports to determine an appropriate reserve for the catastrophe. Adjustments to the initial loss ratio by product and segment are made where necessary and reflect updated assumptions regarding loss experience, loss trends, price changes and prevailing risk factors. Actuaries perform a ground-up reserve study of the expected value of the unpaid loss and LAE derived using multiple standard actuarial methodologies on a quarterly basis. Each method produces an estimate of ultimate loss by accident year. We review all of these various estimates and assign weights to each based on the characteristics of the product being reviewed. These estimates are then compared to the carried loss reserves to determine the appropriateness of the current reserve balance. In addition, an emergence analysis is completed quarterly to determine if further adjustments are necessary. Upon completion of our loss and LAE estimation analysis, a review of the resulting variance between the indicated reserves and the carried reserves takes place. Our actuaries make a recommendation to management in regards to booked reserves that reflect their analytical assessment and view of estimation risk. After discussion of these analyses and all relevant risk factors, the Loss Reserve Committee, a panel of management including the lead reserving actuary, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and other executives, confirms the appropriateness of the reserve balances. 95                   DEVELOPMENT OF IBNR RESERVES The following table summarizes our prior accident years’ loss reserve development by segment for 2018, 2017 and 2016: (FAVORABLE)/UNFAVORABLE RESERVE DEVELOPMENT BY SEGMENT (in thousands) Casualty Property Surety Total 2016 2018 2017 $ (33,252) $ (17,462) $ (32,401) (4,793) (12,134) (4,800) (9,272) $ (49,950) $ (38,868) $ (41,994) (10,813) (5,885) A discussion of significant components of reserve development for the three most recent calendar years follows: 2018. We experienced favorable emergence relative to prior years’ reserve estimates in all of our segments during 2018. Development from the casualty segment totaled $33.3 million, inclusive of unallocated loss and adjustment expenses (ULAE). The largest amounts of favorable development came from accident years 2015 through 2017. We continued to experience emergence that was generally better than previously estimated. We attribute the favorable emergence to loss trends in most lines outperforming our long-term expectations. Further, we believe our underwriters’ risk selection contributed to the Company experiencing less loss cost inflation than originally anticipated. The primary occurrence grouping had favorable development of $15.6 million, driven by our general liability product with $6.7 million of favorable development. The excess occurrence grouping had favorable development of $21.4 million, with commercial insureds contributing $10.8 million and personal insureds contributing the remainder. Claims made exposures had adverse development of $3.9 million driven by medical errors and omissions coverages. Transportation had $0.5 million of favorable development. Our marine product was the predominant driver of the favorable development in the property segment, accounting for $5.0 million of the $10.8 million total favorable development for the segment, inclusive of ULAE. Accident years 2015 through 2017 made the largest contribution. Our excess and surplus lines commercial property product and assumed reinsurance products also contributed $2.0 million and $2.8 million of favorable development, respectively. The surety segment experienced $5.9 million of favorable development, inclusive of ULAE. The majority of the favorable development came from the 2017 accident year, which served to offset the unfavorable development from accident years 2011 and 2016. Commercial and energy surety contributed favorable development of $4.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Miscellaneous surety experienced adverse development totaling $0.8 million. 2017. We experienced favorable emergence relative to prior years’ reserve estimates in all of our segments during 2017. The casualty segment contributed $17.5 million in favorable development, inclusive of ULAE. Accident years 2014, 2015 and 2016 contributed significantly to the favorable development. This was predominantly caused by favorable frequency and severity trends that continued to be better than our long-term expectations. In addition, we believe this to be the result of our underwriters’ risk selection, which has mostly offset price declines and loss cost inflation. Nearly all of our casualty products contributed to the favorable development. Within the primary occurrence grouping, the general liability product contributed $4.6 million to our favorable development with all coverages contributing to the favorable development in 2017. Small commercial products were the second largest contributor with $3.2 million in favorable development. Within the excess occurrence grouping, personal umbrella and commercial excess were favorable by $1.1 million and $9.9 million, respectively. Within the claims made grouping, our executive products had favorable contributions of $4.4 million, while medical professional liability was adverse $3.7 million. Transportation was adverse $7.4 million for the year, but posted favorable experience during the last three quarters of the year. The marine product was the primary driver of the favorable development in the property segment. Marine contributed $6.8 million of the $12.1 million total favorable property development, inclusive of ULAE. Accident years 2015 and 2016 contributed to the marine products’ favorable development. Commercial property was favorable $3.2 million. The surety segment experienced favorable development of $9.3 million, inclusive of ULAE. The majority of the favorable development was from accident year 2016. Contract and commercial surety products were the main contributors with favorable development of $4.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively. Energy surety had favorable development of $1.5 million and miscellaneous surety had unfavorable development of $0.1 million. 96   2016. We experienced favorable emergence relative to prior years’ reserve estimates in all of our segments during 2016. The casualty segment contributed $32.4 million in favorable development, inclusive of ULAE, which is excluded from the incurred loss and loss adjustment expense tables above. Accident year 2015 contributed significantly to the favorable development, with accident years 2010 to 2014 also continuing to develop favorably. The favorable development in 2016 was smaller than 2015 but continued to reflect favorable frequency and severity trends. In addition, the risk selection by our underwriters continued to provide better results than estimated in our reserving process. Within the primary occurrence grouping, the general liability product contributed $17.6 million to our favorable development. Small commercial products were favorable by $6.2 million. Within the excess occurrence grouping, commercial excess was favorable by $13.8 million which was offset by adverse development in our personal umbrella product of $4.9 million. Within the claims made grouping, executive products contributed $14.7 million in favorable development and miscellaneous professional liability had $0.8 million of favorable development. Transportation experienced unfavorable development of $15.4 million as adverse commercial loss trends resulted in an increase in case reserves for accident years 2013 through 2015. Marine contributed $2.1 million of the $4.8 million total favorable property development, inclusive of ULAE. Accident years 2013 through 2015 contributed to the marine products’ favorable development. Assumed property contributed $2.5 million of favorable development offsetting the unfavorable development of $0.2 million in other direct property products. The surety segment experienced favorable development of $4.8 million, inclusive of ULAE. The majority of the favorable development was from accident year 2015, which offset the unfavorable development from accident years 2008 through 2011 and 2014. Commercial and energy surety products were the main contributors with favorable development of $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively. Miscellaneous surety had favorable development of $1.1 million and contract surety had favorable development of $0.1 million. ENVIRONMENTAL, ASBESTOS AND MASS TORT EXPOSURES We are subject to environmental site cleanup, asbestos removal and mass tort claims and exposures through our commercial excess, general liability and discontinued assumed casualty reinsurance lines of business. The majority of the exposure is in the excess layers of our commercial excess and assumed reinsurance books of business. The following table represents