Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
/X/  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
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 1-11840
allstatebrandcolora04.jpg
THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
36-3871531
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois
60062
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
(847) 402-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes   X  
No ___
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).
 
Yes   X  
No ___
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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
   X   
Accelerated filer
____
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
         (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
____
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
____
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes        
No   X  
 
As of October 17, 2017, the registrant had 358,825,941 common shares, $.01 par value, outstanding.



The Allstate Corporation
Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
September 30, 2017
 
Part I
Financial Information
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2017 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview
 
 
 
 
Allstate brand
 
Esurance brand
 
Encompass brand
 
SquareTrade
 
 
 
Allstate Life
 
Allstate Benefits
 
Allstate Annuities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part II
Other Information
 



Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
The Allstate Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
($ in millions, except per share data)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance premiums
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
593

 
571

 
1,777

 
1,701

Net investment income
843

 
748

 
2,488

 
2,241

Realized capital gains and losses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
(26
)
 
(73
)
 
(135
)
 
(241
)
OTTI losses reclassified to (from) other comprehensive income
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 
8

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
(28
)
 
(73
)
 
(137
)
 
(233
)
Sales and other realized capital gains and losses
131

 
106

 
455

 
141

Total realized capital gains and losses
103

 
33

 
318

 
(92
)
 
9,660

 
9,221

 
28,681

 
27,256

Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
5,545

 
5,553

 
16,650

 
17,138

Life and annuity contract benefits
456

 
484

 
1,416

 
1,393

Interest credited to contractholder funds
174

 
183

 
522

 
558

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
1,200

 
1,138

 
3,545

 
3,393

Operating costs and expenses
1,218

 
1,021

 
3,401

 
3,043

Restructuring and related charges
14

 
5

 
77

 
21

Interest expense
83

 
73

 
251

 
218

 
8,690

 
8,457

 
25,862

 
25,764

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on disposition of operations
1

 
1

 
15

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations before income tax expense
971

 
765

 
2,834

 
1,496

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
305

 
245

 
894

 
459

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
666

 
520

 
1,940

 
1,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock dividends
29

 
29

 
87

 
87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
637

 
$
491

 
$
1,853

 
$
950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income applicable to common shareholders per common share - Basic
$
1.76

 
$
1.32

 
$
5.10

 
$
2.54

Weighted average common shares - Basic
361.3

 
371.5

 
363.5

 
374.4

Net income applicable to common shareholders per common share - Diluted
$
1.74

 
$
1.31

 
$
5.02

 
$
2.51

Weighted average common shares - Diluted
367.1

 
375.9

 
369.1

 
378.9

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.37

 
$
0.33

 
$
1.11

 
$
0.99







See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 1


The Allstate Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 (unaudited)
 
 (unaudited)
Net income
$
666

 
$
520

 
$
1,940

 
$
1,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income, after-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Changes in:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses
125

 
193

 
598

 
1,197

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
28

 
(7
)
 
36

 
12

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
73

 
21

 
110

 
48

Other comprehensive income, after-tax
226

 
207

 
744

 
1,257

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
$
892

 
$
727

 
$
2,684

 
$
2,294

 































See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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The Allstate Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
($ in millions, except par value data)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Assets
(unaudited)
 
 

Investments
 

 
 

Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $57,608 and $56,576)
$
59,391

 
$
57,839

Equity securities, at fair value (cost $5,468 and $5,157)
6,434

 
5,666

Mortgage loans
4,322

 
4,486

Limited partnership interests
6,600

 
5,814

Short-term, at fair value (amortized cost $2,198 and $4,288)
2,198

 
4,288

Other
3,826

 
3,706

Total investments
82,771

 
81,799

Cash
690

 
436

Premium installment receivables, net
5,922

 
5,597

Deferred policy acquisition costs
4,147

 
3,954

Reinsurance recoverables, net
9,748

 
8,745

Accrued investment income
590

 
567

Property and equipment, net
1,067

 
1,065

Goodwill
2,309

 
1,219

Other assets
2,966

 
1,835

Separate Accounts
3,422

 
3,393

Total assets
$
113,632

 
$
108,610

Liabilities
 

 
 

Reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
$
27,154

 
$
25,250

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits
12,227

 
12,239

Contractholder funds
19,650

 
20,260

Unearned premiums
13,535

 
12,583

Claim payments outstanding
959

 
879

Deferred income taxes
1,249

 
487

Other liabilities and accrued expenses
6,968

 
6,599

Long-term debt
6,349

 
6,347

Separate Accounts
3,422

 
3,393

Total liabilities
91,513

 
88,037

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 11)


 


Shareholders’ equity
 

 
 

Preferred stock and additional capital paid-in, $1 par value, 25 million shares authorized, 72.2 thousand shares issued and outstanding, and $1,805 aggregate liquidation preference
1,746

 
1,746

Common stock, $.01 par value, 2.0 billion shares authorized and 900 million issued, 360 million and 366 million shares outstanding
9

 
9

Additional capital paid-in
3,330

 
3,303

Retained income
42,125

 
40,678

Deferred ESOP expense
(6
)
 
(6
)
Treasury stock, at cost (540 million and 534 million shares)
(25,413
)
 
(24,741
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses:
 

 
 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses on fixed income securities with OTTI
68

 
57

Other unrealized net capital gains and losses
1,715

 
1,091

Unrealized adjustment to DAC, DSI and insurance reserves
(132
)
 
(95
)
Total unrealized net capital gains and losses
1,651

 
1,053

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
(14
)
 
(50
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
(1,309
)
 
(1,419
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
328

 
(416
)
Total shareholders’ equity
22,119

 
20,573

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
113,632

 
$
108,610

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 3


The Allstate Corporate and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
($ in millions)
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(unaudited)
Preferred stock par value
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
Preferred stock additional capital paid-in
1,746

 
1,746

 
 
 
 
Common stock
9

 
9

 
 
 
 
Additional capital paid-in
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
3,303

 
3,245

Forward contract on accelerated share repurchase agreement

 
(37
)
Equity incentive plans activity
27

 
29

Balance, end of period
3,330

 
3,237

 
 
 
 
Retained income
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
40,678

 
39,413

Net income
1,940

 
1,037

Dividends on common stock
(406
)
 
(373
)
Dividends on preferred stock
(87
)
 
(87
)
Balance, end of period
42,125

 
39,990

 
 
 
 
Deferred ESOP expense
(6
)
 
(13
)
 
 
 
 
Treasury stock
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
(24,741
)
 
(23,620
)
Shares acquired
(845
)
 
(1,094
)
Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net
173

 
177

Balance, end of period
(25,413
)
 
(24,537
)
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
(416
)
 
(755
)
Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses
598

 
1,197

Change in unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
36

 
12

Change in unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
110

 
48

Balance, end of period
328

 
502

Total shareholders’ equity
$
22,119

 
$
20,934

 









See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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The Allstate Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ in millions)
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities
(unaudited)
Net income
$
1,940

 
$
1,037

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items
358

 
285

Realized capital gains and losses
(318
)
 
92

Gain on disposition of operations
(15
)
 
(4
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
522

 
558

Changes in:
 

 
 

Policy benefits and other insurance reserves
1,276

 
978

Unearned premiums
525

 
540

Deferred policy acquisition costs
(176
)
 
(159
)
Premium installment receivables, net
(267
)
 
(236
)
Reinsurance recoverables, net
(1,017
)
 
(420
)
Income taxes
119

 
30

Other operating assets and liabilities
267

 
41

Net cash provided by operating activities
3,214

 
2,742

Cash flows from investing activities
 

 
 

Proceeds from sales
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
19,508

 
19,132

Equity securities
5,179

 
4,069

Limited partnership interests
767

 
634

Other investments
170

 
206

Investment collections
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
3,038

 
3,430

Mortgage loans
477

 
403

Other investments
458

 
281

Investment purchases
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
(23,935
)
 
(22,282
)
Equity securities
(5,296
)
 
(4,113
)
Limited partnership interests
(1,082
)
 
(1,128
)
Mortgage loans
(311
)
 
(460
)
Other investments
(700
)
 
(674
)
Change in short-term investments, net
2,257

 
94

Change in other investments, net
(28
)
 
(60
)
Purchases of property and equipment, net
(216
)
 
(190
)
Acquisition of operations
(1,356
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,070
)
 
(658
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 

 
 

Repayments of long-term debt

 
(16
)
Contractholder fund deposits
767

 
785

Contractholder fund withdrawals
(1,416
)
 
(1,537
)
Dividends paid on common stock
(391
)
 
(364
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
(87
)
 
(87
)
Treasury stock purchases
(848
)
 
(1,154
)
Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net
132

 
123

Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements

 
25

Other
(47
)
 
35

Net cash used in financing activities
(1,890
)
 
(2,190
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
254

 
(106
)
Cash at beginning of period
436

 
495

Cash at end of period
$
690

 
$
389



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 5


The Allstate Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. General
Basis of presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, primarily Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”), a property-liability insurance company with various property-liability and life and investment subsidiaries, including Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Allstate”). These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes as of September 30, 2017 and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are unaudited. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Adopted accounting standards
Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted new Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance that amends the accounting for share-based payments on a prospective basis. Under the new guidance, reporting entities are required to recognize all tax effects related to share-based payments at settlement or expiration through the income statement and the requirement to delay recognition of certain tax benefits until they reduce current taxes payable is eliminated. The new guidance also permits employers to withhold shares issued in connection with an employee’s exercise of options or the settlement of stock awards, up to the employee’s maximum individual statutory tax rate, to meet tax withholding requirements without causing liability classification of the award. In addition, all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments are reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows whereas cash payments made to taxing authorities on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares are presented as financing activities. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position on the date of adoption.
Transition to Equity Method Accounting
Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted new FASB guidance amending the accounting requirements for transitioning to the equity method of accounting (“EMA”), including a transition from the cost method. The guidance requires the cost of acquiring an additional interest in an investee to be added to the existing carrying value to establish the initial basis of the EMA investment. Under the new guidance, no retroactive adjustment is required when an investment initially qualifies for EMA treatment. The guidance is applied prospectively to investments that qualify for EMA after application of the cost method of accounting. Accordingly, the adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Pending accounting standards
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance which revises the criteria for revenue recognition. Insurance contracts are excluded from the scope of the new guidance. Under the guidance, the transaction price is attributed to underlying performance obligations in the contract and revenue is recognized as the entity satisfies the performance obligations and transfers control of a good or service to the customer. Incremental costs of obtaining a contract may be capitalized to the extent the entity expects to recover those costs. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. The Company’s principal activities impacted by the standard are those related to the issuance of protection plans for consumer products and automobiles and service contracts that provide roadside assistance. The impacts include an increase in deferred revenue with a corresponding increase in deferred costs for protection plans that are sold directly to retailers for which Allstate is deemed to be the principal in the transaction. The anticipated impacts of this adjustment offset and will not impact net income, but result in an increase in unearned premiums and deferred policy acquisition costs of approximately $145 million to $175 million, pre-tax. The Company also anticipates impacts related to recognizing revenue for SquareTrade based on expected losses, accounting for variable consideration and the deferral of certain costs associated with acquiring service contracts that provide roadside

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assistance, the net impact of which is not expected to materially reduce shareholders’ equity at the date of adoption. Based on the Company’s assessment, the total impact of adoption will not be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring equity investments, including equity securities and limited partnership interests, that are not accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values may be measured at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. When a qualitative assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values indicates that impairment exists, the carrying value is required to be adjusted to fair value, if lower. The guidance clarifies that an entity should evaluate the realizability of a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale fixed income securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The guidance also changes certain disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is to be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained income which results in no impact to the Company’s results of operations at the date of adoption. The new guidance related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values is applied prospectively as of the date of adoption. The most significant anticipated impacts, using values as of September 30, 2017, relate to the change in accounting for equity securities, where $966 million of pre-tax unrealized net capital gains would be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained income, and cost method limited partnership interests (excluding limited partnership interests accounted for on a cost recovery basis), where the carrying value of these investments would increase by approximately $200 million, pre-tax, with the offsetting after-tax adjustment recognized in retained income. The after-tax change in accounting for equity securities will not affect the Company’s shareholders’ equity and the unrealized net capital gains reclassified to retained income will never be recognized in net income. The after-tax change in accounting for cost method limited partnerships, if adopted at the end of this reporting period, would increase the Company’s shareholders’ equity, while also decreasing net income return on shareholders’ equity. The amount by which the fair value of cost method limited partnerships exceeds their carrying value will never be recognized in net income.
Accounting for Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance revising the accounting for leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases other than those that meet the definition of a short-term lease. The lease liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. A right-of-use asset will be based on the lease liability adjusted for qualifying initial direct costs. The expense of operating leases under the new guidance will be recognized in the income statement on a straight-line basis after combining the lease expense components (interest expense on the lease liability and amortization of the right-of-use asset) over the term of the lease. For finance leases, the expense components are computed separately and produce greater up-front expense compared to operating leases as interest expense on the lease liability is higher in early years and the right-of-use asset is amortized on a straight-line basis. Lease classification will be based on criteria similar to those currently applied. The accounting model for lessors will be similar to the current model with modifications to reflect definition changes for components such as initial direct costs. Lessors will continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing, or sales-type. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 using a modified retrospective approach applied at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption, which is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance which revises the credit loss recognition criteria for certain financial assets measured at amortized cost, including reinsurance recoverables. The new guidance replaces the existing incurred loss recognition model with an expected loss recognition model. The objective of the expected credit loss model is for the reporting entity to recognize its estimate of expected credit losses for affected financial assets in a valuation allowance deducted from the amortized cost basis of the related financial assets that results in presenting the net carrying value of the financial assets at the amount expected to be collected. The reporting entity must consider all available relevant information when estimating expected credit losses, including details about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts over the life of an asset. Financial assets may be evaluated individually or on a pooled basis when they share similar risk characteristics. The measurement of credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities measured at fair value is not affected except that credit losses recognized are limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost and the carrying value adjustment is recognized through a valuation allowance and not as a direct write-down. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and for most affected instruments must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to beginning retained income. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption.
Goodwill Impairment
In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment which removes the second step of the goodwill impairment test that requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the new guidance, goodwill

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 7


impairment will be measured and recognized as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The revised guidance does not affect a reporting entity’s ability to first assess qualitative factors by reporting unit to determine whether to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The guidance is effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied on a prospective basis, with the effects, if any, recognized in net income in the period of adoption. The impact to the Company upon adoption is dependent upon the excess, if any, of carrying value of the Company’s reporting units, including goodwill, over their respective fair values, a measure that is not currently determinable.
Presentation of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefits Costs
In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance to improve the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs that requires the service cost component to be reported in operating expenses together with other employee compensation costs and all other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs reported in non-operating expenses. If the reporting entity does not separately report operating and non-operating expenses on the statement of operations it is required to identify, on the statement of operations or in disclosures, the line items in which the components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs are presented. The new guidance permits only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization where applicable. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance is to be applied on a prospective basis for capitalization of service costs where applicable and on a retrospective basis for the presentation of the service cost and other components of net periodic pension benefit costs in the statements of operations or in disclosures. The impact of adoption is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Accounting for Hedging Activities
In August 2017, the FASB issued amendments intended to better align hedge accounting with an organization’s risk management activities. The amendments expand hedge accounting for nonfinancial and financial risk components and revise the measurement methodologies to better align with an organization’s risk management activities. Separate presentation of hedge ineffectiveness is eliminated to provide greater transparency of the full impact of hedging by requiring presentation of the results of the hedged item and hedging instrument in a single financial statement line item. In addition, the amendments reduce complexity by simplifying the manner in which assessments of hedge effectiveness may be performed. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods within those annual periods. The presentation and disclosure guidance is effective on a prospective basis. The impact of adoption is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
2. Earnings per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including vested unissued participating restricted stock units. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding. For the Company, dilutive potential common shares consist of outstanding stock options and unvested non-participating restricted stock units and contingently issuable performance stock awards.

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The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is presented in the following table.
($ in millions, except per share data)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Numerator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income
$
666

 
$
520

 
$
1,940

 
$
1,037

Less: Preferred stock dividends
29

 
29

 
87

 
87

Net income applicable to common shareholders (1)
$
637

 
$
491

 
$
1,853

 
$
950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average common shares outstanding
361.3

 
371.5

 
363.5

 
374.4

Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock options
4.4

 
3.2

 
4.3

 
3.3

Restricted stock units (non-participating) and performance stock awards
1.4

 
1.2

 
1.3

 
1.2

Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding
367.1

 
375.9

 
369.1

 
378.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share - Basic
$
1.76

 
$
1.32

 
$
5.10

 
$
2.54

Earnings per common share - Diluted
$
1.74

 
$
1.31

 
$
5.02

 
$
2.51

_____________________________
(1) 
Net income applicable to common shareholders is net income less preferred stock dividends.
The effect of dilutive potential common shares does not include the effect of options with an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per common share because their exercise prices exceed the average market price of Allstate common shares during the period or for which the unrecognized compensation cost would have an anti-dilutive effect. Options to purchase 0.2 million and 3.6 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $78.35 to $93.93 and $58.14 to $71.29, were outstanding for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share in those periods. Options to purchase 2.5 million and 4.7 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $74.03 to $93.93 and $57.29 to $71.29, were outstanding for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share in those periods.
3.    Acquisition
On January 3, 2017, the Company acquired SquareTrade Holding Company, Inc. (“SquareTrade”), a consumer product protection plan provider that distributes through many of America’s major retailers and Europe’s mobile operators, for $1.4 billion in cash. SquareTrade provides protection plans primarily covering consumer appliances and electronics, such as TVs, smartphones and computers. This acquisition broadens Allstate’s unique product offerings to better meet consumers’ needs.
In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $1.08 billion, commissions paid to retailers (reported in deferred policy acquisition costs) of $70 million, other intangible assets (reported in other assets) of $555 million, contractual liability insurance policy premium expenses (reported in other assets) of $201 million, unearned premiums of $373 million and net deferred income tax liability of $140 million. The Company increased goodwill by $14 million through third quarter 2017 related to an adjustment to the fair value of the opening balance sheet liabilities.
As of September 30, 2017, the Company has $30 million of restricted cash related to an escrow account in connection with the acquisition that is recorded in other assets.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 9


4. Reportable Segments
Summarized revenue data for each of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Property-Liability
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance premiums
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Auto
$
5,502

 
$
5,353

 
$
16,327

 
$
15,879

Homeowners
1,832

 
1,813

 
5,462

 
5,438

Other personal lines
439

 
426

 
1,306

 
1,271

Commercial lines
124

 
127

 
367

 
383

Other business lines
146

 
150

 
429

 
435

SquareTrade
78

 

 
207

 

Allstate Protection
8,121

 
7,869

 
24,098

 
23,406

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

 

 

Total property-liability insurance premiums
8,121

 
7,869

 
24,098

 
23,406

Net investment income
372

 
310

 
1,074

 
928

Realized capital gains and losses
82

 
53

 
302

 
(20
)
Total Property-Liability
8,575

 
8,232

 
25,474

 
24,314

Allstate Financial
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Premiums
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional life insurance
153

 
145

 
450

 
422

Accident and health insurance
232

 
216

 
697

 
646

Total premiums
385

 
361

 
1,147

 
1,068

Contract charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-sensitive life insurance
204

 
206

 
620

 
623

Fixed annuities
4

 
4

 
10

 
10

Total contract charges
208

 
210

 
630

 
633

Total life and annuity premiums and contract charges
593

 
571

 
1,777

 
1,701

Net investment income
461

 
427

 
1,383

 
1,281

Realized capital gains and losses
21

 
(21
)
 
16

 
(70
)
Total Allstate Financial
1,075

 
977

 
3,176

 
2,912

Corporate and Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net investment income
10

 
11

 
31

 
32

Realized capital gains and losses

 
1

 

 
(2
)
Total Corporate and Other
10

 
12

 
31

 
30

Consolidated revenues
$
9,660

 
$
9,221

 
$
28,681

 
$
27,256


10 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


Summarized financial performance data for each of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Property-Liability
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Underwriting income
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allstate Protection
$
517

 
$
455

 
$
1,258

 
$
518

Discontinued Lines and Coverages
(88
)
 
(100
)
 
(95
)
 
(104
)
Total underwriting income
429

 
355

 
1,163

 
414

Net investment income
372

 
310

 
1,074

 
928

Income tax expense on operations
(252
)
 
(218
)
 
(703
)
 
(429
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
54

 
36

 
199

 
(10
)
Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax
1

 

 
7

 

Property-Liability net income applicable to common shareholders
604

 
483

 
1,740

 
903

Allstate Financial
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
593

 
571

 
1,777

 
1,701

Net investment income
461

 
427

 
1,383

 
1,281

Contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds
(629
)
 
(667
)
 
(1,935
)
 
(1,939
)
Operating costs and expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(188
)
 
(194
)
 
(597
)
 
(577
)
Restructuring and related charges
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Income tax expense on operations
(79
)
 
(43
)
 
(206
)
 
(147
)
Operating income
157

 
94

 
420

 
318

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
13

 
(14
)
 
9

 
(46
)
Valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged, after-tax
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(8
)
DAC and DSI amortization related to realized capital gains and losses and valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged, after-tax
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(8
)
 
(3
)
Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Allstate Financial net income applicable to common shareholders
168

 
80

 
422

 
264

Corporate and Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Net investment income
10

 
11

 
31

 
32

Operating costs and expenses
(175
)
 
(80
)
 
(360
)
 
(238
)
Income tax benefit on operations
60

 
26

 
121

 
77

Preferred stock dividends
(29
)
 
(29
)
 
(87
)
 
(87
)
Operating loss
(134
)
 
(72
)
 
(295
)
 
(216
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

 

 
(1
)
Business combination expenses, after-tax
(1
)
 

 
(14
)
 

Corporate and Other net loss applicable to common shareholders
(135
)
 
(72
)
 
(309
)
 
(217
)
Consolidated net income applicable to common shareholders
$
637

 
$
491

 
$
1,853

 
$
950




The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 11


5. Investments
Fair values
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed income securities are as follows:
($ in millions)
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair
value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
September 30, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
3,843

 
$
65

 
$
(8
)
 
$
3,900

Municipal
7,484

 
332

 
(22
)
 
7,794

Corporate
43,259

 
1,419

 
(132
)
 
44,546

Foreign government
1,077

 
30

 
(14
)
 
1,093

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
1,263

 
16

 
(9
)
 
1,270

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)
512

 
101

 
(2
)
 
611

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)
149

 
8

 
(4
)
 
153

Redeemable preferred stock
21

 
3

 

 
24

Total fixed income securities
$
57,608

 
$
1,974

 
$
(191
)
 
$
59,391

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
3,572

 
$
74

 
$
(9
)
 
$
3,637

Municipal
7,116

 
304

 
(87
)
 
7,333

Corporate
42,742

 
1,178

 
(319
)
 
43,601

Foreign government
1,043

 
36

 
(4
)
 
1,075

ABS
1,169

 
13

 
(11
)
 
1,171

RMBS
651

 
85

 
(8
)
 
728

CMBS
262

 
17

 
(9
)
 
270

Redeemable preferred stock
21

 
3

 

 
24

Total fixed income securities
$
56,576

 
$
1,710

 
$
(447
)
 
$
57,839

Scheduled maturities
The scheduled maturities for fixed income securities are as follows as of September 30, 2017:
($ in millions)
Amortized cost
 
Fair value
Due in one year or less
$
4,392

 
$
4,415

Due after one year through five years
29,466

 
30,044

Due after five years through ten years
16,604

 
17,042

Due after ten years
5,222

 
5,856

 
55,684

 
57,357

ABS, RMBS and CMBS
1,924

 
2,034

Total
$
57,608

 
$
59,391

Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of calls and make-whole payments by the issuers. ABS, RMBS and CMBS are shown separately because of the potential for prepayment of principal prior to contractual maturity dates.

12 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


Net investment income
Net investment income is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed income securities
$
519

 
$
508

 
$
1,564

 
$
1,546

Equity securities
37

 
31

 
130

 
103

Mortgage loans
52

 
56

 
157

 
162

Limited partnership interests
223

 
136

 
596

 
383

Short-term investments
9

 
4

 
21

 
11

Other
58

 
55

 
174

 
163

Investment income, before expense
898

 
790

 
2,642

 
2,368

Investment expense
(55
)
 
(42
)
 
(154
)
 
(127
)
Net investment income
$
843

 
$
748

 
$
2,488

 
$
2,241

Realized capital gains and losses
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed income securities
$
41

 
$
(1
)
 
$
78

 
$
(48
)
Equity securities
57

 
45

 
182

 
(34
)
Mortgage loans
1

 

 
1

 
1

Limited partnership interests
21

 
12

 
92

 
25

Derivatives
(17
)
 
(15
)
 
(40
)
 
(22
)
Other

 
(8
)
 
5

 
(14
)
Realized capital gains and losses
$
103

 
$
33

 
$
318

 
$
(92
)
Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Impairment write-downs
$
(23
)
 
$
(63
)
 
$
(94
)
 
$
(185
)
Change in intent write-downs
(5
)
 
(10
)
 
(43
)
 
(48
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(28
)
 
(73
)
 
(137
)
 
(233
)
Sales and other
148

 
121

 
495

 
166

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
(17
)
 
(15
)
 
(40
)
 
(25
)
Realized capital gains and losses
$
103

 
$
33

 
$
318

 
$
(92
)
Gross gains of $145 million and $150 million and gross losses of $36 million and $62 million were realized on sales of fixed income and equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Gross gains of $521 million and $456 million and gross losses of $161 million and $347 million were realized on sales of fixed income and equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 13


Other-than-temporary impairment losses by asset type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2017
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
Gross
 
Included
 in OCI
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Included
in OCI
 
Net
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(13
)
 
$

 
$
(13
)
ABS

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

RMBS

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
CMBS
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
Total fixed income securities
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(17
)
 

 
(17
)
Equity securities
(8
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(27
)
 

 
(27
)
Mortgage loans
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 

Limited partnership interests
(16
)
 

 
(16
)
 
(22
)
 

 
(22
)
Other

 

 

 
(7
)
 

 
(7
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
$
(26
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
(73
)
 
$

 
$
(73
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
Gross
 
Included
 in OCI
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Included
in OCI
 
Net
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Municipal
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Corporate
(9
)
 
3

 
(6
)
 
(30
)
 
7

 
(23
)
ABS
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(6
)
 

 
(6
)
RMBS
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
CMBS
(9
)
 
1

 
(8
)
 
(7
)
 
1

 
(6
)
Total fixed income securities
(21
)
 
(2
)
 
(23
)
 
(44
)
 
8

 
(36
)
Equity securities
(77
)
 

 
(77
)
 
(155
)
 

 
(155
)
Mortgage loans
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 

Limited partnership interests
(32
)
 

 
(32
)
 
(33
)
 

 
(33
)
Other
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
 
(9
)
 

 
(9
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
$
(135
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(137
)
 
$
(241
)
 
$
8

 
$
(233
)
The total amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of impairment for fixed income securities, which were not included in earnings, are presented in the following table. The amounts exclude $213 million and $221 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, of net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of the fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
($ in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Municipal
$
(5
)
 
$
(8
)
Corporate
(3
)
 
(7
)
ABS
(15
)
 
(21
)
RMBS
(80
)
 
(90
)
CMBS
(5
)
 
(7
)
Total
$
(108
)
 
$
(133
)

14 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


Rollforwards of the cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings for fixed income securities held as of the end of the period are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning balance
$
(281
)
 
$
(331
)
 
$
(318
)
 
$
(392
)
Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(15
)
 
(14
)
Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired

 
(14
)
 
(8
)
 
(22
)
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected
20

 
12

 
76

 
92

Change in credit loss due to accretion of increase in cash flows

 

 
1

 

Ending balance
$
(264
)
 
$
(336
)
 
$
(264
)
 
$
(336
)
The Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed income security, discounted at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, to calculate a recovery value and determine whether a credit loss exists. The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security. All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable assumptions and forecasts, are considered when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. That information generally includes, but is not limited to, the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, foreign exchange rates, the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer, expected defaults, expected recoveries, the value of underlying collateral, vintage, geographic concentration of underlying collateral, available reserves or escrows, current subordination levels, third party guarantees and other credit enhancements. Other information, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings, financial condition of the bond insurer for insured fixed income securities, and other market data relevant to the realizability of contractual cash flows, may also be considered. The estimated fair value of collateral will be used to estimate recovery value if the Company determines that the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for ultimate settlement. If the estimated recovery value is less than the amortized cost of the security, a credit loss exists and an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the estimated recovery value and amortized cost is recorded in earnings. The portion of the unrealized loss related to factors other than credit remains classified in accumulated other comprehensive income. If the Company determines that the fixed income security does not have sufficient cash flow or other information to estimate a recovery value for the security, the Company may conclude that the entire decline in fair value is deemed to be credit related and the loss is recorded in earnings.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 15


Unrealized net capital gains and losses
Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
($ in millions)
Fair
value
 
Gross unrealized
 
Unrealized net
gains (losses)
September 30, 2017
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fixed income securities
$
59,391

 
$
1,974

 
$
(191
)
 
$
1,783

Equity securities
6,434

 
1,006

 
(40
)
 
966

Short-term investments
2,198

 

 

 

Derivative instruments (1)
1

 
2

 
(4
)
 
(2
)
Equity method (“EMA”) limited partnerships (2)
 

 
 

 
 

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
2,747

Amounts recognized for:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves (3)
 

 
 

 
 

 

DAC and DSI (4)
 

 
 

 
 

 
(203
)
Amounts recognized
 

 
 

 
 

 
(203
)
Deferred income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
(893
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
1,651

_______________
(1) 
Included in the fair value of derivative instruments is $1 million classified as assets.
(2) 
Unrealized net capital gains and losses for limited partnership interests represent the Company’s share of EMA limited partnerships’ other comprehensive income. Fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses are not applicable.
(3) 
The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency. Although the Company evaluates premium deficiencies on the combined performance of life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, the adjustment, if any, primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies, in addition to annuity buy-outs and certain payout annuities with life contingencies.
(4) 
The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized.
($ in millions)
Fair
value
 
Gross unrealized
 
Unrealized net
gains (losses)
December 31, 2016
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fixed income securities
$
57,839

 
$
1,710

 
$
(447
)
 
$
1,263

Equity securities
5,666

 
594

 
(85
)
 
509

Short-term investments
4,288

 

 

 

Derivative instruments (1)
5

 
5

 
(3
)
 
2

EMA limited partnerships
 

 
 

 
 

 
(4
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,770

Amounts recognized for:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves
 

 
 

 
 

 

DAC and DSI
 

 
 

 
 

 
(146
)
Amounts recognized
 

 
 

 
 

 
(146
)
Deferred income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
(571
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
1,053

_______________
(1) Included in the fair value of derivative instruments is $5 million classified as assets.

16 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses
The change in unrealized net capital gains and losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows:
($ in millions)
 
Fixed income securities
$
520

Equity securities
457

Derivative instruments
(4
)
EMA limited partnerships
4

Total
977

Amounts recognized for:
 

Insurance reserves

DAC and DSI
(57
)
Amounts recognized
(57
)
Deferred income taxes
(322
)
Increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
598

Portfolio monitoring
The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.
For each fixed income security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made the decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes. If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed income security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed income security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company calculates the estimated recovery value by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compares this to the amortized cost of the security. If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors recognized in other comprehensive income.
For equity securities, the Company considers various factors, including whether it has the intent and ability to hold the equity security for a period of time sufficient to recover its cost basis. Where the Company lacks the intent and ability to hold to recovery, or believes the recovery period is extended, the equity security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
For fixed income and equity securities managed by third parties, either the Company has contractually retained its decision making authority as it pertains to selling securities that are in an unrealized loss position or it recognizes any unrealized loss at the end of the period through a charge to earnings.
The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost (for fixed income securities) or cost (for equity securities) is below established thresholds. The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults. The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of the security. Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment for these fixed income and equity securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer. Some of the factors that may be considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; 2) the specific reasons that a security is in an unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity; and 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost.

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The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of fixed income and equity securities by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
($ in millions)
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
unrealized
losses
 
Number
of issues
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Number
of issues
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
September 30, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
64

 
$
2,625

 
$
(7
)
 
7

 
$
93

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(8
)
Municipal
938

 
1,736

 
(14
)
 
83

 
172

 
(8
)
 
(22
)
Corporate
560

 
7,468

 
(74
)
 
94

 
1,370

 
(58
)
 
(132
)
Foreign government
68

 
697

 
(14
)
 

 

 

 
(14
)
ABS
44

 
379

 
(1
)
 
10

 
34

 
(8
)
 
(9
)
RMBS
84

 
42

 

 
176

 
57

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
CMBS
5

 
20

 
(2
)
 
4

 
15

 
(2
)
 
(4
)
Total fixed income securities
1,763

 
12,967

 
(112
)
 
374

 
1,741

 
(79
)
 
(191
)
Equity securities
129

 
544

 
(30
)
 
17

 
48

 
(10
)
 
(40
)
Total fixed income and equity securities
1,892

 
$
13,511

 
$
(142
)
 
391

 
$
1,789

 
$
(89
)
 
$
(231
)
Investment grade fixed income securities
1,689

 
$
12,345

 
$
(96
)
 
323

 
$
1,530

 
$
(53
)
 
$
(149
)
Below investment grade fixed income securities
74

 
622

 
(16
)
 
51

 
211

 
(26
)
 
(42
)
Total fixed income securities
1,763

 
$
12,967

 
$
(112
)
 
374

 
$
1,741

 
$
(79
)
 
$
(191
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
46

 
$
943

 
$
(9
)
 

 
$

 
$

 
$
(9
)
Municipal
1,310

 
3,073

 
(76
)
 
8

 
29

 
(11
)
 
(87
)
Corporate
862

 
13,343

 
(256
)
 
83

 
678

 
(63
)
 
(319
)
Foreign government
41

 
225

 
(4
)
 

 

 

 
(4
)
ABS
31

 
222

 
(1
)
 
14

 
109

 
(10
)
 
(11
)
RMBS
89

 
53

 
(1
)
 
179

 
91

 
(7
)
 
(8
)
CMBS
15

 
59

 
(4
)
 
4

 
15

 
(5
)
 
(9
)
Redeemable preferred stock
1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed income securities
2,395

 
17,918

 
(351
)
 
288

 
922

 
(96
)
 
(447
)
Equity securities
195

 
654

 
(56
)
 
46

 
165

 
(29
)
 
(85
)
Total fixed income and equity securities
2,590

 
$
18,572

 
$
(407
)
 
334

 
$
1,087

 
$
(125
)
 
$
(532
)
Investment grade fixed income securities
2,202

 
$
15,678

 
$
(293
)
 
201

 
$
493

 
$
(51
)
 
$
(344
)
Below investment grade fixed income securities
193

 
2,240

 
(58
)
 
87

 
429

 
(45
)
 
(103
)
Total fixed income securities
2,395

 
$
17,918

 
$
(351
)
 
288

 
$
922

 
$
(96
)
 
$
(447
)
As of September 30, 2017, $188 million of the $231 million unrealized losses are related to securities with an unrealized loss position less than 20% of amortized cost or cost, the degree of which suggests that these securities do not pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired. Of the $188 million, $133 million are related to unrealized losses on investment grade fixed income securities and $28 million are related to equity securities. Of the remaining $27 million, $16 million have been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. Investment grade is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), a comparable rating from another nationally recognized rating agency, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available. Market prices for certain securities may have credit spreads which imply higher or lower credit quality than the current third party rating. Unrealized losses on investment grade securities are principally related to an increase in market yields which may include increased risk-free interest rates and/or wider credit spreads since the time of initial purchase.
As of September 30, 2017, the remaining $43 million of unrealized losses are related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost or cost. Investment grade fixed income securities comprising $16 million of these unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as discounted cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate resources to fulfill contractual obligations. Of the $43 million, $15 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities and $12 million are related to equity securities. Of these amounts, $2 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities that had been in an unrealized loss position greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost for a period of twelve or more consecutive months as of September 30, 2017.

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ABS, RMBS and CMBS in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on actual and projected collateral losses relative to the securities’ positions in the respective securitization trusts, security specific expectations of cash flows, and credit ratings. This evaluation also takes into consideration credit enhancement, measured in terms of (i) subordination from other classes of securities in the trust that are contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security the Company owns, and (ii) the expected impact of other structural features embedded in the securitization trust beneficial to the class of securities the Company owns, such as overcollateralization and excess spread. Municipal bonds in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on the underlying credit quality of the primary obligor, obligation type and quality of the underlying assets. Unrealized losses on equity securities are primarily related to temporary equity market fluctuations of securities that are expected to recover.
As of September 30, 2017, the Company has not made the decision to sell and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell fixed income securities with unrealized losses before recovery of the amortized cost basis. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had the intent and ability to hold equity securities with unrealized losses for a period of time sufficient for them to recover.
Limited partnerships
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying value of equity method limited partnerships totaled $5.26 billion and $4.53 billion, respectively. The Company recognizes an impairment loss for equity method limited partnerships when evidence demonstrates that the loss is other than temporary. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary may include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or the inability of the investee to sustain a level of earnings that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying value for cost method limited partnerships was $1.34 billion and $1.28 billion, respectively. To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the Company evaluates whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment. Impairment indicators may include: significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by the limited partnerships; actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; or any other adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital. Additionally, the Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all cost method limited partnerships to identify instances where the net asset value is below established thresholds for certain periods of time, as well as investments that are performing below expectations, for further impairment consideration. If a cost method limited partnership is other-than-temporarily impaired, the carrying value is written down to fair value, generally estimated to be equivalent to the reported net asset value.
Mortgage loans
Mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment on a specific loan basis through a quarterly credit monitoring process and review of key credit quality indicators. Mortgage loans are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect the contractual principal and interest. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans to reduce the carrying value to the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or the present value of the loan’s expected future repayment cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Impaired mortgage loans may not have a valuation allowance when the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is higher than the carrying value. Valuation allowances are adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or present value of the loan’s expected future repayment cash flows. Mortgage loans are charged off against their corresponding valuation allowances when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. The impairment evaluation is non-statistical in respect to the aggregate portfolio but considers facts and circumstances attributable to each loan. It is not considered probable that additional impairment losses, beyond those identified on a specific loan basis, have been incurred as of September 30, 2017.
Accrual of income is suspended for mortgage loans that are in default or when full and timely collection of principal and interest payments is not probable. Cash receipts on mortgage loans on nonaccrual status are generally recorded as a reduction of carrying value.
Debt service coverage ratio is considered a key credit quality indicator when mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment. Debt service coverage ratio represents the amount of estimated cash flows from the property available to the borrower to meet principal and interest payment obligations. Debt service coverage ratio estimates are updated annually or more frequently if conditions are warranted based on the Company’s credit monitoring process.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 19


The following table reflects the carrying value of non-impaired fixed rate and variable rate mortgage loans summarized by debt service coverage ratio distribution.
($ in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Debt service coverage ratio distribution
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
 
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
Below 1.0
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
60

 
$

 
$
60

1.0 - 1.25
349

 

 
349

 
324

 

 
324

1.26 - 1.50
1,111

 

 
1,111

 
1,293

 

 
1,293

Above 1.50
2,804

 
39

 
2,843

 
2,765

 
39

 
2,804

Total non-impaired mortgage loans
$
4,268

 
$
39

 
$
4,307

 
$
4,442

 
$
39

 
$
4,481

Mortgage loans with a debt service coverage ratio below 1.0 that are not considered impaired primarily relate to instances where the borrower has the financial capacity to fund the revenue shortfalls from the properties for the foreseeable term, the decrease in cash flows from the properties is considered temporary, or there are other risk mitigating circumstances such as additional collateral, escrow balances or borrower guarantees.
The net carrying value of impaired mortgage loans is as follows:
($ in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Impaired mortgage loans with a valuation allowance
$
15

 
$
5

Impaired mortgage loans without a valuation allowance

 

Total impaired mortgage loans
$
15

 
$
5

Valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans
$
4

 
$
3

The average balance of impaired loans was $8 million and $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The rollforward of the valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning balance
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
3

Net increase in valuation allowance
1

 

 
1

 

Charge offs

 

 

 

Ending balance
$
4

 
$
3

 
$
4

 
$
3

Payments on all mortgage loans were current as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
 
 
 
 
6. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The hierarchy for inputs used in determining fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Assets and liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
Level 1: Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access.
Level 2: Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:
(a)
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
(b)
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or
(c)
Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3: Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the assets and liabilities.

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The availability of observable inputs varies by instrument. In situations where fair value is based on internally developed pricing models or inputs that are unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is typically greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In many instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market disruption. In periods of market disruption, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments.
The Company is responsible for the determination of fair value and the supporting assumptions and methodologies. The Company gains assurance that assets and liabilities are appropriately valued through the execution of various processes and controls designed to ensure the overall reasonableness and consistent application of valuation methodologies, including inputs and assumptions, and compliance with accounting standards. For fair values received from third parties or internally estimated, the Company’s processes and controls are designed to ensure that the valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistently applied, the inputs and assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value, and the fair values are accurately recorded. For example, on a continuing basis, the Company assesses the reasonableness of individual fair values that have stale security prices or that exceed certain thresholds as compared to previous fair values received from valuation service providers or brokers or derived from internal models. The Company performs procedures to understand and assess the methodologies, processes and controls of valuation service providers. In addition, the Company may validate the reasonableness of fair values by comparing information obtained from valuation service providers or brokers to other third party valuation sources for selected securities. The Company performs ongoing price validation procedures such as back-testing of actual sales, which corroborate the various inputs used in internal models to market observable data. When fair value determinations are expected to be more variable, the Company validates them through reviews by members of management who have relevant expertise and who are independent of those charged with executing investment transactions.
The Company has two types of situations where investments are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The first is where specific inputs significant to the fair value estimation models are not market observable. This primarily occurs in the Company’s use of broker quotes to value certain securities where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable, and the use of valuation models that use significant non-market observable inputs.
The second situation where the Company classifies securities in Level 3 is where quotes continue to be received from independent third-party valuation service providers and all significant inputs are market observable; however, there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset when compared to normal market activity such that the degree of market observability has declined to a point where categorization as a Level 3 measurement is considered appropriate. The indicators considered in determining whether a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for a specific asset has occurred include the level of new issuances in the primary market, trading volume in the secondary market, the level of credit spreads over historical levels, applicable bid-ask spreads, and price consensus among market participants and other pricing sources.
Certain assets are not carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including investments such as mortgage loans, cost method limited partnership interests, bank loans, agent loans and policy loans. Accordingly, such investments are only included in the fair value hierarchy disclosure when the investment is subject to remeasurement at fair value after initial recognition and the resulting remeasurement is reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In determining fair value, the Company principally uses the market approach which generally utilizes market transaction data for the same or similar instruments. To a lesser extent, the Company uses the income approach which involves determining fair values from discounted cash flow methodologies. For the majority of Level 2 and Level 3 valuations, a combination of the market and income approaches is used.
Summary of significant valuation techniques for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Level 1 measurements
Fixed income securities: Comprise certain U.S. Treasury fixed income securities. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.
Equity securities: Comprise actively traded, exchange-listed equity securities. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.
Short-term: Comprise U.S. Treasury bills valued based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access and actively traded money market funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.
Separate account assets: Comprise actively traded mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access. Net asset values for the actively traded mutual funds in which the separate account assets are invested are obtained daily from the fund managers.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 21


Level 2 measurements
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government and agencies: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.
Municipal: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.
Corporate - public: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.
Corporate - privately placed: Valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses market observable inputs and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. The primary inputs to the discounted cash flow model include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets in markets that are not active that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.
Foreign government: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.
ABS - collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”) and ABS - consumer and other: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads. Certain ABS - CDO and ABS - consumer and other are valued based on non-binding broker quotes whose inputs have been corroborated to be market observable.
RMBS: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.
CMBS: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.
Redeemable preferred stock: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, underlying stock prices and credit spreads.
Equity securities: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices or quoted net asset values for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.
Short-term: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads. For certain short-term investments, amortized cost is used as the best estimate of fair value.
Other investments: Free-standing exchange listed derivatives that are not actively traded are valued based on quoted prices for identical instruments in markets that are not active.
Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, including interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, certain options and certain credit default swaps, are valued using models that rely on inputs such as interest rate yield curves, implied volatilities, currency rates, and credit spreads that are observable for substantially the full term of the contract. The valuation techniques underlying the models are widely accepted in the financial services industry and do not involve significant judgment.
Level 3 measurements
Fixed income securities:
Municipal: Comprise municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies. The primary inputs to the valuation of these municipal bonds include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads. Also included are municipal bonds valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable and municipal bonds in default valued based on the present value of expected cash flows.
Corporate - public and Corporate - privately placed: Primarily valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable. Other inputs include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.
ABS - CDO, ABS - consumer and other, RMBS and CMBS: Valued based on non-binding broker quotes received from brokers who are familiar with the investments and where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable.

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Equity securities: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices or quoted net asset values for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements.
Other investments: Certain OTC derivatives, such as interest rate caps, certain credit default swaps and certain options (including swaptions), are valued using models that are widely accepted in the financial services industry. These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs such as volatility. Other primary inputs include interest rate yield curves and credit spreads.
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in certain life and annuity contracts are valued internally using models widely accepted in the financial services industry that determine a single best estimate of fair value for the embedded derivatives within a block of contractholder liabilities. The models primarily use stochastically determined cash flows based on the contractual elements of embedded derivatives, projected option cost and applicable market data, such as interest rate yield curves and equity index volatility assumptions. These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis
Mortgage loans written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing impairments are valued based on the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell. Limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments are generally valued using net asset values.
The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
 
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
Counterparty and cash collateral netting
 
Balance as of September 30, 2017
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
3,190

 
$
710

 
$

 
 

 
$
3,900

Municipal

 
7,687

 
107

 
 

 
7,794

Corporate - public

 
32,269

 
104

 
 

 
32,373

Corporate - privately placed

 
11,923

 
250

 
 
 
12,173

Foreign government

 
1,093

 

 
 

 
1,093

ABS - CDO

 
545

 
19

 
 

 
564

ABS - consumer and other

 
640

 
66

 
 
 
706

RMBS

 
611

 

 
 

 
611

CMBS

 
127

 
26

 
 

 
153

Redeemable preferred stock

 
24

 

 
 

 
24

Total fixed income securities
3,190

 
55,629

 
572

 
 

 
59,391

Equity securities
5,938

 
328

 
168

 
 

 
6,434

Short-term investments
380

 
1,818

 

 
 

 
2,198

Other investments: Free-standing derivatives

 
109

 
1

 
$
(9
)
 
101

Separate account assets
3,422

 

 

 
 

 
3,422

Other assets
1

 

 

 
 

 
1

Total recurring basis assets
12,931

 
57,884

 
741

 
(9
)
 
71,547

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

 
24

 
 

 
24

Total assets at fair value
$
12,931

 
$
57,884

 
$
765

 
$
(9
)
 
$
71,571

% of total assets at fair value
18.0
%
 
80.9
%
 
1.1
%
 
 %
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(292
)
 
 

 
$
(292
)
Other liabilities: Free-standing derivatives
(1
)
 
(69
)
 

 
$
21

 
(49
)
Total liabilities at fair value
$
(1
)
 
$
(69
)
 
$
(292
)
 
$
21

 
$
(341
)
% of total liabilities at fair value
0.3
%
 
20.2
%
 
85.6
%
 
(6.1
)%
 
100
%
_______________
(1) 
Includes $14 million of limited partnership interests and $10 million of mortgage loans written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 23


The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2016.
($ in millions)
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
 
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
Counterparty and cash collateral netting
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
2,918

 
$
719

 
$

 
 

 
$
3,637

Municipal

 
7,208

 
125

 
 

 
7,333

Corporate - public

 
31,414

 
78

 
 

 
31,492

Corporate - privately placed

 
11,846

 
263

 
 
 
12,109

Foreign government

 
1,075

 

 
 

 
1,075

ABS - CDO

 
650

 
27

 
 

 
677

ABS - consumer and other

 
452

 
42

 
 
 
494

RMBS

 
727

 
1

 
 

 
728

CMBS

 
248

 
22

 
 

 
270

Redeemable preferred stock

 
24

 

 
 

 
24

Total fixed income securities
2,918

 
54,363

 
558

 
 

 
57,839

Equity securities
5,247

 
256

 
163

 
 

 
5,666

Short-term investments
850

 
3,423

 
15

 
 

 
4,288

Other investments: Free-standing derivatives

 
119

 
1

 
$
(9
)
 
111

Separate account assets
3,393

 

 

 
 

 
3,393

Other assets

 

 
1

 
 

 
1

Total recurring basis assets
12,408

 
58,161

 
738

 
(9
)
 
71,298

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

 
24

 
 

 
24

Total assets at fair value
$
12,408

 
$
58,161

 
$
762

 
$
(9
)
 
$
71,322

% of total assets at fair value
17.4
%
 
81.5
%
 
1.1
%
 
 %
 
100
%
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(290
)
 
 

 
$
(290
)
Other liabilities: Free-standing derivatives
(1
)
 
(68
)
 
(3
)
 
$
28

 
(44
)
Total liabilities at fair value
$
(1
)
 
$
(68
)
 
$
(293
)
 
$
28

 
$
(334
)
% of total liabilities at fair value
0.3
%
 
20.4
%
 
87.7
%
 
(8.4
)%
 
100
%
_______________
(1) 
Includes $24 million of limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.
The following table summarizes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements.
($ in millions)
Fair value
 
Valuation
technique
 
Unobservable
input
 
Range
 
Weighted
average
September 30, 2017
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts – Equity-indexed and forward starting options
$
(253
)
 
Stochastic cash flow model
 
Projected option cost
 
1.0 - 2.2%
 
1.74%
December 31, 2016
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts – Equity-indexed and forward starting options
$
(247
)
 
Stochastic cash flow model
 
Projected option cost
 
1.0 - 2.2%
 
1.75%
The embedded derivatives are equity-indexed and forward starting options in certain life and annuity products that provide customers with interest crediting rates based on the performance of the S&P 500. If the projected option cost increased (decreased), it would result in a higher (lower) liability fair value.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Level 3 fair value measurements of fixed income securities total $572 million and $558 million, respectively, and include $304 million and $307 million, respectively, of securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable and $62 million and $80 million, respectively, of municipal fixed income securities that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies.  The Company does not develop the unobservable inputs used in measuring fair value; therefore, these are not included in the table above.  However, an

24 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


increase (decrease) in credit spreads for fixed income securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes would result in a lower (higher) fair value, and an increase (decrease) in the credit rating of municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies would result in a higher (lower) fair value.
The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
 

 
Total gains (losses) included in:
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2017
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Municipal
$
114

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
Corporate - public
60

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 
Corporate - privately placed
266

 
1

 
2

 

 
(34
)
 
ABS - CDO
91

 

 
1

 

 
(68
)
 
ABS - consumer and other
120

 

 

 

 
(62
)
 
CMBS
24

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
675

 
1

 
3

 

 
(172
)
 
Equity securities
166

 
2

 
1

 

 
(1
)
 
Free-standing derivatives, net
1

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
842

 
$
3

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
(173
)
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(285
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(285
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Issues
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of September 30, 2017
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Municipal
$
1

 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
107

 
Corporate - public
51

 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
104

 
Corporate - privately placed
18

 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
250

 
ABS - CDO

 

 

 
(5
)
 
19

 
ABS - consumer and other
10

 

 

 
(2
)
 
66

 
CMBS
3

 

 

 
(1
)
 
26

 
Total fixed income securities
83

 
(5
)
 

 
(13
)
 
572

 
Equity securities

 

 

 

 
168

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 

 

 

 
1

(2) 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
83

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$
(13
)
 
$
741

 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
(292
)
 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
(292
)
 
_____________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $(6) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $3 million in net investment income, $(5) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $(4) million in life and annuity contract benefits.
(2) 
Comprises $1 million of assets.


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 25


The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
 

 
Total gains (losses) included in:
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance as of
December 31, 2016
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Municipal
$
125

 
$
(1
)
 
$
6

 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
Corporate - public
78

 

 

 

 
(20
)
 
Corporate - privately placed
263

 
7

 

 
30

 
(34
)
 
ABS - CDO
27

 

 
3

 
30

 
(190
)
 
ABS - consumer and other
42

 

 

 

 
(69
)
 
RMBS
1

 

 

 

 

 
CMBS
22

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
558

 
6

 
9

 
60

 
(318
)
 
Equity securities
163

 
15

 
4

 

 
(4
)
 
Short-term investments
15

 

 

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net
(2
)
 
3

 

 

 

 
Other assets
1

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
735

 
$
23

 
$
13

 
$
60

 
$
(322
)
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(290
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(290
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Issues
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of September 30, 2017
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Municipal
$
6

 
$
(23
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
107

 
Corporate - public
50

 

 

 
(4
)
 
104

 
Corporate - privately placed
22

 
(30
)
 

 
(8
)
 
250

 
ABS - CDO
160

 

 

 
(11
)
 
19

 
ABS - consumer and other
99

 

 

 
(6
)
 
66

 
RMBS

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
CMBS
6

 

 

 
(2
)
 
26

 
Total fixed income securities
343

 
(53
)
 

 
(33
)
 
572

 
Equity securities
3

 
(13
)
 

 

 
168

 
Short-term investments
25

 
(40
)
 

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 

 

 

 
1

(2) 
Other assets

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
371

 
$
(106
)
 
$

 
$
(33
)
 
$
741

 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
5

 
$
(292
)
 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
5

 
$
(292
)
 
_____________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $17 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $7 million in realized capital gains and losses, $17 million in net investment income, $(11) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $4 million in life and annuity contract benefits.
(2) 
Comprises $1 million of assets.

26 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended September 30, 2016.
($ in millions)
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2016
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Municipal
$
149

 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
Corporate - public
74

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
Corporate - privately placed
585

 

 
2

 

 
(280
)
 
ABS - CDO
33

 

 
3

 

 

 
ABS - consumer and other
45

 

 

 

 

 
RMBS
1

 

 

 

 

 
CMBS
20

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
907

 
1

 
4

 

 
(286
)
 
Equity securities
118

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net
(7
)
 
4

 

 

 

 
Other assets
1

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
1,019

 
$
4

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
(286
)
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(304
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(304
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Issues
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of September 30, 2016
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Municipal
$
22

 
$
(11
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
160

 
Corporate - public
40

 
(10
)
 

 

 
98

 
Corporate - privately placed
38

 

 

 
(29
)
 
316

 
ABS - CDO
40

 

 

 
(2
)
 
74

 
ABS - consumer and other
35

 

 

 
(1
)
 
79

 
RMBS

 

 

 

 
1

 
CMBS
3

 

 

 

 
23

 
Total fixed income securities
178

 
(21
)
 

 
(32
)
 
751

 
Equity securities
43

 

 

 

 
160

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 

 

 

 
(3
)
(2) 
Other assets

 

 

 

 
1

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
221

 
$
(21
)
 
$

 
$
(32
)
 
$
909

 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1

 
$
(307
)
 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1

 
$
(307
)
 
_____________________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $1 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $1 million in realized capital gains and losses, $3 million in net investment income, $(6) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $3 million in life and annuity contract benefits.
(2) 
Comprises $1 million of assets and $4 million of liabilities.




The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 27


The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
($ in millions)
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$
5

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
Municipal
161

 
11

 
(6
)
 
6

 

 
Corporate - public
46

 

 
1

 
25

 
(13
)
 
Corporate - privately placed
502

 
4

 
15

 
16

 
(363
)
 
ABS - CDO
61

 

 
5

 
10

 
(3
)
 
ABS - consumer and other
50

 

 
(2
)
 
3

 

 
RMBS
1

 

 

 

 

 
CMBS
20

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
846

 
15

 
13

 
60

 
(383
)
 
Equity securities
133

 
(33
)
 
8

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net
(7
)
 
4

 

 

 

 
Other assets
1

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
973

 
$
(14
)
 
$
21

 
$
60

 
$
(383
)
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(299
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(299
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Issues
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of September 30, 2016
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
Municipal
22

 
(33
)
 

 
(1
)
 
160

 
Corporate - public
47

 
(6
)
 

 
(2
)
 
98

 
Corporate - privately placed
181

 

 

 
(39
)
 
316

 
ABS - CDO
40

 
(2
)
 

 
(37
)
 
74

 
ABS - consumer and other
35

 
(5
)
 

 
(2
)
 
79

 
RMBS

 

 

 

 
1

 
CMBS
5

 

 

 
(2
)
 
23

 
Total fixed income securities
330

 
(46
)
 

 
(84
)
 
751

 
Equity securities
52

 

 

 

 
160

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 

 

 

 
(3
)
(2) 
Other assets

 

 

 

 
1

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
382

 
$
(46
)
 
$

 
$
(84
)
 
$
909

 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
5

 
$
(307
)
 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
5

 
$
(307
)
 
_____________________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $(25) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(24) million in realized capital gains and losses, $10 million in net investment income, $(12) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $1 million in life and annuity contract benefits.
(2) 
Comprises $1 million of assets and $4 million of liabilities.
Transfers between level categorizations may occur due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs, which generally are caused by changes in market conditions such as liquidity, trading volume or bid-ask spreads. Transfers between level categorizations may also occur due to changes in the valuation source. For example, in situations where a fair value quote is not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price is stale or has been replaced with a broker quote whose inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable, the security is transferred into Level 3. Transfers in and out of level categorizations are reported as having occurred at the beginning of the quarter in which the

28 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


transfer occurred. Therefore, for all transfers into Level 3, all realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses in the quarter of transfer are reflected in the Level 3 rollforward table.
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.
Transfers into Level 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 included situations where a fair value quote was not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price was stale or had been replaced with a broker quote where the inputs had not been corroborated to be market observable resulting in the security being classified as Level 3. Transfers out of Level 3 during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 included situations where a broker quote was used in the prior period and a fair value quote became available from the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider in the current period. A quote utilizing the new pricing source was not available as of the prior period, and any gains or losses related to the change in valuation source for individual securities were not significant.
The following table provides the change in unrealized gains and losses included in net income for Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of September 30.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Municipal
$

 
$
1

 
$
(3
)
 
$
2

Corporate
1

 

 
1

 
1

Total fixed income securities
1

 
1

 
(2
)
 
3

Equity securities
2

 
(1
)
 
16

 
(33
)
Free-standing derivatives, net
(3
)
 
4

 

 
4

Other assets

 

 
(1
)
 

Total recurring Level 3 assets
$

 
$
4

 
$
13

 
$
(26
)
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(9
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(11
)
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(9
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(11
)
The amounts in the table above represent the change in unrealized gains and losses included in net income for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3. These gains and losses total $(9) million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and are reported as follows: $(3) million in realized capital gains and losses, $3 million in net investment income, $(5) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $(4) million in life and annuity contract benefits. These gains and losses total $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and are reported as follows: $1 million in realized capital gains and losses, $3 million in net investment income, $(6) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $3 million in life and annuity contract benefits. These gains and losses total $7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and are reported as follows: $(3) million in realized capital gains and losses, $17 million in net investment income, $(11) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $4 million in life and annuity contract benefits.  These gains and losses total $(37) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and are reported as follows: $(37) million in realized capital gains and losses, $11 million in net investment income, $(12) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $1 million in life and annuity contract benefits.
Presented below are the carrying values and fair value estimates of financial instruments not carried at fair value.
Financial assets
($ in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
Mortgage loans
$
4,322

 
$
4,535

 
$
4,486

 
$
4,514

Cost method limited partnerships
1,339

 
1,579

 
1,282

 
1,493

Bank loans
1,731

 
1,734

 
1,669

 
1,677

Agent loans
523

 
520

 
467

 
467


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 29


The fair value of mortgage loans is based on discounted contractual cash flows or, if the loans are impaired due to credit reasons, the fair value of collateral less costs to sell. Risk adjusted discount rates are selected using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar characteristics, using similar types of properties as collateral. The fair value of cost method limited partnerships is determined using reported net asset values. The fair value of bank loans, which are reported in other investments, is based on broker quotes from brokers familiar with the loans and current market conditions. The fair value of agent loans, which are reported in other investments, is based on discounted cash flow calculations. Risk adjusted discount rates are selected using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar characteristics. The fair value measurements for mortgage loans, cost method limited partnerships, bank loans and agent loans are categorized as Level 3.
Financial liabilities
($ in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
Contractholder funds on investment contracts
$
10,618

 
$
11,203

 
$
11,313

 
$
12,009

Long-term debt
6,349

 
7,161

 
6,347

 
6,920

Liability for collateral
1,156

 
1,156

 
1,129

 
1,129

The fair value of contractholder funds on investment contracts is based on the terms of the underlying contracts incorporating current market-based crediting rates for similar contracts that reflect the Company’s own credit risk. Deferred annuities classified in contractholder funds are valued based on discounted cash flow models that incorporate current market based margins and reflect the Company’s own credit risk. Immediate annuities without life contingencies are valued based on discounted cash flow models that incorporate current market-based implied interest rates and reflect the Company’s own credit risk. The fair value measurement for contractholder funds on investment contracts is categorized as Level 3.
The fair value of long-term debt is based on market observable data (such as the fair value of the debt when traded as an asset) or is determined using discounted cash flow calculations based on current interest rates for instruments with comparable terms and considers the Company’s own credit risk. The liability for collateral is valued at carrying value due to its short-term nature. The fair value measurements for long-term debt and liability for collateral are categorized as Level 2.
7. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivatives for risk reduction and to increase investment portfolio returns through asset replication. Risk reduction activity is focused on managing the risks with certain assets and liabilities arising from the potential adverse impacts from changes in risk-free interest rates, changes in equity market valuations, increases in credit spreads and foreign currency fluctuations. Asset replication refers to the “synthetic” creation of assets through the use of derivatives. The Company replicates fixed income securities using a combination of a credit default swap or a foreign currency forward contract and one or more highly rated fixed income securities, primarily investment grade host bonds, to synthetically replicate the economic characteristics of one or more cash market securities. The Company replicates equity securities using futures and options to increase equity exposure.
Property-Liability may use interest rate swaps, swaptions, futures and options to manage the interest rate risks of existing investments. These instruments are utilized to change the duration of the portfolio in order to offset the economic effect that interest rates would otherwise have on the fair value of its fixed income securities. Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Property-Liability fixed income portfolio. Equity index futures and options are used by Property-Liability to offset valuation losses in the equity portfolio during periods of declining equity market values. In addition, equity futures are used to hedge the market risk related to deferred compensation liability contracts. Forward contracts are primarily used by Property-Liability to hedge foreign currency risk associated with holding foreign currency denominated investments and foreign operations.
Allstate Financial utilizes several derivative strategies to manage risk. Asset-liability management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Allstate Financial to balance the respective interest-rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities. Depending upon the attributes of the assets acquired and liabilities issued, derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, swaptions and futures are utilized to change the interest rate characteristics of existing assets and liabilities to ensure the relationship is maintained within specified ranges and to reduce exposure to rising or falling interest rates. Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Allstate Financial fixed income portfolio. Futures and options are used for hedging the equity exposure contained in Allstate Financial’s equity indexed life and annuity product contracts that offer equity returns to contractholders. In addition, Allstate Financial uses equity index futures and options to offset valuation losses in the equity portfolio during periods of declining equity market values. Foreign currency swaps and forwards are primarily used by Allstate Financial to reduce the foreign currency risk associated with holding foreign currency denominated investments.


30 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


The Company also has derivatives embedded in non-derivative host contracts that are required to be separated from the host contracts and accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value of embedded derivatives reported in net income. The Company’s primary embedded derivatives are equity options in life and annuity product contracts, which provide equity returns to contractholders.
When derivatives meet specific criteria, they may be designated as accounting hedges and accounted for as fair value, cash flow, foreign currency fair value or foreign currency cash flow hedges. Allstate Financial designates certain investment risk transfer reinsurance agreements as fair value hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the risk of changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Allstate Financial designates certain of its foreign currency swap contracts as cash flow hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the exposure of variations in cash flows for the hedged risk that could affect net income. Amounts are reclassified to net investment income or realized capital gains and losses as the hedged item affects net income.
The notional amounts specified in the contracts are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and are generally not representative of the potential for gain or loss on these agreements. However, the notional amounts specified in credit default swaps where the Company has sold credit protection represent the maximum amount of potential loss, assuming no recoveries.
Fair value, which is equal to the carrying value, is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the derivative contracts at the reporting date. The carrying value amounts for OTC derivatives are further adjusted for the effects, if any, of enforceable master netting agreements and are presented on a net basis, by counterparty agreement, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. For certain exchange traded and cleared derivatives, margin deposits are required as well as daily cash settlements of margin accounts. As of September 30, 2017, the Company pledged $35 million in the form of margin deposits.
For those derivatives which qualify for fair value hedge accounting, net income includes the changes in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged risk, and therefore reflects any hedging ineffectiveness. For cash flow hedges, gains and losses are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income and are reported in net income in the same period the forecasted transactions being hedged impact net income.
Non-hedge accounting is generally used for “portfolio” level hedging strategies where the terms of the individual hedged items do not meet the strict homogeneity requirements to permit the application of hedge accounting. For non-hedge derivatives, net income includes changes in fair value and accrued periodic settlements, when applicable. With the exception of non-hedge derivatives used for asset replication and non-hedge embedded derivatives, all of the Company’s derivatives are evaluated for their ongoing effectiveness as either accounting hedge or non-hedge derivative financial instruments on at least a quarterly basis.



