paid and unpaid environmental, asbestos and mass tort claims data (including incurred but not reported losses) as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016: (in thousands) Loss and LAE Payments (Cumulative): Gross Ceded Net Unpaid Losses and LAE at End of Year: Gross Ceded Net 2018 2017 2016 $ 136,043 $ 132,883 $ 130,358 (66,644) (67,507) $ 67,405 $ 65,376 $ 63,714 (68,638) $ 24,262 $ 28,042 $ 28,815 (4,987) $ 18,889 $ 22,327 $ 23,828 (5,373) (5,715) Our environmental, asbestos and mass tort exposure is limited, relative to other insurers, as a result of entering the affected liability lines after the insurance industry had already recognized environmental and asbestos exposure as a problem and adopted appropriate coverage exclusions. The majority of our reserves are associated with products that went into runoff at least two decades ago. Some are for assumed reinsurance, some are for excess liability business and some followed from the acquisition of Underwriters Indemnity Company in 1999. During 2018, inception to date incurred environmental, asbestos and mass tort losses decreased slightly. While our environmental exposure is limited, the ultimate liability for this exposure is difficult to assess because of the extensive and complicated litigation involved in the settlement of claims and evolving legislation on issues such as joint and several liability, retroactive liability and standards of cleanup. Additionally, we participate primarily in the excess layers of coverage, where accurate estimates of ultimate loss are more difficult to derive than for primary coverage. 97 7. INCOME TAXES The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are summarized as follows: (in thousands) Deferred tax assets: Tax discounting of unpaid losses and settlement expenses Unearned premium offset Deferred compensation Stock option expense Other Deferred tax assets before allowance Less valuation allowance Total deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: 2018 2017 17,864 2,700 2,702 616 $ 18,327 $ 20,020 16,528 1,435 2,283 578 $ 42,209 $ 40,844 — $ 42,209 $ 40,844 — Net unrealized appreciation of securities Deferred policy acquisition costs Discounting of unpaid losses and settlement expenses - TCJA implementation offset Book/tax depreciation Intangible assets Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated investees Other Total deferred tax liabilities Net deferred tax liability $ 22,177 $ 51,448 16,320 17,836 5,203 3,133 1,711 15,811 576 9,466 3,159 584 13,431 204 $ 66,447 $ 94,612 $ (24,238) $ (53,768) Income tax expense (benefit) attributable to income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal tax rate of 21 percent, 35 percent and 35 percent, respectively, to pretax income from continuing operations as demonstrated in the following table: (in thousands) Provision for income taxes at the statutory federal tax rates Increase (reduction) in taxes resulting from: 2018 2017 2016 $ 14,192 21.0 % $ 29,606 35.0 % $ 54,979 35.0 % Enactment of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation Dividends received deduction ESOP dividends paid deduction Tax-exempt interest income Unconsolidated investee dividends Other items, net — — (2,268) (3.4)% (4,533) (6.7)% (775) (1.1)% (1,184) (1.8)% (1,795) (2.7)% — % (235) (0.3)% — % (32,821) (38.8)% — % (6.9)% (5,798) (2,216) (1.4) % (2.4)% (2,025) (3,302) (2.1) % (3.4)% (2,905) (4,263) (2.7) % (5.5)% (4,671) (2,772) (1.8) % (1.6)% (1,351) (264) (0.2) % (0.6)% (474) 5.0 % $ (20,439) (24.2)% $ 42,162   26.8 % — Total $ 3,402   Our effective tax rates were 5.0 percent, -24.2 percent and 26.8 percent for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Effective rates are dependent upon components of pretax earnings and the related tax effects. While the effective rate was low in 2018, it was significantly lower in 2017 as a result of the impact of tax reform. Major factors contributing to the low rate in 2018 are the inclusion of unrealized losses from equity securities in pretax earnings in 2018, a reduced federal tax rate and adjustments to provisional deferred tax amounts recorded in 2017. Among other provisions, the TCJA lowered the federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018. Our deferred tax items were revalued as of year-end 2017 to reflect the lower rate, which reduced our net deferred tax liability and income tax expense by $32.8 million and decreased the effective tax rate by 38.8 percent. Except for two aspects, the accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the TCJA were completed as of December 31, 2017. The first provisional item recorded in 2017 was related to an expected disallowance of deductions for certain performance based compensation, including bonuses and stock options. At the time of enactment, there was a lack of clarity on 98 whether some amounts could be grandfathered in as deductible. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department provided additional guidance and we were able to finalize the accounting in 2018 by recording a $2.3 million deferred tax benefit to restore the deferred tax assets related to those performance based compensation amounts. The second provisional item related to discount factors on loss reserves that the IRS had not yet published. The IRS published the factors in the fourth quarter of 2018 and we were able to complete the accounting for the effects of the enactment of the TCJA. While there was no net impact to the deferred tax amount that was recorded at December 31, 2017, we implemented the new discounting methodology and will recognize the adjustment ratably over the allowed eight-year period beginning in 2018. New accounting guidance required the excess tax benefit on share-based compensation to flow through income tax expense beginning in 2017. Prior to the adoption, excess tax benefits on share-based compensation were recorded directly to shareholders’ equity and had no impact on the effective tax rate. Due to the new accounting method, we recognized a $4.5 million and $5.8 million tax benefit in 2018 and 2017, respectively, which decreased the effective tax rate by 6.7 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively. Our net earnings include equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees, Maui Jim and Prime. The investees do not have a policy or pattern of paying dividends. As a result, we record a deferred tax liability on the earnings at the recently revised corporate capital gains rate of 21 percent in anticipation of recovering our investments through means other than through the receipt of dividends, such as a sale. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Maui Jim gave notification that a $9.9 million dividend would be paid in January 2018. Even though no dividend was received in 2017, we were aware that the lower tax rate applicable to affiliated dividends (7.4 percent in 2018) would be applied when the dividend was paid in 2018 and we therefore recorded a $1.4 million tax benefit in 2017. We received a $9.9 million dividend from Maui Jim in the fourth quarter of 2016 and recognized a $2.8 million tax benefit from applying the lower tax rate applicable to affiliated dividends (7.0 percent in 2016), as compared to the corporate capital gains rate on which the deferred tax liabilities were based. Standing alone, the dividends resulted in a 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent reduction to the 2017 and 2016 effective tax rates, respectively. As no additional dividends were declared from unconsolidated investees in 2018, there was no impact to the 2018 effective tax rate. Dividends paid to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) also result in a tax deduction. Dividends paid to the ESOP in 2018, 2017 and 2016 resulted in tax benefits of $1.2 million, $2.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. These tax benefits reduced the effective tax rate for 2018, 2017 and 2016 by 1.8 percent, 3.4 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. We have recorded our deferred tax assets and liabilities using the statutory federal tax rate of 21 percent. We believe it is more likely than not that all deferred tax assets will be recovered, given the carry back availability as well as the results of future operations, which will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset. In addition, we believe when these deferred items reverse in future years, our taxable income will be taxed at an effective rate of 21 percent. Federal and state income taxes paid in 2018, 2017 and 2016, amounted to $16.4 million, $10.4 million and $26.9 million, respectively. Although we are not currently under audit by the IRS, tax years 2015 through 2018 remain open and are subject to examination. 8. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP, 401(K) AND INCENTIVE PLANS We maintain ESOP, 401(k) and incentive plans covering executives, managers and associates. Funding of these plans is primarily dependent upon reaching predetermined levels of operating return on equity, combined ratio and Market Value Potential (MVP). MVP is a compensation model that measures components of comprehensive earnings against a minimum required return on our capital. Bonuses are earned as we generate earnings in excess of this required return. While some management incentive plans may be affected somewhat by other performance factors, the larger influence of corporate performance ensures that the interests of our executives, managers and associates align with those of our shareholders. Our 401(k) plan allows voluntary contributions by employees and permits ESOP diversification transfers for employees meeting certain age and service requirements. We provide a basic 401(k) contribution of 3 percent of eligible compensation. Participants are 100 percent vested in both voluntary and basic contributions. Additionally, an annual discretionary profit- sharing contribution may be made to the ESOP and 401(k), subject to the achievement of certain overall financial goals and board approval. Profit-sharing contributions vest after three years of plan service. 99 Our ESOP and 401(k) cover all employees meeting eligibility requirements. ESOP and 401(k) profit-sharing contributions are approved annually by our board of directors and are expensed in the year earned. ESOP and 401(k)-related expenses (basic and profit- sharing) were $8.8 million, $12.5 million and $11.7 million, for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During 2018, the ESOP purchased 98,717 shares of RLI Corp. stock on the open market at an average price of $62.80 ($6.2 million) relating to the contribution for plan year 2017. Shares held by the ESOP as of December 31, 2018, totaled 2,985,390 and are treated as outstanding in computing our earnings per share. During 2017, the ESOP purchased 124,186 shares of RLI Corp. stock on the open market at an average price of $58.02 ($7.2 million) relating to the contribution for plan year 2016. During 2016, the ESOP purchased 112,608 shares of RLI Corp. stock on the open market at an average price of $64.20 ($7.2 million) relating to the contribution for plan year 2015. The above-mentioned ESOP purchases relate only to our annual contributions to the plan and do not include amounts or shares resulting from the reinvestment of dividends. Annual awards are provided to executives, managers and associates through our incentive plans, provided certain financial and operational goals are met. Annual expenses for these incentive plans totaled $11.9 million, $19.7 million and $19.2 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. DEFERRED COMPENSATION We maintain rabbi trusts for deferred compensation plans for directors, key employees and executive officers through which our shares are purchased. The employer stock in the plan is classified and accounted for as equity, in a manner consistent with the accounting for treasury stock. In 2018, the trusts purchased 7,049 shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $68.36 ($0.5 million). In 2017, the trusts purchased 7,464 shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $58.66 ($0.4 million). In 2016, the trusts purchased 6,702 shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $61.61 ($0.4 million). At December 31, 2018, the trusts’ assets were valued at $36.2 million. STOCK PLANS Our RLI Corp. Long-Term Incentive Plan (2010 LTIP) was in place from 2010 to 2015. The 2010 LTIP provided for equity-based compensation, including stock options, up to a maximum of 4,000,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment for changes in our capitalization and other events). Between 2010 and 2015, we granted 2,878,000 stock options under the 2010 LTIP. The 2010 LTIP was replaced in 2015. In 2015, our shareholders approved the 2015 RLI Corp. Long-Term Incentive Plan (2015 LTIP), which provides for equity- based compensation and replaced the 2010 LTIP. In conjunction with the adoption of the 2015 LTIP, effective May 7, 2015, options were no longer granted under the 2010 LTIP. Awards under the 2015 LTIP may be in the form of restricted stock, stock options (non-qualified only), stock appreciation rights, performance units as well as other stock-based awards. Eligibility under the 2015 LTIP is limited to employees and directors of the company or any affiliate. The granting of awards under the 2015 LTIP is solely at the discretion of the board of directors. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2015 LTIP is 4,000,000 shares (subject to adjustment for changes in our capitalization and other events). Since the plan’s approval in 2015, we have granted 1,903,630 awards under the 2015 LTIP, including 455,055 in 2018. Stock Options Under the 2015 LTIP, as under the 2010 LTIP, we grant stock options for shares with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant (subject to adjustments for changes in our capitalization, including special dividends and other events as set forth in such plans). Options generally vest and become exercisable ratably over a five-year period and expire eight years after grant. For most participants, the requisite service period and vesting period will be the same. For participants who are retirement eligible, defined by the plan as those individuals whose age and years of service equals 75, the requisite service period is deemed to be met and options are immediately expensed on the date of grant. For participants who will become retirement eligible during the vesting period, the requisite service period over which expense is recognized is the period between the grant date and the attainment of retirement eligibility. Shares issued upon option exercise are newly issued shares. Shares issued may be less than the number of shares actually exercised, as our plan allows net settlement to cover the option exercise price and taxes due upon option exercise. When options are exercised via net settlement, amounts withheld for 100 taxes result in a decrease to shareholders’ equity and the degree of the impact is dependent on the level of intrinsic value (i.e. market value in excess of exercise price). During 2016, the number of option exercises facilitated via net settlement and the level of intrinsic value on those exercises resulted in a decrease to paid-in-capital, as the reduction from tax withholdings exceeded the impact of other share-based compensation activity. This was not the case in 2018 and 2017, and the impacts of share-based compensation increased paid-in-capital. Refer to our consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity to see the impact share-based compensation had on shareholders’ equity. Prior to the adoption of FASB ASU 2016-09 in 2017, shareholders’ equity was also impacted by corporate tax deductions allowed as a result of option exercises. This tax benefit offset our current tax liability and was recorded as an increase to paid-in-capital. Beginning in 2017, all tax effects related to share-based payments were required to be recorded in net earnings and directly impact our effective tax rate. See note 7 for the impact in 2018 and 2017. For 2016, refer to our consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the impact to paid-in capital from this tax benefit. The following tables summarize option activity in 2018, 2017 and 2016: Outstanding options at January 1, 2018 Options granted Options exercised Options canceled/forfeited Outstanding options at December 31, 2018 Exercisable options at December 31, 2018 Outstanding options at January 1, 2017 Options granted Options exercised Options canceled/forfeited Outstanding options at December 31, 2017 Exercisable options at December 31, 2017 Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Outstanding Price Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in 000’s) 2,257,015 $ 46.80 432,000 $ 64.91 (705,785) $ 36.81 (18,350) $ 60.84 1,964,880 $ 54.24 724,730 $ 46.62 $ 24,304 5.25 $ 29,317 3.79 $ 16,212 Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Outstanding Price Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in 000’s) 2,207,110 $ 40.90 482,375 $ 57.12 (390,870) $ 26.07 (41,600) $ 48.30 2,257,015 $ 46.80 975,055 $ 38.66 $ 12,779 4.88 $ 32,620 3.25 $ 21,780 Number of Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Price Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in 000’s) Outstanding options at January 1, 2016 Options granted Options exercised Options canceled/forfeited Outstanding options at December 31, 2016 Exercisable options at December 31, 2016 2,582,220 $ 32.42 440,750 $ 63.54 (756,380) $ 24.87 (59,480) $ 44.39 2,207,110 $ 40.90 862,605 $ 31.23 $ 31,328 4.93 $ 49,531 3.27 $ 27,523 The majority of our stock options are granted annually at our regular board meeting in May. In addition, options are approved at the May meeting for quarterly grants to certain retirement eligible employees. Since stock option grants to retirement eligible employees are fully expensed when granted, the approach allows for a more even expense distribution throughout the year. In 2018, 432,000 options were granted with an average exercise price of $64.91 and an average fair value of $10.58. Of these grants, 330,750 were granted at the board meeting in May with a calculated fair value of $10.31. We recognized $4.5 million of expense during 2018 related to options vesting. Since options granted under our plan are non-qualified, we recorded a deferred tax 101 benefit of $0.9 million related to this compensation expense. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to outstanding and unvested options was $5.6 million, which will be recognized over the remainder of the vesting period. In 2017, 482,375 options were granted with an average exercise price of $57.12 and an average fair value of $8.00. Of these grants, 384,750 were granted at the board meeting in May with a calculated fair value of $7.91. We recognized $4.4 million of expense during 2017 related to options vesting. Since options granted under our plan are non-qualified, we recorded a deferred tax benefit of $1.5 million related to this compensation expense. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to outstanding and unvested options was $5.7 million, which will be recognized over the remainder of the vesting period. In 2016, 440,750 options were granted with an average exercise price of $63.54 and an average fair value of $11.38. Of these grants, 345,750 were granted at the board meeting in May with a calculated fair value of $11.42. We recognized $4.1 million of expense during 2016 related to options vesting. Since options granted under our plan are non-qualified, we recorded a deferred tax benefit of $1.4 million related to this compensation expense. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to outstanding and unvested options was $6.2 million, which will be recognized over the remainder of the vesting period. The fair value of options were estimated using a Black-Scholes based option pricing model with the following weighted- average grant-date assumptions and weighted-average fair values as of December 31: Weighted-average fair value of grants Risk-free interest rates Dividend yield Expected volatility Expected option life 2018 $ 10.58 2017 $ 8.00 2016 $ 11.38 2.72 % 2.98 % 22.87 % 1.90 % 3.60 % 22.95 % 1.21 % 1.61 % 23.06 % 5.07 years 5.05 years 5.04 years The risk-free rate was determined based on U.S. treasury yields that most closely approximated the option’s expected life. The dividend yield for 2018 and 2017 was determined based on the average annualized quarterly dividends paid during the most recent five-year period and incorporated a consideration for special dividends paid in recent history. The dividend yield in 2016 was calculated based on the average annualized dividends paid during the most recent five-year period, exclusive of consideration for special dividends. The expected volatility was calculated based on the median of the rolling volatilities for the expected life of the options. The expected option life was determined based on historical exercise behavior and the assumption that all outstanding options will be exercised at the midpoint of the current date and remaining contractual term, adjusted for the demographics of the current year’s grant. Restricted Stock Units In addition to stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) are granted with a value equal to the closing stock price of the Company’s stock on the dates the shares are granted. Generally, these units have a three-year cliff vesting. When participants terminate employment with the Company after having met the definition of retirement under the 2015 LTIP, defined as those individuals whose age and years of service equals 75, the RSUs will become fully vested. In addition, RSUs have dividend participation which accrue as additional units and are settled with granted stock units at the end of the vesting period. As of December 31, 2018, 30,075 RSUs have been granted to employees under the 2015 LTIP, including 14,625 during 2018. Due to dividend participation on RSUs, which accrue as additional units, 30,567 employee RSUs were outstanding as of December 31, 2018. We recognized $0.6 million and $0.4 million of expense on these units during 2018 and 2017, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to outstanding and unvested employee RSUs was $0.7 million, which will be recognized over the remainder of the vesting period. In 2018, each outside director received RSUs with a fair market value of $50,000 on the date of grant as part of annual director compensation. Director RSUs vest one year from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2018, 8,430 restricted stock units were granted to directors under the 2015 LTIP. Due to dividend participation on RSUs, which accrue as additional units, 8,629 director RSUs were outstanding as of December 31, 2018. We recognized $0.3 million of compensation expense on these units during 2018. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to outstanding and unvested director RSUs was $0.2 million, which will be recognized over the remainder of the vesting period. 102 9. STATUTORY INFORMATION AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS The statutory financial statements of our three insurance companies are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI), which has adopted the NAIC statutory accounting principles as the basis of its statutory accounting principles. We do not use any permitted statutory accounting principles that differ from NAIC prescribed statutory accounting principles. In converting from statutory to GAAP, typical adjustments include deferral of policy acquisition costs, the inclusion of statutory non-admitted assets and the inclusion of net unrealized holding gains or losses in shareholders’ equity relating to fixed income securities. The NAIC has risk based capital (RBC) requirements for insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based formula, which measures statutory capital and surplus needs based upon a regulatory definition of risk relative to the company’s balance sheet and mix of products. As of December 31, 2018, each of our insurance subsidiaries had an RBC amount in excess of the authorized control level RBC, as defined by the NAIC. RLI Insurance Company (RLI Ins.), our principal insurance company subsidiary, had an authorized control level RBC of $170.9 million, $157.7 million and $127.0 million as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared to actual statutory capital and surplus of $829.8 million, $864.6 million and $860.0 million, respectively, for these same periods. Year-end statutory surplus for 2018 presented in the table below includes $132.8 million of RLI Corp. stock (cost basis of $64.6 million) held by Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, compared to $106.9 million and $104.4 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Securities Valuation Office provides specific guidance for valuing this investment, which is eliminated in our GAAP consolidated financial statements. The following table includes selected information for our insurance subsidiaries for the year ending and as of December 31: (in thousands) Consolidated net income, statutory basis Consolidated surplus, statutory basis 2018 2017 $ 135,791 $ 72,889 $ 128,165 $ 829,775 $ 864,554 $ 859,976 2016 As discussed in note 1.A., our three insurance companies are subsidiaries of RLI Corp, with RLI Ins. as the first-level, or principal, insurance subsidiary. At the holding company (RLI Corp.) level, we rely largely on dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries to meet our obligations for paying principal and interest on outstanding debt, corporate expenses and dividends to RLI Corp. shareholders. As discussed further below, dividend payments to RLI Corp. from our principal insurance subsidiary are restricted by state insurance laws as to the amount that may be paid without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities of Illinois. As a result, we may not be able to receive dividends from such subsidiary at times and in amounts necessary to pay desired dividends to RLI Corp. shareholders. On a GAAP basis, as of December 31, 2018, our holding company had $806.8 million in equity. This includes amounts related to the equity of our insurance subsidiaries, which is subject to regulatory restrictions under state insurance laws. The unrestricted portion of holding company net assets is comprised primarily of investments and cash, including $63.1 million in liquid assets, which more than covers our annual holding company expenditures. Unrestricted funds at the holding company are available to fund debt interest, general corporate obligations and regular dividend payments to our shareholders. If necessary, the holding company also has other potential sources of liquidity that could provide for additional funding to meet corporate obligations or pay shareholder dividends, which include a revolving line of credit, as well as access to capital markets. Ordinary dividends, which may be paid by our principal insurance subsidiary without prior regulatory approval, are subject to certain limitations based upon statutory income, surplus and earned surplus. The maximum ordinary dividend distribution from our principal insurance subsidiary in a rolling 12-month period is limited by Illinois law to the greater of 10 percent of RLI Ins. policyholder surplus, as of December 31 of the preceding year, or the net income of RLI Ins. for the 12- month period ending December 31 of the preceding year. Ordinary dividends are further restricted by the requirement that they be paid from earned surplus. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, our principal insurance subsidiary paid ordinary dividends totaling $13.0 million, $107.0 million and $123.6 million, respectively, to RLI Corp. Any dividend distribution in excess of the ordinary dividend limits is deemed extraordinary and requires prior approval from the IDOI. In 2018, our principal insurance subsidiary sought and received regulatory approval prior to the payment of extraordinary dividends totaling $110.0 million. No extraordinary dividends were paid in 2017 or 2016. Given the amount of dividends paid during the prior rolling 12-month period, the net assets of our principal insurance subsidiary are restricted until the fourth quarter of 2019 and cannot be distributed to RLI Corp. without prior approval of the IDOI. In addition to restrictions from our principal subsidiary’s insurance regulator, we also consider internal models and how capital adequacy is defined by our rating agencies in determining amounts available for distribution. However, as discussed above, RLI Corp. had the necessary amount of 103 unrestricted liquid net assets on hand at December 31, 2018 to cover normal annual holding company expenditures as they are incurred and become payable in 2019. 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Other Litigation We are party to numerous claims, losses and litigation matters that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such claims, losses or litigation matters involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer. We believe that the resolution of these claims and losses will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We are also involved in various other legal proceedings and litigation unrelated to our insurance business that arise in the ordinary course of business operations. Management believes that any liabilities that may arise as a result of these legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Carriage Hill Associates Coverage Dispute As reported in the Company’s Form 10-Q filed for the second and third quarters of 2018, Carriage Hill Associates of Charleston, LLC and certain other plaintiffs (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas (the “Court”) for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Berkeley County, South Carolina in December 2010 against Mt. Hawley Insurance Company (“Mt. Hawley”), a subsidiary of our principal subsidiary, RLI Insurance Company, relating to a coverage dispute. The complaint sought, among other things, compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. On May 25, 2018, the Court issued an Order finding in favor of Plaintiffs (the “Order”). The Court held that Mt. Hawley was responsible for compensatory damages relating to the alleged breach of duty to defend, breach of duty to indemnify and breach of duty of good faith totaling $21.7 million. The Court further held that Plaintiffs were entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs and that punitive damages were appropriate, with a hearing to be conducted at a later date to determine the amount of attorney fees and costs, and punitive damages. Mt. Hawley vigorously contested all the claims against it in this matter and filed certain post-trial motions seeking to, among other things, vacate and withdraw the Order. As the result of Court-recommended mediation between the parties, all of the claims in this matter among all parties were settled on a confidential basis for an amount that did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. On November 15, 2018, the Court vacated and withdrew the Order and the entire matter was dismissed with prejudice on November 28, 2018. Commitments We have operating lease obligations for regional office facilities. These leases expire in various years through 2035. Expenses associated with these leases totaled $6.9 million in 2018, $6.8 million in 2017 and $6.4 million in 2016. Minimum future rental payments under non-cancellable leases are as follows: (in thousands) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024-2035 Total minimum future rental payments $ $ 5,911 6,019 5,924 5,884 4,459 3,968 32,165 As of December 31, 2018, we also had $18.8 million of unfunded commitments related to our investments in private funds and $7.4 million of unfunded commitments related to our low income housing tax credit investments. See note 2 for more information on these investments. 11. OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION The segments of our insurance operations include casualty, property and surety. The casualty portion of our business consists largely of commercial excess, personal umbrella, general liability, transportation and executive products coverages, as 104 well as package business and other specialty coverages, such as professional liability and workers’ compensation for office- based professionals. We offer fidelity and crime coverage for commercial insureds and select financial institutions and medical and healthcare professional liability coverage in the excess and surplus market. We also assume a limited amount of hard-to- place risks through a quota share reinsurance agreement. The casualty business is subject to the risk of estimating losses and related loss reserves because the ultimate settlement of a casualty claim may take several years to fully develop. The casualty segment is also subject to inflation risk and may be affected by evolving legislation and court decisions that define the extent of coverage and the amount of compensation due for injuries or losses. Our property segment is comprised primarily of commercial fire, earthquake, difference in conditions and marine coverages. We also offer select personal lines policies, including homeowners’ coverages. Our property reinsurance and recreational vehicle products are in runoff after we began curtailing offerings at the end of 2015 and 2016, respectively. Property insurance results are subject to the variability introduced by perils such as earthquakes, fires and hurricanes. Our major catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by earthquakes, primarily on the West Coast. Our second largest catastrophe exposure is to losses caused by wind storms to commercial properties throughout the Gulf and East Coast, as well as to homes we insure in Hawaii. We limit our net aggregate exposure to a catastrophic event by minimizing the total policy limits written in a particular region, purchasing reinsurance and maintaining policy terms and conditions throughout market cycles. We also use computer-assisted modeling techniques to provide estimates that help the Company carefully manage the concentration of risks exposed to catastrophic events. The surety segment specializes in writing small to large-sized commercial and contract surety coverages, as well as those for the energy, petrochemical and refining industries. We also offer miscellaneous bonds including license and permit, notary and court bonds. Often, our surety coverages involve a statutory requirement for bonds. While these bonds typically maintain a relatively low loss ratio, losses may fluctuate due to adverse economic conditions affecting the financial viability of our insureds. The contract surety product guarantees the construction work of a commercial contractor for a specific project. Generally, losses occur due to the deterioration of a contractor’s financial condition. This line has historically produced marginally higher loss ratios than other surety lines during economic downturns. Net investment income consists of the interest and dividend income streams from our investments in fixed income and equity securities. Interest and general corporate expenses include the cost of debt, other director and shareholder relations costs and other compensation-related expenses incurred for the benefit of the corporation, but not attributable to the operations of our insurance segments. Investee earnings represent our share in Maui Jim