The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 31


The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of September 30, 2017.
($ in millions, except number of contracts)
 
 
Volume (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet location
 
Notional amount
 
Number of contracts
 
Fair value, net
 
Gross asset
 
Gross liability
Asset derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency swap agreements
Other investments
 
$
49

 
n/a

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate cap agreements
Other investments
 
41

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Options 
Other investments
 
173

 
6,301

 
96

 
96

 

Financial futures contracts
Other assets
 

 
1,866

 
1

 
1

 

Foreign currency contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forwards
Other investments
 
322

 
n/a

 
(6
)
 
3

 
(9
)
Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps – buying protection
Other investments
 
104

 
n/a

 
(2
)
 
1

 
(3
)
Credit default swaps – selling protection
Other investments
 
100

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Other contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other contracts
Other assets
 
3

 
n/a

 

 

 

Subtotal
 
 
743

 
8,167

 
91

 
103

 
(12
)
Total asset derivatives
 
 
$
792

 
8,167

 
$
92

 
$
105

 
$
(13
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate cap agreements
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
$
11

 
n/a

 
$

 
$

 
$

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Options and futures
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
595

 
5,895

 
(34
)
 
2

 
(36
)
Foreign currency contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forwards
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
568

 
n/a

 
(8
)
 
3

 
(11
)
Embedded derivative financial instruments
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits
Contractholder funds
 
234

 
n/a

 
(25
)
 

 
(25
)
Guaranteed withdrawal benefits
Contractholder funds
 
274

 
n/a

 
(14
)
 

 
(14
)
Equity-indexed and forward starting options in life and annuity product contracts
Contractholder funds
 
1,764

 
n/a

 
(253
)
 

 
(253
)
Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps – buying protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
416

 
n/a

 
(9
)
 
1

 
(10
)
Credit default swaps – selling protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
5

 
n/a

 

 

 

Total liability derivatives
 
 
3,867

 
5,895

 
(343
)
 
$
6

 
$
(349
)
Total derivatives
 
 
$
4,659

 
14,062

 
$
(251
)
 
 

 
 

__________________
(1) 
Volume for OTC and cleared derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts. Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded. (n/a = not applicable)










32 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2016.
($ in millions, except number of contracts)
 
 
Volume (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet location
 
Notional amount
 
Number of contracts
 
Fair value, net
 
Gross asset
 
Gross liability
Asset derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency swap agreements
Other investments
 
$
49

 
n/a

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate cap agreements
Other investments
 
65

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

      Options
Other investments
 

 
3,972

 
88

 
88

 

Financial futures contracts
Other assets
 

 
261

 

 

 

Foreign currency contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forwards
Other investments
 
759

 
n/a

 

 
24

 
(24
)
Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps – buying protection
Other investments
 
87

 
n/a

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Credit default swaps – selling protection
Other investments
 
140

 
n/a

 
2

 
2

 

Other contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other contracts
Other assets
 
3

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Subtotal
 
 
1,054

 
4,233

 
88

 
116

 
(28
)
Total asset derivatives
 
 
$
1,103

 
4,233

 
$
93

 
$
121

 
$
(28
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Options and futures
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
$

 
4,848

 
$
(39
)
 
$

 
$
(39
)
Embedded derivative financial instruments
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits
Contractholder funds
 
391

 
n/a

 
(34
)
 

 
(34
)
Guaranteed withdrawal benefits
Contractholder funds
 
290

 
n/a

 
(9
)
 

 
(9
)
Equity-indexed and forward starting options in life and annuity product contracts
Contractholder funds
 
1,751

 
n/a

 
(247
)
 

 
(247
)
Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps – buying protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
136

 
n/a

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Credit default swaps – selling protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
105

 
n/a

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
Total liability derivatives
 
 
2,673

 
4,848

 
(334
)
 
$

 
$
(334
)
Total derivatives
 
 
$
3,776

 
9,081

 
$
(241
)
 
 

 
 

__________________
(1) 
Volume for OTC and cleared derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts. Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded. (n/a = not applicable)







The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 33


The following table provides gross and net amounts for the Company’s OTC derivatives, all of which are subject to enforceable master netting agreements.
($ in millions)
 
 
Offsets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amount
 
Counter-party netting
 
Cash collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount on balance sheet
 
Securities collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount
September 30, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Asset derivatives
$
12

 
$
(19
)
 
$
10

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

Liability derivatives
(28
)
 
19

 
2

 
(7
)
 
3

 
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Asset derivatives
$
31

 
$
(28
)
 
$
19

 
$
22

 
$
(9
)
 
$
13

Liability derivatives
(33
)
 
28

 

 
(5
)
 
4

 
(1
)
The following table provides a summary of the impacts of the Company’s foreign currency contracts in cash flow hedging relationships. Amortization of net losses from accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges is expected to be a gain of $2 million during the next twelve months. There was no hedge ineffectiveness reported in realized gains and losses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Loss recognized in OCI on derivatives during the period
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(1
)
(Loss) gain recognized in OCI on derivatives during the term of the hedging relationship
(2
)
 
1

 
(2
)
 
1

(Loss) gain reclassified from AOCI into income (net investment income)
(2
)
 
1

 
(1
)
 
1

Gain reclassified from AOCI into income (realized capital gains and losses)

 

 

 
3


34 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


The following tables present gains and losses from valuation and settlements reported on derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company had no derivatives used in fair value hedging relationships.
($ in millions)
Realized capital gains and losses
 
Life and annuity contract benefits
 
Interest credited to contractholder funds
 
Operating costs and expenses
 
Total gain (loss) recognized in net income on derivatives
Three months ended September 30, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity and index contracts
$
(10
)
 
$

 
$
11

 
$
8

 
$
9

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 
(4
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(7
)
Foreign currency contracts
(5
)
 

 

 
1

 
(4
)
Credit default contracts
(2
)
 

 

 

 
(2
)
Total
$
(17
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
8

 
$
9

 
$
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity and index contracts
$
(17
)
 
$

 
$
33

 
$
20

 
$
36

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 
4

 
(7
)
 

 
(3
)
Foreign currency contracts
(20
)
 

 

 
6

 
(14
)
Credit default contracts
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(3
)
Total
$
(40
)
 
$
4

 
$
26

 
$
26

 
$
16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity and index contracts
$
(10
)
 
$

 
$
14

 
$
7

 
$
11

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 
3

 
(6
)
 

 
(3
)
Foreign currency contracts
(5
)
 

 

 
(5
)
 
(10
)
Total
$
(15
)
 
$
3

 
$
8

 
$
2

 
$
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
Equity and index contracts
(15
)
 

 
9

 
11

 
5

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 
1

 
(9
)
 

 
(8
)
Foreign currency contracts
(4
)
 

 

 
(26
)
 
(30
)
Credit default contracts
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
Total
$
(25
)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
(15
)
 
$
(39
)
The Company manages its exposure to credit risk by utilizing highly rated counterparties, establishing risk control limits, executing legally enforceable master netting agreements (“MNAs”) and obtaining collateral where appropriate. The Company uses MNAs for OTC derivative transactions that permit either party to net payments due for transactions and collateral is either pledged or obtained when certain predetermined exposure limits are exceeded. As of September 30, 2017, counterparties pledged $3 million in cash to the Company, and the Company pledged $18 million in cash and securities to counterparties which includes $7 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent provisions that are in a liability position and $11 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts without credit-risk-contingent features. The Company has not incurred any losses on derivative financial instruments due to counterparty nonperformance. Other derivatives, including futures and certain option contracts, are traded on organized exchanges which require margin deposits and guarantee the execution of trades, thereby mitigating any potential credit risk.
Counterparty credit exposure represents the Company’s potential loss if all of the counterparties concurrently fail to perform under the contractual terms of the contracts and all collateral, if any, becomes worthless. This exposure is measured by the fair value of OTC derivative contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date reduced by the effect, if any, of legally enforceable master netting agreements.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 35


The following table summarizes the counterparty credit exposure by counterparty credit rating as it relates to the Company’s OTC derivatives.
($ in millions)
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Rating (1)
 
Number of
counter-
parties
 
Notional
amount (2)
 
Credit
exposure (2)
 
Exposure, net of collateral (2)
 
Number of
counter-
parties
 
Notional
amount (2)
 
Credit
exposure (2)
 
Exposure, net of collateral (2)
AA-
 
1

 
$
11

 
$

 
$

 
2

 
$
80

 
$
2

 
$
2

A+
 
3

 
249

 
4

 
4

 
5

 
698

 
20

 
9

A-
 

 

 

 

 
1

 
110

 
1

 
1

Total
 
4

 
$
260

 
$
4

 
$
4

 
8

 
$
888

 
$
23

 
$
12

_______________
(1) 
Rating is the lower of S&P or Moody’s ratings.
(2) 
Only OTC derivatives with a net positive fair value are included for each counterparty.
Market risk is the risk that the Company will incur losses due to adverse changes in market rates and prices. Market risk exists for all of the derivative financial instruments the Company currently holds, as these instruments may become less valuable due to adverse changes in market conditions. To limit this risk, the Company’s senior management has established risk control limits. In addition, changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments that the Company uses for risk management purposes are generally offset by the change in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged risk component of the related assets, liabilities or forecasted transactions.
Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk-contingent termination events, cross-default provisions and credit support annex agreements. Credit-risk-contingent termination events allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative agreement or a specific trade on certain dates if AIC’s, ALIC’s or Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York’s (“ALNY”) financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P fall below a certain level. Credit-risk-contingent cross-default provisions allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative agreement if the Company defaults by pre-determined threshold amounts on certain debt instruments. Credit-risk-contingent credit support annex agreements specify the amount of collateral the Company must post to counterparties based on AIC’s, ALIC’s or ALNY’s financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P, or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by either Moody’s or S&P.
The following summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments with termination, cross-default or collateral credit-risk-contingent features that are in a liability position, as well as the fair value of assets and collateral that are netted against the liability in accordance with provisions within legally enforceable MNAs.
($ in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Gross liability fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features
$
20

 
$
9

Gross asset fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features and subject to MNAs
(8
)
 
(7
)
Collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features
(7
)
 

Maximum amount of additional exposure for contracts with credit-risk-contingent features if all features were triggered concurrently
$
5

 
$
2

Credit derivatives - selling protection
A credit default swap (“CDS”) is a derivative instrument, representing an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a specified entity (or a group of entities), or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities (all commonly referred to as the “reference entity” or a portfolio of “reference entities”), in return for a periodic premium. In selling protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities and to complement the cash market when credit exposure to certain issuers is not available or when the derivative alternative is less expensive than the cash market alternative. CDS typically have a five-year term.





36 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


The following table shows the CDS notional amounts by credit rating and fair value of protection sold.
($ in millions)
Notional amount
 
 
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
 
BB and
lower
 
Total
 
Fair
value
September 30, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Single name
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate debt
$

 
$

 
$
20

 
$
5

 
$
25

 
$

Index
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Corporate debt
1

 
19

 
46

 
14

 
80

 
1

Total
$
1

 
$
19

 
$
66

 
$
19

 
$
105

 
$
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Single name
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate debt
$
20

 
$
10

 
$
35

 
$

 
$
65

 
$
1

First-to-default Basket
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Municipal

 

 
100

 

 
100

 
(3
)
Index
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Corporate debt
1

 
19

 
50

 
10

 
80

 
1

Total
$
21

 
$
29

 
$
185

 
$
10

 
$
245

 
$
(1
)
In selling protection with CDS, the Company sells credit protection on an identified single name, a basket of names in a first-to-default (“FTD”) structure or credit derivative index (“CDX”) that is generally investment grade, and in return receives periodic premiums through expiration or termination of the agreement. With single name CDS, this premium or credit spread generally corresponds to the difference between the yield on the reference entity’s public fixed maturity cash instruments and swap rates at the time the agreement is executed. With a FTD basket, because of the additional credit risk inherent in a basket of named reference entities, the premium generally corresponds to a high proportion of the sum of the credit spreads of the names in the basket and the correlation between the names. CDX is utilized to take a position on multiple (generally 125) reference entities. Credit events are typically defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, or restructuring, depending on the nature of the reference entities. If a credit event occurs, the Company settles with the counterparty, either through physical settlement or cash settlement. In a physical settlement, a reference asset is delivered by the buyer of protection to the Company, in exchange for cash payment at par, whereas in a cash settlement, the Company pays the difference between par and the prescribed value of the reference asset. When a credit event occurs in a single name or FTD basket (for FTD, the first credit event occurring for any one name in the basket), the contract terminates at the time of settlement. For CDX, the reference entity’s name incurring the credit event is removed from the index while the contract continues until expiration. The maximum payout on a CDS is the contract notional amount. A physical settlement may afford the Company with recovery rights as the new owner of the asset.
The Company monitors risk associated with credit derivatives through individual name credit limits at both a credit derivative and a combined cash instrument/credit derivative level. The ratings of individual names for which protection has been sold are also monitored.
8. Reserve for Property-Liability Insurance Claims and Claims Expense
The Company establishes reserves for claims and claims expense on reported and unreported claims of insured losses. The Company’s reserving process takes into account known facts and interpretations of circumstances and factors including the Company’s experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns and pending levels of unpaid claims, loss management programs, product mix and contractual terms, changes in law and regulation, judicial decisions, and economic conditions. In the normal course of business, the Company may also supplement its claims processes by utilizing third party adjusters, appraisers, engineers, inspectors, and other professionals and information sources to assess and settle catastrophe and non-catastrophe related claims. The effects of inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving process.
Because reserves are estimates of unpaid portions of losses that have occurred, including incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses, the establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophes and reserves and reinsurance recoverables for the Discontinued Lines and Coverages, is an inherently uncertain and complex process. The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimates. The highest degree of uncertainty is associated with reserves for losses incurred in the current reporting period as it contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled. The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new information becomes available and as events unfold that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims. Changes in prior year reserve estimates, which may be material, are reported in property-liability insurance claims and claims expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period such changes are determined.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 37


Management believes that the reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, net of reinsurance recoverables, is appropriately established in the aggregate and adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported claims arising from losses which had occurred by the date of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.
Activity in the reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense is summarized as follows:
($ in millions)
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Balance as of January 1
$
25,250

 
$
23,869

Less reinsurance recoverables
6,184

 
5,892

Net balance as of January 1
19,066

 
17,977

SquareTrade acquisition as of January 3, 2017
17

 

Incurred claims and claims expense related to:
 
 
 
Current year
16,971

 
17,018

Prior years
(321
)
 
120

Total incurred
16,650

 
17,138

Claims and claims expense paid related to:
 
 
 
Current year
10,052

 
10,210

Prior years
5,784

 
5,804

Total paid
15,836

 
16,014

Net balance as of September 30
19,897

 
19,101

Plus reinsurance recoverables
7,257

 
6,349

Balance as of September 30
$
27,154

 
$
25,450

Incurred claims and claims expense represents the sum of paid losses and reserve changes in the period. This expense includes losses from catastrophes of $2.64 billion and $2.27 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, net of reinsurance and other recoveries. Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property-liability insurance business that have contributed to, and will continue to contribute to, material year-to-year fluctuations in the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, incurred claims and claims expense included $321 million of prior year reserve reestimates, increasing net income. Prior year reserve reestimates are composed of net decreases in auto reserves of $336 million primarily due to injury coverages claim severity development that was better than expected, net decreases in homeowners reserves of $86 million due to favorable non-catastrophe reserve reestimates, net increases in Discontinued Lines and Coverages of $93 million, and net increases in other reserves of $8 million. Incurred claims and claims expense includes favorable catastrophe loss reestimates of $10 million, net of reinsurance and other recoveries.
9. Reinsurance
Property-liability insurance premiums earned and life and annuity premiums and contract charges have been reduced by reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017

2016
Property-liability insurance premiums earned
$
245

 
$
244

 
$
745

 
$
741

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
75

 
78

 
225

 
230
Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, life and annuity contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds have been reduced by the reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense (1)
$
1,268

 
$
493

 
$
1,523

 
$
895

Life and annuity contract benefits
47

 
25

 
164

 
172
Interest credited to contractholder funds
6

 
7

 
17

 
18
_______________
(1) 
Includes expected reinsurance recoveries on catastrophe losses related to homeowners flood claims covered by the National Flood Insurance Program.


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10. Company Restructuring
The Company undertakes various programs to reduce expenses. These programs generally involve a reduction in staffing levels, and in certain cases, office closures. Restructuring and related charges primarily include employee termination and relocation benefits, and post-exit rent expenses in connection with these programs, and non-cash charges resulting from pension benefit payments made to agents and certain legal expenses incurred in connection with the 1999 reorganization of Allstate’s multiple agency programs to a single exclusive agency program. The expenses related to these activities are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring and related charges, and totaled $14 million and $5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $77 million and $21 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Restructuring expenses in 2017 primarily related to Allstate brand claims process changes and office closures due to increased efficiencies and improvements in digital technology, a voluntary termination program extended to certain employees, outsourcing of certain functions, and realigning or consolidating departments within the Allstate, Esurance and Encompass operations.
The following table presents changes in the restructuring liability during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
Employee
costs
 
Exit
costs
 
Total
liability
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$

 
$
2

 
$
2

Expense incurred
46

 
18

 
64

Adjustments to liability
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Payments applied against liability
(24
)
 
(7
)
 
(31
)
Balance as of September 30, 2017
$
18

 
$
13

 
$
31

The payments applied against the liability for employee costs primarily reflect severance costs, and the payments for exit costs generally consist of post-exit rent expenses and contract termination penalties. As of September 30, 2017, the cumulative amount incurred to date for active programs totaled $101 million for employee costs and $80 million for exit costs.
11. Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities
Shared markets and state facility assessments
The Company is required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations in various states that provide insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to purchase such coverage from private insurers. Underwriting results related to these arrangements, which tend to be adverse, have been immaterial to the Company’s results of operations. Because of the Company’s participation, it may be exposed to losses that surpass the capitalization of these facilities and/or assessments from these facilities.
Guarantees
The Company provides residual value guarantees on Company leased automobiles. If all outstanding leases were terminated effective September 30, 2017, the Company’s maximum obligation pursuant to these guarantees, assuming the automobiles have no residual value, would be $32 million as of September 30, 2017. The remaining term of each residual value guarantee is equal to the term of the underlying lease that ranges from less than one year to four years. Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these guarantees.
Related to the sale of LBL on April 1, 2014, ALIC agreed to indemnify Resolution Life Holdings, Inc. in connection with certain representations, warranties and covenants of ALIC, and certain liabilities specifically excluded from the transaction, subject to specific contractual limitations regarding ALIC’s maximum obligation. Management does not believe these indemnifications will have a material effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.
Related to the disposal through reinsurance of substantially all of Allstate Financial’s variable annuity business to Prudential in 2006, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, ALIC and ALNY, have agreed to indemnify Prudential for certain pre-closing contingent liabilities (including extra-contractual liabilities of ALIC and ALNY and liabilities specifically excluded from the transaction) that ALIC and ALNY have agreed to retain. In addition, the Company, ALIC and ALNY will each indemnify Prudential for certain post-closing liabilities that may arise from the acts of ALIC, ALNY and their agents, including certain liabilities arising from ALIC’s and ALNY’s provision of transition services. The reinsurance agreements contain no limitations or indemnifications with regard to insurance risk transfer and transferred all of the future risks and responsibilities for performance on the underlying variable annuity contracts to Prudential, including those related to benefit guarantees. Management does not believe this agreement will have a material effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.
In the normal course of business, the Company provides standard indemnifications to contractual counterparties in connection with numerous transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures. The types of indemnifications typically provided include indemnifications for breaches of representations and warranties, taxes and certain other liabilities, such as third party lawsuits.

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The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business based on an assessment that the risk of loss would be remote. The terms of the indemnifications vary in duration and nature. In many cases, the maximum obligation is not explicitly stated and the contingencies triggering the obligation to indemnify have not occurred and are not expected to occur. Consequently, the maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnifications is not determinable. Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these obligations.
The aggregate liability balance related to all guarantees was not material as of September 30, 2017.
Regulation and Compliance
The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations, administrative directives, and regulatory actions. From time to time, regulatory authorities or legislative bodies seek to influence and restrict premium rates, require premium refunds to policyholders, require reinstatement of terminated policies, prescribe rules or guidelines on how affiliates compete in the marketplace, restrict the ability of insurers to cancel or non-renew policies, require insurers to continue to write new policies or limit their ability to write new policies, limit insurers’ ability to change coverage terms or to impose underwriting standards, impose additional regulations regarding agent and broker compensation, regulate the nature of and amount of investments, impose fines and penalties for unintended errors or mistakes, and otherwise expand overall regulation of insurance products and the insurance industry. In addition, the Company is subject to laws and regulations administered and enforced by federal agencies and other organizations, including but not limited to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Labor, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Justice. The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations, to foster prudent business operations, and to support financial reporting. The Company routinely reviews its practices to validate compliance with laws and regulations and with internal procedures and policies. As a result of these reviews, from time to time the Company may decide to modify some of its procedures and policies. Such modifications, and the reviews that led to them, may be accompanied by payments being made and costs being incurred. The ultimate changes and eventual effects of these actions on the Company’s business, if any, are uncertain.
Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries
The Company and certain subsidiaries are involved in a number of lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings arising out of various aspects of its business.
Background
These matters raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including the underlying facts of each matter; novel legal issues; variations between jurisdictions in which matters are being litigated, heard, or investigated; changes in assigned judges; differences or developments in applicable laws and judicial interpretations; judges reconsidering prior rulings; the length of time before many of these matters might be resolved by settlement, through litigation, or otherwise; adjustments with respect to anticipated trial schedules and other proceedings; developments in similar actions against other companies; the fact that some of the lawsuits are putative class actions in which a class has not been certified and in which the purported class may not be clearly defined; the fact that some of the lawsuits involve multi-state class actions in which the applicable law(s) for the claims at issue is in dispute and therefore unclear; and the challenging legal environment faced by corporations and insurance companies.
The outcome of these matters may be affected by decisions, verdicts, and settlements, and the timing of such decisions, verdicts, and settlements, in other individual and class action lawsuits that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities and by other legal, governmental, and regulatory actions that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities. The outcome may also be affected by future state or federal legislation, the timing or substance of which cannot be predicted.
In the lawsuits, plaintiffs seek a variety of remedies which may include equitable relief in the form of injunctive and other remedies and monetary relief in the form of contractual and extra-contractual damages. In some cases, the monetary damages sought may include punitive or treble damages. Often specific information about the relief sought, such as the amount of damages, is not available because plaintiffs have not requested specific relief in their pleadings. When specific monetary demands are made, they are often set just below a state court jurisdictional limit in order to seek the maximum amount available in state court, regardless of the specifics of the case, while still avoiding the risk of removal to federal court. In Allstate’s experience, monetary demands in pleadings bear little relation to the ultimate loss, if any, to the Company.
In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution, and changes in business practices. The Company may not be advised of the nature and extent of relief sought until the final stages of the examination or proceeding.
Accrual and disclosure policy
The Company reviews its lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings on an ongoing basis and follows appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions. The Company establishes accruals for such matters at management’s best estimate when the Company assesses that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount

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of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not establish accruals for such matters when the Company does not believe both that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s assessment of whether a loss is reasonably possible or probable is based on its assessment of the ultimate outcome of the matter following all appeals. The Company does not include potential recoveries in its estimates of reasonably possible or probable losses. Legal fees are expensed as incurred.
The Company continues to monitor its lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings for further developments that would make the loss contingency both probable and estimable, and accordingly accruable, or that could affect the amount of accruals that have been previously established. There may continue to be exposure to loss in excess of any amount accrued. Disclosure of the nature and amount of an accrual is made when there have been sufficient legal and factual developments such that the Company’s ability to resolve the matter would not be impaired by the disclosure of the amount of accrual.
When the Company assesses it is reasonably possible or probable that a loss has been incurred, it discloses the matter. When it is possible to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, for the matters disclosed, that estimate is aggregated and disclosed. Disclosure is not required when an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss cannot be made.
For certain of the matters described below in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections, the Company is able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any. In determining whether it is possible to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, the Company reviews and evaluates the disclosed matters, in conjunction with counsel, in light of potentially relevant factual and legal developments.
These developments may include information learned through the discovery process, rulings on dispositive motions, settlement discussions, information obtained from other sources, experience from managing these and other matters, and other rulings by courts, arbitrators or others. When the Company possesses sufficient appropriate information to develop an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, that estimate is aggregated and disclosed below. There may be other disclosed matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible but such an estimate is not possible. Disclosure of the estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, for any individual matter would only be considered when there have been sufficient legal and factual developments such that the Company’s ability to resolve the matter would not be impaired by the disclosure of the individual estimate.
The Company currently estimates that the aggregate range of reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if any, for the disclosed matters where such an estimate is possible is zero to $300 million, pre-tax. This disclosure is not an indication of expected loss, if any. Under accounting guidance, an event is “reasonably possible” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely” and an event is “remote” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is slight.” This estimate is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the estimate will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. The estimate does not include matters or losses for which an estimate is not possible. Therefore, this estimate represents an estimate of possible loss only for certain matters meeting these criteria. It does not represent the Company’s maximum possible loss exposure. Information is provided below regarding the nature of all of the disclosed matters and, where specified, the amount, if any, of plaintiff claims associated with these loss contingencies.
Due to the complexity and scope of the matters disclosed in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections below and the many uncertainties that exist, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted and in the Company’s judgment, a loss, in excess of amounts accrued, if any, is not probable. In the event of an unfavorable outcome in one or more of these matters, the ultimate liability may be in excess of amounts currently accrued, if any, and may be material to the Company’s operating results or cash flows for a particular quarterly or annual period. However, based on information currently known to it, management believes that the ultimate outcome of all matters described below, as they are resolved over time, is not likely to have a material effect on the financial position of the Company.
Claims related proceedings
The Company is litigating two class action cases in California in which the plaintiffs allege off-the-clock wage and hour claims. Plaintiffs in both cases seek recovery of unpaid compensation, liquidated damages, penalties, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
The first case is Christopher Williams, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company. The Williams case is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court and was filed in December 2007. The case involves two classes. The first class includes auto field physical damage adjusters employed in the state of California from January 1, 2005 to the date of final judgment, to the extent the Company failed to pay for off-the-clock work to those adjusters who performed certain duties prior to their first assignments. The other class includes all non-exempt employees in California from December 19, 2006 until June 2011 who received pay statements from Allstate which allegedly did not comply with California law. On April 13, 2016, the court granted the Company’s motion to

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 41


decertify both classes; both classes are thus dissolved unless and until the appellate court orders the classes recertified. On May 17, 2016, plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal. Plaintiff’s opening brief was filed on November 22, 2016.  Allstate’s response was filed on May 16, 2017. Plaintiff’s reply brief was filed on July 6, 2017. Oral argument occurred on October 26, 2017.
The second case is Jack Jimenez, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company. Jimenez was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in September 2010. The plaintiffs allege that they worked off-the-clock; they also allege other California Labor Code violations resulting from purported unpaid overtime. In April 2012, the court certified a class that includes all adjusters in the state of California, except auto field adjusters, from September 29, 2006 to final judgment. Allstate appealed the court’s decision to certify the class, first to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and then to the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 15, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Allstate’s petition for a writ of certiorari. The case was scheduled for trial on September 27, 2016. On May 4, 2016, the court vacated that trial date in part because the court had not approved a trial plan. No trial date has been scheduled because the parties continue to wait for the court’s approval of a trial plan.
In addition to the California class actions, the case of Maria Victoria Perez and Kaela Brown, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Plaintiffs allege that no-fault claim adjusters have been improperly classified as exempt employees under New York Labor Law and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The case was filed in April 2011, and the plaintiffs are seeking unpaid wages, liquidated damages, injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. On September 16, 2014, the court certified a class of no-fault adjusters under New York Labor Law and refused to decertify a Fair Labor Standards Act class of no-fault adjusters. There are 105 members of the Fair Labor Standards Act class and 137 members of the New York Labor Law class. The parties are engaged in discovery.
The Company has been involved in litigation challenging whether the Company’s personal injury protection policies include sufficient language providing notice of the Company’s election to apply the fee schedules. The Florida personal injury protection statute permits insurers to pay personal injury protection benefits for reasonable medical expenses based on certain benefit reimbursement limitations which are authorized by the personal injury protection statute (generally referred to as “fee schedules”) resulting from automobile accidents.
On January 26, 2017, the Florida Supreme Court issued its decision in Allstate Insurance Company v. Orthopedic Specialists, et al., holding that Allstate’s language was clear and unambiguous and provided adequate notice of its intent to use the fee schedules. On February 7, 2017, Orthopedic Specialists filed a motion for rehearing, which the Florida Supreme Court denied on March 27, 2017. Thus, the Florida Supreme Court’s decision is final.
In light of this ruling, the fee schedule issue is expected to be resolved favorably to Allstate in other pending cases. There were three other cases with petitions for leave to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court pending. In those cases, three District Courts of Appeal had previously ruled in favor of Allstate. The Florida Supreme Court issued “show cause” orders in each of those appeals directing the providers to file a response explaining why the Orthopedic Specialists decision is not controlling and why the Florida Supreme Court should not decline to exercise jurisdiction. In one appeal, the provider acknowledged that Orthopedic Specialists governs and the court declined jurisdiction in that appeal. In the other two appeals, the providers asserted that their petitions to appeal should be granted because Orthopedic Specialists was wrongly decided, repeating the arguments previously asserted. Allstate’s responses were filed on May 8, 2017. On August 4, 2017, the Florida Supreme Court issued orders in both of those cases stating that the court was declining to exercise jurisdiction in those appeals. Accordingly, all proceedings on the fee schedule issue in the Florida Supreme Court have been concluded in Allstate’s favor.
This fee schedule issue has also been the subject of thousands of individual lawsuits filed against Allstate in Florida. The decision by the Florida Supreme Court has established Florida law on the sufficiency of Allstate’s fee schedule policy language that is binding on all Florida courts. Allstate intends to seek final resolution in its favor of all fee schedule claims currently in litigation as well as those not in litigation. Allstate may seek restitution from some plaintiffs for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Providers continue to pursue individual suits under various theories challenging the amounts paid when Allstate pays personal injury protection benefits under the fee schedule limitations. Allstate is vigorously asserting both procedural and substantive defenses to these suits.
Other proceedings
The Company is defending a consolidated proceeding relating to the reorganization of its agent sales force in 2000, when the Company discontinued employee agent programs, terminated the contracts of its employee agents, and offered those agents the opportunity to become Allstate Exclusive Agent independent contractors or to take severance benefits in exchange for a release of claims. The consolidated proceeding, captioned Gene Romero, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company, et al., is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
This matter has a long and complex history, only relevant portions of which are summarized here. The case began in 2001 as two separate putative class actions filed by approximately 32 former employee agents. In one case, plaintiffs challenged the reorganization alleging claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), interference with benefits under ERISA, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. Plaintiffs also challenged the release of claims on various grounds

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including alleging that the release was retaliatory under the ADEA and ERISA. In the other case, plaintiffs challenged certain amendments to the Agents Pension Plan and sought to have service as Exclusive Agent independent contractors count toward eligibility for benefits. Plaintiffs sought various relief, including back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, liquidated damages, lost investment capital, loss of benefits, repeal of the challenged plan amendments and attorneys’ fees.
In February, 2014, the court addressed the validity and enforceability of the release and determined that the question of whether the releases were voluntarily signed raised disputed issues of fact to be resolved at trial. The court also held that the release, if valid, would bar all claims. In late 2014, the court denied plaintiffs’ motion to certify a class for purposes of determining whether the releases were signed voluntarily and ordered that all statutes of limitations would resume running, after which approximately 460 additional individual plaintiffs filed separate similar lawsuits or sought to intervene.
A jury trial was held in June, 2015, to determine whether the releases of ten plaintiffs were knowingly and voluntarily signed. The jury found that two plaintiffs signed their releases voluntarily and eight plaintiffs did not.
On May 2, 2016, a consolidated amended complaint was filed on behalf of 498 plaintiffs, most of whom had previously filed separate lawsuits or intervened. On July 6, 2016, the court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ state law breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims but granted dismissal of plaintiffs’ retaliation claims under the ADEA and ERISA challenging the release of claims.
The court then separated the case into phases to address “common issues” in plaintiffs’ claims, beginning with: (a) “Phase I” addressing claims by 118 plaintiffs alleging that certain plan amendments violated ERISA’s anti-cutback provision by eliminating an accrued benefit and (b) “Phase II” addressing all plaintiffs’ claims for alleged interference with employee benefits under ERISA and disparate impact under the ADEA.
A bench trial on Phase I claims was held in December, 2016. The court ruled that (i) the Company’s 1991 amendments to the Plan did not violate ERISA by improperly cutting back on plaintiffs’ benefits, and (ii) the Company’s interpretation of the Plan’s definition of “retire” violated ERISA’s anti-cutback rule. The court required the parties to provide further information, in the form of an accounting, to determine whether any plaintiffs suffered a loss based on any such cutback. Plaintiffs have asserted that only two of the 118 plaintiffs suffered a loss as a result of the court’s order. The Company contends that no plaintiff suffered a compensable loss and that judgment should be entered in favor of the Company. We await a final ruling by the court.
In Phase II, the court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment on both the ADEA disparate impact and ERISA interference with benefits claims.  This ruling resolved these claims in the trial court as to all plaintiffs.
In June, 2017, the court entered an order establishing Phases III and IV of the litigation. In Phase III, the remaining claims of the eight individual plaintiffs who reside in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania were to be litigated, possibly culminating in two separate jury trials in early 2018. The Company filed several motions for summary judgment on the Phase III claims. The court granted the Company’s motion as to the Phase III plaintiffs’ ADEA disparate treatment claims and as to a retaliation claim that had been asserted by one of the Phase III plaintiffs. The court denied the Company’s motion on the Phase III plaintiffs’ breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
The Company and 82 individual plaintiffs, including all eight of the Phase III plaintiffs whose remaining claims were set for trial in early 2018, recently reached agreements in principle to settle all claims of those plaintiffs on a confidential basis, subject to negotiating and executing appropriate written settlement agreements. Three other plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims leaving 413 plaintiffs in this litigation.
The parties are currently engaging in further written discovery relating to the claims of the remaining plaintiffs (Phase IV of the litigation) pending the court’s determination of the proper venue for depositions, dispositive motions, and trials of those claims.
The final resolution of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and complexities including how trials, post-trial motions, possible appeals with respect to the validity of the release, and any rulings on the merits will be resolved.
The below shareholder derivative action is disclosed pursuant to SEC disclosure requirements for these types of matters, and the putative class action has been disclosed because both matters involve similar allegations. On August 3, 2017, a plaintiff alleging to be a stockholder in the Company filed a shareholder derivative complaint in the Circuit Court for Cook County, Chancery Division. The action is styled Biefeldt v. Wilson, et al., Case No. 2017 CH 10676 (Cook County, Ill.). In the complaint, plaintiff purports to assert claims on behalf of the Company for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty based on allegations that are similar to those asserted in the securities action described below. The complaint names as defendants the Company’s chairman and chief executive officer, its president, its chief financial officer and the members of the board of directors during the period of the alleged misstatements or omissions regarding auto claims frequency. By agreement, the time to respond to the complaint has been extended through and including November 13, 2017. The complaint seeks, on behalf of the Company, an unspecified amount of damages and various forms of equitable relief.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 43


In November 2016, a putative class action was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Company and several of its officers asserting claims under the federal securities laws. The action is titled In re The Allstate Corp. Securities Litigation, No. 1:16-cv-10510 (N.D. Ill.). In March 2017, lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. In the complaint, plaintiffs allege that the Company and certain senior officers made allegedly material misstatements or omissions concerning claim frequency statistics and the reasons for a claim frequency increase for Allstate brand auto insurance during the period from October 29, 2014 to August 3, 2015. The complaint further alleges that a senior officer engaged in stock option exercises and sales during that time allegedly while in possession of information about claim frequency that had not been disclosed. The consolidated amended complaint names as defendants the Company, its chairman and chief executive officer and its president. Plaintiffs assert claims under sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On June 1, 2017, all defendants filed motions to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint for failure to state a claim. Briefing on the motion was completed in September 2017. The Company and the other defendants dispute plaintiffs’ allegations that there was any misstatement or omission or other misconduct. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, costs and attorney’s fees and such other relief as the court deems appropriate.
Asbestos and environmental
Allstate’s reserves for asbestos claims were $908 million and $912 million, net of reinsurance recoverables of $428 million and $444 million, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Reserves for environmental claims were $175 million and $179 million, net of reinsurance recoverables of $35 million and $40 million, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Management believes its net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines exposures are appropriately established based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations. However, establishing net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is subject to uncertainties that are much greater than those presented by other types of claims. The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimate. Among the complications are lack of historical data, long reporting delays, uncertainty as to the number and identity of insureds with potential exposure and unresolved legal issues regarding policy coverage; unresolved legal issues regarding the determination, availability and timing of exhaustion of policy limits; plaintiffs’ evolving and expanding theories of liability; availability and collectability of recoveries from reinsurance; retrospectively determined premiums and other contractual agreements; estimates of the extent and timing of any contractual liability; the impact of bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos producers and other asbestos defendants; and other uncertainties. There are also complex legal issues concerning the interpretation of various insurance policy provisions and whether those losses are covered, or were ever intended to be covered, and could be recoverable through retrospectively determined premium, reinsurance or other contractual agreements. Courts have reached different and sometimes inconsistent conclusions as to when losses are deemed to have occurred and which policies provide coverage; what types of losses are covered; whether there is an insurer obligation to defend; how policy limits are determined; how policy exclusions and conditions are applied and interpreted; and whether clean-up costs represent insured property damage. Further, insurers and claims administrators acting on behalf of insurers are increasingly pursuing evolving and expanding theories of reinsurance coverage for asbestos and environmental losses. Adjudication of reinsurance coverage is predominately decided in confidential arbitration proceedings which may have limited precedential or predictive value further complicating management’s ability to estimate probable loss for reinsured asbestos and environmental claims. Management believes these issues are not likely to be resolved in the near future, and the ultimate costs may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded resulting in material changes in loss reserves. In addition, while the Company believes that improved actuarial techniques and databases have assisted in its ability to estimate asbestos, environmental, and other discontinued lines net loss reserves, these refinements may subsequently prove to be inadequate indicators of the extent of probable losses. Due to the uncertainties and factors described above, management believes it is not practicable to develop a meaningful range for any such additional net loss reserves that may be required.

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12. Benefit Plans
The components of net periodic cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Pension benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
28

 
$
28

 
$
85

 
$
84

Interest cost
66

 
71

 
198

 
214

Expected return on plan assets
(102
)
 
(99
)
 
(306
)
 
(298
)
Amortization of:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
(42
)
 
(42
)
Net actuarial loss
48

 
44

 
142

 
131

Settlement loss
94

 
7

 
110

 
23

Net periodic pension cost
$
120

 
$
37

 
$
187

 
$
112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
7

Interest cost
4

 
4

 
11

 
13

Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
(6
)
 
(5
)
 
(18
)
 
(16
)
Net actuarial gain
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
(18
)
 
(18
)
Net periodic postretirement credit
$
(6
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(14
)
During the third quarter of 2017, the Company concluded that its qualified employee pension plan 2017 lump sum payments are expected to exceed a threshold of service and interest cost due to higher-than-expected retirement levels, rising interest rates that reduce benefit lump sum payments in the future and reductions in force. As a result, a pension settlement loss of $86 million, pre-tax, was recorded as part of operating costs and expenses in the Corporate and Other segment. The Company will continue to monitor lump sum payments through the end of the year and will recognize an additional settlement expense based on lump sum payments made during the fourth quarter of 2017.
13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Non-cash investing activities include $31 million and $290 million related to mergers and exchanges completed with equity securities, and modifications of certain mortgage loans and other investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Non-cash financing activities include $42 million and $40 million related to the issuance of Allstate common shares for vested equity awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Non-cash financing activities also included $34 million related to debt acquired in conjunction with the purchase of an investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Liabilities for collateral received in conjunction with the Company’s securities lending program and over-the-counter and cleared derivatives are reported in other liabilities and accrued expenses or other investments. The accompanying cash flows are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows along with the activities resulting from management of the proceeds, which are as follows:
($ in millions)
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Net change in proceeds managed
 

 
 

Net change in fixed income securities
$
129

 
$
(436
)
Net change in short-term investments
(157
)
 
181

Operating cash flow used
(28
)
 
(255
)
Net change in cash
1

 

Net change in proceeds managed
$
(27
)
 
$
(255
)
 
 
 
 
Net change in liabilities
 

 
 

Liabilities for collateral, beginning of period
$
(1,129
)
 
$
(840
)
Liabilities for collateral, end of period
(1,156
)
 
(1,095
)
Operating cash flow provided
$
27

 
$
255


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 45


14. Other Comprehensive Income
The components of other comprehensive income on a pre-tax and after-tax basis are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets
$
300

 
$
(105
)
 
$
195

 
$
350

 
$
(123
)
 
$
227

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses
107

 
(37
)
 
70

 
53

 
(19
)
 
34

Unrealized net capital gains and losses
193

 
(68
)
 
125

 
297

 
(104
)
 
193

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
43

 
(15
)
 
28

 
(11
)
 
4

 
(7
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost arising during the period
(5
)
 
3

 
(2
)
 
1

 

 
1

Less: reclassification adjustment of net periodic cost recognized in operating costs and expenses
(116
)
 
41

 
(75
)
 
(30
)
 
10

 
(20
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
111

 
(38
)
 
73

 
31

 
(10
)
 
21

Other comprehensive income
$
347

 
$
(121
)
 
$
226

 
$
317

 
$
(110
)
 
$
207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets
$
1,165

 
$
(408
)
 
$
757

 
$
1,685

 
$
(589
)
 
$
1,096

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses
245

 
(86
)
 
159

 
(156
)
 
55

 
(101
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses
920

 
(322
)
 
598

 
1,841

 
(644
)
 
1,197

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
55

 
(19
)
 
36

 
18

 
(6
)
 
12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost arising during the period
(8
)
 
5

 
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
3

 
(3
)
Less: reclassification adjustment of net periodic cost recognized in operating costs and expenses
(174
)
 
61

 
(113
)
 
(78
)
 
27

 
(51
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
166

 
(56
)
 
110

 
72

 
(24
)
 
48

Other comprehensive income
$
1,141

 
$
(397
)
 
$
744

 
$
1,931

 
$
(674
)
 
$
1,257


46 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


15. Subsequent Events
Effective October 2017, the Company changed from four to seven reportable segments: Allstate Protection, Discontinued Lines and Coverages, Service Businesses, Allstate Life, Allstate Benefits, Allstate Annuities and Corporate and Other. These segments align with the Company’s key product and service offerings, including the acquisition of SquareTrade and the strategic focus and expansion of Arity and other emerging businesses. These new segments reflect the manner in which the Company’s chief operating decision maker will review performance and make decisions about the allocation of resources.
Goodwill
Upon adoption of the new segments in the fourth quarter 2017, the Company is required to evaluate goodwill, including the allocation of goodwill to any new reporting units on a relative fair value basis. The Company allocated the $1.09 billion of goodwill recorded in conjunction with the acquisition of SquareTrade to the Service Businesses reporting unit along with an immaterial amount of goodwill from the Allstate Protection segment related to other businesses included in this segment. The Allstate Financial segment had goodwill that will be reallocated between the new Allstate Life, Allstate Benefits, and Allstate Annuities segments. While substantially all of Allstate Financial goodwill related to the acquisition of Allstate Benefits, the Company is required to allocate a portion of the goodwill to the Allstate Life and Allstate Annuities segments. The estimated allocation is $170 million to Allstate Life, $100 million to Allstate Benefits and $125 million to Allstate Annuities.
The reallocation was computed using fair values for the goodwill reporting units determined using discounted cash flow (“DCF”) calculations and market to book multiples derived from a peer company analysis. The DCF analysis utilizes long term assumptions for revenues, investment income, benefits, claims, other operating expenses and income taxes to produce projections of both income and cash flows available for dividends that are present valued using weighted average cost of capital. Market to book multiples represent the mean market to book multiple for selected peer companies with operations similar to the Company’s goodwill reporting units to which the multiple is applied. The outputs from these methods are weighted based on the nature of the business and the relative amount of market observable assumptions supporting the estimates. The computed values were then weighted to reflect the fair value estimate based on the specific attributes of each goodwill reporting unit.
A goodwill impairment assessment is required to be completed in conjunction with the segment changes. The Company estimates it will recognize an impairment of approximately $125 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the goodwill allocated to the Allstate Annuities reporting unit reflecting a market-based valuation.
Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits
Prior to fourth quarter 2017, the Company evaluated the adequacy of reserves and recoverability of DAC for traditional life insurance products and immediate annuities with life contingencies on an aggregate basis. The Company also evaluated these policies on an aggregate basis for circumstances where projected profits would be recognized in early years followed by projected losses in later years. As of September 30, 2017, both traditional life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies had projected profit as measured using actual and expected investment holdings and returns; however, the aggregate sufficiency substantially related to traditional life insurance with a marginal sufficiency related to immediate annuities with life contingencies. In conjunction with the segment change in fourth quarter 2017, the Company will review traditional life insurance products and immediate annuities with life contingencies separately.
The Company records an adjustment to the reserve for life-contingent contract benefits that represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product investment portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency. The offset to this liability is recorded as a reduction of the unrealized net capital gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2017, no adjustment was recorded. In conjunction with the segment change in fourth quarter 2017, the Company will evaluate the need for a reserve adjustment separately for traditional life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies. The estimated impact, using values as of September 30, 2017, is approximately a $550 million increase to the reserve for life-contingent contract benefits, and a $350 million decrease to unrealized net capital gains, after-tax, included in shareholders’ equity.






The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 47




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
The Allstate Corporation
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2017, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and of shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 17, 2017, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2016 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 1, 2017

48 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
Overview
Allstate is focused on the following priorities:
better serve our customers;
achieve target economic returns on capital;
grow customer base;
proactively manage investments; and
build long-term growth platforms.
The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the consolidated financial position and results of operations of The Allstate Corporation (referred to in this document as “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” or “Allstate”). It should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found under Part I. Item 1. contained herein, and with the discussion, analysis, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part I. Item 1. and Part II. Item 7. and Item 8. of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016. Further analysis of our insurance segments is provided in the Property-Liability Operations (which includes the Allstate Protection and the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segments) and in the Allstate Financial Segment sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”). The segments are consistent with the way in which we use financial information to evaluate business performance and to determine the allocation of resources. Resources are allocated by the chief operating decision maker and performance is assessed for Allstate Protection, Discontinued Lines and Coverages and Allstate Financial. Allstate Protection and Allstate Financial performance and resources are managed by committees of senior officers of the respective segments. The Allstate Protection segment also includes SquareTrade and Arity.
Effective October 2017, we changed from four to seven reportable segments: Allstate Protection, Discontinued Lines and Coverages, Service Businesses, Allstate Life, Allstate Benefits, Allstate Annuities and Corporate and Other. These segments align with our key product and service offerings, including the acquisition of SquareTrade and the strategic focus and expansion of Arity and other emerging businesses. These new segments also reflect the manner in which our chief operating decision maker will review performance and make decisions about the allocation of resources. The change in reporting segments impacts goodwill and reserves for life-contingent contract benefits. For additional detail see Note 15 “Subsequent Events” of the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1. of this Form 10-Q.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 49


Highlights
Consolidated net income applicable to common shareholders was $637 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $491 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $1.85 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $950 million in the first nine months of 2016. Net income applicable to common shareholders per diluted common share was $1.74 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $1.31 in the third quarter of 2016, and $5.02 in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $2.51 in the first nine months of 2016.
Property-Liability net income applicable to common shareholders was $604 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $483 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $1.74 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $903 million in the first nine months of 2016.
The Property-Liability combined ratio was 94.7 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 95.5 in the third quarter of 2016, and 95.2 in the first nine months of 2017 compared to 98.2 in the first nine months of 2016.
Allstate Financial net income applicable to common shareholders was $168 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $80 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $422 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $264 million in the first nine months of 2016.
Total revenues were $9.66 billion in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $9.22 billion in the third quarter of 2016, and $28.68 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $27.26 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
Property-Liability premiums earned totaled $8.12 billion in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 3.2% from $7.87 billion in the third quarter of 2016, and $24.10 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 3.0% from $23.41 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
Investments totaled $82.77 billion as of September 30, 2017, increasing from $81.80 billion as of December 31, 2016. Net investment income was $843 million in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 12.7% from $748 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $2.49 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 11.0% from $2.24 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
Net realized capital gains were $103 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $33 million in the third quarter of 2016, and net realized capital gains were $318 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to net realized capital losses of $92 million in the first nine months of 2016.
Book value per diluted common share (ratio of common shareholders’ equity to total common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares outstanding) was $55.69 as of September 30, 2017, an increase of 8.2% from $51.48 as of September 30, 2016, and an increase of 9.7% from $50.77 as of December 31, 2016.
For the twelve months ended September 30, 2017, return on the average of beginning and ending period common shareholders’ equity of 13.5% increased by 6.1 points from 7.4% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2016.
As of September 30, 2017, shareholders’ equity was $22.12 billion. This total included $2.47 billion in deployable assets at the parent holding company level comprising cash and investments that are generally saleable within one quarter.
On January 3, 2017, we acquired SquareTrade Holding Company, Inc. (“SquareTrade”), a consumer product protection plan provider that distributes through many of America’s major retailers and Europe’s mobile operators, for $1.4 billion in cash. SquareTrade provides protection plans primarily covering consumer appliances and electronics, such as TVs, smartphones and computers. This acquisition broadens Allstate’s unique product offerings to better meet consumers’ needs.
During the third quarter of 2017, the Company concluded that its qualified employee pension plan 2017 lump sum payments are expected to exceed a threshold of service and interest cost, which resulted in a pension settlement loss of $86 million, pre-tax, and was recorded as part of operating costs and expenses in the Corporate and Other segment.

50 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com


Consolidated Net Income
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance premiums
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
593

 
571

 
1,777

 
1,701

Net investment income
843

 
748

 
2,488

 
2,241

Realized capital gains and losses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
(26
)
 
(73
)
 
(135
)
 
(241
)
OTTI losses reclassified to (from) other comprehensive income
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 
8

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
(28
)
 
(73
)
 
(137
)
 
(233
)
Sales and other realized capital gains and losses
131

 
106

 
455

 
141

Total realized capital gains and losses
103

 
33

 
318

 
(92
)
Total revenues
9,660

 
9,221

 
28,681

 
27,256

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
(5,545
)
 
(5,553
)
 
(16,650
)
 
(17,138
)
Life and annuity contract benefits
(456
)
 
(484
)
 
(1,416
)
 
(1,393
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
(174
)
 
(183
)
 
(522
)
 
(558
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(1,200
)
 
(1,138
)
 
(3,545
)
 
(3,393
)
Operating costs and expenses
(1,218
)
 
(1,021
)
 
(3,401
)
 
(3,043
)
Restructuring and related charges
(14
)
 
(5
)
 
(77
)
 
(21
)
Interest expense
(83
)
 
(73
)
 
(251
)
 
(218
)
Total costs and expenses
(8,690
)
 
(8,457
)
 
(25,862
)
 
(25,764
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on disposition of operations (1)
1

 
1

 
15

 
4

Income tax expense (2)
(305
)
 
(245
)
 
(894
)
 
(459
)
Net income
666

 
520

 
1,940

 
1,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock dividends
(29
)
 
(29
)
 
(87
)
 
(87
)
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
637

 
$
491

 
$
1,853

 
$
950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
604

 
$
483

 
$
1,740

 
$
903

Allstate Financial
168

 
80

 
422

 
264

Corporate and Other
(135
)
 
(72
)
 
(309
)
 
(217
)
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
637

 
$
491

 
$
1,853

 
$
950

______________________________
(1) 
The nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes $10 million related to the conclusion of a contractual arrangement related to the sale of Sterling Collision Centers, Inc. in 2014.
(2) 
Income tax expense includes a tax benefit of $9 million and $42 million in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, related to the adoption of the new accounting standard on January 1, 2017 for share-based payments.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 51

Property-Liability

Property-Liability Operations
Overview Our Property-Liability operations consist of two reporting segments: Allstate Protection and Discontinued Lines and Coverages. Allstate Protection comprises three brands where we accept underwriting risk: Allstate, Esurance and Encompass. Allstate Protection is principally engaged in the sale of personal property and casualty insurance, primarily private passenger auto and homeowners insurance, to individuals in the United States and Canada. Allstate Protection also includes service businesses Allstate Roadside Services, Allstate Dealer Services and Arity, which are included in Allstate brand, and SquareTrade. These businesses have a higher service component to the business model than our traditional property and casualty products such as auto or homeowners insurance. Discontinued Lines and Coverages includes results from property-liability insurance coverage that we no longer write. Our exposure to asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims arises principally from direct excess insurance, assumed reinsurance coverage, direct primary commercial insurance and other businesses in run-off. These segments are consistent with the groupings of financial information that management uses to evaluate performance and to determine the allocation of resources. In fourth quarter 2017, we are changing our reportable segments. See Note 15 “Subsequent Events” of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Underwriting income is calculated as premiums earned, less claims and claims expense (“losses”), amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), operating costs and expenses and restructuring and related charges, as determined using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We use this measure in our evaluation of results of operations to analyze the profitability of the Property-Liability insurance operations separately from investment results. Underwriting income is reconciled to net income applicable to common shareholders below.
The table below includes GAAP operating ratios we use to measure our profitability. We believe that they enhance an investor’s understanding of our profitability. They are calculated as follows:
Claims and claims expense (“loss”) ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense to premiums earned. Loss ratios include the impact of catastrophe losses.
Expense ratio - the ratio of amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.
Combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense, amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. The difference between 100% and the combined ratio represents underwriting income as a percentage of premiums earned, or underwriting margin.
We have also calculated the following impacts of specific items on the GAAP operating ratios because of the volatility of these items between fiscal periods.
Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio - the percentage of catastrophe losses included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned. This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.
Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio - the percentage of prior year reserve reestimates included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned. This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.
Effect of amortization of purchased intangible assets on combined ratio - the percentage of amortization of purchased intangible assets to premiums earned. Amortization of purchased intangible assets is reported in operating costs and expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio - the percentage of restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.
Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense and operating costs and expenses in the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment to Property-Liability premiums earned. The sum of the effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on the combined ratio and the Allstate Protection combined ratio is equal to the Property-Liability combined ratio.










52 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Property-Liability


Property-Liability Highlights
Net income applicable to common shareholders was $604 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $483 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $1.74 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $903 million in the first nine months of 2016.
Premiums written totaled $8.58 billion in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 3.3% from $8.31 billion in the third quarter of 2016, and $24.60 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 3.0% from $23.88 billion in the first nine months of 2016. Premiums written related to SquareTrade were $104 million and $270 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. Excluding SquareTrade, premiums written totaled $8.48 billion and $24.33 billion, respectively.
Premiums earned totaled $8.12 billion in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 3.2% from $7.87 billion in the third quarter of 2016, and $24.10 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 3.0% from $23.41 billion in the first nine months of 2016. Premiums earned related to SquareTrade included $78 million and $207 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. Excluding SquareTrade, premiums earned totaled $8.04 billion and $23.89 billion, respectively.
The loss ratio was 68.3 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 70.6 in the third quarter of 2016, and 69.1 in the first nine months of 2017 compared to 73.2 in the first nine months of 2016.
Catastrophe losses were $861 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $481 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $2.64 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $2.27 billion in the first nine months of 2016. The effect of catastrophes on the combined ratio was 10.6 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 6.1 in the third quarter of 2016, and 11.0 in the first nine months of 2017 compared to 9.7 in the first nine months of 2016.
Prior year reserve reestimates totaled $135 million favorable in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $99 million unfavorable in the third quarter of 2016, and $321 million favorable in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $120 million unfavorable in the first nine months of 2016.  These amounts include unfavorable reestimates of $85 million and $96 million from our annual Discontinued Lines and Coverages reserve review performed in the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Underwriting income was $429 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $355 million in the third quarter of 2016, and underwriting income was $1.16 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $414 million in the first nine months of 2016.
Investments were $43.84 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increase of 2.6% from $42.72 billion as of December 31, 2016. Net investment income was $372 million in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 20.0% from $310 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $1.07 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 15.7% from $928 million in the first nine months of 2016.
Net realized capital gains were $82 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $53 million in the third quarter of 2016, and net realized capital gains were $302 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to net realized capital losses of $20 million in the first nine months of 2016.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 53

Property-Liability

Summarized financial data, a reconciliation of underwriting income to net income applicable to common shareholders, and GAAP operating ratios for our Property-Liability operations are presented in the following table.
($ in millions, except ratios)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums written
$
8,583

 
$
8,311

 
$
24,595

 
$
23,877

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Premiums earned
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

Net investment income
372

 
310

 
1,074

 
928

Realized capital gains and losses
82

 
53

 
302

 
(20
)
Total revenues
8,575

 
8,232

 
25,474

 
24,314

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and claims expense
(5,545
)
 
(5,553
)
 
(16,650
)
 
(17,138
)
Amortization of DAC
(1,138
)
 
(1,068
)
 
(3,331
)
 
(3,181
)
Operating costs and expenses
(996
)
 
(888
)
 
(2,879
)
 
(2,653
)
Restructuring and related charges
(13
)
 
(5
)
 
(75
)
 
(20
)
Total costs and expenses
(7,692
)
 
(7,514
)
 
(22,935
)
 
(22,992
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on disposition of operations

 

 
10

(1) 

Income tax expense (2)
(279
)
 
(235
)
 
(809
)
 
(419
)
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
604

 
$
483

 
$
1,740

 
$
903

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income
$
429

 
$
355

 
$
1,163

 
$
414

Net investment income
372

 
310

 
1,074

 
928

Income tax expense on operations
(252
)
 
(218
)
 
(703
)
 
(429
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
54

 
36

 
199

 
(10
)
Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax
1

 

 
7

 

Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
604

 
$
483

 
$
1,740

 
$
903

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe losses
$
861

 
$
481

 
$
2,635

 
$
2,269

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP operating ratios
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and claims expense ratio
68.3

 
70.6

 
69.1

 
73.2

Expense ratio
26.4

 
24.9

 
26.1

 
25.0

Combined ratio
94.7

 
95.5

 
95.2

 
98.2

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
10.6

 
6.1

 
11.0

 
9.7

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio (3)
(1.7
)
 
1.3

 
(1.3
)
 
0.5

Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio (4)
(0.1
)
 

 

 
0.1

Effect of amortization of purchased intangible assets on combined ratio (5)
0.3

 
0.1

 
0.3

 
0.1

Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio
0.2

 
0.1

 
0.3

 
0.1

Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio
1.1

 
1.3

 
0.4

 
0.4

_______________
(1) 
Represents the conclusion of a contractual arrangement related to the sale of Sterling Collision Centers, Inc. in 2014.
(2) 
Income tax expense includes a tax benefit of $9 million and $42 million in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, related to the adoption of the new accounting standard on January 1, 2017 for share-based payments.
(3) 
Favorable prior year reserve reestimates in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were primarily related to severity development for auto injury coverages that was better than expected, partially offset by our annual reserve review in Discontinued Lines and Coverages.
(4) 
Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $7 million and $10 million favorable in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $3 million and $13 million unfavorable in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
(5) 
Amortization of purchased intangible assets totaled $25 million and $74 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, of which $23 million and $69 million related to the acquisition of SquareTrade.

54 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Property-Liability


Premiums written is the amount of premiums charged for policies issued during a fiscal period. Premiums are considered earned and are included in the financial results on a pro-rata basis over the policy period. The portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of the policies is recorded as unearned premiums on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
A reconciliation of premiums written to premiums earned is shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums written
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allstate Protection
$
8,583

 
$
8,309

 
$
24,595

 
$
23,875

Discontinued Lines and Coverages (1)

 
2

 

 
2

Property-Liability premiums written
8,583

 
8,311

 
24,595

 
23,877

Increase in unearned premiums
(513
)
 
(472
)
 
(580
)
 
(570
)
Other
51

 
30

 
83

 
99

Property-Liability premiums earned
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allstate Protection
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

 

 

Property-Liability
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

_______________
(1) 
2016 results represent retrospective reinsurance premium recognized when billed.


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 55

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Allstate Protection Segment
Underwriting results are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums written
$
8,583

 
$
8,309

 
$
24,595

 
$
23,875

Premiums earned
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

Claims and claims expense
(5,457
)
 
(5,454
)
 
(16,557
)
 
(17,036
)
Amortization of DAC
(1,138
)
 
(1,068
)
 
(3,331
)
 
(3,181
)
Other costs and expenses
(996
)
 
(887
)
 
(2,877
)
 
(2,651
)
Restructuring and related charges
(13
)
 
(5
)
 
(75
)
 
(20
)
Underwriting income
$
517

 
$
455

 
$
1,258

 
$
518

Catastrophe losses
$
861

 
$
481

 
$
2,635

 
$
2,269

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss) by line of business
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Auto
$
244

 
$
24

 
$
878

 
$
(44
)
Homeowners
335

 
395

 
431

 
528

Other personal lines (1)
(15
)
 
50

 
54

 
104

Commercial lines
(15
)
 
(19
)
 
(21
)
 
(90
)
Other business lines (2)
(3
)
 
7

 
3

 
25

SquareTrade (3)
(29
)
 

 
(86
)
 

Answer Financial

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
Underwriting income
$
517

 
$
455

 
$
1,258

 
$
518

_______________
(1) Other personal lines include renter, condominium, landlord and other personal lines products.
(2) Other business lines primarily include Allstate Roadside Services, Allstate Dealer Services, Arity and Ivantage.
(3) SquareTrade includes protection plans covering a wide range of consumer appliance and electronic products.



56 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

The following table summarizes the changes in underwriting results from the prior year by the components of the increase (decrease) in underwriting income (loss) by line of business. The 2017 columns present changes in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. The 2016 columns present changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2015.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Auto
 
Homeowners
 
Other personal lines
 
Commercial lines
 
SquareTrade
 
Allstate Protection (1)(2)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Underwriting income (loss) - prior period
$
24

 
$
22

 
$
395

 
$
465

 
$
50

 
$
43

 
$
(19
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
455

 
$
540

Changes in underwriting income (loss) from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) premiums earned
149

 
199

 
19

 
18

 
13

 
1

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
78

 

 
252

 
219

(Increase) decrease incurred claims and claims expense (“losses”):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incurred losses, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve reestimates
213

 
(50
)
 
3

 
(11
)
 
(29
)
 
3

 
8

 
14

 
(40
)
 

 
164

 
(40
)
Catastrophe losses, excluding reserve reestimates
(221
)
 
(139
)
 
(119
)
 
(57
)
 
(40
)
 
(6
)
 
(5
)
 
(4
)
 

 

 
(390
)
 
(206
)
Non-catastrophe reserve reestimates
176

 
24

 
30

 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
13

 
7

 
(25
)
 

 

 
213

 
4

Catastrophe reserve reestimates
3

 

 
8

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
10

 
(5
)
Losses subtotal
171

 
(165
)
 
(78
)
 
(79
)
 
(71
)
 
10

 
9

 
(15
)
 
(40
)
 

 
(3
)
 
(247
)
(Increase) decrease expenses
(100
)
 
(32
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(7
)
 
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
2

 
(67
)
 

 
(187
)
 
(57
)
Underwriting income (loss) - current period
$
244

 
$
24

 
$
335

 
$
395

 
$
(15
)
 
$
50

 
$
(15
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(29
)
 
$

 
$
517

 
$
455

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Auto
 
Homeowners
 
Other personal lines
 
Commercial lines
 
SquareTrade
 
Allstate Protection (1) (2)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Underwriting income (loss) - prior period
$
(44
)
 
$
(13
)
 
$
528

 
$
922

 
$
104

 
$
104

 
$
(90
)
 
$
(33
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
518

 
$
1,001

Changes in underwriting income (loss) from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) premiums earned
448

 
660

 
24

 
107

 
35

 
3

 
(16
)
 
2

 
207

 

 
692

 
781

(Increase) decrease incurred claims and claims expense (“losses”):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred losses, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve reestimates
560

 
(491
)
 
(49
)
 
55

 
(27
)
 
28

 
29

 
(4
)
 
(105
)
 

 
436

 
(399
)
Catastrophe losses, excluding reserve reestimates
(179
)
 
(319
)
 
(182
)
 
(514
)
 
(26
)
 
(55
)
 
3

 
(8
)
 

 

 
(389
)
 
(896
)
Non-catastrophe reserve reestimates
289

 
90

 
73

 
(5
)
 
(1
)
 
25

 
46

 
(54
)
 

 

 
409

 
55

Catastrophe reserve reestimates
6

 

 
21

 
(13
)
 
(7
)
 
1

 
3

 

 

 

 
23

 
(12
)
Losses subtotal
676

 
(720
)
 
(137
)
 
(477
)
 
(61
)
 
(1
)
 
81

 
(66
)
 
(105
)
 

 
479

 
(1,252
)
(Increase) decrease expenses
(202
)
 
29

 
16

 
(24
)
 
(24
)
 
(2
)
 
4

 
7

 
(188
)
 

 
(431
)
 
(12
)
Underwriting income (loss) - current period
$
878

 
$
(44
)
 
$
431

 
$
528

 
$
54

 
$
104

 
$
(21
)
 
$
(90
)
 
$
(86
)
 
$

 
$
1,258

 
$
518

_______________
(1) 
Includes other business lines underwriting loss of $3 million and underwriting income of $7 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and underwriting income of $3 million and $25 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Includes Answer Financial underwriting loss of zero and $2 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1 million and $5 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(2) 
Arity had affiliate revenues and expenses of $19 million and $26 million in the third quarter of 2017, respectively, and $59 million and $72 million the first nine months of 2017, respectively, which have been eliminated in consolidation.