and Prime earnings. We own 40 percent of Maui Jim, a privately-held company which operates in the sunglass and optical goods industries, and 23 percent of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc., a privately-held insurance company which specializes in hard-to-place risks in the excess and surplus market and has recently expanded into certain coverages in the admitted market. Our investment in Maui Jim, which is carried at the holding company, is unrelated to our core insurance operations. The following table summarizes our segment data based on the internal structure and reporting of information as it is used by management. The net earnings of each segment are before taxes and include revenues (if applicable), direct product or segment costs (such as commissions and claims costs), as well as allocated support costs from various support departments. While depreciation and amortization charges have been included in these measures via our expense allocation system, the related assets are not allocated for management use and, therefore, are not included in this schedule. REVENUES (in thousands) Casualty Property Surety Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains Net unrealized losses on equity securities Total 2016 2018 149,261 118,633 138,346 120,988 2017 $ 523,472 $ 478,603 $ 454,843 152,167 121,598 $ 791,366 $ 737,937 $ 728,608 53,075 34,645 — $ 818,123 $ 797,224 $ 816,328 62,085 63,407 (98,735) 54,876 4,411 — 105                   INSURANCE EXPENSES (in thousands) Loss and settlement expenses: Casualty Property Surety Total net loss and settlement expenses Policy acquisition costs: Casualty Property Surety Total policy acquisition costs Other insurance expenses: Casualty Property Surety Total other insurance expenses Total NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) (in thousands) Casualty Property Surety Net underwriting income Net investment income Net realized gains Net unrealized losses on equity securities General corporate expense and interest on debt Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees Total earnings before incomes taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Total 2018 2017 2016 $ 329,763 $ 305,679 $ 259,907 71,350 18,521 $ 428,193 $ 401,584 $ 349,778 83,822 14,608 85,027 10,878 $ 151,007 $ 136,135 $ 128,566 54,167 66,879 $ 267,738 $ 252,515 $ 249,612 51,830 64,901 51,070 65,310 12,725 9,516 $ 31,562 $ 32,885 $ 30,040 13,819 9,234 $ 53,803 $ 56,994 $ 53,093 $ 749,734 $ 711,093 $ 652,483 14,108 10,001 2016 884 29,608 (11,859) 34,799 2018 $ 11,140 $ 2017 3,904 $ 36,329 12,832 26,964 $ 41,632 $ 26,844 $ 76,125 53,075 34,645 — (17,596) 10,833 $ 67,581 $ 84,589 $ 157,082 $ 3,402 $ (20,439) $ 42,162 $ 64,179 $ 105,028 $ 114,920 54,876 4,411 — (18,766) 17,224 62,085 63,407 (98,735) (16,864) 16,056 106                                     The following table further summarizes revenues by major product type within each segment: NET PREMIUMS EARNED (in thousands) CASUALTY Commercial excess and personal umbrella General liability Commercial transportation Professional services Small commercial Executive products Medical professional liability Other casualty Total PROPERTY Commercial property Marine Specialty personal Other property Total SURETY Miscellaneous Contract Commercial Energy Total Grand total Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2018 $ 124,350 $ 115,543 $ 111,079 86,853 81,402 75,872 45,660 18,755 17,449 17,773 $ 523,472 $ 478,603 $ 454,843 93,928 81,053 79,951 51,519 21,326 16,042 55,303 90,283 78,061 78,508 49,601 18,086 17,072 31,449 $ 71,501 $ 63,117 $ 68,165 48,301 24,981 10,720 $ 149,261 $ 138,346 $ 152,167 59,795 16,901 1,064 50,931 20,793 3,505 28,196 26,751 16,718 $ 46,968 $ 47,237 $ 46,235 28,240 29,105 18,018 $ 118,633 $ 120,988 $ 121,598 $ 791,366 $ 737,937 $ 728,608 28,573 27,625 17,553 12. UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION Select unaudited quarterly information is as follows: (in thousands, except per share data) 2018 Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains (losses) Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities Earnings (losses) before income taxes Net earnings (loss) Basic earnings per share(1) Diluted earnings per share(1) 2017 Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains (losses) Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities Earnings (losses) before income taxes Net earnings (loss) Basic earnings per share(1) Diluted earnings per share(1) First Second Third Fourth Year 14,232 8,404 (26,772) 14,378 12,216 $ 190,027 $ 196,522 $ 200,815 $ 204,002 $ 791,366 62,085 63,407 (98,735) 67,581 64,179 1.45 1.43 16,962 15,507 (64,200) (32,708) (20,660) 14,577 20,849 (12,611) 39,562 33,251 16,314 18,647 4,848 46,349 39,372 (0.46) $ (0.46) $ 0.75 $ 0.74 $ 0.89 $ 0.88 $ 0.28 $ 0.27 $ $ $ 13,005 624 — 26,443 19,828 $ 183,285 $ 184,331 $ 182,025 $ 188,296 $ 737,937 54,876 4,411 — 84,589 105,028 2.39 2.36 14,187 35 — (862) 1,734 0.04 $ 0.04 $ 13,238 (1,359) — 34,036 26,208 14,446 5,111 — 24,972 57,258 0.60 $ 0.59 $ 0.45 $ 0.45 $ 1.30 $ 1.29 $ $ $ (1) Since the weighted-average shares for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average shares for the year, quarterly earnings per share may not total to annual earnings per share. 107 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of RLI Corp.: Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of RLI Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules I to VI (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 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, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Change in Accounting Principle As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for equity investments in 2018 due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. 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 Report on Controls and Procedures. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion 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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to 108 permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ KPMG LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1983. Chicago, Illinois February 22, 2019 109 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure There were no changes in accountants or disagreements with accountants on any matters of accounting principles or practices or financial statement disclosure. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018. Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report on page 108 of this report. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. Other Information None Items 10 to 14. PART III Items 10 through 14 (inclusive) of this Part III are not included herein because the Company will file a definitive Proxy Statement with the SEC that will include the information required by such Items, and such information is incorporated herein by reference. The Company’s Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC and delivered to stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 2, 2019, and the information under the following captions is included in such incorporation by reference: “Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” “Board Meetings and Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion & Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” “Executive Management,” “Corporate Governance and Board Matters,” “Audit Committee Report” and “Proposal three: Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a) (l-2) See Item 8 for Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report. PART IV (3) Exhibits. See Exhibit Index on pages 121-122. (b) Exhibits. See Exhibit Index on pages 121-122. (c) Financial Statement Schedules. See Index to Financial Statement Schedules on page 111. 110 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES Data Submitted Herewith: Schedules: Reference (Page) I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related Parties at December 31, 2018. II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant, as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2018. III. Supplementary Insurance Information, as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2018. IV. Reinsurance for the three years ended December 31, 2018. V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the three years ended December 31, 2018. VI. Supplementary Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations for the three years ended December 31, 2018. 112 113-115 116-117 118 119 120 Schedules other than those listed are omitted for the reason that they are not required, are not applicable or that equivalent information has been included in the financial statements, and notes thereto, or elsewhere herein. 