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 57

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Underwriting income totaled $517 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $455 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $1.26 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $518 million in the first nine months of 2016. The increases in both periods were primarily due to increased premiums earned, lower claim frequency and favorable prior year reserve reestimates, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses.
Investment results are not included in the underwriting income analysis above. We do not allocate Property-Liability investment income, realized capital gains and losses, or assets to the Allstate Protection and Discontinued Lines and Coverages segments. Management reviews assets at the Property-Liability level for decision-making purposes. For a more detailed discussion on investment results, see the Property-Liability Investment Results section of the MD&A and Reportable Segments Footnote (Note 4) of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Premiums written and earned by line of business are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
Premiums written
2017

2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
$
5,664

 
$
5,521

 
$
16,569

 
$
16,149

Homeowners
2,053

 
2,006

 
5,542

 
5,484

Other personal lines
478

 
474

 
1,336

 
1,307

Subtotal – Personal lines
8,195

 
8,001

 
23,447

 
22,940

Commercial lines
116

 
123

 
363

 
384

Other business lines
168

 
185

 
515

 
551

SquareTrade
104

 

 
270

 

Total
$
8,583

 
$
8,309

 
$
24,595

 
$
23,875

Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
$
5,502


$
5,353

 
$
16,327

 
$
15,879

Homeowners
1,832


1,813

 
5,462

 
5,438

Other personal lines
439


426

 
1,306

 
1,271

Subtotal – Personal lines
7,773

 
7,592

 
23,095

 
22,588

Commercial lines
124


127

 
367

 
383

Other business lines
146

 
150

 
429

 
435

SquareTrade
78



 
207

 

Total
$
8,121

 
$
7,869

 
$
24,098

 
$
23,406

Combined ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table.
 
Loss ratio (1)
 
Expense ratio (1)
 
Combined ratio (1)
 
2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
70.3

 
75.5

 
25.3

 
24.1

 
95.6

 
99.6

Homeowners
57.6

 
53.9

 
24.1

 
24.3

 
81.7

 
78.2

Other Personal lines
74.3

 
59.9

 
29.1

 
28.4

 
103.4

 
88.3

Commercial lines
83.1

 
88.2

 
29.0

 
26.8

 
112.1

 
115.0

Other business lines
43.2

 
46.0

 
58.9

 
49.3

 
102.1

 
95.3

SquareTrade
51.3

 

 
85.9

 

 
137.2

 

Total
67.2

 
69.3

 
26.4

 
24.9

 
93.6

 
94.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.6

 
75.9

 
25.0

 
24.4

 
94.6

 
100.3

Homeowners
68.6

 
66.4

 
23.5

 
23.9

 
92.1

 
90.3

Other Personal lines
67.6

 
64.6

 
28.3

 
27.2

 
95.9

 
91.8

Commercial lines
77.6

 
95.6

 
28.1

 
27.9

 
105.7

 
123.5

Other business lines
39.4

 
44.6

 
59.9

 
49.7

 
99.3

 
94.3

SquareTrade
50.7

 

 
90.8

 

 
141.5

 

Total
68.7

 
72.8

 
26.1

 
25.0

 
94.8

 
97.8

_______________
(1) 
Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business.

58 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Loss ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table and discussed in detail in the brand sections below.
 
Loss ratio
 
Effect of catastrophe losses
 
Effect of prior year reserve reestimates
 
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates
 
2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
70.3

 
75.5

 
6.9

 
3.1

 
(3.4
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Homeowners
57.6

 
53.9

 
21.6

 
15.7

 
(2.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 
0.3

Other Personal lines
74.3

 
59.9

 
14.8

 
5.9

 

 
(0.5
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.3
)
Commercial lines
83.1

 
88.2

 
10.5

 
5.5

 
5.6

 
10.3

 
0.8

 

Other business lines
43.2

 
46.0

 
3.4

 

 
0.7

 
2.0

 

 

SquareTrade
51.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
67.2

 
69.3

 
10.6

 
6.1

 
(2.8
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.6

 
75.9

 
4.2

 
3.2

 
(2.1
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Homeowners
68.6

 
66.4

 
31.8

 
29.0

 
(1.6
)
 
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 
0.3

Other Personal lines
67.6

 
64.6

 
14.3

 
12.0

 

 
(0.6
)
 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
Commercial lines
77.6

 
95.6

 
6.0

 
7.3

 
1.9

 
14.6

 
0.3

 
1.0

Other business lines
39.4

 
44.6

 
1.2

 

 
0.2

 
0.7

 

 

SquareTrade
50.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
68.7

 
72.8

 
11.0

 
9.7

 
(1.7
)
 
0.1

 

 
0.1


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 59

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Catastrophe losses were $861 million and $2.64 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $481 million and $2.27 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. Catastrophe losses included $507 million and $134 million related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, respectively, in the third quarter of 2017, with over 100 thousand auto and homeowners reported claims, excluding flood related homeowners claims. Over 85% of the reported claims have been closed.
Loss estimates are generally based on claim adjuster inspections and the application of historical loss development factors. Our loss estimates are calculated in accordance with the coverage provided by our policies. Auto policyholders generally have coverage for physical damage due to flood if they have purchased optional auto comprehensive coverage. Our homeowners policies specifically exclude coverage for losses caused by flood. We voluntarily participate as a Write Your Own carrier in the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”). The NFIP is administered and regulated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We write the policy for the NFIP, which assumes 100% of the flood risk, while we retain a commission for our service. We operate in a fiduciary capacity as a fiscal agent of the federal government in the issuing and administering of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. The federal government is obligated to pay all claims and certain allocated loss adjustment expenses in accordance with the arrangement. Congress is considering reforms to the program that would be incorporated in legislation to reauthorize the NFIP as well as evaluating the funding of the program.
Hurricane Irma property losses are covered by our Florida Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Agreement which is comprised of five contracts and provides $658 million of coverage for personal lines property excess catastrophe losses caused by multiple perils in Florida subject to a $20 million retention. We ceded approximately $90 million of claims and claims expense related to these reinsurance agreements. Hurricane Harvey catastrophe losses were $507 million. These losses were subject to our personal lines property and auto nationwide reinsurance agreement. However, the losses qualifying under this agreement did not exceed the program’s $500 million retention. For details of our catastrophe reinsurance program see Note 10 on our Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2016 and Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis on our Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017.
We are subject to assessments from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation in the state of Florida (“FL Citizens”). FL Citizens, at the discretion and direction of its Board of Governors, can levy a regular assessment on assessable insurers and assessable insureds for a deficit in any calendar year up to a specified amount with the insurer having the ability to recoup a regular assessment through a surcharge to policyholders. Based on initial estimates by the Board of Governors, FL Citizens has sufficient resources to cover the losses from Hurricane Irma, and the impact of the storm will not put the program in a deficit position.  See Note 14 on our Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2016 for additional information.
We also participate as a member of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (“TWIA”) which provides wind and hail coverage to coastal risks unable to procure coverage in the voluntary market. Wind and hail coverage is written on a TWIA-issued policy. The TWIA board has the ability to assess insurers operating in the state, but has not indicated any assessments to insurers at this time. See Note 14 on our Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2016 for additional information.
The first nine months of 2017 and 2016 have been impacted by higher than normal historical year-to-date catastrophe losses compared to the past five years. For additional information on the impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma see the brand discussions below.
We define a “catastrophe” as an event that produces pre-tax losses before reinsurance in excess of $1 million and involves multiple first party policyholders, or a winter weather event that produces a number of claims in excess of a preset, per-event threshold of average claims in a specific area, occurring within a certain amount of time following the event. Catastrophes are caused by various natural events including high winds, winter storms and freezes, tornadoes, hailstorms, wildfires, tropical storms, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes. We are also exposed to man-made catastrophic events, such as certain types of terrorism or industrial accidents. The nature and level of catastrophes in any period cannot be reliably predicted.

60 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Catastrophe losses by the size of event are shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2017
 
Number of events
 
 
 
Claims and claims expense
 
 
 
Combined
ratio
impact
 
Average catastrophe loss per event
Size of catastrophe loss
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Greater than $250 million
1

 
4.5
%
 
$
507

 
58.9
 %
 
6.2

 
$
507

$101 million to $250 million 
1

 
4.5

 
134

 
15.6

 
1.7

 
134

$50 million to $100 million

 

 

 

 

 

Less than $50 million
20

 
91.0

 
188

 
21.8

 
2.3

 
9

Total
22

 
100.0
%
 
829

 
96.3

 
10.2

 
38

Prior year reserve reestimates
 

 
 

 
(7
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.1
)
 
 

Prior quarter reserve reestimates
 
 
 
 
39

 
4.5

 
0.5

 
 
Total catastrophe losses
 

 
 

 
$
861

 
100.0
 %
 
10.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
 
Number of events
 
 
 
Claims and claims expense
 
 
 
Combined
ratio
impact
 
Average catastrophe loss per event
Size of catastrophe loss
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Greater than $250 million
1

 
1.1
%
 
$
507

 
19.2
 %
 
2.1

 
$
507

$101 million to $250 million 
4

 
4.4

 
695

 
26.4

 
2.9

 
174

$50 million to $100 million
7

 
7.7

 
465

 
17.7

 
1.9

 
66

Less than $50 million
79

 
86.8

 
978

 
37.1

 
4.1

 
12

Total
91

 
100.0
%
 
2,645

 
100.4

 
11.0

 
29

Prior year reserve reestimates
 

 
 

 
(10
)
 
(0.4
)
 

 
 
Total catastrophe losses
 

 
 

 
$
2,635

 
100.0
 %
 
11.0

 
 
Catastrophe losses by the type of event are shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Number
of events
 
2017
 
Number of events
 
2016
 
Number of events
 
2017
 
Number of events
 
2016
Hurricanes/Tropical storms
2

 
$
641

 
1

 
$
17

 
2

 
$
641

 
1

 
$
17

Tornadoes

 

 
2

 
9

 
3

 
101

 
2

 
9

Wind/Hail
17

 
180

 
28

 
434

 
81

 
1,872

 
64

 
2,120

Wildfires
3

 
8

 
4

 
32

 
3

 
8

 
6

 
53

Other events

 

 

 

 
2

 
23

 
2

 
57

Prior year reserve reestimates
 
 
(7
)
 
 
 
3

 
 
 
(10
)
 
 
 
13

Prior quarter reserve reestimates
 
 
39

 
 
 
(14
)
 
 
 

 
 
 

Total catastrophe losses
22

 
$
861

 
35

 
$
481

 
91

 
$
2,635

 
75

 
$
2,269

Expense ratio increased 1.5 points and 1.1 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. The expense ratios by line of business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
25.3

 
24.1

 
25.0

 
24.4

Homeowners
24.1

 
24.3

 
23.5

 
23.9

Other personal lines
29.1

 
28.4

 
28.3

 
27.2

Commercial lines
29.0

 
26.8

 
28.1

 
27.9

Other business lines
58.9

 
49.3

 
59.9

 
49.7

SquareTrade (1)
85.9

 

 
90.8

 

Total expense ratio (1)
26.4

 
24.9

 
26.1

 
25.0

_______________
(1) Includes $23 million and $69 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, of amortization of purchased intangible assets related to the acquisition of SquareTrade that was completed on January 3, 2017, an impact of 29.5 points and 33.3 points to the SquareTrade expense ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, and an impact of 0.3 points to the total expense ratio in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2017.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 61

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017

2016
 
2017
 
2016
Amortization of DAC
14.0

 
13.5

 
13.9

 
13.6

Advertising expense
2.3

 
2.6

 
2.3

 
2.4

Amortization of purchased intangible assets
0.3

 
0.1

 
0.3

 
0.1

Other costs and expenses
9.6

 
8.6

 
9.3

 
8.8

Restructuring and related charges
0.2

 
0.1

 
0.3

 
0.1

Total expense ratio
26.4

 
24.9

 
26.1

 
25.0

Reserve reestimates The tables below show reserves, net of reinsurance, representing the estimated cost of outstanding claims as they were recorded at the beginning of years 2017 and 2016 and the effect of reestimates in each year.
($ in millions)
January 1 reserves
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
$
13,530

 
$
12,459

Homeowners
1,990

 
1,937

Other personal lines
1,456

 
1,490

Commercial lines
621

 
554

Other business lines
24

 
21

Total Allstate Protection
$
17,621

 
$
16,461

($ in millions, except ratios)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Reserve
reestimate (1)
 
Effect on
combined ratio (2)
 
Reserve
reestimate (1)
 
Effect on
combined ratio (2)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
$
(189
)
 
$
(10
)
 
(2.4
)
 
(0.1
)
 
$
(336
)
 
$
(41
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(0.2
)
Homeowners
(42
)
 
(4
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(86
)
 
8

 
(0.3
)
 

Other personal lines

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 
(8
)
 

 

Commercial lines
7

 
13

 
0.1

 
0.2

 
7

 
56

 

 
0.3

Other business lines
1

 
3

 

 

 
1

 
3

 

 

Total Allstate Protection (3)
$
(223
)
 
$

 
(2.8
)
 

 
$
(414
)
 
$
18

 
(1.7
)
 
0.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allstate brand
$
(220
)
 
$
3

 
(2.8
)
 

 
$
(408
)
 
$
14

 
(1.7
)
 
0.1

Esurance brand
(1
)
 
(4
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 
(12
)
 

 
(0.1
)
Encompass brand
(2
)
 
1

 

 

 
(4
)
 
16

 

 
0.1

Total Allstate Protection
$
(223
)
 
$

 
(2.8
)
 

 
$
(414
)
 
$
18

 
(1.7
)
 
0.1

_______________
(1) 
Favorable reserve reestimates are shown in parentheses.
(2) 
Ratios are calculated using Property-Liability premiums earned.
(3) 
Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $7 million and $10 million favorable in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $3 million and $13 million unfavorable in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
Favorable reserve reestimates in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 primarily relate to severity development for auto injury coverages that was better than expected. Severity development for auto injury coverages was due in part to claims process improvements.

62 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

The following table presents premiums written, policies in force (“PIF”) and underwriting income (loss) by line of business for Allstate brand, Esurance brand, Encompass brand and Allstate Protection for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Detailed analysis of underwriting results, premiums written and earned, and the combined ratios, including loss and expense ratios are discussed in the brand sections below.
($ in millions)
Allstate brand
 
Esurance brand
 
Encompass brand
 
Allstate Protection
Premiums written
Amount
 
Percent to total
 
Amount
 
Percent to total
 
Amount
 
Percent to total
 
Amount
 
Percent to total
Auto
$
14,903

 
67.1
 %
 
$
1,252

 
95.0
 %
 
$
414

 
52.3
 %
 
$
16,569

 
67.4
 %
Homeowners
5,171

 
23.3

 
60

 
4.5

 
311

 
39.3

 
5,542

 
22.5

Other personal lines
1,263

 
5.7

 
6

 
0.5

 
67

 
8.4

 
1,336

 
5.4

Commercial lines
363

 
1.6

 

 

 

 

 
363

 
1.5

Other business lines
515

 
2.3

 

 

 

 

 
515

 
2.1

SquareTrade

 

 

 

 

 

 
270

 
1.1

Total
$
22,215

 
100.0
 %
 
$
1,318

 
100.0
 %
 
$
792

 
100.0
 %
 
$
24,595

 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent to total Allstate Protection
 
 
90.3
 %
 
 
 
5.4
 %
 
 
 
3.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIF (thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
19,513

 
55.9
 %
 
1,369

 
91.9
 %
 
548

 
61.0
 %
 
21,430

 
30.0
 %
Homeowners
6,071

 
17.4

 
76

 
5.1

 
262

 
29.2

 
6,409

 
9.0

Other personal lines
4,212

 
12.1

 
45

 
3.0

 
88

 
9.8

 
4,345

 
6.1

Commercial lines
251

 
0.7

 

 

 

 

 
251

 
0.4

Other business lines
4,838

 
13.9

 

 

 

 

 
4,838

 
6.8

SquareTrade

 

 

 

 

 

 
34,078

 
47.7

Total
34,885

 
100.0
 %
 
1,490

 
100.0
 %
 
898

 
100.0
 %
 
71,351

 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent to total Allstate Protection
 
 
48.9
 %
 
 
 
2.1
 %
 
 
 
1.3
 %
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
$
913

 
64.5
 %
 
$
(32
)
 
58.2
 %
 
$
(3
)
 
18.8
 %
 
$
878

 
69.8
 %
Homeowners
473

 
33.4

 
(24
)
 
43.6

 
(18
)
 
112.5

 
431

 
34.3

Other personal lines
48

 
3.4

 
1

 
(1.8
)
 
5

 
(31.3
)
 
54

 
4.3

Commercial lines
(21
)
 
(1.5
)
 

 

 

 

 
(21
)
 
(1.7
)
Other business lines
3

 
0.2

 

 

 

 

 
3

 
0.2

SquareTrade

 

 

 

 

 

 
(86
)
 
(6.8
)
Answer Financial

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(0.1
)
Total
$
1,416

 
100.0
 %
 
$
(55
)
 
100.0
 %
 
$
(16
)
 
100.0
 %
 
$
1,258

 
100.0
 %
When analyzing premium measures and statistics for all three brands the following calculations are used as described below.
PIF: Policy counts are based on items rather than customers. A multi-car customer would generate multiple item (policy) counts, even if all cars were insured under one policy.
New issued applications: Item counts of automobiles or homeowners insurance applications for insurance policies that were issued during the period, regardless of whether the customer was previously insured by another Allstate Protection brand. Allstate brand includes automobiles added by existing customers when they exceed the number allowed (currently 10) on a policy.
Average premium-gross written (“average premium”): Gross premiums written divided by issued item count. Gross premiums written include the impacts from discounts, surcharges and ceded reinsurance premiums and exclude the impacts from mid-term premium adjustments and premium refund accruals. Average premiums represent the appropriate policy term for each line. Allstate and Esurance brands policy terms are 6 months for auto and 12 months for homeowners. Encompass brand policy terms are 12 months for auto and homeowners.
Renewal ratio: Renewal policies issued during the period, based on contract effective dates, divided by the total policies issued 6 months prior for auto (12 months prior for Encompass brand) or 12 months prior for homeowners.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 63

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

allstatebrandcolora04.jpg

Underwriting results are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums written
$
7,755

 
$
7,564

 
$
22,215

 
$
21,708

Premiums earned
$
7,342

 
$
7,152

 
$
21,785

 
$
21,257

Claims and claims expense
(4,922
)
 
(4,920
)
 
(14,865
)
 
(15,419
)
Amortization of DAC
(1,067
)
 
(1,003
)
 
(3,119
)
 
(2,982
)
Other costs and expenses
(804
)
 
(731
)
 
(2,318
)
 
(2,183
)
Restructuring and related charges
(13
)
 
(5
)
 
(67
)
 
(19
)
Underwriting income
$
536

 
$
493

 
$
1,416

 
$
654

Catastrophe losses
$
832

 
$
440

 
$
2,455

 
$
2,136

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss) by line of business
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
$
253

 
$
49

 
$
913

 
$
37

Homeowners
319

 
406

 
473

 
568

Other personal lines (1)
(18
)
 
50

 
48

 
114

Commercial lines
(15
)
 
(19
)
 
(21
)
 
(90
)
Other business lines (2)
(3
)
 
7

 
3

 
25

Underwriting income
$
536

 
$
493

 
$
1,416

 
$
654

_______________
(1) 
Other personal lines include renter, condominium, landlord and other personal lines products.
(2) 
Other business lines primarily include Allstate Roadside Services, Allstate Dealer Services, Arity and Ivantage.
The following table summarizes the changes in underwriting results from the prior year by the components of the increase (decrease) in underwriting income. The 2017 columns present changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. The 2016 columns present changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2015.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Underwriting income (loss) - prior period
$
493

 
$
571

 
$
654

 
$
1,183

Changes in underwriting income from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) premiums earned
190

 
220

 
528

 
776

(Increase) decrease incurred claims and claims expense (“losses”):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incurred losses, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve reestimates
176

 
(36
)
 
473

 
(423
)
Catastrophe losses, excluding reserve reestimates
(401
)
 
(184
)
 
(341
)
 
(870
)
Non-catastrophe reserve reestimates
214

 
(10
)
 
400

 
58

Catastrophe reserve reestimates
9

 
(6
)
 
22

 
(12
)
Losses subtotal
(2
)
 
(236
)
 
554

 
(1,247
)
(Increase) decrease expenses
(145
)
 
(62
)
 
(320
)
 
(58
)
Underwriting income (loss) - current period
$
536

 
$
493

 
$
1,416

 
$
654

Underwriting income totaled $536 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $493 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $1.42 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase from $654 million in the first nine months of 2016. Both period increases were primarily due to increased premiums earned, lower claim frequency and favorable prior year reserve reestimates compared to unfavorable reserve reestimates in 2016, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses primarily related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and higher employee-related and agent compensation costs.

64 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

For auto insurance, we continued to take a balanced approach to profitable growth. As auto margins have improved, we have expanded the number of states in which we are implementing growth plans. While we continue to file rate increases to keep pace with loss trends, the overall magnitude of rates taken has moderated as profitability trends have improved.
Our trusted advisor strategy for Allstate exclusive agencies remains critical. This includes enhancements to our approach to initiating relationships, building personalized solutions and cultivating trust based relationships. We are also focused on broadening our distribution footprint, both in terms of agency owners and licensed sales professionals, to expand sales and service capacity and making other sales and marketing investments to increase new business volume.
We are leveraging data and analytic capabilities to generate business value. This includes the strategic deployment of new agencies, improved operational efficiency to create a better customer experience, enhanced target marketing as well as enhanced sophistication of product and pricing capabilities.
For homeowners insurance, we continue to be disciplined in how we manage margins through underwriting guidelines, risk management policies, property inspections and implement rate and other actions to maintain or improve returns where required. Our growth actions include continuing to implement updated competitive products, including our House & Home product and a new condominium product, leveraging agency sales practices focused on multi-line households, increasing availability in coastal markets, improving penetration in underserved markets in the middle of the country and targeted advertising campaigns.
Premiums written and earned by line of business are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
Premiums written
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
$
5,096

 
$
4,940

 
$
14,903

 
$
14,453

Homeowners
1,921

 
1,869

 
5,171

 
5,092

Other personal lines
454

 
447

 
1,263

 
1,228

Subtotal – Personal lines
7,471

 
7,256

 
21,337

 
20,773

Commercial lines
116

 
123

 
363

 
384

Other business lines
168

 
185

 
515

 
551

Total
$
7,755

 
$
7,564

 
$
22,215

 
$
21,708

Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
$
4,951

 
$
4,793

 
$
14,673

 
$
14,205

Homeowners
1,707

 
1,683

 
5,086

 
5,045

Other personal lines
414

 
399

 
1,230

 
1,189

Subtotal – Personal lines
7,072

 
6,875

 
20,989

 
20,439

Commercial lines
124

 
127

 
367

 
383

Other business lines
146

 
150

 
429

 
435

Total
$
7,342

 
$
7,152

 
$
21,785

 
$
21,257


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 65

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Auto insurance premium measures and statistics used to analyze the business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
PIF (thousands)
19,513

 
19,852

 
19,513

 
19,852

New issued applications (thousands)
651

 
584

 
1,900

 
1,750

Average premium 
$
556

 
$
532

 
$
546

 
$
518

Renewal ratio (%)
87.7

 
87.5

 
87.5

 
87.9

Approved rate changes (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
# of locations (2)
17

 
25

 
43

 
51

Total brand (%) (3)
0.4

 
1.0

 
2.8

(6) 
5.9

Location specific (%) (4) (5)
3.0

 
7.1

 
4.7

(6) 
7.0

____________
(1) 
Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued. Rate changes do not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges that result in no change in the overall rate level in a location. These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a location.
(2) 
Allstate brand operates in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 5 Canadian provinces.
(3) 
Represents the impact in the states, the District of Columbia and Canadian provinces where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of total brand prior year-end premiums written.
(4) 
Represents the impact in the states, the District of Columbia and Canadian provinces where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those same locations.
(5) 
Based on historical premiums written in the locations noted above, the annual impact of rate changes approved for auto totaled $76 million and $551 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $192 million and $1.09 billion in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Approximately 38% of the Allstate brand rate increases approved in the first nine months of 2017 are expected to be earned in 2017, with the remainder expected to be earned in 2018 and 2019.
(6) Includes a rate increase in California in first quarter 2017. Excluding California, Allstate brand auto total brand and location specific rate changes were 2.2% and 4.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
Auto insurance premiums written totaled $5.10 billion in the third quarter of 2017, a 3.2% increase from $4.94 billion in the third quarter of 2016, and $14.90 billion in the first nine months of 2017, a 3.1% increase from $14.45 billion in the first nine months of 2016. Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
1.7% or 339 thousand decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016. PIF decreased slightly by 0.2% or 35 thousand as of September 30, 2017 compared to June 30, 2017. Auto PIF increased in 14 states, including 3 of our largest 10 states, as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016.
11.5% and 8.6% increase in new issued applications in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. 41 states, including all of our 10 largest states, experienced increases in new issued applications in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, with 29 states experiencing double digit increases. 40 states, including 8 of our 10 largest states, experienced increases in new issued applications in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, with 22 states experiencing double digit increases. Hurricanes disrupted business operations and constrained new business volume in the impacted areas in the third quarter of 2017.
4.5% and 5.4% increase in average premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to rate increases. Rate changes approved for auto do not assume customer choices such as non-renewal or changes in policy terms which might reduce future premiums.
0.2 point increase and 0.4 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. 29 states, including 6 of our 10 largest states, and 20 states, including 3 of our 10 largest states, experienced increases in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. The renewal ratio in third quarter 2017 sequentially increased by 0.3 points compared to second quarter 2017.

66 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Homeowners insurance premium measures and statistics used to analyze the business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
PIF (thousands)
6,071

 
6,131

 
6,071

 
6,131

 
New issued applications (thousands)
198

 
188

 
556

 
545

 
Average premium
$
1,203

 
$
1,181

 
$
1,194

 
$
1,176

 
Renewal ratio (%) 
87.5

 
87.9

 
87.2

 
87.9

 
Approved rate changes (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
# of locations (2)
8

 
10

 
23

 
33

 
Total brand (%)
0.5

 
0.2

 
1.6

 
0.6

(4) 
Location specific (%) (3)
5.3

 
4.6

 
4.2

 
1.6

(4) 
_______________
(1) 
Includes rate changes approved based on our net cost of reinsurance.
(2) 
Allstate brand operates in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 5 Canadian provinces.
(3) 
Based on historical premiums written in the locations noted above, the annual impact of rate changes approved for homeowners totaled $38 million and $113 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $16 million and $43 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
(4) 
Includes the impact of a rate decrease in California in first quarter 2016. Excluding California, Allstate brand homeowners total brand and location specific rate changes were 1.6% and 5.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
Homeowners insurance premiums written totaled $1.92 billion in the third quarter of 2017, a 2.8% increase from $1.87 billion in the third quarter of 2016, and $5.17 billion in the first nine months of 2017, a 1.6% increase from $5.09 billion in the first nine months of 2016. Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
1.0% or 60 thousand decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016. PIF decreased slightly by 2 thousand as of September 30, 2017 compared to June 30, 2017. Allstate brand homeowners PIF increased in 18 states, including 2 of our largest 10 states, as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016.
5.3% and 2.0% increase in new issued applications in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Of our largest 10 states, 6 experienced increases in new issued applications in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016. Hurricanes disrupted business operations and constrained new business volume in the impacted areas in the third quarter of 2017.
1.9% and 1.5% increase in average premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to rate changes and increasing insured home valuations due to inflationary costs.
0.4 point and 0.7 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Of our largest 10 states, 3 and 2 experienced an increase in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. The renewal ratio in third quarter 2017 sequentially increased by 0.5 points compared to second quarter 2017.
$11 million decrease in the cost of our catastrophe reinsurance program to $69 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $80 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $33 million decrease to $223 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $256 million in the first nine months of 2016. Catastrophe reinsurance premiums are recorded primarily in Allstate brand and are a reduction of premium.
Premiums written for Allstate’s House and Home product, our homeowners offering currently available in 41 of the 50 states we operate in, totaled $668 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $532 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $1.73 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $1.08 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
Other personal lines premiums written totaled $454 million in the third quarter of 2017, a 1.6% increase from $447 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $1.26 billion in the first nine months of 2017, a 2.9% increase from $1.23 billion in the first nine months of 2016. The increases in both periods were primarily due to personal umbrella insurance premiums.
Commercial lines premiums written totaled $116 million in the third quarter of 2017, a 5.7% decrease from $123 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $363 million in the first nine months of 2017, a 5.5% decrease from $384 million in the first nine months of 2016. The decreases in both periods were driven by decreased new business and lower renewals due to profit improvement actions, partially offset by increased average premiums.
Other business lines premiums written totaled $168 million in the third quarter of 2017, a 9.2% decrease from $185 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $515 million in the nine months of 2017, a 6.5% decrease from $551 million in the first nine

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 67

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

months of 2016. The decreases in both periods were primarily driven by lower wholesale rescue volume primarily due to lower partner renewals and retail memberships in force at Allstate Roadside Services. Allstate Roadside Services continues to implement profit improvement actions, which have impacted premium, but are reducing loss costs.
Combined ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table.
 
Loss ratio (1)
 
Expense ratio (1)
 
Combined ratio (1)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.8

 
75.3

 
25.1

 
23.7

 
94.9

 
99.0

Homeowners
57.9

 
53.1

 
23.4

 
22.8

 
81.3

 
75.9

Other personal lines
75.3

 
59.2

 
29.0

 
28.3

 
104.3

 
87.5

Commercial lines
83.1

 
88.2

 
29.0

 
26.8

 
112.1

 
115.0

Other business lines
43.2

 
46.0

 
58.9

 
49.3

 
102.1

 
95.3

Total
67.0

 
68.8

 
25.7

 
24.3

 
92.7

 
93.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.0

 
75.8

 
24.8

 
23.9

 
93.8

 
99.7

Homeowners
67.9

 
66.2

 
22.8

 
22.5

 
90.7

 
88.7

Other Personal lines
67.9

 
63.3

 
28.2

 
27.1

 
96.1

 
90.4

Commercial lines
77.6

 
95.6

 
28.1

 
27.9

 
105.7

 
123.5

Other business lines
39.4

 
44.6

 
59.9

 
49.7

 
99.3

 
94.3

Total
68.2

 
72.5

 
25.3

 
24.4

 
93.5

 
96.9

_______________
(1) 
Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business.
Loss ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table.
 
Loss ratio
 
Effect of catastrophe losses
 
Effect of prior year reserve reestimates
 
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.8

 
75.3

 
7.4

 
3.1

 
(3.8
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Homeowners
57.9

 
53.1

 
22.4

 
15.4

 
(2.5
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
0.3

Other personal lines
75.3

 
59.2

 
15.7

 
6.0

 
0.7

 
(0.8
)
 

 
(0.3
)
Commercial lines
83.1

 
88.2

 
10.5

 
5.5

 
5.6

 
10.3

 
0.8

 

Other business lines
43.2

 
46.0

 
3.4

 

 
0.7

 
2.0

 

 

Total
67.0

 
68.8

 
11.3

 
6.2

 
(3.0
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.0

 
75.8

 
4.4

 
3.4

 
(2.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 

Homeowners
67.9

 
66.2

 
31.6

 
29.3

 
(1.7
)
 
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 
0.4

Other Personal lines
67.9

 
63.3

 
14.7

 
12.5

 
0.5

 
(1.3
)
 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
Commercial lines
77.6

 
95.6

 
6.0

 
7.3

 
1.9

 
14.6

 
0.3

 
1.0

Other business lines
39.4

 
44.6

 
1.2

 

 
0.2

 
0.7

 

 

Total
68.2

 
72.5

 
11.3

 
10.0

 
(1.9
)
 
0.1

 

 
0.1

Auto loss ratio decreased 5.5 points and 6.8 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to increased premiums earned, lower claim frequency and higher favorable prior year reserve reestimates, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses.
Frequency and severity statistics, which are influenced by driving patterns, inflation and other factors, are provided to describe the trends in loss costs of the business. Our reserving process incorporates changes in loss patterns, operational statistics and changes in claims reporting processes to determine our best estimate of recorded reserves.
Paid claim frequency is calculated as annualized notice counts closed with payment in the period divided by the average of policies in force with the applicable coverage during the period. Gross claim frequency is calculated as annualized notice counts received in the period divided by the average of policies in force with the applicable coverage during the period. Gross claim frequency includes all actual notice counts, regardless of their current status (open or closed) or their ultimate disposition (closed

68 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

with a payment or closed without payment). Frequency statistics exclude counts associated with catastrophe events. The percent change in paid or gross claim frequency is calculated as the amount of increase or decrease in the paid or gross claim frequency in the current period compared to the same period in the prior year; divided by the prior year paid or gross claim frequency.
Paid claim frequency trends will often differ from gross claim frequency trends due to differences in the timing of when notices are received and when claims are settled. For property damage claims, paid frequency trends reflect little differences as timing between opening and settlement is minimal. For bodily injury, gross frequency trends reflect emerging trends since the difference in timing between opening and settlement is much greater and gross frequency does not experience the same volatility in quarterly fluctuations seen in paid frequency. In evaluating frequency, we typically rely upon paid frequency trends for physical damage coverages such as property damage and gross frequency for casualty coverages such as bodily injury to provide an indicator of emerging trends in overall claim frequency while also providing insights for our analysis of severity.
Paid claim severity is calculated by dividing the sum of paid losses and loss expenses by claims closed with a payment during the period. The percent change in paid claim severity is calculated as the amount of increase or decrease in paid claim severity in the current period compared to the same period in the prior year; divided by the prior year paid claims severity.
Claims is operating in a continuous improvement environment, actively focusing on effective loss cost management, process efficiency and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the customer experience. The aim is to ensure a fast, fair and easy claims experience. We have been simplifying and streamlining the claim handling process using leading technology, self-servicing capabilities and electronic payments.
We have opened several Digital Operating Centers to handle auto claims countrywide utilizing our virtual estimation capabilities, which includes estimating damage through photos with the use of QuickFoto Claim® and Virtual AssistSM (video chat technology used to review supplemental damage with auto body shops). We are assessing wind and hail property claims through the use of drones, piloted airplanes and satellite imagery. We are continuing to aggressively seek new technology and process solutions to provide continued loss cost accuracy, efficient processes and customer experiences that are simple, fast and produce high degrees of satisfaction. While these claims organizational and process changes are occurring, frequency and severity statistics may be impacted as changes in claim opening and closing practices, if any, can impact comparisons to prior periods.
Property damage paid claim frequency decreased 9.0% and 5.2% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. 47 states experienced a year over year decrease in property damage paid claim frequency in third quarter 2017 when compared to third quarter 2016.  Property damage paid claim severities increased 4.9% and 3.8% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Property damage paid claim severity trend is being impacted by claims process changes involving QuickFoto Claim and Virtual Assist, which impacts the timing of claim payments. 
Bodily injury gross claim frequency decreased 5.6% and 5.5% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Bodily injury paid claim frequency decreased 9.1% and 18.5% while bodily injury paid claim severity increased 15.0% and 23.3% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Claim process changes in the second half of 2016 related to enhanced documentation of injuries and related medical treatments are having a related impact on paid claim frequency and severity due to payment mix and claim closure patterns.  These process changes normalized during the first half of 2017 and the related impacts on the percent change in paid claim frequency and severity have begun to moderate in third quarter 2017.
Homeowners loss ratio increased 4.8 points and 1.7 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to higher catastrophe losses, partially offset by higher favorable prior year reserve reestimates and increased premiums earned. Paid claim frequency excluding catastrophe losses decreased 5.4% and increased 1.0% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Paid claim severity excluding catastrophe losses increased 8.1% and 4.1% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Homeowner paid claim severity can be impacted by both the mix of perils and the magnitude of specific losses paid during the quarter.
Other personal lines loss ratio increased 16.1 points and 4.6 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to higher catastrophe losses, unfavorable prior year reserve reestimates and higher claim severity, partially offset by increased premiums earned.
Commercial lines loss ratio decreased 5.1 points in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to lower unfavorable prior year reserve reestimates and lower claim frequency, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses. Commercial lines loss ratio decreased 18.0 points in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to lower unfavorable prior year reserve reestimates, lower catastrophe losses and claim frequency.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 69

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Catastrophe losses were $832 million and $2.46 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $440 million and $2.14 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. Catastrophe losses included $617 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Expense ratio The expense ratios by line of business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
25.1

 
23.7

 
24.8

 
23.9

Homeowners
23.4

 
22.8

 
22.8

 
22.5

Other personal lines
29.0

 
28.3

 
28.2

 
27.1

Commercial lines
29.0

 
26.8

 
28.1

 
27.9

Other business lines (1)
58.9

 
49.3

 
59.9

 
49.7

Total expense ratio
25.7

 
24.3

 
25.3

 
24.4

_______________
(1) 
Increases in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016 are primarily due to Allstate Roadside Services increase in strategic investments in the Good Hands Rescue Network and Allstate Dealer Services increase in employee-related costs and an overall decrease in earned premiums.
The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Amortization of DAC
14.5

 
14.0

 
14.3

 
14.0

Advertising expense
2.0

 
2.2

 
2.0

 
2.0

Other costs and expenses
9.0

 
8.0

 
8.7

 
8.3

Restructuring and related charges
0.2

 
0.1

 
0.3

 
0.1

Total expense ratio
25.7

 
24.3

 
25.3

 
24.4

Expense ratio increased 1.4 points and 0.9 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to higher employee-related compensation costs, resulting from higher year-to-date profitability, and agent compensation costs. Amortization of DAC primarily includes agent remuneration and premium taxes. Allstate agency total incurred base commissions, variable compensation and bonuses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were higher than the same periods of 2016.

70 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

esurancelogo1a02.jpg

Underwriting results are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums written
$
453

 
$
446

 
$
1,318

 
$
1,290

Premiums earned
$
432

 
$
418

 
$
1,280

 
$
1,237

Claims and claims expense
(337
)
 
(326
)
 
(997
)
 
(939
)
Amortization of DAC
(11
)
 
(10
)
 
(31
)
 
(30
)
Other costs and expenses
(103
)
 
(123
)
 
(304
)
 
(371
)
Restructuring and related charges

 

 
(3
)
 

Underwriting loss
$
(19
)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
(55
)
 
$
(103
)
Catastrophe losses
$
17

 
$
14

 
$
49

 
$
31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss) by line of business
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
$
(15
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(32
)
 
$
(49
)
Homeowners
(4
)
 
(22
)
 
(24
)
 
(54
)
Other personal lines

 

 
1

 

Underwriting loss
$
(19
)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
(55
)
 
$
(103
)
The following table summarizes the changes in underwriting results from the prior year by the components of the increase (decrease) in underwriting income (loss). The 2017 columns present changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. The 2016 columns present changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2015.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Underwriting income (loss) - prior period
$
(41
)
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(103
)
 
$
(136
)
Changes in underwriting income (loss) from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) premiums earned
14

 
19

 
43

 
49

(Increase) decrease incurred claims and claims expense (“losses”):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incurred losses, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve reestimates
(5
)
 
(23
)
 
(29
)
 
(25
)
Catastrophe losses, excluding reserve reestimates
(3
)
 
(12
)
 
(19
)
 
(21
)
Non-catastrophe reserve reestimates
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(1
)
Catastrophe reserve reestimates

 
1

 
1

 
1

Losses subtotal
(11
)
 
(36
)
 
(58
)
 
(46
)
(Increase) decrease expenses
19

 
2

 
63

 
30

Underwriting income (loss) - current period
$
(19
)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
(55
)
 
$
(103
)
Underwriting loss totaled $19 million in the third quarter of 2017, an improvement from $41 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $55 million in the first nine months of 2017, compared to $103 million in the first nine months of 2016. The improvements in both periods were primarily due to increased premiums earned, decreased homeowners marketing and lower amortization of purchased intangible assets, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses and lower favorable prior year reserve reestimates.
We are focused on improving our results through profit improvement actions that include rate increases, a shift to lower risk customers, and decreased homeowners marketing while enhancing processes and operations to improve the customer experience.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 71

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Premiums written and earned by line of business are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
Premiums written
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
$
427

 
$
428

 
$
1,252

 
$
1,243

Homeowners
24

 
16

 
60

 
41

Other personal lines
2

 
2

 
6

 
6

Total
$
453

 
$
446

 
$
1,318

 
$
1,290

Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
$
411

 
$
405

 
$
1,225

 
$
1,202

Homeowners
19

 
11

 
49

 
29

Other personal lines
2

 
2

 
6

 
6

Total
$
432

 
$
418

 
$
1,280

 
$
1,237

Auto insurance premium measures and statistics used to analyze the business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
PIF (thousands)
1,369

 
1,395

 
1,369

 
1,395

New issued applications (thousands)
116

 
151

 
379

 
460

Average premium 
$
574

 
$
546

 
$
570

 
$
544

Renewal ratio (%)
81.8

 
78.9

 
81.3

 
79.5

Approved rate changes (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
# of locations (2)
16

 
9

 
19

 
26

Total brand (%) (3)
2.0

 
0.4

 
4.4

 
2.0

Location specific (%) (4) (5)
5.6

 
2.3

 
5.7

 
4.4

____________
(1) 
Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued. Rate changes do not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges that result in no change in the overall rate level in a location. These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a location.
(2) 
Esurance brand operates in 43 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
(3) 
Represents the impact in the states and Canadian provinces where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of total brand prior year-end premiums written.
(4) 
Represents the impact in the states and Canadian provinces where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those same locations.
(5) 
Based on historical premiums written in the locations noted above, the annual impact of rate changes approved for auto totaled $32 million and $71 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $6 million and $31 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
Auto premiums written totaled $427 million in the third quarter of 2017, a 0.2% decrease from $428 million in the third quarter of 2016, $1.25 billion in the first nine months of 2017, a 0.7% increase from $1.24 billion in the first nine months of 2016. Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
1.9% or 26 thousand decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016.
23.2% and 17.6% decrease in new issued applications in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to the impact of rate increases and the shift to lower risk customers.
5.1% and 4.8% increase in average premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016.
2.9 point and 1.8 point increase in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to the shift to lower risk customers and improved customer experience.


72 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Homeowners insurance premium measures and statistics used to analyze the business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
PIF (thousands)
76

 
52

 
76

 
52

New issued applications (thousands)
10

 
10

 
27

 
28

Average premium
$
924

 
$
872

 
$
919

 
$
877

Renewal ratio (%) (1)
85.8

 
83.1

 
85.3

 
83.3

Approved rate changes (2) :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
# of locations (3)

 
N/A

 

 
N/A

Total brand (%)

 
N/A

 

 
N/A

Location specific (%)

 
N/A

 

 
N/A

_______________
(1) 
Esurance’s renewal ratios exclude the impact of risk related cancellations. Customers can enter into a policy without a physical inspection. During the underwriting review period, a number of policies may be canceled if upon inspection the condition is unsatisfactory.
(2) 
Includes rate changes approved based on our net cost of reinsurance.
(3) 
Esurance brand operates in 31 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
N/A reflects not applicable.
Homeowners insurance premiums written totaled $24 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $16 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $60 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $41 million in the first nine months of 2016. Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
24 thousand increase in PIF as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016.
3.6% decrease in new issued applications in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, due to reduced advertising spending.
6.0% and 4.8% increase in average premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to rate changes. As of September 30, 2017, Esurance is writing homeowners insurance in 31 states with lower hurricane risk, contributing to lower average premium.
Combined ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table.
 
Loss ratio (1)
 
Expense ratio (1)
 
Combined ratio (1)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
78.3

 
77.3

 
25.3

 
27.4

 
103.6

 
104.7

Homeowners
73.7

 
100.0

 
47.4

 
200.0

 
121.1

 
300.0

Other personal lines
50.0

 
100.0

 
50.0

 

 
100.0

 
100.0

Total
78.0

 
78.0

 
26.4

 
31.8

 
104.4

 
109.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
77.2

 
75.7

 
25.4

 
28.4

 
102.6

 
104.1

Homeowners
98.0

 
86.2

 
51.0

 
200.0

 
149.0

 
286.2

Other Personal lines
50.0

 
66.7

 
33.3

 
33.3

 
83.3

 
100.0

Total
77.9

 
75.9

 
26.4

 
32.4

 
104.3

 
108.3

_______________
(1) 
Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 73

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Loss ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table.
 
Loss ratio
 
Effect of catastrophe losses
 
Effect of prior year reserve reestimates
 
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
78.3

 
77.3

 
3.6

 
2.2

 

 
(1.0
)
 

 

Homeowners
73.7

 
100.0

 
10.5

 
45.5

 
(5.2
)
 

 

 

Other personal lines
50.0

 
100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
78.0

 
78.0

 
3.9

 
3.3

 
(0.2
)
 
(1.0
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
77.2

 
75.7

 
2.8

 
1.7

 

 
(1.0
)
 

 

Homeowners
98.0

 
86.2

 
30.6

 
37.9

 
(4.1
)
 

 
(2.1
)
 

Other Personal lines
50.0

 
66.7

 

 

 
(16.7
)
 

 

 

Total
77.9

 
75.9

 
3.8

 
2.5

 
(0.2
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(0.1
)
 

Auto loss ratio increased 1.0 point and 1.5 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to higher catastrophe losses.
Catastrophe losses were $17 million and $49 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $14 million and $31 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. Catastrophe losses included $14 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. As Esurance increases its homeowners business, we are exposed to more catastrophe losses.
Expense ratio The expense ratios by line of business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
25.3

 
27.4

 
25.4

 
28.4

Homeowners
47.4

 
200.0

 
51.0

 
200.0

Other personal lines
50.0

 

 
33.3

 
33.3

Total expense ratio
26.4

 
31.8

 
26.4

 
32.4

The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Amortization of DAC
2.5

 
2.4

 
2.4

 
2.4

Advertising expense
9.3

 
11.7

 
8.8

 
11.9

Amortization of purchased intangible assets
0.2

 
1.5

 
0.2

 
1.5

Other costs and expenses
14.4

 
16.2

 
14.8

 
16.6

Restructuring and related charges

 

 
0.2

 

Total expense ratio
26.4

 
31.8

 
26.4

 
32.4

Expense ratio decreased 5.4 points and 6.0 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Esurance uses a direct distribution model, therefore its primary acquisition-related costs are advertising as opposed to commissions. Esurance advertising expense ratio decreased 2.4 points and 3.1 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to reductions in homeowners marketing spending.
Other costs and expenses, including salaries of telephone sales personnel and other underwriting costs related to customer acquisition, were lower in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016. Expense ratio includes amortization of purchased intangible assets from the original acquisition in 2011. Starting in 2017, the portion of the remaining purchased intangible asset related to the Esurance brand name was classified as an infinite-lived intangible and is no longer being amortized, but instead tested for impairment on an annual basis.

74 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

encompassa04.jpg
Underwriting results are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums written
$
271

 
$
299

 
$
792

 
$
877

Premiums earned
$
269

 
$
299

 
$
826

 
$
912

Claims and claims expense
(158
)
 
(208
)
 
(590
)
 
(678
)
Amortization of DAC
(49
)
 
(55
)
 
(152
)
 
(169
)
Other costs and expenses
(33
)
 
(31
)
 
(95
)
 
(92
)
Restructuring and related charges

 

 
(5
)
 
(1
)
Underwriting income (loss)
$
29

 
$
5

 
$
(16
)
 
$
(28
)
Catastrophe losses
$
12

 
$
27

 
$
131

 
$
102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss) by line of business
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Auto
$
6

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(32
)
Homeowners
20

 
11

 
(18
)
 
14

Other personal lines
3

 

 
5

 
(10
)
Underwriting income (loss)
$
29

 
$
5

 
$
(16
)
 
$
(28
)
The following table summarizes the changes in underwriting results from the prior year by the components of the increase (decrease) in underwriting income (loss). The 2017 columns present changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. The 2016 columns present changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2015.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Underwriting income (loss) - prior period
$
5

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
(40
)
Changes in underwriting loss from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) premiums earned
(30
)
 
(20
)
 
(86
)
 
(44
)
(Increase) decrease incurred claims and claims expense (“losses”):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incurred losses, excluding catastrophe losses and reserve reestimates
33

 
19

 
97

 
49

Catastrophe losses, excluding reserve reestimates
14

 
(10
)
 
(29
)
 
(5
)
Non-catastrophe reserve reestimates
2

 
16

 
20

 
(2
)
Catastrophe reserve reestimates
1

 

 

 
(1
)
Losses subtotal
50

 
25

 
88

 
41

(Increase) decrease expenses
4

 
4

 
10

 
15

Underwriting income (loss) - current period
$
29

 
$
5

 
$
(16
)
 
$
(28
)
Underwriting income totaled $29 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $5 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to the improvement in auto and homeowner underwriting income resulting from decreased loss costs, including lower catastrophe losses. Underwriting loss totaled $16 million in the first nine months of 2017, an improvement from $28 million in the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to improved auto loss costs, partially offset by higher homeowners catastrophe losses.
We continue to implement actions to improve profitability in states with inadequate returns, including announcing exiting operations in Massachusetts in the second quarter of 2017.  These actions have led to a reduction of PIF, new issued applications, and the renewal ratio compared to prior year for both auto and homeowners. Targeted growth plans have been tailored and focused on eight states that are growing or have improved trends. New issued applications in these eight states increased approximately 20% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. PIF decreased approximately 5% in these same eight states compared to an approximate 15% decrease in all states. Our growth plan includes leveraging competitive rates, enhancing pricing and underwriting sophistication, implementing best in class underwriting and claim processes, enhancing product analytics, and focusing on geographic diversification.
.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 75

Allstate Protection
 Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Premiums written and earned by line of business are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
Premiums written
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
$
141

 
$
153

 
$
414

 
$
453

Homeowners
108

 
121

 
311

 
351

Other personal lines
22

 
25

 
67

 
73

Total
$
271

 
$
299

 
$
792

 
$
877

Premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
$
140

 
$
155

 
$
429

 
$
472

Homeowners
106

 
119

 
327

 
364

Other personal lines
23

 
25

 
70

 
76

Total
$
269

 
$
299

 
$
826

 
$
912

Auto insurance premium measures and statistics used to analyze the business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
PIF (thousands)
548

 
649

 
548

 
649

New issued applications (thousands)
13

 
13

 
38

 
43

Average premium 
$
1,087

 
$
1,022

 
$
1,070

 
$
997

Renewal ratio (%)  (1)
72.0

 
73.1

 
73.2

 
74.9

Approved rate changes (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
# of locations (3)
8

 
9

 
22

 
22

Total brand (%) (4)
0.8

 
1.6

 
4.5

 
7.3

Location specific (%) (5) (6)
4.5

 
8.8

 
7.1

 
10.1

____________
(1) 
Encompass announced a plan to exit business in Massachusetts in the second quarter of 2017 and previously announced a plan to exit business in North Carolina in the first half of 2016, which has impacted the renewal ratio. Excluding Massachusetts and North Carolina, the renewal ratios were 74.4 points and 74.3 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 73.9 points and 75.3 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
(2) 
Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued. Rate changes do not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges that result in no change in the overall rate level in a location. These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a location.
(3) 
Encompass brand operates in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
(4) 
Represents the impact in the states and the District of Columbia where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of total brand prior year-end premiums written.
(5) 
Represents the impact in the states and the District of Columbia where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those same locations.
(6) 
Based on historical premiums written in the locations noted above, the annual impact of rate changes approved for auto totaled $5 million and $27 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $11 million and $48 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Approximately 27% of the Encompass brand rate increases approved in the first nine months of 2017 are expected to be earned in 2017, with the remainder expected to be earned in 2018 and 2019.
Auto insurance premiums written totaled $141 million in the third quarter of 2017, a 7.8% decrease from $153 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $414 million in the first nine months of 2017, an 8.6% decrease from $453 million in the first nine months of 2016. Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
15.6% or 101 thousand decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016.
11.6% decrease in new issued applications in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. New issued applications in the third quarter of 2017 was comparable to the same period of 2016.
6.4% and 7.3% increase in average premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016.
1.1 point and 1.7 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to profit improvement actions taken to exit states with inadequate returns. Encompass sells a high percentage of package policies that include both auto and homeowners; therefore, declines in one coverage can contribute to declines in the other.


76 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Homeowners insurance premium measures and statistics used to analyze the business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
PIF (thousands)
262

 
305

 
262

 
305

New issued applications (thousands)
8

 
9

 
23

 
27

Average premium
$
1,703

 
$
1,659

 
$
1,677

 
$
1,636

Renewal ratio (%) (1)
77.7

 
77.9

 
78.2

 
79.7

Approved rate changes (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
# of locations (3)
6

 
5

 
17

 
16

Total brand (%)
0.9

 
1.4

 
3.9

 
4.5

Location specific (%) (4)
6.0

 
9.2

 
8.0

 
9.4

_______________
(1) 
Encompass announced a plan to exit business in Massachusetts in the second quarter of 2017 and previously announced a plan to exit business in North Carolina in the first half of 2016, which has impacted the renewal ratio. Excluding Massachusetts and North Carolina, the renewal ratios were 79.1 points and 79.0 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 78.7 points and 80.1 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
(2) Includes rate changes approved based on our net cost of reinsurance.
(3) 
Encompass brand operates in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
(4) 
Based on historical premiums written in the locations noted above, the annual impact of rate changes approved for homeowners totaled $5 million and $19 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $7 million and $23 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
Homeowners insurance premiums written totaled $108 million in the third quarter of 2017, a 10.7% decrease from $121 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $311 million in the first nine months of 2017, an 11.4% decrease from $351 million in the first nine months of 2016. Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
14.1% or 43 thousand decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016.
11.1% and 14.8% decrease in new issued applications in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016.
2.7% and 2.5% increase in average premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to rate changes.
0.2 point and 1.5 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to profit improvement actions taken to exit states with inadequate returns. Encompass sells a high percentage of package policies that include both auto and homeowners; therefore, declines in one product can contribute to declines in the other.
Combined ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table.
 
Loss ratio (1)
 
Expense ratio (1)
 
Combined ratio (1)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
65.0

 
75.5

 
30.7

 
28.4

 
95.7

 
103.9

Homeowners
50.9

 
62.2

 
30.2

 
28.6

 
81.1

 
90.8

Other personal lines
56.5

 
68.0

 
30.5

 
32.0

 
87.0

 
100.0

Total
58.7

 
69.6

 
30.5

 
28.7

 
89.2

 
98.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.9

 
78.4

 
30.8

 
28.4

 
100.7

 
106.8

Homeowners
75.2

 
67.1

 
30.3

 
29.1

 
105.5

 
96.2

Other personal lines
62.9

 
84.2

 
30.0

 
29.0

 
92.9

 
113.2

Total
71.4

 
74.4

 
30.5

 
28.7

 
101.9

 
103.1

_______________
(1) 
Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 77

Allstate Protection
 Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

Loss ratios by line of business are analyzed in the following table.
 
Loss ratio
 
Effect of catastrophe losses
 
Effect of prior year reserve reestimates
 
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
65.0

 
75.5

 
0.7

 
3.3

 

 
(1.3
)
 

 

Homeowners
50.9

 
62.2

 
10.3

 
17.6

 
0.9

 
1.7

 
0.9

 
0.8

Other personal lines
56.5

 
68.0

 

 
4.0

 
(13.0
)
 
4.0

 
(4.3
)
 

Total
58.7

 
69.6

 
4.5

 
9.0

 
(0.8
)
 
0.3

 

 
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto
69.9

 
78.4

 
2.8

 
2.1

 
(0.2
)
 
1.1

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
Homeowners
75.2

 
67.1

 
34.9

 
24.2

 
0.6

 
0.8

 
0.3

 
0.5

Other personal lines
62.9

 
84.2

 
7.1

 
5.3

 
(7.1
)
 
10.5

 

 
(1.3
)
Total
71.4

 
74.4

 
15.8

 
11.2

 
(0.5
)
 
1.8

 

 

Auto loss ratio decreased 10.5 points in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, primarily due to lower frequency and severity, and lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower favorable prior year reserve reestimates. Auto loss ratio decreased 8.5 points in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, primarily due to lower frequency and severity, favorable prior year reserve reestimates in 2017 compared to unfavorable reserve reestimates in 2016, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses.
Homeowners loss ratio decreased 11.3 points in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, primarily due to lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by decreased premiums earned. Homeowners loss ratio increased 8.1 points in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, primarily due to higher catastrophe losses.
Catastrophe losses were $12 million and $131 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $27 million and $102 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. Catastrophe losses included $10 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Expense ratio The expense ratios by line of business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Auto
30.7

 
28.4

 
30.8

 
28.4

Homeowners
30.2

 
28.6

 
30.3

 
29.1

Other personal lines
30.5

 
32.0

 
30.0

 
29.0

Total expense ratio
30.5

 
28.7

 
30.5

 
28.7

The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Amortization of DAC
18.2

 
18.4

 
18.4

 
18.5

Advertising expense
0.4

 

 
0.1

 
0.1

Other costs and expenses
11.9

 
10.3

 
11.4

 
10.0

Restructuring and related charges

 

 
0.6

 
0.1

Total expense ratio
30.5

 
28.7

 
30.5

 
28.7

Expense ratio increased 1.8 points in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to higher employee-related costs and restructuring and related charges. During the first half of 2017, Encompass exited certain operations and right-sized certain departments consistent with business volume.  The costs associated with these changes have been recorded as restructuring and related charges.


78 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Protection
Allstate brand
Esurance brand
Encompass brand
SquareTrade

squaretradea03.jpg

Underwriting results are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 

Three months ended September 30, 2017
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
Premiums written
$
104

 
$
270

Premiums earned
$
78

 
$
207

Claims and claims expense
(40
)
 
(105
)
Amortization of DAC
(11
)
 
(29
)
Other costs and expenses
(33
)
 
(90
)
Amortization of purchased intangible assets
(23
)
 
(69
)
Underwriting loss
$
(29
)
 
$
(86
)
SquareTrade was acquired on January 3, 2017 and provides protection plans covering a wide range of consumer appliance and electronic products through retail distribution and mobile operator channels.  Under these protection plans, SquareTrade agrees to repair, replace or indemnify the customer for the cost to repair or replace such products from mechanical or electrical failure due to normal wear and tear. Protection plans also provide additional coverages beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, and in certain cases, accidental damage from handling. Premium revenue and claims and claims expense are recognized over the term of the protection plans. SquareTrade purchases contractual liability insurance from third party insurance companies to support claims settlements in the event SquareTrade is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations. The arrangement results in SquareTrade recognizing the claims settlement costs. The insurer would recognize claims settlement costs only in the event SquareTrade is unable to fulfill its contractual obligation or if claims costs are in excess of pre-determined thresholds. SquareTrade is generally required to deposit amounts expected to cover losses into a trust held for paying claims. Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”) reinsures certain of the third party insurers, including SquareTrade’s largest third party insurer. SquareTrade’s results include the effects of this reinsurance.
Underwriting loss totaled $29 million and $86 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, primarily due to $23 million and $69 million, respectively, of amortization of purchased intangible assets. In conjunction with the acquisition, we recognized $555 million of intangible assets for which we anticipate recognizing pre-tax amortization expense of approximately $90 million in 2017. Intangible assets are being amortized on an accelerated basis, with approximately 75% of the balance expected to be amortized by 2021. The SquareTrade brand name was classified as an infinite-lived intangible and will be tested for impairment on an annual basis.
Premiums written increased 22.4% or $19 million to $104 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $85 million in the second quarter of 2017, primarily due to continued growth through our US retail channel. PIF increased by 2.8 million to 34.1 million as of September 30, 2017 compared to 31.3 million as of June 30, 2017.
Claims and claims expense totaled $40 million and $105 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, and the third quarter of 2017 increased compared to the second quarter of 2017, primarily due to business growth.
Other costs and expenses primarily include employee-related costs and professional service fees.


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 79

Discontinued

Discontinued Lines and Coverages Segment
Overview The Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment includes results from property-liability insurance coverage that primarily relates to polices written during the 1960's through the mid-1980's. Our exposure to asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims arises principally from direct excess insurance, assumed reinsurance coverage, direct primary commercial insurance and other businesses in run-off. We have assigned management of this segment to a designated group of professionals with expertise in claims handling, policy coverage interpretation, exposure identification and reinsurance collection. As part of its responsibilities, this group may at times be engaged in policy buybacks, settlements and reinsurance assumed and ceded commutations.
Summarized underwriting results are presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums earned
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Claims and claims expense
(88
)
 
(99
)
 
(93
)
 
(102
)
Operating costs and expenses

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Underwriting loss
$
(88
)
 
$
(100
)
 
$
(95
)
 
$
(104
)
Underwriting losses were $88 million and $95 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $100 million and $104 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, primarily related to our annual reserve review, resulting in unfavorable reestimates of $85 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $96 million in the third quarter of 2016.
Claims and claims expense are shown in the table below.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Asbestos claims
$
61

 
$
67

 
$
61

 
$
67

Environmental claims
10

 
23

 
10

 
23

Other discontinued lines
17

 
9

 
22

 
12

Total
$
88

 
$
99

 
$
93

 
$
102

Our 2017 annual reserve review, using established industry and actuarial best practices, resulted in unfavorable reestimates of $85 million, including $61 million for asbestos exposures, primarily related to new reported information and settlement agreements, including bankruptcy proceedings; $10 million for environmental exposures; $27 million for other exposures, partially offset by a $13 million decrease in the allowance for future uncollectible reinsurance. Our 2016 annual reserve review resulted in unfavorable reestimates of $96 million, including $67 million of asbestos reserves, $23 million of environmental reserves and a $6 million increase in the allowance for future uncollectible reinsurance with other exposure reserves essentially unchanged.
The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables was $70 million and $84 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The allowance represents 11.7% and 13.3% of the related reinsurance recoverable balances as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
We believe that our reserves are appropriately established based on available facts, technology, laws, regulations, and assessments of other pertinent factors and characteristics of exposure (i.e. claim activity, potential liability, jurisdiction, products versus non-products exposure) presented by individual policyholders, assuming no change in the legal, legislative or economic environment. However, as we progress with the resolution of disputed claims in the courts and arbitrations and with negotiations and settlements, our reported losses may be more variable.

80 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

The table below summarizes reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims before and after the effects of reinsurance.
($ in millions) 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Asbestos claims
 
 
 
Gross reserves
$
1,336

 
$
1,356

Reinsurance
(428
)
 
(444
)
Net reserves
908

 
912

Environmental claims
 
 
 
Gross reserves
210

 
219

Reinsurance
(35
)
 
(40
)
Net reserves
175

 
179

Other discontinued lines

 
 
Gross reserves
406

 
378

Reinsurance
(43
)
 
(25
)
Net reserves
363

 
353

Total

 

Gross reserves  (1)
1,952

 
1,953

Reinsurance (2)
(506
)
 
(509
)
Net reserves
$
1,446

 
$
1,444

______________________________
(1) 
Gross reserves as of September 30, 2017 included $1.04 billion or 53% for the direct excess insurance business, which comprised 68% case reserves and 32% incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves. Approximately 76% of the direct excess insurance total gross case reserves are subject to settlement agreements. Reserves as of December 31, 2016 included $1.05 billion or 54% reserves for the direct excess insurance business, which comprised 60% case reserves and 40% IBNR. Reserves as of September 30, 2016 included $1.11 billion or 55% reserves for the direct excess insurance business, which comprised 53% case reserves and 47% IBNR.
(2) 
Ceded reserves as of September 30, 2017 included $432 million or 86% for the direct excess insurance business, which comprised 72% case reserves and 28% IBNR. Approximately 83% of the direct excess insurance total ceded case reserves are subject to settlement agreements. Reserves as of December 31, 2016 included $451 million or 89% reserves for the direct excess insurance business, which comprised 65% case reserves and 35% IBNR. Reserves as of September 30, 2016 included $474 million or 89% reserves for the direct excess insurance business, which comprised 55% case reserves and 45% IBNR.
Total net asbestos and environmental reserves included $559 million or 52% of estimated IBNR losses as of September 30, 2017 compared to $618 million or 57% as of December 31, 2016 and $666 million or 59% as of September 30, 2016. The decrease of $59 million from year-end 2016 relates to the transfer of IBNR to case reserves through settlement agreements reached with several insureds on large claims, mainly asbestos related losses, where the scope of coverages have been agreed. The claims associated with these agreements are expected to be substantially paid out over the next several years as qualified claims conforming to the settlement agreements are submitted by these insureds.