111 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE I—SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS—OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES December 31, 2018 Column A (in thousands) Type of Investment Fixed maturities: Bonds: Available-for-sale: U.S. Government U.S. Agency Non-U.S. Government & Agency Agency MBS ABS/CMBS* Corporate Municipal Total available-for-sale Total fixed maturities Equity securities: Common stock: Ind Misc & all other ETFs (Ind/misc) Total equity securities Cash & short-term investments Other invested assets Total investments and cash Column B Column C Cost (1) Fair Value Column D Amount at which shown in the balance sheet $ 199,982 $ 31,716 8,170 402,992 137,224 681,909 314,472 200,229 $ 31,904 7,639 395,253 136,723 668,679 320,088 $ 1,776,465 $ 1,760,515 $ $ 1,776,465 $ 1,760,515 $ 200,229 31,904 7,639 395,253 136,723 668,679 320,088 1,760,515 1,760,515 $ $ 98,879 $ 121,494 220,373 $ 41,690 51,760 177,040 $ 163,443 340,483 $ 41,690 51,542 $ 2,090,288 $ 2,194,230 $ 177,040 163,443 340,483 41,690 51,542 2,194,230 * Non-agency asset-backed & commercial mortgage-backed Note: See notes 1E and 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See also the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. (1) Original cost of equity securities and, as to fixed maturities, original cost reduced by repayments and adjusted for amortization of premiums or accrual of discounts. 112 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (PARENT COMPANY) CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, (in thousands, except share data) ASSETS Cash Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value Accounts receivable, affiliates Investments in subsidiaries Investments in unconsolidated investee Fixed income: 2018 2017 $ 3,214 $ — — 828,806 79,521 204 70 1,057 912,515 77,720 Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $58,812 in 2018 and $23,184 in 2017) Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,494 in 2018 and $1,426 in 2017 Income taxes receivable - current Other assets Total assets 59,878 23,210 1,914 — 547 1,982 1,542 156 $ 973,880 $ 1,018,456 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities: Accounts payable, affiliates Income taxes payable - current Income taxes - deferred Bonds payable, long-term debt Interest payable, long-term debt Other liabilities Total liabilities $ 130 $ 32 15,081 149,115 2,153 527 $ 167,038 $ — — 13,207 148,928 2,153 570 164,858 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock ($0.01 par value in 2018 and $1.00 par value in 2017) (100,000,000 share authorized, 67,434,257 shares issued and 44,504,043 shares outstanding in 2018) (100,000,000 share authorized, 67,078,569 shares issued and 44,148,355 shares outstanding in 2017) Paid-in capital Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax Retained earnings Deferred compensation Treasury stock, at cost (22,930,214 shares in 2018 and 2017) Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 674 $ 67,079 233,077 305,660 157,919 (14,572) 788,522 908,079 8,640 8,354 (401,639) (401,353) $ 806,842 $ 853,598 $ 973,880 $ 1,018,456 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See also the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 113           RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (PARENT COMPANY)—(continued) CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS Years ended December 31, (in thousands) Net investment income Net realized losses Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investee Selling, general and administrative expenses Interest expense on debt Loss before income taxes Income tax benefit Net earnings (loss) before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries Net earnings Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Unrealized gains (losses) on securities: Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net earnings Other comprehensive income - parent only Equity in other comprehensive earnings (loss) of subsidiaries/investees Other comprehensive earnings (loss) Comprehensive earnings 2018 2017 2016 $ 648 $ (142) 12,471 (9,427) (7,437) 647 $ (36) 14,436 (11,340) (7,426) 942 (360) 9,764 (10,170) (7,426) $ (3,887) $ (3,719) $ (7,250) (8,467) (16,601) 1,217 113,703 $ 64,179 $ 105,028 $ 114,920 $ (1,528) $ 12,882 $ 65,707 92,146 (2,359) $ $ 21 $ 6 27 $ 710 $ 112 822 $ 308 (131) 177 (1,341) $ (33,997) $ 35,309 $ (1,164) $ 30,182 $ 140,337 $ 113,756 (34,819) 35,282 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See also the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 114 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (PARENT COMPANY)—(continued) CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Years ended December 31, (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities Earnings before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries Adjustments to reconcile net losses to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Net realized losses Depreciation Other items, net Change in: Affiliate balances receivable/payable Federal income taxes Stock option excess tax benefit Changes in investment in unconsolidated investee: Undistributed earnings Dividends received Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of: Fixed income, available-for-sale Short-term investments, net Sale of: Fixed income, available-for-sale Short-term investments, net Property and equipment Call or maturity of: Fixed income, available-for-sale Cash dividends received-subsidiaries Net cash provided by investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Stock option excess tax benefit Proceeds from stock option exercises Cash dividends paid Net cash used in financing activities Net (decrease) increase in cash Cash at beginning of year Cash at end of year 2018 2017 2016 $ (1,528) $ 12,882 $ 1,217 142 68 (471) 1,187 3,430 — 36 77 595 360 196 560 (930) (6,874) — (535) 9,762 (9,576) (12,471) 9,900 $ 257 $ (14,436) — (8,650) $ (9,764) 9,900 2,120 $ (73,812) $ — (5,773) $ (12,844) — (47) 12,056 70 — 24,771 — 128 4,981 63 — 6,859 75,662 73,363 123,600 87,339 $ 129,578 $ 122,659 3,499 107,000 $ $ — $ — $ 6,076 (90,662) 9,576 (741) 3,502 (133,771) (124,247) $ (84,586) $ (120,745) $ (124,936) (157) $ 178 21 3,010 $ 204 3,214 $ 183 $ 21 204 $ $ Interest paid on outstanding debt amounted to $7.3 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See also the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 115 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE III—SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION As of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2018 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment $ Deferred policy Unpaid losses acquisition costs Unearned and settlement premiums, expenses, gross gross Net premiums earned Incurred losses and settlement expenses current year 50,040 $ 1,283,204 $ 330,836 $ 523,472 $ 14,090 20,804 149,261 118,633 134,822 43,322 93,032 72,637 363,015 94,635 20,493 RLI Insurance Group $ 84,934 $ 1,461,348 $ 496,505 $ 791,366 $ 478,143 Year ended December 31, 2017 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment $ 44,358 $ 1,127,787 $ 296,751 $ 478,603 $ 13,029 20,329 138,346 120,988 107,304 36,412 84,010 70,688 323,141 97,161 20,150 RLI Insurance Group $ 77,716 $ 1,271,503 $ 451,449 $ 737,937 $ 440,452 Year ended December 31, 2016 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment $ 39,131 $ 1,021,506 $ 276,096 $ 454,843 $ 13,115 20,901 152,167 121,598 76,989 40,842 84,425 73,256 292,308 76,143 23,321 RLI Insurance Group $ 73,147 $ 1,139,337 $ 433,777 $ 728,608 $ 391,772 NOTE 1: Investment income is not allocated to the segments, therefore net investment income has not been provided. See the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 116 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE III—SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION (continued) As of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2018 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment RLI Insurance Group Year ended December 31, 2017 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment RLI Insurance Group Year ended December 31, 2016 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment RLI Insurance Group Incurred losses and settlement expenses prior year Policy acquisition costs Other operating expenses Net premiums written $ (33,252) $ 151,007 $ 31,562 $ 547,177 155,601 120,397 (10,813) (5,885) 12,725 9,516 51,830 64,901 $ (49,950) $ 267,738 $ 53,803 $ 823,175 $ (17,462) $ 136,135 $ 32,885 $ 494,649 137,031 118,174 (12,134) (9,272) 14,108 10,001 51,070 65,310 $ (38,868) $ 252,515 $ 56,994 $ 749,854 $ (32,401) $ 128,566 $ 30,040 $ 470,082 149,170 121,700 13,819 9,234 54,167 66,879 (4,793) (4,800) $ (41,994) $ 249,612 $ 53,093 $ 740,952 See the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 117 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE IV—REINSURANCE Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands) 2018 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment Direct amount Ceded to other companies Assumed from other companies Net amount Percentage of amount assumed to net $ 578,643 $ 193,855 123,736 96,639 $ 41,468 $ 523,472 149,261 44,634 118,633 5,521 40 418 7.9 % 0.0 % 0.4 % RLI Insurance Group premiums earned $ 896,234 $ 146,794 $ 41,926 $ 791,366 5.3 % 2017 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment $ 536,085 $ 172,668 126,365 86,190 $ 28,708 $ 478,603 138,346 3,285 37,607 120,988 528 5,905 6.0 % 2.4 % 0.4 % RLI Insurance Group premiums earned $ 835,118 $ 129,702 $ 32,521 $ 737,937 4.4 % 2016 Casualty segment Property segment Surety segment $ 528,691 $ 179,460 127,143 89,635 $ 15,787 $ 454,843 152,167 38,353 121,598 6,584 11,060 1,039 3.5 % 7.3 % 0.9 % RLI Insurance Group premiums earned $ 835,294 $ 134,572 $ 27,886 $ 728,608 3.8 % See the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 118 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE V—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands) Balance at beginning of period Amounts charged to expense Amounts recovered (written off) Balance at end of period 2018 Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance $ 25,911 $ — $ — $ 25,911 2017 Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance $ 25,911 $ — $ — $ 25,911 2016 Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance $ 25,911 $ — $ — $ 25,911 See the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 119 RLI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE VI—SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands) Affiliation with Registrant (1) Deferred policy Claims and acquisition costs claim adjustment expense reserves Unearned premiums, gross Net premiums earned Net investment income 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 $ $ $ 84,934 $ 77,716 $ 73,147 $ 1,461,348 $ 1,271,503 $ 1,139,337 $ 496,505 $ 451,449 $ 433,777 $ 791,366 $ 737,937 $ 728,608 $ 62,085 54,876 53,075 Claims and claim adjustment expenses incurred related to: Current year Prior year Amortization of deferred acquisition costs Paid claims and claim adjustment expenses Net premiums written $ $ $ 478,143 $ 440,452 $ 391,772 $ (49,950) $ (38,868) $ (41,994) $ 267,738 $ 252,515 $ 249,612 $ 301,356 $ 283,185 $ 304,606 $ 823,175 749,854 740,952 (1) Consolidated property-casualty insurance operations. See the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 108 of this report. 120 Exhibit No. Description of Document Reference (page) EXHIBIT INDEX 3.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 10.1 10.2 10.3 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation By-Laws Senior Indenture Supplemental Indenture Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 8, 2018. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 8, 2018. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed October 2, 2013. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 8, 2018. The RLI Corp. Directors’ Irrevocable Trust Agreement* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 23, 2018. RLI Corp. Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed July 20, 2018. RLI Corp. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 23, 2018. 10.4 Key Employee Excess Benefit Plan, as amended* 10.5 RLI Corp. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan* 10.6 RLI Corp. Annual Incentive Compensation Plan* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 25, 2009. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2010. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 23, 2018. 10.7 10.8 Market Value Potential (MVP), Executive Incentive Program Guideline* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 23, 2018. Advances, Collateral Pledge, and Security Agreement (Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed September 26, 2014. 10.9 Credit Agreement (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) 10.10 RLI Corp. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 30, 2018. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2015. 10.11 10.12 RLI Corp. Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed October 24, 2018. Shareholders Agreement by and among RLI Corp., Walter F. Hester III, and the Walter F. Hester III Revocable Trust Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2018. 11.0 Statement re: computation of per share earnings Refer to Note 1.O., “Earnings per share,” on page 75. * Management contract or compensatory plan. 121 Exhibit No. Description of Document Reference Page EXHIBIT INDEX 21.1 23.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 32.2 Subsidiaries of the Registrant Consent of KPMG LLP Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 101 XBRL-Related Documents Attached as Exhibit 101 122 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. RLI Corp. (Registrant) By: /s/ Thomas L. Brown Thomas L. Brown Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Date: February 22, 2019 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By: /s/ Jonathan E. Michael By: /s/ Thomas L. Brown Jonathan E. Michael, Chairman & CEO (Principal Executive Officer) Thomas L. Brown, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) Date: February 22, 2019 Date: February 22, 2019 By: /s/ Kaj Ahlmann Kaj Ahlmann, Director By: /s/ Jordan W. Graham Jordan W. Graham, Director Date: February 22, 2019 Date: February 22, 2019 By: /s/ Michael E. Angelina By: /s/ Jonathan E. Michael Michael E. Angelina, Director Jonathan E. Michael, Director Date: February 22, 2019 Date: February 22, 2019 By: /s/ John T. Baily John T. Baily, Director By: /s/ Robert P. Restrepo, Jr. Robert P. Restrepo, Jr., Director Date: February 22, 2019 Date: February 22, 2019 By: /s/ Calvin G. Butler, Jr. By: /s/ Debbie S. Roberts Calvin G. Butler, Jr., Director Debbie S. Roberts, Director Date: February 22, 2019 Date: February 22, 2019 By: /s/ David B. Duclos David B. Duclos, Director By: /s/ James J. Scanlan James J. Scanlan, Director Date: February 22, 2019 Date: February 22, 2019 By: /s/ Susan S. Fleming Susan S. Fleming, Director By: /s/ Michael J. Stone Michael J. Stone, Director Date: February 22, 2019 Date: February 22, 2019 123 Subsidiaries of the Registrant The following companies are subsidiaries of the Registrant as of December 31, 2018. Name RLI Corp. RLI Insurance Company Mt. Hawley Insurance Company RLI Underwriting Services, Inc. RLI Insurance Agency Ltd. Safe Fleet Insurance Services, Inc. Data & Staff Service Co. Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company Exhibit 21.1 Jurisdiction of Percentage Incorporation Ownership Delaware Illinois Illinois Illinois Canada California Washington Illinois 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 124 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Exhibit 23.1 The Board of Directors RLI Corp.: We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-01637, 333-28625, 333-75251, 333- 117714, 333-124450, 333-125354, 333-166614 and 333-203957) on Form S-8 and registration statement (No. 333-185534) on Form S-3 of RLI Corp. of our report dated February 22, 2019, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of RLI Corp. as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules I to VI (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”), and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, which report appears in the December 31, 2018 annual report on Form 10-K of RLI Corp. /s/ KPMG LLP Chicago, Illinois February 22, 2019 125 CERTIFICATION Exhibit 31.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 I, Jonathan E. Michael, certify that: I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of RLI Corp. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; (c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: February 22, 2019 /s/ Jonathan E. Michael Jonathan E. Michael Chairman & CEO 126 Exhibit 31.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 CERTIFICATION I, Thomas L. Brown, certify that: I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of RLI Corp. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; (c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: February 22, 2019 /s/ Thomas L. Brown Thomas L. Brown Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer 127 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.1 In connection with the Annual Report of RLI Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jonathan E. Michael, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Jonathan E. Michael Jonathan E. Michael Chairman & CEO February 22, 2019 128 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.2 In connection with the Annual Report of RLI Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Thomas L. Brown, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Thomas L. Brown Thomas L. Brown Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer February 22, 2019 129 

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