The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 81

Property-Liability Investments

Property-Liability Investment Results
Net investment income The following table presents net investment income.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed income securities
$
232

 
$
215

 
$
691

 
$
659

Equity securities
28

 
21

 
90

 
71

Mortgage loans
4

 
3

 
9

 
9

Limited partnership interests
108

 
69

 
281

 
187

Short-term investments
5

 
3

 
13

 
6

Other
25

 
22

 
74

 
65

Investment income, before expense
402

 
333

 
1,158

 
997

Investment expense
(30
)
 
(23
)
 
(84
)
 
(69
)
Net investment income
$
372

 
$
310

 
$
1,074

 
$
928

Net investment income increased 20.0% or $62 million to $372 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 15.7% or $146 million to $1.07 billion in the first nine months of 2017 from $310 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $928 million in the first nine months of 2016. Both periods benefited from strong performance-based results, primarily from limited partnerships, an increase in invested assets and higher market-based income. Limited partnership income in both periods included private equity value appreciation and distributions related to the sales of underlying investments.
The average pre-tax investment yields were 3.7% and 3.6% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, compared to 3.3% and 3.4% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016. Quarterly pre-tax yield is calculated as annualized quarterly investment income, before investment expense divided by the average of the current and prior quarter investment balances. Year-to-date pre-tax yield is calculated as annualized year-to-date investment income, before investment expense divided by the average of investment balances at the beginning of the year and the end of each quarter during the year. For the purposes of the pre-tax yield calculation, income for directly held real estate, timber and other consolidated investments is net of investee level expenses (depreciation and asset level operating expenses reported in investment expense). For investments carried at fair value, investment balances exclude unrealized capital gains and losses.
Realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Impairment write-downs
$
(17
)
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(55
)
 
$
(103
)
Change in intent write-downs
(5
)
 
(8
)
 
(39
)
 
(39
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(22
)
 
(34
)
 
(94
)
 
(142
)
Sales and other
117

 
101

 
423

 
142

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
(27
)
 
(20
)
Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax
82

 
53

 
302

 
(20
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(28
)
 
(17
)
 
(103
)
 
10

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
54

 
$
36

 
$
199

 
$
(10
)
Realized capital gains in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017, primarily relate to net gains on sales, partially offset by impairment and change in intent write-downs, and derivative valuation losses.

82 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

Allstate Financial Highlights
Net income applicable to common shareholders was $168 million and $422 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $80 million and $264 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively.
Premiums and contract charges totaled $593 million in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 3.9% from $571 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $1.78 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 4.5% from $1.70 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
Investments totaled $36.71 billion as of September 30, 2017, reflecting a decrease of $129 million from $36.84 billion as of December 31, 2016. Net investment income increased 8.0% to $461 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 8.0% to $1.38 billion in the first nine months of 2017 from $427 million and $1.28 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively.
Net realized capital gains totaled $21 million and $16 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to net realized capital losses of $21 million and $70 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively.
During third quarter 2017, our annual comprehensive review of the deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), deferred sales inducement costs and secondary guarantee liability balances resulted in no net impact to income. This compares to a $7 million pre-tax decrease to income in the third quarter of 2016.
Contractholder funds totaled $19.65 billion as of September 30, 2017, reflecting a decrease of $610 million from $20.26 billion as of December 31, 2016.
Allstate Financial Segment
Summary analysis Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Premiums and contract charges
$
593

 
$
571

 
$
1,777

 
$
1,701

Net investment income
461

 
427

 
1,383

 
1,281

Realized capital gains and losses
21

 
(21
)
 
16

 
(70
)
Total revenues
1,075

 
977

 
3,176

 
2,912

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract benefits
(456
)
 
(484
)
 
(1,416
)
 
(1,393
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
(174
)
 
(183
)
 
(522
)
 
(558
)
Amortization of DAC
(62
)
 
(70
)
 
(214
)
 
(212
)
Operating costs and expenses
(130
)
 
(126
)
 
(395
)
 
(370
)
Restructuring and related charges
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Total costs and expenses
(823
)
 
(863
)
 
(2,549
)
 
(2,534
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on disposition of operations
1

 
1

 
5

 
4

Income tax expense
(85
)
 
(35
)
 
(210
)
 
(118
)
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
168

 
$
80

 
$
422

 
$
264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance
$
74

 
$
44

 
$
199

 
$
170

Accident and health insurance
28

 
24

 
67

 
65

Annuities and institutional products
66

 
12

 
156

 
29

Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
168

 
$
80

 
$
422

 
$
264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allstate Life
$
73

 
$
43

 
$
190

 
$
161

Allstate Benefits
29

 
25

 
76

 
74

Allstate Annuities
66

 
12

 
156

 
29

Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
168

 
$
80

 
$
422

 
$
264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments as of September 30
 
 
 
 
$
36,711

 
$
37,516

In fourth quarter 2017, we are changing our reportable segments. See Note 15 “Subsequent Events” of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 83

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

Allstate Life
Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Premiums and contract charges
$
316

 
$
310

 
$
956

 
$
932

Net investment income
119

 
120

 
362

 
358

Realized capital gains and losses
2

 
(10
)
 
4

 
(25
)
Total revenues
437

 
420

 
1,322

 
1,265

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract benefits
(173
)
 
(197
)
 
(555
)
 
(554
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
(71
)
 
(72
)
 
(211
)
 
(213
)
Amortization of DAC
(29
)
 
(31
)
 
(104
)
 
(98
)
Operating costs and expenses
(56
)
 
(59
)
 
(173
)
 
(169
)
Restructuring and related charges
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total costs and expenses
(330
)
 
(359
)
 
(1,044
)
 
(1,035
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
(34
)
 
(18
)
 
(88
)
 
(69
)
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
73

 
$
43

 
$
190

 
$
161

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policies in force as of September 30 (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
2,019

 
2,019

Net income applicable to common shareholders was $73 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $43 million in the third quarter of 2016. The increase was primarily due to lower contract benefits, net realized capital gains in the third quarter of 2017 compared to net realized capital losses in the third quarter of 2016, and higher premiums and contract charges. Net income applicable to common shareholders was $190 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $161 million in the first nine months of 2016. The increase was primarily due to net realized capital gains in the first nine months of 2017 compared to net realized capital losses in the first nine months of 2016 and higher premiums and contract charges.
The following table summarizes premiums and contract charges by product.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Traditional life insurance premiums
$
141

 
$
133

 
$
420

 
$
393

Accident and health insurance premiums

 
1

 
1

 
2

Interest-sensitive life insurance contract charges
175

 
176

 
535

 
537

Premiums and contract charges (1)
$
316

 
$
310

 
$
956

 
$
932

____________________
 (1) 
Contract charges related to the cost of insurance totaled $121 million and $120 million for the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $368 million and $367 million for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Premiums and contract charges increased 1.9% or $6 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 2.6% or $24 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016. The increase in both periods primarily relates to higher traditional life insurance renewal premiums as well as lower levels of reinsurance premiums ceded.
Contract benefits decreased 12.2% or $24 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to more favorable life insurance mortality experience. Contract benefits increased 0.2% or $1 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016.
Our annual review of assumptions in third quarter 2017 resulted in a $12 million increase in reserves primarily for secondary guarantees on interest-sensitive life insurance due to increased projected exposure to benefits paid under secondary guarantees resulting from continued low interest rates. In third quarter 2016, the review resulted in an $8 million increase in reserves primarily for secondary guarantees on interest-sensitive life insurance due to higher than anticipated retention on guaranteed interest-sensitive life business.
We analyze our mortality and morbidity results using the difference between premiums and contract charges earned for the cost of insurance and contract benefits (“benefit spread”). Benefit spread increased 56.1% to $89 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 12.5% to $234 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $57 million and $208 million in the third quarter

84 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

and first nine months of 2016, respectively, primarily due to more favorable life insurance mortality experience and higher life insurance premiums.
In order to analyze the impact of net investment income and interest credited to contractholders on net income, we monitor the difference between net investment income and interest credited to contractholder funds (“investment spread”).
The investment spread by product group is shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Life insurance
$
29

 
$
27

 
$
90

 
$
85

Accident and health insurance
2

 
1

 
4

 
4

Net investment income on investments supporting capital
17

 
20

 
57

 
56

Total investment spread
$
48

 
$
48

 
$
151

 
$
145

Investment spread in the third quarter of 2017 was comparable to the third quarter of 2016. Investment spread increased 4.1% or $6 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to higher net investment income.
Amortization of DAC The components of amortization of DAC are summarized in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Amortization of DAC before amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses and changes in assumptions
$
39

 
$
36

 
$
106

 
$
99

Amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses (1) 
4

 
1

 
12

 
5

Amortization deceleration for changes in assumptions (‘‘DAC unlocking’’)
(14
)
 
(6
)
 
(14
)
 
(6
)
Total amortization of DAC
$
29

 
$
31

 
$
104

 
$
98

____________________
(1) 
The impact of realized capital gains and losses on amortization of DAC is dependent upon the relationship between the assets that give rise to the gain or loss and the product liability supported by the assets. Fluctuations result from changes in the impact of realized capital gains and losses on actual and expected gross profits.
Amortization of DAC decreased 6.5% or $2 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to higher amortization deceleration for changes in assumptions. Amortization of DAC increased 6.1% or $6 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to higher gross profits and net realized capital gains on interest-sensitive life insurance, partially offset by higher amortization deceleration for changes in assumptions.
Our annual comprehensive review of assumptions underlying estimated future gross profits for our interest-sensitive life contracts covers assumptions for mortality, persistency, expenses, investment returns, including capital gains and losses, interest crediting rates to policyholders, and the effect of any hedges. In the third quarter of 2017, the review resulted in a deceleration of DAC amortization (increase to income) of $14 million. In the third quarter of 2016, the review resulted in a deceleration of DAC amortization of $6 million.
The following table provides the effect on DAC amortization of changes in assumptions relating to the gross profit components of investment margin, benefit margin and expense margin for the nine months ended September 30.
($ in millions)
2017
 
2016
Investment margin
$
10

 
$
(3
)
Benefit margin
(23
)
 

Expense margin
(1
)
 
(3
)
Net deceleration
$
(14
)
 
$
(6
)
In 2017, DAC amortization acceleration for changes in the investment margin component of estimated gross profits was due to continued low interest rates and lower projected investment returns. The deceleration related to benefit margin was due to a decrease in projected mortality.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 85

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

Operating costs and expenses decreased 5.1% or $3 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to lower non-deferrable commissions and regulatory compliance costs. Operating costs and expenses increased 2.4% or $4 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to higher employee related costs and higher net distribution expenses reflecting increased regulatory compliance costs and lower fees from sales of third party financial products, partially offset by lower non-deferrable commissions. The following table summarizes operating costs and expenses.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Non-deferrable commissions
$
3

 
$
5

 
$
10

 
$
14

General and administrative expenses
53

 
54

 
163

 
155

Total operating costs and expenses
$
56

 
$
59

 
$
173

 
$
169

Analysis of reserves and contractholder funds
The following table summarizes our reserve for life-contingent contract benefits by product.
($ in millions)
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Traditional life insurance
$
2,426

 
$
2,372

Accident and health insurance
178

 
180

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits
$
2,604

 
$
2,552

Contractholder funds represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of products such as interest-sensitive life insurance. The balance of contractholder funds is equal to the cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract benefits, surrenders, withdrawals and contract charges for mortality or administrative expenses. The following table shows the changes in contractholder funds.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Contractholder funds, beginning balance
$
7,514

 
$
7,410

 
$
7,464

 
$
7,359

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
236

 
250

 
730

 
748

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest credited
71

 
71

 
211

 
212

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, withdrawals and other adjustments
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Benefits
(54
)
 
(65
)
 
(183
)
 
(186
)
Surrenders and partial withdrawals
(62
)
 
(61
)
 
(190
)
 
(187
)
Contract charges
(175
)
 
(176
)
 
(527
)
 
(528
)
Net transfers from separate accounts

 
2

 
3

 
4

Other adjustments (1)
29

 
15

 
51

 
24

Total benefits, withdrawals and other adjustments
(262
)
 
(285
)
 
(846
)
 
(873
)
Contractholder funds, ending balance
$
7,559

 
$
7,446

 
$
7,559

 
$
7,446

_______________
(1) 
The table above illustrates the changes in contractholder funds, which are presented gross of reinsurance recoverables on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The table above is intended to supplement our discussion and analysis of revenues, which are presented net of reinsurance on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result, the net change in contractholder funds associated with products reinsured is reflected as a component of the other adjustments line.
Contractholder deposits decreased 5.6% and 2.4% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016.


86 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

Allstate Benefits
Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Premiums and contract charges
$
273

 
$
257

 
$
811

 
$
759

Net investment income
18

 
18

 
54

 
54

Realized capital gains and losses
1

 
(1
)
 
1

 
(6
)
Total revenues
292

 
274

 
866

 
807

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract benefits
(142
)
 
(131
)
 
(421
)
 
(380
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
(8
)
 
(9
)
 
(26
)
 
(28
)
Amortization of DAC
(31
)
 
(37
)
 
(105
)
 
(109
)
Operating costs and expenses
(65
)
 
(59
)
 
(196
)
 
(178
)
Restructuring and related charges
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

Total costs and expenses
(247
)
 
(236
)
 
(749
)
 
(695
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
(16
)
 
(13
)
 
(41
)
 
(38
)
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
29

 
$
25

 
$
76

 
$
74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policies in force as of September 30 (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
4,035

 
3,733

Net income applicable to common shareholders was $29 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $25 million in the third quarter of 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher premiums and contract charges, partially offset by higher contract benefits. Net income applicable to common shareholders was $76 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $74 million in the first nine months of 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher premiums and contract charges, partially offset by higher contract benefits and operating costs and expenses.
The following table summarizes premiums and contract charges by product.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Traditional life insurance premiums
$
12

 
$
12

 
$
30

 
$
29

Accident and health insurance premiums
232

 
215

 
696

 
644

Interest-sensitive life insurance contract charges
29

 
30

 
85

 
86

Premiums and contract charges (1)
$
273

 
$
257

 
$
811

 
$
759

____________________
 (1) 
Contract charges related to the cost of insurance totaled $15 million and $14 million for the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $45 million and $44 million for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Premiums and contract charges increased 6.2% or $16 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 6.9% or $52 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016. The increase in both periods primarily relates to growth in critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity and accident products. Policies in force increased 8.1% as of September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016.
Contract benefits increased 8.4% or $11 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 10.8% or $41 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to growth and higher claim experience.
Benefit spread increased 6.4% to $117 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 3.9% to $350 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $110 million and $337 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, primarily due to growth in business in force, partially offset by higher claim experience.
Amortization of DAC decreased 16.2% or $6 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 3.7% or $4 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to lower amortization associated with our annual comprehensive review of assumptions and more favorable persistency. Our annual comprehensive review of assumptions underlying estimated future gross profits for our interest-sensitive life contracts resulted in an acceleration of DAC amortization (decrease to income) of $1 million in third quarter 2017 compared to $4 million in third quarter 2016.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 87

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

Operating costs and expenses increased 10.2% or $6 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 10.1% or $18 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to higher employee-related costs and non-deferrable commissions related to growth, as well as higher technology expenses. The following table summarizes operating costs and expenses.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Non-deferrable commissions
$
24

 
$
23

 
$
73

 
$
68

General and administrative expenses
41

 
36

 
123

 
110

Total operating costs and expenses
$
65

 
$
59

 
$
196

 
$
178

Analysis of reserves and contractholder funds
The following table summarizes our reserve for life-contingent contract benefits by product.
($ in millions)
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Traditional life insurance
$
256

 
$
241

Accident and health insurance
723

 
683

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits
$
979

 
$
924

Contractholder funds relate to interest-sensitive life insurance and totaled $887 million as of September 30, 2017 compared to $881 million as of December 31, 2016 and $878 million as of September 30, 2016.

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Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

Allstate Annuities
Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract charges
$
4

 
$
4

 
$
10

 
$
10

Net investment income
324

 
289

 
967

 
869

Realized capital gains and losses
18

 
(10
)
 
11

 
(39
)
Total revenues
346

 
283

 
988

 
840

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contract benefits
(141
)
 
(156
)
 
(440
)
 
(459
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
(95
)
 
(102
)
 
(285
)
 
(317
)
Amortization of DAC
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Operating costs and expenses
(9
)
 
(8
)
 
(26
)
 
(23
)
Restructuring and related charges
1

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses
(246
)
 
(268
)
 
(756
)
 
(804
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on disposition of operations
1

 
1

 
5

 
4

Income tax expense
(35
)
 
(4
)
 
(81
)
 
(11
)
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
66

 
$
12

 
$
156

 
$
29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits as of September 30
 
 
 
 
$
8,644

 
$
8,752

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds as of September 30
 
 
 
 
$
11,204

 
$
12,259

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policies in force as of September 30 (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
236

 
256

We discontinued the sale of annuities over an eight year period from 2006 to 2014, reflecting our expectations of declining returns. Policies in force as of September 30, 2017 were 145 thousand and 91 thousand for deferred annuities and immediate annuities, respectively.
Net income applicable to common shareholders was $66 million and $156 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $12 million and $29 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. The increase in both periods was primarily due to higher net investment income, net realized capital gains in 2017 compared to net realized capital losses in 2016, lower interest credited to contractholder funds and lower contract benefits.
Net investment income increased 12.1% or $35 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 11.3% or $98 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to higher limited partnership income, reflecting growth of our performance-based portfolio and including private equity value appreciation and distributions related to the sales of underlying investments. The investment portfolio supporting our immediate annuities is managed to ensure the assets match the characteristics of the liabilities and provide the long-term returns needed to support this business. To better match the long-term nature of our immediate annuities, we continue to increase performance-based investments in which we have ownership interests and a greater proportion of return is derived from idiosyncratic asset or operating performance. Economic conditions and equity market performance are reflected in performance-based investment results and income could vary significantly between periods.
Net realized capital gains in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017 primarily related to net gains on sales in connection with ongoing portfolio management, partially offset by impairment write-downs.
Contract benefits decreased 9.6% or $15 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 4.1% or $19 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to immediate annuity mortality experience.
We analyze our mortality results using the difference between contract charges earned and contract benefits excluding the portion related to the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies (“benefit spread”). This implied interest totaled $124 million and $376 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to $126 million and $383 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. Benefit spread improved 50.0% to $(14) million in the third quarter of 2017 and 17.1% to $(58) million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $(28) million and $(70) million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively.
Interest credited to contractholder funds decreased 6.9% or $7 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 10.1% or $32 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to lower average contractholder funds. Valuation changes on derivatives embedded in equity-indexed annuity contracts that are not hedged increased interest credited to

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 89

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

contractholder funds by $2 million and $3 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to increases of zero and $12 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively.
In order to analyze the impact of net investment income and interest credited to contractholders on net income, we monitor the difference between net investment income and the sum of interest credited to contractholder funds and the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies, which is included as a component of contract benefits (“investment spread”).
The investment spread by product group is shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Annuities and institutional products
$
64

 
$
25

 
$
186

 
$
77

Net investment income on investments supporting capital
43

 
36

 
123

 
104

Investment spread before valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged
107

 
61

 
309

 
181

Valuation changes on derivatives embedded in equity-indexed annuity contracts that are not hedged
(2
)
 

 
(3
)
 
(12
)
Total investment spread
$
105

 
$
61

 
$
306

 
$
169

Investment spread before valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged increased 75.4% to $107 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 70.7% to $309 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $61 million and $181 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, due to higher net investment income and lower credited interest.
To further analyze investment spreads, the following table summarizes the weighted average investment yield on assets supporting product liabilities, interest crediting rates and investment spreads. Investment spreads may vary significantly between periods due to the variability in investment income, particularly for immediate fixed annuities where the investment portfolio includes limited partnerships.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Weighted average
investment yield
 
Weighted average
interest crediting rate
 
Weighted average
investment spreads
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products
4.4
%
 
4.2
%
 
2.9
%
 
2.8
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.4
%
Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies
7.8

 
6.2

 
6.0

 
6.0

 
1.8

 
0.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Weighted average
investment yield
 
Weighted average
interest crediting rate
 
Weighted average
investment spreads
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products
4.3
%
 
4.1
%
 
2.8
%
 
2.8
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.3
%
Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies
7.7

 
6.2

 
6.0

 
5.9

 
1.7

 
0.3

Operating costs and expenses increased 12.5% or $1 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to higher employee related costs. Operating costs and expenses increased 13.0% or $3 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to higher guaranty fund expenses. The first nine months of 2016 included a reduction in the accrual for anticipated guaranty fund expenses.

90 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Allstate Financial
Allstate Life
Allstate Benefits
Allstate Annuities

Analysis of reserves and contractholder funds
The following table summarizes our product liabilities.
($ in millions)
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Immediate fixed annuities with life contingencies
$
8,552

 
$
8,645

Other
92

 
107

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits
$
8,644

 
$
8,752

 
 
 
 
Deferred fixed annuities
$
8,341

 
$
9,115

Immediate fixed annuities without life contingencies
2,744

 
2,928

Institutional products

 
85

Other
119

 
131

Contractholder funds
$
11,204

 
$
12,259

Contractholder funds represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of products such as fixed annuities. The balance of contractholder funds is equal to the cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract benefits, surrenders, withdrawals, maturities and contract charges for mortality or administrative expenses. The following table shows the changes in contractholder funds.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Contractholder funds, beginning balance
$
11,428

 
$
12,560

 
$
11,915

 
$
13,070

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
6

 
8

 
23

 
29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest credited
94

 
102

 
282

 
316

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, withdrawals, maturities and other adjustments
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Benefits
(163
)
 
(188
)
 
(489
)
 
(537
)
Surrenders and partial withdrawals
(165
)
 
(205
)
 
(526
)
 
(611
)
Contract charges
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Net transfers from separate accounts

 

 
1

 

Other adjustments (1)
7

 
(16
)
 
4

 
(2
)
Total benefits, withdrawals, maturities and other adjustments
(324
)
 
(411
)
 
(1,016
)
 
(1,156
)
Contractholder funds, ending balance
$
11,204

 
$
12,259

 
$
11,204

 
$
12,259

_______________
(1) 
The table above illustrates the changes in contractholder funds, which are presented gross of reinsurance recoverables on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The table above is intended to supplement our discussion and analysis of revenues, which are presented net of reinsurance on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result, the net change in contractholder funds associated with products reinsured is reflected as a component of the other adjustments line.
Contractholder funds decreased 2.0% and 6.0% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, primarily due to the continued runoff of our deferred fixed annuity business. We discontinued the sale of annuities but still accept additional deposits on existing contracts.
Contractholder deposits decreased $2 million and $6 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016, primarily due to lower additional deposits on fixed annuities.
Surrenders and partial withdrawals decreased 19.5% to $165 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 13.9% to $526 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $205 million and $611 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed annuities products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 8.5% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to 9.0% in the first nine months of 2016.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 91

Investments

Consolidated Investment Highlights
Investments totaled $82.77 billion as of September 30, 2017, increasing from $81.80 billion as of December 31, 2016.
Unrealized net capital gains totaled $2.75 billion as of September 30, 2017, increasing from $1.77 billion as of December 31, 2016.
Net investment income was $843 million in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 12.7% from $748 million in the third quarter of 2016, and $2.49 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 11.0% from $2.24 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
Net realized capital gains were $103 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $33 million in the third quarter of 2016. Net realized capital gains were $318 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to net realized capital losses of $92 million in the first nine months of 2016.
Investments
Portfolio composition by reporting segment The composition of the investment portfolios by reporting segment as of September 30, 2017 is presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Property-Liability (5)
 
Allstate Financial (5)
 
Corporate and Other (5)
 
Total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
Fixed income securities (1)
$
32,647

 
74.4
%
 
$
24,863

 
67.7
%
 
$
1,881

 
84.8
%
 
$
59,391

 
71.7
%
Equity securities (2)
4,677

 
10.7

 
1,749

 
4.8

 
8

 
0.4

 
6,434

 
7.8

Mortgage loans
334

 
0.8

 
3,988

 
10.9

 

 

 
4,322

 
5.2

Limited partnership interests (3)
3,467

 
7.9

 
3,132

 
8.5

 
1

 
0.1

 
6,600

 
8.0

Short-term investments (4)
1,052

 
2.4

 
819

 
2.2

 
327

 
14.7

 
2,198

 
2.7

Other
1,666

 
3.8

 
2,160

 
5.9

 

 

 
3,826

 
4.6

Total
$
43,843

 
100.0
%
 
$
36,711

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,217

 
100.0
%
 
$
82,771

 
100.0
%
____________________
(1) 
Fixed income securities are carried at fair value. Amortized cost basis for these securities was $32.29 billion, $23.46 billion, $1.86 billion and $57.61 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, Corporate and Other, and in Total, respectively.
(2) 
Equity securities are carried at fair value. Cost basis for these securities was $4.00 billion, $1.47 billion, $8 million and $5.47 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, Corporate and Other, and in Total, respectively.
(3) 
We have commitments to invest in additional limited partnership interests totaling $1.88 billion, $1.44 billion and $3.32 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, and in Total, respectively.
(4) 
Short-term investments are carried at fair value.
(5) 
Balances reflect the elimination of related party investments between segments.
Investments totaled $82.77 billion as of September 30, 2017, increasing from $81.80 billion as of December 31, 2016, primarily due to higher fixed income and equity valuations and positive operating cash flows partially offset by the $1.4 billion SquareTrade acquisition on January 3, 2017, common share repurchases, dividends paid to shareholders and net reductions in contractholder funds.
The Property-Liability investment portfolio totaled $43.84 billion as of September 30, 2017, increasing from $42.72 billion as of December 31, 2016, primarily due to positive operating cash flows, higher equity and fixed income valuations and dividends paid by Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) to AIC, partially offset by the SquareTrade acquisition and dividends paid by AIC to The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”).
The Allstate Financial investment portfolio totaled $36.71 billion as of September 30, 2017, decreasing from $36.84 billion as of December 31, 2016, primarily due to net reductions in contractholder funds and dividends paid by ALIC to AIC, partially offset by higher fixed income and equity valuations and positive operating cash flows.
The Corporate and Other investment portfolio totaled $2.22 billion as of September 30, 2017, decreasing from $2.24 billion as of December 31, 2016, primarily due to dividends paid to shareholders and common share repurchases, largely offset by dividends paid by AIC to the Corporation.



92 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Investments

Portfolio composition by investment strategy
We utilize two primary strategies to manage risks and returns and to position our portfolio to take advantage of market opportunities while attempting to mitigate adverse effects. As strategies and market conditions evolve, the asset allocation may change or assets may be moved between strategies.
Market-Based strategies include investments primarily in public fixed income and equity securities. Market-Based Core seeks to deliver predictable earnings aligned to business needs and returns consistent with the markets in which we invest. Private fixed income assets, such as commercial mortgages, bank loans and privately placed debt that provide liquidity premiums are also included in this category. Market-Based Active seeks to outperform within the public markets through tactical positioning and by taking advantage of short-term opportunities. This category may generate results that meaningfully deviate from those achieved by market indices, both favorably and unfavorably.
Performance-Based strategy seeks to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns and supplement market risk with idiosyncratic risk. Returns are impacted by a variety of factors including general macroeconomic and public market conditions as public benchmarks are often used in the valuation of underlying investments. Variability in earnings will also result from the performance of the underlying assets or business and the timing of sales of those investments. Earnings from the sales of investments may be recorded as net investment income or realized capital gains and losses. The portfolio, which primarily includes private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber and agriculture-related assets, is diversified across a number of characteristics, including managers or partners, vintage years, strategies, geographies (including international) and industry sectors or property types. These investments are generally illiquid in nature, often require specialized expertise, typically involve a third party manager, and often enhance returns and income through transformation at the company or property level. A portion of these investments seek returns in markets or asset classes that are dislocated or special situations, primarily in private markets.
The following table presents the investment portfolio by strategy as of September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
Total
 
Market-Based Core
 
Market-Based Active
 
Performance-Based
Fixed income securities
$
59,391

 
$
51,735

 
$
7,583

 
$
73

Equity securities
6,434

 
4,840

 
1,496

 
98

Mortgage loans
4,322

 
4,322

 

 

Limited partnership interests
6,600

 
654

 

 
5,946

Short-term investments
2,198

 
1,891

 
307

 

Other
3,826

 
3,094

 
178

 
554

Total
$
82,771

 
$
66,536

 
$
9,564

 
$
6,671

% of total
 
 
80
%
 
12
%
 
8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
43,843

 
$
32,008

 
$
8,323

 
$
3,512

Allstate Financial
36,711

 
32,311

 
1,241

 
3,159

Corporate & Other
2,217

 
2,217

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized net capital gains and losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities
$
1,783

 
$
1,690

 
$
93

 
$

Equity securities
966

 
894

 
57

 
15

Other
(2
)
 
(2
)
 

 

Total
$
2,747

 
$
2,582

 
$
150

 
$
15

Fixed income securities by type are listed in the following table.
($ in millions)
Fair value as of September 30, 2017
 
Fair value as of December 31, 2016
U.S. government and agencies
$
3,900

 
$
3,637

Municipal
7,794

 
7,333

Corporate
44,546

 
43,601

Foreign government
1,093

 
1,075

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
1,270

 
1,171

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)
611

 
728

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)
153

 
270

Redeemable preferred stock
24

 
24

Total fixed income securities
$
59,391

 
$
57,839


The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 93

Investments

Fixed income securities are rated by third party credit rating agencies and/or are internally rated. As of September 30, 2017, 86.3% of the consolidated fixed income securities portfolio was rated investment grade, which is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), a comparable rating from another nationally recognized rating agency, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available. Market prices for certain securities may have credit spreads which imply higher or lower credit quality than the current third party rating. Our initial investment decisions and ongoing monitoring procedures for fixed income securities are based on a thorough due diligence process which includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the credit quality, sector, structure, and liquidity risks of each issue.
The following table summarizes the fair value and unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities by credit quality as of September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
Investment grade
 
Below investment grade
 
Total
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
gain/(loss)
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
gain/(loss)
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
gain/(loss)
U.S. government and agencies
$
3,900

 
$
57

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,900

 
$
57

Municipal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax exempt
5,439

 
38

 
40

 
1

 
5,479

 
39

Taxable
2,282

 
271

 
33

 

 
2,315

 
271

Corporate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public
27,776

 
734

 
4,597

 
154

 
32,373

 
888

Privately placed
9,303

 
307

 
2,870

 
92

 
12,173

 
399

Foreign government
1,093

 
16

 

 

 
1,093

 
16

ABS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”)
523

 
(3
)
 
41

 
7

 
564

 
4

Consumer and other asset-backed securities (“Consumer and other ABS”)
705

 
3

 
1

 

 
706

 
3

RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government sponsored entities (“U.S. Agency”)
112

 
3

 

 

 
112

 
3

Non-agency
21

 

 
478

 
96

 
499

 
96

CMBS
51

 
1

 
102

 
3

 
153

 
4

Redeemable preferred stock
24

 
3

 

 

 
24

 
3

Total fixed income securities
$
51,229

 
$
1,430

 
$
8,162

 
$
353

 
$
59,391

 
$
1,783

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
27,802

 
$
162

 
$
4,845

 
$
195

 
$
32,647

 
$
357

Allstate Financial
21,651

 
1,252

 
3,212

 
154

 
24,863

 
1,406

Corporate & Other
1,776

 
16

 
105

 
4

 
1,881

 
20

Total fixed income securities
$
51,229

 
$
1,430

 
$
8,162

 
$
353

 
$
59,391

 
$
1,783

Municipal bonds, including tax exempt and taxable securities, totaled $7.79 billion as of September 30, 2017 with an unrealized net capital gain of $310 million. The municipal bond portfolio includes general obligations of state and local issuers and revenue bonds (including pre-refunded bonds, which are bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest).
Corporate bonds, including publicly traded and privately placed, totaled $44.55 billion as of September 30, 2017, with an unrealized net capital gain of $1.29 billion. Privately placed securities primarily consist of corporate issued senior debt securities that are directly negotiated with the borrower or are in unregistered form.
ABS, including CDO and Consumer and other ABS, totaled $1.27 billion as of September 30, 2017, with 96.7% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $7 million. Credit risk is managed by monitoring the performance of the underlying collateral. Many of the securities in the ABS portfolio have credit enhancement with features such as overcollateralization, subordinated structures, reserve funds, guarantees and/or insurance.
CDO totaled $564 million as of September 30, 2017, with 92.7% rated investment grade. CDO consist of obligations collateralized by cash flow CDO, which are structures collateralized primarily by below investment grade senior secured corporate loans.
Consumer and other ABS totaled $706 million as of September 30, 2017, with 99.9% rated investment grade. Consumer and other ABS consists of $282 million of consumer auto, $176 million of credit card and $248 million of other ABS with unrealized net capital gains of zero, zero and $3 million, respectively.

94 allstatelogohands03.jpg www.allstate.com

Investments

RMBS totaled $611 million as of September 30, 2017, with 21.8% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $99 million. The RMBS portfolio is subject to interest rate risk, but unlike other fixed income securities, is additionally subject to prepayment risk from the underlying residential mortgage loans. RMBS consists of a U.S. Agency portfolio having collateral issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and a non-agency portfolio consisting of securities collateralized by Prime, Alt-A and Subprime loans. The non-agency portfolio totaled $499 million as of September 30, 2017, with 4.2% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $96 million.
CMBS totaled $153 million as of September 30, 2017, with 33.3% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $4 million. The CMBS portfolio is subject to credit risk and has a sequential paydown structure. The CMBS investments are primarily traditional conduit transactions collateralized by commercial mortgage loans, broadly diversified across property types and geographical area.
Equity securities primarily include common stocks, exchange traded and mutual funds, non-redeemable preferred stocks and real estate investment trust equity investments. The equity securities portfolio was $6.43 billion as of September 30, 2017, with an unrealized net capital gain of $966 million.
Mortgage loans, which are primarily held in the Allstate Financial portfolio, totaled $4.32 billion as of September 30, 2017 and primarily comprise loans secured by first mortgages on developed commercial real estate. Key considerations used to manage our exposure include property type and geographic diversification. For further detail on our mortgage loan portfolio, see Note 5 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Limited partnership interests include interests in private equity funds and co-investments, real estate funds and joint ventures, and other funds. The following table presents carrying value and other information about our limited partnership interests as of September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
Private equity
 
Real estate (1)
 
Other
 
Total
Cost method of accounting (“Cost”)
$
1,181

 
$
113

 
$
45

 
$
1,339

Equity method of accounting (“EMA”)
3,469

 
1,183

 
609

 
5,261

Total
$
4,650

 
$
1,296

 
$
654

 
$
6,600

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of managers
127

 
45

 
15

 
187

Number of individual investments
248

 
92

 
20

 
360

Largest exposure to single investment
$
184

 
$
146

 
$
243

 
$
243

______________________________
(1) 
Includes timber and agriculture-related assets.
Unrealized net capital gains totaled $2.75 billion as of September 30, 2017 compared to $1.77 billion as of December 31, 2016. Fixed income valuations increased on lower market yields from tighter credit spreads and a decrease in long-term risk-free interest rates. Appreciation of equity securities reflected favorable equity markets. The increase was partially offset by capital gains through sales.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 95

Investments

The following table presents unrealized net capital gains and losses.
($ in millions) 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
U.S. government and agencies
$
57

 
$
65

Municipal
310

 
217

Corporate
1,287

 
859

Foreign government
16

 
32

ABS
7

 
2

RMBS
99

 
77

CMBS
4

 
8

Redeemable preferred stock
3

 
3

Fixed income securities
1,783

 
1,263

Equity securities
966

 
509

Derivatives
(2
)
 
2

EMA limited partnerships

 
(4
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
$
2,747

 
$
1,770

 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
1,040

 
$
500

Allstate Financial
1,691

 
1,263

Corporate & Other
16

 
7

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
$
2,747

 
$
1,770

The unrealized net capital gain for the fixed income portfolio totaled $1.78 billion, comprised of $1.97 billion of gross unrealized gains and $191 million of gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2017. This is compared to an unrealized net capital gain for the fixed income portfolio totaling $1.26 billion, comprised of $1.71 billion of gross unrealized gains and $447 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2016.
Gross unrealized gains and losses on fixed income securities by type and sector as of September 30, 2017 are provided in the following table.
($ in millions)
Amortized
cost
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair
value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Corporate: 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consumer goods (cyclical and non-cyclical)
$
13,379

 
$
330

 
$
(36
)
 
$
13,673

Utilities
5,502

 
362

 
(23
)
 
5,841

Banking
3,335

 
44

 
(20
)
 
3,359

Capital goods
4,648

 
136

 
(13
)
 
4,771

Communications
3,463

 
98

 
(12
)
 
3,549

Energy
2,359

 
99

 
(9
)
 
2,449

Financial services
2,813

 
88

 
(6
)
 
2,895

Technology
3,657

 
76

 
(4
)
 
3,729

Transportation
1,605

 
88

 
(4
)
 
1,689

Basic industry
2,149

 
88

 
(3
)
 
2,234

Other
349

 
10

 
(2
)
 
357

Total corporate fixed income portfolio
43,259

 
1,419

 
(132
)
 
44,546

U.S. government and agencies
3,843

 
65

 
(8
)
 
3,900

Municipal
7,484

 
332

 
(22
)
 
7,794

Foreign government
1,077

 
30

 
(14
)
 
1,093

ABS
1,263

 
16

 
(9
)
 
1,270

RMBS
512

 
101

 
(2
)
 
611

CMBS
149

 
8

 
(4
)
 
153

Redeemable preferred stock
21

 
3

 

 
24

Total fixed income securities
$
57,608

 
$
1,974

 
$
(191
)
 
$
59,391

The consumer goods, utilities and capital goods sectors comprise 31%, 13% and 11%, respectively, of the carrying value of our corporate fixed income securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017. The consumer goods, utilities and banking sectors had the highest concentration of gross unrealized losses in our corporate fixed income securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017. In general, the gross unrealized losses are related to an increase in market yields which may include increased risk-free interest rates and/or wider credit spreads since the time of initial purchase. Similarly, gross unrealized gains reflect a decrease in market yields since the time of initial purchase.

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Investments

The unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaled $966 million, comprised of $1.01 billion of gross unrealized gains and $40 million of gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2017. This is compared to an unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaling $509 million, comprised of $594 million of gross unrealized gains and $85 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2016.
Net investment income  The following table presents net investment income.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed income securities
$
519

 
$
508

 
$
1,564

 
$
1,546

Equity securities
37

 
31

 
130

 
103

Mortgage loans
52

 
56

 
157

 
162

Limited partnership interests
223

 
136

 
596

 
383

Short-term investments
9

 
4

 
21

 
11

Other
58

 
55

 
174

 
163

Investment income, before expense
898

 
790

 
2,642

 
2,368

Investment expense
(55
)
 
(42
)
 
(154
)
 
(127
)
Net investment income
$
843

 
$
748

 
$
2,488

 
$
2,241

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
372

 
$
310

 
$
1,074

 
$
928

Allstate Financial
461

 
427

 
1,383

 
1,281

Corporate & Other
10

 
11

 
31

 
32

Net investment income
$
843

 
$
748

 
$
2,488

 
$
2,241

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Market-Based Core
$
586

 
$
577

 
$
1,772

 
$
1,753

Market-Based Active
77

 
66

 
224

 
194

Performance-Based
235

 
147

 
646

 
421

Investment income, before expense
$
898

 
$
790

 
$
2,642

 
$
2,368

Net investment income increased 12.7% or $95 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 11.0% or $247 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016. Both periods benefited from strong performance-based results, primarily from limited partnerships, an increase in invested assets and higher market-based income. Limited partnership income reflects continued growth of our performance-based portfolio and included private equity value appreciation and distributions related to the sales of underlying investments.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 97

Investments

Performance-based investments primarily include private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber and agriculture-related assets with a majority being limited partnerships. The following table presents investment income for performance-based investments.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Limited partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity (1)
$
183

 
$
112

 
$
506

 
$
310

Real estate (2)
40

 
23

 
90

 
72

Performance-based - limited partnerships (3)
223

 
135

 
596

 
382

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-limited partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity
2

 
2

 
16

 
8

Real estate
10

 
10

 
34

 
31

Performance-based - non-limited partnerships
12

 
12

 
50

 
39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity
185

 
114

 
522

 
318

Real estate
50

 
33

 
124

 
103

Total performance-based
$
235

 
$
147

 
$
646

 
$
421

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investee level expenses (4)
$
(8
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(24
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
116

 
$
76

 
$
312

 
$
211

Allstate Financial
119

 
71

 
334

 
210

Total performance-based
$
235

 
$
147

 
$
646

 
$
421

______________________________
(1) 
Includes infrastructure.
(2) 
Includes timber and agriculture-related assets.
(3) 
Other limited partnership interests where the underlying assets consist of public securities are held in the market-based core portfolio and are not included in the table above. Investment income was zero in both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017 and $1 million in both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2016, for these limited partnership interests.
(4) 
Investee level expenses include depreciation and asset level operating expenses reported in investment expense. When calculating the pre-tax yields, investee level expenses are netted against income for directly held real estate, timber and other consolidated investments.
Performance-based investment income increased 59.9% or $88 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 53.4% or $225 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016. The increase in both periods reflects the continued growth of our performance-based portfolio and included private equity value appreciation and distributions related to the sales of underlying investments. Economic conditions and equity market performance impact performance-based investment results and income could vary significantly between periods.


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Investments

Realized capital gains and losses The following table presents the components of realized capital gains and losses and the related tax effect.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Impairment write-downs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities
$
(3
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(36
)
Equity securities
(3
)
 
(17
)
 
(34
)
 
(107
)
Mortgage loans
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

Limited partnership interests
(16
)
 
(22
)
 
(32
)
 
(33
)
Other investments

 
(7
)
 
(4
)
 
(9
)
Total impairment write-downs
(23
)
 
(63
)
 
(94
)
 
(185
)
Change in intent write-downs
(5
)
 
(10
)
 
(43
)
 
(48
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(28
)
 
(73
)
 
(137
)
 
(233
)
Sales and other
148

 
121

 
495

 
166

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
(17
)
 
(15
)
 
(40
)
 
(25
)
Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax
103

 
33

 
318

 
(92
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(36
)
 
(11
)
 
(110
)
 
35

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
67

 
$
22

 
$
208

 
$
(57
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
54

 
$
36

 
$
199

 
$
(10
)
Allstate Financial
13

 
(14
)
 
9

 
(46
)
Corporate & Other

 

 

 
(1
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
67

 
$
22

 
$
208

 
$
(57
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Market-Based Core
$
68

 
$
25

 
$
199

 
$
(53
)
Market-Based Active
56

 
33

 
158

 
25

Performance-Based
(21
)
 
(25
)
 
(39
)
 
(64
)
Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax
$
103

 
$
33

 
$
318

 
$
(92
)
Realized capital gains in the third quarter and in the first nine months of 2017, primarily related to net gains on sales, partially offset by impairments and change in intent write-downs, and derivative valuation losses.
Impairment write-downs totaled $23 million and $94 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Fixed income and limited partnership write-downs related to investment specific circumstances. Equity securities were written down due to the length of time and extent to which fair value was below cost, considering our assessment of the financial condition and prospects of the issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends.
Change in intent write-downs totaled $5 million and $43 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and primarily relates to $1.9 billion of equity securities as of September 30, 2017 that we may not hold for a period of time sufficient to recover unrealized losses given our preference to maintain flexibility to reposition the portfolio as well as approximately $0.6 billion of equity securities managed by a third party where we do not retain decision making authority as it pertains to selling securities that are in an unrealized loss position due to an upcoming change in the equity manager.
Sales and other generated $148 million and $495 million of net realized capital gains in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Sales and other primarily included sales of equity and fixed income securities in connection with ongoing portfolio management, as well as gains from valuation changes in public securities held in certain limited partnerships.
Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments generated net realized capital losses of $17 million and $40 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Both periods comprised of losses on foreign currency contracts due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar and losses on equity futures used for risk management due to increases in equity indices.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 99

Investments

The following table presents realized capital gains and losses for performance-based investments.
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Limited partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity (1)
$
(17
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(35
)
 
$
(31
)
Real estate (2)

 
2

 
5

 
3

Performance-based - limited partnerships (3)
(17
)
 
(21
)
 
(30
)
 
(28
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-limited partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
(19
)
 
(37
)
Real estate

 

 
10

 
1

Performance-based - non-limited partnerships
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
(9
)
 
(36
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity
(21
)
 
(27
)
 
(54
)
 
(68
)
Real estate

 
2

 
15

 
4

Total performance-based
$
(21
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
(64
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
(18
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(20
)
 
$
(38
)
Allstate Financial
(3
)
 
(15
)
 
(19
)
 
(26
)
Total performance-based
$
(21
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
(64
)
______________________________
(1) 
Includes infrastructure.
(2) 
Includes timber and agriculture-related assets.
(3) 
Other limited partnership interests where the underlying assets consist of public securities are held in the market-based core portfolio and are not included in the table above. Realized capital gains and losses were $38 million and $33 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $122 million and $53 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively, for these limited partnership interests.
Net realized capital losses on performance-based investments were $21 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $39 million in the first nine months of 2017. The third quarter and first nine months of 2017 included impairment write-downs on private equity investments and derivative losses related to the hedging of foreign currency risk.

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Capital Resources and Liquidity

Capital Resources and Liquidity Highlights
Shareholders’ equity as of September 30, 2017 was $22.12 billion, an increase of 7.5% from $20.57 billion as of December 31, 2016.
On January 3, 2017, April 3, 2017 and July 3, 2017, we paid common shareholder dividends of $0.33, $0.37 and $0.37, respectively. On July 11, 2017, we declared a common shareholder dividend of $0.37 payable on October 2, 2017.
As of September 30, 2017, there was $1.85 billion remaining on the $2.00 billion common share repurchase program. In August 2017, we completed the $1.50 billion common share repurchase program that commenced in May 2016.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Capital resources consist of shareholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations or for general corporate purposes. The following table summarizes our capital resources.
($ in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Preferred stock, common stock, treasury stock, retained income and other shareholders’ equity items
$
21,791

 
$
20,989

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
328

 
(416
)
Total shareholders’ equity
22,119

 
20,573

Debt
6,349

 
6,347

Total capital resources
$
28,468

 
$
26,920

Ratio of debt to shareholders’ equity
28.7
%
 
30.9
%
Ratio of debt to capital resources
22.3
%
 
23.6
%
Shareholders’ equity increased in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to net income and increased unrealized net capital gains on investments, partially offset by common share repurchases and dividends paid to shareholders. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we paid dividends of $391 million and $87 million related to our common and preferred shares, respectively.
Common share repurchases In August 2017, the Board authorized a new $2.00 billion common share repurchase program that is expected to be completed by February 2019. As of September 30, 2017, there was $1.85 billion remaining on this common share repurchase program. We also completed the $1.50 billion common share repurchase program that commenced in May 2016.
In June 2017, we entered into an ASR Agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman”) to purchase $250 million of our outstanding common stock. This ASR agreement with Goldman settled on August 17, 2017.
During the first nine months of 2017, we repurchased 10 million common shares for $845 million in the market and under the ASR agreement.
We may issue preferred stock for general corporate purposes, including partial funding of repurchases.
Financial ratings and strength Our ratings are influenced by many factors including our operating and financial performance, asset quality, liquidity, asset/liability management, overall portfolio mix, financial leverage (i.e., debt), exposure to risks such as catastrophes and the current level of operating leverage. The preferred stock and subordinated debentures are viewed as having a common equity component by certain rating agencies and are given equity credit up to a pre-determined limit in our capital structure as determined by their respective methodologies. These respective methodologies consider the existence of certain terms and features in the instruments such as the noncumulative dividend feature in the preferred stock. In July 2017, Moody’s affirmed The Allstate Corporation’s debt and short-term issuer ratings of A3 and P-2, respectively, and the insurance financial strength ratings of Aa3 for AIC and A1 for both ALIC and Allstate Assurance Company (“AAC”). The outlook for the ratings remained stable. In August 2017, S&P affirmed The Allstate Corporation’s debt and short-term issuer ratings of A- and A-2, respectively, and the insurance financial strength ratings of AA- for AIC and A+ for ALIC. The outlook for the ratings remained stable. In October 2017, A.M. Best affirmed The Allstate Corporation’s debt and short-term issuer ratings of a- and AMB-1, respectively, and the insurance financial strength ratings of A+ for AIC, ALIC and AAC. The outlook for the ratings remained stable. On October 13, 2017, A.M. Best released an updated Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (“BCRM”).  The BCRM is a reorganization of the global credit rating methodologies for insurance companies.  As a result, the debt and short-term issuer ratings for The Allstate Corporation and the insurance financial strength ratings for AIC, ALIC and AAC have been placed under review with positive implications.
Liquidity sources and uses We actively manage our financial position and liquidity levels in light of changing market, economic, and business conditions. Liquidity is managed at both the entity and enterprise level across the Company, and is assessed on both base and stressed level liquidity needs. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet these needs. Additionally, we have existing intercompany agreements in place that facilitate liquidity management across the Company to enhance flexibility.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 101

Capital Resources and Liquidity

ALIC, AIC, AAC and The Allstate Corporation are party to an Amended and Restated Intercompany Liquidity Agreement (“Liquidity Agreement”) which allows for short-term advances of funds to be made between parties for liquidity and other general corporate purposes. The Liquidity Agreement does not establish a commitment to advance funds on the part of any party. ALIC and AIC each serve as a lender and borrower, AAC serves only as a borrower, and the Corporation serves only as a lender. AIC also has a capital support agreement with ALIC. Under the capital support agreement, AIC is committed to provide capital to ALIC to maintain an adequate capital level. The maximum amount of potential funding under each of these agreements is $1.00 billion.
In addition to the Liquidity Agreement, the Corporation also has an intercompany loan agreement with certain of its subsidiaries, which include, but are not limited to, AIC and ALIC. The amount of intercompany loans available to the Corporation’s subsidiaries is at the discretion of the Corporation. The maximum amount of loans the Corporation will have outstanding to all its eligible subsidiaries at any given point in time is limited to $1.00 billion. The Corporation may use commercial paper borrowings, bank lines of credit and securities lending to fund intercompany borrowings.
Parent company capital capacity At the parent holding company level, we have deployable assets totaling $2.47 billion as of September 30, 2017 comprising cash and investments that are generally saleable within one quarter. The substantial earnings capacity of the operating subsidiaries is the primary source of capital generation for the Corporation. This provides funds for the parent company’s fixed charges and other corporate purposes.
In the first nine months of 2017, AIC paid dividends totaling $1.16 billion to its parent, Allstate Insurance Holdings, LLC (“AIH”), which then paid $1.16 billion of dividends to the Corporation.
Dividends may not be paid or declared on our common stock and shares of common stock may not be repurchased unless the full dividends for the latest completed dividend period on our preferred stock have been declared and paid or provided for. We are prohibited from declaring or paying dividends on our preferred stock if we fail to meet specified capital adequacy, net income or shareholders’ equity levels, except out of the net proceeds of common stock issued during the 90 days prior to the date of declaration. As of September 30, 2017, we satisfied all of the tests with no current restrictions on the payment of preferred stock dividends.
The terms of our outstanding subordinated debentures also prohibit us from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on our common or preferred stock or redeeming, purchasing, acquiring, or making liquidation payments on our common stock or preferred stock if we have elected to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures, subject to certain limited exceptions. In the first nine months of 2017, we did not defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures.
Additional borrowings to support liquidity are as follows:
The Corporation has access to a commercial paper facility with a borrowing limit of $1.00 billion to cover short-term cash needs. As of September 30, 2017, there were no balances outstanding and therefore the remaining borrowing capacity was $1.00 billion; however, the outstanding balance can fluctuate daily.
The Corporation, AIC and ALIC have access to a $1.00 billion unsecured revolving credit facility that is available for short-term liquidity requirements. The maturity date of this facility is April 2021. The facility is fully subscribed among 11 lenders with the largest commitment being $115 million. The commitments of the lenders are several and no lender is responsible for any other lender’s commitment if such lender fails to make a loan under the facility. This facility contains an increase provision that would allow up to an additional $500 million of borrowing. This facility has a financial covenant requiring that we not exceed a 37.5% debt to capitalization ratio as defined in the agreement. This ratio was 15.2% as of September 30, 2017. Although the right to borrow under the facility is not subject to a minimum rating requirement, the costs of maintaining the facility and borrowing under it are based on the ratings of our senior unsecured, unguaranteed long-term debt. There were no borrowings under the credit facility during third quarter or the first nine months of 2017.
The Corporation has access to a universal shelf registration statement that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015. We can use this shelf registration to issue an unspecified amount of debt securities, common stock (including 540 million shares of treasury stock as of September 30, 2017), preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and securities of trust subsidiaries. The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

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Capital Resources and Liquidity

Liquidity exposure Contractholder funds were $19.65 billion as of September 30, 2017. The following table summarizes contractholder funds by their contractual withdrawal provisions as of September 30, 2017.
($ in millions)
 
 
Percent
to total
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal
$
3,030

 
15.4
%
Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustments:
 
 
 
Specified surrender charges (1)
4,955

 
25.2

Market value adjustments (2)
1,456

 
7.4

Subject to discretionary withdrawal without adjustments (3)
10,209

 
52.0

Total contractholder funds (4)
$
19,650

 
100.0
%
_______________
(1) 
Includes $1.15 billion of liabilities with a contractual surrender charge of less than 5% of the account balance.
(2) 
$908 million of the contracts with market value adjusted surrenders have a 30-45 day period at the end of their initial and subsequent interest rate guarantee periods (which are typically 1, 5, 7 or 10 years) during which there is no surrender charge or market value adjustment.
(3) 
89% of these contracts have a minimum interest crediting rate guarantee of 3% or higher.
(4) 
Includes $763 million of contractholder funds on variable annuities reinsured to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial Inc., in 2006.
Retail life and annuity products may be surrendered by customers for a variety of reasons. Reasons unique to individual customers include a current or unexpected need for cash or a change in life insurance coverage needs. Other key factors that may impact the likelihood of customer surrender include the level of the contract surrender charge, the length of time the contract has been in force, distribution channel, market interest rates, equity market conditions and potential tax implications. In addition, the propensity for retail life insurance policies to lapse is lower than it is for fixed annuities because of the need for the insured to be re-underwritten upon policy replacement. The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 6.0% and 6.4% in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Allstate Financial strives to promptly pay customers who request cash surrenders; however, statutory regulations generally provide up to six months in most states to fulfill surrender requests.

The Allstate Corporation allstatelogohands03.jpg 103

Recent Developments

Recent Developments
The following updates the regulation disclosures included in Part I Regulation in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2016 and Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017.
Department of Labor. In August 2017, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) filed a proposed amendment to its Fiduciary Rule which would extend the Rule’s transition period until July 1, 2019. It is yet to be determined whether the proposed 18-month delay will occur or whether any other action, including changes to the Rule’s requirements, will result from the DOL’s continued examination of the Rule. In addition, the new Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman has pledged to work with the DOL Secretary on a fiduciary rule.
Dodd-Frank. The Secretary of the Treasury (operating through Federal Insurance Office (“FIO”)) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) are jointly authorized, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), to negotiate a Covered Agreement with one or more foreign governments, authorities, or regulatory entities. A Covered Agreement is a written bilateral or multilateral agreement that “relates to the recognition of prudential measures with respect to the business of insurance or reinsurance that achieves a level of protection for insurance or reinsurance consumers that is substantially equivalent to the level of protection achieved under State insurance or reinsurance regulation.” As provided in Dodd-Frank, a Covered Agreement cannot supersede state insurance measures that govern an insurer’s rates, premiums, underwriting or sales practices; any state insurance coverage requirements; the application of antitrust laws of any state to the business of insurance; or any state insurance measure governing insurer capital or solvency, except where a state insurance measure results in less favorable treatment of a non-U.S. insurer than a U.S. insurer.
In November 2015, Treasury and USTR notified Congress that they were formally initiating negotiations on a Covered Agreement with the EU (the “Covered Agreement”) addressing: permanent equivalence treatment of the U.S. regulatory system by the EU; the confidential sharing of information by regulators across jurisdictions, and elimination of reinsurance collateral requirements for EU-based foreign reinsurers in all states that meet certain conditions. On January 13, 2017, the Secretary of the Treasury and USTR jointly submitted a Covered Agreement consistent with their November 2015 notification to Congress. In accordance with authorities provided in Dodd-Frank, the Covered Agreement may supersede state laws after 60 months from its effective date if then existing State insurance measures affected by the Covered Agreement result in less favorable treatment of an EU insurer or reinsurer subject to the Covered Agreement than a U.S. insurer domiciled, licensed, or otherwise admitted in a U.S. State. On September 22, 2017, the U.S. and EU signed the Covered Agreement, the text of which was identical to the text submitted to Congress on January 13, 2017. In addition to signing the Covered Agreement, Treasury and the USTR jointly issued a policy on September 22, 2017 clarifying how the U.S. views implementation of certain provisions of the Covered Agreement. The policy statement addresses key provisions of the Covered Agreement for which constituents sought clarity, including: application of the Covered Agreement’s collateral requirements (the policy statement clarifies that the Covered Agreement shall not be applied to reinsurance agreements, incurred losses, or posted reserves entered into or recognized before the date of the Covered Agreement), group capital assessment (the policy statement affirms that the Covered Agreement does not require development of a group capital standard or group capital requirement in the U.S.), and establishment of a Joint Committee, composed of representatives of the U.S. and EU as a forum for administration and implementation of the Covered Agreement (the policy statement clarifies that because state insurance regulators are largely responsible for implementing the Covered Agreement, the U.S. is committed to the direct involvement of state insurance regulators in the work of the Joint Committee).
Federal Reserve Board. On April 21, 2017, the President signed an Executive Order directing the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a review of the systemically important financial institutions (“SIFI”) designation process and provide a written report within 180 days of the date of the Executive Order. The Executive Order directs the Secretary of the Treasury to consider, among other attributes, whether the designation process is sufficiently transparent, provides entities with adequate due process, is supported by quantified risk assessments, and whether the designated entity is provided an opportunity to reduce identified risks to avoid SIFI designation. The Executive Order also directs the Secretary of the Treasury to evaluate the activities of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) related to its authority to make SIFI designations and determine whether that authority is consistent with the Presidential Executive Order on Core Principles for Regulating the U.S. Financial System. Lastly, the Executive Order temporarily suspends SIFI determinations and designations pending submission and review of the Secretary of the Treasury’s report. The Company has not been designated a SIFI under existing criteria nor does it anticipate a future SIFI designation if the activities and authorities of the FSOC are modified. On September 29, 2017, FSOC announced that in connection with its annual review of SIFI status required by Dodd-Frank, it rescinded the SIFI designation of a large insurance company due to actions taken by the company subsequent to its original designation that reduced the risk it posed to financial stability.
U.S. Treasury Department. On February 3, 2017, the President signed an Executive Order establishing Core Principles for financial regulation. These principles include empowering Americans to make independent financial decisions, save for retirement, and build wealth; preventing taxpayer-funded bailouts; promoting American competitiveness both at home and abroad; and making regulation efficient, effective and appropriately tailored. The Executing Order calls for the Secretary of the Treasury to evaluate the existing U.S. financial regulatory system to determine the extent to which existing regulation promotes the Core Principles

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Recent Developments

and to identify laws, regulations, and other regulatory actions that inhibit regulation in a manner consistent with the Core Principles. The first in a series of reports examining the U.S. financial regulatory system focused on depository institutions and was released on June 12, 2017. A second report on capital markets was released October 6, 2017. A report that addresses the asset management and insurance industries was released on October 26, 2017. We are assessing the impact on the Company and the industry.

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Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets” and other words with similar meanings. We believe these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans. However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements include risks related to: (1) adverse changes in the nature and level of catastrophes and severe weather events; (2) our catastrophe management strategy on premium growth; (3) unexpected increases in the frequency or severity of claims; (4) regulatory changes, including limitations on rate increases and requirements to underwrite business and participate in loss sharing arrangements; (5) impacts from the Covered Agreement, including changes in state insurance laws; (6) the cyclical nature of the property and casualty business; (7) market convergence and regulatory changes on our risk segmentation and pricing; (8) reestimates of reserves for claims; (9) adverse legal determinations regarding discontinued product lines and other legal and regulatory actions; (10) changes in underwriting and actual experience; (11) changes in reserve estimates for life-contingent contract benefits payable; (12) the influence of changes in market interest rates or performance-based investment returns on spread-based products; (13) changes in estimates of profitability on interest-sensitive life products; (14) reducing our concentration in spread-based business and exiting certain distribution channels; (15) changes in tax laws; (16) our ability to mitigate the capital impact associated with statutory reserving and capital requirements; (17) a decline in Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s financial strength ratings; (18) market risk and declines in credit quality relating to our investment portfolio; (19) our subjective determination of the fair value of our fixed income and equity securities and the amount of realized capital losses recorded for impairments of our investments; (20) competition in the insurance industry; (21) impacts of new or changing technologies on our business; (22) conditions in the global economy and capital markets; (23) losses from legal and regulatory actions; (24) restrictive regulation and regulatory reforms; (25) the availability of reinsurance at current levels and prices; (26) risk of our reinsurers; (27) our participation in state industry pools and facilities; (28) a downgrade in our financial strength ratings; (29) the effect of adverse capital and credit market conditions; (30) failure in cyber or other information security; (31) the impact of a large scale pandemic, the threat or occurrence of terrorism or military action; (32) acquisitions of businesses; (33) possible impairments in the value of goodwill; (34) changes in accounting standards; (35) the realization of deferred tax assets; (36) restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; (37) restrictions under the terms of certain of our securities on our ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock; (38) changing climate and weather conditions; (39) loss of key vendor relationships or failure of a vendor to protect confidential and proprietary information; and (40) intellectual property infringement, misappropriation and third party claims. Additional information concerning these and other factors may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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 disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act is made known to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. During the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussion under the heading “Regulation and Compliance” and under the heading “Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries” in Note 11 of the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total number
of shares
(or units)
purchased (1)
 
Average price
paid per share
(or unit) 
 
Total number
of shares (or units)
purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans or
programs (3)
 
Maximum number
(or approximate dollar
value) of shares
(or units) that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs (4)
July 1, 2017 -
July 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Open Market Purchases
664

 
$88.4400
 

 
 
August 1, 2017 -
August 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Goldman ASR (2)
341,077

 
$89.4127
 
341,077

 
 
      Open Market Purchases
575,355

 
$92.0418
 
529,900

 
 
September 1, 2017 -
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Open Market Purchases
1,243,261

 
$90.1919
 
1,240,600

 
 
Total
2,160,357

 
$90.5610
 
2,111,577

 
$1.85 billion
_______________
(1) 
In accordance with the terms of its equity compensation plans, Allstate acquired the following shares in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock awards and the exercise of stock options held by employees and/or directors. The shares were acquired in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon exercise or vesting and in payment of the exercise price of the options.
July: 664
August: 45,455
September: 2,661
(2) 
On June 9, 2017, Allstate entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman”) to purchase $250 million of our outstanding shares of common stock, which settled on August 17, 2017. Under this ASR Agreement, we repurchased a total of 2.8 million shares at an average price of $89.4127.
(3) 
From time to time, repurchases under our programs are executed under the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(4) 
On May 4, 2016, we announced the approval of a common share repurchase program for $1.5 billion, which was completed on August 21, 2017. On August 1, 2017, we announced the approval of a new common share repurchase program for $2 billion, which is expected to be completed by February 2019.



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Item 6. Exhibits
(a)
Exhibits
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Form 10-Q.
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
 
Exhibit 
 Number
Exhibit Description
Form
File 
Number
Exhibit
Filing
Date
Filed or
Furnished
Herewith
4
The Allstate Corporation hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission, upon request, the instruments defining the rights of holders of each issue of long-term debt of it and its consolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
15
 
 
 
 
X
31(i)
 
 
 
 
X
31(i)
 
 
 
 
X
32
 
 
 
 
X
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
X
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
 
X
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X



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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
The Allstate Corporation
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 1, 2017
By
/s/ Eric K. Ferren
 
 
Eric K. Ferren
 
 
(chief accounting officer and duly
 
 
authorized officer of Registrant)

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